Epicenter of Women’s Sports with Karina LeBlanc

What does it take to go from great to extraordinary, and stay there for more than two decades?In this deeply personal episode, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with her former teammate and friend Christine Sinclair for an honest conversation that goes far beyond the game. After 16 years—through four World Cups, Olympic medals, and countless milestones—Karina offers a rare inside look at the person behind the legend.Together, they reflect on Christine’s journey from a kid who lived on the soccer field to one of the greatest to ever play. She shares what kept her pushing when things got hard, how she refused to settle even at the top, and what it means to invest back into the sport that shaped her.From her recent Hall of Fame induction and jersey retirement at Providence Park to her next chapter in life and Portland, this episode captures the heart of an athlete whose legacy was built not only on talent, but on resilience, loyalty, love for the game, and for the people in it. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

What happens when two former players step into the front office to shape the next era of women’s sports in Portland?In this conversation, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with Vanja Černivec, General Manager of the Portland Fire and Jeff Agoos, General Manager of the Portland Thorns, to talk about building trust, leading through change, and creating a culture where athletes and staff can thrive.Together they reflect on lessons from their playing days and share how collaboration between the Thorns and Fire is helping define a new model for leadership in women’s sports. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

What does it truly mean to put the athlete first? In this episode, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with three legends: Olympic track and field icon Carl Lewis, World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Shannon Boxx, and basketball Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles. Recorded live at The Epicenter: Women’s Global Sports Summit at Nike World Headquarters, the conversation explores resilience, redefining success, and the systems athletes need to thrive. Between them, the panelists hold 16 Olympic medals — and they get candid about overcoming setbacks, shaping the next generation, and building athlete-centered cultures that extend far beyond sport. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

What does it take to change the game before most players even graduate high school? At just 13, Olivia Moultrie challenged the system to follow her dream. At 14, Deyna Castellanos inspired a generation of girls in Latin America. Now teammates on the Portland Thorns, they join host Karina LeBlanc for a raw, real conversation about courage, sacrifice, and purpose. From Olivia’s fight to create new opportunities for young players to Deyna’s mission of opening doors across Latin America, they share the power of betting on yourself and the responsibility of paving the way for others. Together, they reflect on representing Portland — a city uniquely supportive and invested in women’s sports — and what it means to play in front of fans who set the standard for the game. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

In their first-ever podcast appearance, Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal—co-owners of RAJ Sports and the driving force behind the Portland Thorns and the WNBA’s Portland Fire—share their story and their vision for the future of women’s sports. From defining family and business moments to their career paths that led to becoming the only ownership group in the U.S. with two professional women’s teams, Lisa and Alex open up about why women’s sports represent one of the fastest-growing opportunities in business today—and why they believe this is just the beginning. The siblings and business partners talk candidly about why women’s sports, why now, and why Portland—sharing their vision for making the city the global epicenter of women’s sports. Listeners will hear what fans, brands, and investors should know about this historic moment—and, beyond the business, get a personal look at who Lisa and Alex are as leaders, innovators, and family. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Clare Hamill, Interim President of the Portland Fire, spent four decades helping to shape women’s sports, athletes, and brands around the world at Nike. Just when she thought she was retired, the opportunity to build something historic pulled her back in: the return of Portland’s WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire. In this episode, Clare joins Karina to share why she came out of retirement for this moment, what it takes to bring back a professional team and brand, and the leadership lessons she’ll carry from her career into this next chapter. She also reflects on her work creating the WIN (Women in Nike) program, which helps WNBA players transition into life and careers beyond the court. From decades spent elevating women athletes on the global stage to shaping the future of women’s basketball in Portland, Clare offers candid insights on purpose, resilience, and the power of saying yes when the right opportunity comes along. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to The Epicenter of Women’s Sports, a new podcast hosted by Olympic medalist and global sports executive Karina LeBlanc. This short intro episode sets the stage for what’s to come - raw, real conversations at the intersection of women’s sports, leadership, and business. Karina brings you inside access to the fastest-growing space in sports—featuring industry executives, cultural changemakers, championship-winning athletes, and bold investors. New episodes drop every two weeks, each offering insights into the rapid growth and future of women’s sports, and the leadership lessons that extend far beyond the game. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.