Go long!

On today’s three-part episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz go long as they preview three major sporting events this weekend. First up, the gals continue their deep dive into new pro women’s basketball 3v3 league Unrivaled ahead of its inaugural tipoff on Friday, previewing the teams, players, and coaches that will make this league a thrilling watch. 

Then in part two, El and Steph head to the gridiron to chat through the NFL Divisional Round taking place this weekend. This quarter-final round features eight teams and four marquee matchups, including an AFC showdown between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens.

Finally, the gals wrap up with a preview of the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship game between No. 7 seed Notre Dame and No. 8 Ohio State. It’ll be the first title game in the 12-team CFP era, which paved the way for two low-seeded underdogs to advance all the way. May the best team win. 

Show notes:

More on The GIST: 
Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected]
IG: @thegistca @thegistusa

Who run the world?

Girls, of course — and that’s especially fitting for today’s all women’s sports episode of The GIST of It. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz begin with a look at the PWHL’s nine-game Takeover Tour, which is already off to a rousing start as the league tests new markets for its two expansion teams, set to debut next season.

Then in part two, El and Steph go all in on Unrivaled, the new 3v3 women’s basketball league set to make its highly anticipated debut on Friday. From how the league works to Unrivaled’s many superstar investors, this pod will have you primed before Friday’s tip-off. Ballin’.
Show notes:

More on The GIST: 
Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected] 
IG: @thegistca @thegistusa

Hut hut!

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview a wild weekend on the gridiron. First, the gals check in with the College Football Playoff as the remaining four teams head into the semifinals, with star-studded games on deck tomorrow and Friday. Score.

Then in part two, El and Steph look ahead toward the NFL’s Wild Card weekend kicking off on Saturday. With the Kansas City Chiefs claiming the top AFC seed and the Detroit Lions enjoying a magical run atop the NFC, 12 teams are left to battle it out during this six-game slate — and three MVP candidates are fighting for postseason redemption. Let the games begin.

Show notes:
Pro Football Playoff Bracket Challenge

More on The GIST: 
Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected] 
IG: @thegistca @thegistusa

Hello, 2025!

New year, same sports drama. In this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive headfirst into Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler’s team-issued seven-game suspension, detailing the timeline behind this shocking breakup before sharing their takes on where Butler could land before the February 6th trade deadline.

Then in part two, the gals set up the ultimate pro women’s volleyball primer, digging into the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) and League One Volleyball (LOVB) before their seasons start this week. Ready, set, bumpin’ that. 
Show notes:
Pro Football Playoff Bracket Challenge

More on The GIST: 
Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected]

It’s time to reflect.

This year was truly one for the books, so today’s episode of The GIST of It is a classic year in review. From the women’s sports movement to the standout moments at the Paris Olympics, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are taking a trip down memory lane, diving headfirst, fearless into a phenomenal year full of championship moments, tear-inducing retirements, and so much more.

A big thank you to Aflac for partnering with us on today’s episode! Add Aflac to your team to close the insurance gap today. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.

Show notes:

More on The GIST: 
Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected] 
IG: @thegistca @thegistusa

Hello, hello!
Forget the holidays — it’s playoff season for a few fall college sports: women’s volleyball and football. On this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz first preview tonight’s national volleyball tournament semifinals, where all four No. 1 seeds will be duking it out for a spot in Sunday’s championship. And volleyball is just getting started in the U.S., with major news about the Pro Volleyball Federation and League One Volleyball dropping this week.

Then in part two, it’s all about the College Football Playoff, which begins on Friday night. The gals dig through the revamped 12-team format before shouting out the top players to watch on the gridiron. Hut, hut.

A big thank you to Aflac for partnering with us on today’s episode! Add Aflac to your team to close the insurance gap today. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.

Show notes:

More on The GIST: 
Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected] 
IG: @thegistca @thegistusa

It’s hoopin’ time!

Today’s episode of The GIST of It is all about the hardwood. First, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview today’s NBA Cup final between the in-season tournament’s two No. 1 seeds: The Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Trust us — you won’t want to miss this star-powered showdown featuring a pair of perennial MVP candidates in Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

And all that glitters is green in part two, where the gals discuss Unrivaled’s latest money moves. The brand-new 3v3 women’s league will tip off its inaugural season in January and just signed a serious ledger of high-profile investors, allowing Unrivaled to pay all of its players six-figure salaries. Cha-ching.

A big thank you to Aflac for partnering with us on today’s episode! Add Aflac to your team to close the insurance gap today. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.

Show notes:

More on The GIST: 

Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected] 
IG: @thegistca @thegistusa

Hey there!

End-of-year awards season chatter is growing by the minute, and the football world is no exception. The fun begins on Saturday, when the Heisman Trophy, aka, the MVP award of college football, will be handed out. Before the winner is named, today’s episode of The GIST of It begins with an explainer on one of the most important trophies in college sports and the four players in contention for the coveted prize.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. With just four weeks left in the NFL regular season, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share their way-too-early picks for some end-of-season NFL awards, along with their thoughts as to how the playoff picture might shape up.

And last but not least, the new Women’s Lacrosse League announced their inaugural four-team names yesterday, so the gals are taking a deep dive into one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

A big thank you to Aflac for partnering with us on today’s episode! Add Aflac to your team to close the insurance gap today. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.

Show notes:

More on The GIST: 
Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected] 
IG: @thegistca @thegistusa

Hi there!

Turns out there’s no hibernating in baseball — especially when it’s Winter Meetings season. On the heels of heavy hitter Juan Soto’s historic NY Mets contract, The GIST of It co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive into what the most expensive deal in sports history means for the Mets and their opponents. Batter up.

Then in part two, the gals look back at the 2024 F1 season following Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, recapping the final race on this year’s circuit while looking ahead to the Australian Grand Prix in March. Can’t come soon enough.

A big thank you to Aflac for partnering with us on today’s episode! Add Aflac to your team to close the insurance gap today. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.

Show notes:
Ep #415: Detailing the Canada Soccer culture probe, plus F1 expands to 11 teams

More on The GIST: 
Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected] 
IG: @thegistca @thegistusa

Hello!

It may be the WNBA offseason, but the W is still dominating headlines. The Golden State Valkyries, the W’s 13th team, will take part in an expansion draft tomorrow ahead of their 2025 debut, so on today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are breaking down how player selection works, the draft rules, and more. 

Then in part two, it’s time to hut hut hop over to the gridiron, where the gals dig into the latest College Football Playoff rankings before previewing a few must-see conference championship games this weekend in anticipation of Sunday’s final 12-team rankings drop.

A big thank you to Aflac for partnering with us on today’s episode! Add Aflac to your team to close the insurance gap today. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.

Show notes:

More on The GIST: 
Subscribe: thegistsports.com/subscribepod
X: @thegistpod
Email: [email protected] 
IG: @thegistca @thegistusa