Blind Landing

Ari Saperstein
  • 4.8 (1.6K)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • SERIES
Blind Landing Podcast

Blind Landing is an award-winning independent documentary podcast. Hosted by Ari Saperstein, the series goes behind the scenes in the world of Olympic sports including gymnastics and figure skating. Blind Landing has been featured in dozens of publications around the world, including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture and Elle. The series was named one of The Atlantic’s Best Podcasts of 2021, a 2022 Webby Awards & AIPS Awards honoree, and won the 2023 Ambie Award for Best Independent Podcast.

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  1. EPISODE 1

    The Trifecta: How Simone, Suni, & Gabby Made History

    On May 18th 2024, the gymnastics world saw something that had never happened before: the return of three Olympic all-around champions. Host Ari Saperstein unpacks this historic story with producer Maddie Bender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    How Female Gymnasts In Their 20s Became The Frontrunners For Olympic Gold (with Emily Giambavlo from The Washington Post)

    The story for nearly half a century has been that youth is the key to women’s gymnastics –– but in recent years, there’s been a surge of female gymnasts in their twenties dominating the sport. Emily Giambalvo from The Washington Post joins host Ari Saperstein to break down how everything we were told about success in gymnastics got turned upside down. You can follow Emily at @EmilyGiam on Twitter and read all her work at www.washingtonpost.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    29 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Assembling The World’s Best Gymnastics Team (with author Dvora Meyers)

    At most US Olympic Trials, you earn your spot by being the top finisher. In sports like track & field and swimming, it’s the top finishers who get to compete at the Paris Games this summer. Gymnastics doesn’t work that way –– but some people think it should. Unpacking this messy, subjective process are two guests: Dvora Meyers, author of The End Of The Perfect 10, and Emily Giambalvo, reporter at The Washington Post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    38 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Inside The 2024 Gymnastics Olympic Trials

    Host Ari Saperstein takes us inside the arena at the 2024 US Olympic Trials for women’s gymnastics. Today’s episode is a collection of moments from the competition in Minneapolis, from the Olympic Box Suite to Press Conferences to drinks with Nadia Comaneci. Featuring: Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Joscelyn Roberson, Matt Cowan, Erica Schnebel, Alicia Sacramone Quinn, Chellsie Memmel, Sarah Korngold and, of course, Cecilia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    37 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo & Levi Jung-Ruivivar On Representing The Philippines In Paris

    We’ve got a Blind Landing exclusive today: The first group interview with the female gymnasts representing the Philippines in Paris. Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Jung-Ruivivar are the first female gymnasts in 60 years to represent the Philippines at the Olympics. Host Ari Saperstein sat down with the trio to chat about their journeys to Paris, their connections to their heritage and their role in supporting the growth of gymnastics in the Philippines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    51 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Olympic Stories: Rebeca Andrade & Illia Kovtun

    To kick-off the start of Olympic gymnastics at the 2024 Paris games, we've put together a little showcase of our previous profiles about a couple of the top contenders. Rebeca Andrade from Brazil & Illia Kovtun from Ukraine both have had remarkable journeys to Paris that we break down on today's retrospective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    46 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Paris Olympics: Team Final (with Danusia Francis-Reid)

    Throughout this week, we’ll be bringing you special episodes debriefing the gymnastics competitions at the 2024 Olympics. Today, we’re breaking down the women’s team final and with guest co-host Danusia Francis-Reed, a commentator and former Olympic gymnast who competed for Great Britain, Jamaica and UCLA. On this episode, we chat about the “redemption tour” by Simone Biles and the US women, the historic achievements by Brazil & Italy and the importance of leadership and group morale in team competitions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    27 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Paris Olympics: All-Around Final (with Monica Padman)

    Today on Blind Landing, we’re breaking down the women’s gymnastics all-around final with guest co-host Monica Padman, host of the podcast Armchair Expert. On this episode, we talk about the battle of the champions as returning Olympic champions Simone Biles, Suni Lee & Rebeca Andrade face off in one of the most exciting match-ups in Olympic history. Blind Landing is an award-winning, independently produced podcast hosted by journalist Ari Saperstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 min

  9. EPISODE 9

    Paris Olympics: Floor Controversy & Athlete Camaraderie (feat. Olympians Betty Okino & Shallon Olsen)

    On today’s episode of Blind Landing… 0:00 - 13:00: The women's floor final controversy explained 13:00 - 40:00: Olympic legend Betty Okino joins us to talk about the past and present of friendships amongst gymnasts 40:00- End: Paris Olympian Shallon Olsen calls in to talk about camaraderie at the games As we wrap up our coverage of the Paris Olympics on this packed episode, we start by explaining the breaking story around the women's gymnastics floor final and everything that led to the IOC reallocating the bronze medal initially given to Jordan Chiles. Then, we look back at the images that have come to define women's gymnastics at these games. Betty Okino, an Olympian & USA Gymnastics National team staff member, joins us to compare the past and present of camaraderie and representation in the sport. Betty talks about the rise of Black gymnasts in the sport, Rebeca Andrade’s reputation, how Suni Lee and Jade Carey help set the tone for friendships at national team camps, and a conversation she had with Oprah about gymnastics. And finally, Olympic gymnast Shallon Olsen recounts a story of support between herself and French gymnast Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos. Blind Landing is an award-winning independent podcast hosted by journalist Ari Saperstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    47 min

  10. EPISODE 10

    Announcement From Blind Landing

    We've got a special episode coming out this week and we want your help! Send your thoughts, questions and insight to blindlandingpodcast at gmail dot come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    2 min

  11. EPISODE 11

    Accountability In Gymnastics: Part 1

    Has the FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) operated ethically in the wake of the Olympic floor final controversy? Or are they violating their own policies and standards? That’s what we’ll explore in the first episode of a two-part deep dive from Blind Landing. You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives and expertise as we talk through these issues with Olympic gymnast Lieke Wevers, US Congressman Steve Cohen, professor Andrea Geurin & gymnastics judge Kathi-Sue Rupp. Blind Landing is an award-winning independent podcast hosted by journalist Ari Saperstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    34 min

  12. EPISODE 12

    Accountability In Gymnastics: Part 2

    Will the FIG learn from the lessons of the Paris Olympics? Who will hold them accountable?  That’s what we’ll explore in the second episode of a two-part deep dive from Blind Landing. You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives and expertise as we talk through these issues with Olympic gymnast Lieke Wevers, US Congressman Steve Cohen, professor Andrea Geurin & gymnastics judge Kathi-Sue Rupp. Blind Landing is an award-winning independent podcast hosted by journalist Ari Saperstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    23 min
See All Season 3 (12)

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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
1,646 Ratings

About

Blind Landing is an award-winning independent documentary podcast. Hosted by Ari Saperstein, the series goes behind the scenes in the world of Olympic sports including gymnastics and figure skating. Blind Landing has been featured in dozens of publications around the world, including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture and Elle. The series was named one of The Atlantic’s Best Podcasts of 2021, a 2022 Webby Awards & AIPS Awards honoree, and won the 2023 Ambie Award for Best Independent Podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Ari Saperstein
  • Episodes
    28
  • Seasons
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021
  • Show Website
    Blind Landing

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