The Game - A Football Podcast

Victoria Henderson
  • 5.0 (9)
  • FOOTBALL

The Game is an NFL-based podcast redefining how we look at and talk about sports. We champion female voices, challenge the status quo, and spark the kinds of conversations the sports media world has long overlooked—blending statistics with lifestyle, analysis with authenticity. The Game is where every fan, long-time fans, and newcomers alike pull up a chair. We interview some of the most influential women around the NFL to tell their stories and give you an insider look into their lives at home and around the gridiron. This is where play calls meet culture and community, This is where women call the plays. The Game is hosted by Victoria Henderson, Founder of The Game Media, and Living in a Fantasy, an all-women's Fantasy Football League. Find The Game:  On Socials: @thegamethepodcast | Victoria @Heyvictoriahenderson On Substack: www.substack.com/thegamethepodcast.

  1. 44. Taylor Gilmore: A Woman who helped run San Francisco for Super Bowl LX

    MAR 13

    44. Taylor Gilmore: A Woman who helped run San Francisco for Super Bowl LX

    Send a text Taylor Gilmore is back — and she's got receipts. The Game's first-ever repeat guest returns to give us the full Super Bowl LIX debrief: what it was actually like to help orchestrate one of the biggest events in sports, from flipping traffic lanes to managing duffel-bag-toting autograph stalkers to oyster shucking at the Bay Area kickoff party. Taylor is the Director of Events and Partnerships for the Bay Area Host Committee, and yes — she's about to do it all again for the FIFA World Cup. If you haven't listened to her first appearance on The Game (Episode 16), go back and do that first, because this one picks right up where we left off. We also get into: how NFL scouting actually works (not what you think), why Victoria's Super Bowl week plans completely fell apart (in the best way), moving to Denver, Jordan Chiles on the gymnastics mat with nails, and how to finesse your way into the right rooms at Super Bowl LX in LA. In This Episode What Super Bowl week looks like from the inside — the logistics you never see Why the weather was the real MVP of Super Bowl LIXProfessional autograph stalkers, duffel bags, and allThe difference between a VIP event and a fan event (hint: it's the details)How NFL scouting actually works — from area scout to national scout to the war roomWhy Victoria's Super Bowl went sideways and why it was exactly rightOlivia Dean at the Uber One party, and why Victoria almost threw her phoneMoving to Denver, living with your best friend, and the blessings of being 31 and unmarriedSheridan Blanford — the woman the world needs to knowSuper Bowl LX in LA: how not to repeat Victoria's mistake About Taylor Gilmore Taylor Gilmore is the Director of Events and Partnerships for the Bay Area Super Bowl Host Committee, where she spent the better part of a year orchestrating Super Bowl LIX logistics — from credentials to concert experiences to making sure the talent actually got out of the airport. Up next: FIFA World Cup, also coming to the Bay Area. She's a former gymnast, a coach's kid who grew up living the NFL wife life before she actually lived it, and one of the most composed people in a fire drill you will ever meet. Follow her on Instagram for bachelorette content, event coverage, and a front-row view of major sporting events done right. Episode 16 (Taylor's first appearance): https://open.spotify.com/episode/3rP36oOP9hDD8u9MG4VcYS?si=7509aa79a68e490d Support the show Thanks for listening to The Game! We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review. JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls. Thegamethepodcast.substack.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson : Instagram | TikTok Ready to try CUSO'S? Head to cusocuts.com/thegame for 10% off your order! Love you, Bye! 3

    1h 10m
  2. 43. Lily Shimbashi: Founder of Sportsish, Not your boyfriend's sports news

    MAR 4

    43. Lily Shimbashi: Founder of Sportsish, Not your boyfriend's sports news

    Send a text Victoria sits down with Lily Shimbashi — the woman who built Sportsish from a glow light, an Amazon mic, and a business plan she started years before Sportsish was created. Before she was interviewing athletes on ESPN red carpets, Lily was a broadcast assistant, making $7.25 an hour as a PA for the Utah Jazz, watching the men around her tear down the woman she wanted to be someday. Lily takes us from a broadcast truck to New York City, from early motherhood to launching Sportsish during nap time, from a thousand followers overnight to a hundred thousand the year Taylor Swift walked into Arrowhead. She's unapologetic about who she built it for, what it took to get there (years without monetization), and what's next. This is exactly the kind of conversation The Game was built for: a woman who loves sports, built a sports company, and never once waited for the industry to give her a seat. What we cover: Working in a Utah Jazz broadcast truck and watching the men tear down a woman broadcaster right in front of herApplying to hundreds of sports broadcasting jobs, getting rejected, and deciding to go build her own dreamHaving her first baby at 26 — and how a wave of intuition while nursing changed everythingLaunching Sportsish from her apartment during nap time September 27, 2023: how Sportsish hit 100KBeing unapologetic about making content "not for men" — and why that's exactly the pointHer new partnerships with ESPN and Togethxr ("Everyone Watches Women's Sports")How she manages an all-female team, weekend sports schedules, and two kids under sevenThe women she thinks every NFL fan needs to know: Adriana from Black Girls Love Football and Nicole Lynn, a record-breaking sports agent.Follow Lily on Instagram: Lily.beths & Sportsish Sportsish Website | Sportsish Substack Support the show Thanks for listening to The Game! We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review. JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls. Thegamethepodcast.substack.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson : Instagram | TikTok Ready to try CUSO'S? Head to cusocuts.com/thegame for 10% off your order! Love you, Bye! 3

    1h 2m
  3. 42. Kellie Finlayson: The NFL vs the AFL, and Thriving Despite Diagnosis

    FEB 24

    42. Kellie Finlayson: The NFL vs the AFL, and Thriving Despite Diagnosis

    Send a text Find Kellie on Instagram & TikTok Kellie Finlayson's Book: There Must Be More: Finding Purpose in a life with cancer Kellie's Symptom Tracker Guest: Kellie Finlayson — AFL WAG, stage 4 colorectal cancer survivor, author, and advocate based in Australia. Episode Description: Kellie Finlayson flew from Australia to Dallas to catch a Cowboys Thanksgiving game — and ended up in the cheerleaders' locker room. That's the kind of woman she is. But Kellie's story goes so much deeper than football. She's the wife of 12-year AFL veteran Jeremy Finlayson, a mom to four-year-old Sophia, a published author, and a stage 4 colorectal cancer survivor who was told she had three years to live — three years ago. In this episode we get into the AFL vs NFL (chaos ball, anyone?), WAG culture in Australia vs the US, what it's really like to be a partner in pro sports, and then Kellie opens up about seven years of being dismissed by doctors, her diagnosis at 26, chemotherapy on her birthday, and how she's given her experience purpose through her book, There Must Be More. This one hits different. Don't miss it. Topics Covered: How a Cowboys Thanksgiving game converted an AFL girlBreaking down Australian rules football for NFL fansAFL vs NFL: pay, ownership, fan culture, and merchWAG culture in Australia vs the US — and why the NFL is changing the gameJeremy's 12-year AFL career and what delisting actually feels likeSeven years of being dismissed by doctors before a stage 4 diagnosisStarting chemo on her 26th birthdayHow Kellie and Jeremy's relationship survived it allWriting her book There Must Be More — and dropping it off to friends before running out the doorWhat NOT to ask someone who is seriously illWhy aging is a privilege, and how Kellie is living her 30s differentlyLinks: Follow Kellie on Instagram: @kellie_finlayson_Get her book, There Must Be More: Available on AmazonHer symptom tracker: https://www.trustyourgut.org.au/ Support the show Thanks for listening to The Game! We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review. JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls. Thegamethepodcast.substack.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson : Instagram | TikTok Ready to try CUSO'S? Head to cusocuts.com/thegame for 10% off your order! Love you, Bye! 3

    1h 27m

  4. FEB 10

    41. Super Bowl LX Recap with JoJo Cash

    Send a text A Super Bowl that felt like a slog on the field still delivered a story worth telling: pressure beats plans, patience wins possessions, and sometimes a running back defines the biggest stage. We unpack how Seattle’s defense squeezed Drake May into sacks and hurried throws, why five field goals quietly controlled the scoreboard, and how Kenneth Walker’s vision and timing earned a long-overdue Super Bowl MVP for a RB. Then we tackle the quarterback discourse: Sam Darnold’s night wasn’t flashy, but it was calm, clean, and exactly what the moment required. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ line and receivers struggled to create answers until late, when the math had already tilted. The culture, though, was electric. Coco Jones and Brandi Carlile set a high bar before kickoff, Green Day gave the Bay a nostalgic jolt, and Bad Bunny turned halftime into a masterclass in inclusive storytelling. Minimalist staging. Maximal joy. Human “grass,” street chairs, a pickup, and a camera plan that felt intimate at stadium scale—plus a Gaga surprise that underscored the show’s message of openness and community. We contrast that precision with the NFL Honors’ awkward bits, mispronounced names, and tone-deaf jokes that undercut a night meant to celebrate players. The league proved it can stage world-class culture; now it should bring that same care to honoring its own. We close with our ins and outs: Walker’s patience in, efficient field goals (yes, really) in, messy playoff beards and stale jokes out. We look ahead to international NFL games, the Winter Olympics as our sports bridge, and a summer slate of interviews that keep smart, inclusive football talk flowing. Hit play for a candid, women-led breakdown that blends tape, tactics, and culture without the fluff. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review—your support helps us keep amplifying voices and yapping ball all year. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Game! We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review. JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls. Thegamethepodcast.substack.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson : Instagram | TikTok Ready to try CUSO'S? Head to cusocuts.com/thegame for 10% off your order! Love you, Bye! 3

    56 min
  5. 40. Steph VanWagoner: From Starting Over to Sideline Photography for the Detroit Lions

    FEB 3

    40. Steph VanWagoner: From Starting Over to Sideline Photography for the Detroit Lions

    Send a text Find Steph on Instagram: her personal account & photography account Follow The Game on social:  The Game: Instagram | TikTok  Victoria Henderson: Instagram | TikTok Ever wonder how someone goes from a 911 console to the Detroit Lions’ sideline with a camera in hand? We bring you an intimate, step-by-step look at how freelance photographer Steph Van Wagner built a career in pro sports through smart outreach, gritty portfolio work, and unshakable calm under pressure. From weddings with zero retakes to Ford Field’s catwalk, Steph shares the exact moves that turned a fan POV video into a coffee meeting, then into a season contract. We dig into the nuts and bolts that most people never see: why “don’t ask for a credential” is rule number one, how contributing photographer contracts and image rights actually work, and the no-gambling policies that can end a season before it starts. Steph breaks down game-day rhythm—arriving before the crowds, rotating between sideline action and partnership deliverables, and using shared presets for cohesive edits—plus the captioning and upload pipeline that keeps content flowing fast. If you’re building a portfolio, you’ll hear practical ways to shoot for free without working for exposure forever, how to DM with purpose, and what kind of questions earn real mentorship. Steph also opens up about resilience: the portfolio review that left her in tears, the Michigan–Oregon assignment that arrived two weeks later, and the mindset shift that turned criticism into fuel. For women carving a path on male-dominated sidelines, she offers a grounded message—your eye belongs here, your voice matters, and kindness is a competitive edge. Whether you’re an aspiring sports photographer or a curious fan, you’ll leave with a clear playbook for breaking in, staying in, and growing your craft with integrity. If this conversation pushed you to take your next shot, follow, share, and leave a quick review. Tell us the one skill you’re committing to improve this month—we’ll cheer you on. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Game! We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review. JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls. Thegamethepodcast.substack.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson : Instagram | TikTok Ready to try CUSO'S? Head to cusocuts.com/thegame for 10% off your order! Love you, Bye! 3

    57 min
  6. 39. Bri Martinez (Hot Girls Talk Sports): Chatting Conference Championships

    JAN 27

    39. Bri Martinez (Hot Girls Talk Sports): Chatting Conference Championships

    Send a text Follow Bri (Hot Girls Talk Sports) on Instagram & TikTok A snowstorm rolled into Denver right as New England took the lead, and suddenly every inch mattered. We dig into how weather, special teams, and culture swung Patriots-Broncos, including the wild sequence of a practice-squad elevation tipping a potential game-tying kick and a holder setting up a yard too shallow in whiteout conditions. The lesson isn’t just about points; it’s about programs. Why does one AFC East team keep finding its way to Super Sunday while rivals stall despite talent and hype? Ownership standards, coherent systems, and consistent situational football stack advantage long before the snap. Out west, Seattle showed the blueprint. Sam Darnold delivered poised, precise quarterbacking, while JSN and Kenneth Walker turned routine plays into steady gains. No hero capes, no panic throws—just layered offense and a defense that didn’t ask for miracles. We contrast that with the Rams’ reliance on late-game theatrics and ask the uncomfortable question: can a team built on final-drive drama survive January? Along the way, we dissect a pivotal taunting flag, a missed roughing call, and the broader frustration with officiating. If the league wants credibility, it needs fewer, clearer penalties and consistent replay thresholds that travel from crew to crew. We also talk media moments—from WAG style done right to the Empire State Building lighting up in Patriots colors—and why narratives shape how fans process results. Our rapid-fire ins and outs crown team football over hero ball, call for transparency in the coaching carousel, and underline accountability off the field. If you care about how champions are built, how officiating shapes legacies, and why Seattle’s balance feels sustainable, you’ll find plenty to argue with and even more to steal for your own football lens. Enjoyed the breakdown? Follow, rate, and share to keep the conversation going—and tell us your fix for officiating consistency and your pick for the Lombardi. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Game! We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review. JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls. Thegamethepodcast.substack.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson : Instagram | TikTok Ready to try CUSO'S? Head to cusocuts.com/thegame for 10% off your order! Love you, Bye! 3

    53 min
  7. 38. Carly Teller: Cleveland Browns, Social Media, and NFL Free Agency

    JAN 23

    38. Carly Teller: Cleveland Browns, Social Media, and NFL Free Agency

    Send a text In this engaging conversation, Carly Teller shares her journey as an NFL wife, her relationship with Wyatt Teller, and the dynamics of navigating life in the public eye. She discusses the challenges of free agency, the importance of community engagement, and her approach to social media. Carly emphasizes the significance of open communication in her marriage and reflects on the traditions she has established within the Cleveland Browns community. In this engaging conversation, Carly Teller shares her experiences as an NFL wife, her journey through social media, and the importance of community and relationships in the world of football. She discusses the dynamics of dating in the digital age, the significance of personal branding, and the challenges and joys of motherhood. Carly also reflects on the quarterback situation in the NFL and the media's portrayal of it, emphasizing the need for patience in relationships and the value of finding true love. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Carly Teller 00:58 Carly's TikTok Journey and Relatability 03:54 How Carly and Wyatt Met 09:52 The Evolution of Their Relationship 11:48 Navigating Media as a Couple 15:44 Carly's Social Media Presence and Wyatt's Perspective 19:48 Discussion on the Cleveland Browns 20:23 Wyatt's Love for His Quarterbacks 25:13 The Quarterback Situation in Cleveland 33:55 Celebrating Miles Garrett and His Achievements 38:21 Starstruck Moments in the NFL 40:26 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Free Agency 49:44 Building a Life in Cleveland 55:21 The Loyalty of NFL Fans 58:01 Connecting with Browns Fans 01:00:19 Life Before the NFL 01:01:37 The Journey into Social Media 01:04:10 Balancing Glamour and Reality 01:08:18 Advice for Young Women 01:11:52 Describing Love in Three Words 01:14:03 Introduction to Carly Teller and Her Impact 01:15:29 Carly's Journey and Connection to the Cleveland Browns 01:16:21 Introduction to The Game Podcast 01:16:22 Exploring Key Themes in Gaming 01:16:52 The Importance of Flavor in Healthy Eating 01:17:52 Enhancing Meals with Quality Ingredients Support the show Thanks for listening to The Game! We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review. JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls. Thegamethepodcast.substack.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson : Instagram | TikTok Ready to try CUSO'S? Head to cusocuts.com/thegame for 10% off your order! Love you, Bye! 3

    1h 11m

  8. JAN 20

    37. Divisional Weekend Yap with JoJo Cash: Heartbreak and Heroball

    Send a text A weekend this wild doesn’t teach one lesson—it teaches five. We unpack how the Bills coughed away a winnable game against the Broncos, why a single backward toss can tilt an entire locker room, and what clean, boring, effective football looks like when Denver plays it. From there, we go deep on the officiating confusion—PI standards, catch rules, and the gap between the rulebook and what fans see on replay—and offer a simple fix: fewer penalties, clearer definitions, and better communication. The Patriots advance after the Texans’ offense hit a wall, with CJ Stroud buried by turnovers and a thin receiver room. That launches our larger theme: hero ball doesn’t scale in January. Mobility and magic help, but if your quarterback is your run game, your bailout, and your identity, you’re one hit or one bad read from the cliff. We contrast that with sustained, system-first teams and call out the front office responsibility to build real support. We also relive the Rams-Bears thriller—Caleb Williams’ audacious heave, overtime heartbreak, and Los Angeles’ habit of living on field goals. It’s thrilling, but it’s not a blueprint. Add in the surge of lower-leg injuries and the coaching carousel spinning from Buffalo to New York to Miami, and you get the bigger picture: the teams that survive are the ones that protect the ball, manage moments, and keep players healthy. That’s the DNA of a January contender. If you loved the breakdown, tap follow, share this with a friend who texts during every drive, and leave a quick review to help more football fans find us. Join our group chat at thegamethepodcast.com and tell us: who’s your pick to go all the way? Support the show Thanks for listening to The Game! We're happy you're here. If you enjoyed the episode, please send it to a friend, share it on social, or leave us a cute 5-star review. JOIN THE COMMUNITY of women in our Substack community for gameday chats, exclusive articles, and more NFL by the girls. Thegamethepodcast.substack.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: The Game: Instagram | TikTok Victoria Henderson : Instagram | TikTok Ready to try CUSO'S? Head to cusocuts.com/thegame for 10% off your order! Love you, Bye! 3

    50 min
See All (44)

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Game is an NFL-based podcast redefining how we look at and talk about sports. We champion female voices, challenge the status quo, and spark the kinds of conversations the sports media world has long overlooked—blending statistics with lifestyle, analysis with authenticity. The Game is where every fan, long-time fans, and newcomers alike pull up a chair. We interview some of the most influential women around the NFL to tell their stories and give you an insider look into their lives at home and around the gridiron. This is where play calls meet culture and community, This is where women call the plays. The Game is hosted by Victoria Henderson, Founder of The Game Media, and Living in a Fantasy, an all-women's Fantasy Football League. Find The Game:  On Socials: @thegamethepodcast | Victoria @Heyvictoriahenderson On Substack: www.substack.com/thegamethepodcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Victoria Henderson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Game - A Football Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Game - A Football Podcast

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