Welcome to the Party

Abby and Billie Jean King check in from Milan with a Winter Games diary you honestly couldn’t script. USA Women’s Hockey is dominating on the ice, the arena energy is electric, and the city is buzzing. From superfans in full red-white-and-blue to an unexpected €10 moment at the Duomo, this is what the Games actually feel like on the ground. Dominance, chaos, and a little jet lag…welcome to Milan. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Watch The Rise: The Inaugural Season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League: https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/the-rise-the-inaugural-season-of-the-pwhl Watch The Rise: Gold Medal Girls of the X-Games: https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/the-rise-the-gold-medal-girls-of-the-xgames/ Follow Marissa Kumari Tandon on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @marissakumari Check out our Interview with Elana Meyers Taylor - the Gold Medal winning Bobsledder: The REAL Cost Of Chasing GOLD https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=OO-1fu95GSKGBZEi&v=IWrd9o_cuQ4&feature=youtu.be Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes -Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty for free shipping and 365-day returns. -Check out the limited-edition Team USA collection at FIGS and get 15% off your first order at WearFigs.com with code FIXRX. -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com https://www.onepeloton.com/ -Shop deals and member-exclusive savings all season long at https://www.shipt.com/ -You need some GOODLES mac and cheese in your life! Trust me, you and your whole family will love them. Pick up GOODLES on your next shopping trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elana Meyers Taylor has competed in four Winter Olympic Games. She’s won five Olympic medals. She’s the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history. And she’s still chasing gold. But what makes Elana extraordinary isn’t just what she’s done on the ice, it’s how she’s doing it. In this conversation, Abby, Julie, and Billie Jean sit down with the bobsled legend to talk about switching sports after a failed Olympic softball dream, driving one of the most physically brutal events in the Games, and what it really feels like to pull G-forces that can wreck your spine. They also dive into something bigger: motherhood on tour. Elana travels the world with her two young sons, both deaf, one with Down syndrome, learning ASL as a family while navigating a sport that still doesn’t financially support mothers the way it should. She opens up about sponsorships, childcare costs, why she may walk away with debt instead of a paycheck, and how she’s helping change what’s possible for parents in Olympic sport. This is a conversation about resilience, representation, and attacking the track of your life head on, even when the odds, and the infrastructure, aren’t built for you. Party People, buckle up. *Correction: In this episode, we misstated details about the Unrivaled 1v1 tournament. The semifinals are Chelsea Gray vs. Kelsey Plum and Aliyah Boston vs. Allisha Gray. The semis and finals are all being held February 14, 2026, in Miami.* Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: -Save: The Katie Meyer Story | E60 -The US Curling team beats Italy to advance: https://youtu.be/9R1riGWFR-0?si=k8_dtggBxlM-jeqF -Kendall Coyne Schofield's son gets puck mid-game: https://youtu.be/9bQIbSBB_9A?si=HEWSaR6cqQFQFk6R -Olympic schedule: https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule -Follow Elana Meyers Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/elanameyerstaylor/   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/ 00:00:00 – Welcome00:05:05 – The record Elana's quietly chasing00:11:15 – What 5 G’s really feel like00:14:30 – “My back is trashed”, the physical toll00:21:45 – Four months in Europe with two little kids00:28:00 – The cost of childcare, travel, and chasing gold00:31:40 – Why she could walk away in debt00:39:00 – “Attack the track” — the mindset shift00:42:30 – What she wants her boys to see00:45:00 – What this Olympic run really means Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our hosts, Billie Jean King and Abby Wambach speak openly about the impact of Heated Rivalry and how it mirrors their own personal journeys. Then we’re crashing practice to celebrate the NYU women’s basketball team and their record-breaking run. And the Winter Olympics have officially taken over, and this week’s party starter is all about the moments and meaning behind the headlines. Olympic reporter and creator Marissa Tandon joins Abby, Julie, and Billie Jean to break down what’s unfolding in Milan and Cortina, from Team USA’s thrilling figure skating gold to Ilya Malinin’s history-making backflip, Amber Glenn’s resilience on the biggest stage, and the layers beneath the results that make women’s sports so compelling right now. The conversation also hits Lindsey Vonn’s fearless return, Breezy Johnson’s razor-thin downhill win, Hilary Knight chasing Olympic history, and why Chloe Kim’s ability to settle her nerves never stops impressing. Then it’s Coffee with the Kinger, and it’s one of those conversations that lingers. Billie Jean King leads a candid discussion sparked by Coco Gauff being filmed in what she believed was a private moment after her Australian Open loss. Together, the trio unpack emotional expression in elite sports, the reality of constant cameras, and the double standards female athletes still navigate. The conversation widens to legacy, visibility, and why stories like Heated Rivalry resonate far beyond the screen, especially for young athletes who are watching and learning what’s possible. From Olympic pressure to personal truth, this episode captures what Welcome to the Party does best: honoring where the game’s been, naming where it is, and asking what it takes to move it forward.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Brandi Carlile Sings America the Beautiful at Super Bowl LX Follow NYU Women’s Hoops: https://www.instagram.com/nyuwomenshoops/ Read about NYU Women’s Basketball: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/47868788/nyu-women-team-sets-div-iii-mark-82nd-straight-win Olympic Schedule: https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule Follow Marissa Tandon on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @marissakumari   Coco releases her frustrations after Australian Open Loss: ​​https://x.com/tntsports/status/2016078126741151958?s=20 Coco discusses the incident: https://x.com/TheTennisLetter/status/2016097716435402855?s=20  Gamechangers Book Series: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/books/g69595109/heated-rivalry-game-changers-rachel-reid-books-in-order/ Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC - Own your health for $365 a year. That’s a dollar a day. Learn more by visiting https://www.functionhealth.com/tcm/party - Get 15 percent off your first order at Wearfigs.com with code FIGSRX. - Let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push, and go. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com - Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes - Learn more about Intuit QuickBooks at https://quickbooks.intuit.com/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four months. That’s how long it took Erin Jackson to go from stepping onto the ice for the very first time to earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic speedskating team. What followed was one of the most unbelievable journeys in sports: Olympic gold in Beijing, decided by eight hundredths of a second, and history made as the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal. In this episode, Erin takes us inside the full arc, from roller derby alter egos and inline skating dominance to the terrifying, character-building grind of Special Forces, and the mental resilience it takes to start over in a brand new sport at 24. She opens up about the heartbreak of Olympic Trials, the selfless act by teammate Brittany Bowe that changed everything, the pressure of the biggest moments, and what it means to carry visibility into winter sports. With Milan Cortina beginning, Erin reflects on a milestone just announced: being named a U.S. flag bearer, an honor that underscores not just her excellence on the ice, but her impact far beyond it. She also shares how she’s navigating injuries, defending her title, and chasing another gold, all while staying grounded, analytical, and unapologetically herself. Equal parts mind-blowing, emotional, and inspiring, this is a reminder that it’s never too late to start and that sometimes the wildest paths lead straight to the podium.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Tools to help you watch the Olympics: Get to know the Winter Olympic Athletes: https://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes Hometown USA Winter Olympians - State: https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/team-usa-athletes-winter-olympics-states-where-from-map-2026-milan-rcna256011 About Oli-Your AI buddy for the Olympics: https://www.nbcsports.com/pressbox/press-releases/oli-nbcuniversals-ai-powered-olympic-guide-returns-with-enhanced-features-to-provide-fans-with-up-to-date-info-about-nbcus-coverage-of-the-milan-cortina-2026-olympic-winter-games The Olympic Schedule: https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule Explainer Videos: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/allianz-sport-explainers Your Olympic Angels Ross Stevens: https://www.usopc.org/news/2025/march/04/united-states-olympic-paralympic-committee-and-united-states-olympic-paralympic-foundation-announce-100-million-gift-to-support-post-games-financial-security-for-team-usa-athletes Follow Flavor Flav’s Olympic adventures:https://www.instagram.com/flavorflavofficial/ Alice Milliat Learn more about Alice:https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/alice-milliat-pioneer-womens-sport Follow: Herstory_Feminism https://www.instagram.com/p/DT6MSIdCHWy/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D Wandering Womb theory:https://www.wired.com/2014/05/fantastically-wrong-wandering-womb/ Erin Jackson Follow Erin Jackson:@SpeedyJ Erin Jackson becomes the first black woman to win individual gold in the Winter Olympics: https://youtube.com/shorts/uCaKO3FeQXI?si=bZWDf4QuCLhnA_22   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC - Quickbooks: Your numbers, your data, your insights — everything is finally in one place. You can actually see what’s going on with your business and move forward with confidence at Intuit Quickbooks. Learn more about Intuit QuickBooks at https://quickbooks.intuit.com/. - Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com https://www.onepeloton.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special Party Starter begins with a quick celebration: Billie Jean King fresh off Sundance, where a new documentary about her life premiered to phenomenal reviews. The moment sets the tone for an episode rooted in legacy, impact, and what comes next. From there, Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, and Billie Jean turn their focus to National Girls & Women in Sports Day and why it still matters. Founded by Billie Jean alongside the Women’s Sports Foundation, the day is both a celebration and a reminder of unfinished work. Since 1974, the Foundation has invested more than $115 million in research, advocacy, and community programs to expand access and opportunity for girls and women in sports. Using data from the Women’s Sports Foundation, the trio breaks down where progress has been made, where inequality persists, and why visibility at the pro level doesn’t automatically translate to access on the ground. They spotlight organizations across the country showing up for girls right now, then go deeper with personal reflections on belonging, leadership, resilience, and the critical role adults play in keeping girls in the game. And because this is Welcome to the Party, it all builds to a familiar showdown: Julie and Abby face off once again on the Peloton Tread. Pressure is a privilege but will third time finally be the charm? Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day. Let’s keep the girls playing.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: -Give me the Ball reviewed at Sundance! https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/give-me-the-ball-review-billie-jean-king-espn-1236487989/ -Learn more about The Women’s Sports Foundation: www.WomensSportsFoundation.org -Find a local organization celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/get-involved/ngwsd/ -Learn more about Flo Hyman: https://www.volleyhall.org/flo-hyman.html -I9 Sports Gains are for the Girls: https://www.i9sports.com/ Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC The Women's Sports Foundation goal is simple: to ensure every girl and woman has the chance to play, compete, and lead. Learn more www.womenssportsfoundation.org   Your numbers, your data, your insights — everything is finally in one place. Learn more about Intuit QuickBooks at quickbooks.com. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Quince.com/WELCOMETOTHEPARTY for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  Check out the limited-edition Team USA collection and get 15 % off your first order at Wearfigs.com with code FIGSRX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olympic champion and women’s hockey force Kendall Coyne Schofield joins the party in full flight, still one of the fastest players on the planet, a mom to two-year-old Drew, and a key architect behind the rise of the PWHL. Kendall takes us inside the real grind that used to define “pro” women’s hockey (think air mattresses, tiny paychecks, and constant “ifs”), and how a single phone call helped spark a league built to last for generations. She also relives her iconic NHL All-Star “fastest skater” moment, what it meant to carry an entire sport on her shoulders, and why the conversation it sparked mattered even more than the time on the clock. Plus: the Canada–USA rivalry, the mindset shift after silver in 2022, and why “pressure is a privilege” hits different when you’re chasing gold with your kid watching...this time, on the road to Milano Cortina.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Watch Abby’s Oscar Nominated Film “Come See Me in the Good Light”: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/come-see-me-in-the-good-light/umc.cmc.27uh51l7oh3ghql2gxb6xvb1s Kendall’s Book “As Fast as Her”: https://bit.ly/49ugklt Kendall in NHL All Star Competition: Kendall Coyne Schofield makes history in Fastest Skater How the PWHL was formed: https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/professional-womens-hockey-league-how-pwhl-was-formed-and-why-top-players-have-high-hopes-for-new-league/ Thank you to our sponsors: -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at https://www.onepeloton.com/ -Get an annual membership to http://shipt.com/ and order groceries delivered to your door with zero fees for orders over $35+. Download the app today.  -Get 20% off your order at http://cozyearth.com/em-cgi/btag/ with code WTTP.  -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. Check out the limited-edition Team USA collection at FIGS and get 15% off your first order at WearFigs.com with code FIXRX.  Chapters: 00:00 — Begin 01:24 — “Come See Me in the Good Light” — Abby’s Oscar Nomination 08:32 — Kendall Coyne Schofield  13:49 — “It was never about playing in the league…it was about building it.” 14:08 — Sponsors + legitimacy: how the league gets real  16:54 — Post-Olympics doesn’t go silent anymore 18:20 — Motherhood + the “new beginning” mindset 43:22 — Party Poppers: Blind Ranking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the highlights, Julie and Abby open with a moment of humanity. They process what’s happening in Minnesota, honoring lives lost, and sharing tangible ways to help, from donation links to calling your senators. Then it’s back to the women’s sports party: USWNT puts on a show (plus Trinity Rodman’s record-setting new deal), NCAA hoops delivers a statement game, and the Australian Open serves fashion and frost. And for the main event: Winter Games are almost here. Creator and writer Marissa Kumari Tandon joins the Party Buzz to break down Milan-Cortina storylines, women’s participation nearing parity, the comeback drama in alpine skiing, Chloe Kim’s chase for history, the figure skating contenders to know, and why the Winter Games are the ultimate stage for grit, risk, and underdog funding fights.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Follow Marissa Kumari Tandon @marissakumari on all platforms   More information: Take action with your government officials: https://indivisible.org/get-involved/take-action/ How to Support Minnesota - Stand With Minnesota Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) - https://www.miracmn.com UNIDOS-MN - https://unidos-mn.org/@unidosm ACLU of MN - https://www.aclu-mn.org/@ACLUMN ISAIAH - https://www.isaiahmn.org/our-story MPLS Mutual Aid - @mplsmutualaid PowWow Grounds Coffee - @powwogroundscoffee Food Shelf - @joyceuptown Isuroon - @isuroonnonprofit Twin cities leather - @twincitiesleather Olympic Games Schedule: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/overview Heated Rivalry: Hudson Williams and Connor Story, stars of HBO's "Heated Rivalry," carried the Olympic torch in Italy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLHxNajL7tM Thank you to our sponsors: -Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/ -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Join the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/welcometotheparty Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes -Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After your place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and Welcome to the Party!  -Join the loyalty program for renters at https://www.bilt.com/podcast-overview?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=podcast__test_awareness_prospecting_growth_welcometotheparty___ -Get an annual membership to http://shipt.com/ and order groceries delivered to your door with zero fees for orders over $35+. Download the app today.  -Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at https://skims.com/. After your place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and Welcome to the Party! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when the thing you love could literally kill you? This week, Julie and Abby welcome Katie McConnell, one of the top big wave surfers on the planet, an athlete who paddles (or gets towed) into towering walls of water where timing, calm, and judgment are the difference between getting out… or not. Katie explains what a “big wave” really is, the physics and chaos behind places like Nazaré, and why chasing swells is part science, part instinct, and part spiritual relationship with the sea. Then the conversation turns to a different kind of fight: Katie’s mission to change the system for women in big wave surfing, from uneven invites and costly last-minute travel windows to building a future where women aren’t “included” as an afterthought, but centered in the story. Extreme sport. Ocean obsession. Equality push. Puny humans, giant waves.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Follow Katie: https://www.instagram.com/keiti_mar/ Learn more about Katie: https://www.surfwithkatie.com/ Watch 100ft Wave Documentary Series: https://www.hbomax.com/shows/100-foot-wave/34e489ad-2eca-4078-adb6-6d2b521b407e Follow more big wave surfing, follow:@bigwavechallenge @thebigwavealliance @womensbigwavecollective Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/ -Shop deals and member-exclusive savings at https://www.shipt.com/ -Get 20% off your first order at https://vuoriclothing.com/pages/pod_f -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Get 20% off your order at http://cozyearth.com/em-cgi/btag/ with code WTTP. 00:00 — Begin 00:38 — Welcome + Julie & Abby Talk Surf Experiences 12:24 — Katie McConnell Intro 14:06 — How Katie Got Into Surfing 17:00 — What Counts as a “Big Wave” + Paddle vs Tow 20:18 — Biggest Waves Katie’s Surfed 20:50 — Why Nazaré Creates Monsters 23:09 — What It Feels Like to Ride One 24:26 — Fear + Risk Management 27:20 — The Fight for Women’s Equality in Big Wave Surfing 32:16 — Making a Living + Sponsorship Reality 33:15 — How the Party People Can Help 36:52 — Closing Thanks + Future of Women’s Big Wave Surfing 39:05 — Post-Interview Debrief: “How Do They Live Like This?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a DJ-turned-designer decides women’s sports deserves better than “pink it and shrink it” merch? Domo Wells, founder and creative director of Dead Dirt and the creative force behind the Washington Spirit’s visual identity, joins Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach to talk about betting on yourself, building a brand without permission, and why the NWSL (still basically a “teenager”) has a rare chance to create heritage from scratch. From tunnel fits and uniform hacks to designing across all 16 NWSL clubs, Domo breaks down how culture, city identity, and women’s buying power can completely reshape the business of sports fashion. Plus: a truly chaotic “rate our tunnel fits” moment you’ll want to see on YouTube.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: -USWNT Roster: https://www.ussoccer.com/teams/uswnt/roster -USWNT Television Schedule: https://www.ussoccer.com/schedule-tickets/uswnt -Domo Wells: https://www.deaddirt.com/ -Lindsey Vonn: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6948010/2026/01/19/lindsey-vonn-olympics-skiing-knee-replacement/   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day.  -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes -Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty for free shipping and 365-day returns. -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Get 40% off your first order today at https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WTTP&b=2971&utm_source=welcome-to-the-party%21&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=veritone-podcast  Chapters: 00:00 — Begin 00:51 — Pregame banter: fashion, sweatpants, and TV life 02:29 — Styling without the price tag 06:03 — Kids, thrift culture, and rejecting materialism 07:28 — USWNT friendlies and soccer updates 13:52 — Lindsey Vonn comeback 17:09 — Abby’s 2007 World Cup story 22:24 — Domo Wells joins the show 26:05 — From music to design: finding the right path 33:18 — What women’s sports merch has been missing 43:00 — Designing for 16 cities and building culture 48:02 — The meaning behind Dead Dirt 50:37 — Tunnel fits, confidence, and personal style 54:30 — Angel City reveal and future plans 56:42 — Why artists matter in women’s sports 59:42 — Wrap-up and where to find us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olympic bronze medalist, two-time Olympian, rugby star, and internet favorite Ilona Maher joins us for a funny, honest conversation about confidence, body image, and learning to fully own who you are. Ilona opens up about growing up socially awkward, finding rugby by accident, and why sports taught her to take up space. She shares how vulnerability and humor became the foundation of her massive online platform, why she believes awkwardness is a superpower, and how showing the real side of elite athletics helps people feel less alone. We also dive into the now-iconic “Naked Mom Theory,” body confidence, sex education, Dancing With the Stars, and the realities of building a career in women’s sports—on and off the field.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: -House of Maher; Ilona’s podcast with her sisters: @houseofmaher   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlOeUHgXPlaF2bxCwBdJMg   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/ -Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/ -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Get 20% off your order at http://cozyearth.com/em-cgi/btag/ with code WTTP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing Coffee with the Kinger, a new recurring series built around candid conversations, big ideas, and whatever’s on our hosts minds. In each episode one of the hosts brings a subject they can’t stop thinking about and the group digs in over coffee. For this very first episode Billie Jean King kicks things off with something that’s been heavy on her mind…New Year’s Resolutions. BJK shares with Julie and Abby why she’s rethinking the way we approach goals and what she’s excited about heading into the year; from the Olympics to new leagues and long-term investment. Pull up a chair, pour a cup, and settle in.    Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Winter Olympics Viewing Schedule: https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule WTGL New Women’s Golf League: https://wtglgolf.com/articles/2026/01/tmrw-sports-and-lpga-announce-wtgl   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Go to https://im8health.com/WTTP for a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order. -Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/ -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/ -Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day.  Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes Chapters: 00:00 Begin 01:50 Discussion on Heated Rivalry 08:38 What are we most looking forward to in 2026 11:11 What inspired Abby to become an Olympian 14:01 WTGL Golf 19:28 Project B 33:18 Coffee with the Kinger - New Years Resolutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madisen Skinner has won everywhere she’s played, but winning isn’t the whole story. A national champion at University of Kentucky women’s volleyball and a two-time NCAA champion with University of Texas women’s volleyball, the LOVB Austin star opens up about pressure, mental health, and learning to build a life beyond volleyball while still chasing championships. From sisterhood with Avery Skinner to the future of women’s pro volleyball, this is a real conversation about success, balance, and staying human at the top.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: LOVB Schedule: https://www.lovb.com/2026/schedule Madisen Skinner ESPN Article detailing her mental health struggles: https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/42737670/ncaa-volleyball-madisen-skinner-texas-longhorns-three-peat   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Chapters 00:00 Start 05:34 Madisen Skinner joins the party 07:38 LOVB Austin’s turnaround  11:05 The Pressure of being Madisen Skinner 11:54 Abby shares her mental health story 15:32 How playing for UT helped Madisen’s mental health 18:34 Growing up with Dance and Music 20:09 Discovering Volleyball 21:16 Her relationship with her sister 23:50 What to expect this season 27:03 Joining forces with MLV 29:55 How difficult beach volleyball is  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julie and Abby return to kick off the year with the biggest wins and headlines in women’s sports, from record-breaking winter performances and Olympic qualifiers to buzzy moments in college basketball. They celebrate athletes making history, dig into major storylines shaping the landscape, and share firsthand highlights from a packed UCLA/USC showdown. Then hoops insider Jordan Robinson joins the party to break down Unrivaled season two, the player-led league redefining the WNBA offseason, plus what’s next for women’s basketball at every level. New year, new energy, let’s get this party started.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Unrivaled opening day results: https://www.unrivaled.basketball/ Pre-order Jordan’s Book Court Queens:https://www.amazon.com/Court-Queens-Celebrate-Players-Basketball/dp/B0FGX73CKW Follow Jordan: https://www.instagram.com/jordanligons/ And https://www.tiktok.com/@heyjordanrobinson   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  -Athletic Greens has their best offer ever. For $126 in free gifts. Head to: https://drinkag1.com/partner/general-partnerships?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=welcometotheparty_d35ct__a10727__o27&utm_term=cac__a10727__o27&utm_content=__a10727__o27 -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Get 40% off your first order today at hungryroot.com/wttp.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really take to build a gold medal mindset and how do those lessons show up in everyday life? Julie and Abby welcome one of the most influential sports psychologists of all time, Dr. Colleen Hacker, whose work helped shape generations of champions, including multiple U.S. Olympic gold medal teams. In this wisdom-packed conversation, Dr. Hacker shares the psychology behind championship cultures, mental toughness, and sustained excellence. From confidence and communication to handling pressure and self doubt, she offers practical, relatable tools you can use far beyond sports. This episode is all about the gold medal mentality and the life lessons that come with it. Whether you are leading a team, chasing a goal, or navigating everyday challenges, this is a conversation that will stick with you.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Chapters: 00:00 Begin Billie Jean King Surprise + Battle of the Sexes “Before/After” Abby’s Anxiety: “How Do You Win Without a Scoreboard?” Stop Juggling: The Skeeball Rule for Adult Life The “Suffering = Self-Esteem” Trap (And Resetting It) Don’t Kill the Butterflies—Teach Them to Fly in Formation Boys vs. Girls Under Pressure: What’s Real, What’s Culture Parenting Without Ego: Autonomy, Mastery, Connectedness “They Want It”… or They Want Your Approval? When Kids Truly Want It, You Can’t Keep Them Away Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s our final episode of 2025, and we’re closing the year the only way we know how — big. Julie, Abby, and Billie step onto the Party Podium for a snake draft of the moments that defined women’s sports in 2025, with the year delivering no shortage of contenders — from Coco Gauff’s French Open triumph and UConn reclaiming the NCAA title to England’s historic runs in soccer and rugby and a WNBA season flipped on its head behind A’ja Wilson and the Aces. These aren’t just championships or box scores — they’re the moments that shifted the conversation, changed the game, and stuck with us long after the final whistle. Three rounds. Nine picks. Plenty of debate. And because no draft is ever complete, we turn it over to you: what did we miss, and whose draft deserves the top spot? Draft day. The moments of 2025. Let’s get this party started. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: -Birch Bayh - Making a Difference - By Robert Blaemire: https://www.amazon.com/Birch-Bayh-Difference-Robert-Blaemire/dp/0253039177 -Good Game with Sarah Spain:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-game-with-sarah-spain/id1752100672 -The Women’s Game - Sam Mewis: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-womens-game/id1733926389-Coach Jackie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSvACYzkUPM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== -The Recap Show:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-re-cap-show-with-tobin-heath-and-christen-press/id1698132164 -Sports Are Fun:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sports-are-fun/id1522055041 -A touch More:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-touch-more-with-sue-bird-megan-rapinoe/id1510142364 '-Birds Eye View:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birds-eye-view-with-sue-bird/id1812530040 -Post Moves:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/post-moves-with-candace-parker-aliyah-boston/id1825485084 -Bawsi: https://www.bawsi.org -Top Women’s Sports Moments of 2025:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2025/12/29/ranking-top-10-womens-sports-moments-of-2025/87897430007/ Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Shop deals and member-exclusive savings all season long at https://www.shipt.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Billie Jean King’s Safari and Mercedes Benz $500 Million WTA Partnership 07:30 Our hosts shine the party spotlight on the organizations, authors, and influencers that matter to them. 20:50 Our top three women’s sports moments of 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consider this our holiday gift to you. For this special Christmas episode, Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach pull back the curtain and serve up the funniest bloopers of the year. From technical malfunctions and verbal slip ups to unexpected background chaos and cameras falling at exactly the wrong moment, nothing is off limits. As they relive the moments that did not go according to plan, the laughs keep coming, including one brand new live blooper from Julie that absolutely steals the show. It is unfiltered, unscripted, and guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. Happy Holidays and welcome to the messiest party of the year.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We shine our party spotlight on one of the most dominant dynasties in sports you’ve probably never heard of: the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team. Julie and Abby are joined by legends Amy Griffin and Joy Fawcett, alongside current star Erin Cembrale, to break down the team’s unbelievable record—44 wins, zero losses, five Deaflympics gold medals, multiple world titles, and a culture built brick by brick through grit, fundraising, and community. They also chat the massive week in women’s sports, including Texas A&M’s historic NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship run and record-breaking viewership, WNBA Players Association strike authorization amid ongoing CBA negotiations, and the soaring franchise valuations revealed in Forbes’ most valuable women’s sports teams rankings.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Come See Me in the Good Light: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/come-see-me-in-the-good-light/umc.cmc.27uh51l7oh3ghql2gxb6xvb1s Forbes releases the Most Valuable Women’s Sports Teams rankings: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2025/12/17/the-worlds-most-valuable-womens-sports-teams-2025/ Our Chat with Nneka Ogwumike, WNBAPA on the WNBA CBA negotiations: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-the-party/id1835504451?i=1000741514338 How to Support the Women’s Deaflympics Team: https://usdeafsoccer.com/get-involved/ https://www.facebook.com/USADeafSoccerWnt/ https://www.instagram.com/usdeaf_wnt/?hl=en Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Get 20% off your first order at https://vuoriclothing.com/pages/pod_f -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a defining moment for the NWSL—and one that raises some big, important questions about the future of the league and its players. Abby and Julie are joined by NWSL Players Association executive director Meghann Burke to get straight into the on-going breaking news around the salary cap, the NWSLPA grievance, and the board-approved High Impact Player rule that players are now reviewing. With Trinity Rodman’s contract situation at the center of it all, what does this moment really mean for free agency, player trust, and how the league navigates growth in an increasingly competitive global soccer market.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going:   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day.  -Athletic Greens best offer ever. For $126 in free gifts. Head to: https://drinkag1.com/partner/general-partnerships?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=welcometotheparty_d35ct__a10727__o27&utm_term=cac__a10727__o27&utm_content=__a10727__o27 -Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit for perimenopause and menopause support.  -Find the perfect for you - visit https://www.thirdlove.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WNBA superstar and Players Association president Nneka Ogwumike joins Welcome to the Party at a pivotal moment for women’s basketball, with the league’s CBA set to expire on January 9 and real questions swirling about revenue sharing, housing, trust, and the future of the WNBA. Nneka pulls back the curtain on what’s actually happening inside negotiations, why this moment feels different than past CBAs, and what’s truly at stake for players across the league. She also explains her headline-making decision to sign with Project B, the new global league offering equity and expanded opportunity—raising bigger questions about power, ownership, and where women’s basketball is headed next.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day.  -Go to https://im8health.com/WTTP for a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order. -Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/ -Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit -https://www.joinmidi.com/ today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit for perimenopause and menopause support.  -Find the perfect for you - visit www.thirdlove.com!  -Getting contacts doesn’t have to be a hassle. Let 1-800Contacts get you the contact lenses you need right now. Order online at https://www.1800contacts.com or download the free 1-800 Contacts app today.   Chapters:  00:00 Begin 04:43 Party Starter: Lindsay Vonn’s 83 World Cup Win, USA Women’s Hockey dominates Canada, NCAA Women’s Volleyball, NWSL Trinity Rodman update. 25:46 CBA and Project B explained 31:19 Nneka Ogwumike joins the party  44:12 Nneka Explains Revenue Share 46:52 Nneka on CBA Deadlines  55:20 Nneka on ProjectB 59:10 Nneka for President Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A busted New York hotel water main and an emergency beanie situation set the scene before Julie reveals the one person she’s ever truly fangirled over — and Abby relives the night Shannon Boxx knocked on her door, sat at the end of her bed, and said the words that would change her forever. From there, the conversation digs into how much of a team’s success really comes down to the coach — and the intensifying youth movement, with girls barely in high school now departing for the pros. Party on, party people — this one’s for you. A special Power to the Party People episode, built around your questions… so keep them coming! Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Thank you to our sponsors: Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/ Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit for perimenopause and menopause support.  Find the perfect for you - visit www.thirdlove.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices