This special Party Starter begins with a quick celebration: Billie Jean King fresh off Sundance, where a new documentary about her life premiered to phenomenal reviews. The moment sets the tone for an episode rooted in legacy, impact, and what comes next.

From there, Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, and Billie Jean turn their focus to National Girls & Women in Sports Day and why it still matters. Founded by Billie Jean alongside the Women’s Sports Foundation, the day is both a celebration and a reminder of unfinished work. Since 1974, the Foundation has invested more than $115 million in research, advocacy, and community programs to expand access and opportunity for girls and women in sports.

Using data from the Women’s Sports Foundation, the trio breaks down where progress has been made, where inequality persists, and why visibility at the pro level doesn’t automatically translate to access on the ground. They spotlight organizations across the country showing up for girls right now, then go deeper with personal reflections on belonging, leadership, resilience, and the critical role adults play in keeping girls in the game.

And because this is Welcome to the Party, it all builds to a familiar showdown: Julie and Abby face off once again on the Peloton Tread. Pressure is a privilege but will third time finally be the charm?

Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day. Let’s keep the girls playing.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠

Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠

TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

-Give me the Ball reviewed at Sundance! https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/give-me-the-ball-review-billie-jean-king-espn-1236487989/

-Learn more about The Women’s Sports Foundation: www.WomensSportsFoundation.org

-Find a local organization celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/get-involved/ngwsd/

-Learn more about Flo Hyman: https://www.volleyhall.org/flo-hyman.html

-I9 Sports Gains are for the Girls: https://www.i9sports.com/

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

WSF: The Women's Sports Foundation goal is simple: to ensure every girl and woman has the chance to play, compete, and lead. You can help. Learn more at www.womenssportsfoundation.org  

Quickbooks: Your numbers, your data, your insights — everything is finally in one place. You can actually see what’s going on with your business and move forward with confidence at Intuit Quickbooks. Learn more about Intuit QuickBooks at quickbooks.com.

Quince: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Don't wait. Quince.com/WELCOMETOTHEPARTY for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. 

Figs: Check out the limited-edition Team USA collection and get 15 percent off your first order at Wearfigs.com with code FIGSRX.

Olympic champion and women’s hockey force Kendall Coyne Schofield joins the party in full flight, still one of the fastest players on the planet, a mom to two-year-old Drew, and a key architect behind the rise of the PWHL. Kendall takes us inside the real grind that used to define “pro” women’s hockey (think air mattresses, tiny paychecks, and constant “ifs”), and how a single phone call helped spark a league built to last for generations. She also relives her iconic NHL All-Star “fastest skater” moment, what it meant to carry an entire sport on her shoulders, and why the conversation it sparked mattered even more than the time on the clock. Plus: the Canada–USA rivalry, the mindset shift after silver in 2022, and why “pressure is a privilege” hits different when you’re chasing gold with your kid watching...this time, on the road to Milano Cortina.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Watch Abby’s Oscar Nominated Film “Come See Me in the Good Light”: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/come-see-me-in-the-good-light/umc.cmc.27uh51l7oh3ghql2gxb6xvb1s

Kendall’s Book “As Fast as Her”: https://bit.ly/49ugklt

Kendall in NHL All Star Competition: Kendall Coyne Schofield makes history in Fastest Skater

How the PWHL was formed: https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/professional-womens-hockey-league-how-pwhl-was-formed-and-why-top-players-have-high-hopes-for-new-league/

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at https://www.onepeloton.com/

-Get an annual membership to http://shipt.com/ and order groceries delivered to your door with zero fees for orders over $35+. Download the app today. 

-Get 20% off your order at http://cozyearth.com/em-cgi/btag/ with code WTTP. 

-Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more.

Check out the limited-edition Team USA collection at FIGS and get 15% off your first order at WearFigs.com with code FIXRX. 

Chapters:

00:00 — Begin

01:24 — “Come See Me in the Good Light” — Abby’s Oscar Nomination

08:32 — Kendall Coyne Schofield 

13:49 — “It was never about playing in the league…it was about building it.”

14:08 — Sponsors + legitimacy: how the league gets real 

16:54 — Post-Olympics doesn’t go silent anymore

18:20 — Motherhood + the “new beginning” mindset

43:22 — Party Poppers: Blind Ranking

Before the highlights, Julie and Abby open with a moment of humanity. They process what’s happening in Minnesota, honoring lives lost, and sharing tangible ways to help, from donation links to calling your senators.

Then it’s back to the women’s sports party: USWNT puts on a show (plus Trinity Rodman’s record-setting new deal), NCAA hoops delivers a statement game, and the Australian Open serves fashion and frost.

And for the main event: Winter Games are almost here. Creator and writer Marissa Kumari Tandon joins the Party Buzz to break down Milan-Cortina storylines, women’s participation nearing parity, the comeback drama in alpine skiing, Chloe Kim’s chase for history, the figure skating contenders to know, and why the Winter Games are the ultimate stage for grit, risk, and underdog funding fights.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Follow Marissa Kumari Tandon @marissakumari on all platforms

More information:

Take action with your government officials: https://indivisible.org/get-involved/take-action/

How to Support Minnesota - Stand With Minnesota

Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) - https://www.miracmn.com

UNIDOS-MN - https://unidos-mn.org/@unidosm

ACLU of MN - https://www.aclu-mn.org/@ACLUMN

ISAIAH - https://www.isaiahmn.org/our-story

MPLS Mutual Aid - @mplsmutualaid

PowWow Grounds Coffee - @powwogroundscoffee

Food Shelf - @joyceuptown

Isuroon - @isuroonnonprofit

Twin cities leather - @twincitiesleather

Olympic Games Schedule: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/overview

Heated Rivalry: Hudson Williams and Connor Story, stars of HBO's "Heated Rivalry," carried the Olympic torch in Italy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLHxNajL7tM

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/

-Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more.

-Join the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/welcometotheparty

Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

-Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After your place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and Welcome to the Party! 

-Join the loyalty program for renters at https://www.bilt.com/podcast-overview?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=podcast__test_awareness_prospecting_growth_welcometotheparty___

-Get an annual membership to http://shipt.com/ and order groceries delivered to your door with zero fees for orders over $35+. Download the app today. 

-Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at https://skims.com/. After your place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and Welcome to the Party!

What do you do when the thing you love could literally kill you?

This week, Julie and Abby welcome Katie McConnell, one of the top big wave surfers on the planet, an athlete who paddles (or gets towed) into towering walls of water where timing, calm, and judgment are the difference between getting out… or not. Katie explains what a “big wave” really is, the physics and chaos behind places like Nazaré, and why chasing swells is part science, part instinct, and part spiritual relationship with the sea.

Then the conversation turns to a different kind of fight: Katie’s mission to change the system for women in big wave surfing, from uneven invites and costly last-minute travel windows to building a future where women aren’t “included” as an afterthought, but centered in the story. Extreme sport. Ocean obsession. Equality push. Puny humans, giant waves.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠

Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠

TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Follow Katie: https://www.instagram.com/keiti_mar/

Learn more about Katie: https://www.surfwithkatie.com/

Watch 100ft Wave Documentary Series: https://www.hbomax.com/shows/100-foot-wave/34e489ad-2eca-4078-adb6-6d2b521b407e

Follow more big wave surfing, follow:@bigwavechallenge @thebigwavealliance @womensbigwavecollective

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

-Shop deals and member-exclusive savings at https://www.shipt.com/

-Get 20% off your first order at https://vuoriclothing.com/pages/pod_f

-Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more.

-Get 20% off your order at http://cozyearth.com/em-cgi/btag/ with code WTTP.

00:00 — Begin

00:38 — Welcome + Julie & Abby Talk Surf Experiences

12:24 — Katie McConnell Intro

14:06 — How Katie Got Into Surfing

17:00 — What Counts as a “Big Wave” + Paddle vs Tow

20:18 — Biggest Waves Katie’s Surfed

20:50 — Why Nazaré Creates Monsters

23:09 — What It Feels Like to Ride One

24:26 — Fear + Risk Management

27:20 — The Fight for Women’s Equality in Big Wave Surfing

32:16 — Making a Living + Sponsorship Reality

33:15 — How the Party People Can Help

36:52 — Closing Thanks + Future of Women’s Big Wave Surfing

39:05 — Post-Interview Debrief: “How Do They Live Like This?”

What happens when a DJ-turned-designer decides women’s sports deserves better than “pink it and shrink it” merch?

Domo Wells, founder and creative director of Dead Dirt and the creative force behind the Washington Spirit’s visual identity, joins Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach to talk about betting on yourself, building a brand without permission, and why the NWSL (still basically a “teenager”) has a rare chance to create heritage from scratch. From tunnel fits and uniform hacks to designing across all 16 NWSL clubs, Domo breaks down how culture, city identity, and women’s buying power can completely reshape the business of sports fashion.

Plus: a truly chaotic “rate our tunnel fits” moment you’ll want to see on YouTube.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

-USWNT Roster: https://www.ussoccer.com/teams/uswnt/roster

-USWNT Television Schedule: https://www.ussoccer.com/schedule-tickets/uswnt

-Domo Wells: https://www.deaddirt.com/

-Lindsey Vonn: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6948010/2026/01/19/lindsey-vonn-olympics-skiing-knee-replacement/

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day. 

-Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

-Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty for free shipping and 365-day returns.

-Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more.

-Get 40% off your first order today at https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WTTP&b=2971&utm_source=welcome-to-the-party%21&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=veritone-podcast 

Chapters:

00:00 — Begin

00:51 — Pregame banter: fashion, sweatpants, and TV life

02:29 — Styling without the price tag

06:03 — Kids, thrift culture, and rejecting materialism

07:28 — USWNT friendlies and soccer updates

13:52 — Lindsey Vonn comeback

17:09 — Abby’s 2007 World Cup story

22:24 — Domo Wells joins the show

26:05 — From music to design: finding the right path

33:18 — What women’s sports merch has been missing

43:00 — Designing for 16 cities and building culture

48:02 — The meaning behind Dead Dirt

50:37 — Tunnel fits, confidence, and personal style

54:30 — Angel City reveal and future plans

56:42 — Why artists matter in women’s sports

59:42 — Wrap-up and where to find us

Olympic bronze medalist, two-time Olympian, rugby star, and internet favorite Ilona Maher joins us for a funny, honest conversation about confidence, body image, and learning to fully own who you are.

Ilona opens up about growing up socially awkward, finding rugby by accident, and why sports taught her to take up space. She shares how vulnerability and humor became the foundation of her massive online platform, why she believes awkwardness is a superpower, and how showing the real side of elite athletics helps people feel less alone.

We also dive into the now-iconic “Naked Mom Theory,” body confidence, sex education, Dancing With the Stars, and the realities of building a career in women’s sports—on and off the field.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

-House of Maher; Ilona’s podcast with her sisters:

@houseofmaher   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlOeUHgXPlaF2bxCwBdJMg

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

-Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/

-Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more.

-Get 20% off your order at http://cozyearth.com/em-cgi/btag/ with code WTTP.

Introducing Coffee with the Kinger, a new recurring series built around candid conversations, big ideas, and whatever’s on our hosts minds. In each episode one of the hosts brings a subject they can’t stop thinking about and the group digs in over coffee. For this very first episode Billie Jean King kicks things off with something that’s been heavy on her mind…New Year’s Resolutions. BJK shares with Julie and Abby why she’s rethinking the way we approach goals and what she’s excited about heading into the year; from the Olympics to new leagues and long-term investment. Pull up a chair, pour a cup, and settle in. 

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Winter Olympics Viewing Schedule: https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule

WTGL New Women’s Golf League: https://wtglgolf.com/articles/2026/01/tmrw-sports-and-lpga-announce-wtgl

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Go to https://im8health.com/WTTP for a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order.

-Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/

-Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more.

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

-Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day. 

Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

Chapters:

00:00 Begin

01:50 Discussion on Heated Rivalry

08:38 What are we most looking forward to in 2026

11:11 What inspired Abby to become an Olympian

14:01 WTGL Golf

19:28 Project B

33:18 Coffee with the Kinger - New Years Resolutions

Madisen Skinner has won everywhere she’s played, but winning isn’t the whole story. A national champion at University of Kentucky women’s volleyball and a two-time NCAA champion with University of Texas women’s volleyball, the LOVB Austin star opens up about pressure, mental health, and learning to build a life beyond volleyball while still chasing championships. From sisterhood with Avery Skinner to the future of women’s pro volleyball, this is a real conversation about success, balance, and staying human at the top.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

LOVB Schedule: https://www.lovb.com/2026/schedule

Madisen Skinner ESPN Article detailing her mental health struggles: https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/42737670/ncaa-volleyball-madisen-skinner-texas-longhorns-three-peat

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Chapters

00:00 Start

05:34 Madisen Skinner joins the party

07:38 LOVB Austin’s turnaround 

11:05 The Pressure of being Madisen Skinner

11:54 Abby shares her mental health story

15:32 How playing for UT helped Madisen’s mental health

18:34 Growing up with Dance and Music

20:09 Discovering Volleyball

21:16 Her relationship with her sister

23:50 What to expect this season

27:03 Joining forces with MLV

29:55 How difficult beach volleyball is 

Julie and Abby return to kick off the year with the biggest wins and headlines in women’s sports, from record-breaking winter performances and Olympic qualifiers to buzzy moments in college basketball. They celebrate athletes making history, dig into major storylines shaping the landscape, and share firsthand highlights from a packed UCLA/USC showdown. Then hoops insider Jordan Robinson joins the party to break down Unrivaled season two, the player-led league redefining the WNBA offseason, plus what’s next for women’s basketball at every level. New year, new energy, let’s get this party started.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Unrivaled opening day results: https://www.unrivaled.basketball/

Pre-order Jordan’s Book Court Queens:https://www.amazon.com/Court-Queens-Celebrate-Players-Basketball/dp/B0FGX73CKW

Follow Jordan: https://www.instagram.com/jordanligons/

And https://www.tiktok.com/@heyjordanrobinson

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com 

-Athletic Greens has their best offer ever. For $126 in free gifts. Head to: https://drinkag1.com/partner/general-partnerships?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=welcometotheparty_d35ct__a10727__o27&utm_term=cac__a10727__o27&utm_content=__a10727__o27

-Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more.

-Get 40% off your first order today at hungryroot.com/wttp. 

What does it really take to build a gold medal mindset and how do those lessons show up in everyday life? Julie and Abby welcome one of the most influential sports psychologists of all time, Dr. Colleen Hacker, whose work helped shape generations of champions, including multiple U.S. Olympic gold medal teams.

In this wisdom-packed conversation, Dr. Hacker shares the psychology behind championship cultures, mental toughness, and sustained excellence. From confidence and communication to handling pressure and self doubt, she offers practical, relatable tools you can use far beyond sports.

This episode is all about the gold medal mentality and the life lessons that come with it. Whether you are leading a team, chasing a goal, or navigating everyday challenges, this is a conversation that will stick with you.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Chapters:

00:00 Begin

Billie Jean King Surprise + Battle of the Sexes “Before/After”

Abby’s Anxiety: “How Do You Win Without a Scoreboard?”

Stop Juggling: The Skeeball Rule for Adult Life

The “Suffering = Self-Esteem” Trap (And Resetting It)

Don’t Kill the Butterflies—Teach Them to Fly in Formation

Boys vs. Girls Under Pressure: What’s Real, What’s Culture

Parenting Without Ego: Autonomy, Mastery, Connectedness

“They Want It”… or They Want Your Approval?

When Kids Truly Want It, You Can’t Keep Them Away