What deserves our attention in women’s sports and what are we choosing to amplify? Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach and Billie Jean King dig into the noise surrounding the WNBA, from Caitlin Clark and the league’s growing pains to the stories of joy, excellence and record-breaking performances they’d rather see dominating the conversation. Plus, they break down new research from the Women’s Sports Foundation on movement and body appreciation, react to the Cleveland Sirens’ vision for building a WNBA franchise around women’s sports fans, and somehow find their way to “Boob Gate” at the Tour de France Femmes.

Then, record-breaking ocean rower Kelsey Pfendler joins the party fresh off spending 43 days, 17 hours and 55 minutes alone at sea, rowing more than 2,400 miles from California to Hawaii. Kelsey takes us inside the storms, extreme sleep deprivation, meticulous preparation and very real fear that came with becoming the fastest person, man or woman, to complete the solo crossing. She shares why bravery can’t exist without fear, how endurance is as much emotional as it is physical, and why getting older might actually make us better at doing really hard things.

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U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone joins Welcome to the Party for a candid conversation about leading American soccer through one of the most transformative eras in its history. From negotiating equal pay and rebuilding trust within U.S. Soccer to opening the new Arthur M. Blank National Training Center and preparing for the 2027 Women’s World Cup and a historic 2031 tournament on home soil, Cindy shares what it really takes to lead through uncertainty.

Abby, Julie, Billie Jean and Cindy also break down FIFA’s abandoned private investment proposal, why the men’s World Cup changed the conversation around soccer in America, Mauricio Pochettino’s contract extension, Emma Hayes’ lasting impact, and the work still ahead to make youth soccer more affordable, accessible and fun. It’s an inspiring conversation about leadership, teamwork, and why the future of American soccer has never looked brighter.

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Thank you to our sponsors:

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

Believe it, Party People: Ted Lasso is back and this time, women’s soccer is taking center stage.

Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy and Billie Jean King sit down with Emmy-winning stars Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham for a joyful, thoughtful and very funny conversation about the long-awaited fourth season. Jason reveals how his daughter, the Lionesses, the New York Liberty and years of watching women’s sports inspired AFC Richmond’s new women’s team, and how real players and leaders helped shape the stories behind the season.

Then, Hannah opens up about Rebecca Welton’s evolution, the subtle sexism women face in leadership and entertainment, mentoring other women and why true feminism sometimes means confronting your own blind spots. Plus, Jason reflects on how playing Ted has changed him, Hannah learns a legendary USWNT cheer and the Party puts both guests through a little musical chaos.

It’s an episode about representation, leadership, belonging and the power of women’s sports, with plenty of laughs, heart and, naturally, a whole lot of belief.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

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Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com

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*for the month of August part of the proceeds will go to the Whale Foundation.

Keep the Party Going:

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

Nebraska volleyball star Harper Murray joins Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy live from Fanatics Fest to talk about her rise as one of college volleyball’s biggest names. Harper reflects on playing in front of a record-breaking 92,003 fans, navigating NIL and social media, prioritizing her mental health and stepping into a leadership role ahead of her senior season. She also shares what she has learned from Nebraska’s toughest NCAA Tournament losses, what makes Cornhusker volleyball culture so special and how she is preparing for another national championship run, before facing Abby and Julie in a chaotic live volleyball challenge.

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Follow Harper on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/harpermurrayy/

Nebraska’s Schedule:https://huskers.com/sports/volleyball/schedule

Nebraska to play a 1 Million Dollar Game at AT&T Stadium: https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/49471859/marquee-matchups-set-1m-women-volleyball-exhibition 

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy are back from vacation with family reunions, wakeboarding injuries and one very bold Tahoe bear, then it’s straight into a packed week in women’s sports. They break down the biggest moments from WNBA All-Star Weekend, celebrate new champions in softball and women’s tackle football, catch up on the U.S. track and field championships and unpack the World Cup Google searches that had everyone asking the important questions…like whether Europe has ranch.

Then, live from Gotham FC’s record-breaking Queens Classic at Citi Field, Abby and Julie sit down with English football legend Lucy Bronze. The most decorated English footballer of all time opens up about watching the women’s game transform around her, the childhood Google search that led her to UNC, playing through the Euros with a broken leg and why “Tough” is quite literally her middle name. Lucy also reflects on her autism and ADHD diagnoses, the response she received after speaking publicly about them, the future of women’s football and whether an NWSL chapter could ever be in the cards.

It’s a conversation about toughness, visibility, untapped talent and the barriers women’s sports continue to smash, one record-breaking night at a time.

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Thank you to our sponsors:

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

In Part 1 of this special three-part series, Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach and Billie Jean King take on one of the most complex and emotionally charged conversations in sports today: transgender athletes and the future of women's sports.

Joined by Fair Game: Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports authors Dr. Anna Baeth and Ellie Roscher, they explore the facts, science, history and policy behind a debate that has become deeply politicized. Together, they examine questions of fairness, inclusion and opportunity while challenging common misconceptions with data, expert research and the lived experiences of transgender athletes.

From the role of Title IX and the realities of elite competition to youth sports, body autonomy and what fairness in sports truly means, this conversation invites listeners to slow down, ask questions and engage with empathy. Even when the answers aren't simple.

Whether you're uncertain, curious or firmly opinionated, this episode offers space to listen, learn and better understand one of the defining issues in sports today.

*Since this episode was recorded, the WTA announced that all players will be required to undergo one-time SRY gene testing to compete on the women’s tour, bringing tennis into compliance with the IOC’s eligibility requirements ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.*

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If you want to learn more or go deeper on some of the things we discussed today, here are a few resources we recommend:

1. Chris Mosier's website is the place to go for action steps and the most up to date policy information: https://www.transathlete.com/

2. Fair Game by Ellie Roscher and Anna Baeth: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/fair-game-trans-athletes-and-the-future-of-sports/

3. There are free resources to pair with the book-- a book discussion guide for folks who want to read FAIR GAME in groups and go deeper and writing prompts for cis folks to explore their cis identity: https://ellieroscher.com/books/fair-game

4. Testosterone: An Unauthorized Biography by Rebecca Jordan-Young and Katrina Karkazis: 

5. Fair Play by Katie Barnes: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/fair-play-how-sports-shape-the-gender-debates_katie-barnes/ 

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

Billie Jean King joins Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy for a powerful conversation about equality, leadership, and the confidence sports can build in girls.

Recorded in partnership with Dove, the episode explores how sports, representation, and positive role models can help girls develop body confidence, find their voices, and recognize their own potential.
Billie Jean reflects on the “Battle of the Sexes,” the sacrifices that transformed women’s sports, and the advice she gave that helped inspire the U.S. Women’s National Team’s pursuit of equal pay. Together, they discuss the importance of asking for what you deserve, the responsibility each generation has to move the game forward, and how one person’s courage can create lasting change.

Plus, plenty of laughs—and a reminder that helping the next generation of girls feel confident in who they are can change far more than the game.

This special episode of Welcome to the Party is presented by Dove.

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From now until December 31st, your Dove purchase keeps girls in sports! Go to http://dove.com/purchasetodonate to learn more.

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Dove

Olympic gold medalists, three-time national champions and lifelong best friends K.K. Harvey and Laila Edwards are joining the party—along with tennis icon Billie Jean King.

For more than a decade, K.K. and Laila have trained, lived and won together. Now, after being selected by different PWHL expansion teams, they're preparing to face off as professional rivals. They take us behind their unforgettable Olympic gold-medal run, winning another NCAA championship with Wisconsin just weeks later, and the friendship that gave them the confidence to believe they belonged on the world's biggest stage.

Laila reflects on making history as the first Black woman to win Olympic hockey gold for Team USA and what it means to inspire the next generation of young athletes. K.K. shares why she always knew Laila would make the national team—even before Laila believed it herself.

Plus, they reveal the truth behind their hilariously short-lived attempt at raising a bunny, put their TikTok skills to the test with Julie, Abby and Billie Jean, and answer who is most likely to lose an Olympic medal, miss the team bus or own the dance floor.

In the Party Starter, we celebrate the record-breaking rise of women's rugby, professional women's hockey, and adaptive and para sports.

Come for the Olympic champions. Stay for the bunny drama. Welcome to the Party!

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

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Keep the Party Going:

Follow KK on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kkharvey/ and TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@kkharvey4/

Follow Laila on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/laila_edwards/ and TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@ledwards21

Women’s Elite Rugby Schedule:https://www.womenseliterugby.us/2026-schedule

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

It’s the ultimate World Cup reunion as Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy bring together generations of U.S. Women’s National Team legends, including Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry, Kristine Lilly, Becky Sauerbrunn, Julie Ertz and more.

The group reflects on the joy, energy and community surrounding this World Cup, breaks down the U.S. men’s heartbreaking exit and gets candid about what was missing when the pressure was highest. Then, the ’99ers and 2015 champions share emotional, hilarious and rarely heard stories from their own World Cup runs, from the moment they realized an entire country was behind them to the goals, saves, locker-room memories and lifelong sisterhood that changed women’s soccer forever.

It’s a celebration of the players who built the game, the generations who carried it forward and the unforgettable feeling of representing your country on the world’s biggest stage.

Follow the 99er’s movie and celebrate all things 99ers: https://www.instagram.com/the99ersteam/

Becky Sauerbrunn - Catch Teaming Up With Becky Sauerbrunn weekly podcast (part of Sam Mewis’s The Women’s Game podcast). https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtNimwVrgGBLKQYK-7MgDDmZFIywBhKrx And follow Becky on social @reeba04 https://www.instagram.com/reeba04/ 

Julie Ertz - Listen to Julie’s amazing new podcast Style of Play, co-hosted with Kealia Watt - https://styleofplayshow.com/ - And follow Julie on social @julieertz - https://www.instagram.com/julieertz/ 

Michelle Akers - Co-founder of Storied Sports, a storytelling and athlete IP company - https://www.storiedsports.com/team-2 - And follow Michelle on social at @officialmichelleakers - https://www.instagram.com/officialmichelleakers/ 

Briana Scurry - Follow Briana at https://briscurry.com/ - And follow Briana on social, @briscurry - https://www.instagram.com/briscurry/ 

Mia Hamm - Co-founder of the Mia Hamm Foundation and part-owner of Angel City FC - https://www.miafoundation.org/ - And follow Mia on social, @miahamm - https://www.instagram.com/miahamm/ 

Kristine Lilly - Runs the Kristine Lilly Soccer Academy, Author of POWERHOUSE, and member of the NWSL team Boston Legacy’s Athlete Advisory Board. - https://kristinelilly13.com/book/ and https://kristinelilly13.com/klsa-camp/ - And follow Kristine on social, @kristinelilly - https://www.instagram.com/kristinelilly/ 

Brandi Chastain - Co-founder of NWSL team, Bay FC. - https://bayfc.com/ - And follow Brandi on social, @bchastain6 - https://www.instagram.com/bchastain6/

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Flavor Flav is in the house! The legendary Public Enemy co-founder and self-proclaimed “world’s greatest hype man” joins Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy to share how being a girl dad inspired his passionate support of women’s sports and why he’s calling on more celebrities and brands to step up.