Welcome to the Party

Abby and Billie Jean King check in from Milan with a Winter Games diary you honestly couldn’t script.

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Elana Meyers Taylor has competed in four Winter Olympic Games. She’s won five Olympic medals. She’s the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history. And she’s still chasing gold.

But what makes Elana extraordinary isn’t just what she’s done on the ice, it’s how she’s doing it. In this conversation, Abby, Julie, and Billie Jean sit down with the bobsled legend to talk about switching sports after a failed Olympic softball dream, driving one of the most physically brutal events in the Games, and what it really feels like to pull G-forces that can wreck your spine.

They also dive into something bigger: motherhood on tour. Elana travels the world with her two young sons, both deaf, one with Down syndrome, learning ASL as a family while navigating a sport that still doesn’t financially support mothers the way it should. She opens up about sponsorships, childcare costs, why she may walk away with debt instead of a paycheck, and how she’s helping change what’s possible for parents in Olympic sport.

This is a conversation about resilience, representation, and attacking the track of your life head on, even when the odds, and the infrastructure, aren’t built for you.

Party People, buckle up.

*Correction: In this episode, we misstated details about the Unrivaled 1v1 tournament. The semifinals are Chelsea Gray vs. Kelsey Plum and Aliyah Boston vs. Allisha Gray. The semis and finals are all being held February 14, 2026, in Miami.*

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Keep the Party Going:

-Save: The Katie Meyer Story | E60

-The US Curling team beats Italy to advance: https://youtu.be/9R1riGWFR-0?si=k8_dtggBxlM-jeqF

-Kendall Coyne Schofield's son gets puck mid-game: https://youtu.be/9bQIbSBB_9A?si=HEWSaR6cqQFQFk6R

-Olympic schedule: https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule

-Follow Elana Meyers Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/elanameyerstaylor/

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/

00:00:00 – Welcome
00:05:05 – The record Elana's quietly chasing
00:11:15 – What 5 G’s really feel like
00:14:30 – “My back is trashed”, the physical toll
00:21:45 – Four months in Europe with two little kids
00:28:00 – The cost of childcare, travel, and chasing gold
00:31:40 – Why she could walk away in debt
00:39:00 – “Attack the track” — the mindset shift
00:42:30 – What she wants her boys to see
00:45:00 – What this Olympic run really means

Our hosts, Billie Jean King and Abby Wambach speak openly about the impact of Heated Rivalry and how it mirrors their own personal journeys.

Then we’re crashing practice to celebrate the NYU women’s basketball team and their record-breaking run.

And the Winter Olympics have officially taken over, and this week’s party starter is all about the moments and meaning behind the headlines. Olympic reporter and creator Marissa Tandon joins Abby, Julie, and Billie Jean to break down what’s unfolding in Milan and Cortina, from Team USA’s thrilling figure skating gold to Ilya Malinin’s history-making backflip, Amber Glenn’s resilience on the biggest stage, and the layers beneath the results that make women’s sports so compelling right now. The conversation also hits Lindsey Vonn’s fearless return, Breezy Johnson’s razor-thin downhill win, Hilary Knight chasing Olympic history, and why Chloe Kim’s ability to settle her nerves never stops impressing.

Then it’s Coffee with the Kinger, and it’s one of those conversations that lingers. Billie Jean King leads a candid discussion sparked by Coco Gauff being filmed in what she believed was a private moment after her Australian Open loss. Together, the trio unpack emotional expression in elite sports, the reality of constant cameras, and the double standards female athletes still navigate. The conversation widens to legacy, visibility, and why stories like Heated Rivalry resonate far beyond the screen, especially for young athletes who are watching and learning what’s possible.

From Olympic pressure to personal truth, this episode captures what Welcome to the Party does best: honoring where the game’s been, naming where it is, and asking what it takes to move it forward.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

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TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Brandi Carlile Sings America the Beautiful at Super Bowl LX

Follow NYU Women’s Hoops: https://www.instagram.com/nyuwomenshoops/

Read about NYU Women’s Basketball: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/47868788/nyu-women-team-sets-div-iii-mark-82nd-straight-win

Olympic Schedule: https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule

Follow Marissa Tandon on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @marissakumari  

Coco releases her frustrations after Australian Open Loss: ​​https://x.com/tntsports/status/2016078126741151958?s=20

Coco discusses the incident: https://x.com/TheTennisLetter/status/2016097716435402855?s=20 

Gamechangers Book Series: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/books/g69595109/heated-rivalry-game-changers-rachel-reid-books-in-order/

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

- Own your health for $365 a year. That’s a dollar a day. Learn more by visiting https://www.functionhealth.com/tcm/party

- Get 15 percent off your first order at Wearfigs.com with code FIGSRX.

- Let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push, and go. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com

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

- Learn more about Intuit QuickBooks at https://quickbooks.intuit.com/!

Four months. That’s how long it took Erin Jackson to go from stepping onto the ice for the very first time to earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic speedskating team. What followed was one of the most unbelievable journeys in sports: Olympic gold in Beijing, decided by eight hundredths of a second, and history made as the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal.

In this episode, Erin takes us inside the full arc, from roller derby alter egos and inline skating dominance to the terrifying, character-building grind of Special Forces, and the mental resilience it takes to start over in a brand new sport at 24. She opens up about the heartbreak of Olympic Trials, the selfless act by teammate Brittany Bowe that changed everything, the pressure of the biggest moments, and what it means to carry visibility into winter sports.

With Milan Cortina beginning, Erin reflects on a milestone just announced: being named a U.S. flag bearer, an honor that underscores not just her excellence on the ice, but her impact far beyond it. She also shares how she’s navigating injuries, defending her title, and chasing another gold, all while staying grounded, analytical, and unapologetically herself. Equal parts mind-blowing, emotional, and inspiring, this is a reminder that it’s never too late to start and that sometimes the wildest paths lead straight to the podium.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠

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Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Tools to help you watch the Olympics:

Get to know the Winter Olympic Athletes: https://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes

Hometown USA Winter Olympians - State:

https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/team-usa-athletes-winter-olympics-states-where-from-map-2026-milan-rcna256011

About Oli-Your AI buddy for the Olympics: https://www.nbcsports.com/pressbox/press-releases/oli-nbcuniversals-ai-powered-olympic-guide-returns-with-enhanced-features-to-provide-fans-with-up-to-date-info-about-nbcus-coverage-of-the-milan-cortina-2026-olympic-winter-games

The Olympic Schedule: https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule

Explainer Videos: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/allianz-sport-explainers

Your Olympic Angels

Ross Stevens: https://www.usopc.org/news/2025/march/04/united-states-olympic-paralympic-committee-and-united-states-olympic-paralympic-foundation-announce-100-million-gift-to-support-post-games-financial-security-for-team-usa-athletes

Follow Flavor Flav’s Olympic adventures:https://www.instagram.com/flavorflavofficial/

Alice Milliat

Learn more about Alice:https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/alice-milliat-pioneer-womens-sport

Follow: Herstory_Feminism https://www.instagram.com/p/DT6MSIdCHWy/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

Wandering Womb theory:https://www.wired.com/2014/05/fantastically-wrong-wandering-womb/

Erin Jackson

Follow Erin Jackson:@SpeedyJ

Erin Jackson becomes the first black woman to win individual gold in the Winter Olympics: https://youtube.com/shorts/uCaKO3FeQXI?si=bZWDf4QuCLhnA_22

Thank you to our sponsors:

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

- 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 https://quickbooks.intuit.com/.

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

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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

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

Your numbers, your data, your insights — everything is finally in one place. Learn more about Intuit QuickBooks at quickbooks.com.

Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Quince.com/WELCOMETOTHEPARTY for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. 

Check out the limited-edition Team USA collection and get 15 % 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:

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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:

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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.