Welcome to the Party

Two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Alyssa Naeher joins the party and she’s bringing one of the best stories we’ve heard all season. At a moment when she was seriously considering retirement, a chance encounter with tennis legend Billie Jean King delivered a message that changed everything: “You’re not done yet.” Naeher opens up to Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach about that surreal moment, what kept her in the game, and how she’s navigating her 14th season in the NWSL as one of the league’s last original players. They also talk about the mindset of elite goalkeepers, the importance of leadership inside a locker room, and why the smallest gestures from teammates can shape an entire career. Plus, Julie and Abby break down the upcoming 2026 NWSL season, expansion teams, and the return of the league’s most electric stars. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to stay at the top of the game for more than a decade this episode is it.   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 -Join us and CARE this International Women’s Day and Women’s History month to help level the playing field for women. Sign the pledge at ⁠care.org/pledge -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com https://www.onepeloton.com/ -If you're ready to break the wash-grease-repeat cycle, head to https://hairstory.com/welcometotheparty and use code PARTY15 at checkout for 15% off your first order. - You can also request a Cologuard prescription today at Cologuard.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olympians Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe join the party fresh off one of the most surreal weeks of their lives: winning Olympic gold, breaking records, appearing on late night TV…and getting engaged. Hilary, captain of Team USA hockey, reflects on winning gold while playing through a torn MCL and becoming the all-time leading scorer in U.S. Olympic women’s hockey history. Brittany, a world-record speed skater and four-time Olympian, shares what it was like watching the gold medal game from the stands, and the emotional moment Hilary tied the game with less than two minutes left. The two also tell the incredible behind-the-scenes story of their Olympic Village proposal, Brittany’s legendary act of sportsmanship that helped teammate Erin Jackson win historic gold in Beijing, and what it’s like watching the person you love compete on the world’s biggest stage. Plus: a chaotic round of Party Poppers (Couples Edition) where we learn who’s more competitive, who’s the bigger trash talker, and which Olympian might come out of retirement for the 2030 Games.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Pre-order Jordan Robinson’s Court Queens Book: https://www.amazon.com/Court-Queens-Celebrate-Players-Basketball/dp/B0FGX73CKW Follow Jordan Robinson: Instagram @JordanLigons or TikTok @HeyJordanRobinson  Paralympics Schedule and Results: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/paralympic-games/schedule 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 -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com https://www.onepeloton.com/ --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! -Join us and CARE this International Women’s Day and Women’s History month to help level the playing field for women. Sign the pledge at care.org/pledge -This episode of Welcome To The Party is brought to you by McDonald’s Big Arch Burger! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women’s sports has officially entered its billion-dollar era. The Women's National Basketball Association and the National Women's Soccer League have both crossed the billion-dollar valuation mark shifting the conversation from “Is this sustainable?” to “Who’s next?” In this episode, Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach debate which women’s league will be the next to break through. Abby makes the case for pro volleyball, pointing to the rapid rise of League One Volleyball and surging NCAA viewership. Julie argues for flag football, fueled by backing from the National Football League and its inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics. To strengthen their cases, they’re joined by Olympic medalist Kelsey Robinson Cook and world champion quarterback Diana Flores. It’s a spirited debate but it’s also a bigger conversation about growth, investment, and what it takes to build lasting power in women’s sports. Because when one league wins, the entire ecosystem moves forward.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: International Women’s Day Gift Directory Paralympics schedule Follow Diana Flores Diana’s Flag Football For Dummies Follow Kelsey Robinson Cook   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Join us and CARE this International Women’s Day and Women’s History month to help level the playing field for women. Sign the pledge at care.org/pledge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four years after the loss of their daughter, Stanford soccer captain Katie Meyer, Steve and Gina Meyer join us to talk about grief, justice, and what comes next. With the lawsuit now settled, they share how they’re working alongside Stanford, expanding the impact of Katie Meyer’s Law, and turning unimaginable pain into protection for students everywhere. This is about legacy, accountability, and making sure no family walks this road alone.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Katie's Save How to contact your local representative to help pass Katie Meyer’s Law ​​https://katiessave.org/hr5545/ Watch: Save: The Katie Meyer Story Suicide prevention hotline: 📞988 National Women’s History Museum National Women’s History Museum videos:  -She Is Not a Footnote -Women’s contributions being overlooked -Women are represented in less than 15% of all history taught -Lyda Hill Philanthropies - Science is the answer Unrivaled Championship Learn more about Athlete’s Unlimited and Odyssey Sims Championship: https://auprosports.com/basketball/ Hilary Knight and Megan Keller on Saturday Night Live Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What can a country of 5 million teach the U.S. about winning? After Norway’s 18-gold domination at the Winter Games, Julie, Abby, and Billie Jean King sit down with legendary performance psychologist Dr. Colleen Hacker to unpack the real secret sauce: joy, autonomy, multiple sports and a radically different approach to youth athletics. From “Five Ring Fever” to Olympic pressure, this is a masterclass in mindset, mental health, and why the path to greatness might start with simply loving the game.    Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: From Norway to the American Way: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/from-norway-to-the-american-way/ About Dr.Colleen Hacker: https://sites.google.com/a/plu.edu/colleen-hacker/ Olympic Pressure: https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/02/pressure-olympics-malinin-shiffrin/686097/   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/ -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Go to hairstory.com/welcometotheparty and use code PARTY15 at checkout for 15% off your order.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a historic Olympic gold, the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team had a choice. They laughed at a joke targeting the women’s team. They didn’t apologize. They doubled down. And then they compounded it. This isn’t about one laugh. It’s about a pattern. Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach respond, not as pundits, but as women who have lived this script their entire careers. The minimization. The “boys will be boys.” The expectation that women should just be grateful to wear the jersey. There were multiple opportunities to repair the moment. Don’t laugh. Apologize. Take accountability. Don’t become a prop. Stand with your women’s team. This isn’t red vs. blue. It’s about respect. It’s about character. And it’s about ending the cycle of casual disrespect women in sports have endured for decades. We’re not moving on until behavior changes. No more silent solidarity. Not on our watch.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olympic joy, heartbreak, and chaos all in one episode. Billie Jean King joins Julie and Abby fresh off Milan to break down Team USA’s record gold medal haul, Norway’s dominance, and why American women delivered two-thirds of the medals. From Hillary Knight’s gold-medal magic to Chloe Kim’s sportsmanship, Elana Meyers Taylor’s pure joy, and the wild ski-jumping “Penisgate” controversy, nothing’s off limits. Plus: post-Olympic blues, big-moment letdowns, and Julie’s fourth attempt to finally beat Abby in Minute to Win It. Will she ever win?   Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Penis Gate: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/06/penisgate-winter-olympics-ski-jumpers-acid-penis-health-risks-explainer The Winn Brothers: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/19/haley-winn-three-brothers-olympics-matching-looks/88714742007/ USA Women’s Hockey wins gold: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7058003/2026/02/19/usa-canada-olympics-womens-hockey-gold-medal/ Chloe Kim hugging Choi Ga after Ga wins gold: https://sports.yahoo.com/video/chloe-kim-hugging-choi-ga-142928062.html Women’s Sports Foundation Travel and Training Fund: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/wsf_programs/travel-training/ Elana Meyers Taylor Interview: The REAL Cost Of Chasing GOLD Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC - 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!  Check out the limited-edition Team USA collection at FIGS and get 15% off your first order at WearFigs.com with code FIXRX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Do superstitions even work?”
“Yes.”
Slap. Slap. Slap. This week on Welcome to the Party, Julie Foudy kicks things off solo (with cardboard cutouts of Abby Wambach and Billie Jean King in Milan, obviously) before diving into a women’s sports roundup from Mikaela Shiffrin making history to the U.S. women’s hockey team chasing gold, plus a fresh-look USWNT roster under Emma Hayes. Then Abby joins and it devolves beautifully: 100-step pregame routines, water bottle flips, same game underwear for four years, and the infamous three self-slaps before kickoff. Are superstitions secret weapons or mental traps? Either way…we’re letting it ride. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: USWNT SheBelieves Cup Roster: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/10/hayes-names-26-player-uswnt-training-camp-roster-october-matches-against-portugal-new-zealand Savy King’s incredible story: https://youtu.be/5XWP6HTvdug?si=8QoNLawOCO27Ga7v Savy King’s nonprofit, Savy King of Hearts: https://savykingofhearts.org/about/ 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/ -Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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