Episode 1: Sports Fandom, Arena Tours, and the Philadelphia Flyers with Kristin Riviello
Welcome to the very first blog post for Culture Coven—a brand-new space dedicated to celebrating the unapologetic joy of fandom, girlhood, and the communities that bring us together!
To kick off our inaugural podcast episode, host Leah Jones takes a moment to introduce herself and share the journey that inspired this project. If her voice sounds familiar, you might recognize her from her roots co-hosting the music podcast She Will Rock You or diving deep into rock culture on The Struts Life. But Culture Coven is a completely new venture: a dedicated space built to honor that special spark that comes with being a passionate, "no-chill" fan.
For our premiere episode, we are diving headfirst into a world that is fueled by intense passion, community, and loyalty: sports fandom.
Meeting the Ultimate Flyers Fan
To help explore the unique world of sports fandom, Leah is joined by her friend Kristin Riviello, the ultimate Philadelphia Flyers fangirl. Kristin isn't just a casual viewer watching from the couch; she is a dedicated fan on an epic, multi-year mission to travel across North America and attend an away Flyers game at every single NHL stadium.
In this episode, Kristin shares:
The Road Trip Chronicles: How her incredible stadium-hopping journey is going so far, the best arenas she’s visited, and what it’s like representing the orange and black on rival turf.
Playoff Fever: The absolute thrill (and inevitable stress) of watching the Flyers push for a playoff run for the first time in a long time.
The Legend of Gritty: No conversation about Philly hockey is complete without acknowledging everyone's favorite chaotic orange menace, Gritty!
Redefining What It Means to Be a Sports Fan
Beyond the stats and the standings, Leah and Kristin look at sports culture through the specific lens of passionate fandom. For a long time, female sports fans have had to navigate stereotypes, but a new generation is redefining what it looks like to support a team—proving that you can love the community, the merch, and the game all at the same time.
Whether you are a die-hard hockey fan who bleeds orange, or you just love hearing stories about people who find their passion and run with it, this episode is the perfect introduction to the Culture Coven community.
Listen Now!
The first episode is officially live! You can listen to the full interview with Kristin right now.
Plus, because we couldn't wait to share this project with you, it is premiere week! We have dropped a multi-episode launch, meaning Episodes 2 and 3 are also available to stream right now. Grab your headphones, find a cozy spot, and join the fun!
