This week, Welcome to the Party goes live from the Girls in Motion “Her Story” event with Athletes Unlimited for a powerful conversation about mental health, leadership, confidence, and the future of women’s sports.

Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy sit down with Olympic gold medalist, LOVB MVP, Athletes Unlimited standout, and volleyball superstar Jordan Thompson for an honest conversation about what it really takes to succeed at the highest level, and why medals, highlight reels, and MVP titles never tell the full story.

Jordan opens up about therapy, medication, burnout, taking breaks, finding joy in the game again, and the support system that helped carry her to the Olympic podium. She also shares how she learned to lead with care, build real trust with teammates, and use the mantra “I have greatness inside of me” when her confidence starts to waver.

Plus, Abby and Julie reflect on what they wish they knew as teenagers, why failure doesn’t define you, and how young athletes can dream bigger than the world has even imagined yet.

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Keep the Party Going:

Girls experience their lowest levels of self-confidence by the age of 14. Her Story protects their mental wellness. They’re on a mission to help teens discover what lights them up so they can show up with intention and confidence in every part of life. For more information: https://www.herstorymentorship.org/home 

Where to watch Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball: https://auprosports.com/volleyball/where-to-watch-united-states/ 

Follow Jordan Thompson: https://www.instagram.com/jtomm19/ 

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World Cup fever is officially here…but so are the complications.

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This week, the party gets a world-class tennis upgrade as Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss join Julie and Abby for a Coffee with Kinger all about the state of the game.

The crew reacts to Serena Williams’ rumored return, Venus still being very much in the mix, and the chaos of a French Open where a new generation is breaking through. Then, they dive into the major player protest at Roland Garros, why top tennis stars are pushing for a bigger share of Grand Slam revenue, and how Billie and Ilana see this fight as part of a much bigger battle for player power, pensions, health care, and a seat at the table.

Plus: why college tennis programs are being cut, what tennis needs to do to survive in the new era of college sports, Naomi Osaka’s fashion moment, and Julie introduces the More Than Four Challenge in support of pediatric cancer research.

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Keep the Party Going:

Participate in Zoe’s Challenge: https://www.pledge.to/mt4zoesgoal

Serena’s Nike Ad announcing her return: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZC5f9ZRAuL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

John Wertheim article about French Open: https://www.si.com/tennis/tennis-mailbag-breaking-down-players-media-protest-roland-garros

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

What does it take to race 1,100 miles in a single day?

This week, racing trailblazer Katherine Legge joins the party fresh off her attempt at one of the most grueling challenges in all of sports: racing both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Katherine takes Abby, Julie, and Billie Jean King inside the physical, mental, and emotional demands of competing at 230 mph, burning 5,000 calories in a day, and staying locked in for nearly 10 hours behind the wheel.

She opens up about the sacrifices she's made to build a career in motorsports, the pressure she once felt to downplay her femininity, and why driving a pink car became one of the most powerful moments of her career. Katherine also gets candid about the barriers women still face in racing, from sponsorship dollars to access to top teams, and why she believes the next generation deserves a clearer path to success.

Before the interview, the crew celebrates Pride Month, congratulates Julie on her Sports Emmy win for Save: The Katie Meyer Story, wishes Abby an early happy birthday, previews their upcoming Ally House event at the U.S. Women’s Open, and dives into the latest from the NWSL, USWNT, WNBA, NCAA lacrosse, and NCAA golf.

From life at 230 mph to the fight for equality in motorsports, this is a conversation about courage, resilience, and refusing to let anyone define what's possible. 

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Keep the Party Going:

Watch Save: The Katie Meyer Story: Save: The Katie Meyer Story | E60

Follow Katherine Legge: https://www.instagram.com/katherineracing/

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

This week on Welcome to the Party, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King sit down with U.S. Women’s National Team legend Shannon Boxx for one of the most powerful and emotional conversations we’ve ever had on the show.

Shannon opens up for the first time in depth about secretly battling lupus throughout her iconic soccer career, while winning a FIFA Women’s World Cup, three Olympic gold medals, and nearly 200 caps for the USWNT. She shares the terrifying symptoms she ignored for years, the fear of losing her career if coaches found out, and the emotional toll of competing at the highest level while her body was literally attacking itself.

The conversation also highlights the larger reality of chronic illness in sports and beyond, including the story of Belmont softball star Maia Johnson and current Division I soccer player Emma Peyton, both of whom are navigating lupus while continuing to chase elite athletic dreams. Plus, lupus expert Dr. Susan Manzi joins the show to break down why autoimmune diseases are so difficult to diagnose, especially for women and athletes.

From invisible illness and self-advocacy to teammate support, mental resilience, and redefining strength, this episode is honest, eye-opening, and deeply inspiring.

Also in this episode:

Abby and Julie reflect on their years traveling the world with the USWNT

The crew talks Olympic-level competition while living with chronic illness

Shannon shares the adjustments that helped extend her legendary career

A hilarious lupus awareness trivia game breaks out at the party

And the team announces the launch of the brand new Welcome to the Party Substack

This is a conversation about perseverance, advocacy, friendship, and what it really means to keep showing up when no one sees the battle you’re fighting.

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Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

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Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com

Keep the Party Going:

The Lupus Foundation of America: https://www.lupus.org/

The Lupus Quiz: https://knowlupus.lupus.org/

Support Shannon’s Lupus Fundraiser: https://sipandsupportfundraiser.eventbrite.ca/

Ali Truwit WttP Interview: From Shark Attack to Paralympian to Marathoner, the unbreakable Ali Truwit

Ali Truwit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alitruwit/related_profiles/

Ali Truwit Stronger Than You Think: https://strongerthanyouthink.org/

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/

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

Billie Jean King just added another historic achievement to her legendary career: graduating from college at 82 years old. More than 60 years after first enrolling at California State University, Los Angeles, Billie finally walked the stage and Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy were there to witness every emotional moment.  

In this special graduation-themed episode of Welcome to the Party, Abby and Julie break down Billie’s inspiring commencement speech, reflect on what it means to finish what you start, and share their own hilarious college graduation stories. The crew also reacts to Billie’s powerful messages about equality, inclusion, Title IX, women’s sports, and making history.

Plus, Billie joins the show moments after receiving her diploma to talk about returning to school decades later, studying history remotely, correcting inaccuracies in a college course about women’s sports, and why earning this degree meant so much to her.

This episode is funny, emotional, deeply inspiring, and a reminder that it’s never too late to chase something meaningful.

Party People this one’s special.

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Keep the Party Going:

Billie Jean’s Graduation Speech at Cal State Los Angeles: Billie Jean King Commencement Address

Abby’s Wolfpack Book: https://a.co/d/01wZH3Hw

Abby’s Barnard Wolfpack Speech: https://youtu.be/wJe40l2waxs?si=gbVFS4Yos5jkKpuf 

Eric Church Commencement Speech: https://youtu.be/pSYEDc7-Ah0?si=Aa01ZxZXz5N6Sjis

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

This week on Welcome to the Party, Abby and Julie sit down with ultra marathon phenomenon Rachel Entrekin after her historic win at the Cocodona 250, where she became the first woman ever to win the entire field, beating every runner, male and female, across more than 250 brutal miles through the Arizona desert and mountains.

Rachel opens up about the mental side of endurance, the self-doubt that crept in while leading the race for nearly 200 miles, and why ultra running has become less about winning and more about discovering who she is when things get hard. She talks candidly about therapy, body image, eating disorders, learning to trust herself without obsessing over data, and the surprising “vibes-based” mindset behind one of the greatest endurance performances the sport has ever seen.

Before the interview, Abby and Julie catch up on the upcoming Netflix 99ers project, the Indigo Girls concert that had Abby scream-singing all night, and the emotional milestone of Tish finishing her freshman year. Then the Party Starter dives into the biggest women’s sports storylines heading into summer, from new women’s lacrosse, softball, and baseball leagues launching across the country to growing youth sports burnout and what parents can do to help kids actually enjoy sports again.

Plus: the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera, Ally House in Los Angeles, WNBA and NWSL summer storylines, and why women’s sports fans are heading into one of the biggest summers yet.

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Reserve Your Spot at The Ally House - June 4, 2026 in Santa Monica, CA: https://www.ally.com/ally-house

Why Do Girls Drop Out of Soccer? Complete the HERStoPLAY Survey

The Women’s Lacrosse League

The Women’s Pro Baseball League

Professional Softball League

The Athlete’s Unlimited Softball League

Our Burnout Episode - The Youth Sports Problem No One Talks About⁠

Follow Rachel Entrekin

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

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-Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code WELCOMETOTHEPARTY at OSEAMalibu.com

- Elevate your summer wardrobe at Quince.com/welcometotheparty

Motherhood is changing for Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy and this might be one of the most vulnerable conversations they’ve had yet.

In this special episode of Welcome to the Party, Abby, Julie, and Billie Jean King reflect on parenting, “mothering” beyond biology, and the emotional reality of raising kids who are learning to leave home. Abby opens up about preparing for empty nesting, why it feels strangely similar to retiring from professional sports, and how therapy is helping her navigate this next chapter. Julie shares the challenges of trusting teenagers to become independent adults, while Billie Jean King reflects on mentoring generations of athletes and why “mothering” can come from anyone.

The conversation explores parenting, identity, therapy, trust, stepparenting, chosen family, youth independence, and the emotional transition of watching your children grow up. Plus, the hosts react to powerful clips from BetterHelp’s Motherhood With You series and discuss the balance between helping your kids and learning when to let go.

This episode is presented in partnership with BetterHelp and features conversations around mental health, parenting, motherhood, empty nesting, therapy, family dynamics, and personal growth.

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Keep the Party Going:

Therapy can be life changing, especially when it comes to understanding yourself and how you care for others. Our special episode on motherhood and mental health is brought to you by BetterHelp. If you're interested in therapy, learn more at https://www.betterhelp.com/welcometotheparty

Watch the Betterhelp videos on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterHelp/videos

Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King open up in one of the most vulnerable and honest conversations we’ve ever had on the show.

Abby shares the deeply personal story of her journey to sobriety, reflecting on the pressure of elite sports, the identity crisis that followed success, and the moment a DUI arrest changed the course of her life forever. Billie Jean King opens up about her decades-long battle with disordered eating, the emotional toll of hiding her sexuality while building women’s tennis, and why therapy has remained a cornerstone of her life for more than 30 years.

The conversation also explores the mental and emotional challenges athletes face behind the scenes, from burnout and anxiety to shame, perfectionism, and learning how to ask for help. Plus, the crew reflects on how stars like Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Lauren Betts are helping redefine what strength looks like for the next generation of athletes.

This episode is about so much more than sports. It’s about healing, vulnerability, recovery, and the reminder that asking for help is one of the strongest things a person can do.

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Keep the Party Going:

Voice in Sport (VIS): Created for female athletes, this platform provides access to experts in sport psychology, mentorship, and community to advocate for girls and women. 

Kevin Love Fund: The Kevin Love Fund works to inspire people to live their healthiest lives by creating equity between mental and physical health. As an evidence-based organization, they focus on research, education, and narrative change to break the stigma around mental health.

The Hidden Opponent: the leading non-profit organization for athlete mental health advocacy, education, and support. They provide accessible resources and unite a global community to empower athletes to prioritize their mental health and shatter the stigma within sports culture. Idea began in 2017 with founder Victoria Garrick Browne giving a TEDx talk gaining 647,000 views on Youtube. Official nonprofit partner of Adidas.

The Jed Foundation: Founded in 2000 after the loss of their son, Jed, to suicide, JED is a leading nonprofit dedicated to protecting teen and young adult mental health. Through school partnerships, community education, and digital resources, JED helps young people build life skills, strengthen connections, and access mental health support.

Active Minds: Active Minds was founded by Alison Malmon when she was a junior at the University of Pennsylvania following the suicide of her older brother, and only sibling, Brian. Through their presence in more than 1,000 high schools, colleges, and communities, they reach more than 8+ million young adults with mental health information, training, and leadership opportunities each year over the last 20 Years.

Born This Way Foundation: Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, empowers and inspires young people to build a kinder, braver world that supports their mental health and wellbeing. Based on the scientific link between kindness and mental health and built in partnership with young people, the Foundation leverages research, programs, grantmaking, and partnerships to engage young people and connect them with accessible mental health resources.

Hope for Athletes: The mission of Hope for Athletes is to break the stigma of mental health in sports through storytelling and faith. The vision of Hope for Athletes is that every student athlete will know they are not alone, dearly loved, and worthy of support and help.

Athletes for Hope: Educating athletes on their potential to make a positive impact on the world, connecting them with the causes they care about & inspiring others to do the same. Athletes for Hope was founded in 2006 by a group of elite athletes who all share a common bond – a deep commitment to helping others. These Founders included Muhammad Ali, Warrick Dunn, Mia Hamm, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jeff Gordon, Andre Agassi, and Alonzo Mourning, among others.

Alston for Athletes: Alston for Athletes (AFA) is a fiscally sponsored project of Players Philanthropy Fund, we are dedicated to providing mental health resources to athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes across the country. Marcus Alston founded AFA in September of 2019 with one major goal: he didn't want student athletes to go through what he endured without a support system. He built a team of motivated individuals to help spread the message of promoting emotional, and mental well-being.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

This week, Megan Rapinoe joins the party and this might be one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had on the show.

Pinoe opens up about the emotional reality of retirement, losing the structure and identity that came with elite competition, and what happens when one of the most recognizable athletes in the world suddenly has to figure out who she is outside of the game. She talks candidly about the grief of leaving soccer behind, navigating public life and parasocial relationships, struggling to find purpose in year two of retirement, and learning how to separate “Megan Rapinoe the person” from “Megan Rapinoe the icon.”

She also shares what’s exciting her now: photography, storytelling, investing in women’s sports, creative freedom, and building the future of the game through media and culture. Plus, Abby and Julie reflect on their own retirements, the pressure of elite sports, and why life after competition can be so much harder than anyone prepares you for.

Before the interview, the crew dives into WNBA opening weekend, Allyson Felix’s possible comeback, Rachel Entrekin making ultramarathon history, Abby receiving her fourth honorary degree at Duke, and more women’s sports headlines from around the party.

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Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Follow Ultramarathoner Rachel Entrekin

Check Out the UCLA teammates Reunited in the WNBA

Learn More About Allyson Felix’s Fight For Mothers: Allyson Felix Took On Corporate Sports—and Won | Welcome To The Party and https://www.olympics.com/en/news/advocacy-allyson-felix-fight-for-maternal-rights-sports

NCAA Women’s Softball Tournament Schedule

Follow the UCLA’s Women’s Beach Volleyball Team

Dallas Pulse split Major League Volleyball’s 1 Million dollar prize

A Touch More Podcast - starting June 11th, Megan Rapinoe will be telling the story of the 2026 World Cup

Thank you to our sponsors:

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