Stage Combat The Podcast

SEASON 3 Episode Five. "Somebody's Going to Get Hurt" Synopsis:   Sean asks whether theatre audiences actually understand the dangers that actors face when it comes to staged combat sequences on stage.  And do the actors themselves fully understand the risk they are taking on with every performance. Guests:  Actor/fight instructor McKey Carpenter; Broadway actor Kaylin Seckel; Bosto...

SEASON 3 Episode Four. "It's All In Your Mind(fulness)" Synopsis:   Almost five years after his collapse from a panic attack on the Goodspeed Opera House stage, Sean looks back at his own search for mindfulness and checks in with a few friends along the way to see how their doing it. Special thanks to somatic psychologist Dr. Brian Tierney @thesomaticdoctor; actor and yoga instructo...

SEASON 3 Episode Three. "Looking for Jeff" Special Double Length Episode. Synopsis:   Sean undertakes a compassionate investigation into the tragic 2018 suicide death of Chicago The Musical actor Jeff Loeffelholz. Content warning: strong language; content and conversations about suicide. Dial or text 988 24/7 to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are in crisis. Special thank you to D...

SEASON 3 PREMIERE! Episode One.  "How Are We All OK With This?" Part 1. Synopsis:  One year after telling his own podcast story of trauma while working at one of the country’s most powerful theatres, Sean explores the stories of listeners who responded to his story.  First up: there seems to be a problem with toxic stage managers on Broadway. Content warning: Contains strong language. Ed...

SEASON 3 Episode Two. "How Are We All OK With This?" Part 2. Synopsis:  Synopsis:   Sean continues to explore the problem with toxic stage managers and investigates whether our jobs can physically make us sick. Content warning: strong language. Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish. Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC. Produced b...

Season 3 Trailer. What happens when actors stop being quiet and start speaking up?  Season 3 of Stage Combat the Podcast premiering July 23rd! In 2023, Sean told his story in Season 1 and 2 (in something that sounded like a true crime podcast.)  Now it's time to hear your stories! Biweekly we are bringing you provocative stories from performing artists everywhere who just want to be heard.  W...

We’re closing out 2023 and an amazing Season 2 of Stage Combat with a holiday bang! It’s THE STAGE COMBAT HOLIDAY SPECIAL! Get your Santa mug out and fill it with hot chocolate and settle in. We’ve got an hour of holiday music and stories as Sean pops around the country to share  holiday greetings with some of our favorite guests from two seasons of Stage Combat! No matter what holiday you celebra...

BONUS EPISODE.  Sean chats with Dr. Alisa Hurwitz, the clinical psychologist who helped us all keep it together in Stage Combat's post show talk backs.  As we all struggled to process Sean's story of what really happened behind the scenes at the Goodspeed Opera House, you let us know that you appreciated Dr. Hurwitz's  voice of reason, words of compassion and her unique way of &quot...

BONUS EPISODE!   "One Episode/One Listener: Pamela" We had an amazing idea for a podcast episode.  What if you could overhear a raw, honest conversation between Sean and one listener.   In one episode. Meet Pamela Bob.   She's a veteran of several Broadway shows who reached out to us once the podcast was released to let us know how much the podcast has meant to her.  Pamela and Sean...

BONUS EPISODE! Sean and his husband Ian (yes that "Ian" from Stage Combat) recap what went into creating and writing 20 episodes of Stage Combat and how the saga of the Goodspeed impacted them as a couple.  PLUS there's a mystery guest joining the discussion! Spoiler Alert: Contains spoilers for Seasons 1 and 2 of Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story Edited by Robert Mallory and Alex...

BONUS EPISODE! Most people know ABC News' Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman as a fearless war correspondent who regularly contributes to World News Tonight with David Muir, Good Morning America, 20/20 and Nightline .   But behind that fearless persona, Matt was carrying a secret:  a history of debilitating panic attacks that he suffered with for over twenty years. In this bonus episode...

Season 2, Episode 11.  SEASON FINALE! Synopsis: Sean finds himself at a crossroads.  Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Consulting Producer, Ian Southwood of Southwood Productions, LLC. Special thanks to: The incredible voice actors of Stage Combat! Rebecca Caine appearing as herself. Theatre People Podcast Stage Whisper Podcast The Drama Podcast Be...

Season Two, Episode 10. Synopsis: Sean deals with the aftermath of learning what really happened behind the scenes at the Goodspeed.  Post Show Talk Back: Mental health counselor Courtney Loving and trauma specialist discusses complex post-traumatic stress disorder with Sean. A special thank you to the voice actors of Stage Combat! Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood...

Season Two, Episode 9. Synopsis: More than two years after Billy Elliot’s final curtain, Sean learns the truth. Post Show Talk Back: Sean chats with actor Brian Sheppard about their shared experience with panic attacks.   Post Show Talk Back Content Warning: contains a discussion about passive suicidal thoughts.  Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. C...

Season Two, Episode 8.  Synopsis: As legal matters heat up, Sean makes new discoveries about the Goodspeed. Content warning:  strong language; content regarding passive suicidal thoughts. Post Show Talk Back:  Sean and Dr. Alisa Hurwitz have an honest discussion about passive suicidal thoughts.  Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Consulting Producer...

Season Two, Episode 7. Synopsis: Sean finds an ally and makes a decision about his disorder. Content warning: contains strong language.  Post Show Talk Back: Dr. Alisa Hurwitz chats with Sean about the stigma surrounding mental health. Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Consulting Producer, Ian Southwood of Southwood Productions, LLC. A special than...

Season Two, Episode 6. Synopsis: The Goodspeed responds to the claim.   Sean’s panic and anxiety symptoms start multiplying. Post Show Talk Back: Mental health counselor and trauma therapist Courtney Loving helps us to better understand trauma. Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Consulting Producer, Ian Southwood of Southwood Productions, LLC. Sean...

Season Two, Episode 5. Synopsis: The aftershocks of the events at the Goodspeed hit Sean in a hard way. Content warning: contains strong language. Post Show Talk Back: Mental health counselor Imari Hardon (and star of the Tony award winning Broadway production of Avenue Q for five years) chats with Sean about therapy. Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, L...

BONUS EPISODE! Audiences around the world know actor Rebecca Caine for originating the role of "Cosette" in Les Miserables and as one of the most iconic "Christine Daes" of Phantom of the Opera.    But what many don't know about Rebecca is that she has her own harrowing "Stage Combat" story.  Something that happened to her in the theatre industry almost thirty ye...

Season Two, Episode 4. Synposis: Sean experiences the fallout of Chad’s latest allegation. Content warning: contains strong language. Post Show Talk Back: Clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman talks about the ripple effect of a mental health crisis. Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Consulting Producer, Ian Southwood of Southwood Productions,...

Season Two, Episode 2.   SPECIAL DOUBLE EPISODE! Synopsis: A flurry of memos may threaten Sean’s future at the Goodspeed / There’s a file with Sean’s name on it.  Content warning: contains strong language. Post Show Talk Back: Clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Hurwitz chats with Sean about “depersonalization.” Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Consul...

Season Two, Episode 3. Synopsis: Things come to a head during the Friday night performance of Billy Elliot at the Goodspeed. Content warning: contains strong language. Post Show Talk Back: Clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman and Sean talk about actions theatres can take NOW to support the mental health of their performing artists. Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Ha...

SEASON TWO PREMIERE!   Season Two, Episode 1. The original Goodspeed Opera House story continues.  Still told like a true crime podcast. Synopsis: Following his collapse on the Opera House stage, Sean returns to work for the press performance of Billy Elliot. Content warning: contains strong language; depiction of panic attack. Post Show Talk Back:  Clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Hurwitz discusse...

BONUS EPISODE!  (Actually a bonus "nugget").  Ever wonder what went into the icon you see every time you listen to an episode of Stage Combat?  Sean has a quick chat with the amazing Fran Pinter-Parrot, the designer of the icon, about the inspiration behind her design! Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sean Hayden is New York City based a...

BONUS EPISODE!  Sean and Imari Hardin, a New York City mental health counselor who also starred in the Tony award winning Broadway musical “Avenue Q” for five years, have a frank talk:   About what the theatre industry needs to do better when it comes to mental health.  Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott. Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC. Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney,...