9 episodes

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad burst onto the field back in 1972—the same year Title IX passed, the same year Deep Throat came out, and a year before Roe v. Wade. Sarah Hepola digs into the untold stories behind the global pop culture phenomenon, from the stripper who allegedly inspired the squad's creation, to a scandalous Playboy cover shoot that was actually a battle over fair wages, to the ongoing debate about sexuality and women’s bodies in a post-#MeToo world. The result is a vibrant mix of history, cultural criticism, and storytelling, featuring interviews with New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino, award-winning novelist Ben Fountain, Oscar-nominated director Dana Adam Shapiro, local television sports legend Dale Hansen, folk-writing hero Joe Nick Patoski, and a whole bunch of cheerleaders whose names you don’t know yet—but should.

America's Girls Texas Monthly

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 447 Ratings

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad burst onto the field back in 1972—the same year Title IX passed, the same year Deep Throat came out, and a year before Roe v. Wade. Sarah Hepola digs into the untold stories behind the global pop culture phenomenon, from the stripper who allegedly inspired the squad's creation, to a scandalous Playboy cover shoot that was actually a battle over fair wages, to the ongoing debate about sexuality and women’s bodies in a post-#MeToo world. The result is a vibrant mix of history, cultural criticism, and storytelling, featuring interviews with New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino, award-winning novelist Ben Fountain, Oscar-nominated director Dana Adam Shapiro, local television sports legend Dale Hansen, folk-writing hero Joe Nick Patoski, and a whole bunch of cheerleaders whose names you don’t know yet—but should.

    1. The Rise to Fame

    1. The Rise to Fame

    The modern Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders launch in 1972 and rocket to national fame. For more on this and other episodes, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

    • 40 min
    2. All That Glitters

    2. All That Glitters

    The cheerleaders enjoy the glamor of sudden fame, while grappling with low pay and the dangers of celebrity. For more on this and all episodes, go to texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

    • 35 min
    3. Naked Ambition

    3. Naked Ambition

    A group of former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders pose topless in Playboy, and the Cowboys go to court to protect their brand. For more on this and every episode of America's Girls, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

    • 38 min
    4. The Uniform

    4. The Uniform

    The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders uniform is iconic, a symbol of Texas culture for half a century. But its origin story remains remarkably unsettled. For more on this and other episodes, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

    • 41 min
    5. The Rules

    5. The Rules

    No appearances near alcohol. No fraternizing with players. Being a Cowboys cheerleader has always meant living by a long list of rules. But do those rules help protect the cheerleaders, or control them? For more on this and every episode of America's Girls, visit texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

    • 49 min
    6. The Perfect Look

    6. The Perfect Look

    It’s not just about being the right weight. It’s about having the right hair, the right skin, the right boobs, the right legs. Only a very particular kind of beautiful woman gets to wear that uniform. More on this and all episodes at texasmonthly.com/americas-girls.

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
447 Ratings

447 Ratings

Ms. Belshaw ,

Couldn’t stop listening

This was such a captivating podcast! Written and narrated so well! I wanted to watch this this podcast- I wanted to see the faces of the past members that were interviewed and any of the documents or pages of the DCC handbook. Always been a fan of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and this was great to listen to after binge watching the Netflix series. Great job Sarah!!!

AmaLeen1 ,

Love the transparency on the evolution of DCC

I’ve been a big fan of DCC since season one of CMT making the team. I’m so happy to find this podcast. I love her narration and fact finding and interviews. I’ve recommended it to my friends and family who are big Dallas Cowboys football and DCC fans!

ChikaNYC ,

Great info but a little over produced

I’m having a fun time listening so far, but I did find all the background music distracting. I felt relief whenever the music cut out and it was just the voices talking. I wish there was about 80% less background music.

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