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RFR Q&A #102: The Measure of One's Fandom (Patreon)

Published:
2022-01-25 18:59:02
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

When RFR V.I.P Peter Beisser was a kid, he equated STAR WARS fandom and things. (Thanks, Kenner!) But what happens later in life if you decide to separate yourself from that compulsion to accumulate stuff as Peter did a few years back? Can you still be considered a BIG fan without buying? And what are you gaining/missing out on not building a collection? Peter talks about the circumstances and relationships that separated him from his childhood STAR WARS collection and it's impact on his fandom. 

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Comments

Jared Cantor

GREAT topic. I cannot wait to listen because this issue resonates with me, but for a slightly different reason (though I have also dramatically scaled back buying, I was not a huge collector to begin with). For me, when the canon rebooted in 2014/2015 I made it my mission to purchase all new canon books - think novels, guides and source books, comics, YA stuff, and children's books (I have a kid, so that wasn't too weird). But earlier this year it just reached the point where I had amassed so much stuff in just 6 years and the thought of having a lifetime worth of stuff to dispose of when I am older made me rethink (that and moving houses) what it meant to be a 'fan'. Now, I buy only what really, really interests me (nothing THR) and even then I don't feel like I 'have to' buy it to be a 'fan'. It's been a hard process over the last ~6 months, but I am feeling better about my decision (and so does my wallet).

Drake Widlake

Sweet!!! Just in time for my ride home from work!!

Patrick Palen

Awesome!! I look forward to these every week

Sean W. from Warsaw

Very interesting topic! Can't wait to listen. I've ofte questioned my decision to sell my collection from back in the day, though not necessarily out of doubt that I'm a fan. I do really miss it, in many ways, but I think I'm more content keeping just a handful of the most prized or sentimental possessions. Though, there were some I seriously regret getting rid of more than others, and I've thought about seeking those out again for sentimentality. I think, in the end, though, I would love, above all, to get my old EU books back. I started reacquiring the most important comics (like Tales of the Jedi) and Dark Empire, and I feel really good about that so far. I'd love to grab up more rpg sourcebooks, though I have a lot already, with the rest digitally downloaded (though it's not the same as physically owning them). The West End Games ones are always high on my list, though expensive. But so fun to seek out!

DarthMosk

Just started listening and love it so far! Pete, I’m in Philly also! Hit me up, maybe we can grab a drink!

Keith Say

This is really sad 😢

john g

Hi Peter, enjoying the podcast so far. Out of curiosity, is the history teacher friend you mention from NJ? I know it's a shot in the dark but one of my high school history teachers growing up was a diehard star wars fan (had tattoos and everything) and the timeline you referenced about how long he has been teaching seems to line up.

Sean W. from Warsaw

Dude, I just finished listening and...my heart, man! It brought me back to when I sold my collection years ago. And it stings, still, because it was around so much of it that my dad and I bonded. Man.... I kept the most important ones, but even to this day, some 20 years later, he still ribs me about it, and certain ones specifically. Lol Maybe you can grab up certain ones that made the most impact on you, at least...? In any event, wow, it'd be sweet if that drive Jimmy is wanting to do actually worked out. Lol Anyways, great first episode, Peter! Good to finally see you join the crowd here on the Q and A roster after seeing you pop up so frequently. :D Now that you're on here with Eric from Phoenix, between you, him and Rashid alone it's a legendary combo of Patreon members who have contributed so much for so long. Looking forward to hearing more from ya!

Pistol Pete

Peter is a VIP now… man. Guess they let anyone in these days 😀

David Fieldsend

Great show, Peter (and Jimmy)! For me, fandom means something resonated with you, and youve taken some active role in following it, whether thats collecting, or reading EU stuff, or joining a great group of people listening to a podcast. I for one have never been a SW collector, i just dont seem to have that desire to hunt down and own the stuff that ive heard so many other people describe. But that sounded painful, to have to sell your collection and then figure out what your fandom now is, and means. Im glad youre thinking about it out loud, and letting us all listen in!

Fettmatic

Awesome job Peter.👍🏾👍🏾

Peter Beisser
>>76449282

Hey, John. Unfortunately, he's a PA guy. But a lot of guys that age are all cut from the same cloth!

James Lawrence

I feel for you Peter and I am glad you got to talk this through with Jimmy. I am sure that lots of us can sympathise with your story. Take care my friend!

Blake Weaver

Really awesome convo Peter. I can’t wait to hear you on Q&A again. And don’t feel like you’re alone with feeling like part of your fandom isn’t up to par with everyone else. I see people traveling to podcast meetups, out of state cons, massive collections in man caves. All the while I’m stuck at home with no time to travel or money to pay for it. I look at others doing those things and it makes me feel like I’m missing out to. But I did get to go to Chicago and briefly meet rfr at celebration. I can do local cons in Florida. I make the best of it and realize at the end of the day what’s most important is that Star Wars still takes me to a galaxy far far away every time I watch, read, play it. Which overall is the most important thing for all of us here.

Brian Wilkins

Wow, I really enjoy every Q&A episode but this one just hit differently. Great chat and I feel like it was therapeutic for Peter to talk through some of this with Jimmy. I think at times it can be difficult for others who don't collect or may not be as passionate about the things that we are to understand why these things mean so much to us and how in so many ways they are extensions of us and our fandom. With that said, if the crew decides to put together a little care package for Peter (assuming its something he and his wife are ok with), I would happily contribute.

Ben P. Stein

Peter and Jimmy, Thanks for a very special conversation. I connected to a lot of things in it, and I think all of us on here probably could. I was in 9th grade when ROTJ came out, and after they saw it, a lot of my friends who were my age didn't want to talk about Star Wars anymore. I remember one friend said, "Yeah, it wrapped up loose ends" and that was it! An empty nester now, I've rekindled much of my passion for Star Wars in the last few years. This podcast was excellent company tonight, and it's so nice to be a part of this community. Thank you!

Carlos Ortega

Going to add this, since I’ll be the only one, that “nurse” was a doctor (Dr Bailey). Who is legitimately a Star Wars fan in show and in real life. Makes a couple of Star Wars mentions and quotes throughout the 18 seasons.

Carlos Ortega

Hi, my name is Carlos, and I love Star Wars but I also like Grey’s Anatomy 🥴

Carlos Ortega

Jimmy stating there’s a listener who “has Harry Potter marathons”.. also me, just the other day. 😅

Tyler Page

Hey hey! Go white sox and a great episode! There’s something great about collecting and having your own space or shrine for it. Experiences are irreplaceable though so I totally get where Peter’s coming from. Good to here you on here Peter!

Antonio from NJ

Great convo Peter and JMac! Fandom is always an interesting topic to me. I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and that fandom (while finally opening up) can be a bunch of stuffy people who look down on you because you don't look, fit, talk the right way. And honestly it's tiresome. I remember early on having a convo w someone online and because I didn't have trivia level memory - I wasn't a real fan. Lol ok No one gets tell you if you are a fan of something. @peter hell you can store your stuff in my crawl space brother! Also jw would meg freak out if... let's say your fellow RFR fans sent you some SW stuff? Just saying

Peter Beisser
>>76488667

Thanks, Antonio. Appreciate the thoughts (and the offer of storage!) but I'm good with paring down. Feel bad Meg came out as kinda the bad guy. She's amazing--and really I ultimately made that choice myself.

Antonio from NJ

Hah the more I listen, the more JMac gets me hyped, @Peter - if Jmac comes to philly for the intervention Im coming too! Im in NJ man so I can be there asap haha

Antonio from NJ
>>76488667

Hah nah, she came off as a normal person (like my wife). All jokes aside man, great convo. And I cant wait a east coast meet up! Also as a vinyl collector (and someone who works at eBay) I dont think physical stores will ever go away. Just more like eCommerce saw a big shift post 2020, but that will never replace going to a store, talking records etc.

Antonio from NJ
>>76489726

I am in marketing (though currently trying to move over to our Collectibles business :D ) so we can at least lament over that hah

Pistol Pete
>>76449538

In seriousness - amazing show and topic you brought to the table. Heart goes out to you on your collection. But looking forward to some good conversation tonight on the Live Show.

Rebel Force Radio
>>76488667

For the record, I can easily recognize the super strong relationship Philip and Meg have. I just think she underestimated the emotional value us Star Wars fans place on the memories from our childhood connection to the Saga and that was often represented via our collections. I think it's a common misunderstanding. Also, she needs to do something about all those damn shoes! Sacrifice is a two-way street in any relationship. :)

Manoah Crane

This was an amazing episode, therapeutic for sure. I feel like this spoke to me so much because I sold of a huge part of my collection years ago so that I could start buying more “showy” and impressive items for my collection, just to realize years later that those items were more for others and not myself. Now my collecting focus is to buy back all the smaller more insignificant items from my younger years because they are so much more rooted in everything I love about Star Wars and the spirit of what made me a fan. I really wish you luck with everything Peter and hope that it all works out. I’m sure your wife will completely understand if you wanted to start slowly piecing your collection back together, one figure at a time. My suggestion is to start out by buying a display case because it makes it look more like one large item instead of a bunch of clutter, also makes it look clean and organized. That’s what my wife says at least🤣. I can’t wait to hear more topics from you brotha, absolutely loved the episode.

Kent Beard

Peter, man, I feel your pain! I just got to listen to your episode. I was in a toxic marriage, and to benefit my sanity and mental health, I had to leave my Star Wars collection behind. Massive amounts of 3.75" figures, vehicles, and random collectibles. I feel the most pain about now is the signatures I got during the early Star Wars Celebration days. Jeremy Bulloch, David Prowse, and Femi Taylor, to name a few. Like both you and Jimmy said, it's the memories that are linked to each purchase. I can recall where I was and the thrill of finding each item. Now that I'm in a much better relationship (she is fully engaged in my collection) and collecting Star Wars again, it's hard for me to go back to 3.75" as it reminds me of what I lost and how much time and money it would be to retrieve it all again. I'm more into Black Series and Funko Pop. My display is in an unfinished basement and is the only thing holding me back from sending pictures of my collection. The pride of my collection now is meeting and getting signatures from both Mark and Carrie from Celebration Anaheim. Best of luck to you and your future Star Wars collecting!

Mike Aragon

Peter, major props for this topic and being so transparent about your lost collection. Great job!

Josh Carter

Just gotta say real quick that this is my favorite Q&A of all time. I love them all, but damn! Peter really brought the goods, which is no surprise after chatting with him on the Livestreams.

Antonio from NJ

Lol Pete I think the same thing, I ve listened to these two for 13 years and RFR has literally been the podcast in my life. Just like star wars is that movie. And RFR has to be "legacied". I hope one day my kids are listening to the weekly RFR as adults and Tyler and co-host reference Jmac and Swanky!

RobO from ChicagO

I’ve never been a collector, but I still have some hand me downs from my dad (OG toys) and some of my toys from the Prequel era. Even though I wouldn’t consider myself a collector, but I feel your pain Pete! You never have to doubt your fan “status”, the fact that your a Patreon member for THE best Star Wars podcast is proof enough. And women shoes!?!? My old lady has closets full of shoes yet every time we go shopping she’s like “oooh I think I need a new pair!” Drives me nuts.

Rebel Force Radio
>>76533889

My favorite is when they say "How do they look?" and you have to ask "Are those new?" because they look just like 10 other pairs she already owns.

RobO from ChicagO
>>76533889

I’ve literally gone into her closet after she purchased a “new pair” and pulled out the same exact shoe. 😑

Todd “Suds” Sedlacek

Great Q&A!! Pete and I are very similar in the respect that I don’t have kids to pass on my fandom to so it can be difficult at times justifying my collecting and general fandom. My wife does enable me but there will be times when she will say - “Enough with the Star Wars references! Not everything is about Star Wars!” That’s on me because of my obsessive tendencies and it’s why I love the RFR community so much - it allows me to fully immerse myself in my fandom and not bug her too much with it.

Peter Beisser

Hey, Craig. Yeah, I'm a big fan of the Topps app. Lot of fun!

Joel Lackey

I’m more of a Sox fan than a Cubs fan. I grew up in Birmingham, AL and our minor league team, The Barons are affiliated with the White Sox. I watched players like Frank Thomas and Robin Ventura play in my home town before they became Chicago all stars.

Eric from Phoenix

Peter, awesome topic and great job!! So glad that you were able to do the Q & A and I'm looking forward to what you'll talk about next. This topic was really interesting. I have all of my toys from when I was a kid plus everything that I bought up until 1999 in boxes at our storage unit. Since we made our first move in 2006, I've never had the stuff unboxed or displayed. So we never see it. With that said, the stuff doesn't really matter because I still remember it and certain memories tied to the stuff even though it isn't displayed. I've talked about some of these items in my past Q & As with JMac. So the passion and memories are still there. Very thought provoking discussion guys. Great job!!!

Justin Harrell

Objects are the keys to my memories. Without the object I will forget to think about the memory…left for dead on the sands of Tatooine.

Joe Dallas

Hey - great show man. Nice to hear you talk and I really enjoyed it…. Meaningful….

Jeff Holland

Finally got to this episode. Great topic Peter! What DOES Star Wars fandom mean? To me? To you? Great stuff! (btw - I’m pretty sure I’m the RFR VIP for which JMac referred to about telling his wife he was in a work call while really recording a Q&A. 😂)

Jeff Holland

…AND you couldn’t be more right about RFR meaning so much to us especially during COVID. The things that have helped me get through COVID (other than my wife and two small kids) is watching reruns of The Office, Impractical Jokers and listening to RFR (weekly shows, after shows, Q&A, Oxygen, etc.). Im right there with you Peter when I listen to RFR - it’s just me and my buds, Jason and JMac, for a couple of hours in which I can turn off my worried parent brain and relax. Looking forward to more Q&As from you!

Melissa McGuire

I’m half way through this one and my heart just breaks for the caller having had to give away his collection from his childhood. I’m a bit of a hoarder when it comes to Star Wars and my toys and I’d just be devastated if I had to give them away. I appreciate his willingness to try to understand why he needed to downsize and in a way I need to as well but it still made me sad.