The Outfield Podcast

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 publicly37:30: Writing a book40:45: Working with EA Sports in Finland49:45: 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

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 story15:45: 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 hockeyEnjoy 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

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 baseball8:15: Understanding his sexuality while becoming more invested in baseball19:45: Beginning to come out and what sparked him to do so32:15: Driving back to Canada from school after making his Instagram post37:30: Attempting to date someone while closeted49:45: Experiencing a full season as an out playerEnjoy 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

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 years10:45: His journey in getting into sports media17:40: Coming to understand his sexuality in a heteronormative sports world31:00: 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 between1:05:45: 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

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 hockey9:50: Getting into broadcasting, starting in wrestling17:20: Coming to understand his sexuality32:15: 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

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 baseball16:15: Coming to understand his sexuality29:15: Did he ever feel uncomfortable as a bisexual man in a baseball clubhouse? 36:00: The story of his alcoholism and his suicide attempt1:01:35: Kieran's theories on human sexuality1:27:00: Making minor league baseball better and healthier1:43:00: 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 26 features newly out baseball player, country musician and activist Bryan Ruby, who talks about his whirlwind after coming out publicly in September in baseball and beyond, plus these topics:6:00: Bryan's upbringing in sports and baseball20:00: What kept him closeted for so long36:15: Playing baseball all around the world45:45: His most memorable coming out story51:15: Breaking into country music and whether he sees differences in the worlds of baseball and country music1:05:45: Starting Proud to Be In Baseball1:22:45: What is his advice for young queer players in baseball struggling to be themselvesEnjoy 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 25 features baseball writer Nick Stellini, and on this show, we talk about these topics and more:4:10: Starting off in film school before going to journalism8:15: Understaning his sexuality and his own journey20:00: Feeling comfortable accepted in the world of baseball31:00: Talking about the two pro players who have come out in the last month40:30: Being more public about your sexuality for visibility in the sports media space55:00: Pride nights in baseballEnjoy 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 24 features former USWNT midfielder and current broadcaster Lori Lindsey. On this show, we talk about these topics and more:9:15: Her coming out process17:15: The evolution of women's soccer in the US along with the evolution of the prominence of out women22:45: Being driven to make the USWNT 32:30: Getting into broadcasting43:30: What she wants non sports broadcasters to learn about sports broadcastingWe also touch on Carl Nassib's coming out, the USWNT's prospects at the upcoming Olympics and 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 23 features out soccer writer from the Athletic UK Adam Crafton. He talks about his experiences covering soccer in Britain as an out man and:9:30: His experience understanding his sexuality18:15: Becoming a sports journalist32:30: Writing his recent story about the LGBTQ community in Poland ahead of the Europa League Final43:00: Writing stories about the LGBTQ community in soccer as part of the few out journalists covering it50:15: Reminiscing about the closeted gay player Twitter acount that turned out to be a hoax and what we learned from that1:06:15: Is there a story about the community in soccer that Adam wants to get to in the future?Plus 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 22 features hockey agent Bayne Pettinger, who recently came out. With Bayne we talk about these topics and more:17:00: Becoming an agent after working for Hockey Canada20:30: His journey of self-discovery for his sexuality30:15: Having support from Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and others in his coming out process42:40: What would you do if you had total control in how hockey responds to its LGBTQ+ community?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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 21 features Joanna Lohman, a former US Women's National team player and current coach, activist and much more. On the show, we talk about these topics and more:8:40: A direct legacy of the 99'ers12:15: Going through those first women's leagues21:00: coming out after being engaged to a guy at 2128:45: Can we connect the visibility of the US Women to the number of LGBTQ+ identifying individuals going up?33:30 how does it feel to be an inspiration for those coming out?44:50: advice for guys coming outBuy her new book "Raising Tomorrow's Champions" here: https://rtcsoccer.com/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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 20 features Jonathan Kliment, the broadcaster for the FPHL's Elmira Enforcers, the only out broadcaster at any level of hockey. On this show we talk about this and more:12:00: A non-traditional broadcasting path and a different kind of coming out process24:30: How did his sexuality interact with his burgeoning broadcast career?40:45: How he deals with the locker room46:20: Going to Outsports to tell his storyEnjoy 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 19 features Gordie Mitchard, a former club hockey player and referee. He talks about his experiences in a sport he loves, but a sport that also made him feel unwelcome as well as:8:40: How did he keep playing hockey even with the culture around him?14:30: Hearing hockey's language differently as an official versus a player20:40: his coming out story30:00: The importance of having out LGBTQ people stay in the sport despite its problems41:30: Seeing how Hockey dealt with Yanic Duplessis' coming out 55:00: advice to people who want to come out in hockeyCome for the talk about hockey culture, stay for the jokes about Iowa football. Enjoy!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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 18 features Jeff Rueter, a soccer writer for the Athletic that recently came out publicly as bisexual. In this show, we talk about his recent public coming out and more: 2:40: Jeff's story9:15: Being married to a bisexual woman13:45: Coming out not just for visibility, but to be authentic for readers and listeners and to push sports media in a better direction35:00: The story from San Diego and Phoenix Rising involving Collin Martin being called a homophobic slur45:30: What does USL plan on doing to prevent incidents like this from happening again? 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 17 features Jason Ball, a former Australian rules football player who founded Pride Cup, an organization trying to eradicate homophobia in Australian Sports. On this show, we talk about this topic and more:7:30: His experiences as a closeted footy player18;45: deciding to take an even bigger step with Pride Cup26:15: where is Australian sport, particularly footy, when it comes to homophobia, and what has been done to change that culture?34:10: Helping establish the AFL's yearly Pride Game41:30: Trying to establish an AFL Pride RoundAnd 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 16 features Rhiannon Walker, a bisexual journalist who covers the Washington Football Team for the Athletic. On this show, we talk about these topics and more:6:15: Growing up, and coming out, in the DMV23:45: Her experiences being bisexual34:00: How her coming out experience made her a better journalist50:15: Being an out black woman in a straight white man's world56:30: Her thoughts on out athletes and covering out athletes1:05:30: Looking back on her journey to get where she is now1:16:00: The biggest differences in covering the NFL during a pandemicAnd 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 15 features Derrick Gordon, the first D1 men's basketball player to come out as gay, and the first to ever make the NCAA Tournament with 3 different teams. On this show we talk about that and more:9:30: His family, especially his twin17:30: Playing against Kyrie Irving, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in high school26:20: Locker room experiences in basketball30:15: Derrick does what we all wish we could have done46:00: The ups and down of his coming out49:33: Why did his teammates tease him as they did? 55:20: Relationship with basketball59:00: Coming out as he did1:09:50: How did it feel after he came out?1:19:55: Does Derrick think his sexuality prevented him from getting a NBA chance?1:28:00: How would he help a professional basketball player in their coming out process?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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 14 features former Division II kicker and current club hockey player Adam Fyrer. Adam has a unique story including coming out to multiple hockey teams, and in this show, he talks about that and more:3:15: Adam's introduction13:40: Coming of age in high school21:50: Playing hockey in high school, leaving it for football in college, then coming back to it26:15: Differences between the football and hockey locker rooms34:30: Coming out to a second hockey team, and why it was more difficult the second time46:30: Has the locker room language affected his love of the game?59:15: How different were the two locker rooms in terms of their culture?1:02:00 How would his coming out story have changed if he stuck with football?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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com

Episode 13 features former Nebraska kicker Eric Lueshen who is now one of the foremost advocates for LGBTQ people in sports. On this show, we talk about that and more:5:00: Growing up in small town Nebraska8:15: Coming out in high school22:00: The ups and downs of coming out to the Nebraska football team30:20: Why he felt he didn't get a chance to play?40:45: Going from getting a PhD to advocacy56:00: How he reacted to a former coach and current Nebraska football staffer's homophobic comments1:02:30: Why have there been so many out football players?1:16:20: What does pride mean to Eric?And much more. Enjoy the show and Happy Pride!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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoutfieldpodcast.substack.com