The ABOotlander LOVE series bring you The Outlander Podcast.  They started in 2013 and were the only podcast dedicated to our fandom.  There are a whole stream of them now and Ginger & Summer are still all kinds of awesome.

​​I found the Outlander Podcast when I started my own twitter journey into the wild world that is the Outlander fandom…forever ago. It makes me very grateful to know humour & intelligent conversation isn’t leaving the fandom as long as they are around.

Let’s meet the fun behind The Outlander Podcast.  Their names are Summer & Ginger, or Ginger & Summer. 

The Outlander fandom pulls all kinds into their orbit. Summer and Ginger were not immune.  This is a recap of what made them a part of this huge & wonderful world.

Summer: I found the books in the 90s, while I was living in New York and wanted a huge novel to read during my long subway commutes. I first read Drums of Autumn, and could quickly tell that I did not have the first book in the series. When I finished, I made sure to get Outlander, and so many things made sense! I’ve been hooked ever since.

Ginger: Summer introduced me to Outlander in the late 90s. I didn’t actually read it at first. But she kept on me. We actually found that I had a copy of Outlander in German on my bookshelf! (German is my second language.) Once I started reading them, I was hooked. When the Starz series was announced in 2013, I approached Summer with the idea of a podcast, and we were off.

With all the ways people share their love of Outlander, I was curious to hear more about why they chose a podcast.

Summer: I Blame Ginger.

Ginger: I had been listening to podcasts since 2008, and they were a unique medium to me. I was fascinated with the concept of creating your own show, using your own voice, literally, and putting it out there. It seemed scary, but I always thought I’d have a show of my own one day. When the Starz series was announced, I knew that this was something I wanted to be a part of, this electric atmosphere, this growing fan community. There were so many other wonderful blogs and sites out there, I wanted to do something new. And it just clicked. Our show started summer of 2013, a full year before Season 1 aired.

 As fans of this diverse Outlander world we all hope to have an encounter with one those who helped create it.  Summer & Ginger were lucky to have their share. Here are the ones they recall best.

Summer: You always remember your first… Attending the first Fan Event in Los Angeles, where they showed the first trailer for Season 1. That event cemented my belief that our beloved series was indeed in the right hands to be adapted for TV. Also I got a pic with Sam Heughan during the meet and greet portion of that event. I’ve been threatening to make it my Christmas Card ever since.

Here, let me.

 Ginger: I’ve been going to book signings of Diana’s and attending Scottish Games where she appeared, for years. I think I will most remember seeing her at the 2002 Pleasanton Highland Games. I had a friend take a picture of me with her. She was there, surrounded by books, we were both comparatively so young looking! It wasn’t surreal at the time; it was fun. Now, however, looking back, it’s surreal. It’s likely she’ll not do such events anymore. I look back on her events of the early 2000s as nostalgic, and realize how lucky I was. I’m thankful to have been able to attend some wonderfully intimate events, the kind that don’t really take place anymore.

Diana with the honour of meeting Ginger

Thinkin ’bout the good ole days

It’s enjoyable when we can watch/listen to others that are open to conversation. The Outlander Podcast has so many great moments.  I asked the ladies to share their favourites with us.

 Summer: I loved our interview with Diana Gabaldon (http://www.outlanderpod.com/49). We had heard her speak at a local event where she described her books as having specific shapes, which I was fascinated by. When we had her on, we asked her to describe them for our listeners.

Ginger: This is a difficult question. I think some of our favorite episodes, the ones that stick out, are the interviews, because you have time to go in depth with people and a topic. I think my favorite episodes are our interviews with voice actor Davina Porter. She narrated all of the Big Books and it is fascinating to be speaking with “Claire” (have to wrap your head around that!) and to learn about her process, hear about her background, is fascinating. http://www.outlanderpod.com/13  and http://www.outlanderpod.com/47

Also, our interview with Bear McCreary at San Diego Comic Con 2016. He revealed something very personal about how he came up with Faith’s Theme. Definitely worth a listen. http://www.outlanderpod.com/156

 Sometimes a cast member can effect us in a way we aren’t expecting. Ginger shares her experience with a cast member that impacted her.

Ginger: Surprisingly, Tobias. He’s very magnetic, and of course I’m very attracted to his performance of BJR. Probably my favorite Season 1 character. While I’ve never hated Frank, his portrayal of BJR really made me get into Frank, he’s so great at both roles. And, in turn, I’ve become more interested in Frank as a character, in general. This has surprised me. When we did our recent discussion of Voyager chapter 19, wherein we say goodbye to Frank http://www.outlanderpod.com/177 , it was a tough one to get through. So I think Tobias’ portrayal of his characters has affected me even outside of the television series. It’s forced me to reconsider Frank. I quite like him now.

Gotta love me

All of us have an idea what Outlander will look like in the years to come.  Summer & Ginger are no different. They give us a taste of what they see in their crystal ball.

Summer: Like we always say, we want “All the Books.”

Ginger: I am happy that the series is on the air, period. Though anyone can appreciate the television series for what it is, it’s especially magical to long-time book fans who have been living with these characters for, some of us, almost 30 years! My vision for Outlander is selfish: I’d like to see all of the Big Books translated to screen, and also the Bulges. And if there are any spin- off series, I wouldn’t complain.

 After engaging with Summer & Ginger, we may forget they have a life outside of our view of them. It is always nice to know a little extra something something.

Summer: I am mother to an 8 yr. old, who pays the bills working in an administrative capacity.  (Just to clarify, her 8 yr.old does not pay the bills ) 

Ginger: I’m a linguist and instructional designer who likes to play guitar (not very well). I love to travel and always have a good audiobook ready.

We can be inspired by the things that inspire others. The ABOotlanders have promoted the #BeKind attitude since our inception. We share with our followers/friends it seems the same thing inspires Ginger & Summer.

Summer: I am inspired by random acts of kindness.

Ginger: I’m inspired by music, by nature, and kindness.

Our ABOotlander must ask (This is strictly for giggles – not serious at all) – If the ladies were to come to Alberta Canada and someone offered them a) Moose Droppings b) Beaver Tails c) Prairie Oysters d) Taber Corn…which would they choose & why?

Summer: I know for a fact what prairie Oysters are in the States so I’m gonna pass on those for sure… LOL My hope is that Moose Droppings are some sort of a confectionery treat is tempered by the fear that it may also be poop… so I’m gonna go with Beaver Tails, which, I am going to imagine, is like a donut-shaped like a beaver tail. But even if it did end up being an actual beaver tail… it is probably the most muscular part of the beaver and seasoned well could be good… (Wait were we allowed to Google what they are before answering? Cause I feel like Ginger Cheated…  ;o)  )

deep fried yummy goodness #nomnomnom

Ginger: I would have to go with Taber Corn! Because I’d like to taste the corn from the place that gets the most sun n Canada.

The best corn comes from the back of a truck on the side of a road.

We are so grateful to Ginger & Summer or Summer & Ginger for agreeing to be a featured guest with our #ABOotlanderLOVE blog series. 

Sher AKA SL

ABOotlander Founder and Friend