Outsports Radio

This week, rugby athlete and commentator Alice Soper beams up from Wellington, New Zealand. She chats with Dawn and Karleigh about World Rugby's proposed trans ban, her own story of competing, coming out lesbian and politics here and there. She's not only friends with the prime minister of her country, she has her on speed dial! BTW New Zealand just became the first English-speaking country to add Mx. as an option on its voter registration forms! And Alice reveals she's a fan of fantasy novels, and spills the tea on why New Zealand has a love/hate relationship with NZ native filmmaker Peter Jackson, who filmed the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of LPFPod. This is episode 57 and I am extremely excited to talk with my first person from Crystal Palace Football Club from England. I hope you enjoy my chat with Palace women's goalie Chloe Morgan. Throughout our conversation we talk about football in England, growing up around the sport, Chloe's personality that keeps her focused on so many aspects of her life including work, football, volunteering with the Goaldiggers, a woman's LGBTQ football club. We also spend some time chatting about her being mixed race, race issues around the world and Black Lives Matter. I hope you enjoy my chat with Chloe. To follow her on twitter, you can find her at @Morgie_89. You can follow me on twitter and instagram at @lpfpod. Email me questions or comments at levelplayingfieldpod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's show, Alex speaks with gay sportswriter Tony Paul of the Detroit News. Alex and Tony defend sportswriters who are critical of sports returning during the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and lambast the performative outrage about NBA players kneeling during the national anthem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One full week of 2020 baseball is in the books and 28 out of 30 teams aren't currently in quarantine! As Jack Nicholson said in Mars Attacks, "And that ain't bad!" Or was that Rob Manfred? This week, friend of the pod and sweetest damn Yankee fan on the planet Chris Calogero (@RealChrisCal on Twitter) stops by to celebrate his team's very good opening week. When the Yanks aren't having games postponed to avoid the coronavirus, they're clubbing the hell out of the ball. Judge, Torres, LeMahieu...and especially Giancarlo Stanton. We also discuss the cold hard slap of reality that is the Marlins COVID-19 fiasco and how the only thing worse than Florida baseball is the Florida governor. Finally, to lighten the mood, we break down the latest Dodgers/Astros fracas starring Joe Kelly, the most entertaining meathead since Rob Reiner. Twitter: @KenSchultz_ @RealChrisCal Insta: @kenthinguy @realchriscal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, Lovelies! LGBT In The Ring goes international again this week as Riptide Wrestling Pride of Brighton champion Cassius brings his infectious energy to the show. "The Neon Explosion" joins Brian Bell to chat about how wrestling helped him find comfort in his identity, stepping in the ring with Cassandro, watching the British wrestling scene evolve and the role the WWE Divas and MIley Cyrus played in making him the man he is today! Follow Cassius on Twitter: @NeonCassius Follow Brian Bell on Twitter: @WonderboyOTM Follow the show on Twitter: @LGBTRingPod The Progress Pride Flag design by Daniel Quasar is a product of Progress Initiative. Find out more at quasar.digital! Huge thanks to Sarah & The Safe Word for the show’s theme, Formula 666 from the album Red, Hot and Holy. Find them on Twitter, @STSWBand, and check out their music on Spotify and sarahandthesafeword.bandcamp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Karleigh and Dawn discuss the coronavirus impact on MLB, the proposed ban on trans athletes by World Rugby, the latest from Idaho, a sudden spate of murders of Black trans women, then welcome CTNewsJunkie.com political writer Susan Bigelow, a Connecticut librarian and Sci-Fi author. She has an important message for closeted trans folks and those cisgender folks who want to better understand trans people. Plus we share our love of The Mandalorian, Watchmen, and high hopes for Star Trek: Lower Decks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It certainly has been a while since my last episode but I am extremely glad to be back with an all new episode of LPFPod. This episode was actually recorded back in May. Matt found the sport of baseball at a very young age and fell in love with the sport. Injuries, addictions and his sexuality make his story a very complicated one for sure. However, he has managed to battle through it all and finds himself in a very good place. I am thankful for Matt coming on the podcast and I hope you enjoy his story. During our chat, I mention an article that I first read his story. Check it out below if you want to see more. Have a question or comment, want to be a guest, email me at levelplayingfieldpod@gmail.com or contact me on twitter or instagram at @LPFPod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martha McCabe swam for Team Canada in two Summer Olympic Games, finishing as high as fifth in one event. She talks with us about being so focused on her sport that she didn't even realize her true sexual orientation until after she retired. Plus she talks about the importance of role models in her sport, which opens an entire conversation about the importance of LGBT people coming out in every sport, as well as what she's learned since coming out. Like virtually every athlete, she's received far more acceptance than she anticipated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's edition of "The Sports Kiki," Alex examines the bizarre phenomenon of Kelly Loeffler attacking her own league, the WNBA, for cheap political gain. Alex speaks with WNBA journalists Tamryn Spruill and Lauren Rosenberg about Loeffler, and the league's social justice work as a whole. The WNBA is the most progressive sports league in the U.S., and right now, it seems like their moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's this?! Actual PRESENT DAY baseball to talk about? IS THAT ALLOWED?!!! It's Opening Day 2020...which shouldn't be a complicated sentiment but since "2020" is a part of that phrase, it is. I'm joined by longtime friends of the pod Adam Mamawala and Kevin McCaffrey (Away Games Podcast) for the second part of a Podcast Crossover. In Part 1, we covered the Cubs' prospects for this 60 game sprint and in this episode, we're looking at the rest of MLB. We go through the usual picks for Division, Pennant, and World Series winners but since predicting the randomness of a 60 game season is a fool's errand, we also predict the most insane developments we want to see happen in 2020. We also cover MVP legitimacy, ponder whether someone might hit .400, and manage to throw shade at the Cardinals, Mets, and Marlins in the span of 45 minutes. So there will be some normalcy this year after all... Twitter: @KenSchultz_ @AdamMamawala @KevinMcCaff @AwayGamesPod Insta: @kenthinguy @adammamawala @kevinmccaff @awaygamespod Lea

Hello, Lovelies! Brian is running guestless this week, but that won't keep him from giving his thoughts on a number of major events from a collection of major promotions. The past weeks brought us Evil's truly evil coronation at Dominion, a return to form for Impact at Slammiversary and an edition of Extreme Rules that lived up to its "Horror Show" subtitle in the most frustrating way. Cue the Hiromu meme. Follow Brian Bell on Twitter: @WonderboyOTM Follow the show on Twitter: @LGBTRingPod The Progress Pride Flag design by Daniel Quasar is a product of Progress Initiative. Find out more at quasar.digital! Huge thanks to Sarah & The Safe Word for the show’s theme, Formula 666 from the album Red, Hot and Holy. Find them on Twitter, @STSWBand, and check out their music on Spotify and sarahandthesafeword.bandcamp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're beaming up Coach Curt Miller of the Connecticut Sun as they prepare to begin play in the WNBA Bubble in Bradenton, Fla. Plus find out the latest on efforts by World Rugby to ban transgender women athletes. And we're excited about "Star Trek: Lower Decks"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul Ruggeri is mapping a new course for his life, focused on family and nursing. He brings us into his new life in his hometown of Syracuse, N.Y., where he has returned after years of living in and around New York City. He revisits the final days of competing for Team USA in gymnastics, as well as his return to social media with various posts about one of his new passions: bodybuilding. He also talks for the first time with a media outlet about being gay, why he didn't come out publicly while competing, and where he's headed next in his relationships. You don't want to miss this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's show, Alex chats with Sky Sports editor and writer Jon Holmes about the tawdry tabloid British tabloid culture, which keeps promoting dark essays from alleged closeted Premier League players who are afraid to come out, Alex also talks about the WNBA's ridiculous objection to Elena Della Donne receiving a medical exemption from playing in the coronavirus bubble, and the gross speculation around the Washington Post's story about the Washington NFL team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When I started this "funny joke man talks ball and stick" podcast, I assumed that I'd spend most of my time on subjects about as weighty as "Anthony Rizzo RULZ." But this episode...wow...we go DEEP. I'm joined by broadcaster and sportswriter Evan Davis (MLB Network) just as baseball is a week away from Opening Day. In times when the country isn't on fire, this would be cause for rejoicing. But neither Evan nor I can come up with a satisfactory answer to the question: "Why are we forcing all of these guys to play a game with the country on fire?" And that's legitimately disconcerting. We also reflect on Evan's status as an out LGBTQ panelist on MLB Network and instances when it's caused him to run up against the monolith of baseball culture and baseball's codes. It's real talk, it's emotional, and I genuinely appreciate him sharing it on the show. There's a lot to identify with in our discussion about being out, feelings of uncertainty, and what it means to be true to yourself and the community. Twitter: @KenS

Hello, Lovelies! Brian Bell is back for the second time this week to chat Sonny Kiss vs. Cody at All Elite Wrestling’s Fight for the Fallen. The match was so nice we had to talk about it twice. And Brian’s partner KC joins in this time to unpack the match, the impact of Sonny having such a stage and what those forearm shots must’ve felt like. Freedom ain’t not free, but this show and proper representation definitely are! Follow Brian Bell on Twitter: @WonderboyOTM Follow the show on Twitter: @LGBTRingPod The Progress Pride Flag design by Daniel Quasar is a product of Progress Initiative. Find out more at quasar.digital! Huge thanks to Sarah & The Safe Word for the show’s theme, Formula 666 from the album Red, Hot and Holy. Find them on Twitter, @STSWBand, and check out their music on Spotify and sarahandthesafeword.bandcamp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Gabrielle Spierer joins Dawn and Karleigh to discuss an issue that is too rarely discussed, particularly within the transgender population: domestic violence. The Long Island, N.Y. native is the co-author of a new book titled, "Giving Women a Voice: A collaboration of real-life stories from survivors of abuse," in which she provides the LGBTQ perspective on overcoming domestic violence. Find out more about Gabrielle and the book at our Facebook page. She also discusses her love for "Star Trek," the original series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, Lovelies! This week's special early edition of the show welcomes All Elite Wrestling's Sonny Kiss! As the Concrete Rose prepares to take on Cody for the TNT championship at Fight for the Fallen Wednesday night, we chat about the importance of LGBTQ representation on a large stage like AEW, accurate depictions of Kiss' gender fluidity and the genuine dynamic that comes through in her partnership with Joey Janela. Also, Limp Bizkit. Don't miss Sonny Kiss vs. Cody for the TNT championship at Fight for the Fallen Wednesday at 8pm ET on TNT! Follow Sonny Kiss on Twitter: @SonnyKissXO Follow Brian Bell on Twitter: @WonderboyOTM Follow the show on Twitter: @LGBTRingPod The Progress Pride Flag design by Daniel Quasar is a product of Progress Initiative. Find out more at quasar.digital! Huge thanks to Sarah & The Safe Word for the show’s theme, Formula 666 from the album Red, Hot and Holy. Find them on Twitter, @STSWBand, and check out their music on Spotify and sarahandthesafeword.bandcamp.com Learn more a

Alex is back from his 4th of July hiatus, and enraged about the state of the country. On this week's show, he chats with queer journalist Mathew Rodriguez about the phenomenon of coronavirus social shaming, and how it perpetuates stereotypes against the LGBTQ community. We cannot shame our way out of the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's episode is so Boston, I'm pretty sure it counts as an Affleck. Outsports Deputy Managing Editor Alex Reimer (The Sports Kiki podcast) joins me to talk all things Red Sox and like always with that team, there's plenty of drama. Mookie Betts is gone, everybody hates the owners, and Fenway Park got bizarrely ranked #21 on a "Best Ballparks in MLB" survey. Alex also compares all four of the Red Sox' 21st century World Championships, a condition the rest of us know as "being from Boston." Later, we discuss Alex's piece about using sports minutiae as a kid to avoid thinking about his sexuality and how it much it hit home with me. Dear listener, I FEEL SEEN. Check out his excellent reflection here. Twitter: @KenSchultz_ @AlexReimer1 @SportsKikiPod Insta: @kenthinguy @areims12 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices