Episode 4: Cosplayer & designer Kim Motteshard on connecting over costuming
Kimberly Motteshard’s style and kindness caught our host KellieAnn Halvorsen’s eye at a gothic market this summer. Kim sold costumes and accessories at a booth and shared some of her own award-winning designs.
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A friendship was formed, costumes promptly handed over, and she has the honor of being the first real guest on the new Utah Fan Culture podcast.
Kim shares her story, from historic reenactment as a child to award-winning costume design, performance, and creative storytelling in Utah. Known for her imaginative builds and theatrical craftsmanship, she earned 1st Place in the FanX Masters Division, won the Fear Con Costume Contest twice (Halvorsen witnessed one!), and received the People’s Choice Award at the Utah Arts Festival.
Kim shares how her background in performance and design helped her break free from the four walls of a cubicle, connect with people of all sorts over costuming, and help her continue to inspire other through the power of creative storytelling.
Episode 3: FanX Preview — Co-host Heather Kelly Gives Insights Into Fanx, Its Founder, And This Year’s Con
Co-host Heather Kelly, of former KSL NewsRadio fame, and current Heather Kelly Show, joins Utah Fan Culture podcast and blog host KellieAnn Halvorsen: with a sneak peek inside FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention 2026.
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Recently, Heather sat down with FanX Founder Dan Farr to talk “The business behind FanX Salt Lake: What it costs to put 100,000 fans under one roof.” Now with this knowledge in their heads and years of experience finding connection and friends at the convention, both give insights into the con, how it’s moving forward over the next few years as downtown gets resculpted, and some surprising tips for navigating this massive event.
Episode 2: Middle-earth Meets FanX: Getting to know Co-Host Chris Graham
In this fandom-filled adventure, we introduce our Co-host, Chris Graham — a Tolkien superfan, Dune enthusiast, and Virginia transplant.
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As we launch the New Utah Fan Culture podcast and blog, already known fangirl KellieAnn Halvorsen (former host of KSL’s Fan Effect podcast) continues her work diving into Utah’s vibrant geek scene! And this time, she is dragging some friends along with her.
Chris shares his journey from Middle-earth through the diverse world of Utah fan culture, and prepping for FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention 2026. He opens up about the connections, creativity, and community he’s found along the fandom way.
From his love of “The Hobbit“ and “The Lord of the Rings“ (this fantasy world led him to his bride!) to his first encounters with local conventions like LTUE and StoryCon. He also touches on how “Tiny Toons” helped him discover his passion for music, including his longtime love for the quirky alt-rock band, proving that his geeky interests go far beyond books and conventions.
Whether you’re gearing up for FanX or just want to nerd out with fellow fans, this episode is your backstage pass to the fun, surprisingly welcoming, and sometimes wonderfully weird world of Utah fandom.
Episode 1: “Young Washington” Review and Utah Fan Culture podcast launch!
It might be late and imperfect, but we finally have our deep-dive review #YoungWashington. KellieAnn Halvorsen and Chris Graham sit down to discuss not just the movie, but the history behind this founding father.
