Casuals with Katie Nolan – Episode Summary: "ESPYs, All-Star Swing-Off, and Drafting Power Couples | Plus Caitlin Cunningham"

Release Date: July 17, 2025

Introduction

In this lively episode of Casuals with Katie Nolan, host Katie Nolan and her co-hosts delve into a whirlwind of sports topics, including the recent ESPYs, the nuances of the All-Star Game, and a playful draft of athlete power couples. The episode also features a special guest, Caitlin Cunningham, an Australian basketball player known for her unique goth makeup and musical talents. The conversation is peppered with humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful commentary, making it an engaging listen for both sports enthusiasts and casual fans.

1. ESPYs Review

The episode kicks off with a discussion about the ESPYs, highlighting Shane Gillis’s monologue as the host. Katie expresses mixed feelings about not being able to watch the entire monologue, noting, “I don't know what's going on there” (30:09) when observing that only one co-host raised their hand to have watched the event.

Brady chimed in with skepticism, saying, “Absolutely no reason to watch the whole thing” (30:09), reflecting the general sentiment among the hosts about the relevance and excitement of award shows in sports.

Katie critiques the ESPYs format, emphasizing its perceived redundancy: “Sports wants to have award shows are good to have as like you know. And I think I want to say the most important thing about Shane hosting the ESPYs. I love a comic hosting the ESPYs” (31:22). She appreciates the infusion of humor but remains critical of the overall necessity of the event.

2. All-Star Game Analysis

Transitioning to the All-Star Game, Katie shares her thoughts on the game's evolving nature, particularly appreciating the return to players wearing their own jerseys: “Players wearing their own jerseys for the first time in six years. That was nice” (39:37). This move, she believes, added clarity and nostalgia to the event.

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the mic'd-up pitchers and catchers, which Katie finds both exciting and anxiety-inducing: “It’s so high anxiety because, sure, it can go great” (40:31). She praises Clayton Kershaw’s performance as the legacy pick, stating, “That was the greatest moment of the game. He went out there he hit three home runs in a row” (43:13).

The hosts also delve into the controversial Home Run Swing-Off, with Katie remarking on the strategic aspects and the excitement it brought: “Kyle Schwaber. Three homers in three swings. Unreal” (47:10). Brady supports the concept, highlighting the added drama it introduced to the game’s conclusion.

Additionally, the episode touches on the Hank Aaron tribute, which Katie describes as a “cool projection mapping thing” that honored Aaron’s record-breaking 715th home run (43:54).

3. Athlete Relationships Update

Shifting gears, the hosts discuss recent updates in athlete relationships. They highlight Megan Rapinoe and Clay’s public appearance, noting their “smooched before she went to do her solo pictures” (50:25), which garnered positive reactions from the co-hosts.

Brady introduces the story of Brock Lesnar’s daughter, Maya Lesnar, and her relationship with San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Drew Moss: “Maya, who became the world the women's national shot put champion in June” (52:16). The conversation humorously critiques the simplicity and sincerity of social media captions accompanying their announcements.

4. Drafting Power Couples

One of the episode’s highlights is the playful draft of athlete power couples. The hosts engage in a mock draft, selecting their favorite current athletic couples based on various criteria.

• First Pick: Katie selects Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, praising them as “couples goals” and “incredibly talented” (59:57).
• Second Pick: Isabella drafts Australian cricketer Mitchell Stark and Alyssa Healy, lauding them as “one of the greatest Australian sports couples” (59:57).
• Third Pick: Brady picks NBA and WNBA stars Adebayo and Asia Wilson, describing them as “dominant in their sports” and “just freaking adorable” (60:24).

The draft is filled with humorous banter and light-hearted competition, showcasing the camaraderie among the hosts. Notable interactions include playful jabs at each other’s picks and the ensuing excitement over their selections.

5. Other Sports News

Katie shares personal reflections on sports programming, expressing nostalgia for more diverse and creative sports content: “I just wish sports was doing a better job of programming their networks to bring more people in and share sports with more people and talk about sports in different ways and try different things” (22:57).

The conversation also touches upon Tobin Heath’s retirement from professional soccer, with Katie emphasizing Heath’s impact on the sport: “She earned her first U.S. women's National Team cap in January of 2008... She’s incredible” (75:39).

6. Guest Interview: Caitlin Cunningham

The episode features an engaging interview with Caitlin Cunningham, who discusses her distinctive goth makeup and her passion for music. Highlights from the conversation include:

• Makeup Routine: Caitlin explains her minimalist approach to makeup, stating, “I've been doing this type of makeup since I was a teenager” (80:44).

• Music Career: She shares insights into her musical endeavors, mentioning her solo EP and upcoming dance track: “My first single was 'My Bike Needs Oil... the whole EP will take you on a complete little journey” (81:22).

• Connection Between Sports and Music: Caitlin draws parallels between sports and music, describing them as “very similar formulas” with mutual demands for practice and performance excellence (87:06).

• Australian Snacks: A fun segment on favorite Australian snacks sees Caitlin praising the Green Box Barbecue flavor of Shapes crackers, sparking a playful discussion about Vegemite and other Aussie favorites (90:44).

Caitlin’s presence adds a unique flavor to the episode, blending sports with personal style and creative pursuits.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Katie promotes the upcoming live show on Mad Dog Sports Radio, encouraging listeners to tune in and engage with the hosts in real-time. The conversation ends on a humorous note, reflecting the hosts’ camaraderie and enthusiasm for future discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• Katie Nolan: “Players wearing their own jerseys for the first time in six years. That was nice.” (39:37)

• Brady: “I loved the concept of it, but didn't realize the strategy that was going to go into it and that this was going to give the world another reason to bitch about Aaron Boone.” (45:30)

• Caitlin Cunningham: “Music's a huge passion of mine... my first single was 'My Bike Needs Oil.'” (81:22)

• Isabella: “Penny Taylor, probably the second best Australian women's basketball player ever. Fantastic power couple.” (63:24)

This episode of Casuals with Katie Nolan encapsulates the dynamic interplay between sports analysis, personal anecdotes, and lighthearted banter, all enriched by the insightful contributions of guest Caitlin Cunningham. It offers a well-rounded and entertaining discussion that resonates with a diverse audience of sports fans.