Levels to This with Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby take a moment to honor the life and legacy of two-time WNBA champion Kara Braxton, reflecting on her impact on the game, her competitive spirit, and the deep loss felt across the basketball community. Then: a full breakdown of the Athletes Unlimited season, celebrating Odyssey Sims finally winning the chip after five seasons of being so close, shouting out breakout star Aneesah Morrow, Kaitlyn Chen's Newcomer of the Year performance, and Natasha Mack's dominant Defensive Player of the Year run. They also get into the bigger picture: what the future of AU looks like, why Nashville feels like home, and why Odyssey Sims deserves a guaranteed WNBA contract, like, yesterday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with Shaniqua McClendon, Senior Vice President of Political Strategy (you heard that "senior" here first) at Crooked Media, for a conversation that is equal parts eye-opening and unfiltered. From Obama's election to Trump's rise, Shaniqua breaks down how we got here — and why she believes we're already in authoritarianism, not approaching it. The trio digs into why Kamala lost, what gender had to do with it, and what sustainable civic engagement looks like for Black women who are exhausted. Shaniqua doesn't hold back on what accountability must look like in a post-Trump America — and spoiler: somebody needs to go to prison.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby take us back to their live conversation from Fanatics Fest 2025 with special guest Cynthia Cooper. The trio shares their favorite moments from the event, including run-ins with sports legends and fans. They reflect on their playing days, the physicality of the game back then, and how it compares to today’s style. The three talk about the evolution of the WNBA, the rise of new stars like Juju Watkins, and what NIL deals mean for the future of women’s sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker for a conversation on leadership, resilience, and the evolving landscape of HBCU athletics. From her journey to becoming the first woman to lead the conference to the lessons she’s learned navigating pressure, perception, and change, McWilliams Parker shares what it takes to lead with purpose. They also break down what makes the CIAA experience so unique, from its deep cultural impact to its role in creating opportunities for student-athletes beyond the game. The conversation highlights the importance of representation, community, and why building legacy matters now more than ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by WNBA All-Star and Duke legend Alana Beard. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year reflects on guarding the league’s toughest scorers, battling back from injury, and what it was like playing across multiple generations of the W. Plus, Alana breaks down her vision for Project B, a new global, touring basketball league built around player ownership. Tipoff is November 2026—don't miss it!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby dig into the WNBA’s long legacy of activism—and why this moment feels especially urgent. They react to Breanna Stewart’s “Abolish ICE” sign, unpack why players across the league are speaking out, and connect today’s political climate to the WNBA’s history of standing on the front lines of social justice. From Minneapolis to the bubble to now, Sheryl and Tee make the case that this league has never been about “shut up and dribble.” And it never will be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby kick off (one of) the most wonderful times of the year: Athletes Unlimited season! They break down why this year’s AU roster might be the deepest yet, from returning champions and OGs to rookies looking to prove they belong. The duo digs into what makes AU such a critical cultivation ground for players fighting for WNBA opportunities, the impact of vets like Tina Charles joining the mix, and why this season feels especially important for player development. They also get into new builds for AU this year—from named teams to real coaching staffs—and make early, spicy predictions about who could walk away as champion. PLUS: Should AU be the WNBA's G League?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby dig into the latest flashpoint that sparked a much bigger—and longer-running—conversation: men, from who-knows-'em podcasters to Stephen A. Smith, can't seem to keep Black women's names out of their mouths. From Jasmine Crockett to Joy-Ann Reid and beyond, they unpack a disappointingly familiar pattern of who gets criticized, who gets grace, and who’s constantly asked to justify their presence. The conversation widens into a deeper look at power, platform, and why Black women so often become the easiest targets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And Happy Season Two of Levels to This! Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby kick off the new season with a no-holds-barred conversation about the dress—and the much bigger issues it exposed. The duo breaks down the controversy surrounding Dr. Karri Turner Bryant’s UNCF gala look, the policing of women’s bodies (especially in the Black church), and the double standards women are constantly asked to navigate. Along the way, they talk modesty, autonomy, respectability politics, and why folks were louder about a dress than the millions raised for HBCUs. Equal parts sharp, funny, and deeply real, this episode sets the tone for a fearless Season Two.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with Harvard women’s basketball head coach Carrie Moore to talk leadership, culture, and building a winning program. Coach Moore reflects on Harvard’s historic Ivy League championship run, what it takes to create buy-in at an elite academic institution, and how she balances NIL, player branding, and development in today’s game. The conversation also dives into the rise of the Ivy League, preparing players for the WNBA, and why nerds can hoop too. From championship standards to TikTok dances, this episode is all about what it really takes to lead — on and off the court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by sisters, business partners, and community builders Krystal Payne and Kerry Coddett, the co-founders of the Kwanzaa Crawl. They get into how a single idea—rooted in joy, culture, and cooperative economics—grew into a massive, multi-venue celebration that has circulated hundreds of thousands of dollars back into Black-owned businesses. Krystal and Kerry break down the seven principles of Kwanzaa, how they reimagined the holiday for a new generation, and why fun, fashion, and creativity are just as essential as purpose and unity. Plus, they talk entrepreneurship, pivoting through challenges, building community at scale, and what it really means to make tradition your own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby kick things off with some holiday spirit as they announce the winner of the show’s $1,000 Christmas giveaway and reflect on the power of giving back. Then it’s back to basketball: from A’ja Wilson’s continued dominance on and off the court, to the ongoing frustrations around WNBA coaching hires and who gets overlooked. They also break down the buzz around the new Project B league, what it could mean for the WNBA offseason, and what they’re most excited about heading into another season of Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by THE Miss New Jersey USA 2025, Ivy Harrington. Ivy shares how she went from college basketball captain (as a freshman!) to the pageant stage, how her athletic background shaped her confidence, and what it really takes to prepare for competition—on and off the runway. She also opens up about pushing past beauty stereotypes, building real sisterhood amid the competition, and the mission behind her program Most Valuable Pivot, which helps young athletes find their identity beyond sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby get real about the messy middle of doing what you love for a living. From Sheryl’s years of championships and pressure to Terrika’s rise in sports media, they unpack the unseen side of “dream jobs”—the exhaustion, the expectations, and the fear of letting go. They also shout out the women who lift them up and dig into how to protect your joy, reclaim your purpose, and know when it’s time to step back or start fresh. It’s honest, funny, and full of gems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby give Thanksgiving the respect it deserves. From the must-have dishes on their plates — dressing (not stuffing), mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, ham, and even chitlins — to the foods they refuse to negotiate on, the two break down the traditions that make the holiday what it is. It’s funny, it’s honest, and it might just start a debate at your own Thanksgiving table. And of course, they level up by sharing what they're thankful for. Which includes YOU, our listeners! Don't forget to enter the $1000 Giveaway! Check @LTTPod on IG for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with NFL agent and Lady Lib Sports founder Rasheeda Liberty, whose signature philosophy is simple: build the man first, the athlete second, the philanthropist third. She talks about what it really means to support players as whole people—on and off the field—and how she prepares them for a career that can change in a moment. Rasheeda gets real about relationship-building in NFL front offices, advocating for small-school athletes, and the responsibility of representation in a male-dominated industry. A powerful look at what true player development can be.To enter our $1,000 giveaway: Follow us on IG @LTTPodcast  Email us at levelstothispodcast@gmail.com to let us know what this giveaway could do for you! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby tackle the NBA’s gambling scandal—what “inside info” does to the integrity of the game, where accountability belongs, and why timing matters—while drawing a sharp line between fan betting and what players, coaches, and insiders should never touch. Sheryl brings the locker-room lens; Terrika brings the reporter’s receipts, and together they ask what safeguards women’s sports need as wagering grows. They close with a quote that reminds us that faith is SO grounding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you need a place to vent about the tribulations of American politics today, this raw, real episode of Levels to This has your back! Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby discuss how the government shutdown, halted SNAP benefits, and natural disasters are impacting millions, including their own families. With honesty and heart, they unpack what it means to care for your community, hold leaders accountable, and still find faith and fight in the middle of chaos. PLUS: Resources for anyone effected by the government gridlock.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not everyone lives up to the title “Sis.” On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby get real about friendship—when to cherish it, when to check it, and when it’s time to move on. Gucci Mane’s recent revelations about fake friends who took advantage of him while he was ill inspire Sheryl and Terrika to consider their own experiences with loyalty, gossip, and boundaries. The duo breaks down how to know who’s really in your corner. Plus, they play a hilarious game of Keep, Reassign, or Terminate to test what different types of friends deserve. This one’s equal parts funny, honest, and maybe a little too relatable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with Kansas State Senator—and candidate for KS governor—Cindy Holscher to talk about leadership, equity, and the future of democracy. Holscher shares how her daughter inspired her to run for office, the lessons she’s learned working across the aisle, and why she believes collaboration beats outrage. The conversation covers livable wages, reproductive rights, and women’s representation in politics—plus her reaction to a shocking leak of racist messages from young Republican leaders. A sharp, hopeful reminder that local politics matter and every vote counts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.