Stage Combat The Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Stage Combat the Podcast Season 3 Trailer! Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

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. Who want to be seen. Who want to be validated. Just like you.
Enjoy this preview of the first 5 minutes of the first episode of Season 3! And be sure to follow us so you don't miss any episodes as they drop!
Stage Combat is a production of Haywood Productions, LLC.

The Stage Combat Holiday Special! Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

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 celebrate, let’s celebrate each other!

And there’s a special announcement about Stage Combat at the end of the episode!

Special thanks to Rebecca Caine, Courtney Loving, Alex Griffitt, Ellen Warner, Dr. Alisa Hurwitz, Brian Sheppard, LaQuet Sharnell Pringle, Dr. Michelle Sherman, Ian Southwood.
Content note: We were so excited chatting about the movie White Christmas in this episode that we erroneously stated Donald O’Connor starred with Bing Crosby in the film. Thanks to listener Abby for pointing out that it was actually the incredible Danny Kaye!

Hosted by Sean Hayden
Edited by Justin Gerrish and Alex Griffitt.
Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott.
Directed by Sean Hayden
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Follow us:
Instagram instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok StageCombatthePodcast
Email us: stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com
Rate, review and follow us on your podcast platform!
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter and listen to episodes online at stagecombathepodcast.com
Claim Your Story!
Mental Health Resources:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition. Call the help line at 1 800 950 6264 or text to 62640.

If you or someone or know is in crisis or contemplating self-harm, you can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by simply dialing or texting 988.

***The content in this podcast should not be considered medical or legal advice. Please consult with a medical professional for any medical or mental health issues and with an attorney regarding any legal issues

“You Have No Power Over Me”: Sean and Dr. Hurwitz Revisit Stage Combat Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

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 "telling it like is."
Let's recap two seasons of Stage Combat with Dr. Hurwitz and get to know a little more about her in the process!
Spoiler Warning: Contains spoilers for Seasons 1 and 2 of Stage Combat.
Content warning: Strong language.
Edited by Justin Gerrish and Alex Griffitt.
Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott.
Directed by Sean Hayden
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Dr. Alisa Hurwitz: Dr. Alisa Hurwitz is a clinical psychologist in group private practice in New Hampshire, specializing in the Autism spectrum and gender identity. Dr. Hurwitz also applies her professional knowledge to consult with theater companies, conduct post-show talkbacks and interview Broadway actors. You can follow her at drdrama.com and on Instagram @thedrdrama.

Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Follow us:
Instagram instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok StageCombatthePodcast
Email us: stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com
Rate, review and follow us on your podcast platform!
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter and listen to episodes online at stagecombathepodcast.com
Claim Your Story!
Mental Health Resources:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition. Call the help line at 1 800 950 6264 or text to 62640.

If you or someone or know is in crisis or contemplating self-harm, you can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by simply dialing or texting 988.

One Episode/One Listener: Pamela Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

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 started talking, and then they just kept talking. About what's seriously wrong with our industry: Being denied a voice. Bullying. The imposition of "family" constructs. Being labeled "difficult." The lack of mental health support in our workspaces.
And it's quite a conversation!
Spoiler Warning: "Relatively" spoiler free for Seasons 1 and 2.
Edited by Justin Gerrish and Alex Griffitt.
Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott.
Directed by Sean Hayden
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Pamela Bob is a multi-faceted actor, having appeared as an actor regionally and in multiple off-Broadway and Broadway shows. As an award-winning screenwriter and actor, her original series, "Livin' On a Prairie", is a witty, surprising, and earnest exploration of one woman’s obsession with Little House on the Prairie. The show was an official selection of the Tribeca TV Festival, HollyWeb Fest, and Lift-Off Fest, and won best TV series at the LA International Film Fest. Pamela’s trademark intensity and comedic timing won her the Best Actress award at the LA International Film Festival. Pamela is also a professional makeup and hair artist and photographer. She lives in NYC with her husband and 2 kids.

www.PamelaBob.com

@thepamelabob

www.livinonaprairietv.com

@prairietv

@wdymakeup

@wdyphotography

If you or someone or know is in crisis or contemplating self-harm, you can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by simply dialing or texting 988.

“Creating Stage Combat”: Sean and Ian Unpack Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

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 Griffitt.
Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott.
Directed by Sean Hayden
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Follow us:
Instagram instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok StageCombatthePodcast
Email us: stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com
Rate, review and follow us on your podcast platform!
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter and listen to episodes online at stagecombathepodcast.com
Claim Your Story!
Mental Health Resources:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition. Call the help line at 1 800 950 6264 or text to 62640.

If you or someone or know is in crisis or contemplating self-harm, you can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by simply dialing or texting 988.

“No Time To Panic”: Sean Chats with ABC News’ Matt Gutman Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

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, Sean and Matt talk about their shared history of panic attacks and Matt's own remarkable mental health journey which he documents in his new book, No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks.
Matt's book is the first selection of the Stage Combat Book Club! Be sure to get your copy today and let's talk about it on Stage Combat!
Hosted by Sean Hayden
Edited by Robert Mallory and Alex Griffitt.
Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott.
Directed by Sean Hayden.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.
Matt Gutman is ABC News’s chief national correspondent. A multi-award winning reporter, Gutman contributes regularly to World News Tonight with David Muir, 20/20, Good Morning America, and Nightline. He has reported from fifty countries across the globe and is the author of The Boys in the Cave: Deep Inside the Impossible Rescue in Thailand. His new book, No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks, is out now. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Follow us:
Instagram instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok StageCombatthePodcast
Email us: stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com
Rate, review and follow us on your podcast platform!
Listen to episodes online at stagecombathepodcast.com
Claim Your Story!
Mental Health Resources:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition. Call the help line at 1 800 950 6264 or text to 62640.

If you or someone or know is in crisis or contemplating self-harm, you can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by simply dialing or texting 988.

"Finale" Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

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
Beltline to Broadway Podcast
Talk Radio Europe
Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Follow us:
Instagram instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok StageCombatthePodcast
Email us: stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com
Rate, review and follow us on your podcast platform!
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter and listen to episodes online at stagecombathepodcast.com
Claim Your Story!
Mental Health Resources:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition. Call the help line at 1 800 950 6264 or text to 62640.

If you or someone or know is in crisis or contemplating self-harm, you can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by simply dialing or texting 988.

"The Eleven O'Clock Number" Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

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 Productions, LLC.
Consulting Producer, Ian Southwood of Southwood Productions, LLC.
Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Courtney Loving is a licensed clinical professional counsel based in Sun Valley, Idaho. Her practice focuses on trauma, somatic experiencing, psychosensory healing modalities and psychedelic assisted therapy integration. She has the unique perspective of having worked as a professional actor.
Follow us:
Instagram instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok StageCombatthePodcast
Email us: stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com
Rate, review and follow us on your podcast platform!
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter and listen to episodes online at stagecombathepodcast.com
Claim Your Story!
Mental Health Resources:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition. Call the help line at 1 800 950 6264 or text to 62640.

If you or someone or know is in crisis or contemplating self-harm, you can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by simply dialing or texting 988.

"Discovery" Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

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.
Consulting Producer, Ian Southwood of Southwood Productions, LLC.
Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Follow us:
Instagram instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok StageCombatthePodcast
Email us: stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com
Rate, review and follow us on your podcast platform!
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter and listen to episodes online at stagecombathepodcast.com
Claim Your Story!
Mental Health Resources:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition. Call the help line at 1 800 950 6264 or text to 62640.

If you or someone or know is in crisis or contemplating self-harm, you can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by simply dialing or texting 988.

"Deathless" Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

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, Ian Southwood of Southwood Productions, LLC.
Sean Hayden is New York City based attorney, actor and advocate for workplaces that are safe, respectful and dignified. As the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC, he produces Stage Combat the Podcast which exposes harmful practices in the entertainment industry and fosters conversations of how to make the workplace better for everyone.
Dr. Alisa Hurwitz: Dr. Alisa Hurwitz is a clinical psychologist in group private practice in New Hampshire, specializing in the Autism spectrum and gender identity. Dr. Hurwitz also applies her professional knowledge to consult with theater companies, conduct post-show talkbacks and interview Broadway actors. You can follow her at drdrama.com and on Instagram @thedrdrama.
Follow us:
Instagram instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok StageCombatthePodcast
Email us: stagecombatthepodcast@gmail.com
Rate, review and follow us on your podcast platform!
Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter and listen to episodes online at stagecombathepodcast.com
Claim Your Story!
Mental Health Resources:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition. Call the help line at 1 800 950 6264 or text to 62640.

If you or someone or know is in crisis or contemplating self-harm, you can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by simply dialing or texting 988.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected