 Lauren Faust , the then @-@ executive producer , expressed appreciation for show 's adult fans on her deviantArt page . Faust had not expected men without children to watch it , but said , " The fact that they did and that they were open @-@ minded and cool enough and secure in their masculinity enough to embrace it and love it and go online and talk about how much they love it — I 'm kind of proud . " Of her surprise to the unexpected fandom , Faust said , " From the messages I 've received , these episodes have lifted spirits , brought parents and kids together , changed perspectives and inspired the most unlikely of people in the most unlikely of places . Who would have thought it from a show about candy colored ponies ? " 
