Not My Fantasy

Twilight: New Moon (2009) (feat. Julia Bianco)

For the finale of Supernatural Romance Month, we’re phasing into the second chapter of the Twilight saga, New Moon. Cullen shows off his collection of werewolf books from the library, Hannah pleads for better wigs for the wolf boys, and Julia is in utter shock that she was ever Team Edward.
 
Check out Julia Bianco on Instagram (@Julia.A.Bianco). Be on the lookout for her supernatural romance book releasing in Spring 2026 from St. Martin’s Press!
 
Research for this episode:
Werewolf Stories: Shape-Shifters, Lycanthropes and Man-Beasts by Nice Redfern and Brad Steiger
Werewolf Pack Magick: A Shapeshifter’s Book of Shadows
Werewolves by Jon Izzard
Werewolves: The Occult Truth by Konstantinos
Werewolf Legends from Germany 
Werewolf Hunts 
Quileute Traditions and Wolves 
 
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Research & Writing by Cullen Callaghan. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.

The Shape of Water (2017)

For this week of Supernatural Romance Month, we’re diving deep into Guillermo Del Toro’s “The Shape of Water.” We cover the story of “Agneta and the Merman” and some lore behind sea creature lovers. Plus, Cullen finally admits he’s Guillermo Del Toro’s nepo baby, Hannah keeps quoting dank memes, and both hosts gush about their love of good heists.
 
Research for this episode:
Agneta and the Merman 1 https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/when-church-bells-ring-themes-and-proclivities-danish-folktale-agnete-and-merman-020927
Agneta and the Merman 2 https://books.google.com/books?id=in3kAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA120#v=onepage&q&f=false
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Watch Us on YouTube!
 
Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
 
@notmyfantasypod
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Research & Writing by Cullen Callaghan. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.
 

The Invitation (2022) (feat. Another Gay Horror Podcast)

We’re biting into romance-horror film The Invitation, starring Missandei and the son of Captain Hook. This week, Cullen is caught between fear and arousal over the hot vampire lord, Hannah volunteers to join the vampiric pansexual throuple, and our guest Stuart helps griffins and unicorns get the PR they really need.
 
Catch Another Gay Horror Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Follow their pod on Instagram (@anothergayhorrorpod). You can also follow Stuart on Instagram and Bluesky (@WStuartRoss). 
 
Research for this episode:
Legends of the Blood: The Vampire in History and Myth by Wayne Bartlett and Flavia Idriceanu
Transylvania Vampires: Folktales of the Living Dead: Retold
The ATU: https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/c.php?g=1039894&p=7610331
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Watch Us on YouTube!
 
Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
 
@notmyfantasypod
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Research & Writing by Cullen Callaghan. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.

Beastly (2011) (feat. Tori Coyne)

It’s Supernatural Romance Month yet again, and we’re going back to the tale as old as time with “Beastly.” Cullen relives the dread of the Villaneuve “Beauty and the Beast” tale, Hannah bemoans the movie from her freshly dug grave, and our guest Tori returns to the pod for her annual anti-Vanessa Hudgens rant.
 
Research for this episode:
Beauty and the Beast Beaumont’s Version 
The ATU 
Comparative phylogenetic analyses uncover the ancient roots of Indo-European folktales by Sara Graça da Silva and Jamshid J Tehrani 
Beauty and the Beast: Classic Tales About Animal Brides and Grooms from Around the World Edited by Maria Tatar 
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Watch Us on YouTube!
 
Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
 
@notmyfantasypod
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Research & Writing by Cullen Callaghan. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) (feat. T. Zaccario and Cait Callaghan)

It is cold, and Scrooge likes that. This holiday season, we’re watching “A Muppet Christmas Carol,” the most faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale. We dive into some of Christmas’ spooky history and Dickens’ influence on the depictions of the holiday in media. Cullen outs himself as a Nephew Freddie, Hannah reveals why she’s not a fan of The Muppets, T shivers at the sight of the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Cait flexes their English teacher muscles with lots of great insights into the book.
 
Want to support a teacher this holiday season (or anytime)? You can support Cait’s high school English classroom by donating and/or sharing the link to their classroom fund profile on DonorsChoose. You can also follow Cait on Instagram at @caldadlorian.
 
Be sure to check out T’s podcast, Obscure Obsessions wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the podcast on Instagram at @ObscurePodcast. 
 
Research for this episode:
How Ghost Stories Became a Christmas Tradition in Victorian England - History Channel
 
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Watch Us on YouTube!
 
Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
 
@notmyfantasypod
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Research & Writing by Cullen Callaghan. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.

Moana 2 (2024)

This week, Cullen and Hannah talk about the a-meh-zing Moana 2, emphasis on meh. We both try to articulate why this movie didn’t quite work, Cullen gives us a lesson on musical lyric writing, and Hannah brainstorms a plot for the Moana sequel we wanted to see. Oh, and there are so many references to the Bionicle movie, Wicked and D&D.
Research for this episode:
Polynesian Mythology (book) - Wikipedia
 
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Watch Us on YouTube!
 
Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
 
@notmyfantasypod
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Research & Writing by Hannah Sylvester and Cullen Callaghan. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.

Wicked Part One (2024) (feat. Down the Yellow Brick Pod)

We’re going back before the brick road was yellow to discuss the Wicked movie! We’re joined by Tara and EmKay of Down the Yellow Brick Pod to talk about the movie, the musical, and the book! Cullen holds space for the future Shiz University Library LEGO set, Hannah goes on a face journey hearing the plot of the book, Tara spreads Gregory Maguire’s pro-crone message, and EmKay spotlights Cynthia and Ariana’s award-nomination-worthy scenes.
 
Want more Tara, EmKay, and Oz? Listen to Down the Yellow Brick Pod wherever you get your podcasts. And follow them on Instagram: @DownTheYellowBrickPod. 
 
Research for this episode:
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
 
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Watch Us on YouTube!
 
Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
 
@notmyfantasypod
Instagram
TikTok
 
Research & Writing by Cullen Callaghan. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.

The Wizard of Oz (1939) (feat. Jenna Karn)

We’re entering our Oz era. This week, we’re talking about the classic fantasy film “The Wizard of Oz” starring Judy Garland. Cullen takes us through the crazy fantasy of the L. Frank Baum book, Hannah shows off her Oz swag from her theatre viewing, and our guest Jenna shares her wonderful experience meeting the munchkins as a kid.
 
Research for this episode:
Yale Film Archive 
Wizard of Oz and the LGBT Community 
Judy Garland as a Gay Icon .
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum 
Baum’s Comments about Native Americans 
The Rainbow Flag 
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Watch Us on YouTube!
 
Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
 
@notmyfantasypod
Instagram
TikTok
 
Research & Writing by Cullen Callaghan. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) (feat. Mike Lera)

We’re ending our first zombie series with the classic that launched the modern, pop culture zombie: George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968). We’re joined by writer, filmmaker and all-around horror buff Mike Lera to explore how Romero’s ghouls got the zombie moniker. In this episode, Cullen accidentally watches the 1990 remake, Hannah reminds us of the importance of remembering the original Haitian zombie and its history, and Mike shares his experience meeting Judith O’Dea, a.k.a Catatonic Barbara.
 
Check out Mike on Instagram and Facebook @MikeLera.author.screenwriter, on YouTube @MikeLera and be sure to check out his work on MikeLera.com.
 
Research for this episode:
“The Tragic Forgotten History of Zombies” by Mike Marian - The Atlantic
“Romero Invented Flesh Eaters” - Zombie Research Society
“Infographic: The Ultimate Guide to Zombies” by Luke W. Boyd - Zombie Research Society
I Am Legend (Novel) - Wikipedia
Night of the Living Dead - Wikipedia
 
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Watch Us on YouTube!
 
Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
 
@notmyfantasypod
Instagram
TikTok
 
Research & Writing by Hannah Sylvester. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998) (feat. Christian Cintron)

Zoinks! The NMF gang watches “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island” and, like, we weren’t prepared for such a rich discussion on zombies. This week, we dive into the voodoo of New Orleans and how this movie uses it as a backdrop for benevolent zombies, voodoo dolls, and werecats! Cullen reveals himself to be the lost 5th (human) member of the Mystery Inc. gang, Hannah headbangs through the music numbers, and our guest Christian does a Charli XCX impression so good, you’ll get the heebie-jeebies. 
 
Check out Christian Cintron on Instagram and X @StandUp4YourPower, and watch his comedy special “Laugh Proud” for FREE on Tubi!
 
Research for this episode:
The Zombie Island Reboot Era - HassledVania
The History of Scooby Doo - Dave Lee Down Under
"Scooby-lution” - Obscure Obsessions
Obscure Obsessions Episode on Scooby Doo
Louisiana Voodoo–Mystery in Motion: African Spirituality in Mardi Gras - Louisiana State Museums
New Orleans Voodoo - NewOrleans.com 
“Voodoo, Psychics & Spirituality” - Folks, PBS
Voodoo doll - Wikipedia
Voodoo Is Rebounding in New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina - Newsweek
Hexing a Hurricane - Wikipedia
“God, Gays, and Voodoo: Voicing Blame for Katrina” - Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal
Cats in Ancient Egypt - Wikipedia
Cats, Bastet and the Worship of Feline Gods - American Research Center in Egypt
The 'Feline States of America': How Cats Helped Shape The US - WUWM
 
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Watch Us on YouTube!
 
Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
 
@notmyfantasypod
Instagram
TikTok
 
Research & Writing by Hannah Sylvester and Cullen Callaghan. 
This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.
 
Cover Art by William Callaghan
Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.