Heart of a Fan

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/60/b2/c9/60b2c9a8-5f6d-9cde-b072-6fd52160fd1c/mza_1813166706180011536.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Heart of a Fan

Matthew Barry

40 episodes

6 hours ago

What does it mean to be a fan of El Tri or a Liga MX club — when you live miles away from the stadium, across the border, in a country that doesn't always feel like home? In this second episode of Flags of Our Fans, we follow the heartbeat of Mexican soccer fans living in the U.S., exploring how dual identities shape the way they love the game. These are the fans who chant in Spanish at American bars, raise their kids in rival kits, and carry generations of pride and memory with them — even w...

Show more...

Personal Journals,

Society & Culture,

All content for Heart of a Fan is the property of Matthew Barry and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

What does it mean to be a fan of El Tri or a Liga MX club — when you live miles away from the stadium, across the border, in a country that doesn't always feel like home? In this second episode of Flags of Our Fans, we follow the heartbeat of Mexican soccer fans living in the U.S., exploring how dual identities shape the way they love the game. These are the fans who chant in Spanish at American bars, raise their kids in rival kits, and carry generations of pride and memory with them — even w...

Show more...

Personal Journals,

Society & Culture,

Episodes (20/40)

Heart of a Fan

Flags of Our Fans: Mexico - Two Flags, One Heart

What does it mean to be a fan of El Tri or a Liga MX club — when you live miles away from the stadium, across the border, in a country that doesn't always feel like home? In this second episode of Flags of Our Fans, we follow the heartbeat of Mexican soccer fans living in the U.S., exploring how dual identities shape the way they love the game. These are the fans who chant in Spanish at American bars, raise their kids in rival kits, and carry generations of pride and memory with them — even w...

2 months ago

1 hour 20 minutes

Heart of a Fan

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

What happens when the only professional sports team left in Connecticut — the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun — faces threats of relocation? In this episode of Heart of a Fan, we explore why women’s basketball in Connecticut is more than just a game. Fans of the Connecticut Sun share what this team means to them, how UConn basketball culture shaped their WNBA loyalty, and what would be lost if the franchise left Mohegan Sun Arena. You’ll hear lifelong fans reflect on how fandom builds identity, memory...

3 months ago

1 hour 7 minutes

Heart of a Fan

Flags of Our Fans: Los Angeles – Fans United Against ICE

In the debut episode of Flags of Our Fans, we travel to Los Angeles to hear from sports fans, supporters’ groups, and community leaders standing on the frontlines of resistance. From tenant rights organizers to passionate American Outlaws chapters, these voices reveal how sports fandom can be a rallying point for courage, connection, and justice. You’ll hear powerful firsthand stories from advocates confronting ICE raids, fighting for affordable housing, and protecting their neighbors. From M...

4 months ago

55 minutes

Heart of a Fan

The Comeback Begins at Home: How Sports Helped Heal New Orleans

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans faced more than physical destruction—it faced the loss of identity, tradition, and community. But in parks, rec centers, stadiums, and stands, the comeback quietly began. In this episode of Heart of a Fan, we explore how sports helped heal a city—not just through the Saints’ return to the Superdome, but through the voices of youth coaches, community organizers, and neighborhood fans. From the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club to NORD to high schoo...

4 months ago

1 hour 1 minute

Heart of a Fan

Flags of Our Fans: Prelude — Fan Embassies 101

What is a fan embassy—and how can it help fans feel safer, more welcome, and more connected during the 2026 World Cup? In this special prelude to Flags of Our Fans, we sit down with Thomas Concannon of the Football Supporters’ Association to explore the purpose and power of fan embassies: pop-up support hubs run by supporters, for supporters. From safety advice to finding your people in a new city, fan embassies are about more than travel—they're about belonging. As we head into a tournament ...

5 months ago

16 minutes

Heart of a Fan

We Cheer Anyways: Pride in the Stands

What does it mean to be proud in a stadium where you’re not always welcome? In this special Pride Month episode, we sit down with LGBTQ+ fans who are reclaiming space in the stands—even as the world outside grows more hostile. From grassroots movements like PrideRaiser to the deeply personal weight of safety, inclusion, and chosen family, this episode explores what it means to show up when you’ve been pushed out. Guests include: Kate Fasco, a queer supporters’ group leader creating safer spac...

6 months ago

55 minutes

Heart of a Fan

Pray for the Win — Faith, Fandom, and Pope Leo XIV

What do sports fandom and religion have in common? In this episode of Heart of a Fan, we explore how faith shows up in sports—from game-day prayers to lifelong belief in a team that keeps letting you down. With Pope Leo XIV—a Chicago native, Villanova alum, and White Sox fan—now leading the Catholic Church, the line between spiritual devotion and sports devotion feels thinner than ever. We’re joined by: Dr. Jeffrey Scholes, professor of religious studies and director of the Center for Religio...

6 months ago

27 minutes

Heart of a Fan

Special Episode – Join or Die: What Fandom Can Teach Us About Saving Community

In this special episode of Heart of a Fan, host Matthew Barry sits down with Rebecca Davis—co-director of the Netflix documentary Join or Die—to explore the power of community, the decline of civic life, and why sports fandom might be the last great space for belonging in modern America. Based on the groundbreaking research of Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone), this conversation dives into what we’re really losing when we stop joining clubs, cheering together, or showi...

7 months ago

35 minutes

Heart of a Fan

Is Fandom the Cure for Male Loneliness?

Men are lonelier than ever — and often afraid to talk about it. Could fan communities be part of the cure? In 2023, the NYT asked: Is the cure for male loneliness out on the pickleball court? It sparked a meme. But behind the jokes is something serious: men struggling with connection, stigma, and silence. This week on Heart of a Fan, we ask: Can sports fandom — tailgates, group chats, road trips, and emotional highs and lows — offer something more? Hear from fans like James Eastman, Thomas “...

7 months ago

33 minutes

Heart of a Fan

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...

8 months ago

36 minutes

Heart of a Fan

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...

8 months ago

46 minutes

Heart of a Fan

How COVID Changed Sports Fandom — Five Years Later

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 ...

9 months ago

50 minutes

Heart of a Fan

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...

10 months ago

36 minutes

Heart of a Fan

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...

10 months ago

40 minutes

Heart of a Fan

Lifting Up LA - Community, Identity, and West Coast Fandom

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...

11 months ago

11 minutes

Heart of a Fan

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...

11 months ago

56 minutes

Heart of a Fan

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...

11 months ago

5 minutes

Heart of a Fan

Bowled Over (feat. Matt Brown and the Sickos Committee)

If you are interested in donating to the Maldonado family, please click on the link here: https://mealtrain.com/zrm14d The beauty of college football isn’t just the playoff — it’s the chaos, the culture, and the Sickos who love it. In this episode of Heart of a Fan, we dive into the wild world of college football fandom with Matt Brown (Extra Points) and representatives from the Sickos Committee. From obscure bowl games to online inside jokes, we explore how fandom thrives in the margi...

1 year ago

33 minutes

Heart of a Fan

The NFL in London - As American as Meat Pies

Across the pond, football means something different — but no less passionate. In this episode, Heart of a Fan explores the NFL’s growing fanbase in the UK through the lens of the London Games. From lifelong British supporters of American teams to new fans just finding their footing, we dig into how the NFL has built community far from home — and why it’s working. This is a story about time zones, tailgates, meat pies instead of wings, and how fandom translates across borders. If you have a st...

1 year ago

27 minutes

Heart of a Fan

Comforting Columbus - Grieving Together After Johnny Gaudreau

A fanbase in mourning. A team forever changed. When Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau tragically passed away, the entire hockey community was shaken — but none more than the fans who had grown with him, believed in him, and called him one of their own. In this episode of Heart of a Fan, we explore how grief ripples through a fanbase and how people process loss when it’s tied to someone they may never have met, but deeply felt. This is a story about collective heartbreak, the in...

1 year ago

54 minutes