Stage Combat The Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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 instructor MaryJayne Waddell @maryjaynewaddell; West End actor Alexander Evans @thepilatestenor; Coloring Broadway CEO Andrea Koehler @coloringbroadway and Joschi.

Editing by Alex Griffitt.  Mixing and sound design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.

If you're only listening to Stage Combat the Podcast, you're only getting half the Stage Combat experience.  Check out STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON!
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
Listen to bonus content from this episode:   More of Sean's conversation with the Yogi Master and Sean's personal post-show wrap up of the episode.
PLUS experience our companion series:  JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.
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Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students.  He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace.  Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   

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 David Sabella, Brian Rardin, Willem Bart Ebbink, Brian Martin, Brien O'Brien, William Harrison and Bridget McCarthy.

Editing by Alex Griffitt.  Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.
Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.
Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.

For more Stage Combat the Podcast, check out STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON!
patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcast
Listen to bonus content from this episode:   More of our conversation with Chicago actor David Sabella and Sean's post-show wrap up on the episode.
PLUS experience our all-new chat podcast series:  JUST ACTING and THE MENTAL HEALTH POD.

Sign up for the Stage Combat newsletter at
Landing Page - Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com)

Contact us with a DM at our instagram:
Stage Combat 🎙️ The Podcast OFFICIAL ACCOUNT (@stagecombatthepodcastig) • Instagram photos and videos
or email us at [email protected]

Sean Hayden is an attorney/actor/advocate and is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees and how theatre programs can support their students.  He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace.  Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   

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 the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees.  He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. His op-ed on “Men and Mental Health” appeared in The Economic Times.   Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   


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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

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 the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees. He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. His op-ed on “Men and Mental Health” appeared in The Economic Times.   Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   


Follow us:
Instagram  instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok  StageCombatthePodcast
Email us:  [email protected]

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.  

***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.

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 the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees. He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. His op-ed on “Men and Mental Health” appeared in The Economic Times.   Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   


Follow us:
Instagram  instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok  StageCombatthePodcast
Email us:  [email protected]

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.

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 the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees.  He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. His op-ed on “Men and Mental Health” appeared in The Economic Times.   Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   

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:  [email protected]

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.  

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 the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees.  He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. His op-ed on “Men and Mental Health” appeared in The Economic Times.   Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   


Follow us:
Instagram  instagram.com/stagecombatthepodcastig
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089296591562&mibextid=LQQJ4d
TikTok  StageCombatthePodcast
Email us:  [email protected]

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.  

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 the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees. He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace. His op-ed on “Men and Mental Health” appeared in The Economic Times.   Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   

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:  [email protected]

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.  

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 thank you to the incredible voice actors of Stage Combat.

This episode is dedicated to Lauren Widner.

Sean Hayden is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees. He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace.  His op-ed on “Men and Mental Health” appeared in The Economic Times.   Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   

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:  [email protected]

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.  

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 Hayden is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC.  As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country.    He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association.  As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees. He serves on the advisory board for HR.com for Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace.  His op-ed on “Men and Mental Health” appeared in The Economic Times.   Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.   

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:  [email protected]

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.