The Outfield Podcast Matt Lichtenstadter

Episode 32 features former Finnish pro hockey player Janne Puhakka in his first English language podcast! Janne talks about his journey through the sport, what's he done since retiring and more including:

3:10: Who is Janne Puhakka?
10:50: When did he start to realize that his sexuality was different?
12:45: Is the hockey culture in Finland different or similar to the one in North America?
18:30: Experiences in the QMJHL
24:45: What was it like to turn pro at that point in his life?
32:00: Coming out publicly
37:30: Writing a book
40:45: Working with EA Sports in Finland
49:45: What would he do to make hockey culture more accepting in Finland?

Enjoy the show!

Intro and outro music is "Thinking It Over" by Lee Rosevere, from his album "Music for Podcasts 5": freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rose…For_Podcasts_5

Episode 31 features broadcaster Josh Eastern, who has called games in the NWSL, USL, PHF and more. In this show, he talks about his journey to understanding himself in broadcasting as well as:

9:20: His coming out story
15:45: Understanding what it meant to be an out sports broadcaster
24:45: What does it feel like to be an out broadcaster calling games with out players in them?
41:15: Being an out broadcaster calling hockey

Enjoy the show!

Intro and outro music is "Thinking It Over" by Lee Rosevere, from his album "Music for Podcasts 5": freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rose…For_Podcasts_5

Episode 30 features Brian Zapp of Miami Ohio, a newly out bisexual baseball player. In this show, he talks about his journey self acceptance and coming out in baseball and more including:

3:45: Who he is and how he got into baseball
8:15: Understanding his sexuality while becoming more invested in baseball
19:45: Beginning to come out and what sparked him to do so
32:15: Driving back to Canada from school after making his Instagram post
37:30: Attempting to date someone while closeted
49:45: Experiencing a full season as an out player

Enjoy the show!

Intro and outro music is "Thinking It Over" by Lee Rosevere, from his album "Music for Podcasts 5": freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rose…For_Podcasts_5

Episode 29 features ABC Australia broadcaster Corbin Middlemas, who talks about his journey as a gay man in Australian sports media and more, including:

6:20: How he feels in sports media after being out for nearly four years
10:45: His journey in getting into sports media
17:40: Coming to understand his sexuality in a heteronormative sports world
31:00: Some of his stories in coming out to his friends and family, and later publicly
47:15: Covering Australian sports, particularly the AFL, where out athletes are few and far between
1:05:45: How does he cover controversies around homophobic language in sports?

Enjoy the show!

Intro and outro music is "Thinking It Over" by Lee Rosevere, from his album "Music for Podcasts 5": freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rose…For_Podcasts_5

Episode 28 features Utica Comets broadcaster Jason Shaya, who came out as gay in October. On this show, we talk about his journey in broadcasting, his love of hockey and more including:

2:45: Growing up and getting in hockey
9:50: Getting into broadcasting, starting in wrestling
17:20: Coming to understand his sexuality
32:15: At what point did he feel comfortable talking about his sexuality in general?
35:10: How did he get Bob McKenzie to write his public coming out story?

And much more. Enjoy the show!

Intro and outro music is "Thinking It Over" by Lee Rosevere, from his album "Music for Podcasts 5": freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rose…For_Podcasts_5

Episode 27 features newly out pitcher Kieran Lovegrove, who talks about his experiences in minor league baseball, coming out and more including:

5:45: From being born in South Africa to a love of baseball
16:15: Coming to understand his sexuality
29:15: Did he ever feel uncomfortable as a bisexual man in a baseball clubhouse?
36:00: The story of his alcoholism and his suicide attempt
1:01:35: Kieran's theories on human sexuality
1:27:00: Making minor league baseball better and healthier
1:43:00: How can baseball do better for out people in the sport?

And plenty more. This is a long show but I promise it's worth listening to the whole thing. Enjoy the show!

Intro and outro music is "Thinking It Over" by Lee Rosevere, from his album "Music for Podcasts 5": freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rose…For_Podcasts_5