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After two months of pure hanging out without hitting record, we finally reunited in our glorious Bunkbed Studios for a mid post-season check-in. It felt so good to be back together. Way overdue! And...in a twist for sesason 2, we are introducing video soooo check out this episode on our new ValkyriesSayLess YouTube channel.

We cover a lot in this episode, including the huge honor of the Valkyries naming Vanessa a "Keeper of the Realm", an award given to only five season ticket holders out of more than 11,000. We also talk about two incredible events we were lucky to be part of at Rikki’s, our beloved women’s sports bar in the Castro: the Chronicle Books reveal and an Unrivaled watch party hosted by the Valqueeries.

And finally, we check in on how we’re actually doing as well as give an update about the Collective Bargaining Agreement, because those both super matter too.

So tune in. Say less. Say more. We love our listeners, loved seeing so many familiar and new faces at Rikki’s, and we truly cannot wait for season two of the Valks to begin. 💜🖤🏀

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

Exciting news!

We’ve teamed up with Section 415, the brand-new Bay Area sports podcast from The San Francisco Standard, to share their latest episode featuring an interview with Golden State Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase.

Section 415 is hosted by sports editor Kerry Crowley and offers insider interviews, sharp analysis, and fresh reporting on local teams — including the 49ers, Giants, Warriors, and of course, the Valkyries. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday on all major podcast platforms.

🎧 Listen to the episode with Coach Nakase here.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

This episode is our last episode of this year's historical inaugural season for the Golden State Valkyries. We're gonna talk about so many things...where the players are going in the off season, the CBA negotiations, how to watch overseas games AND we're highlighting Kaitlyn Chen, our incredible rookie who was on the team, then off and then BACK ON! She sports jersey #2. 

Tune in to learn why she's the best.  We love you, KC! 🖤💜🏀

Thank you to our inspiring WBB community, especially our fellow basketball nerds out there: 

• Head to 30secondtimeout.com to get free daily women's basketball snippets of the most important news! 
• Connect with basketball lover and natural researcher Brianna Mitchell Carter on Threads: breezym91 
• Check out Amanda Wegner’s amazing research on every W player:  spreadsheet and fandom wiki
• Sign up for Eric Apricot’s smart substack column Valkyrie Nation 

Keep supporting the players! Read more about the WNBA’s Players Association (aka their union) and the collective bargaining agreement process: https://www.wnbpa.com/thecba

Would you like to support the work of Raina and Vanessa? Please contribute to “Valkyries, Say Less!” to help us out with the costs of running a podcast. Or check out our other projects: Vanessa’s mindfulness program  www.bigbellybreathing.com and Raina’s ceramics www.rainamast.com

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

This episode highlights Kaila Charles, our dynamic guard/forward, and former Maryland standout, wearing jersey #6. She joined us mid season and has definitely left a big mark on our hearts.

Tune in to learn why she's the best.  We love you, Kaila Charles! 🖤💜🏀

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

This episode highlights Iliana Rupert, our talented French center, rocking jersey #12, the same number her father wore. Not only has this player one a WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces, she also represented France at EuroBasket this past summer as well as in the Olympics in 2024 and 2020. 

Tune in to learn why she's the best.  On t'aime  Iliana Rupert! 🇫🇷🏀💜

Allez Les Violettes! 

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

This episode highlights Cecilia Zandalasini, our incredible Italian player, sporting jersey #24. During this season she stepped away for a few games to return to Europe where she won a bronze medal in Eurobasket with her Italian team. Though she's fought some injuries this season, she was recently reactivated just in time for our last two regular season games. We love her 3 point shot and her plus/minus keeps going up! 

Tune in to learn why she's the best.  Ti vogliamo bene, Cecilia Zandalasini! 🇮🇹🏀💜

FORZA LE VIOLETTE!!!!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

This episode highlights Janelle Salaün, one of the Valkyries’ French stars, sporting jersey #13. She has played on the French National Team and recently in Eurobasket. Though she is a rookie in the WNBA, she is making quite the name for herself because her game is tough!

And....learn how to pronounce her last name correctly (because few are!).

Tune in to learn why she's the best.  On aime Janelle Salaün! 🏀🇫🇷💜

ALLEZ LES VIOLETTES! 

These are the headlines referenced in the episode during the “Cognate Extrapolate” game:

1. Janelle Salaün et Carla Leite brillent avec les Golden State Valkyries en WNBA 
2. Il Famila Wuber annuncia la francese Janelle Salaün. Ha chiuso la passata stagione a 14,5 punti e 5,5 rimbalzi…
3. 3 choses à savoir sur Janelle Salaün, la Française qui cartonne à l'Eurobasket 2025 
4. Lega Basket femminile:  Janelle Salaun si è aggiudicata ieri il premio di MVP delle Finali Scudetto 🏆 Il segreto? Lo spiega lei, con grandissima umiltà: PLAY SIMPLE✌️
5. “Janelle Salaün (seize points) et les Valkyries tombent sur une immense A’Ja Wilson”
6. “Janelle Salaün le da el pase perfecto a Kaila Charles para que termine la jugada… Es como si se hubiera activado un interruptor desde el último partido contra Dallas y eso ha hecho que todos jueguen mejor.”- Reddit, by JKCdue

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

This episode highlights Laeticia Amihere, the Valkyries’ dynamic forward known as The Black Queen, rocking jersey #3. A national champion with South Carolina under Dawn Staley, a 2023 WNBA first-round pick, and an Olympic medalist with Team Canada, Amihere is one of ESPN's 25 under 25 to watch this season!

How about off the court? When the W is done, she’s an outspoken advocate, mentor, and role model, using her platform to empower others in Africa, Canada and the US.

Tune in as we discuss why she's the best. We love Laeticia Amihere!  🏀👑🖤💜

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

This episode highlights one of the Valkyries’ most experienced leaders: Tiffany Hayes, wearing jersey #15. A UConn champion turned WNBA All-Star, Hayes spent over a decade dominating in Atlanta, powered through Connecticut, powered Vegas off the bench, and now brings her scoring fire and veteran wisdom to the Bay.

She’s a mentor in the locker room, who sets the tone with her relentless energy—on and off the court. Not only a major athlete but also a entrepreneur, have you seen her fashion line????

Tune in as we discuss why she's the best. We 💜 Tiffany Hayes! 🏀🔥🖤💜

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

This episode highlights one of the Valkyries’ finest players: Monique Billings, wearing jersey #25. From dominating at UCLA to making her mark in Atlanta, and now rocking black and violet in the Bay, Mo’s journey is all about playing excellent basketball and being a true renaissance woman! 

Tune in as we discuss why she's the best. We 💜 Monique Billings!

P.S. Huge thanks to KPIX and journalist Kelsi Thorud for the tv feature about our podcast—we’re feeling the love and so, so grateful! 🏀💜🔥🖤

Check it out here if you haven’t seen it yet :)

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for. We’re all in for our players—and we stand with the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) in their fight for a stronger Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the higher salaries they deserve!

PAY THE PLAYERS.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!