Our Mission
Our mission at The Companion is to uplift a fan community in a world that has become increasingly lonely. We have an ambitious goal:
To create 1 million life-changing memories for 1 million fans.
To get to 1 million fans, we need as many folks who believe there can be a positive fandom to join us.
We create special, fun, and unique livestreams and community social hangouts that uplift and celebrate fandom. Our most popular is Embracing Mental as a Fandom with Amanda Tapping (Stargate, Sanctuary).
In 2024, Amanda Tapping and The Companion are taking this one step further with Embracing Mental Health as a Fandom: The Book! Yep, this will be a hugely ambitious project that crowdsources stories from the community (from YOU) and curated into a book alongside stories from Amanda. We plan to launch a Kickstarter campaign this Spring in May 2024. This will literally be a book from you, for you, and by you. Follow the journey by signing up to our newsletter!
Meet the Team
The Companion Team: Lawrence Kao (Founder & CEO), Tommy Valentine (Producer), and Rebecca Davis (Producer).
We're also advised by Showrunner Brad Wright, Actress/Director Amanda Tapping, and Nick Hayward (Co-Founder, Advisor).
Click here to learn more about the team that deliver you this hot content each week.
The Companion Bill of Rights
In the spirit of quality for members, we brought together two dozen fans to help shape what eventually became The Companion Bill of Rights and we urge you to hold us accountable for living up to the mission:
- We will sacrifice scale for quality, never becoming a content or rumour mill.
- Authentic stories are paramount, putting the pressure on us to provide the highest level of scrutiny.
- Where possible, co-create with the creators, actors, and experts of the shows directly; therefore, our productions will be more honest and authentic than anywhere else.
- Constantly and consistently support new and diverse voices.
- Create a positive community, one that uplifts one another, and be a positive force for fandom overall.
- Find and tell stories that may surprise you.
- Try new things, even if we fail.
Supported by Membership Fees
In order to create a sustainable home (and way less toxic) we are using a membership model. We've found that a small paywall keeps out trolls, because why would anyone pay $40 a year to be a jerk when they can do it for free on Twitter? Generally, we're incredibly nice, but if you are a troll and pay for a membership, we'll boot you because again, this is a membership club, not a social network. Just be cool.
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Accessibility on The Companion
As you know, we're big believers that fandom should be as welcoming and enjoyable for everyone, and so our website should be no exception to that. Find out what we've done to aid in accessibility by clicking here.
Causes and Non-Profits We've Supported
Over the past two years, we've fundraised and donated over $30,000. These donations are only possible because of you and we wanted to spotlight these organizations:
Special Effect - A UK-based Charity specialising in helping disabled children, play video games.
NAMI - The largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States. In conjunction with Amanda Tapping.
Mind - A UK charity that fights for mental health support for everyone. In conjunction with Amanda Tapping.
Kids Help Phone - Canada's only 24/7 e-mental health service offering support to young people. In conjunction with Amanda Tapping.
Voices of Children Foundation - Providing psychological support to children affected by the war in Ukraine.
British Columbia Children's Hospital in Vancouver - In conjunction with Paul McGillion.
Hollywood Food Coalition - Providing hunger relief. In conjunction with John Billingsley.
Planetary Society - Advancing space science and exploration. In conjunction with Robert Picardo.
Lifewater Canada - Bringing safe and accessible water to people in Africa and Haiti. In conjunction with Torri Higginson.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - In conjunction with Jonathan Frakes, Juan Carlos Coto, Kitty Swink, and Armin Shimerman.
Central Okanagan Foundation and People's Fund Maui - Providing support due to the Maui wildfires with Jewel Staite.