The Bits

Canadian rugby great Jen Kish joins us to talk about Alberta’s Bill 29 and what it means for girls’ and women’s sport, youth participation, and inclusion. Kish is known for her ongoing LGBTQ2S+ advocacy and for never shying away from the heat when it comes to making sure everyone has a place in sport. She’s joined by Leah, a parent of teen daughters and a nonbinary kid who wants to play. Together we dig into the new eligibility rules for girls 12+, the ripple effects for kids, parents, coaches, and teachers, and the risks of ‘eligibility policing’ that can unfairly target tomboys, gender-nonconforming athletes, and even girls who are simply taller, stronger, or don’t fit narrow expectations of what a girl should look like. We also explore the government’s fairness and safety arguments, how consent and notification policies in schools intersect with sport, and what this all means for team culture. Disclaimer We’re not experts, but we’re trying to process this too. References:One in three girls drop out by late adolescenceWomen and Sport and several allied reports (e.g. Alberta Women’s Health Foundation’s Practice More Parity) report that about 1 in 3 girls quit sports during adolescence. REF: Alberta Women's Health Foundation (https://www.albertawomenshealthfoundation.org/our-impact/practice-more-parity)Girls leave at twice the rate of boysThe drop-out rate for teenage girls (ages roughly 16–18) is around 33%, versus only about 10% for boys in the same age range. REF: Alberta Women's Health Foundation (https://www.albertawomenshealthfoundation.org/our-impact/practice-more-parity)Participation falls sharply after age 16According to the 2024 Rally Report from Canadian Women & Sport, nearly four in ten girls are missing out on organized sport overall, and this rises to five in ten (50%) by age 16. REF: Beyond Sport (https://beyondsport.org/2024/11/22/canadian-women-sport-release-report-to-ensure-all-girls-benefit-from-sports/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)It also notes dropout rates increase at age 16 and accelerate through the late teenage years. REF: Beyond Sport (https://beyondsport.org/2024/11/22/canadian-women-sport-release-report-to-ensure-all-girls-benefit-from-sports/)

The Hockey Canada sexual assault trial left many people confused, frustrated, or unsure of what the verdict really meant. What does “reasonable doubt” actually mean? How do courts assess credibility? And do morality or emotion play a role in a legal outcome? Criminal defence lawyer Laura Matalas joins us to unpack the Hockey Canada court case—and explain why objectivity guides the Canadian justice system.

The Bits are back just in time to talk about one of the Oilers recent additions… rookie Isaac Howard, who certainly knows how to cause a stir! When this kid was drafted in 2022, he proudly announced he was the "best-dressed at the draft". While we don’t know if he in fact WAS the best dressed, we dive into that kind of energy from a player. We also chat Oilers new coaching staff, plus a new segment "Things That Are Better Than The Edmonton Elks Right Now" to offer CFL fans a little perspective.

This week on The Bits, we’re wrapping up Pride Month with a powerhouse couple who’ve redefined what it means to win, on and off the field.Olympic athletes and married duo Diana Matheson and Anastasia Bucsis join us for a candid, funny, and inspiring conversation about their romantic origin story, life in the spotlight, the rise of women’s sports, and the launch of Canada’s first pro women’s soccer league, the Northern Super League co-founded by Diana.

Our Pride Month feature interviews continue with former broadcaster and sports reporter, Kevin Jesus, who tells us about his experience coming out while working in the industry.But before we get to the interview, we do a quick feels check following the game 6 loss to the Florida Panthers. Are we worried about the future of the Oilers? The Bits have some thoughts.

We are not typically a gossip pod - but hey, if one of our very own special boys ends up on the A-list celebrity gossip account, Deux Moi, we're gonna have to talk about it. Plus, did Rogers actually cancel Wayne Gretzky? You probably didn’t notice, but he's been omitted from a commercial highlighting Oilers history with the Cup. Later, we are proud to bring you one of the co-founders of Pride Tape, Jeff McLean. Pride tape was created right here in Edmonton and is now in over 60 countries worldwide.

It was about 40 days ago the ladies of The Bits thought the Oilers were going to have a long off-season - but here we are teeing up the Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Florida Panthers. There’s a lot of confidence in this year’s team. We talk what's different this year vs. last year, Special Boys and predictions. Plus - what the heck is with the men of the NFL?! We are talking Aaron and the recent reports from his ex, Danica Patrick, plus Bill Belichick.... if you don’t know - soon you will know.

The Bits got themselves a national television reporter on the pod! TSN Ottawa Reporter Claire Hanna joins and it’s beautiful girlhood with sports talk. Hanna dives in on her career and its challenges and we get the scoop on the PWHL playoffs, the vibe around the Ottawa Charge. Plus, our guest brings us a different side of one of the Tkachuk brothers that has left us confused. Don’t miss this one.

The NHL Playoffs have taken over our lives, our sleep, our habits and this week’s episode brings a fiery hate (from some) for a fellow Canadian squad. The ladies discuss why the nation hates the Leafs (and we mean, HATE). Join us as we torture ourselves with a Would You Rather Stanley Cup final edition (Warning: It gets heated). This episode also offers another important part of the playoffs as we review the WAG jackets from NHL Playoff teams around the league. Who did it best? You’ll have to listen to find out. Plus, the PWHL playoffs are getting underway and it’s a high likelihood the championship trophy is coming to Canada…something Canadian men’s teams haven’t been able to do since 1993.

Oilers ADVANCE. In today's special bonus episode, we're coming off the high of the Oilers advancing to round 2 of the playoffs. We pick our "Special Boys" from round 1. Unsure of how the next round will work? We take a look at the Oilers/Vegas matchup, timelines, home ice advantage and insights on the strengths/weaknesses on each team going into the round. We also do a high-level playoff picture of where we're at with other matchups.Plus, you wanted them again - we've got bold predictions.

Category is: CHAOS. If you’re an Oilers fan, you know exactly what this means. The chaos that is this Oilers vs. Kings series is also the chaos that is Evan Bouchard, and that is the kind of chaos that Paulina and Quinn bring when unsupervised in this episode. To make this make sense, we’ll chat about the Oilers Kings series, Bouchard’s play which is giving but then taking it all back when the time is right. Ride the rollercoaster and get set for game 5 of the Pacific Division Quarter Final.

The NHL Playoffs are well underway now, and rather than spew some stats about the power play, we’re taking you around the league to teach you about some of the hockey men (and women) across the league. Get set for a snorkel (like, the opposite of a deep dive) into the lives of three NHLers. We know The Bits love the idea of making big predictions in sports, and this week’s episode is no different - see what big, bold predictions we’ve got for you to chat about with your friends. Plus, the recent PWHL expansion teams and things get heated as two bitties disagree with the outcome.

Golf is coming off one of its biggest weekends of the season and it brought us history with Rory McIlroy FINALLY completing the career grand slam. Also, fear not casual hockey fans, we’ve got the NHL playoff format figured out and we’ll walk you through it and tell you some of the first round matchups to watch for. Plus, the gals have 60 seconds each to convince you of teams to cheer for that aren’t named the Oilers.

Well, a 31 year old NHL record has been broken - congratulations to Alex Ovechkin, the league’s all time goal scorer! He did us a favour by breaking the record literally 30 minutes before we recorded so that we could discuss. Plus it’s a tradition unlike any other … the Oilers and Kings in the first round of the playoffs! We have some fun with an Edmonton vs LA countdown plus a brand new segment we think you’ll love. Yup! Let’s brainstorm on that. Love it.

All three gals are back for the first time in a minute and they lament how much things can change for the Oilers in just a week. Check out our hot takes that went ice cold within only a few days. We talk White Lotus, but don't worry, we tie it to sports.And, we will chat about probably the most badass woman on the planet - they don’t come more resilient than Lindsey Vonn!

It’s the homestretch of the Oilers regular season - and as we get set for another deep playoff run (we hope) Paulina and Quinn take a deep dive on the team’s current situation. The ladies also turn to the machine for some hot takes down AI - and it turns out maybe artificial intelligence isn’t as smart as we think.

If it were up to us, International Women’s Day would be every day… so to celebrate properly we have been featuring amazing women driving sport in Edmonton all week (check our Instagram @thebitsyeg). In this episode, another powerful female Vanessa Hettinger, one of the best power skating coaches in the country. Find out which NHL budding superstar she’s worked with, the science of athlete development and being a woman in a male-dominated space!

There's a lot of talk about Wayne Gretzky lately... with Canadians and in particular, Edmontonians. The behaviour at 4 Nations and the broader issues tied to that with Gretzky's political affiliations. Does this erase everything he has done for Edmonton? What does this mean for the hockey culture locally? Speaking of Gretzky, we talk about Ovechkin approaching his goals record. Later, we've got to address some team concerns...are we finally done with Skinner? What's going on with Bouche? On that note, trade deadlines are a big conversation right now so we get into it.

The PWHL Takeover Tour made its stop in Edmonton, and the city showed up. We’re breaking down the vibes, the game, and what this means for women’s hockey.Then, it’s Canada vs. USA at the 4 Nations Cup, and the rivalry is heating up. We’re talking The Goonies villains (aka the Tkachuk brothers) bringing the chaos, Sidney Crosby’s Captain Canada, and Calgary Flames fans. Plus, thoughts on the anthem booing. After the anthem boos in Montreal, what’s going to happen in Boston?And of course, we can’t ignore the real mystery we’ve all been looking to solve—who is McDavid’s tailor?We also chat about Edmonton’s deep freeze, the need for better indoor spaces, and maybe even a new investment opportunity?.

PWHL Toronto’s Julia Gosling joins The Bits ahead of the league’s Takeover Tour stop in Edmonton! She talks about making the jump from college to the pros, what makes the PWHL so impactful, and why every night is ‘best on best’ competition. We also dive into her international experience, the mentors who helped shape her game, and—of course—settle the big question: Is she related to Ryan Gosling?Plus, we wrap up with fun rapid-fire questions, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at life inside the Sceptres’ locker room. Don’t miss this one!