Tales of the Force Jessica McNair

Hello there! Welcome to the 13th episode of Tales of the Force. Joining me today is a husband and wife duo, Mike and Kat! 



Mike is a PhD-trained astronomer-turned-developer that stumbled into Star Wars fandom as a kid when he ran out of space science at the library. His biggest jump into fandom was in 2005 when he joined LiningUp.Net to camp out for Revenge of the Sith outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for a few weeks. That would propel him toward attending many San Diego Comic-Cons and Star Wars Celebrations over the years.  It was at those cons that helped him meet and get to know his now wife, Kat. He can be found on The Old Switch-a-roo Podcast with his lifelong friend Jaymo! Their podcast explores all the retro games on the Nintendo Switch Online service.



Kat is an Aussie expat who has loved Star Wars since she bought her Mom the VHS set for Christmas in the 90’s.  She’s a cosplayer, sewist, and avid cross stitcher! She’s also describes herself as Disney geek, who is most at home talking nerdy things. Her involvement in the Star Wars Fandom and costuming is what lead her to attend US based Star Wars Celebrations. Through these events she ended up meeting Mike, as well as, some of her closest friends. She even moved to the US to get married and they live together here! You can find her on her YouTube channel and instagram account, @katcansew, where she posts her love for Disney and her cross-stitching artistry. 



Don’t forget this is Mike and Kat’s personal story. It is not my place on the show to dismiss, diminish, judge, or have an opinion on their story. Any views, thoughts, or opinions expressed are their own. Any comments on this episode and story are expected to be respectful. 



Follow Mike and The Old Switch-a-roo Podcast:

www.theoldswitcharoo.com

www.instagram.com/oldswitcharoo

www.youtube.com/@theoldswitcharoo

www.facebook.com/oldswitcharoo

www.x.com/oldswitch_a_roo

www.tiktok.com/@theoldswitcharoo

www.threads.net/@oldswitcharoo



Follow Kat:

wwww.youtube.com/@katcansew

www.instagram.com/katcansew 



Hosted and Produced by: Jessica McNair

Theme Music by: Michael Hoover



Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and to subscribe to the YouTube Channel:

www.instagram.com/talesoftheforce⁠⁠

www.threads.net/@talesoftheforce⁠⁠

www.tiktok.com/@talesoftheforce⁠⁠⁠

www.youtube.com/@talesoftheforce



General Disclaimer: 

This podcast and YouTube channel is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, The Walt Disney Company, or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries.

Hello there! Welcome to the 12th Episode of Tales of the Force. May is mental health awareness month. This month I have been specifically highlighting story’s of fans that have also wanted to share about their mental health journey. This is the last episode in this series this month. Because of this added personal component, these story’s go over the normal episode time.  Joining me today is Brandon.



Brandon is a teacher, podcaster, and mental health advocate who uses Star Wars as a platform to connect with and inspire others to find meaning through stories. Through his classroom and The Clashing Sabers Podcast Network, Brandon explores the themes and ideas of the saga through a variety of lenses and perspectives. In doing so, he hopes to show people that Star Wars can be for them and what it has been for him: hope, truth, and a light in the darkness.



Don’t forget this is Brandon’s personal story. It is not my place on the show to dismiss, diminish, judge, or have an opinion on his story. Any views, thoughts, or opinions expressed are his own. Any comments on this episode and story are expected to be respectful. 



This episode also comes with a content warning. This is simply to empower you, our listeners, with the knowledge you need to make healthy decisions about how and if you should consume this YouTube Channel or Podcast content. In this story there are also references to depression, eating disorders, s—cide, self-h-rm, and loss. Not all episodes are for everyone, if you feel like this episode will be upsetting for you or will offend you in any way please do not continue. As always, please take care of yourself and reach out to someone you trust if needed. 



The host and guests do not provide any medical or professional advice on the YouTube Channel and Podcast. Anything said should NOT be taken as a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention.



Hosted and Produced by: Jessica McNair

Theme Music by: Michael Hoover



Mental Health Resources:

www.autismspeaks.org

adaa.org

www.nimh.nih.gov

www.eatingdisorderhope.com

twloha.com



Follow Brandon and Clashing Sabers Podcast Network below:

www.tiktok.com/@clashingsabers

twitter.com/clashingsabers

www.instagram.com/clashingsabers

https://m.facebook.com/groups/230660617666426/?ref=share

clashingsabers.net

Non-profit:

www.patreon.com/clashingsabers



Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and to subscribe to the YouTube Channel:

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/talesoftheforce⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@talesoftheforce⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@talesoftheforce⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@talesoftheforce



General Disclaimer:
This podcast and YouTube channel is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, The Walt Disney Company, or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries.

Hello there! Welcome to the 11th Episode of Tales of the Force. May is mental health awareness month. This month I am specifically highlighting stories of fans that also want to share about their mental health journey. Because of this added personal component, these stories go over the normal episode time.  Joining me today is Rory!



Rory is 35 years old and has loved Star Wars since he was 6, when the Original Trilogy VHS box set was released. He loves all the movies and shows, and his favorite character is Obi-Wan. He is also a screenwriter and film director, and George Lucas is one of his biggest inspirations. He is a mental health advocate and is very open about his own struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).



Don’t forget this is Rory’s personal story. It is not my place on the show to dismiss, diminish, judge, or have an opinion on his story. Any views, thoughts, or opinions expressed are his own. Any comments on this episode and story are expected to be respectful. 



In this episode we do talk about mental health and the challenges it has for both of is. With discussing our personal experiences we the host and guest are not providing any medical or professional advice on the YouTube Channel and Podcast. Anything said should NOT be taken as a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention.



Follow Rory:

www.instagram.com/mandaroryan89

www.threads.net/@mandaroryan89

www.tiktok.com/@mandaroryan89



Additional Resources on OCD and GAD:

https://iocdf.org/

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad

Hosted and Produced by: Jessica McNair

Theme Music by: Michael Hoover



Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and to subscribe to the YouTube Channel:

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/talesoftheforce⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@talesoftheforce⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@talesoftheforce⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@talesoftheforce



General Disclaimer:
This podcast and YouTube channel is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, The Walt Disney Company, or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries.

Hello there! Welcome to the 10th Episode of Tales of the Force. May is mental health awareness month. This month I will be specifically highlighting stories of fans that also want to share about their mental health journey. Because of this added personal component, these stories will go over the normal episode time.  Joining me today is Adam!



Adam is 46 years old and a lifelong resident of Green Bay, WI.  After many years in IT, he has returned to college full time to study web programming. He has gone from being highly suspicious of counseling to being an outspoken advocate for pursuing professional help if needed. Therapy has helped him let go of many of the grudges he held on to and anger that he had about things in his youth. He never claims to be perfect, but therapy is helping guide him firmly back to the light side. He’s been a Star Wars fan for as long as he can remember - he was 5 when he saw "The Empire Strikes Back" in the theater.  He is also a fan of theme parks and just recently retuned from a trip to Walt Disney World. 



Don’t forget this is Adam’s personal story. It is not my place on the show to dismiss, diminish, judge, or have an opinion on his story. Any views, thoughts, or opinions expressed are his own. Any comments on this episode and story are expected to be respectful. 



This episode comes with a content warning. This is simply to empower you, our listeners, with the knowledge you need to make healthy decisions about how or if you should consume this YouTube Channel or Podcast content. In this story there is brief mature language and also references to depression, anxiety, and the challenges that come with battling those. Not all episodes are for everyone, so if you feel like this episode will be upsetting for you or will offend you in any way please do not continue. As always, please take care of yourself and reach out to someone you trust if needed. 



The host and guests do not provide any medical or professional advice on the YouTube Channel and Podcast. Anything said should NOT be taken as a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention.



Follow Adam:

www.instagram.com/wisco.cinephile

www.threads.net/@wisco.cinephile



More info on anxiety and depression:

https://adaa.org/



Hosted and Produced by: Jessica McNair

Theme Music by: Michael Hoover



Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and to subscribe to the YouTube Channel:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/talesoftheforce⁠

⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@talesoftheforce⁠

⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@talesoftheforce⁠⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@talesoftheforce



General Disclaimer:
This podcast and YouTube channel is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, The Walt Disney Company, or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries.

Hello there, and welcome to the Ninth Episode of Tales of the Force! May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, I will be specifically highlighting stories of fans that are also wanting to share about their mental health journey. Because of this added personal component, these stories will go over the normal episode time.  Joining me today is Layne.



Layne was born in 2000 and has been a Star Wars fan since forever.  He started toy photography when The Force Awakens released in theaters, and then started posting his photos in 2018 on Instagram as @galacticphotography66. He was diagnosed as autistic when he was young. Star Wars, its characters, and its toys have been an integral part of his journey and have helped with understanding the world we live in. 



Don’t forget this is Layne’s personal story. It is not my place on the show to dismiss, diminish, judge, or have an opinion on his story.  Any views, thoughts, or opinions expressed are his own. Any comments on this episode and story are expected to be respectful. 



The host and guests do not provide any medical or professional advice on the YouTube Channel and Podcast. Anything said should NOT be taken as a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention.



Follow Layne below:

https://galacticphoto66.wixsite.com/galacticphoto66/

https://www.instagram.com/galacticphotography66

https://www.threads.net/@galacticphotography66

https://www.tiktok.com/@galacticphotography66



Additional episode resources:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-masking-in-mental-health-6944532

https://www.autismspeaks.org/

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-ad 



Hosted and Produced by: Jessica McNair
Theme Music by: Michael Hoover

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and to subscribe to the YouTube Channel:
⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/talesoftheforce⁠
⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@talesoftheforce⁠
⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@talesoftheforce⁠⁠
⁠https://www.youtube.com/@talesoftheforce⁠

General Disclaimer:
This podcast and YouTube channel is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, The Walt Disney Company, or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries.

Hello there! Welcome to the Eighth Episode of Tales of the Force. Joining me today is John!



John was born in Columbus, Ohio, but spent his formative years as a missionary. Kid in the European country of Estonia. The father of five, one of his proudest parenting achievements is keeping his oldest son from finding out that Darth Vader is Luke’s father, before he saw the empire strikes back. John is the host of Two Geek Soup, a podcast that looks at geek culture from a Christian perspective. 



Don’t forget this is John’s personal story. It is not my place on the show to dismiss, diminish, judge, or have an opinion on his story. Any views, thoughts, or opinions expressed are his own. Any comments on this episode and story are expected to be respectful. 



General reminder. Star Wars is a story that deals with hopeful themes, but also touches on things like war, death, loss, slavery and oppression, trauma, mental health issues, personal injury, abandonment, pregnancy and child birth. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics. As always, please take care of yourself and reach out to someone you trust if needed. 



In this episode, we also do cover John’s spirituality and his journey through his faith as it relates to Star Wars.



Follow John and Two Geek Soup:

www.instagram.com/twogeeksoup

www.threads.net/@twogeeksoup

www.facebook.com/twogeeksoup


Hosted and Produced by: Jessica McNair
Theme Music by: Michael Hoover

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and to subscribe to the YouTube Channel:
⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/talesoftheforce⁠
⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@talesoftheforce⁠
⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@talesoftheforce⁠⁠
⁠https://www.youtube.com/@talesoftheforce⁠

General Disclaimer:
This podcast and YouTube channel is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, The Walt Disney Company, or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries.