Jon and Leigh go “about town” for Day 8, mixing the usual 50 Days nonsense with ‘practical’ Atlanta advice.

The episode starts with a quick look at several 2026 Dragon Con guests:

• Kevin R. Grazier, the real-deal scientist and science advisor whose credits include Battlestar Galactica
• Noël Wells, known to Trek fans as Tendi on Lower Decks and also a Saturday Night Live alum
• Steffi Diem, a plasma physicist and fusion engineer whose work sounds exactly like the kind of science Dragon Con was built to celebrate.

From there, Jon and Leigh shift into the annual “what else is happening in Atlanta?” conversation: museums, Zoo Atlanta, the aquarium, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Center for Puppetry Arts…

They also talk through the realities of Dragon Con weekend downtown, MARTA-able side quests, food trucks, Peachtree Center food-court strategy, hotel restaurants, and why sometimes the best convention plan is simply knowing where you can sit down and put food in your face.

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Jon welcomes Max, director and editor-in-chief of the Daily Dragon, for a look inside Dragon Con’s official news source.

Max discusses finding Dragon Con, joining the Daily Dragon as a volunteer, and taking the reins as director.

They also get into how Max recruits writers and photographers, chases down schedule changes, and story decisions.

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Jon and Leigh welcome Eternal Zan back to 50 Days of Dragon Con for a Day 3 conversation about Dragon Con traditions, fan communities, hotel realities, parade groups, and the strange things that happen when fans get together.

We discuss Dragon Con’s Eternal Membership program and what it means for current Eternals. The gang also talks about volunteering, the volunteer meetings, and how fans can still contribute to the con.

We also chat about hotels including the Cortland Grand situation (Don’t Panic) and treating hotel staff with kindness.

Zan also shares details about the Eternal Members and Friends parade group, the Cult of Marriott Carpet parade group, Dragon Con Night at the Aquarium, and the Cults of Dragon Con costume contest.

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We’re back! Jon and Leigh kick off the 2026 season of 50 Days of Dragon Con with an episode full of the usual amount of podcast chaos.

In this episode, we start with an apology then preview the 2026 season, including programming tracks, gaming, the art show, guests, and getting ready for Labor Day weekend in Atlanta.

It is the first day of the countdown, the rust is being knocked off, and the journey to Dragon Con 2026 has officially begun.

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We’re just a day away from Dragon Con 2025, and who better to help us prepare than Regina, Senior Director of Programming?

In this episode, Jon and Leigh discuss with Regina everything from App updates to self-care, blood drives to mental health, and charity to volunteers.

This year’s official partner is NAMI Georgia. Every dollar donated is matched by Dragon Con up to $150,000. Give at the charity booth in the Marriott or through QR codes around the con.

Regina also shares personal reflections on why kindness and community matter. Dragon Con isn’t just about panels, parties, or cosplay – it’s about finding your people.

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In this episode, Jon and Leigh chat with the Dragon Con Theater and Performing Arts Lovers (LinkTree) community leaders Sarah Rose, Leanne, and Christine, who share how the group went from a simple idea to one of the most vibrant creative corners of the con.

Highlights for 2025 include:

• Subspace Rhapsody Picture Show – A shadowcast of the Strange New Worlds musical episode.
• Sing-Along Panels – Les Misérables (45th anniversary) and The Sound of Music.
• Workshops – Wig styling, costume craftsmanship, and theater-meets-cosplay sessions.
• Fun Track Collabs – Gaming, Puppetry, and Science

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Dragon Con is a family affair- and nowhere is that clearer than the Kids Track.

In this episode, Jon and Leigh sit down with track director Jonathan to explore the wide range of programming designed for families. Highlights include:

Arts & crafts, storytelling, board game design workshops, and a post-parade play area for little ones to burn off energy. The beloved Fort-Building Contest, a Family Dance Party, and the annual Character Encounters.

Special Partners like Dad’s Garage Improv brings family-friendly shows and workshops, the Dragon Con Theater Lovers Group leads kids in musical theater activities, and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta hosts a Science Extravaganza.

There are also discussions on parenting tough topics, fan fiction & safe browsing, and raising geeky kids in today’s digital world.

Located in the Hyatt International Tower, the track offers a welcoming hub for families who want to make Dragon Con a true multigenerational event.

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The Alternate & Historical Fiction Track is one of Dragon Con’s most eclectic offerings- part book club, part costume party, part history lesson, and all fun. In this episode, Jon and Leigh highlight the track’s 2025 programming with its director, Liz.

Highlights this year include:

• Dragon Con History Panels – nostalgic looks back at the con’s early days.
• “Mrs. Roper 101” – fixing the generational gap.
• The Dragon Con Catillion – Bridgerton meets fandom, complete with coronations of Dragons of the Season.
• The Timber Formal – an Art Nouveau-themed dance.
• Tea Duels – equal parts elegance and absurdity, judged with ruthless precision.
• Splendid Teapot Racing – Teapots RC cars running obstacle courses
• Musical Sing-Alongs – Hamilton, Les Misérables (45th anniversary), and The Sound of Music. Fans also vote on charity sing-along face-offs

Authors Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Elizabeth Bear, and fan-favorites like Gail Martin and Leanna Renee Hieber will be on hand for Q&As and panels, covering everything from writing craft to scandalous true history stranger than fiction.

And of course, there’s late-night pirate improv (18+ only), charity book swaps, and a scavenger hunt to keep fans engaged all weekend.

The track is located in the Courtland Grand Hotel. For updates, follow them on Facebook.

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If Dragon Con is your kind of happy chaos, Disability Services is the part that keeps it manageable.

In this episode, Alex and Todd explain how to get an assessment, what the sticker system covers (seat‑in‑line/end‑of‑row, wheelchair seating, proximity, sightline), safe‑spaces for service dogs, and the medical tag.

They also outline realities in the big rooms: line caps with tickets, one companions, and a focus on getting you in the room.

Remember: No flash photography! It’s not just distracting and pointless – it is also an accessibility issue. For community help, check Dragon Con with Disabilities (official FB group) and the DS team’s resources (including Alex’s short “Your Quest for Dragon Con” video and an all-knowing AI (Intercom)).

Stop by DS early (Thursday if you can), get assessed, grab the right sticker(s), and enjoy the show with less stress.

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In this episode, Jon and Leigh are joined by track director Carol, who takes us on a tour of what’s in store for the Urban Fantasy Track at Dragon Con this year. You won’t want to miss great events like the Buffy Horror Picture Show (now with two back-to-back showings) or when Charming Disaster brings their gothic-inspired music to the stage.

This year’s guest list is stacked, featuring stars from The Magicians (Hale Appleman, Olivia Taylor Dudley) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Marc Blucas, Emma Caulfield), along with powerhouse authors like Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, and Patricia Briggs.

The Battle of the UF Tracks returns, letting fans “vote” for their favorite shows or books with donations that all benefit NAMI Georgia.

Located in the Westin, the Urban Fantasy track is easy to find and impossible to forget.

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