SuperFan Diaries

Good afternoon and welcome back to the Superfan Diaries! I’m your host, JR Green, recording live from our studios on Broadway in the heart of downtown Nashville. We talk a lot about passion and glory on this show, but today is different. Today, we’re sitting down with a man who knows exactly what it means to show up when showing up costs everything. I’m joined by Birmingham’s own Noah Galloway—a U.S. Army veteran, a Dancing with the Stars finalist, and the first-ever amputee to grace the cover of Men’s Health. Noah takes us through the darkest days following that life-altering IED attack in Iraq back in 2005 and shares the exact moment in front of a mirror that changed his mindset forever. We’re diving deep into his "No Excuses" philosophy, his grueling trek through the Indonesian jungle (complete with a gift you won't believe!), and what it’s really like to go from a military humvee to a ballroom floor. Plus, we’ll hear about his massage-therapist alter ego. This is a story about sacrifice, persistence, and the remarkable rebirth of an American soldier. You don’t want to miss this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to the Superfan Diaries! I’m your host, JR Green, and today’s guest is a true architect of the Nashville sound. Pam Rose is a Grammy-nominated songwriter whose hits have been recorded by everyone from Martina McBride and Reba McEntire to Restless Heart and Peter Cetera. But before she was penning #1 records, she was a nine-year-old girl in Florida, obsessed with the "crack of the bat" and the legendary 1961 home run race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. In this episode, Pam shares the unbelievable story of how she tucked her long hair under a baseball cap to pass as a boy just to pitch in Little League. We dive deep into the competitive spirit of songwriting, the unique "synergy" of her longtime partnership with Mary Ann Kennedy, and why she believes the best songs are born from competing against yourself. Plus, we get an exclusive look at her upcoming memoir, Sovereign Witness, and hear why she would choose Albert Einstein as her sole companion on a deserted island. Whether you're a die-hard Yankees fan or a lover of country music history, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The kick is up, and we’re storming the field with the legend of the Big Orange Tux! J.R. Greene here, and on this episode of Superfan Diaries, I’m taking you back to a moment that defined a generation of Tennessee football—and my own life. We’re traveling back to the 1998 National Championship game in Tempe, Arizona, to revisit the night a white thrift-store suit, 60 orange magic markers, and a little bit of "James Bond" inspiration turned a regular student into the "Big Orange Tux Guy." From a chance encounter with moon-walker Buzz Aldrin to freezing in front of 30,000 fans while trying to sing "Rocky Top," this story is about more than just a lucky outfit. It’s about the sheer audacity of a fan who just wanted to show the world that Tennessee has class, and ended up leading the undefeated Vols onto the field for the biggest game in school history. But the magic didn't stop in '98. After a viral ESPN article by Chris Low brought the "Big Orange Tux" legend back into the spotlight 25 years later, the story has found a new life. I am beyond thrilled to announce the release of "My Magic Tux," the very first children’s book ever published by the University of Tennessee! This isn’t just a sports story; it’s a lesson in courage, confidence, and being yourself, even if you’re covered in magic marker. Hit play to hear how a 30-inch waist (I miss those days!) and a dream led to a national title and a literary legacy. Plus, find out how 100% of my royalties from the book are going back to UT Libraries for literacy and a brand-new foundation for kids. Be sure to grab your copy of My Magic Tux when it hits shelves July 28th! Because whether you're in the stands or on the field, the magic is in you all along. Go Vols! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to the Superfan Diaries! I’m your host, JR Green, and we’re coming to you straight from our studios on Broadway in the heart of downtown Nashville. Today, we’ve got a true Renaissance man and a powerhouse talent in the house—the one and only Gary Morris! We’re diving deep into a career that’s as versatile as it gets. From being a four-sport athlete at Texas Tech to making $1,000 a week singing in a Colorado bar in 1969, Gary’s journey is one for the books. He shares the incredible story of how a performance for President Jimmy Carter led him to Nashville, where he racked up five #1 country hits and eventually landed the role of a lifetime as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables on Broadway. Gary also pulls back the curtain on the masterpiece "Wind Beneath My Wings," sharing how he fought to get the song played when radio stations called it "four minutes of dead air." Plus, we talk about his life as an outdoorsman, hosting The North American Sportsman on TNN, and the hilarious (and true) story of having a young Faith Hill as his secretary before she became a household name! So, grab a seat and settle in. It’s music, it’s the great outdoors, it's Broadway, and it’s pure Nashville legend. Let’s go! Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share your own favorite musical moments or game-day traditions online. Go Red Raiders! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The kick is up, and we are going deep inside your head! J.R. Greene here, and on this episode of Superfan Diaries, we're asking the questions most people never think to ask: Why do we paint our faces? Why do we cry over a team we’ve never played for, in a city we've maybe never even visited? To find the truth, I sat down with the world’s leading expert on sports fan psychology, Dr. Daniel Wann, to dissect the bizarre, beautiful, and sometimes chaotic science of sports fandom. From the accidental 1980s grad school moment that birthed an entire field of study, to the mind-bending superstitions fans swear can alter a championship, we are pulling back the curtain on the superfan brain. We reveal the eight hidden motivations behind your obsession—including one highly underrated driver most fans refuse to admit—and tackle the dark, chaotic side of the "3% rule." Is your die-hard loyalty actually the secret key to your mental health, or are you crossing the line into psychological devastation? Hit play on the full episode to unlock the secret blueprint of why we care so deeply, because once you hear Dr. Wann’s groundbreaking data, you will never look at game day the same way again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered what drives a Scottsdale-based commercial pilot to chase the Dutch national soccer team across the globe, wearing the exact same beer-stained, custom-tailored orange suit to nearly 100 consecutive matches? On this episode of the Superfan Diaries, I’m talking with the legendary Oranje Suit Man himself, Daniel Oordt, about the madness, the mystery, and the magic of the orange army currently marching through the World Cup. We dive into the unbelievable story of how a childhood move sparked a lifelong obsession, what it feels like to end up on a massive downtown Dallas mural alongside superstars Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay, and how he manages to balance a high-flying career with a grueling global tournament schedule. But what is the real, hilarious story behind his indestructible suit, and what did it take for the famous Dutch "Links Rechts" march to literally put him in a wheelchair? You’ll have to listen to the full episode to unlock the true meaning of gezelligheid and discover the secrets of the iconic orange double-decker bus before the next kickoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does a civil engineer from Massachusetts become a viral sports sensation by hunting down the single worst MLB stadium seats in America? On this episode of the Super Fan Diaries, I sit down with the legendary Cameron Guzzo—the creator who conquered all 30 Major League Baseball parks and turned obstructed views, questionable design choices, and extreme ballpark food into a massive online movement. We dive deep into what it is really like to navigate fierce rivalries as a Yankees fan in Red Sox territory, his transition into a Buffalo Bills fan, and the bizarre logistics of a multi-stadium trek. But which modern stadium actually contains his most shocking obstructed-view discovery, and what is the real story behind the controversial ballpark snack that nearly did him in? You will have to listen to the full episode to find out what happens when the worst seats in the house lead to the ultimate fan experience. Let's go! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a Stanley Cup champion and his childhood best friend start a kids' band? You get Mac N Cheeze — and a whole lot of joy. In Episode 46 of Superfan Diaries, host JR Green sits down with Nashville Predators center and future Hall of Famer Ryan O'Reilly and actor-musician Kelly James to talk about their debut children's album Pizza Party, their friendship forged on the Major Junior hockey circuit in Erie, and how making silly songs became one of the most meaningful things either of them has ever done. In this episode we cover: How Ryan O'Reilly and Kelly James met as teenagers on the OHL's Erie Otters, and knew immediately they'd be lifelong friends The origin story of Mac N Cheeze: from locker room joke songs to a real record deal with Dine Alone Records Recording Pizza Party in Nashville with producer Chris Kimmerer (drummer for Thomas Rhett) How "Pizza Party" became the Nashville Predators' win song, and what Ryan heard his teammates singing in the showers The mental health side of creativity: why Ryan says music made him a better hockey player Their upcoming adult TV show concept with comedian Jerry Dee Desert Fan Island, rapid fire questions, Stanley Cup stories, and Tim Horton family memorabilia Whether you're a hockey superfan, a parent looking for music your kids will actually love, or someone who just needs a reminder that it's okay to be a little weird, this one's for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the ultimate superfan doesn’t just sit in the bleachers, but holds the pen at the negotiating table with some of the most iconic and polarizing figures in history? In this episode of The Superfan Diaries, we are pulling back the curtain with powerhouse sports and entertainment attorney Gary Spicer Sr., a man whose life sits at the fascinating intersection of law, legacy, and absolute greatness. From his humble roots on a one-acre Tennessee farm to becoming a central figure in the gritty, fiercely loyal heartbeat of Detroit sports culture, Gary shares the untold stories you won't find in any record book. We dive deep into the mind of baseball legend Pete Rose, uncovering what truly fueled his relentless drive, and reveal a mind-blowing secret about country music royalty Conway Twitty that will change the way you see him forever. How did icons like Martha Reeves survive the brutal realities of touring during the Green Book era to build the MoTown sound? And what stark, unfiltered warning does the man who helped shape the careers of Ronnie Milsap and The Oak Ridge Boys have for today’s young athletes swimming in millions of dollars in NIL deals? Fandom doesn’t always wear face paint—sometimes, it wears a suit and tie. If you think you know the full history behind your favorite sports and music legends, think again. Hit play to hear the hidden truths of the game from the man who fought for the legends themselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The kick is up, and the kick is good! Welcome back to The Superfan Diaries with your host, JR Green, but today, we’re stepping out of the modern stadiums and taking a journey 20,000 years into the past to uncover the true, hidden history of fandom. Long before the NFL, before jerseys, and before the very first tailgate, human beings were already die-hard fans—but what exactly were they cheering for? From the ancient, torch-lit walls of the Lascaux caves to the deafening, earth-shaking roar of the Roman Colosseum, we are diving deep into the primal psychology of sports fans to answer the ultimate question: why do we care so much? Discover the ancient origins behind why we paint our faces, why underdog stories drive our culture, and the centuries-old secret behind "bread and circuses" that perfectly explains your undying loyalty to your home team. The origin of sports fandom isn’t about the game at all; it’s about a deeply wired human survival instinct that you probably never even realized you had. Hit play to uncover the ancient secret behind your loudest cheers, because to be human is to belong, and to belong is to be a fan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The kick is up, and the kick is good! Welcome back to the Superfan Diaries, where today we’re unpacking the ultimate story of betting it all on the Birds. What happens when a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles superfan walks away from a thriving Philly pretzel empire to risk everything in the wild, unpredictable world of sports content creation? Meet Justin, aka "The Wingman," a premier Eagles content creator who traded ovens and dough for private, five-hour signings with Saquon Barkley, VIP courtside moments with Julius "Dr. J" Erving, and a front-row seat to Philly sports history. But how exactly does a kid who started in the preseason nosebleeds leverage a simple sports memorabilia connection into one of the fastest-growing digital brands on the internet? And what was the specific, viral split-second encounter that forced him to sell a secure business to chase an impossible dream? If you’ve ever wondered what it actually costs—financially and emotionally—to turn your ultimate sports fandom into a full-time reality, you have to hear this incredible journey of risk, loyalty, and blind faith. Hit play to find out exactly how the Wingman earned his wings, because this is one Philly underdog story you simply cannot afford to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you outrun a world-class sprinter in under 20 seconds? For over 40,000 fans at the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park, the answer was almost always a hilarious, face-planting "no." In this episode of The Super Fan Diaries, I’m sitting down with an absolute legend of the diamond—and no, he doesn’t carry a bat. Welcome to the show, Nigel Talton, better known to the world as The Freeze. We go behind the blue suit and the goggles to uncover the incredible story of how a member of the Atlanta Braves grounds crew became a viral sensation. But Nigel’s journey isn’t just about stadium races; it’s a masterclass in resilience. We talk about the 2005 injury that should have ended his career—a broken femur that doctors said would leave him with a limp—and how he turned that motivation into becoming a world-champion sprinter. In this episode, we dive into: The Origin of The Freeze: How a simple "Stolen Base Challenge" in a grounds crew uniform evolved into one of the most iconic promotions in Major League Baseball history. The Stats of a Legend: Nigel reveals his success rate against overconfident fans (spoiler: he’s only lost about 12 times in 5 years!). The Mindset of a Sprinter: What goes through his head in those 20 seconds of pure focus, and why he never actually sees the fans fall. Life After the Suit: Nigel’s transition into coaching middle school and varsity flag football and track, and why being a mentor is the version of himself he’s most proud of. Rapid Fire Fun: Nigel’s favorite Braves legend, why Remember the Titans is his go-to movie, and his "Smart Answer" to what he’d do if a fan pulled a hamstring racing him. Whether you're an Atlanta Braves superfan, a track and field enthusiast, or just someone who loves a great underdog story, this episode is for you. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share your own game-day traditions with us at superfandiaries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices