Unexpected Curves

*And we are rewriting the punchline. This week we’re diving into the world of comedy with stand-up comedian and writer Marcia Belsky. Comedy and sports might seem worlds apart, but in a male-dominated environment, breaking through can feel just as tough as winning a high-stakes game. We explore staying true to your voice, and how humor can challenge norms and reframe everything from the film industry to women’s sports. Plus, we discuss how laughing at power can be its own form of revolution.

Global governments are making bold moves in the world of sports, bringing with them financial resources, and opening up new possibilities across a range of athletic disciplines. When nations like Saudi Arabia get involved, does their wealth bolster ambition for women's sports, or is tapping into private equity a risky game? Joining me today to explore these questions is Simon Chadwick, a researcher, writer, academic, and consultant with over 25 years of experience in the global sports industry.

Ok,hair me out! On this episode i'm joined by Ingrid Banks, an associate professor of Black studies at UC Santa Barbara, and the author of Hair Matters: Beauty, Power, and Black Women's Consciousness. We discuss how hair has historically been a signifier of both racial and gender identity, examining its implications for women, especially Black women, in sports and beyond.

In this episode, I'm joined by filmmaker K. Nicole Mills, whose short documentary A Race In The Sun captures the journey of Ayesha McGowan, the first African-American woman cyclist to go pro. Together, we discuss Nicole's path to filmmaking, Ayesha’s groundbreaking rise in the cycling world, the vibrant culture of New York City’s biking community, and the power of dreams and perseverance in reshaping narratives in sport and beyond.

In movement—whether through physical activity or community engagement—Dora Atim finds power in reshaping her understanding of self and belonging.

As a Global Nike Run Coach and founder of Ultra Black Running, her influence extends to global platforms, including The Vitra Design Museum in Germany, where the first-ever exhibition dedicated to the sportswear giant Nike is being unveiled. Nike: Form Follows Motion, curated by Glenn Adamson, explores the archival design history that has shaped 50 years of performance for the world’s top athletes.

Balancing the pressure of elite performance and creating space for family is no easy feat, and it might get even more complicated if your child decides to follow in your footsteps. This week we’re diving into the world of legacy, family , and the complexities of parenting in the spotlight.

Today, I’m joined by Emily Pritt, former team captain of the NC State Track and Cross Country team, to explore the values, culture, and leadership under head coach Laurie Henes that have made NC State a powerhouse. Now working as an agent and marketing director, Emily shares her insights into building a winning culture in sports.

This summer, it feels like the Games are shifting. There is an excitement around the Paris 2024 Olympics that has been missing for some time. These are the greenest Games to date, we’ve reached gender parity in participation, and only two additional stadiums were built—a major shift in how future host countries might integrate global sporting events into their existing infrastructure.

But behind the show the athletes put on for us are the very human issues they face, beyond any spectacle the Games could provide.

Today on the show, I'm joined by Yasemin Samdereli, an award-winning filmmaker who directed Samia, which depicts the true story of Samia Yusuf Omar, a young Somali athlete growing up in Mogadishu, during the middle of a civil war whose dreams and determination took her to the Olympic Games.

This week, I'm joined by urban anthropologist and lecturer Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman, who is featured in BBC’s 2019 Top 100 Women list for her advocacy on women and girls in urban environments. We discuss how sporting venues can be built to better accommodate female sports fans, the biases inherent in urban design both locally and globally, and why these considerations matter for creating inclusive spaces for play and sport.

Sport is filled with so many narratives about what it's like to be in the thick of a career, but there aren't nearly as many stories about what life after professional sport might look like. This week, I'm joined by World Champion Kori Carter, who, after retiring from track and field, was inducted into the Stanford Hall of Fame, graduated from the Wharton School of Business, and started her first "real job."