CONversation with Coffee
Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at Comic Con? Grab your favorite mug and pull up a seat — this is the podcast for con-goers, cosplayers, and curious first-timers alike. Each episode breaks down the latest conventions, spills behind-the-scenes stories, and shares tips and tricks for navigating panel lines, artist alley finds, cosplay chaos, and hidden gems. New to Comic Con? You're in the right place. Been going for years? Come trade notes. Pour yourself a coffee and let's talk cons.
Episodes
Episode 17: The Free Comic Con App You Can't Skip (ConVibe)
ConVibe app explained: the free comic con app that helps you find conventions, track celebrity appearances, and log your autographs and photo ops. Kent and Liz sit down with ConVibe creator Niko Paleologus to talk about why he built it, how it works, and what's coming next.Niko shares the frustrating Billy Zane search that sparked the idea, how he and a small team built a database of 1,500+ conven
Episode 16: The Truth About Convention Autographs: What You Need to Know
Bucket list autographs and bittersweet news: Liz recaps her weekend working Fan Expo Chicago as a handler for Japanese voice actor Kentaro Ito, plus crossing two major names off her bucket list — Kurt Russell's convention debut and a surprisingly humble Mr. T. Kent and Liz also pause to reflect on the recent losses of Dolly Parton and Hayden Panettiere, celebrating the impact both had on Nashville
Episode 15: Is It OK to Talk to Celebrities Without Buying an Autograph? (Con Etiquette)
Meet Josh, the "Where's Waldo" of the con circuit: Kent and Liz welcome their newest guest, a longtime attendee and friend of Liz's since MegaCon 2024, to dig into the gaming and cosplay side of conventions they haven't fully explored yet. Josh breaks down how D&D "one-shots" make tabletop gaming approachable for newcomers, why cosplay (even something as simple as a Where's Waldo costume) is o
Episode 14: Inside SDCC: Wristband Scandals, K-Pop Demon Hunters & Johnny Depp
The Bohemoth: Kent's full-blown San Diego Comic-Con recap. From working with the K-pop Demon Hunters' Saja Boys to bumping into Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp's surprise Ebenezer Scrooge appearance, and the counterfeit-wristband chaos at Hall H — this episode covers every corner of the biggest convention in the industry. Kent and Liz break down what it's really like navigating a five-day, 130,000+ pers
Episode 13: Supergirl Review, Cash Is King & Our Wild Summer of Comic Cons
Coffee, tea, and a whole lot of catching up: Kent and Liz talk World Cup fever, Waffle House loyalty, and Kent's honest review of Supergirl before diving into their jam-packed summer convention schedules. Kent previews his four-city run through New Orleans, Connecticut, and San Diego Comic-Con, while Liz gears up for STL Horror Con and helps organize a brand-new convention, Con Quest, in Waterloo,
Episode 12: Behind The Scenes: What It's Really Like To Wear A C-3PO Costume with Chris Bartlett
Meet the droid you can't avoid: Kent and Liz sit down with Chris Bartlett, the professional actor and costumer who has played over 20 droid characters across the Star Wars universe — including C-3PO himself — for more than two decades. Chris shares his incredible origin story, from a cardboard robot costume his dad built him as a kid, to a self-taught stormtrooper build, to the phone call from Luc
Episode 11: How Big Bang Theory (and TV) Made Comic Con Mainstream
Comic Con on screen: Kent and Liz explore how conventions have been portrayed across decades of TV and movies — from The Big Bang Theory's iconic Comic Con episodes to Futurama, Psych, Community, and even The Simpsons. They trace how pop culture representation has helped grow the convention world into what it is today, then dig into the surprising history of San Diego Comic-Con itself, which start
Episode 10: Why Some Comic Cons Are Dying (And a Wild Theory About Ai Saving Them)
Comic Con trends explained: Kent and Liz dive into why some conventions are struggling with attendance while others sell out completely, and float a surprising theory about why AI might actually make Comic Cons more popular, not less. Plus, they share creative interactive con experiences they've witnessed — from voice acting critique panels to celebrity baseball games and go-kart races — and debat
Episode 9: Comic Con for a Cause: Why Charity Conventions Are Changing the Game
Comic Con for a cause: Kent and Liz recap two very different weekends — Kent's trip to Metropolis, Illinois for the 48th annual Superman Celebration with Man of Tomorrow's Neva Howell, and Liz's deeply moving experience volunteering at 605 Pop Culture Con in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a charity convention benefiting Voices Against Cancer. They share heartwarming stories of celebrities forming real
Episode 8: Is Working Comic-Con Worth It? A Crew Member's Honest Review
Meet Leah, aka a "Krubie" (crew + newbie): Kent and Liz welcome their second guest to talk about her very first time working a convention as crew at Fan Expo Denver. Leah shares the entire process from finding the crew application to surviving her first four-day show working celebrity autographs alongside Star Wars voice acting legends Vanessa Marshall and David W. Collins. Plus, she opens up abou
Episode 7: The Real Cost of Comic Con Photo Ops (And How to Save Money)
Comic Con Budgeting 101: Kent and Liz recap their weekend together at Fan Expo Denver, working with voice acting legend Michael Bell and My Name is Earl's Ethan Suplee, plus dive deep into the real cost of photo ops — especially when big cast reunions like X-Files and Lord of the Rings come to town. They break down exactly how professional photo ops work, why splitting the cost with friends can sa
Episode 6: 12 Years Volunteering Comic Con: The Stories They Don't Share with Guest: Tammy Hassan
Comic Con Volunteering 101: Kent and Liz welcome their first-ever guest, Tammy, a longtime Denver Comic Con and Fan Expo Denver volunteer leader, to break down what it's really like working conventions from the ground up. Tammy shares how a single visit to see Warehouse 13's cast turned into over a decade of volunteering, working her way from ticketing to managing entire front-of-house teams, and
Episode 5: Comic Con Etiquette: Photos, Crew Respect & Why Celebrities Hate Airports
Con etiquette takes center stage this episode as Kent and Liz break down how to treat crew members, when it's okay to take photos, and why respecting a celebrity's off-duty time matters. Liz recaps her weekend in Cape Girardeau helping Death Note's Brian Drummond, plus a preview of CapeCon's stacked November lineup featuring Ahsoka Tano herself, Ashley Eckstein, alongside several other Clone Wars
Episode 4: Comic Con Packing List: 15+ Essentials You Can't Skip
This episode, Kent and Liz unpack (literally) everything you should bring in your Comic Con bag. From snacks and portable chargers to Liz's surprisingly extensive "goodie bag" of con survival gear — collapsible stools, autograph protectors, neck fans, and more — this is the ultimate packing guide for your next con. Plus, they swap stories from recent stops: Kent's mall-signing weekend with Terrifi
Episode 3: We Stole Frodo (Sort Of)
Kent and Liz dive deep into the world of cosplay and con collecting this episode, sharing personal stories from decades of Comic Con history. Kent recounts bringing one of the very first Iron Man cosplays to San Diego Comic-Con, while Liz shares her hilarious "stealing Frodo" moment with Elijah Wood at Planet Comic Con. They break down DragonCon's legendary cosplay culture, VIP pass value, cash vs
Episode 2: I Sang Happy Birthday to William Shatner... Here's What Else Happened at Comic Con
Kent and Liz discuss their recent experiences at Comic Cons, including meeting celebrities, getting autographs, taking selfies, and purchasing merchandise. They also share tips for attending cons and managing emotional experiences when meeting heroes.TakeawaysComic Con experiencesMeeting celebritiesChapters00:00 Introduction to Cons with Coffee06:02 Drinks and Swag at Cons11:00 Autographs and Self
Ep 1 : Why We Started This Podcast: Comic Con History, Nerd vs. Geek & Is 'Comic Con' Trademarked?
Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at Comic Con? Grab your favorite mug and pull up a seat — this is the podcast for con-goers, cosplayers, and curious first-timers alike.Each episode, we break down the latest conventions we've hit, spill the behind-the-scenes stories you won't find anywhere else, and swap the tips and tricks we wish someone had told us before our first con. Panel
