Tabitha Carvan, a YA author and passionate Benedict Cumberbatch fan, discusses how fandom can enhance happiness and enrich lives. She shares her emotional journey of embracing her love for Cumberbatch and the community it created. The conversation also delves into the psychological benefits of fandom, tackling the stigma around intense interests while celebrating their ability to foster connection and joy. Ultimately, Carvan encourages listeners to embrace their inner geek and the transformative power of shared passions.
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Cumberbatch Obsession
Tabitha Carvan, an author, found renewed interest in life through her obsession with actor Benedict Cumberbatch.
This obsession started when she saw an ad for Sherlock, sparking an unexpected emotional connection.
insights INSIGHT
Embracing Fandom
Embracing a deep love for seemingly trivial things can increase happiness and presence.
Fandom, often stigmatized, can be a source of joy and connection.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Will Wheaton's Star Trek Journey
Will Wheaton's love for Star Trek began in third grade with a sci-fi book and grew into a lifelong passion.
At 14, he landed a role in Star Trek: The Next Generation, fulfilling a childhood dream.
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In 'Just a Geek', Wil Wheaton shares his personal and difficult journey to self-discovery. The book covers his transition from a teen star to a struggling actor, his struggles with being typecast as Wesley Crusher from 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', and his discovery of new passions such as HTML, blogging, Linux, and web design. It also includes his reactions to the 9-11 disaster, his relationships with his family, and his transition from an actor to a successful author and blogger. The memoir is known for its honesty, wit, and self-deprecating humor, making it relatable and engaging for readers.
This is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch
The Joy of Loving Something — Anything — Like Your Life Depends on It
Tabitha Carvan
This book is not just about Benedict Cumberbatch; it's a deeper exploration of women's passions and desires after adolescence. Carvan discusses how societal expectations can squeeze out the space for joy in women's lives and argues for the importance of loving things wholeheartedly, even if they seem frivolous. The book is a mix of personal memoir, feminist commentary, and a call to action to find and embrace one's passions without shame.
Still Just a Geek
An Annotated Memoir
Wil Wheaton
In Still Just a Geek, Wil Wheaton updates his 2004 memoir, Just a Geek, with insightful and often laugh-out-loud annotated comments, additional later writings, and all new material. The book is a raw and honest memoir that covers his life from his early days as a child actor, his time on Star Trek: The Next Generation, his struggles with depression, and his journey to finding fulfillment in his career and personal life. The annotations provide a unique perspective on his past writings, reflecting his growth and changes in perspective over the years.
Really love a TV show; a boyband; a sci fi movie; or a celebrity? We're often too embarrassed to admit adoring some things for fear that we'll be seen as frivolous or childish - but we may be missing out on the happiness benefits that geeking out can bring.
Dr Laurie Santos explores the joy of fandom with Benedict Cumberbatch obsessive Tabitha Carvan, YA author Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Star Trek actor (and geek-vangelist) Wil Wheaton.
For Further Reading:
Tabitha Carvan - This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos 
