Sidelined w/ Brooke Fletcher & Dani Klupenger

Sophia Minnaert joins Brooke and Dani to reflect on her journey covering the Milwaukee Brewers as she's at her 14th spring training as the team's reporter. She shares stories from growing up in Madison as the daughter of a coach, how that background shaped her approach to sports, and what it’s like covering the always entertaining Brewers manager Pat Murphy. Minnaert also talks about the advantages of being bilingual in baseball and recalls the moment former Brewers star Carlos Gómez realized she spoke Spanish.

The conversation looks back on eight seasons covering one of the most successful stretches in Brewers history, how she builds trust with players during a grueling 162-game schedule, the cities she enjoys most on the MLB circuit, and why the World Baseball Classic always brings extra excitement around the clubhouse.

Olympic bronze medalist Jackie Wiles joins the show for a candid conversation about capturing bronze in the inaugural women’s Alpine combined event and why this moment felt different from the rest. She opens up about competing in her fourth Olympic Games, discovering her confidence at the right time, and growing up in the same hometown as Dani. Jackie reflects on realizing she had a special talent for skiing and the tough decision to choose it over basketball. The conversation goes far beyond the podium.

Wiles shares the harrowing story of surviving a plane crash last year. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at life during the games, from staying in a hotel instead of the Olympic Village to bonding with teammates over Catan and celebrating Breezy Johnson’s engagement. She also reflects on being mentored by Lindsey Vonn and what it meant to compete alongside her one final time before sharing what’s next in her career.

Brooke and Dani kick off the show with a whirlwind of Olympic storylines, from Team USA women’s hockey capturing gold to Alysa Liu making history as the first American woman to win Olympic singles gold since 2002. They dive into how Liu’s comeback and personality won over fans everywhere, break down Ilia Malinin’s up-and-down Olympic ride, and react to the latest buzz surrounding rumored hyaluronic acid injections. From there, the conversation shifts across the sports landscape, including Kris Bryant’s injury concerns and uncertain baseball future, the betting scandal involving Emmanuel Clase, and what’s next for the Chicago Bears stadium plans in Arlington Heights or even Indiana.

Brooke and Dani also touch on college basketball, ESPN’s new women-focused Sunday programming spotlighting the WNBA and NWSL, plus a touching detour into Japan’s viral “Punch the Monkey” moment.

Kendra joins the show to share her journey to becoming a reporter, from her time at North Carolina, a university that holds deep meaning for her family, to competing in track and field. She also takes listeners behind the scenes of life as an NBA sideline reporter, including balancing social media with the demands of the job and how covering a rebuilding team elevated her craft. Kendra revisits her viral interview moment with former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck and closes with her thoughts on the NBA’s biggest storylines, from trade deadline fallout to All-Star Weekend buzz.

Brooke and Dani kick things off with a recap of SoxFest before breaking down a historic Australian Open final, as Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to complete the career Grand Slam, and look ahead to the Super Bowl matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

The conversation continues with Super Bowl plans, including thoughts on Bad Bunny's halftime show and what to expect from this year’s commercials. Brooke and Dani also spotlight National Girls & Women in Sports Day, react to newly released Olympic kits ahead of the Winter Games, and wrap up by turning their attention to baseball as spring training approaches and Brooke prepares for her trip to Arizona.

Alexandra Francisco joins the show for an inside look at the New England Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl and what it’s like covering one of the league’s hottest teams. She shares perspective on the AFC Champion Patriots, the impact of head coach Mike Vrabel, and the evolution of quarterback Drake Maye as he continues his rapid rise on the biggest stage.

The conversation also highlights the human side of the season, from Rhamondre Stevenson’s resilience to inspirational stories within the organization that helped define this championship run. Alexandra weighs in on pop-culture moments surrounding the team, reflects on growing up in New England and how sports shaped her career, and offers insight into preparing for Super Bowl week as a team reporter.

The episode wraps with thoughts on Bill Belichick’s legacy and why now might be the perfect time to jump on the Patriots bandwagon.

Brooke and Dani open the show with a recap of the College Football Playoff National Championship, breaking down Indiana’s win behind Fernando Mendoza and the postgame backlash involving Miami quarterback Carson Beck. The conversation then shifts to the Australian Open for early tournament updates and a look at the fashion making waves on and off the court. From there, the duo dives into pop-culture headlines, unpacking the latest Beckham family drama and why it’s grabbing attention beyond the sports world.

The episode continues with a rundown of the latest NFL news, including the Bears’ playoff loss to the Rams, quarterback changes in Denver with Bo Nix sidelined and Jarrett Stidham stepping in, along with early NFL Honors buzz and coaching carousel chatter. The show wraps with a major MLB headline as the White Sox trade Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets and what it means moving forward.

Brooke and Dani open the show by diving into the Australian Open spotlight, starting with amateurs getting a rare crack at the pros and a look at the tournament’s early favorites, including how Novak Djokovic fits into the title picture. The conversation then moves beyond the courts with a recap of the Golden Globes and a breakdown of the hit show Heated Rivalry.

The episode keeps rolling with a pulse check on the NFL coaching carousel and a closer look at the Rams vs. Bears divisional playoff matchup, digging into what could swing the game. Brooke and Dani also weigh in on the viral “2016” social media trend, preview the College Football Playoff National Championship between Indiana and Miami, and close things out with thoughts from around the college basketball world.

In this episode, Brooke and Dani kick things off reflecting on the holidays and sharing their goals heading into 2026. The conversation then turns to college football, as they break down a wild College Football Playoff quarterfinal round and look ahead to what’s shaping up to be a must-watch semifinal slate.

From there, Brooke and Dani recap their fantasy football seasons and preview the NFL playoffs, including which teams and storylines have their attention. They also react to the coaching shakeups and what those moves could mean going forward. To wrap things up, the duo looks back on 2025 with their favorite sports moments, trends, TikTok sounds, TV shows, and more!

Ashley ShahAhmadi of NBA on NBC joins Brooke Fletcher and Dani Klupenger for a wide-ranging conversation on life, career, and the realities of sports broadcasting. Ashley reflects on her early days in the industry, the importance of networking in college sports, and how her journey led her to the national stage. She also looks back on her time as a sideline reporter with the Charlotte Hornets and discusses the shift from regional coverage to a national role.

The conversation dives deeper into the personal side of the job, including motherhood, long-distance relationships, and how Ashley balances reporting life with being a mom. She opens up about handling tough moments with players and coaches, shares the story behind her viral moment at last year’s SEC Championship Game, and offers insight into what it really takes to succeed in today’s sports media landscape.