Casuals with Katie Nolan: Episode Summary Episode: The NWSL, Spicy Fiction, and Harvard Dorm Parties | with Midge Purce
Release Date: March 27, 2025

Katie Nolan welcomes former Mine of the 91st co-host and current Gotham FC member, Midge Purce, to discuss her return from injury, the state of women's soccer, and various personal anecdotes. This detailed summary captures the essence of their engaging conversation, complete with notable quotes and timestamps.

1. Introduction to Midge Purce and Her Journey

Midge Purce shares her experiences with injuries, including tearing her quad and ACL, and her journey towards recovery.

• Midge Purce [12:20]:
  "I tore my quad, yeah. Last year I tore my ACL."

• Katie Nolan [12:23]:
  "And then you tore your ACL. We sat. It was so surreal because we sat talking about the World Cup, and you were like, there is this torn ACL epidemic going through women's soccer."

Midge discusses taking a sabbatical from soccer, traveling to places like Cannes and Paris, and the emotional challenges of watching her team compete without her presence.

• Midge Purce [15:09]:
  "I had a sabbatical. It was a true sabbatical way. And I was like, this is kind of nice."

2. Marketing and Representation in Women's Sports

The conversation shifts to how women's sports are marketed, emphasizing authenticity and the need for relatable narratives.

• Midge Purce [19:10]:
  "I believe a big misconception about the fight for equal pay is that people believe that women are just like, we're not going to get as many fans. We're not going to do the same work, but we expect to be paid the same amount as the athletes who are bringing in all of these fans."

Katie and Midge discuss the challenges of creating authentic rivalries in the NWSL to boost engagement.

• Midge Purce [19:35]:
  "I tried to create a rivalry against Angel City. I tried so hard, and I tried to make Gotham because obviously Gotham City sounds like villains versus the Angels. It just never stuck."

3. Equal Pay and Progress in Women's Sports

They delve into the ongoing struggle for equal pay, highlighting the need for proper investment rather than merely expecting equal outcomes.

• Midge Purce [32:58]:
  "It's like getting the proper investment to be on the same level that the men's are. I think a big misconception about the fight for equal pay is that people believe that women are just like, we're not going to get as many fans."

Katie emphasizes the importance of providing the right environment to foster growth in women's sports.

• Katie Nolan [34:10]:
  "The conversation about equal pay. They're like, well, they don't have as many viewers. And you're like, that's not."

4. Social Media and Public Perception

Katie expresses frustration with how social media discourse has become polarized, making it difficult to have genuine conversations about sports without political undertones.

• Katie Nolan [04:31]:
  "Am I the only person that feels this way? I am so sick of there being one conversation to be had about literally everything."

Midge adds her perspective on online negativity towards diverse representations in media.

• Midge Purce [07:00]:
  "It's insane to me that every reply to anything featuring anybody who isn't white now is like, DEI wokeness. That's nuts and a problem."

5. Personal Anecdotes and College Experiences

The duo shares humorous and relatable stories from their college days, including mishaps with dorm parties and academic challenges.

• Midge Purce [56:33]:
  "I didn't go anywhere. Yeah. So it's like my whole kind of like childhood. All I wore or I guess is high school childhood."

• Katie Nolan [59:47]:
  "I took organic chemistry in college for no effing reason. The teacher pronounced nuclear, and I could not get past it. You're supposed to know more than me."

6. Relationship Insights and Personal Life

Katie and Midge discuss their relationships, emphasizing support systems and personal growth.

• Midge Purce [50:47]:
  "He's the kindest soul. He's just like, you love him."

• Katie Nolan [62:31]:
  "You're a stallion to me."

7. Book Recommendations and Personal Interests

The conversation veers into their favorite books and reading habits, with Midge recommending insightful reads.

• Midge Purce [43:47]:
  "I read Husbands by Evelyn Huber in one sitting coming back from a trip from San Diego. It was like a six-hour flight. I read it the whole time. I couldn't put it down. It was absolutely unreal."

8. Closing Remarks and Future Endeavors

Midge hints at upcoming projects and expresses excitement about returning to Gotham FC.

• Midge Purce [25:09]:
  "I can't because I signed an NDA and it's gonna be announced really soon, so I'm really pumped."

Katie wraps up by expressing her enthusiasm for Midge's return and the upcoming season.

• Katie Nolan [82:33]:
  "Your 2023 NWSL championship MVP who's making her return to Gotham on a day that starts with S sometime soon. We are so excited. Stop getting hurt."

Notable Quotes

• Midge Purce [19:03]:
  "I love seeing the fashion and beauty industry get more into it. Like, Revolve has been sponsoring looks. Like, more companies getting into it. That's cool."

• Katie Nolan [34:22]:
  "It's like something. It's not right. It's like a mental illness."

• Midge Purce [74:16]:
  "I love Old Bay."

Conclusion

This episode of Casuals with Katie Nolan offers an insightful look into the challenges and triumphs within women's soccer, the importance of authentic marketing, and the personal journeys of those who navigate both the sports and personal arenas. Midge Purce's candid discussions provide valuable perspectives on recovery, representation, and the evolving landscape of women's sports.

Connect with Casuals with Katie Nolan

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