Craft, Community, and Cosplay with Emilee Shield

In this episode, we sit down with Emilee Shield, better known online as Our Shield Maiden — a Pacific Northwest cosplayer, creator, activist, and sustainability advocate whose work has been featured in Insider, Good Housekeeping, Netflix, and more.

Emilee isn’t just a cosplayer — she’s a creative force pushing for inclusivity, affordability, and environmental mindfulness in fandom culture. A passionate believer that cosplay should be for everyone, she champions genderbending, budget-friendly builds, upcycled materials, and community-first storytelling.

Whether you’re a cosplayer, a creative maker, or someone who’s ever loved a character enough to dress like them — this conversation with Emilee is as inspiring as it is insightful.

Tap in for perspective on art, identity, and finding your tribe — in costume and beyond.