The Golden State Valkyries just made history as the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs — and they did it in style. But while the Valkyries are soaring,  injuries in the WNBA are piling up. So Kaari's digging into the whys and what’s next regarding the league’s injury crisis.

This week’s Listener Question takes us court side: how do teams decide which basket to shoot at in the first and second halves? (Spoiler: there’s more strategy to it than you’d think.)

And of course, it wouldn’t be Her Game Her Voice without the awards:

🏆 Buzzer Beater: Valkyries Guard Veronica Burton earns her flowers as the WNBA's Most Improved Player.

❌ Airball: WNBA broadcast graphics and timing — because seriously — we want to see the game.

🚫 Flagrant Foul: Atlanta Dream’s shiny black court somehow manages to disappear players and confuse viewers at the same time.

Kaari's got big wins, big injuries, and big misses — all in one little episode!

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

The Golden State Valkyries just cracked open a surprise — literally. Outside Chase Center, a giant violet egg hatched their brand-new mascot:  Violet the Raven. Host Kaari Peterson breaks down Violet's egg-cellent debut and the Norse mythology behind “Ballhalla.”

Next up, it’s tech time: The WNBA’s partnership with Second Spectrum is bringing full-court optical tracking and mind-bending analytics to the league. From sharper coaching to smarter storytelling, Kaari dives into how data is reshaping the game.

And we can't forget — this week’s awards:

🏆 Buzzer Beater: Sue Bird gets immortalized in bronze

❌ Airball: An all-male officiating crew in a WNBA game (seriously?)

🚫 Flagrant Foul: The bizarre wave of sex-toy tossing on W courts

Hit play, and let’s talk mascots, mythology and motion capture.

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🔗 Follow me on IG: @hergamehervoice

💌 Send a question for a future episode: [email protected]

🎧 Rate & review to help more fans find the show!

#WNBA #HerGameHerVoice #GSValkyries #WomensBasketball #Ballhalla

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

From buzzer beaters to busted myths, this episode of Her Game Her Voice brings the heat. Host Kaari Peterson kicks things off with a Golden State Valkyries update — including key injuries, road trip fatigue, and what’s ahead for the WNBA’s newest franchise.

Then it’s time to mythbust: What does revenue sharing actually look like in the W? Why does revenue sharing matter? Kaari separates fact from fiction, and dives into some of the most persistent misconceptions about the WNBA.

And finally — this week’s award winners:

🏀 Buzzer Beater: Paige Bueckers’ custom Gatorade flavor, inspired by her favorite drink — the Shirley Temple

🏀 Airball: The NCAA March Madness Committee (yes, still)

🏀 Flagrant Foul: WNBA leadership and ownership for dragging their feet on league-wide charter flights

Hit play, and let’s get hoopin'!

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

Hey Hoop Heads — I’m back with a fully loaded All-Star edition of Her Game Her Voice and I’ve got a lot to share including:

🏀 A break down the highs, lows, and the "meh" of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis

📣 A fantastic listener question about the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (spoiler: it’s a BIG DEAL)

👕 Thoughts about the players’ bold “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts

💬 And of course, the Awards are back including:

• An Airball for ESPN Analyst Elle Duncan’s Cancun comment… it was wild
• A Flagrant Foul for All-Star Kelsey Plum’s “not to tattletale” press conference statement

Plus, shoutout to the STUDBUDZ for giving us the best All-Star weekend content (Napheesa Collier agrees with me on this.) 🐶✨

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🔗 Follow me on IG: @hergamehervoice

💌 Send a question for a future episode: [email protected]

🎧 Rate & review to help more fans find the show!

#WNBA #AllStar2025 #HerGameHerVoice #WNBPA #CBA #WomensBasketball

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

Guess what? The Indiana Fever came to Ballhalla… and left with an L.

In this episode of Her Game Her Voice, host Kaari Peterson breaks down the Golden State Valkyries’ electric win over the Fever, the escalating physicality in the WNBA (hello, Fever vs. Sun skirmish), and what the Commissioner’s Cup prize money really looks like for players. Spoiler: crypto’s involved.

Plus, we head back to the classroom with Coach Tara VanDerveer for a masterclass in officiating from legendary ref Violet Palmer — and Kaari tries to make a charge/block call in real time (it does not go well).

Stick around for the buzzer beater, airball, and flagrant foul awards:

Who’s the most valuable WNBA franchise now?

Who needs a serious lesson about merch and branding?

Who's in foul trouble? Again...

It’s big stories, little episodes, and a whole lot of love for women’s hoops.

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

This week on Her Game Her Voice, host Kaari Peterson brings the heat with the latest from the Golden State Valkyries, including a dominant win over the Aces and the signing of MSU Spartan alum Aerial Powers. Listener Pillar from Michigan asks: “What is a WNBA hardship contract?” — and Kaari breaks it down.

Also in this episode: a hard look at the WNBA’s shocking pay gap, with insights from Nobel Prize-winning economist Claudia Goldin. Plus, the HGHV Awards return with Rookie of the Month Kiki Iriafen’s monster debut and a Flagrant Foul for Brittney Griner’s sideline outburst that sparked a viral controversy.

As always, it’s fast-paced, unfiltered, and all about the women who shape the game.

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

In this episode of Her Game Her Voice, we’re diving into:

🏀 How the Golden State Valkyries’ rookies are settling in

📍 Where Princeton’s Kaitlyn Chen is now (hint: she’s not done dazzling us)

🎤 Tara VanDerveer’s thoughts on building a pipeline for women coaches

💡 A listener question on the WNBA 3-point line (and what it says about the women’s game)

🎖 Plus, the Awards return with this week’s:

• Buzzer Beater: A coaching win that deserves a mic drop
• Airball: Lopsided local coverage (aka no love for the Valkyries)
• Flagrant Foul: The refs are getting side-eyed

It’s hoops, history, and a little humor—because women’s basketball deserves all three!

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

Graduation milestones, expansion excitement, and growing pains on and off the court. In this episode, Kaari returns after a short break to celebrate her daughter’s college graduation — and the WNBA’s 29th season tip-off. 

She shares her firsthand experience as a Golden State Valkyries season ticket holder at the team’s much-anticipated home opener, including standout moments, second-half struggles, and a halftime performance that sparked some strong opinions. 

Plus:

• A quick history of WNBA expansion team expectations
• Thoughts on the early identity of the Valkyries
• Why fan traditions matter — and how they start
• Listener Q: Why do women play with a smaller basketball?
• This week’s Buzzer Beater (shoutout to the record-setting All-Star ticket sales!)
• And of course, an Air Ball Award you don’t want to miss

Whether you’re new to the league or already yelling “GSV! GSV!” at your screen — this episode is for you.

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

In this episode of Her Game. Her Voice., Kaari Peterson takes you inside the 2025 WNBA Draft—from a surprising pick by the Golden State Valkyries to their bold international roster strategy. Plus, what’s with cutting down basketball nets? We’ve got answers. Kelsey Plum’s DAWG camp earns this week’s Buzzer Beater, and Kaari hands out an Airball Award to a missed merchandising opportunity. And yes, she’s got thoughts on the decline in girls’ basketball participation—and why it deserves a Flagrant Foul. Packed with insight, side-eyes, and love for the game.

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

In this episode, I shine a spotlight on Belmont University legend Betty Wiseman—aka “Belmont Betty”—and the extraordinary legacy she built for women’s basketball in the Southeast. I’ll also take you back to the 2002 Final Four in San Antonio, where a surprise encounter with Pat Summitt left me speechless. 

Plus: this year’s NCAA title game delivered huge viewership, proving that women’s hoops is here to stay. As always, we close with our weekly awards: a Flagrant Foul for a coach who crossed the line, and an Airball for a Hall of Fame that’s missing a key member.

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson