Heart of a Fan

Matthew Barry
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Heart of a Fan

Heart of a Fan is a podcast about sports fandom, community, and the power of connection through the games we love. Every week, host Matthew Barry shares real stories from fans around the world—supporters’ groups, lifelong solo fans, and everyday people whose lives have been shaped by sports. Whether you're into the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS, NWSL, MLB, NHL, college sports, or global football, this podcast celebrates the heartbeat of it all: the fans. If you've ever felt the joy of cheering in the stands or the heartbreak of watching from home, Heart of a Fan is your new favorite sports podcast. Follow and discover why Heart of a Fan is more than just a podcast—it's a tribute to what makes sports matter.

  1. APR 15

    Episode 28 – Everyone Deserves a Seat at the Game

    What does it really mean to make sports fandom accessible? In this episode, we sit down with three powerful voices—disability advocate and hockey fan Chanel Keenan, KultureCity Executive Director Uma Srivastava, and Raiders superfan Keith Smith—to explore the physical, sensory, and emotional barriers that can keep fans from fully joining the stadium experience. From navigating stadium layouts and sensory overload to rethinking outdated systems and design assumptions, this episode explores the...

    37 min

  2. MAR 31

    Episode 27: How to Build a Women’s Sports Fanbase (The Right Way)

    Want to grow a women’s sports team the right way? This episode gives you the blueprint. With expansion on the horizon for leagues like the WNBA, NWSL, and PWHL, the real challenge isn’t just where the next team lands — it’s how to build a fanbase that actually sticks. In this episode of Heart of a Fan, Matthew Barry sits down with Lauren Teague, Dr. Ceyda Mumcu, Jennifer Garrett, and Shea Dawson for a crash course on how to grow women’s sports fandom with authenticity, consistency, and commun...

    47 min

  3. MAR 11

    COVID: Five Years Later – How the Shutdown Changed Sports Fandom Forever

    Five years removed from empty arenas, we ask: what did we lose — and what did we learn? The pandemic changed everything, including how we experience sports. In this special episode, Heart of a Fan reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on fans, teams, and communities — from the silence of canceled seasons to the surprising growth of online connection and fan creativity. Through stories from across sports, we look back at how fans adapted, grieved, rebuilt — and what the future of community looks ...

    50 min

  4. FEB 25

    Episode 25: Championship Glory, Brotherly Love

    In this episode of Heart of a Fan, we dive deep into the emotional and social impact of the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl victory. This wasn't just a win on the field—it was a victory for a city, a community, and fans around the world. We explore the powerful concepts of Collective Effervescence, Basking in Reflected Glory (BIRGing), and the Emotional Benefits of Shared Experiences, all through the lens of Eagles Nation. From fans celebrating with strangers on Broad Street to those honoring...

    36 min

  5. FEB 5

    Episode 24: The Heart of Black Fandom (w/ Black Diamonds and Comets SC)

    What does it mean to build a Black-centered fan space — and what happens when you do? In this episode, Heart of a Fan features leaders from Black Diamonds and Comets SC to talk about what it means to center Black identity in soccer fandom. From challenging stereotypes to building joy-first spaces, this conversation unpacks the complexity, beauty, and resistance that lives at the intersection of Blackness and sports fandom. This is about making room for everyone — and building new tables...

    41 min

  6. JAN 16

    Episode 23 - Lifting Up LA

    Here is what we've seen/received from the supporters groups and fan organizations of Los Angeles. Please give what you can to help those dealing with the effects of the LA Wildfires: https://secretlosangeles.com/available-resources-for-those-affected-by-socal-wildfires/ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eaSXTYlLY_spJ-_w43ac55qu6X4YtgApgRGfads3cM4/htmlview# https://x.com/Mosaic1781/status/1877948274990006732 https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-luis-and-his-family-after-the-altadena-fi...

    12 min

  7. JAN 14

    Episode 22: Fanfare w/ the Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association

    These fans don’t just wear the jersey — they’re enshrined for their dedication. Meet the Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association (PFUFA), a group of NFL superfans who have been recognized for their passion, character, and impact in their communities. In this episode, Heart of a Fan explores what it means to be “ultimate” — not just in gear or volume, but in how you show up for your team and the people around you. It’s about more than face paint — it’s about heart. If you have a story abo...

    56 min

  8. JAN 7

    Notes From The Host: Looking Back and Looking Forward

    To kick off the new season of #HeartOfAFan, join Matthew Barry as he shares some notes with you on the project's first year and what we have planned for this upcoming year! If you have a story about how you’ve built a community through sports fandom or wish to record your own unique story of fandom, please feel free to reach out to us at our website, heartofafan.org. If you’ve enjoyed what you just heard, please consider subscribing to get new stories in your inbox every Tuesday. 🎧 New...

    5 min
See All (31)

    About

    Heart of a Fan is a podcast about sports fandom, community, and the power of connection through the games we love. Every week, host Matthew Barry shares real stories from fans around the world—supporters’ groups, lifelong solo fans, and everyday people whose lives have been shaped by sports. Whether you're into the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS, NWSL, MLB, NHL, college sports, or global football, this podcast celebrates the heartbeat of it all: the fans. If you've ever felt the joy of cheering in the stands or the heartbreak of watching from home, Heart of a Fan is your new favorite sports podcast. Follow and discover why Heart of a Fan is more than just a podcast—it's a tribute to what makes sports matter.

    Information

    • Creator
      Matthew Barry
    • Years Active
      2024 - 2025
    • Episodes
      31
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © 2025 Heart of a Fan
    • Show Website
      Heart of a Fan

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