All-American: Venus & Serena

Witness Docs presents All-American, a series that zeroes in on sports icons to find out what their stories can tell us about America itself. Season 1 focused on the many chapters of world-famous golfer Tiger Woods: a phenom's rise, a shocking fall from grace, and debatably the greatest sports comeback of all time. Host and producers Jordan Bell and journalist Albert Chen revisit Tiger's journey to find out what the media got right, and what it didn't. Season 2 focuses on Venus and Serena Williams. Hosted by veteran journalist Cecil Harris, the story reveals ugly truths about how America often scorns and resists Black excellence. Hear more great stories about complicated people from Witness Docs at witnesspodcasts.com

Venus & Serena | E10 Opening the Door

Women’s tennis is more competitive, there’s more money to make, and there are more Black women and other players of color in the sport than ever before — all thanks to Venus and Serena. Cecil explores the mark the Williams sisters have left on tennis. Plus, Serena’s big announcement, and the sister act returns to the 2022 U.S. Open.

09-14
26:02

Venus & Serena | Final Episode Coming Soon

A quick update on our season finale, where we'll reflect on the Williams Sisters' legacy, and their showing at the 2022 US Open.

09-07
01:28

Venus & Serena | E9 Passing the Torch

After recovering from a traumatic birthing experience, Serena is back on the tennis court. Cecil walks us through what it was like to watch in person as Serena returned to the US Open and faced Naomi Osaka in the controversial 2018 final.

08-31
38:19

Venus & Serena | E8 Greatness

2015 marked the greatest tennis season Serena Williams has ever played. She dominated her sport and entered the GOAT conversation. Also that same year? A noticeable shift in how America viewed — and treated — the Williams sisters.

08-24
31:19

Venus & Serena | E7 Style Points

Venus and Serena have made no secret of the fact that they love fashion, and their looks have been featured on red carpets and magazine covers. But their influence goes deeper than that. Both sisters have made bold on-court fashion choices that have redefined the sartorial possibilities for women in tennis

08-17
31:41

Venus & Serena | E6 You've Come A Long Way, Baby!

Venus steps up to win a decades-long battle for equal prize money in professional tennis.

08-10
32:49

Venus & Serena | E5 Althea

Althea Gibson is the greatest tennis player that most people have never heard of -- and one of Serena's heroes. We explore how Althea moved tennis forward in so many ways but received little in return. And how she still largely hasn’t received her due.

08-03
37:56

Venus & Serena | E4 Rumors

A rumor about the Williams family spirals into one of the ugliest moments in tennis history. Plus, how a 2001 tournament showed some of the tennis community's true colors.

07-27
29:26

Venus & Serena | E3 On Planet Venus

Before Venus and Serena, there was just Venus. Her unusual debut in professional tennis got host Cecil Harris hooked on the Williams family. In this episode, he chronicles how Venus had to navigate a series of early, challenging moments without her sister.

07-20
38:03

Venus & Serena | E2 The Plan

Richard Williams made a plan for his daughters to become tennis champions before either of them were born. But the whole family helped the plan succeed, especially the girls’ mother, Oracene Price, whose role is often overlooked.

07-13
29:24

Venus & Serena | E1 America's Sweethearts

The All-American team meets for the first time at the 2021 US Open. The only people missing? The Williams sisters. Both Venus and Serena sit out because of injuries but the team uncovers their effect on the tournament anyway. Plus, host Cecil Harris takes a trip down memory lane with The Hollywood Reporter's Nekesa Mumbi Moody. They revisit the 2002 US Open and the crowd's ambivalence towards the Williams sisters.

07-13
29:03

Introducing All-American S2: Venus & Serena

While Venus and Serena Williams are revered today, twenty years ago they were both being booed. On All-American: Venus & Serena, host Cecil Harris, a veteran sports reporter who has covered the Williams sisters for nearly their entire careers, revisits the jaw-dropping moments that have defined their time in the spotlight, through interviews with retired tennis players, fans, journalists, and their former coach, Rick Macci. Through their story, All-American: Venus & Serena reveals ugly truths about how America often ignores, scorns, and resists Black excellence -- until it becomes undeniable. The new season officially starts July 13.

06-29
02:20

Introducing TORCHED

On this episode of TORCHED, Molly Bloom revisits the 1972 Men’s Basketball Gold Medal Game, set against a bitter Cold War backdrop To this day, the U.S. team has refused to accept their silver medals because of what went down on the court with the Soviet Union. Was it simply controversy… or could it have been conspiracy?

02-18
40:00

BONUS: Tiger and the 2020 Masters

Tiger didn't get to keep his title at this year's Masters tournament, but his performance did leave a lot to talk about. Jordan and Albert speak with professional golfer Bo Van Pelt about the unusual major and what's next for Tiger.

11-19
22:57

Tiger Woods | E10 Hindsight in 2020

2020 changed everything. For Tiger, the world— and this show. Jordan and Albert revisit their thoughts on Tiger and his legacy, see what he's been up to since his comeback, and consider what he might do next.

11-12
30:21

Tiger Woods | E9 Return to Glory

After years of struggling with injuries and a marred public image, Tiger returns to golf's biggest event. Not only does he shock the world with his 2019 Masters performance— he rewrites his own story.

11-05
36:28

Tiger Woods | E8 The Lost Years

After months of silence, Tiger finally confronts the error of his ways. In the years that followed, Tiger's life was dominated by loss after loss— and people started to write him off.

10-22
36:44

Tiger Woods | E7 The Crash

Over Thanksgiving weekend 2009, Tiger Woods crashed his Escalade into a tree. In the tabloid drama that followed, Tiger's picture-perfect image was shattered, too.

10-15
38:46

Tiger Woods | E6 Family Matters

After marrying Elin Nordegren in 2004, Tiger Woods took on a new identity: family man. Not long after, he faced a devastating loss. Was the foundation he'd built his life and career on beginning to crack?

10-08
33:21

Tiger Woods | E5 The Greatest

In the early 2000s Tiger was at the height of his career-- he seemed completely unstoppable. How did Tiger navigate being the best in the business? He learned from another great, Michael Jordan.

09-24
37:57

Jessie Kirton

Please stop changing the pace with these people. It's not the same podcast and it does not fit in... You guys have a wondery podcast vibe and these guys have a 90's sports radio vibe.. Does not jive. Anyways still love the podcast but I skipped both of these.

11-12 Reply

Zach

Really didn’t enjoy the crossover episode with Distraction. I’m more interested in the details of the story! Don’t care to listen to them.

09-10 Reply

Emily O

This is a great podcast but the crossover distraction episode just doesn’t fit.

09-10 Reply

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