Not My Fantasy

This week, we’re talking with friend of the pod and the NMF Twilight correspondent Julia Bianco! Her fantasy romance adventure novel Witch Season is officially out, so she talked with us about corporatized witchcraft, enemies to lovers, and developing her book into a TV show!

Pick up a copy of Witch Season wherever you buy your books. Be sure to pre-order the sequel Heat Spell, out next summer. Keep up with Julia on Instagram and on her website, http://juliabianco.com.

Famtasy Choice Awards

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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.

We’re concluding Swords and Sandals Summer with the modern take on Greek demigods, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters! Cullen calculates how many hit points we’re dealt each scene of the movie, Hannah does her best impression of the boy employee himself, and our guest Red finds her new personal nemesis.

Check out Red, one half of the YouTube channel Overly Sarcastic Productions. Follow their channel on Instagram (@overly.sarcastic.productions) and Bluesky(@overlysarcastic.bsky.social)! You can also hear Red on her various podcasts, including The Overly Sarcastic Podcast and Rolling With Difficulty.

Research for this episode:

• Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

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Research & Writing by Cullen Callaghan.

This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.

Cover Art by William Callaghan

The ultimate Swords and Sandals film is finally here! This week, we discuss Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey starring literally everyone in Hollywood. Cullen demands more men in skirts, Hannah is still pro-Polyphemus, Ben petitions for a Nolan-directed body horror movie, and Kevin might just sign up for the Matt Damon fan club.

Check out Ben’s content on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok at @Bend_316!

Research for this episode:

• Summary of the Odyssey

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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.

Another Ray Harryhausen joint–it’s Jason and the Argonauts! This week, Cullen pulls a deep cut from Monsters Inc., Hannah demands the Tyler Perry’s Madea cut of this film, and our guest Callum prays to the goth goddess Hecate.

Be sure to follow Callum’s podcast Once Upon a VHS onInstagram andTiktok! Listen to him and his co-host Michael wherever you listen to NMF!

Research for this episode:

• The Argonautica

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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.

We pre-game for Nolan’s Odyssey with the TikTok musical animatic of Epic: The Musical! Cullen uses the power of music to pronounce ancient Greek names, Hannah unpacks emotional baggage, and our guest Lill brings her mythology-gaming expertise. Bonus points if you can guess how many times we say “epic” throughout the episode.

Check out LillTCG on Instagram and TikTok (@LillTCG) and listen to her gaming and pop culture podcast, I Hate This Game (@ihtgpod), wherever you listen to NMF!

Research for this episode:

• The Odyssey
• Odyssey Recap
• Epic the Musical Full Movie

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Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:

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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.

Swords and sandals meets Pride! This week, we’re discussing Sebastiane, the sensual, slow-burn erotic thriller about St. Sebastian. Cullen ranks the gayest saints, Hannah thanks
Obama for everything, and our guest Brandon gives industry-insider insight on the movie’s production.

Huge thanks to Brandon for being on this sexy, sensual episode ;)

Research for this episode:

• David and Jonathan
• Sergius and Bacchus
• 100 Saints: : Their Lives and Likenesses Drawn from Butler's Lives of the Saints and Great Works of Western Art
• Hey Mary! By Andrew Wheeler

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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.

Um, I think we all have the power. It’s He-Man: Masters of the Universe for another entry in Swords and Sandals Summer! We’re joined by our friend and podcaster T. to gawk at the himbo-ness of this toy-to-cartoon-to-movie-to-cartoon-to-movie movie. Cullen doesn’t believe Prince Henry’s crush on Veronica Lodge, Hannah’s bisexuality is confirmed, and T. wants his two hours and 20 minutes back.

Check out T.’s podcast, Obscure Obsessions wherever you listen to NMF! Follow their adventures on Instagram and Twitter (@obscurepodcast).

Research for this episode:

• History of Toys on TV
• The History of He-Man

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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.

Don your tunics because this week of Swords and Sandals Summer is the original 1981 Clash of the Titans! We’re joined by host of the Big Flying Lizards podcast, Bryce Wilson! Cullen fights against twunk erasure, Hannah adopts the mechanical owl named Bubo as her child, and Bryce catches all the Mormon references.

Check out Bryce’s dragon-focused fantasy podcast Big Flying Lizards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube! AND you can follow the adventures on Instagram (@BigLizPod).

Research for this episode:

• Bulfinch’s Mythology
• Ovid’s Metamorphosis
• Hesoid’s Theogony

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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.

This week of Swords and Sandals summer, we’re talking Clash of the Titans, the 2010 remake of the beloved 1980s film of the same name. Cullen gushes about his love of Perseus, Hannah fumbles through the confusing plot, and our guest Emma pitches the better version of this film where Gemma Arterton plays a cow.

Huge thanks to our guest, screenwriter and friend of the pod Emma Dudley!

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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

This week, we’re talking about the most 2004 movie ever made–Troy! We’re joined by TV writer and friend of the pod, Jeremy Gilfor! In this episode, Cullen prays to the gods that didn’t appear in this adaptation, Hannah desperately tries to convince Cullen this movie is amazing, and Jeremy catches us up on the director’s cut.

Huge thanks to Jeremy for going on this ancient epic adventure with us!

Research for this episode:

• The Iliad translated by Samuel Butler and edited by Louise R. Loomer (1942)
• Bulfinch’s Mythology

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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.

This is the episode we’ve been promising (threatening) for YEARS! Kicking off our Swords and Sandals Spring and Summer is Dreamworks Animation’s “The Prince of Egypt” (1998). Cullen makes multiple references to Veggie Tales, Hannah lists the forefathers of Moses from memory, and Allyssa sets the record straight on the Egyptian gods rollcall rap.

Huge thank you to our bestie Allyssa for joining us on this episode!

Research for this episode:

• Exodus: Chapters 1-14

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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.

We’re bringing both Supernatural Romance Month and Frankenstein back to life on the pod. This week, we’re joined by podcast host and friend Jon to talk about Maggie Gyllenhaal’s strange take on “The Bride of Frankenstein.” Cullen recovers from his no-thoughts-head-empty viewing of the film, Hannah plans a tattoo dedicated to this wacky story, and Jon catches all the fun references to the original 1935 film.

Check out Jon on his pod, Life’s But a Song! You can listen to that show wherever you find Not My Fantasy and follow on Instagram, Threads and Facebook (@ButASongPod).

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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.

This week, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a forgotten Disney gem that Cullen grew up thinking was offensive. We meet Darby O’Gill, a young Scottish Sean Connery and a leprechaun Fire Island while Hannah shades the annoying widow and Tierney rages against Katie O’Gill. We also explore the history of Leprechauns, the Fey and why you should always say Bless You when someone sneezes.

Check out White Oaks Bookstore and the kickstarter for Daniel Foster’s film Reset

Research for this episode:

• The Irish and Fairy Mounds
• Irish Fairy and Fairy Tales

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Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:

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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.

This week, we explore Netflix’s Emerald Isle with Lindsay Lohan in “Irish Wish.” Cullen is not this movie’s apologist, Hannah auditions to be a screaming script doctor, and Natalie handles the geography checks.

Check out Natalie on Instagram (@NatalieNiaIvey)! You can also find her content on YouTube and TikTok!

Research for this episode:

• Brigid, Goddess and Saint
• St. Brigid of Kildare
• Brigid and Druidism
• St. Brigid - Catholic Encyplodeia

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Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:

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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.

This week, we’re DIVING into Irish folklore with the animated selkie story, “Song of the Sea.” Cullen retcons his childhood nickname, Hannah admits that she cries sometimes, and Maiko shares the special connection she has with this movie.

Huge thank you to Maiko for joining us for another whimsical fantasy film!

Research for this episode:

• Selkie Stories
• Manannan Mac Lir
• Owls in Celtic Myth
• Irish Storytelling
• Macha
• Irish Fey

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Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:

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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.

This week, we’re going full gothic horror romance with Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Cullen goes down a Crimean War rabbit hole, Hannah can’t stand this version of Victor Frankenstein, and Tish reminds us of Mary Shelley’s emotional depth and genius.

Check out Tish on Instagram, TikTok and Substack (@TalesWithTish). AND be sure to grab her book, “Ebony, Blood, and Snow,” from wherever you buy books online or request it at your local library!

Referenced in this episode:

• Frankenstein Is Actually About Being a Woman - Final Girl Digital

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Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:

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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.

Celebrate the 3rd annual Twilight episode of Not My Fantasy! We’re joined again by our friend Julia to talk all things Twilight: Eclipse. Cullen inches ever closer to becoming someone who’s seen all of the Twilight films, Hannah dives deep into Stephanie Meyer’s writing process, and Julia feels seen thanks to the reappearance of her vampire counterpart, Victoria.

Check out Julia on Instagram (@Julia.A.Bianco). Her book “Witch Season” comes out on June 30, 2026, so be sure to preorder and ask your local library to stock it!

Research for this episode:

• New Moon Q and A with Stephenie - StephanieMeyer.com
• Author Interview: Stephenie Meyer on Twilight - CynthiaLeitchSmith.com
• Interview with vampire writer Stephenie Meyer - Entertainment Weekly
• Plato’s Symposium - Copy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Truth vs. Twilight - Burke Museum
• Princess Olga: Eastern Woman Through Western Eyes - Lee A. Hitt, Georgia Southern University

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Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:

@notmyfantasypod

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Research & Writing by Hannah Sylvester.

This episode was edited by Hannah Sylvester.

Cover Art by William Callaghan

Intro Music: "The Quest" by Scott Little.

K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025) (feat. Uriel Mendoza)

To kick off Supernatural Romance Month 2k26, we’re FINALLY talking about THE fantasy animated musical of last year–K-Pop Demon Hunters. Cullen shows off his boyband demon side, Hannah celebrates original concepts for film, and our guest Uriel relives his second-generation K-Pop fanboy days.

Huge thanks to Uriel for guesting on this episode and helping us seal the fantasy-film-podcast honmoon!

Research for this episode:

• Princess Bari
• Korean Mythology and K-Pop Demon Hunters
• Korean Saja
• The Weapons

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Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:

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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.

Happy Holidays from Cullen and Hannah and friend of the pod Katie! This season we controversially stretch the boundaries of our genre to slouch towards Bethlehem with our boy Milo and the team behind Glee and High School Musical. We explore the real war on Christmas, the history of the festive season and even do a seasonal Bible study. (Making Cullen a new favorite of Hannah’s mom) Will our religious upbringing clash with the fun bops of this musical? Will we reignite the wars between Catholics and Protestants? Find out in this seasonal delight of an episode.

Listen to/Read Katie’s Recommendations

• Unchurchable
• A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy

Please if you can, donate to https://www.chirla.org/ to support safety and justice for immigrant communities.

Research for this episode:

• The Gospel of Luke
• The Gospel of Matthew
• The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Mary
• Historicity of the Nativity Narratives - Secular
• Historicity of the Nativity Narratives - Christian
• History of Christmas
• The Banning of Christmas
• Cullen Hates to Admit that the history of Augustus, the Three Kings and the Church of the Nativity was primarily from Wikipedia.

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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.

We’re easing on down to a cult-classic version of Oz–it’s The Wiz! This week, Cullen reveals his disdain for 70s cinema, Hannah demands answers about Dorothy, and our guest Jahlyn tries to figure out why this Oz is so dystopian. Also, Cullen and Hannah reveal their very weird relationship with this movie, which they had never seen before.

Check out Jahlyn on Instagram @jrmthewerm to see her awesome artwork! And be sure to listen to the podcast Zeitgeist (by Pulp Culture) wherever you listen to Not My Fantasy!

Research for this episode:

• How 'The Wiz' Movie Was Created, The Geoffrey Holder Story - Story You Should Know
• The Wiz: More Than Just the Black Version | Movie Decoded

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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.