Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2026 #2: Dragon Connections
June 15, 2026

I’m playing catch-up with the Dragon Con Report after being out of the loop since January.

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast.  Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the second episode for 2026, the hosts explore love. Love at con. Love that brings congoers together.

From chance encounters in crowded hotel lobbies to friendships that blossomed into lifelong partnerships, these are stories of fans who met at con and are still together years later. Mike, Jennifer, and Channing are joined by Josh Duart, Tyra Burton, Lauren & Nikki Evallen-Muller, and Kristi & Justin Grub to talk about meeting their someone in the dance of cosplay and late-night panel adventure.

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The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2026 #1: The First Dragon Con
June 8, 2026

I’m playing catch-up with the Dragon Con Report after being out of the loop since January.

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast.  Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the premiere for 2026, the hosts are honoring Dragon Con’s 40th year with a look at the very first Dragon Con convention. Dragon Con officially launched on October 2, 1987, at the Pierremont Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia (which is apparently known now as the Crowne Plaza Atlanta – Midtown, located near Spring Street and North Avenue, about a mile from the current convention footprint). Chipping in $300 each, Pat Henry, David Cody, John Bunnell, Robert Dennis, and others were able to attract some big names like Michael Moorcock, Robert Asprin, Richard Garriott, and Gary Gygax, as well as 1,200 attendees. It was small, but it was a success.

Mike, Jennifer, and Channing are joined by Darin Bush and Marilyn Teague to discuss their memories of that 1987 event and its legacy.

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The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2025 #11: Dragon Cults
November 5, 2025

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast.  Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the eleventh episode for 2025, the hosts are starting a new series in preparation for Dragon Con’s 40th anniversary. That’s right, it’s history time with some discussions on the various con cults. From carpet celebrations to shrines for cardboard cutouts, this con has some wacky ways to build communities. Start your journey with this introductory episode.

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The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2025 #10: 2025 Dragon Con Debrief
October 27, 2025

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast.  Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the tenth episode for 2025, the hosts look back on Dragon Con 2025 and discuss the highs and lows from the event. Con may be over, but there’s always time to think about next year, the things you’d love to do again, and the things that need some improvement.

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The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2025 #9: Crunch Time to Con
August 28, 2025

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the ninth episode for 2025, they squeak in one last roundtable before the big event. They talk Tiki Time with Jonathan Chaffin and Horror in Clay to discuss the official Dragon Con tiki mug. They also go retro with Joe Crowe of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track, including his love of all things Manimal.

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The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2025 #8: Revelry Round Up
August 27, 2025

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the eighth episode for 2025, the team goes deep into the most exciting after-dark experiences at con. From imaginative fantasy events to nostalgic retro parties, Dragon Con celebrates it all, and this episode brings Kevin Cafferty, Rebecca Perry, and Renee Cooper to the dance floor as they explore Dragon Con’s nightlife.

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The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2025 #7: Bunny Hutch
August 27, 2025

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the seventh episode for 2025, the team gets dressed for the Bunny Hutch with Danielle, Lisa, and Gogo. They talk about the origins, how it has grown, those amazing costumes, and how it raises funds for charity.

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The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2025 #5: Palmetto Knights
July 3, 2025

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the fifth episode for 2025, the team suits up for a conversation with Laurence Lagnese, the event coordinator for the Palmetto Knights. The Palmetto Knights is a nonprofit international sports team based out of South Carolina with various clubs in the southeast. The medieval fight team includes both men and women, and focuses on the research and training to recreate the ancient art of Medieval and Renaissance foot combat. At Dragon Con, they host the Dragon’s Cup Tournament.

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The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2025 #4: Glamour Geek Revue
June 20, 2025

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the fourth episode for 2025, the team gets sparkly, sultry, and spectacular with the sensational May Hemmer. The Glamour Geek Revue is Dragon Con’s premier burlesque extravaganza, and in this edition of the Dragon Con Report, May reviews past performances and teases the cosplay creativity and breathtaking routines you might see in this year’s show.

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The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.