The Forecast

KVRU 105.7 FM / kvru.org
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

The Forecast is a new show here on KVRU where we’re taking traditional sports radio and turning it on its head. That means, we’re here to cover the women’s sports scene in Seattle. We love you Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders and Kraken, but honestly, you get enough coverage. This show will be all about The Seattle Storm, Reign, and Torrent (hence our name, The Forecast), and all of the other incredible women athletes here in the Seattle area. We’re talking Salmon Bay FC, Seattle Majestics, Rat City Roller Girls, the Seattle Riot, The Seattle Tempest, and of course our local college athletes, the Huskies, the Redhawks, and many more. We want to broaden the horizons of what it means to cover sports here in Seattle, and we can’t wait to get started.

  1. 1h ago

    Hot Takes - PWHL Chaos and USWNT vs Brazil Drama

    June 30th, 2026 Episode SummaryThe episode of “The Forecast,” Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM, opens with host Maggie Mertens announcing a short hiatus during which the program will seek funding, plan deeper future segments, and air a mix of repeat and previously unaired interviews while maintaining its regular broadcast schedule. In a post-show “hot take” segment, Mertens and producer Jeff Scott Shaw critique the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s rapid expansion from eight to twelve teams and the handling of star forward Hilary Knight’s EFO contract, arguing that short-term deals, unclear rules, and single-owner league structures undermine player stability, fan loyalty, and fair roster-building. They compare the situation to minor-league baseball logistics, question housing and compensation standards, and highlight how limited household-name talent is being shuffled among franchises in ways they see as poorly thought out and potentially exploitative. They then pivot to the U.S.–Brazil women’s soccer rivalry, celebrating a dramatic, card-filled match in Brazil that featured physical play, VAR scrutiny, and a late surge of intensity from the U.S. team under coach Emma Hayes. They frame the match as a signal of a new era for the U.S. women’s national team, noting a refreshed, more aggressive core, rising global competition, and the build-up to a Brazil-hosted Women’s World Cup and subsequent Olympics, which they see as a major opportunity to leverage momentum for women’s soccer. The episode’s centerpiece is an introductory press conference with 19-year-old Spanish forward Awa Fam, the Seattle Storm’s number three draft pick and the highest-drafted Spanish player in WNBA history. Fam describes fulfilling a childhood dream by joining the WNBA, emphasizes her professional experience with Valencia and the Spanish national team, and highlights her readiness to contribute immediately despite a packed schedule of international competitions. She expresses excitement about playing alongside fellow young frontcourt talents Dominique Malonga and Ezi Magbegor, citing their energy, experience, and potential synergy, and identifies her passing, court vision, team-first mindset, and competitive “Spanish” mentality as key strengths. Fam also notes her admiration for A’ja Wilson and her eagerness to face her on court, and praises the Storm’s welcoming, supportive locker room culture. Building on the theme of “Rebuilding,” the show debuts a new segment focused on the Seattle Storm’s organizational reset after losing veteran talent, parting ways with coach Noelle Quinn, and hiring new head coach Sonya Raman. Veteran guard Natisha Heidemann, entering her eighth WNBA season and first with Seattle, discusses embracing a leadership role centered on energy, on- and off-court guidance, and culture-building. She frames her move from Minnesota as a calculated risk driven by the desire for growth and by the Storm’s trust in her as a veteran playmaker, noting that the staff encourages her to take chances and values her experience. Heidemann stresses that individual stats matter less than stacking wins, praises teammates’ behind-the-scenes work, and points to the team’s incomplete roster—due to injuries and pending arrivals—as a sign of untapped potential. She also welcomes league expansion and new developmental spots as critical for keeping deserving players like “Baby T” in the WNBA, and reflects on adjusting to Seattle’s big-city environment and the importance of strong relationships with coaches and front office. Guard Zia Cook, in her fourth WNBA season and second stint with the Storm, describes both team and personal growth within the rebuild. She emphasizes building a strong culture on a young roster, refusing to lean on youth as an excuse, and focusing on “being where my feet are” to stay present and productive. Cook interprets her early-season scoring surge as validation of long-term work and credits new coach Sonya Raman for recognizing her value and instilling confidence.Off the court, she highlights mental and spiritual growth through reading, faith, and maintaining a strong mindset as foundations for her on-court performance. Cook also discusses mentoring younger teammates like Flau’jae Johnson, acknowledging that while she is only in year four, she is entering “vet years” and can help franchise-caliber youngsters expand their playmaking and leadership. She describes her return to Seattle as an answered prayer, allowing her to build a legacy in one place consistent with her loyalty, and envisions the Storm’s growth as a process of culture-building, accumulating wins, and earning the community’s support through visible effort. The episode closes with extended postgame audio featuring Cook and Johnson reflecting on a shared career-high performance against the Connecticut Sun. They praise each other’s energy, aggression, confidence, and professionalism, and describe the mutual accountability and trust developing within the team. Johnson details how she responded to a coaching challenge by impacting the game defensively and learning she can contribute even without scoring, while Cook underscores the importance of emotional resilience, short-term memory, and belief—what Johnson calls being “delusional” in a positive way—to bounce back from losses and maintain confidence. They also highlight improvements in pace control, ball movement, and defensive pride, and express excitement about the team’s depth once injured players like Awa Fam, Ezi Magbegor, Dominique Malonga, and Katie Lou Samuelson return. The show concludes with a rundown of upcoming Storm, Reign, and Tempest games and a reminder that “The Forecast” will continue airing weekly during its hiatus, inviting listeners to support the show, share feedback, and stay engaged with Seattle’s women’s sports scene. Episode Notes2:29 - Maggie’s PWHL Roster Chaos Hot Take 13:07 - USWNT in Brazil Hot Take 25:04 - Awa Fam Introductory Press Conference 33:57 - Rebuilding The Storm ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

    58 min

  2. 5d ago

    Summer Break Clelia Castro-Malaspina Full Interview and Torrent Roster Shakeup

    June 23rd, 2026 Episode SummarySeattle’s weekly women’s sports show “The Forecast,” hosted by journalist and author Maggie Mertens on KVRU 105.7 FM, announces a short hiatus to seek funding, plan deeper segments, and improve future programming while continuing to air at its usual times with a mix of repeat and previously unaired interviews from its summer reading and Seattle Storm “Rebuild” series. In the episode, Mertens interviews author and lifelong soccer fan Clalia Castro-Malaspina about her YA book “Girls With Goals: How Women’s Soccer Took Over the World,” written for her 16‑year‑old self and other teen fans to provide an accessible, end‑to‑end history of women’s soccer that fills a gap in the trade book market and highlights more than a century of struggle and progress before the iconic 1999 Women’s World Cup. Malaspina reflects on growing up in a soccer‑obsessed, multicultural household, the impact of the 1999 U.S. team as her first female sports heroes, and early experiences of gender inequity in youth soccer, then traces key milestones such as the corporate‑run 1970 and 1971 women’s “World Cups” in Europe and Mexico, FIFA’s delayed and reluctant adoption of the women’s World Cup in 1991, and the ongoing global fight for equity, including equal pay battles and structural barriers in many countries. She highlights surprising historical figures like Victorian‑era pioneer “Nettie Honeyball” and the British Ladies Football Club, underscores the importance of Title IX and soccer’s relative affordability in making it a major U.S. girls’ sport, and argues that the next frontier lies in women‑specific sports science, medicine, and injury research, particularly around ACL injuries and tailoring training and equipment to female athletes. The show also supports Seattle’s summer “book bingo” by recommending “Girls With Goals” for a women’s sports square and amplifies additional women’s sports reading, including Elizabeth Rush’s “A Greater Goal” and the historical work of soccer scholar Jean Williams. In the second half, Mertens turns to the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and the Seattle Torrent’s turbulent expansion‑season roster changes, bringing on analyst Ava Wood (“365 Hockey Girl”) to decode the league’s complex move from eight to twelve teams via multi‑phase signing windows and a mini expansion draft.Wood explains Seattle’s initial protection of goaltender Hannah Murphy, center Alex Carpenter, and defender Anna Wilgren, the strategic gamble not to protect free‑agent star Hillary Knight, and the departures of key players Hannah Bilka and Kayla Barnes to PWHL Detroit and goaltender Corinne Schroeder to PWHL San Jose. Mertens notes that immediately after their interview, Knight’s contract was assigned via an expansion foundational offer to Las Vegas and then traded to Detroit, removing her agency in the move and further depleting the Torrent roster.Wood outlines how expansion foundational offers, free‑agent signings, and the looming mini expansion draft interact, why the league chose this convoluted structure to accommodate four new teams and a large free‑agent pool, and how reserve players and a deep upcoming draft class will help fill expanded rosters. They discuss Seattle’s remaining assets and needs, the uncertainty around draft order, the broader coaching carousel—including Torrent’s vacancy and Vancouver’s firing of its coach—and the systemic barriers that contribute to the scarcity of women coaches in women’s hockey.Wood also highlights top draft prospects such as defender/forward Layla Edwards, anticipates a stronger West Coast identity as Seattle, Vancouver, Las Vegas, and San Jose play each other more, and directs listeners to her Beehive‑hosted “365 Hockey Girl” newsletter and social channels for a live tracker of all PWHL expansion moves. Episode Notes2:30 - Clelia Castro-Malaspina Full Interview 33:00 - Interview with Ava Wood AKA 365 Hockey Girl ____________________________________________________________ Clelia Castro-Malaspina : Clelia has been a children’s publishing professional for over a decade. She’s an author, a former literary agent and vice president of a boutique literary agency, where she successfully launched a children’s book division. Clelia is dedicated to bringing diverse, meaningful and illuminating books to the next generations. GIRLS WITH GOALS: HOW WOMEN’S SOCCER TOOK OVER THE WORLD came out in May 2025. Kirkus called it "a spirited, well-told success story, all the better for being true" and the UK’s The Sun called it a “wonderfully researched book.” Clelia is a mother of two young daughters and you can find her writing and editing while nestled amidst old mossy pines on Mercer Island. Follow Clelia on Instagram : @mossypinesclelia Ava Wood founded 365 Hockey Girl to talk PWHL every day. Ava’s mission is to make women’s hockey accessible, inclusive, and fun. Follow 365 Hockey Girl on all social media but more importantly, subscribe to the 365 Hockey Girl newsletter here : https://tinyurl.com/5s6me9r6 ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

    58 min

  3. Jun 15

    Storm Growth and Girls with Goals Summer Book Bingo

    June 16th, 2026 Episode SummaryThis episode of “The Forecast,” Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM, covers major developments across local and global women’s sports, alongside an author interview for the show’s summer reading series. Host Maggie Mertens and producer Jeff Scott Shaw open with news that the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent have hired assistant coach Christine Bumsted as their new head coach, highlighting the rarity of women head coaches in the league, her Canadian hockey roots, and her extensive coaching résumé with the University of Saskatchewan, the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades, and Team Manitoba.They frame her promotion as a key step in building a sustainable women’s hockey pipeline and note her public praise of Seattle as “the best city in the world for women’s sports.” The show then shifts to NCAA track and field, spotlighting University of Washington twin pole vaulters Amanda and Hannah Moll, who finished first and second at the outdoor championships in Eugene, Oregon. The hosts recount their recent dominance, including alternating NCAA titles, multiple collegiate records, and Amanda’s winning clearance of 15 feet, 10½ inches—this year’s highest outdoor mark and a new collegiate record that would have met the Olympic A standard. They emphasize that both are still juniors, already competing at a world-class level, and part of a strong UW pole vault group that placed three athletes in the top eight. A detailed Storm segment analyzes a grueling stretch in the WNBA schedule, including a competitive road loss to the Las Vegas Aces and a narrow home loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Mertens highlights signs of growth despite a seven-game losing streak: improved cohesion, reduced turnovers, and balanced scoring with all starters in double figures against the Sparks. Individual performances from Awa, Dom, Natisha Hiedeman, rookie point guard Flau'jae Johnson, and Jordan Horston are dissected, with particular praise for Flau'jae’s back-to-back turnover-free games and her status as the only WNBA rookie with two double-doubles so far. The hosts also discuss defensive matchups against Kelsey Plum, Nneka Ogwumike, and Cameron Brink, bench struggles, and the ongoing absence of center Ezi Magbegor due to a lower-leg injury with no clear return timeline. Postgame, Mertens plays clips from Flau'jae’s press conference, where the rookie reflects on transitioning from a powerhouse college program to a rebuilding WNBA team and embraces a “no rain, no flowers” mindset focused on process, culture, and daily improvement. In a second clip, Flau'jae outlines how the Storm can flip close losses by controlling controllables—rebounding, on-ball defense, and adherence to team principles rather than shot-making variance. The segment closes with the hosts noting that the season is about a quarter complete and encouraging listeners to follow All-Star voting and new team content, including a “Welcome to the W” video series featuring Flau'jae Johnson. In the summer reading portion, Mertens interviews author Clelia Castro-Malaspina about her YA book “Girls With Goals: How Women’s Soccer Took Over the World,” which chronicles the global history of women’s soccer for teen and tween readers. Castro-Malaspina describes growing up in a soccer-obsessed, Peruvian-French household in 1990s New York–New Jersey, playing travel soccer, and being profoundly influenced by the 1999 Women’s World Cup and its stars, including Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Michelle Akers, Briana Scurry, and Julie Foudy. She recalls the 1999 opening match at Giants Stadium as a formative moment that gave her her first female athletic heroes and reshaped her understanding of women’s strength and visibility in sport. Motivated years later by a lack of accessible trade books on women’s soccer history, she wrote “Girls With Goals” for her 16-year-old self and today’s young fans, uncovering more than a century of struggle and progress predating 1999. She recounts the unofficial 1970 and 1971 women’s “World Cups” organized by Italian soda executives, including the 1971 tournament in Mexico that drew crowds of around 100,000, treated teenage players like celebrities, and ultimately forced FIFA to assert control over women’s soccer—initially without investing in a formal World Cup. Castro-Malaspina explains that FIFA’s first official women’s World Cup in 1991 was initially branded under a corporate name tied to M&Ms before being retroactively recognized, illustrating the “one step forward, two steps back” pattern that women players have repeatedly overcome. The conversation also explores how successive generations of U.S. women’s national team players—from Abby Wambach to Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan to today’s Trinity Rodman cohort—inherit both benefits and responsibilities from earlier pioneers, and how older pros work to instill a sense of historical context and ongoing obligation in younger teammates. Castro-Malaspina notes that while the U.S. leads globally in women’s soccer, many countries still restrict or stigmatize women’s participation in sport, underscoring the need for continued advocacy. She recommends additional reading, including Elizabeth Rush’s YA book “A Greater Goal” on the U.S. team’s equal pay fight and the historical work of soccer historian Jean Williams, whose research underpins much of her own book. The episode closes with Mertens announcing a brief hiatus for “The Forecast” while the team seeks funding, plans deeper segments, and refines the show. During this period, the program will continue to air in its usual Tuesday and Wednesday slots with a mix of repeat and previously unaired interviews from the summer reading series and the Seattle Storm “Rebuild” series, and listeners are encouraged to support the show via underwriting, sponsorships, ratings, and feedback Episode Notes0:00 - Weekly Sports Recap 32:26 - Interview with Clelia Castro-Malaspina author of Girls with Goals ____________________________________________________________ Clelia Castro-Malaspina : Clelia has been a children’s publishing professional for over a decade. She’s an author, a former literary agent and vice president of a boutique literary agency, where she successfully launched a children’s book division. Clelia is dedicated to bringing diverse, meaningful and illuminating books to the next generations. GIRLS WITH GOALS: HOW WOMEN’S SOCCER TOOK OVER THE WORLD came out in May 2025. Kirkus called it "a spirited, well-told success story, all the better for being true" and the UK’s The Sun called it a “wonderfully researched book.” Clelia is a mother of two young daughters and you can find her writing and editing while nestled amidst old mossy pines on Mercer Island. Follow Clelia on Instagram : @mossypinesclelia ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones

    58 min

  4. Jun 11

    Tempest Championship Hopes and Torrent Roster Shakeup

    Tempest Championship Hopes and Torrent Roster Shakeup June 9th, 2026 Episode Summary“The Forecast” is a weekly Seattle women’s sports radio show and podcast hosted by journalist Maggie Mertens on KVRU 105.7 FM, spotlighting local teams, recapping games, and featuring interviews with athletes and experts across sports like WNBA, ultimate frisbee, and professional women’s hockey. This episode opens with a detailed breakdown of three recent Seattle Storm games, highlighting offensive struggles, turnover issues, free-throw disparities, and the team’s difficulty closing out tight contests, while also emphasizing the promise of young players such as Awa Fam, the return of Dominique Malonga, and the ongoing rebuild complicated by injuries to key contributors like Ezi Magbegor. Mertens also reports roster news, including the waiving of guard Lexie Brown and the resulting open roster spot that could be used to promote development players or add new talent, while reiterating that 2026 is a development-focused season for the Storm. The show then shifts to ultimate frisbee, previewing Western Ultimate League Championship Weekend in Portland, where the Seattle Tempest (6–2 in the regular season) will compete as one of the league’s top four teams; cutter Caitlin Rolling discusses her path into professional ultimate, the sport’s community-driven culture, Tempest’s roster turnover and preparation, and the self-officiated “spirit of the game” system supported by observers. In the second half, Mertens and analyst Ava Wood (365 Hockey Girl) unpack the complex PWHL expansion from eight to twelve teams, explaining multi-phase signing windows, expansion foundational offers, and a potential mini expansion draft, while focusing on how these mechanisms affect the Seattle Torrent’s protection decisions, departures (including key players like Kayla Barnes, Hannah Bilka, and goaltender Corinne Schroeder), and uncertain future around star forward Hilary Knight and the coaching vacancy. Wood also addresses the scarcity of women coaches, systemic barriers in hockey’s coaching pipeline, and fan backlash to Detroit’s signing of a controversial player whose public anti-trans affiliations clash with a PWHL fan base that includes many LGBTQ and especially trans supporters, underscoring tensions between league growth, inclusivity, and expansion strategy. The episode closes by looking ahead to the upcoming PWHL draft—highlighting prospects like defender/forward Layla Edwards—and to a reshaped, more West Coast–oriented league structure, while directing listeners to Wood’s 365 Hockey Girl newsletter for a live expansion tracker and reminding audiences how to find “The Forecast” on air, online, and via podcast. Episode Notes2:11 - Weekly Sports Recap 17:06 - Interview with Kaitlynne Roling of the Seattle Tempest 33:01 - Interview with Ava Wood 365 Hockey Girl ____________________________________________________________ Kaitlynne Roling : https://seattletempest.com/12-kaitlyn-rolling Ava Wood founded 365 Hockey Girl to talk PWHL every day. Ava’s mission is to make women’s hockey accessible, inclusive, and fun. Follow 365 Hockey Girl on all social media but more importantly, subscribe to the 365 Hockey Girl newsletter here : https://tinyurl.com/5s6me9r6 ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

    1h 3m

  5. Jun 10

    Summer Book Bingo and Running with Stephanie Reents

    This episode of “The Forecast,” Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM, opens with host Maggie Mertens and producer Jeff Scott Shaw recapping a difficult week of losses for local teams while emphasizing the lessons and resilience that come from defeat. They review OL Reign’s 2–1 loss to the Washington Spirit on May 30, highlighting Lacey Santos’s free-kick goal, Phoebe McClernon’s key defensive stop on Trinity Rodman, and Maddie Mercado’s high press that forced an own goal, before noting Reign’s 4–5–2 record heading into a long international break. The show details multiple Reign players’ national team call-ups, including Claudia Dickey (USWNT), Holly Ward (Canada), Angharad James-Turner (Wales), and several U-23 U.S. call-ups, underscoring how the World Cup break will still be an active period for Seattle’s players. Turning to the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, Mertens and Shaw contrast two earlier blowout wins with back-to-back losses to the Washington Mystics and Toronto’s team, dissecting offensive struggles, defensive lapses, and the challenges of young rosters and demanding travel schedules. They spotlight standout performances by Jade Melbourne, Jordan Horston, and Natisha Hiedeman, while emphasizing the need for multiple double-digit scorers and a full roster including key frontcourt players like Ezi Magbegor, Dom Phillips, Awa Fam, and Katie Lou Samuelson. A major segment critiques WNBA officiating and player safety, noting an anomalous game with only two referees despite league rules, high foul counts, and concerns about concussion protocols following Dom Phillips’s second concussion and extended absence. The hosts preview a challenging upcoming Storm schedule against the Dallas Wings, Phoenix Mercury, Minnesota Lynx, and Las Vegas Aces, framing it as a key test for a team still integrating injured players and a rookie head coach adjusting to a shifting roster.They also briefly discuss broader league dynamics, including Portland’s disruptive start and questions about how midseason adjustments across the WNBA will reshape competitive balance. In a shift to professional women’s hockey, the show covers significant PWHL news: Toronto’s firing of its head coach, the fact that only two women currently serve as head coaches in the league, and the success of women-led teams in the Walter Cup finals. They explain the Players Association’s decision to make all salaries public, revealing a league minimum of $37,000, a top salary of $126,000 for Emily Clark, and only about ten six-figure earners, while noting strong ticket sales and upcoming expansion to Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose, and Hamilton.The hosts reference the league’s complex expansion-draft rules and direct listeners to analyst Ava Wood’s coverage for detailed explanations. The episode concludes with a literary focus tied to Seattle Arts & Lectures and local library systems’ adult Book Bingo program, which now includes a dedicated women’s sports square. Mertens recommends her own nonfiction book, “Better Faster Farther: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women,” and introduces an interview with Seattle author and former runner Stephanie Reents about her novel “We Loved to Run,” which follows a 1990s women’s college cross-country team navigating competition, friendship, disordered eating, and emerging conversations about consent and sexual violence. Reents and Mertens also discuss the emotional transition away from competitive running, the parallels between endurance sports and writing, and share additional sports and contemplative reading recommendations, reinforcing the show’s emerging women’s sports book club theme Episode Notes 0:00 - Weekly Sports Recap 31:16 - Book Bingo Interview with Stephanie Reents ____________________________________________________________ Stephanie Reents is the author of The Kissing List, a collection of stories that was an Editors’ Choice in The New York Times Book Review, and I Meant to Kill Ye, a bibliomemoir chronicling her journey into the strange void at the heart of Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian. She has twice received an O. Henry Prize for her short fiction. Reents received a BA from Amherst College, where she ran on the cross country team all four years; a BA from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar; and an MFA from the University of Arizona. She was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

    1h 3m

  6. May 28

    Introducing Our "New Rebuild" Segment

    May 26th, 2026 Episode SummaryThis episode of “The Forecast,” Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM, celebrates a long-awaited scoring breakthrough for the Seattle Reign, who snapped a five-game goal drought with a 2–1 win over Boston in Rhode Island, highlighted by Sophia Huerta’s first goal of the season and a second-half strike from Maddie Dahlien. The show then turns to the Seattle Storm’s packed homestand, detailing a narrow 80–78 loss to the Connecticut Sun despite strong performances from Natisha Hiedeman and Mackenzie Holmes, followed by a dominant 77–59 rematch win powered by Zia Cook’s career-high 25 points and a breakout game from rookie Flau’jae Johnson. Building on that momentum, the Storm’s 97–85 win over the Washington Mystics is recapped as a season-high offensive outing that coincides with the debut of No. 3 draft pick Awa Fam and the return of Katie Lou Samuelson, with Hiedeman leading all scorers and the defense limiting key Mystics players. Listeners hear directly from head coach Sonia Raman, who emphasizes the team’s evolving identity, defensive foundation, and the depth and hunger of a bench that has significantly outscored opponents in the Storm’s wins, while previewing how injured frontcourt anchors Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga will reintegrate into an increasingly cohesive roster. The episode also covers PWHL news, including Montreal’s Walter Cup win, the upcoming June 17 draft in Detroit, and the Seattle Torrent’s decision to fire head coach Steve O’Rourke after a historically poor season despite a star-studded roster led by Hilary Knight. In her “hot take,” host Maggie Mertens critiques the WNBA’s vague directive to “tighten foul standards,” arguing that unclear officiating guidance has left players and coaches confused, increased early foul trouble, and failed to reduce injuries, even as she notes the catharsis fans find in collectively venting at referees. A centerpiece of the show is Awa Fam’s introductory press conference, where the 19-year-old Spanish star reflects on becoming the highest-drafted Spanish player in WNBA history, her professional experience with Valencia and the Spanish national team, her competitive identity, and her excitement to join a young, versatile Storm frontcourt alongside Malonga and Magbegor. The new “Rebuild” segment debuts with in-depth interviews with guard Natisha Hiedeman and guard Zia Cook, who discuss leadership, risk-taking, and culture-building on a young team undergoing a roster and coaching reset under first-year head coach Sonia Raman. Their perspectives are complemented by postgame remarks from Cook and rookie Flau’jae Johnson, who analyze their career-high performances, defensive adjustments, mental resilience, and the importance of confidence and “Storm basketball” as the team awaits a fully healthy roster.] The episode closes with a look ahead to a dense upcoming schedule for the Storm, Reign, and Seattle Tempest, and an invitation for listeners to follow, support, and engage with Seattle’s women’s sports community via KVRU and “The Forecast.” Episode Notes0:00 - Weekly Sports Recap 14:40 - Sonia Raman’s Post Game Press Conference vs. Washington Mystics | May 24, 2026 22:09 - Maggie’s Hot Take 26:26 - Awa Fam’s Introductory Press Conference on May 22nd, 2026 ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

    58 min

  7. May 22

    Breaking Down The Reign

    May 19 , 2026 Episode Summary The Forecast is a weekly Seattle-based women’s sports show on KBRU 105.7 FM and KVRU.org, hosted by independent journalist Maggie Mertens with producer Jeff Scott Shaw, opens with recaps of a difficult week for local teams, including the OL Reign’s 2–0 home loss to Gotham FC that extended a scoreless streak to five matches and highlighted both Gotham’s star-studded roster and Seattle’s offensive struggles and sparse home attendance. The hosts preview the Reign’s upcoming road trip to Boston, Washington, and North Carolina before a July 12 home match against the Portland Thorns, and discuss efforts to energize fans and the Royal Guard supporters’ section. They then break down the Seattle Storm’s back-to-back losses, including a close defeat to the Toronto Tempo that doubled as the Tempo’s first franchise win, and a loss to the Indiana Fever. The conversation emphasizes the Storm’s incomplete roster—missing Ezi Magbegor, Katie Lou Samuelson, and No. 2 draft pick Awa Fam—and the heavy load on rookie Dom Malonga, who suffered a head injury and entered concussion protocol, as well as the development arcs of young players like Flau’jae Johnson and Jordan Horston. College coverage includes the end of the University of Washington softball season at the Fayetteville Regional, where a young Huskies team beat Fordham but twice lost to South Florida, prompting reflection on recent regional exits and optimism about next year if the roster stays intact. The show also celebrates UW women’s track and field finishing fourth at the Big Ten Championships with their highest conference point total since 1998, highlighting medals from Julia David-Smith (5,000m), Ashley Schroeder (javelin), Chloe Thomas (10,000m), and record-breaking pole vault performances by twin sisters Hanna and Amanda Moll. In the “hot take” segment, Mertens critiques the media’s fixation on Caitlin Clark as the singular driver of WNBA growth, arguing that league popularity was already rising and that Clark’s narrative eclipses other stars and historical contributors. She acknowledges Clark’s strong early-season performances—including a 21-point, 10-assist, 7-rebound outing against the Storm and multiple 20-point/10-assist double-doubles—while contrasting Clark’s college statistics with those of Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, and others to show that Clark’s shooting and playmaking are impressive but not unprecedented. The episode’s featured interview brings back journalist Susie Rantz of Sounder at Heart to dissect the Reign’s offensive drought. Rantz explains that after a promising start in temporary Spokane “home” matches, the team has slid into what could become a historic NWSL scoreless run, with current minutes without a goal approaching a previous Reign drought and still short of the league record held by the Washington Spirit. She identifies issues less with pure finishing and more with chance creation and progression from midfield to the final third, noting that forwards like Mia Fishel, Maddie Dallin, and Emeri Adames are not consistently being found in dangerous positions, especially in the absence of injured playmaker Jess Fishlock. Rantz describes head coach Laura Harvey’s approach of focusing training on opponent-specific game plans rather than overemphasizing finishing, praising the Reign’s strong performance in a narrow loss to the Washington Spirit but criticizing their inability to execute a more direct, vertical strategy against Gotham’s high-press defense. She underscores the value of veteran “winning” experience—previously supplied by players like Fishlock and Lynn Biyendolo now on maternity leave—and points to captain Sofia Huerta’s leadership on the back line. Looking ahead, she notes that the upcoming NWSL summer transfer window and new high-impact player rules give the Reign financial and roster flexibility to add a key attacking or veteran presence after the World Cup break. The show closes by previewing a dense Storm homestand against the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics, the Reign’s final two matches before their break (at Boston and at Washington Spirit), and noting that the Seattle Tempest have qualified for playoffs while the Seattle Majestics have finished their season. Episode Notes0:00 - Weekly Sports Recap 25:05 - Maggie’s Hot Take 33:54 - Interview with Susie Rantz from Sounder at Heart ____________________________________________________________ Susie Rantz is a self proclaimed nerd, storyteller, and soccer fan. Susie writes mostly about the Seattle Reign and women’s soccer for Sounder At Heart : www.sounderatheart.com/author/susie/ ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

    58 min

  8. May 14

    Mother's Day Women's Sports Weekend

    May 12, 2026 Episode SummaryThis episode of “The Forecast,” Seattle’s weekly women’s sports show on KVRU 105.7 FM, follows host Maggie Mertens’ self-declared “women’s sports weekend” built around local teams and Mother’s Day, while also featuring an in-depth interview with Seattle Storm forward and mother Katie Lou Samuelson. Mertens recaps OL Reign’s 1–0 loss to the Washington Spirit, noting Seattle’s four-match scoreless streak, strong possession and defensive play, and the absence of injured striker Jess Fishlock, while she and producer Jeff Shaw debate the need for a true goal-scoring star and the financial inequities that shape NWSL roster building. Maggie delivers a “hot take” calling out the near-empty Royal Guard supporters’ section at Lumen Field despite sub-$20 tickets, contrasting Seattle’s sparse support with Portland Thorns’ consistently full sections and urging fans to reclaim a vibrant supporters’ culture for the Reign. On the basketball side, the show breaks down the Storm’s opening loss to the Golden State Valkyries and subsequent road win over the Connecticut Sun, highlighting the impact of new officiating that emphasizes a less physical WNBA, early foul trouble, and the disruptive effect on rotations. Mertens spotlights guard Jade Melbourne’s physical, tenacious play—losing a capped front tooth and playing through facial cuts—arguing that her toughness and maturity exemplify the scrappy, “moneyball” identity of a young Storm roster that will soon be reshaped by the arrivals of Awa Fam, Ezi Magbegor, and Katie Lou Samuelson. In conversation with Shaw, she frames the Storm as a rebuilding team balancing a tight salary structure—where only Ezi and former Storm forward Gabby Williams command seven-figure deals—while betting on high-ceiling young players like Melbourne and others to grow into a cohesive, entertaining unit. The episode also introduces listeners to the Seattle Tempest, a professional women’s ultimate frisbee team in the Western Ultimate League, through Mertens’ first in-person game experience at Interbay Stadium—a 20–16 loss to San Diego Super Bloom—emphasizing the sport’s self-officiated culture, community ethos, and family-friendly game-day environment. Additional coverage includes the Seattle Majestics women’s football team’s narrow 26–20 road loss to the Utah Falcons and their upcoming home finale against the Oregon Ravens, as well as UW softball’s Big Ten tournament results and path through the NCAA Fayetteville Regional toward a potential Women’s College World Series berth. In a featured interview, Samuelson discusses how the WNBA’s new CBA supports player-parents with travel companions, extra hotel rooms, and charter flights, enabling her two-year-old daughter to accompany her on the road while she maintains elite performance and rest. She reflects on the emotional and mental impact of motherhood—using her desire to model positive self-talk and resilience for her daughter to reframe her own mindset, navigate a major knee injury, and return to play with a renewed sense of gratitude. Samuelson also describes the informal “team mom” role she sometimes inhabits on a young roster, the importance of league-wide support networks for current and aspiring player-parents, and her plans to spend Mother’s Day on the road with her daughter during a long Storm trip. The show closes with upcoming schedules for the Storm, Reign, UW track and field, and a women’s sports author event at Pitch the Baby sports bar, reinforcing its mission to connect Seattle audiences with the full breadth of the city’s women’s sports landscape Episode Notes 0:00 - Weekly Sports Recap 33:03 - Maggie’s Hot Take 40:23 - Interview with Seattle Storm’s Katie Lou Samuelson 54:13 - What We’re Watching This Week ____________________________________________________________ The Forecast is a Production of : KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW _____________________________________________________________ Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // Maggie@KVRU.org Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // Jeff@KVRU.org Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.

    58 min
See All (24)

About

The Forecast is a new show here on KVRU where we’re taking traditional sports radio and turning it on its head. That means, we’re here to cover the women’s sports scene in Seattle. We love you Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders and Kraken, but honestly, you get enough coverage. This show will be all about The Seattle Storm, Reign, and Torrent (hence our name, The Forecast), and all of the other incredible women athletes here in the Seattle area. We’re talking Salmon Bay FC, Seattle Majestics, Rat City Roller Girls, the Seattle Riot, The Seattle Tempest, and of course our local college athletes, the Huskies, the Redhawks, and many more. We want to broaden the horizons of what it means to cover sports here in Seattle, and we can’t wait to get started.

Information

  • Creator
    KVRU 105.7 FM / kvru.org
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 KVRU 105.7 FM / kvru.org
  • Show Website
    The Forecast