Heart of a Fan
Matthew Barry
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About This Podcast
For sports fans and enthusiasts, Heart of a Fan explores the deep emotional connection between fans and the teams they love.
Host Matthew Barry shares real stories from across the sports world — from the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NWSL, MLS, MLB, and NHL — spotlighting the fan experiences that make community possible.
Whether it’s lifelong supporters, grassroots organizers, or emerging voices in women’s sports, every episode celebrates sports fandom, supporters groups, and the moments that bring people together in the stands.
If you’ve ever felt the heartbreak of a loss or the joy of cheering your team to victory, this show is for you. Because Heart of a Fan isn’t just about sports — it’s about connection, identity, and belonging.
Follow and discover why Heart of a Fan is more than just a podcast—it's a tribute to what makes sports matter.
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Recent Episodes
S2E17 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…
S2E16 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…
S2E15 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…
S2E14 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…
S2E13 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…
S2E12 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…
S2E11 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…
S2E10 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…
S2E9 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…
S2E8 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…
S2E7 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…
S2E6 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…
S2E5 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…
S2E4 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…
S2E3 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…
S2E2 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…
S2E1 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…
S1E21 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/zrm14dThe beauty of college football isn’t just the playoff — it’s the chaos, the…
S1E20 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…
S1E19 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…
Frequently Asked Questions
Heart of a Fan has published 40 episodes since March 2024, covering topics in Documentary, Personal Journals.
Heart of a Fan is currently sporadic with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 32m.
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