Rainy City Roller Derby’s Penny Block and Fay Roberts join the podcast for a candid, hilarious, and inspiring conversation about the team’s journey to Global Champs.

From transforming a derelict nightclub into the legendary Thunderdome to becoming one of Europe’s elite teams, Penny and Fay share the challenges, setbacks, and relentless determination behind Rainy City’s success. They dive into their hard-earned lessons from European Championships, the meticulous preparation that fuels their game strategy, and the team rituals that keep them connected—from goat stickers and firm handshakes to five minutes of pre-game complaining.

Plus, hear about their euphoric Champs qualification, matching tattoos, ambitious goals for Malmö, and exclusive pie club. A celebration of resilience, teamwork, and the belief that aiming for the top is always worth it.

Go back and check out episode 190 to hear Lily Gaskell's episode from earlier this year!📸 by @tommalko.sport

Follow Rainy City Roller Derby @rainycityrollerderby

⁠https://www.facebook.com/RainyCityRollerDerby

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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And on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@power4thwhistle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you to S-ONE for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@s1rollerderby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@s1helmets⁠⁠⁠⁠

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VRDL is back at WFTDA Champs for the 8th time—and they’re bringing the wild-card energy.

Barry and Lorrage share their unconventional paths into roller derby—from wheels rolling off during a first training session to learning to skate while clinging to a wall—and the sports they played before finding derby. We dig into how VRDL has turned limited access to international competition into an opportunity to innovate, using intense repetition, simulated opponents, and creative coaching to develop a style that opponents can struggle to predict.

They break down their evolution since their last Champs appearance including the return of Bicepsual and Jambi, the impact of head coach Shaina Serelson, experimental lineup strategies, lessons from the Oceania tournament, and the team’s quest for the Hydra.

Expectation becomes experimentation. Trust becomes power. VRDL is ready.

Photo by [email protected]

Follow VRDL @victorianrollerderbyleague

https://www.facebook.com/VictorianRollerDerbyLeague

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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And on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@power4thwhistle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you to S-ONE for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@s1rollerderby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@s1helmets⁠⁠⁠

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What does it take to build a championship-caliber roller derby team—and stay connected as people along the way?

In this episode, I chat with Denver Roller Derby captains Scald Eagle and Wierzbinski to go behind the scenes of one of our sport’s most formidable teams.

We talk about Denver’s high-altitude advantage, their famously temperamental floor, and the evolution of a team that has shifted its focus from simply being a powerhouse offense to developing defensive integrity, individual skills, and deeper versatility. They also explain why cultivating “whole athletes” matters just as much as winning and how mental performance coaching and having Optimus Grime as a jammer coach have helped the team grow.

We revisit Denver’s run through Regional Playoffs and the road to Global Champs—including a hard-fought victory over Rose City, Scald Eagle’s ankle injury during the championship game, and the teammates who stepped up when she needed them most.

At the heart of it all is Denver’s philosophy of building physical and emotional fortitude to do their best as a team together.

Photo by Ames Yznaga @Ayznaga.creative

Follow Denver Roller Derby @denverrollerderby

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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And on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@power4thwhistle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you to S-ONE for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠⁠⁠⁠@s1rollerderby⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠@s1helmets⁠⁠

Thank you to Riedell Skates for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠⁠⁠@riedellroller

Thank you to Magbag Missoula for sponsoring this podcast!

https://www.magbagmissoula.com/

@magbagmissoulamt

Paris Roller Derby are heading to Global Champs for the first time —and they’re bringing years of hard work, collective trust, and French derby pride with them.

Louve and Cass share how they found roller derby, what makes Paris such a unique competitive derby community, and how the team rebuilt its identity around cohesion, trust, and collective play. They also revisit their dramatic run through Regional Champs in Europe—including their hard-fought battles with Toulouse and an unforgettable one-point victory over Crime City. This is a conversation about competition, teamwork, resilience, and what it means to win together.

Photo by NDP 189

Follow Paris Roller Derby ⁠@parisrollerderby

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you to S-ONE for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠⁠⁠@s1rollerderby⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@s1helmets⁠

Thank you to Riedell Skates for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠⁠@riedellroller

This week, I chat with Adelaide Roller Derby’s Ankle Grinder and Truffles about their journey back to Global Champs. They share stories of discovering derby, building a competitive team in geographically isolated Australia, and the culture of friendship, trust, and belief that makes Adelaide so strong.

They also take us inside their thrilling 15-point win over Brisbane, their emotional ticket to Champs, and the preparation that got them there. This time around, Adelaide isn’t heading to Champs with imposter syndrome—they know they belong, and they’re going to compete to win.

Hear about their goals for Champs, their mission to represent Oceania, and why being a great teammate may be just as important as what happens on the track.

Photo provided by Adelaide Roller Derby

Follow Adelaide Roller Derby @adelaiderollerderby⁠

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow our Facebook page at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you to S-ONE for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠⁠@s1rollerderby⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@s1helmets

Thank you to Riedell Skates for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠@riedellroller

"Roller derby is a team sport, just like solving mysteries."

Carrie McNabb wanted to write a roller derby story and placed it in her favorite genre -- cozy murder mystery! "Murder on the Track" follows Abby, a rookie skater seeking escape from her previous career as a crime scene photographer, now enjoying the challenge and comraderie of being part of a roller derby team. Everything is going great until she comes to practice and discovers a dead body on the track! Can she use her sleuthing instincts to solve the mystery? Or will she pass the star?

This book just came out in May 2026 and is a fun read that will have you feeling nostalgic for your first season in roller derby while also being a good way to introduce new people to the sport. Carrie McNabb started her roller derby career in Canada and now plays across the pond in the UK for Nottingham Roller Derby.

Will this story become a series? You'll have to listen to find out!

Find "Murder on the Track" in paper or on Kindle Unlimited:

https://a.co/d/0a7cWoB1

Follow Carrie McNabb @themcfabulous

https://www.facebook.com/carriemcnabb103

Photo provided by Carrie McNabb

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow our Facebook page at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

And on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@power4thwhistle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you to S-ONE for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠⁠@s1rollerderby⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@s1helmets

Thank you to Riedell Skates for sponsoring this podcast!

@riedellroller

RipTide wants to be the most offensive team...by playing great offense.

This week, I sit down with Baller Shot Caller and InToxic Kate from RipTide Roller Derby to talk about the whirlwind journey from a bold idea to one of the most exciting new charter teams in WFTDA.

They share their individual derby journeys—from Team USA, banked track, and home leagues across Florida to finding a new competitive opportunity with RipTide—and discuss how a satellite team built from skaters across multiple leagues developed its own identity, chemistry, and culture in record time.

The conversation dives into RipTide's mission to "play the most competitive roller derby we can while having the most fun possible," what it takes to blend different skating styles into one cohesive team, behind-the-scenes stories about RipTide's legendary memes, battling injuries and illness, and why building trust off the track is just as important as what happens on it.

Photo by Michael at RipTide Roller Derby

Follow RipTide Roller Derby @riptiderollerderby

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow our Facebook page at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you to S-ONE for sponsoring this podcast! ⁠@s1rollerderby⁠ ⁠@s1helmets

Fresh off a gold medal performance at WFTDA Regional Playoffs in Ontario, the Calgary Roller Derby All Stars join the podcast this week to bask in the excitement of facing international competition, and how they're preparing for the biggest tournament in team history with community fundraising efforts—including stunts, a donut 5K, tattoo milestones, personalized thank-you videos, and more.

I sat down with Ferris Bruiser, Smackie Kennedy, Projectile, and RollerSquare "R2" to discuss the journey from finishing lower than they wanted at playoffs in 2024 to building a semi-satellite team across Alberta and British Columbia and breaking all the brackets in 2026. They share how a structured training program, a common playbook, and a simple team mantra—BELIEVE—helped transform Calgary into championship contenders.The conversation dives deep into the unforgettable gold medal final against Montréal, breaking down the defensive battles, managing momentum swings, the mental resilience, and the secret ingredient that carried Calgary to victory.

Photo by ⁠@brie.eloise.photography

Support Calgary Roller Derby's journey to Champs:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/calgary-roller-derby-all-stars-world-championships-fundraiser

Follow Calgary Roller Derby on socials:

@calgoryrollerderby

https://www.facebook.com/CalgaryRollerDerby

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow our Facebook page at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

And on IG ⁠⁠⁠@power4thwhistle⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you to S-ONE for sponsoring this podcast! @s1rollerderby @s1helmets

Cool times were had in the hot desert at RollerCon 2026. The last time I did an episode about RollerCon was episode 003...can you believe it? Back in 2018, the first time I went to RollerCon. This was my second pilgrimage to the desert to skate for many, many hours. I'm sharing what I learned from the experience that can help you in the future.

RollerCon: not just for extroverts! (though bringing one with you can help ;-) )

Photo by ⁠Vypertension featuring Optimus Grime, Jackie Bauer, and Miss Tea Maven

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

The Black Derby Collective has made history.

Murda and Blaque Jac join the podcast this week to share the incredible story behind their new WFTDA charter team—and their whirlwind journey from a couple of conversations at the 2025 Roller Derby World Cup to winning their playoff and being invited to 2026 WFTDA Championships in Malmö, Sweden.

Murda and BJ discuss how Black Derby Collective came together so quickly, the core members who helped it along the way, the race to qualify for postseason, and the shared connection that makes the team unique. They also reflect on their playoff run, the importance of creating a space where Black skaters can be their authentic selves, fundraising for Malmö, and what's next as they prepare for the WFTDA Championships.

Photo by @courtarro

Support BDC's journey to Champs: https://linktr.ee/blackderbycollective

Follow Black Derby Collective on socials: @black_derby_collective

Black Derby Collective on FB

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lizzyluscious⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.