For anyone who is catching up, can you share your Supernatural journey? We would love to hear a recap of how you got into watching the show, and how that eventually led to the podcast.
Fanworld
I'm longtime friends with Eric Kripke and got excited when he first sold the show. I watched the first 5 seasons weekly as they came out. It wasn't till the whole series was released on Netflix that I started binge watching the other seasons. Honestly, I still haven't gotten through all of seasons 14 and 15 yet. The podcast is really a thank you note to him and all the folks that made the series.
Steven Hein
Something I’ve been asked to ask you by a few fans, if the process of recording the podcast. How many episodes are recorded at a time; what’s the time lapse between recording and release; are you’re watching the season along with the guys.
Fanworld
We record anywhere from 1-3 in a day. We try to record 3-4 weeks before release. Once we recorded 48 hours before release. I'm rewatching episode by episode with them.
Steven Hein
The SPN Then and Now audience has been very vocal about what they felt you were and weren’t doing right, even before the podcast launched, and I feel like you’ve done a great job of listening to that feedback. Did the level of engagement surprise you at all?
Fanworld
Yes, and while I spoke with many of the architects of the series to get their blessings and thoughts, I regret not doing a better job of speaking with more of the fan community prior to launch.
Steven Hein
Rich and especially Rob, love to tease you about the typos in the scripted parts of the episodes. Real talk - do you deliberately drop some typos in just to mess with Rob’s reading?
Fanworld
Those are all pretty honest mistakes. Supernatural Then and Now is the only podcast that I produce this hands on. Usually I'm in more of an Executive Producer role. And Haida does a great job pulling together much of the research. My plate is so full that I'm often writing the summary hours before we record. I thought that eventually I would bring on a producer, but I enjoy it so much. Rob and Rich are so talented they've turned my errors into an element of the show. I can't imagine the podcast without typos now. Even though I try, something always still slips through. There is probably a typo in my written responses to your questions.
Steven Hein
Obviously, being a long-time watcher, you’re the only one of the team who knows everything that’s coming up. What episode or storyline are you most excited for Rob and Rich to discover?
Fanworld
Season 5. Also, they know many of the fan favorites, but haven't seen them. I'm excited for Fan Fiction, Death's Door, and Scoobynatural.
Steven Hein
Having watched the show from its launch, how aware were you of the SPN fandom, or of fandom in general. Had you been an active member of a fan community before? What else are you a fan of?
Fanworld
I was pretty aware, but not aware of how active on social media they are. I had been to some of the panels at San Diego Comicon in the early years. It was great to chat with folks then. I worked at Nerdist and Geek & Sundry for awhile, so it would have been hard to not be a fan of stuff.
Steven Hein
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore
Briana and Kim have recently begun recording their Wayward Podcast live at conventions. Would you be open to doing the same with SPN Then and Now if the chance arose? Live interviews and episode commentary?
Fanworld
We've spoken to Creation about it. We've also thought about doing something in Los Angeles. However, it's always been tricky because of the guys' schedules. It is hard to predict where they are going to be 3-4 weeks out. We just came out of a really busy cycle for them. Rich was directing a ton and Rob was traveling back and forth for The Boys. With the writers strike things have slowed down, so maybe the opportunity will soon present itself.
Steven Hein
Finally, as you’re officially a member of the SPN Fam, we thought it was only right if we ended by posing some classic convention questions to you. These are all evergreens on the Creation circuit (one even inspired a watch-at-home drinking game):
​
If you were a tree, what tree would you be?
​
Ponderosa Pine.
​
What’s your stripper name? (first pet, first street you lived on)
Pal 75
What’s your animal avatar?
Duck
And finally (drinks at the ready, readers)
What’s the best prank you’ve ever played, or had played on you?
For April Fools day my wife and I swapped out the vanilla cream in Oreos with toothpaste and gave them to our kids.
​
One word to describe Rich?
Spontanious
​
What would you pick as your theme song?
We Are The Champions by Queen
​
One word to describe Rob?
Considerate
​