I Have Questions Podcast
“A lot of fight fandom is STILL really nerdy” with Laura Jedeed
Journalist, U.S. Army veteran, and all-around badass Laura Jedeed joins Tunisha and Kyle for an upbeat and unfiltered conversation about the current challenges facing mixed martial arts (MMA) amid the UFC's rising commercialization and far-right political influence. Together they get real about diversity within combat sports, break down how narrative storytelling and marketing shape the UFC’s brand image, plus Laura shares her firsthand experience covering UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn. Give a listen to this candid chat that hits on a little bit of everything as it relates to MMA fandom––including honest tips on staying hopeful in an ever-changing landscape. Check out and subscribe to Laura Jedeed’s substack here: Firewalled Media ! Laura Jedeed’s Slate articles referenced in conversation: It Was Everyone’s Sport. Then MAGA Hijacked It. It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way. The Absurd Spectacle of UFC Freedom 250 Key Topics: Origin stories of combat sports fandom On the ground coverage of UFC Freedom 250 The impact of celebrity culture and social media on MMA narratives The role of media, marketing, and storytelling in MMA's growth UFC’s current surge of commercialization and politics and its impact on combat sports as a whole Influence of brand marketing on consumer perception and meaning-making The personal and collective struggles of MMA fans and fighters Keep up with all the ways you can listen, contact, and support the IHQ Podcast hosted by Tunisha Singleton and Kyle Green. 😎 Follow the show here! https://linktr.ee/ihqpod
