Digest

The episode begins with a discussion about the benefits of learning and how therapy can help people reconnect with their sense of wonder. Scott shares his excitement about attending the upcoming Apple event in Cupertino, where he expects to see new products like a headset and a phone. Cara and Scott discuss the importance of creating engaging announcements for new products, comparing Apple's events to the way car companies used to announce new models. Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, legendary athletes and hosts of the podcast "A Touch More," join Pivot to discuss their podcast, the WNBA's success, and the future of women's sports. Sue and Megan discuss the WNBA's recent success, attributing it to the league's strong product and the changing tide in the country. They believe the league has crossed an invisible line of celebrity, leading to increased viewership and investment. Cara asks Sue and Megan about the global popularity of football, particularly the Premier League, and why these brands have resonated so strongly worldwide. Cara asks Sue and Megan about which sports or leagues they believe are increasing and decreasing in value, considering factors like aging demographics and the NFL's potential sustainability issues. Sue explains her decision to join the ownership group of the Seattle Storm, highlighting both her personal connection to the team and the strong business opportunity. Cara asks Sue and Megan about their thoughts on the NCAA and the relationship between amateur and professional athletics, questioning whether the NCAA is a thinly veiled system to maintain power and wealth for older, mostly white individuals. Cara, Sue, and Megan discuss the pros and cons of social media for athletes, acknowledging the negativity and trolling athletes face while also recognizing the platform's potential for growth and awareness. Cara asks Sue and Megan about their approach to working together as a couple, considering the potential challenges of blending business and personal relationships. Cara asks Megan about her political activism, particularly her endorsement of Kamala Harris and her perspective on the role of athletes in politics. Scott asks Sue and Megan about their approach to raising kids in sports, considering the potential for over-pressure and the importance of letting kids be the drivers of their own decisions. The discussion begins with a focus on the importance of development in youth sports, highlighting the potential long-term impact of neglecting this aspect. The speakers emphasize that while professional aspirations are often present, the true value lies in teaching valuable life lessons beyond just winning. The speakers express their admiration for Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, highlighting their impressive achievements both on and off the field. They promote their podcast, "A Touch More," which offers expert analysis of the business of sports and features interviews with these prominent athletes. The conversation shifts to the upcoming presidential debate, with the speakers expressing their anxieties and predictions. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both candidates, highlighting the importance of fact-checking and outlining policy plans. The podcast concludes with a segment exploring the difficult topic of end-of-life care for pets. The speakers discuss the emotional challenges of making such decisions and share insights from their research, including the surprising trend of pet owners giving their animals a final McDonald's cheeseburger.

Outlines

00:00:00

Learning, Therapy, and Apple Events

The episode begins with a discussion about the benefits of learning and how therapy can help people reconnect with their sense of wonder. Scott shares his excitement about attending the upcoming Apple event in Cupertino, where he expects to see new products like a headset and a phone. Cara and Scott discuss the importance of creating engaging announcements for new products, comparing Apple's events to the way car companies used to announce new models.

00:30:15

Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird Join Pivot

Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, legendary athletes and hosts of the podcast "A Touch More," join Pivot to discuss their podcast, the WNBA's success, and the future of women's sports. They discuss the WNBA's recent success, attributing it to the league's strong product and the changing tide in the country. They believe the league has crossed an invisible line of celebrity, leading to increased viewership and investment.

00:37:54

Global Sports Dominance and League Value

Cara asks Sue and Megan about the global popularity of football, particularly the Premier League, and why these brands have resonated so strongly worldwide. Cara asks Sue and Megan about which sports or leagues they believe are increasing and decreasing in value, considering factors like aging demographics and the NFL's potential sustainability issues.

00:41:57

Sue Bird's Ownership of the Seattle Storm

Sue explains her decision to join the ownership group of the Seattle Storm, highlighting both her personal connection to the team and the strong business opportunity. Cara asks Sue and Megan about their thoughts on the NCAA and the relationship between amateur and professional athletics, questioning whether the NCAA is a thinly veiled system to maintain power and wealth for older, mostly white individuals.

00:49:31

Social Media and Athletes

Cara, Sue, and Megan discuss the pros and cons of social media for athletes, acknowledging the negativity and trolling athletes face while also recognizing the platform's potential for growth and awareness. Cara asks Sue and Megan about their approach to working together as a couple, considering the potential challenges of blending business and personal relationships.

00:57:23

Megan Rapinoe's Political Activism

Cara asks Megan about her political activism, particularly her endorsement of Kamala Harris and her perspective on the role of athletes in politics. Scott asks Sue and Megan about their approach to raising kids in sports, considering the potential for over-pressure and the importance of letting kids be the drivers of their own decisions.

01:06:24

Youth Sports Development and "A Touch More" Podcast

The discussion begins with a focus on the importance of development in youth sports, highlighting the potential long-term impact of neglecting this aspect. The speakers emphasize that while professional aspirations are often present, the true value lies in teaching valuable life lessons beyond just winning. The speakers express their admiration for Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, highlighting their impressive achievements both on and off the field. They promote their podcast, "A Touch More," which offers expert analysis of the business of sports and features interviews with these prominent athletes.

01:10:43

Presidential Debate and End-of-Life Care for Pets

The conversation shifts to the upcoming presidential debate, with the speakers expressing their anxieties and predictions. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both candidates, highlighting the importance of fact-checking and outlining policy plans. The podcast concludes with a segment exploring the difficult topic of end-of-life care for pets. The speakers discuss the emotional challenges of making such decisions and share insights from their research, including the surprising trend of pet owners giving their animals a final McDonald's cheeseburger.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the key factors contributing to the WNBA's recent success?

  The WNBA's success is attributed to a combination of factors, including a strong product on the court, increased investment from both existing and new ownership groups, and a changing tide in the country that has led to greater acceptance and support for women's sports.

• How does the global popularity of football, particularly the Premier League, compare to other sports like American football?

  Football's global dominance is attributed to its accessibility, long history, and strong storytelling that has resonated with fans across generations. In contrast, American football has a more limited global appeal due to its complexity and lack of widespread participation.

• What are some of the potential challenges facing the NFL in the future?

  The NFL faces potential challenges related to player safety, aging demographics, and the increasing popularity of other sports, particularly women's sports, which are attracting a growing audience and investment.

• What are some key considerations for parents who are raising kids in sports?

  Parents should prioritize letting their kids be the drivers of their own decisions in sports, avoiding excessive pressure and focusing on the overall benefits of participation rather than solely on professional aspirations. It's important to remember that most kids will not go pro, so it's crucial to create a positive and enjoyable experience for them.

• What are some key lessons that should be taught in youth sports beyond just winning?

  Youth sports should emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, resilience, and the development of fundamental skills, fostering a love for the game and promoting healthy competition.

• What are some strategies for effectively fact-checking during a political debate?

  Fact-checking involves comparing candidates' statements to reliable sources, identifying inconsistencies, and highlighting potential biases or misrepresentations.

• How can pet owners prepare for the difficult decision of end-of-life care for their animals?

  Pet owners can prepare by discussing end-of-life options with their veterinarian, researching resources on animal euthanasia, and considering their pet's quality of life.

Show Notes