Announcement About the Future of Tatooine Sons: A Star Wars Podcast

Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away, Across the Generations and a Return to Why We're Doing What We're Doing

Hello there! (I’ll give you your opportunity to reply with the obligatory, “General Kenobi.”

If you’re reading this, you’re likely one of the amazing people who have supported Tatooine Sons over the years. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Your listenership, your comments, your shares – they’ve meant the galaxy to us. And that's why we're so excited to announce: Tatooine Sons is back!

After a period of reflection and a bit of a hiatus, we’re returning to the podcasting world, more energized than ever and ready to explore the Star Wars universe with a renewed focus and a brand-new tagline: "Exploring a galaxy far, far away, across the generations."

But why now? Why this new direction? And what can you, a loyal listener (or maybe as a curious newcomer!), expect from the next chapter of Tatooine Sons? Keep reading, and we’ll fill you in.

A Look Back: The Journey So Far

To understand where we’re going, it’s important to remember where we’ve been. Just like Star Wars, the story of Tatooine Sons is really a family story.

The Beginning (2017): A Family Affair

It all started back in 2017. I (David) wanted to share my lifelong love of Star Wars with my sons, Sam and Nate. They were starting to get into it, when things went into hyperspace while attending Star Wars Celebration Orlando in April. After that, it’s all we wanted to talk about.

Unfortunately, my amazing (and patient) wife, Christy, really isn’t into Star Wars (I know many of you can relate to my conundrum). When she banned Star Wars conversation from the dinner table, the three of us needed an outlet. That’’s when a Tatooine Sons was created.

The original concept was simple: a dad and his sons talking about Star Wars. Sam was 16, navigating the complexities of high school, and Nate was 12, still wide-eyed with the wonder of the galaxy far, far away. I was helping to lead a non profit. We weren’t experts, we weren’t critics, we were just a family bonding over a shared passion. We recorded around our kitchen table, talked about the movies, the lore, and what Star Wars meant to us. It was raw, unpolished, and completely authentic.

The Last Jedi Moment: Terbus the Porg

One of the earliest highlights of our podcasting journey came with the release of The Last Jedi. We attended an IMAX screening and were fortunate enough to participate in a Q&A with director, Rian Johnson. Nate, ever the curious Star Wars fan, asked Rian about the main porg on the Millennium Falcon, that adorable (or annoying, depending on your perspective!) creature from Ahch-To. Rian's response sparked something special.

That spark ignited the #MakeTerbusCanon campaign. Terbus (for those who don't know) was Nate's own Star Wars character creation. We jokingly campaigned to have Terbus officially recognized in the Star Wars universe. And, incredibly, it worked! Terbus was included in Star Wars Adventures (issues 27-29), a testament to the power of community and the sheer fun of Star Wars fandom. It was a truly organic and unexpected moment that defined the early spirit of Tatooine Sons.

Facebook Watch and Pop Culture Expansion

Our journey continued with a limited series on Facebook Watch, which allowed us to expand our reach and explore different formats. This led to a broader focus, and we rebranded as Tatooine Sons: A Pop Culture Podcast. We began to explore the idea of pop culture as modern mythology, examining how stories like Star Wars, Marvel, DC and more shape our values and understanding of the world.

This expansion also opened doors to incredible opportunities. We had the privilege of interviewing some truly amazing people, including film editor Paul Hirsch (Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Mission Impossible), sound designer Brandon Proctor (Black Panther, Creed), comic book legend Michael Uslan (executive producer, Batman films), and of course many writers, directors, and voice actors from the Star Wars universe. These conversations were insightful, inspiring, and broadened our perspective on the power of storytelling.

The Hiatus: Reflecting and Re-evaluating

However, as life often does, things became more complicated. Scheduling conflicts arose, making it increasingly difficult to coordinate recordings with Sam and Nate. The online landscape, particularly within the Star Wars fandom, became increasingly divisive, and we found ourselves less comfortable navigating those turbulent waters.

We seriously considered ending the podcast altogether. The passion was still there, but the logistics and the online climate made it challenging to continue in the same vein. We needed to find a new direction, one that felt authentic to our original mission and allowed us to celebrate Star Wars without getting bogged down in negativity.

Spark: Rediscovering the Magic

The turning point came unexpectedly. In April, I was watching streams from Star Wars Celebration Japan. Seeing the joy, the enthusiasm, and the intergenerational connections on display reignited something within me. I realized what had made Tatooine Sons so special in the first place: it was about a dad experiencing Star Wars through his sons' eyes. It was about sharing a love of the galaxy far, far away with the next generation.

That's when the decision was made. We would return to our roots, reclaim the original name, and refocus on the core of what made Tatooine Sons unique: a father and his sons connecting through a shared love of Star Wars.

The Future: Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away… Across the Generations

So, what does the future hold for Tatooine Sons? We're excited to share our plans for the podcast's next chapter.

Back to Star Wars (But with a Twist)

We're going back to our Star Wars roots, but with a renewed focus. We're shifting away from news, theories, and speculation. There are plenty of other podcasts and websites that do that incredibly well (we hope to curate a list you’ll be able to find on our website). Instead, we want to focus on celebrating what we love about Star Wars: the characters, the stories, the themes, and the impact it has had on our lives.

Monthly Main Episodes and Weekly Content

Our plan is to release one main episode per month, featuring all three of us, discussing various aspects of Star Wars. These episodes will be a chance for us to reconnect, share our perspectives, and explore the galaxy far, far away together. For those of you who have come to love our discussions about Marvel, DC, The Lord of the Rings and more, don’t worry - we’ll have a segment each monthly episode where Sam and Nate get the chance to nerd out about those as well.

In addition to the main episodes, we'll be releasing weekly content. This will primarily consist of interview episodes, where I will be talking to people from the Star Wars community about their experiences with Star Wars - either as children growing up watching it with their dad, or as a parent who is now experiencing it through the eyes of their kids. We hope to capture a diverse range of voices and stories, highlighting the many ways Star Wars connects families and communities.

Finally, I'll be sharing my guest appearances on other podcasts in the Tatooine Sons feed. This will give you even more Star Wars content to enjoy, and allow you to hear my thoughts on a variety of topics. It also will give you the chance to discover other amazing Star Wars content creators that may become a part of your regular fan experience.

Stay on Target: Dads and Their Kids

While we appreciate every single listener who tunes in, in the future we will be specifically aiming to connect with dads who grew up loving Star Wars and are now sharing that love with their children. We want to create content that is relatable, insightful, and inspiring for fathers who are navigating the joys and challenges of parenting in the modern world.

We believe that Star Wars can be a powerful tool for teaching valuable lessons about morality, courage, and the importance of family. We want to explore these themes and provide a platform for dads to share their own experiences and insights.

Building a Community: More Than Just a Podcast

Our vision for Tatooine Sons extends beyond just a podcast. We want to create an online community where dads can connect with each other around Star Wars and other shared interests. Whether it's sports, family, travel, health, faith, or relationships, we want to provide a space for dads to share their thoughts, ask for advice, and support one another.

Our ultimate dream is to organize a gathering at Star Wars Celebration Los Angeles in April 2027, for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars. Imagine a group of Tatooine Sons listeners - dads and their kids - all celebrating their love of Star Wars together! It's a long-term goal, but we believe it's achievable with the support of our amazing community. (After all - Terbus is canon and that was a crazy idea, too!)

We understand that many of our existing listeners, social media followers, and Substack subscribers may not fall into this primary target audience of dads. We want to assure you that we value your support immensely, and we hope you will continue to enjoy the podcast's new direction. We believe that the themes we explore – family, connection, and the power of storytelling – are universal and relevant to everyone.

Conclusion: Join the Adventure!

We are incredibly excited about the future of Tatooine Sons: A Star Wars Podcast. We believe that this new direction will allow us to create even more meaningful and engaging content for our listeners.

We invite you to subscribe to the podcast on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and opportunities to connect with other Star Wars fans.

And most importantly, share the podcast and all of our content with other Star Wars-loving dads in your life. Help us build a community where fathers can connect, share their experiences, and celebrate the galaxy far, far away with their children.

Thank you for your continued support. It means the world to us.

May the Force be with you! And remember, the adventure has only just begun.

David