How Two American Girl Fans Met
AUTHOR: Blake Changnon and Janine B. Napierkowski
Here is the story of how two American Girl fans met and became good friends.
Blake Changnon and Janine Napierkowski first connected through the podcast American Girl Women, where Blake was interviewed in 2022 about his virtual museum and his expansive collection of Pleasant Company and American Girl catalogues. Janine, who was doing research on the connection between American Girl and Girl Scouts for her chapter in An American Girl Anthology, reached out to Blake after hearing his episode. The two realized their shared passion for all things Pleasant Company and American Girl, and in 2023 Janine later appeared on the podcast to share her findings between American Girl and Girl Scouts.
Their friendship blossomed when Blake traveled to New York to meet Janine in person. She brought him to Girl AGain, the American Girl resale boutique where she volunteers. Blake even hosted an Instagram Live at Girl AGain showing a signed Pleasant T. Rowland Kirsten Larson doll he purchased from the store. That visit marked the beginning of a true friendship!
Since that first meeting, Blake and Janine stayed connected, often chatting on the phone to discuss everything from catalogues to character development. In the past year, they turned their weekly conversations into research projects for academic conferences. They've co-presented at conferences on topics ranging from the history of the brand, development of its historical characters as well as the marketing strategies that helped shape the brand’s impact. (You’ll hear more about those conferences soon!) Together, they bring a unique combination of archival knowledge, personal passion, and critical insight to their work, bridging the gap between fan culture and scholarship.
Blake and Janine’s friendship reflects the kind of connections American Girl has inspired for decades. What began with a podcast episode and a shared love of dolls grew into a partnership marked by collaboration and mutual respect for each other. Their story is that of an unexpected friendship that can form through a deep love of history, storytelling, and a few iconic catalogue pages.
Stay tuned for more articles about Blake and Janine’s personal journey with American Girl and the academic conferences they have presented at.