2025 Media Guests
James Blakey
James Blakey has published fifty short stories across a variety of genres and is a three-time finalist for the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Derringer Award, winning in 2019 for his story “The Bicycle Thief.” As an active member of the writing community, he leads critique groups in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and Shenandoah County, and serves as the Secretary of the Rocktown Writers Guild. His debut novel SUPERSTITION, a paranormal thriller, was released by City Owl Press in 2024. James is also the publisher and co-editor of CHARLOTTESVILLE FANTASTIC: ARCANE ECHOES FROM VIRGINIA’S HEARTLAND, an anthology featuring speculative tales set in and around Charlottesville. When not crafting stories, James explores the outdoors having summited forty of the fifty US state high points, or embarks on bike-camping adventures along the East Coast. He resides in Broadway, Virginia.
Matt Bolea
Known best for his graphic design work in the horror industry and as the owner of 2Die4 LLC, Matt Bolea’s journey went from simply creating fan art, to creating official logos, designs, and working alongside some of his favorite movies and celebrities. His story of what he’s learned throughout the process is one he’s excited to share to help other artists and creators find the most success with their own passions as possible!
Sammie Cassell
Sammie Cassell is a NC based actor, producer and comedian. He has been seen in Halloween Kills, Eyes of Tammy Faye, Please Don’t Destroy, Hunting Wives and many local films. He does Improv comedy out of the Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro NC and is a performer with the Channel 53 sketch troupe. Known in some circles as Sammie the Comic Book Man. He’s also VP of Wreak Havoc Productions
Carol Cowles
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery, The Cinemistress on Geek Radio Daily and one half of Refried Scenes on The Poprika Network. When she is not podcasting – she is reading, writing or crafting. If you have trouble locating her, check your local cineplex, as movie theatres are her second home. Her fandoms include all things Tolkien, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Star Wars and tea – lots of tea.
You can find her on the interwebs at www.guardiansofthegeekery.com, and www.geekradiodaily.com.
Rob & Phyllis Floyd
Rob & Phyllis Floyd have a podcast on cult movies and host movie events (as Fantasmo Cult Cinema Explosion). They also organize the one-day Horror Mini-Con, Monster Fest, in Chesapeake, Virginia and produce, direct, and perform in the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the NARO Expanded Cinema with the “Creatures of the Naro” shadowcast in Norfolk, Virginia.
Rob is a musician, artist, horror host & professional emcee for events suck as burlesque shows, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, concerts, haunted attractions, and movie events like Flashback Fridays at NARO Expanded Cinema.
For more information:
fantasmo.podbean.com
http://www.monsterfestva.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FantasmoAfterDark/
www.Youtube.com/@fantasmoafterdark
Joey aka the Giddygeeker
Joey Starnes (aka the GiddyGeeker) does not claim to be an expert on all geekeries – she’s just happy to organize it. She runs the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast, the Merry Mayhem and the Geekery Market. She is also part of the Two Woke Bonnets podcast, a present day rewatching of Little House on the Prairie (she especially loves the Star Trek crossover episodes) Her main geekdoms include Doctor Who, Marvel, Star Wars, board games, WoW, and most anything British. She also has a slight obsession with DWTS and TikTok. She’s mostly prepared for a Zombie Apocalypse but is always willing to upgrade her bug-out bag contents. She has yet to build up an immunity to iocane powder. When not scooting from con to con handing out flamingos, she’s blissfully ensconced on the couch with her dog Angel and her husband Matt. You can find her in all the places by searching for @giddygeeker, but it may be easiest to start at charlottegeeks.com
The Matriarch of Fandom
The Matriarchs of Fandom, featuring Vonda Marshall, Grae McKeithan Bogle, Liz Albitz, and K’tala Burrett. As a dynamic podcasting group, we explore the heart of fandom culture—diving into the impact of media, the evolution of fan communities, and the ways fandom continues to shape pop culture. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just starting your journey, this panel is your gateway to celebrating and understanding the ever-expanding world of fandom. (https://www.youtube.com/@thecosmicportalsalvageyard)
Blerds ( Black Nerds ) “Blerds,” the podcast where we explore the vibrant world of fandom from a Black nerd perspective. Join us as we dive into the latest in comics, movies, TV shows, and games, all while keeping the conversation light and fun. We’re here to share our love for all things nerdy, without getting too political, but still bringing you our honest thoughts and insights. Calibas Ran, Mark Marshall, Vincent Callahan Vonda Marshall. Let’s get nerdy! (https://www.youtube.com/@thecosmicportalsalvageyard)