Billie Jean King

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Episodes

  1. When Billie Jean King knew she would fight for equality (NPR+)

    1d ago ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    When Billie Jean King knew she would fight for equality (NPR+)

    It’s the last week of this year’s U.S. Open, the Grand Slam tennis tournament that takes place every year at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. So in this bonus episode, we’re looking back to King’s Fresh Air interview from 2021. King discussed the highs and lows of her life and career—including the first time she played tennis, what led her to want to fight for equal pay, the drama she faced before she came out publicly, and how she felt in the run-up to the famous Battle of the Sexes match she played against Bobby Riggs in 1973. | Listen to 50 years of Fresh Air's archives at FreshAirArchive.org. | Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and curated playlists of archive interviews. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

  2. The Woman Behind Picking Women's Team USA Roster

    6d ago

    The Woman Behind Picking Women's Team USA Roster

    Five-time Olympic gold medalist, Basketball Hall of Famer, and Team USA’s first-ever Women’s National Team Managing Director Sue Bird joins the party! Before Sue stops by, Abby and Julie go back to the loss that helped build one of the most dominant dynasties in sports history and how Team USA women’s basketball turned back-to-back bronze medals into a culture that hasn’t lost an Olympic game since 1992. Then Sue takes us inside her newest role shaping the future of USA Basketball, from making the brutally difficult calls behind a stacked World Cup roster to carrying forward the standard set by legends like Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, and Sheryl Swoopes. She talks about why winning remains the North Star, handling the pressure that comes with Team USA, and what today’s players need to understand about putting the team above individual stats. Plus, Sue opens up about life on the other side of retirement, becoming a broadcaster, navigating social media noise, and why the next phase of growth in women’s sports needs more than investment, it needs strategy. And with the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup tipping off September 4, the Party People are officially ready to cheer Team USA all the way to Berlin. 🇺🇸🏀   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store — and for September, a portion of proceeds supports Zoe’s Goal and childhood cancer research.   Keep the Party Going: Want more Sue Bird in your life? We do too. Follow Bird’s Eye View for Sue’s take on the WNBA, women’s basketball, the people shaping the game and everything happening around it: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birds-eye-view-with-sue-bird/id1812530040 UConn people, this one is for you. Want to hear more about what Geno really thinks of Sue — and go deep on anything and everything UConn? The Dynasty: UConn Huskies goes inside 40 years of Geno, championships, pressure, personalities and the players who built the standard: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/the-dynasty-uconn-huskies/umc.cmc.1xd5z7o77x0f6g6laf1vfbdn0 Party People, clear the calendar. Team USA is headed to Berlin. The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup runs September 4–13, with the U.S. opening against China on September 4: https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026 And yes, you can watch it all unfold. Find where to watch the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in the U.S.: https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026/where-to-watch Party People, it’s time to do More Than Four. Juggle anything more than four times, nominate four friends and donate more than $4 to help fund childhood cancer research through Zoe’s Goal. And this month, a portion of Welcome to the Party merch proceeds will support Zoe’s Goal too: https://www.pledge.to/mt4zoesgoal Meet Zoe Suder and learn more about the mission behind Zoe’s Goal: Scoring Against Childhood Cancer. LEARN MORE + DONATE: https://zoesgoal.org/    Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  3. Billie Jean King Takes Us Inside The US Open

    4d ago

    Billie Jean King Takes Us Inside The US Open

    Welcome to the Party is coming to you from Billie Jean King’s house…literally. Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy make their first-ever trip to the US Open, joining Kinger inside the Ralph Lauren suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium for a special episode celebrating the tournament she helped transform. Billie Jean shares what it feels like to see her name across the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, how the women fought to make the US Open the first major to offer equal prize money and the unforgettable 1974 final she somehow pulled back from the brink. The trio also gets into New York’s gloriously rowdy tennis crowds, athletes as entertainers, the intersection of sports and fashion, Billie Jean’s beloved childhood tennis sweater, Honey Deuces, Anna Wintour, and whether Abby and Julie have officially peaked sartorially. Come for the history, stay for the fits.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store — and for September, a portion of proceeds supports Zoe’s Goal and childhood cancer research.   Keep the Party Going: How exactly did the whole place become Kinger’s house? Go back to the 2006 night the USTA National Tennis Center was officially renamed for Billie Jean King: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2023-06-06/milestones_in_equality_home_of_the_us_open_renamed_in_billie_jean_kings_honor.html? Equal pay at the US Open started with a threat not to come back. Go deeper on how Billie Jean and the women helped make the US Open the first Grand Slam to award equal prize money in 1973. https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2023-03-30/milestones_in_equality_a_long_climb_to_equal_prize_money_at_the_four_grand_slams.html? Look good. Feel good. Play good. Check out the Ralph Lauren US Open Collection, including the looks inspired by the tournament’s iconic ball crew: https://www.ralphlauren.com/tennis-tournament-cg?ab=en_US_BANNER_SEO_1_S1_L2_   Thank you to our sponsor: -Ralph Lauren

  4. Olivia Miles Is Making WNBA History—and She’s Just Getting Started

    Aug 25

    Olivia Miles Is Making WNBA History—and She’s Just Getting Started

    WNBA rookie sensation Olivia Miles is at the party! The history-making point guard joins Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy and Billie Jean King as her rare combination of old-school playmaking and modern scoring puts her squarely in the MVP conversation. The crew also celebrates record-breaking crowds and ratings across women’s sports, previews the star power returning to the US Open and gets the story behind Kinger’s iconic blue suede Adidas shoes from the Battle of the Sexes. Plus, University of Arizona sophomore Zoe Suder shares how Zoe’s Goal and the More Than Four Challenge are turning her cancer journey into action for childhood cancer research.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Kinger’s blue suede shoes are BACK. Check out the adidas re-release of the shoes Billie Jean King made history in during the 1973 Battle of the Sexes: https://news.adidas.com/racket-sports/adidas-honors-billie-jean-king-with-the-return-of-her-iconic-blue-suede-shoe/s/7594f56e-e7a8-4153-8e8d-93946e77df1a Party People, it’s time to do More Than Four. Juggle anything more than four times, nominate four friends and donate more than $4 to help fund childhood cancer research through Zoe’s Goal. TAKE THE CHALLENGE: https://zoesgoal.org/ Kinger gave us homework: Title IX is only 37 words. Go read them: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination Keep up with Swaggy. Follow Olivia Miles on Instagram for more of the goggles, the swagger and her rookie ride with Minnesota: ​​https://www.instagram.com/_oliviamiles_/?hl=en   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  5. Iva Jovic’s US Open Rise and Her Plan to Become World No. 1

    Aug 27

    Iva Jovic’s US Open Rise and Her Plan to Become World No. 1

    At just 18 years old, Iva Jovic has surged from No. 389 in the world to entering her first US Open as a seeded player and she has no intention of stopping there. The American tennis phenom joins Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy and Billie Jean King to talk about her goal of becoming world No. 1, the “healthy delusion” it takes to believe you can beat anyone and why her secret to success is surprisingly simple: show up every day. Iva opens up about how her parents’ immigration story shaped her drive, the sibling rivalry that made her fiercely competitive and the routines helping her stay grounded and avoid burnout. Plus, she reveals why soccer is still her favorite sport, while Billie Jean challenges Iva and the next generation to lead women’s tennis forward on and off the court.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Keep up with Iva Jovic. Follow the 18-year-old rising star on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iva_jovic07/?hl=en Party People, follow Iva at the US Open! Check the official schedule and results as she takes on New York: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/index.html Iva gave it a rave review, so now it’s on our list too: WATCH Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter on Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H7KQQLWW?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  6. We Interviewed The Cast of Ted Lasso!

    Aug 4

    We Interviewed The Cast of Ted Lasso!

    Believe it, Party People: Ted Lasso is back and this time, women’s soccer is taking center stage. Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy and Billie Jean King sit down with Emmy-winning stars Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham for a joyful, thoughtful and very funny conversation about the long-awaited fourth season. Jason reveals how his daughter, the Lionesses, the New York Liberty and years of watching women’s sports inspired AFC Richmond’s new women’s team, and how real players and leaders helped shape the stories behind the season. Then, Hannah opens up about Rebecca Welton’s evolution, the subtle sexism women face in leadership and entertainment, mentoring other women and why true feminism sometimes means confronting your own blind spots. Plus, Jason reflects on how playing Ted has changed him, Hannah learns a legendary USWNT cheer and the Party puts both guests through a little musical chaos. It’s an episode about representation, leadership, belonging and the power of women’s sports, with plenty of laughs, heart and, naturally, a whole lot of belief.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store *for the month of August part of the proceeds will go to the Whale Foundation.   Keep the Party Going: Watch Season 4 of Ted Lasso this Wednesday:https://tv.apple.com/us/show/ted-lasso/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy WPBL - Women’s Professional Baseball Season Schedule:https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/ Learn more about the Whale Foundation: https://www.whalefoundation.org/   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  7. The Best Moments of Our Podcast!

    Aug 20

    The Best Moments of Our Podcast!

    Welcome to the Party is officially 100 episodes strong! 🎉 Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy and Billie Jean King celebrate the milestone by looking back at the conversations, guests and completely unhinged moments that made the first 100 parties unforgettable. They revisit how the show began with a chance conversation at an Angel City FC game, share the episodes and moments they still can’t stop thinking about, from Malala Yousafzai and Cynt Marshall to an unforgettable ultramarathon story and reveal their dream future guests, including Michelle and Barack Obama, Amy Poehler and Taylor Swift. Plus, the crew relives some of the show’s funniest moments, celebrates the incredible team behind the scenes and reflects on why creating more space for women’s sports stories matters now more than ever. One hundred episodes, 31 sports, seven decades of women’s sports history and a whole lot of laughter later, the party is only getting started. Thank you, Party People. 💯🥳   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Check out our giant list of 100+ women’s sports podcasts and shows worth adding to your rotation: https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com/p/party-people-its-our-100th-episode GO BACK TO: Rachel Entrekin’s incredible Cocodona 250 conversation and the question we still can’t stop thinking about: Do you like the person you become when things get hard? It's Hard Not To Like The Person You Become Malala Yousafzai joined the party to talk about women’s sports, changing what the next generation sees and so much more: Malala Took a Bullet. Now She’s Building Women’s Sports GO BACK TO: Our conversation with Swin Cash and Danette Leighton about the future of Title IX and college sports:Why 90% of New College Sports Revenue is Planned for Male Athletes GO BACK TO: Cynt Marshall joins the party: https://youtu.be/R9YMKtF2bCQ?si=QIq-LTSeY4my02VX   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  8. How Sarah Spain Used Traditional Sports Media to Build the Future

    Aug 18

    How Sarah Spain Used Traditional Sports Media to Build the Future

    Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist and Good Game host Sarah Spain finally joins the party! Sarah gets into why she’s betting big on women’s sports, literally, what she learned from becoming a team investor, and why leaving the daily grind of men’s sports coverage has brought more joy and purpose to her work. She also opens up about navigating sexism throughout her career, the growing tension between journalism and rage-bait, and why trustworthy, thoughtful coverage will be essential as women’s sports continue to explode. Then, Sarah introduces Abby and Julie to the idea of “collective effervescence”, the shared energy we feel when we experience something together and perfectly explains why women’s sports can feel like so much more than sports. Plus: Kelsie Whitmore’s post-WTTP home run tear, a legendary weekend for women’s basketball, an unforgettable WAFCON run, the Maryland Charm make history, Sarah flexes her improv skills, and the Party tries the impossible: stumping Sarah Spain.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Get your daily women’s sports fix; listen to The Good Game with Sarah Spain: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-game-with-sarah-spain/id1752100672 More Spainer in your feed? Yes please. Follow: https://www.instagram.com/spain2323/ Want to go deeper on “collective effervescence”? Read Jia Tolentino’s: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/05/27/losing-religion-and-finding-ecstasy-in-houston Gio Canali’s possible goal of the year: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db9poIHtl_O/ The Welcome to the Party effect is real! Here’s where it all started with Kelsie Whitmore: youtube.com/watch?si=EO3coHz3Wc-MxVAt&v=0rcw12-cvwc&feature=youtu.be Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  9. It's Hard Not To Like The Person You Become

    Aug 11

    It's Hard Not To Like The Person You Become

    What deserves our attention in women’s sports and what are we choosing to amplify? Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach and Billie Jean King dig into the noise surrounding the WNBA, from Caitlin Clark and the league’s growing pains to the stories of joy, excellence and record-breaking performances they’d rather see dominating the conversation. Plus, they break down new research from the Women’s Sports Foundation on movement and body appreciation, react to the Cleveland Sirens’ vision for building a WNBA franchise around women’s sports fans, and somehow find their way to “Boob Gate” at the Tour de France Femmes. Then, record-breaking ocean rower Kelsey Pfendler joins the party fresh off spending 43 days, 17 hours and 55 minutes alone at sea, rowing more than 2,400 miles from California to Hawaii. Kelsey takes us inside the storms, extreme sleep deprivation, meticulous preparation and very real fear that came with becoming the fastest person, man or woman, to complete the solo crossing. She shares why bravery can’t exist without fear, how endurance is as much emotional as it is physical, and why getting older might actually make us better at doing really hard things.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Women’s Sports Foundation Built to Move Study: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Built-to-Move.pdf  Our episode with the Authors of Fair Game where we take a deep dive into Transgender athletes: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Trans Athletes Follow Kelsey Pfendler:https://www.instagram.com/kelseypfendler/?hl=en Part of our proceeds from our merch this month will go to the Whale Foundation, the organization that helped Kelsey through some of her toughest times:https://www.whalefoundation.org/   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  10. What Everyone Gets Wrong About Trans Athletes

    Jul 23

    What Everyone Gets Wrong About Trans Athletes

    In Part 1 of this special three-part series, Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach and Billie Jean King take on one of the most complex and emotionally charged conversations in sports today: transgender athletes and the future of women's sports. Joined by Fair Game: Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports authors Dr. Anna Baeth and Ellie Roscher, they explore the facts, science, history and policy behind a debate that has become deeply politicized. Together, they examine questions of fairness, inclusion and opportunity while challenging common misconceptions with data, expert research and the lived experiences of transgender athletes. From the role of Title IX and the realities of elite competition to youth sports, body autonomy and what fairness in sports truly means, this conversation invites listeners to slow down, ask questions and engage with empathy. Even when the answers aren't simple. Whether you're uncertain, curious or firmly opinionated, this episode offers space to listen, learn and better understand one of the defining issues in sports today. *Since this episode was recorded, the WTA announced that all players will be required to undergo one-time SRY gene testing to compete on the women’s tour, bringing tennis into compliance with the IOC’s eligibility requirements ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.* Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: If you want to learn more or go deeper on some of the things we discussed today, here are a few resources we recommend: 1. Chris Mosier's website is the place to go for action steps and the most up to date policy information: https://www.transathlete.com/ 2. Fair Game by Ellie Roscher and Anna Baeth: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/fair-game-trans-athletes-and-the-future-of-sports/ 3. There are free resources to pair with the book-- a book discussion guide for folks who want to read FAIR GAME in groups and go deeper and writing prompts for cis folks to explore their cis identity: https://ellieroscher.com/books/fair-game 4. Testosterone: An Unauthorized Biography by Rebecca Jordan-Young and Katrina Karkazis:  5. Fair Play by Katie Barnes: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/fair-play-how-sports-shape-the-gender-debates_katie-barnes/  Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  11. How A World Cup Legend Became President of US Soccer

    Aug 6

    How A World Cup Legend Became President of US Soccer

    U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone joins Welcome to the Party for a candid conversation about leading American soccer through one of the most transformative eras in its history. From negotiating equal pay and rebuilding trust within U.S. Soccer to opening the new Arthur M. Blank National Training Center and preparing for the 2027 Women’s World Cup and a historic 2031 tournament on home soil, Cindy shares what it really takes to lead through uncertainty. Abby, Julie, Billie Jean and Cindy also break down FIFA’s abandoned private investment proposal, why the men’s World Cup changed the conversation around soccer in America, Mauricio Pochettino’s contract extension, Emma Hayes’ lasting impact, and the work still ahead to make youth soccer more affordable, accessible and fun. It’s an inspiring conversation about leadership, teamwork, and why the future of American soccer has never looked brighter.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Learn more about the Whale Foundation: https://www.whalefoundation.org/ U.S. Soccer Forward Foundation: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/06/us-soccer-launches-soccer-forward-foundation   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  12. Julia Gets Wise with Billie Jean King

    04/24/2024

    Julia Gets Wise with Billie Jean King

    Today on Wiser Than Me, Julia sits down with 80-year-old tennis pro, activist, and LGBTQ+ icon Billie Jean King. Billie Jean delves into the nature of leadership, visualization, and her long journey towards self-acceptance. Inspired by the sports legend, Julia asks Billie Jean for advice about her niece’s college soccer career, as well as revealing the original spark that lit her own love of sports. Additionally, Julia’s mom, Judy, reflects on her generation's acceptance of societal norms and the transformative power of the feminist movement.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.   Keep up with Billie Jean King @billiejeanking on Instagram.   Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  13. How Kelsie Whitmore Became the #1 Overall Pick in Women’s Pro Baseball History

    Aug 13

    How Kelsie Whitmore Became the #1 Overall Pick in Women’s Pro Baseball History

    Welcome to the Party is launching its first-ever Book Club with Billie Jean King’s new book, See It to Be It, co-written with Liz Robbins and featuring 11 athletes who are changing what the next generation can imagine. Then, one of those athletes joins the party: history-making baseball player Kelsie Whitmore. The Savannah Bananas star and first overall pick in the new Women’s Pro Baseball League opens up about growing up as the only girl on the field, the isolation and pressure that came with competing in male-dominated spaces, and the emotional moment she finally stepped onto a field surrounded by women who understood that experience. Kelsie also shares what it meant to receive the torch from baseball pioneer Maybelle Blair, why she never gave up on the game she loved, and her message to the next generation: dream big, believe in yourself, and never let anyone else define the version of you that belongs. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Billie Jean King’s new book, See It to Be It: https://a.co/d/0axjnoVJ Books By Billie Jean King: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/74527.Billie_Jean_King WPBL Baseball Schedule: https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/ Follow Kelsie Whitmore:https://www.instagram.com/kelsie_whitmore/?hl=en Maybelle Blair throwing out the first pitch:https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbl60zFGVeI/ At 95, Maybelle Blair came out to the world, her incredible Story:https://www.mlb.com/news/maybelle-blair-on-coming-out-at-95-and-a-new-league-of-their-own   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  14. The Biggest World Cup Reunion

    Jul 16

    The Biggest World Cup Reunion

    It’s the ultimate World Cup reunion as Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy bring together generations of U.S. Women’s National Team legends, including Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry, Kristine Lilly, Becky Sauerbrunn, Julie Ertz and more. The group reflects on the joy, energy and community surrounding this World Cup, breaks down the U.S. men’s heartbreaking exit and gets candid about what was missing when the pressure was highest. Then, the ’99ers and 2015 champions share emotional, hilarious and rarely heard stories from their own World Cup runs, from the moment they realized an entire country was behind them to the goals, saves, locker-room memories and lifelong sisterhood that changed women’s soccer forever. It’s a celebration of the players who built the game, the generations who carried it forward and the unforgettable feeling of representing your country on the world’s biggest stage. Follow the 99er’s movie and celebrate all things 99ers: https://www.instagram.com/the99ersteam/ Becky Sauerbrunn - Catch Teaming Up With Becky Sauerbrunn weekly podcast (part of Sam Mewis’s The Women’s Game podcast). https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtNimwVrgGBLKQYK-7MgDDmZFIywBhKrx And follow Becky on social @reeba04 https://www.instagram.com/reeba04/  Julie Ertz - Listen to Julie’s amazing new podcast Style of Play, co-hosted with Kealia Watt - https://styleofplayshow.com/ - And follow Julie on social @julieertz - https://www.instagram.com/julieertz/  Michelle Akers - Co-founder of Storied Sports, a storytelling and athlete IP company - https://www.storiedsports.com/team-2 - And follow Michelle on social at @officialmichelleakers - https://www.instagram.com/officialmichelleakers/  Briana Scurry - Follow Briana at https://briscurry.com/ - And follow Briana on social, @briscurry - https://www.instagram.com/briscurry/  Mia Hamm - Co-founder of the Mia Hamm Foundation and part-owner of Angel City FC - https://www.miafoundation.org/ - And follow Mia on social, @miahamm - https://www.instagram.com/miahamm/  Kristine Lilly - Runs the Kristine Lilly Soccer Academy, Author of POWERHOUSE, and member of the NWSL team Boston Legacy’s Athlete Advisory Board. - https://kristinelilly13.com/book/ and https://kristinelilly13.com/klsa-camp/ - And follow Kristine on social, @kristinelilly - https://www.instagram.com/kristinelilly/  Brandi Chastain - Co-founder of NWSL team, Bay FC. - https://bayfc.com/ - And follow Brandi on social, @bchastain6 - https://www.instagram.com/bchastain6/ Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Thank you to our sponsors: Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  15. Inside the Mind of England’s Greatest Footballer

    Jul 28

    Inside the Mind of England’s Greatest Footballer

    Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy are back from vacation with family reunions, wakeboarding injuries and one very bold Tahoe bear, then it’s straight into a packed week in women’s sports. They break down the biggest moments from WNBA All-Star Weekend, celebrate new champions in softball and women’s tackle football, catch up on the U.S. track and field championships and unpack the World Cup Google searches that had everyone asking the important questions…like whether Europe has ranch. Then, live from Gotham FC’s record-breaking Queens Classic at Citi Field, Abby and Julie sit down with English football legend Lucy Bronze. The most decorated English footballer of all time opens up about watching the women’s game transform around her, the childhood Google search that led her to UNC, playing through the Euros with a broken leg and why “Tough” is quite literally her middle name. Lucy also reflects on her autism and ADHD diagnoses, the response she received after speaking publicly about them, the future of women’s football and whether an NWSL chapter could ever be in the cards. It’s a conversation about toughness, visibility, untapped talent and the barriers women’s sports continue to smash, one record-breaking night at a time. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Follow Lucy Bronze: https://www.instagram.com/lucybronze/ Gotham’s Record Breaking Queen’s Classic: https://www.gothamfc.com/schedule/washington-spirit-2026-07-16 Check out the WNBA’s Instagram for all the great highlights of the weekend: https://www.instagram.com/wnba The StudBudz excited when “The President” Caitlin Clark stops by the Stream to drop off her new Nike Caitlin 1 shoe: https://x.com/sluggahjells/status/2081147650900922446?s=48 President Obama dropping by the WNBA All Star Practice: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbLj6QfxQVO/ Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  16. Julie Foudy & Abby Wambach Answer Your Crazy Sports Questions

    Jun 25

    Julie Foudy & Abby Wambach Answer Your Crazy Sports Questions

    In this Party People Q&A episode, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King hand the mic over to the listeners and tackle the questions everyone actually wants answered. From the very real challenge of returning to sports in midlife, when your brain remembers one body and your knees remember another, to the eternal mystery of soccer’s offside rule, the trio brings their signature mix of wisdom, honesty, and chaos. Billie shares why strength, patience, and listening to your body matter more than trying to jump back in at full speed, Abby talks about learning new sports and taking ownership of your own growth, and Julie makes a passionate case for why offside keeps soccer beautiful, strategic, and just confusing enough to keep parents yelling from the sidelines. They also get into youth coaching, how kids can build confidence and skill outside of formal training, what makes a women’s sports league worth investing in, and the story behind the Welcome to the Party theme song. Plus: Billie’s iconic red glasses, Julie’s fancy hats, and a reminder that this party belongs to the Party People.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store  SUBSTACK - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  17. The Volleyball Star Who Changed The Game

    Jul 30

    The Volleyball Star Who Changed The Game

    Nebraska volleyball star Harper Murray joins Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy live from Fanatics Fest to talk about her rise as one of college volleyball’s biggest names. Harper reflects on playing in front of a record-breaking 92,003 fans, navigating NIL and social media, prioritizing her mental health and stepping into a leadership role ahead of her senior season. She also shares what she has learned from Nebraska’s toughest NCAA Tournament losses, what makes Cornhusker volleyball culture so special and how she is preparing for another national championship run, before facing Abby and Julie in a chaotic live volleyball challenge.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Follow Harper on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/harpermurrayy/ Nebraska’s Schedule:https://huskers.com/sports/volleyball/schedule Nebraska to play a 1 Million Dollar Game at AT&T Stadium: https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/49471859/marquee-matchups-set-1m-women-volleyball-exhibition    Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  18. The Wild Story of Hockey’s Ultimate BFFs

    Jul 21

    The Wild Story of Hockey’s Ultimate BFFs

    Olympic gold medalists, three-time national champions and lifelong best friends K.K. Harvey and Laila Edwards are joining the party—along with tennis icon Billie Jean King. For more than a decade, K.K. and Laila have trained, lived and won together. Now, after being selected by different PWHL expansion teams, they're preparing to face off as professional rivals. They take us behind their unforgettable Olympic gold-medal run, winning another NCAA championship with Wisconsin just weeks later, and the friendship that gave them the confidence to believe they belonged on the world's biggest stage. Laila reflects on making history as the first Black woman to win Olympic hockey gold for Team USA and what it means to inspire the next generation of young athletes. K.K. shares why she always knew Laila would make the national team—even before Laila believed it herself. Plus, they reveal the truth behind their hilariously short-lived attempt at raising a bunny, put their TikTok skills to the test with Julie, Abby and Billie Jean, and answer who is most likely to lose an Olympic medal, miss the team bus or own the dance floor. In the Party Starter, we celebrate the record-breaking rise of women's rugby, professional women's hockey, and adaptive and para sports. Come for the Olympic champions. Stay for the bunny drama. Welcome to the Party!   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store    Keep the Party Going: Follow KK on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kkharvey/ and TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@kkharvey4/ Follow Laila on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/laila_edwards/ and TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@ledwards21 Women’s Elite Rugby Schedule:https://www.womenseliterugby.us/2026-schedule   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

  19. Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, & Billie Jean King On The Importance of Women's Sports

    Jul 22

    Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, & Billie Jean King On The Importance of Women's Sports

    Billie Jean King joins Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy for a powerful conversation about equality, leadership, and the confidence sports can build in girls. Recorded in partnership with Dove, the episode explores how sports, representation, and positive role models can help girls develop body confidence, find their voices, and recognize their own potential.Billie Jean reflects on the “Battle of the Sexes,” the sacrifices that transformed women’s sports, and the advice she gave that helped inspire the U.S. Women’s National Team’s pursuit of equal pay. Together, they discuss the importance of asking for what you deserve, the responsibility each generation has to move the game forward, and how one person’s courage can create lasting change. Plus, plenty of laughs—and a reminder that helping the next generation of girls feel confident in who they are can change far more than the game. This special episode of Welcome to the Party is presented by Dove. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com   Keep the Party Going: From now until December 31st, your Dove purchase keeps girls in sports! Go to http://dove.com/purchasetodonate to learn more.   Thank you to our sponsors: Dove

  20. A World Cup Starter Pack for People Who Don't Understand Soccer

    Jul 9

    A World Cup Starter Pack for People Who Don't Understand Soccer

    The World Cup party continues with a very special crossover. Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach are joined by Glennon Doyle and Amanda Doyle from We Can Do Hard Things for the ultimate World Cup starter pack. From offsides and yellow cards to why the World Cup feels like one giant global sleepover, Julie and Abby break down the beautiful game for anyone who is watching, pretending to understand, or fully emotionally invested. Plus, Abby and Julie react to the USMNT’s heartbreaking exit, talk through the grief of a tough World Cup loss, and explain why cheering for the men’s team also supports the women’s team thanks to U.S. Soccer’s equal pay agreement. It’s soccer, feelings, whiteboards, accountability, and just enough chaos to make this a true party.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com   Keep the Party Going: Get more Glennon and Amanda on We Can Do Hard Things: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-can-do-hard-things/id1564530722   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Billie Jean King on Apple