Casuals with Katie Nolan

Episode: Super Bowl Day One | with Cari Champion, Jemele Hill & Jen Welter
Date: February 4, 2026
Host: Katie Nolan
Guests: Dr. Jen Welter, Jemele Hill, Carrie Champion
Location: Radio Row, San Francisco – Super Bowl 60

Episode Overview

Katie Nolan kicks off Super Bowl week from Radio Row in San Francisco with a lively episode packed with news, humor, and powerhouse female guests. The show opens with the chaotic, communal energy of Radio Row and includes candid Super Bowl storylines, viral moments (toupee included), and pop culture crossovers. Katie is joined by her team, plus football trailblazer Dr. Jen Welter and media icons Jemele Hill and Carrie Champion — all bringing candid takes on sports, culture, and women’s evolving role in athletics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Vibe at Radio Row (01:00-02:30)

• Katie describes Radio Row as “sports media prom”—a busy, social crossroads for everyone in sports media.
• Light banter with producers Isabella and Chris sets the friendly, casual tone for the episode.

2. Super Bowl Storylines for the Casual Fan (05:41-08:09)

• Email from listener Shelley asks why watch the Super Bowl if you don’t have a rooting interest.
• Katie: “It's a completely different set of guys for New England... Can they do this again? Can this really be a start of something else happening in New England?”
• Chris: The "Sam Darnold redemption story" and both teams being preseason long-shots add intrigue.

3. Women in the NFL Hall of Fame – Belichick & Kraft Snubbed (10:00-12:00)

• Neither Bill Belichick nor Patriots owner Bob Kraft get first-ballot Hall of Fame nods.
• Katie: “It’s just not a conversation I feel like having. It’s so dramatic, you know, the drama.”
• The group unpacks why owners get in, and how omitting Belichick and Kraft stirs unnecessary drama.

4. Wide-Ranging Sports & Pop Culture News (12:01-19:37)

• Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz wins the Australian Open – youngest male to complete a career Grand Slam.
• F1 & Celebrity: Rumor of Lewis Hamilton dating Kim Kardashian garners amused skepticism.
• PR Fail: Bauer hockey’s viral blunder—contacting a fan for a partnership, then issuing a cease-and-desist.
  • Katie: “It’s the biggest PR error I’ve ever seen...”
• Super Bowl Halftime: Criticism of Bad Bunny’s halftime show, and the planned “All-American Halftime Show” (with Kid Rock), lampooned for its lack of appeal.

5. Women’s Sports, Branding, and Generational Change (43:04-47:47)

• Trinity Rodman’s NWSL deal and Angel Reese’s brand power discussed as examples of younger athletes’ self-assurance and business savvy.
• Carrie Champion: “They come in with a certain entitlement that I appreciate... It forces [the leagues] to rise to the occasion.”
• Jemele Hill: “A lot of people do not appreciate unapologetic women, especially unapologetic Black women.”

6. Breaking Barriers: Dr. Jen Welter Interview (25:56-40:29)

• On being the NFL's first female coach:

  “When you’re a first, absolutely no one is neutral because... you’re the best thing for womanhood and then you’re the death of the patriarchy all in one package.”
  (Dr. Jen Welter, 26:45)

• Positive culture inside the Cardinals, thanks to Coach Bruce Arians.
• On coaching men:

  “I couldn’t yell loud enough to force anybody to listen, but anybody could lean into a whisper... putting relationships first.”
  (Dr. Jen Welter, 28:10)

• Emphasizes heart, one-on-one relationships, and using sports psychology.

Advice for Future Female Coaches

• “Play the game. The fluidity of expertise — seeing it through players’ eyes — is so valuable.” (32:34)
• Importance of building unique expertise (her sports psych PhD made her stand out).

NFL’s Progress on Women

• “Progress is good... with the rise of flag football as an Olympic sport and at the collegiate level, you’ll get girls who grow up with football.” (29:30-30:09)
• Stresses the need for authentic advancement, not token numbers.

Super Bowl Preview with a Defensive Eye

• Praises Patriots defense, shares tactical insights on both teams and the role of experience.
• “Watch the Patriots early—see what they do personnel-package, and how the Seahawks respond” (37:25).
• Not-so-subtly predicts Patriots will have the edge due to experience.

On Digital AI and Expanding Reach

• Jen Welter discusses her work with Praxis AI:

  “I have a digital twin that essentially has a digital vault... I can take what I’ve developed... and have exponential impact.” (38:19)

7. Lively Banter with Jemele Hill & Carrie Champion (40:42-55:13)

• Promoting their new podcast “Flagrant and Funny” — aimed at respectful, fun, and unapologetic coverage of women’s sports and culture.
• On women’s sports perception:

  “I don’t like the narrative around women’s sports for people who’ve never watched women’s sports or aren’t women...” (Carrie Champion, 41:13)

• Dynamic, humorous chemistry (fake stabbing, “Gemini energy,” past dating stories).

8. Super Bowl Halftime Show, “Takes” Game & Sports Food Hot Takes (49:08-54:50)

• Everyone is excited for Bad Bunny (“He’s gonna piss off so many people and that’s why I love it…” – Jemele Hill, 49:13).
• Game: “Take It or Leave It” — Funny, debate-style questions:
  • Should Lamar Jackson win a Super Bowl in Baltimore? (Carrie: Leaves it)
  • Did someone other than Stafford deserve MVP? (Jemele: Yes, Miles Garrett)
  • Should all stadium food be served in a helmet? (All: Take it!)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Katie on Patriots’ drama:
  “It’s so dramatic, you know, the drama. I don’t even want to suggest… I could see if they’re not all besties, they’re not all hanging out on the weekends, but I think they’ve got enough professional respect…” (11:53)

• Jen Welter:
  “Everyone has something to say. At the Cardinals, we had... this bubble where the guys were really excited, proud to be part of history.” (26:55)

• On coaching men:
  “I couldn’t yell loud enough to force anybody to listen, but anybody could lean into a whisper.” (28:10)

• Carrie Champion:
  “I love her [Trinity Rodman] entire spirit. She’s all the things I wish certain generations were…” (43:15)

• Jemele Hill, on Angel Reese:
  “She is unapologetic about everything she does...a lot of people do not appreciate unapologetic women, especially unapologetic Black women.” (45:04)

• Dr. Jen Welter, summing up being a “first”:
  “Being a first is really hard because you blaze the trail, and then when people get to skippity-doo-dah through the trail later, they’re like, ‘Oh, what a pretty trail’... we forget that somebody had to clear those.” (39:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] – Vibe check: Toupee story and Radio Row setup
• [05:41] – Why casual fans should care about Super Bowl 60
• [10:00] – Hall of Fame snubs: Belichick & Kraft
• [12:32] – Pop culture news: Alcaraz, Kardashian/Hamilton, Bauer misstep
• [19:53] – Minions figure skating & Bad Bunny halftime backlash
• [25:56] – Dr. Jen Welter joins: NFL trailblazer interview
• [32:50] – Advice for future female football coaches
• [33:49] – Patriots vs Seahawks: Defensive breakdown
• [37:38] – Dr. Welter on AI and personal brand expansion
• [40:42] – Jemele Hill & Carrie Champion: Podcast banter
• [49:08] – Bad Bunny, stadium food, “Take it or Leave it” game
• [58:35] – “What to Watch” sports roundup: Darts, Olympics, Puppy Bowl
• [62:07] – Episode wrap, tease for more from Super Bowl week

Overall Tone & Style

Katie Nolan’s signature wit, authenticity, and inclusivity shine throughout. The episode is welcoming to sports “casuals,” never talking down, always inviting in. Banter is sharp, feminist, and friendly. Guests share a mix of playful rivalry and mutual support, dropping sports insight and cultural commentary without pretension.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• Provides accessible, personality-driven football talk—great whether you obsess over stats or just tune in for halftime.
• Spotlights women trailblazers in coaching and media; discusses the evolving, empowered landscape of women’s sports.
• Features memorable stories, expert X’s & O’s (Dr. Jen’s defensive breakdown), and genuine advice for young women hoping to break into sports fields.
• Offers cultural snark (see: the “All American Halftime Show”) and humor throughout, making the Super Bowl build-up feel like recess rather than homework.

Find more—new episodes all Super Bowl week!
Special thanks to Dr. Jen Welter, Jemele Hill, and Carrie Champion.
Love you, mean it.