Mixed Doubles: A Women's Sports Podcast

In this episode of the Mixed Doubles podcast, hosts Maggie Robinson and Josh Smythe-Macaulay sat down with Sonja Stills, Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Stills, the first woman to hold this position in MEAC's history, discusses her career journey, facing imposter syndrome, and her commitment to elevating HBCU athletics. The episode covers the importance of strategic partnerships, the impact of the changing landscape of college athletics, NIL implications, and the significance of diversity and inclusion initiatives. Stills’ vibrant energy and dedication are palpable as she shares inspiring stories about leading with intention and making a difference in the world of college sports.

Hang around after to episode for The Debrief ™ where Maggie and Josh break down the episode and catch up on life.

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In this episode of the Mixed Doubles podcast, hosts Maggie Robinson and Josh Smythe-Macaulay sit down with Robin Harris, the executive director of the Ivy League. With backgrounds as former Division I Ivy League student-athletes and employees in professional sports, Maggie and Josh explore Robin's career, impact, and vision for the Ivy League. The conversation delves into the unique characteristics and values of the Ivy League, including the focus on balancing academics with athletics, health and safety initiatives, and the implications of recent developments such as NIL and the House vs. NCAA settlement. The episode also highlights the Ivy League's media rights deal with ESPN and the ongoing commitment to providing a holistic student-athlete experience. Robin shares her insights on the evolution of the league, her career journey, and the broader landscape of college athletics. The episode closes with reflections from Maggie and Josh on their personal experiences as Ivy League athletes.

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In this episode of the Mixed Doubles Podcast, hosts Maggie Robinson and Josh Smythe Macaulay bring you all the updates from around women's sports, from college athletics to professional leagues. The conversation opens with the impact of the recent House vs NCAA lawsuit on mid-major women's sports teams. They delve into the growth of women-specific sports bars, the ongoing dramatic expansion in women's hockey, and the inaugural season of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, backed by the MLB. They also discuss broadcasting issues at the French Open and wrap up with highlights from the start of the WNBA season and its most valuable teams.

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In this episode of the Mixed Doubles Podcast, hosts Maggie Robinson and Josh Smythe Macaulay interview Danielle Marmer, General Manager of the Boston Fleet in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). They delve into Danielle's inspiring journey from her youth in Massachusetts and Vermont, where she fell in love with hockey, to her impactful collegiate career at Quinnipiac University, and her transition into coaching and player development. She shares her experiences as the first woman to hold an on-ice role for the Boston Bruins and discusses the challenges and achievements in her role as GM of the Boston Fleet. Danielle highlights the importance of building a strong team culture, the excitement of the PWHL's expansion, and her vision for the league's future.

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In this episode of the Mixed Doubles Podcast, hosts Maggie and Josh interview Vanessa Fuchs, the CEO of WeCoach, a non-profit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs.

Vanessa discusses her career journey from being a former dual-sport athlete at Florida State University (FSU) to becoming the first woman to lead the FSU Athletic Department. The conversation then delves into the changing landscape of college athletics, the importance of female leadership in sports, and Vanessa's impactful experiences throughout her career. Vanessa emphasizes the critical need for professional development and support for women in coaching, addressing challenges such as underrepresentation and retention.

Check out WeCoach on all platforms!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecoachsports/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wecoach/

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In this special solo episode, host Maggie Robinson shares valuable career advice she has compiled from previous interviews with accomplished women in the sports industry. Maggie focuses on offering guidance for those facing significant life changes, particularly those in transitional periods of their careers. She features advice from Caroline Chagares (Director of Marketing and Commercial Ops at NWSL ), Emily Proud (CBS sports reporter), Tish Carmona (Director of Communications for Unrivaled), Cathy Yancy (Vice President of Broadcasting at the NFL), and the founders of Launch Break, Teresa Saputo-Crerend and Philippa Portnoy. Each guest shares insights on networking, work-life balance, breaking into the industry, finding one’s passion, and ignoring discouraging statistics to stay focused on one's mission.

00:48 Advice from Caroline Chagares: Building Relationships

03:58 Emily Proud: Balancing Work and Life

07:00 Tish Carmona: Breaking into the Sports Industry

09:51 Cathy Yancy: Finding Your Passion

12:09 Launch Break Founders: Focus on Skills, Not Stats

14:33 Conclusion and Personal Reflections

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We're back with your women's sports news updates! Listen in as hosts Maggie Robinson and Josh Smythe-Macaulay tell you all you need to know about women's sports from the past week. They provide updates on Maggie's upcoming move and final month at the NFL, leading up to the Draft. The hosts transition into several significant highlights, including the global rise of women's soccer with the advent of World Seven Football and Juju Watkins winning the Naismith Player of the Year in college basketball. They further cover Kirsty Coventry's historic appointment as the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee and Boston's NWSL team's rebranding to Boston Legacy FC. They delve into the unveiling of New York Liberty's new practice facility, the excitement of the Miami Open, PWHL's current standings and collaboration with Barbie, and the thrilling developments in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, including the standout teams and players heading into the Final Four. The episode wraps up with reflections on Dawn Staley’s potential second consecutive championship win with South Carolina and Paige Buecker’s final matches before heading to the WNBA.

Listen in!

02:02 Maggie's Big Move and NFL Draft Insights

04:04 Big Plays and Big Players

08:56 Historic First for the IOC

12:33 NWSL Club Name Controversy

13:50 Boston Legacy FC: A New Beginning

15:46 New York Liberty's State-of-the-Art Practice Facility

18:42 Miami Open Highlights and Winners

20:48 PWHL Standings and Exciting Collaborations

23:44 March Madness: Women's Basketball Final Four

29:12 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

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Welcome back to our interview series! In this episode of the Mixed Doubles Podcast, hosts Maggie Robinson and Josh Smythe Macaulay sat down with Teresa Saputo-Crerend and Philippa Portnoy, the founders of LaunchBreak, an innovative networking platform for women athletes. Teresa and Philippa, former doubles partners and Columbia University alumni, discuss transitioning from corporate careers to launching their platform. They share insights on the impact of their athletic background on their professional success, the importance of mentorship, and the drive to support female athletes. The conversation covers their collegiate experiences, the significance of community, and practical advice for young women pursuing careers. The episode offers a deep dive into the vision behind LaunchBreak and its growing community.

00:31 Meet the Guests: Teresa and Philippa

01:26 Columbia University and Tennis Background

03:44 Corporate Careers and LaunchBreak

07:06 The Birth of LaunchBreak

12:13 Columbia University Experience

18:41 Running a Business Together

23:41 Advice for Young Athletes and Professionals

26:22 Conclusion and Shoutouts

Connect with LaunchBreak on LinkedIn: Teresa Saputo-Crerend & Philippa Portnoy

LaunchBreak website: https://launchbreak.com/

Columbia & Barnard Background:

Teresa Saputo-Crerend

Philippa Portnoy

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Welcome back to another edition of our interview series! Today we sat down with Cathy Flowers Yancy, Vice President of Broadcasting at the NFL. Cathy shares her illustrious career journey, from being the first female producer of SportsCenter at ESPN to negotiating groundbreaking deals like the WNBA's broadcast rights. The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of working in sports media, the significance of mentorship, and balancing a demanding career with family life. Key moments include Cathy's advice on raising kids alongside a career, her experiences at numerous Super Bowls, and the pivotal role she played in advancing women's sports. The episode concludes with an acknowledgment of Cathy's legacy and her ongoing impact in the industry.

00:36 Introducing Cathy Yancy: A Trailblazer in Sports Broadcasting

00:55 Cathy's Early Career and ESPN Journey

08:29 Cathy's Transition to the NFL

24:09 The Founding of the WNBA and ESPN's Role

32:10 Challenges and Progress in Women's Sports

35:46 Balancing Family and Career in Sports

37:22 The Importance of Taking Kids to Work

38:17 A Daughter's Perspective on Career Choices

40:25 Transitioning from ESPN to the NFL

44:53 Super Bowl Experiences and Memories

49:50 Handling Unexpected Challenges: The New Orleans Super Bowl XLVII Blackout

55:10 The Intricacies of Live Sports Broadcasting

01:01:10 Reflecting on Legacy and Mentorship

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Welcome back to our interview series! Today we sat down with Sierra Brooks, a decorated gymnast from the University of Michigan. The conversation spans her early beginnings in gymnastics at age three, her rise to a 13-time All American, and her pivotal role in Michigan’s first NCAA championship in 2021. Sierra shares insights on handling pressure and expectations, her decision to forego elite gymnastics in favor of collegiate competition, and the impacts of NIL on college athletes. She also reflects on her transition to life after gymnastics and her other passions like photography and graphic design. The discussion is a powerful narrative of dedication, balancing multiple interests, and maintaining high standards both on and off the mat.

00:28 Introducing Sierra Brooks: Gymnastics Superstar

01:05 Sierra's Journey into Gymnastics

02:52 Balancing All Four Events

04:41 Handling Pressure and Expectations

09:15 Early Graduation and Transition to College

13:57 Choosing Between Elite and Collegiate Gymnastics

22:52 Life as a Michigan Gymnast

27:38 Mental Preparation and Visualization Techniques

30:43 The Impact of NIL on College Athletes

34:57 Memorable Moments and Achievements

40:41 Transitioning from College to Corporate Life

44:04 Exploring Creative Passions Beyond Gymnastics

47:47 Reflecting on Role Models and Inspirations

Find Sierra here:

Instagram

LinkedIn

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