Podcast Summary: "The Tina Charles Interview" on Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird

Release Date: July 11, 2025

Host: Sue Bird

Introduction

In this engaging two-part interview, WNBA superstar Tina Charles joins Hall of Famer Sue Bird on "Bird's Eye View." The conversation delves deep into Tina's illustrious career, her experiences across various WNBA teams, Olympic endeavors, leadership philosophies, personal challenges, and her impactful off-court initiatives.

1. Career Journey and Achievements

Tina Charles, a future WNBA Hall of Famer, shares insights into her remarkable career, highlighting her numerous accolades:

• Achievements: "I'm an MVP, a two-time scoring champ, eight-time All-Star, and a three-time Olympic gold medalist." (00:56)
• WNBA All-Defensive and All-WNBA Teams: "Selected to the WNBA All-Defensive team four times and made the All WNBA team nine times." (00:56)

Tina discusses her transitions between teams, including the Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm, emphasizing the impact of strategic trades and free-agent signings on team dynamics and performance.

2. Team Culture and Leadership

The interview underscores the significance of team chemistry and leadership in achieving success:

• Building Culture: "The real reason I bring it up is...are we going to see more European players? More than that, are we going to see more European players drafted?" (07:00)

Sue Bird highlights the importance of fostering a collaborative environment: "Teams all across your business will be psyched to collaborate and create amazing presentations..." (00:01)

Tina emphasizes leading by example: "With this group, I'm more leading by Example." (57:19) She reflects on adapting her leadership style to fit the new team dynamics in Seattle.

3. Olympic Experiences

Tina recounts her Olympic journeys, detailing the challenges and growth she experienced:

• Olympic Roles: "Being able to be a pro coming off of that, that's what was special for me, was to be able to see that through." (123:20)

• Tokyo Olympics Challenges: "The Olympics is such a hard experience... It's just a game." (Noted throughout the conversation)

She discusses the physical demands and strategic adjustments required when shifting roles from starter to bench player, especially during high-pressure moments.

4. Personal Struggles and Growth

Tina opens up about pivotal moments that tested her resilience:

• 2019 Season and Team Changes: "That was a sad moment... The dream started for me to want to aspire to be in the WNBA." (87:14) She shares the emotional turmoil of being traded and the subsequent decision to join the New York Liberty.

• 2014 Drug Test Incident: Tina narrates a harrowing experience involving accidental ingestion of an edible before a championship game: "My heart just, like, falls... And I was like, yeah, Tina, that's a good shot." (124:34) This incident underscores the unpredictable challenges athletes may face off the court.

• 2023 Hiatus and Rediscovery: Reflecting on a year away from the game, Tina discusses her journey to rediscover her identity beyond basketball: "It was very hard... I was very isolated." (75:09) Through faith and personal development, she rekindled her passion for the sport.

5. Leadership and Team Dynamics

Tina and Sue explore the balance between leading by example and providing vocal guidance:

• Balancing Leadership Styles: "I have to learn, like, okay, maybe my approach is the arm around the shoulder and saying, like, hey..." (57:19)

• Adapting to Team Needs: Tina shares experiences from her time with various teams, emphasizing the importance of understanding and meeting teammates where they are.

6. Philanthropy and Off-Court Initiatives

Beyond the court, Tina is deeply committed to impactful causes:

• Hopi's Heart Foundation: "We raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and replacement of AEDs... We've saved one life." (82:05) Tina highlights the foundation's success in placing defibrillators in critical locations, honoring her late aunt's memory.

• Filmmaking Career: Tina discusses her burgeoning career in filmmaking, aiming to tell stories of unsung heroes through documentaries: "I'm excited about it... tell stories of unsung heroes." (84:13)

7. Advice to Young Players

Tina imparts valuable lessons to aspiring athletes:

• Embracing Roles and Teamwork: "You're not just sacrificing the me for the we... Just trying to help these guys be better." (79:12)

• Handling Adversity: "True character is shown until you face adversity... How you choose to respond." (93:35)

• Developing a Competitive Edge: "If you chase perfection, you will catch greatness." (22:08)

8. Reflections and Future Outlook

As the conversation draws to a close, Tina reflects on her legacy and contemplates her future:

• Legacy and Impact: "Counting my wins in a different column... teach them how to be pro." (79:12)

• Future Plans: While Tina hints at possible retirement around 2026, she remains passionate about contributing to the sport and her philanthropic efforts: "Hope He's Heart foundation... getting to be behind the lens." (82:38)

• Gratitude and Faith: Tina emphasizes her gratitude for the opportunities and the role her faith has played in navigating her career's highs and lows: "If you were to hang my head... I'm just gonna trust it." (75:06)

Notable Quotes

• Tina Charles on Leadership: "Leadership is not about what you do, but how you do it." (Referenced throughout)

• Sue Bird on Team Impact: "When you have European players, they're tipping the scale for a lot of teams." (07:00)

• Tina Charles on Adversity: "True character is shown until you face adversity." (93:35)

• Tina on Hopi's Heart: "We're very close to reaching the 500 milestone... it's a preventable injury." (82:38)

• Tina on Returning to Play: "Being around those players and reminiscing... it's really special." (144:30)

Conclusion

This comprehensive interview between Sue Bird and Tina Charles offers an intimate glimpse into the life of one of the WNBA's most decorated players. From career triumphs and leadership insights to personal struggles and philanthropic endeavors, Tina's story is one of resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment both on and off the court. Listeners gain valuable lessons on teamwork, handling adversity, and the importance of giving back, making this episode a must-listen for basketball enthusiasts and aspiring athletes alike.

For more episodes, visit Bird's Eye View on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.