And exhale. 

Still catching your breath post-Milano Cortina Olympics? Us too — that’s why today’s episode of The GIST of It is a sporty catch-up on two of our favorite leagues: Unrivaled and the PWHL. Tune in to see what’s happening in the hottest 3v3 hoops league in the game ahead of the playoffs, before hearing all the storylines you need to know for the second half of the PWHL season.

Show notes:
NYU Women’s Basketball winning streak

Making Popcorn for 15,000+ Basketball Fans | On the Job | NYT Cooking

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It’s time to take it to the hardwood. 

Today’s episode is the absolute perfect way to segue into the next major sports moment: March Madness. The Milano Cortina Olympics are done and dusted, but while some of the greatest athletes in the world were duking it out in Italy, there were major college hoops moments happening in the U.S. Who better to join the pod today to discuss March Madness, plus empowering young girls on and off the court than South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley? Co-hosts Steph Rotz and Lauren Tuiskula agree: this convo is a must-listen for any woman. Thanks again to Dove for fostering this important episode about body confidence. 

Show notes:

• Dove Champions Body Confidence and Girls' Joy in Sports in Big Game Ad

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Celebrate good times, c’mon!

On today’s pod, co-hosts Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio honor a true Olympic icon: Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated Alpine skier of all-time and now a three-time Olympic gold medalist after winning yesterday’s slalom. Every Olympian’s journey is unique and Shiffrin’s return to the podium is no exception. Today, we’re going back to the beginning: from her Olympic debut at the 2014 Sochi games to the eight-year medal drought to her 2026 triumph, Shiffrin’s story is not only compelling, but important to share, particularly as it pertains to Olympian mental health.

Show notes:
Listen to Revolve by Bal Khabra on Penguin Random House Audio

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Norway has the secret sauce for Olympic success.

We’re more than halfway through the Milano Cortina Olympics, and Norway is once again leading the medal count with just 80 athletes competing — an astonishing success rate. What makes the Norwegians so darn good at the Winter Olympics? Today’s episode of The GIST of It aims to find out as co-hosts Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio dig into why the Scandinavian country of just 5.6M people absolutely dominates the snow.

Show notes:
Find steamy, sporty audiobooks on Penguin Random House Audio
Subscribe to The GIST Plus to learn how a regular person handled bobsleigh
Elana Meyers Taylor Instagram post

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We’re heading back to the rink. 

The men’s ice hockey Olympic tourney officially began yesterday in Milan. And today, both Team Canada and Team USA will hit the ice for their respective opening group stage games. So today, we’re discussing the NHL’s return to the Games, how last year’s Four Nations Face-Off has only enhanced the hype, and of course, shouting out the stars on both teams. Drop that puck. 

Show notes:

• Episode #529: Heated Rivalry: It’s time for Canada vs. the U.S. in Olympic women’s hockey
• Read The Favorites by Layne Fargo

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The iciest, spiciest rivalry.

Today, we’re doing what we do best at The GIST: discuss perhaps the best rivalry in all of sports — Team Canada vs. Team USA women’s hockey. With the group stage of the Olympic women’s tourney almost wrapped, today’s 2:10 p.m. ET showdown is shaping up to be a gold medal match preview. Let’s skate to it.

Show notes:
Find Play You For It whenever books are sold

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The Games are almost here!

It’s the pod you’ve all been waiting for: It’s time to preview the major storylines ahead of the Milano Cortina Olympics. The Opening Ceremony is tomorrow, and a few events are already underway in Italy. We could chat for hours about all the great athletes competing in this year’s Games, but for our purposes, we’ll focus on a few major storylines in this episode, including equality at the Games, the construction issues still plaguing the events, and of course, the athletes you need to know. 

Show notes:

• Episode #512: Getting emotional watching figure skating
• Episode #521: Meet the real-life “Heated Rivalry” Olympians
• The GIST Plus: Laila Edwards is breaking hockey barriers on Team USA
• Saturday Scroll: Rallying around a fight for Olympic inclusion

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Glowing up for the Big Game!

For the first time since 2003, the two teams vying for a Super Bowl title — the AFC’s New England Patriots and the NFC’s Seattle Seahawks — missed the playoffs the season before. And on today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Steph Rotz and Lauren Tuiskula are breaking down the transformation. From the Pats’ locker room yap sessions that built a brotherhood to the Seahawks’ risky offseason inking, this year’s Super Bowl matchup is the plot twist no one saw coming.

Show notes:
Unsportsmanlike Conduct Instagram page

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When was your last doctor’s appointment?

Women’s basketball star Erica Wheeler understands how hard it is for women to carve out time for themselves — and that’s why she’s speaking out. More than 13K American women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, but early detection can save lives. With January, aka Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, coming to a close, Wheeler is spreading the word about early detection in honor of her mother, who passed away from the disease in 2012. This episode could change your life — don’t miss out and visit YourUltimateDefense.com today. 

Show notes:

• YourUltimateDefense.com
• The Ultimate Defense Against Cervical Cancer | Hologic & Erica Wheeler Team Up on Pap + HPV Testing
• Episode #525: ‘ABOLISH ICE’ — A brief history of athlete activism

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It’s tough to talk sports during times like these. 

After the tragedy that occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota, over the weekend, today’s episode of The GIST of It is a brief history of recent athlete activism, inspired by hoops star Breanna Stewart, who held up an “ABOLISH ICE” sign before Sunday’s Unrivaled game. Let’s reflect. 

Show notes:
Shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis has put America’s gun lobby at odds with the White House

What Trump officials claimed about Alex Pretti — and what the evidence actually shows

Stand With Minnesota

MN NOICE

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota

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