Podcast Summary: Casuals with Katie Nolan
Episode: US Open Drama, Utah Unicorns, and Why the WNBA is Amazing | with Jenny Hagel
Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Katie Nolan
Guest: Jenny Hagel (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Amber Ruffin Show, WNBA & women’s sports superfan)
Episode Theme & Purpose
This episode is an energetic, wide-ranging celebration of women’s sports and sports fandom, blending humor, cultural commentary, and sports news. Katie Nolan and guest Jenny Hagel—with the casual cast in tow—navigate topics from the US Open tennis drama to the joys of WNBA fandom and the future of women’s pro baseball, all with inclusivity and irreverent wit.
Episode Breakdown
1. Podcast & Fantasy League Housekeeping
Timestamps: 02:34–08:00
- Katie thanks listeners for their overwhelming response to the Casuals Fantasy League; only nine could be picked from “hundreds and hundreds” of emails.
- Inside jokes abound—pictures of listeners’ dogs are received (“Thank you to Pebbles, Cashew, Wilma, Hannibal, and Matt’s nameless husky.” – Isabella, 05:28).
- Matthew Berry’s appearance and fantasy football instructions are moved to a bonus episode.
Notable Quote:
“Maybe in the future we can figure out a way to accommodate more people in more leagues. I don’t know. We’re flying by the seat of our pants here.” – Katie (04:09)
2. Sports News Recap & Banter
Timestamps: 08:00–30:28
Pop Culture & Sports Crossovers
- Amusing aside about Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson’s (untrue) dating rumors and the heartbreak of fabricated celebrity narratives.
- Quick comments on Tom Brady's media role with FOX and the business of trademarks in sports (e.g., Bill Belichick’s partner filing for “Trail of Salty Tears,” “Gold Digger”).
Notable Quote:
“We’re losing the recipes as a society...maybe people don’t know what the Trail of Tears is, but it isn’t something I think we’re gonna be parodying with merch anytime soon.” – Katie (13:38)
Ryder Cup Golf News
- Keegan Bradley, as captain, does not pick himself for the Ryder Cup—a minor theme of self-selection versus humility.
Cute Sports Moments
- Trinity Rodman (soccer star) asks a teasing question to boyfriend Ben Shelton at the US Open presser; the show delights in their chemistry and laments when media fixate on her being “Dennis Rodman’s daughter.”
Notable Quote:
“They’re so cute...I like the way they flirt with each other...And every time I see her posted somewhere mainstream and people...go ‘Dennis Rodman’s daughter,’ I go, ‘No, she’s her own person!’” – Katie (20:50)
3. US Open Tennis Drama
Timestamps: 33:00–39:35
Ostapenko vs. Townsend Incident
- Recap of the heated handshake drama:
- Ostapenko accuses Taylor Townsend of poor sportsmanship and repeatedly says “You have no education” after losing.
- Katie and Jenny provide cultural context, connecting to respectability politics and the undercurrent of racism in tennis.
Notable Exchanges:
“The only time you ever hear the phrase, ‘I’ve never been racist in my life,’ is immediately before or after a racist thing.” – Jenny (37:23)
“They react like it’s the first time they’re thinking of it. And I immediately go, ‘That’s how you become one, by never checking.’” – Katie (37:35)
4. US Open Highlights & Tennis Fandom
Timestamps: 39:35–43:53
- Coco Gauff’s close call; Naomi Osaka’s strong return and stunning appearance; Medvedev’s $42,500 fine for on-court tantrum.
- Jenny admits she “can’t get into men’s sports” and only follows the women’s side, highlighting the importance of representation and relatability for sports fandom.
5. Body Image and Serena Williams' GLP-1 Endorsement
Timestamps: 43:53–47:00
- Deep dive (with humor and empathy) into Serena Williams’ body image discourse, her partnership with a weight loss drug company, and scrutiny women face.
Notable Quote:
“Imagine that there was a woman who was so exceptional at athletics...And then imagine if that person didn’t feel good about how they looked. What have we done as a society if we’ve gotten to the point where that person felt like they had to take a drug to alter their body?” – Jenny (44:40)
6. The Joy of WNBA and Women’s Sports Fandom
Timestamps: 47:00–56:30
Path to Sports Fanhood
- Jenny shares her journey from feeling “not sporty” to all-in WNBA (and women’s soccer) fan:
“Sports to me was watching men do things, and watching men watch those men do things, and then watching men talk about watching those men... But with women’s sports, you walk in, and everyone’s just pumped to be there and to help you get on board.” (48:50–49:38)
- WNBA as an inclusive space; stands out for lack of gatekeeping, enthusiastic teaching, and emotional resonance.
Notable Moments:
- Little boys in Stewie and Sabrina Ionescu jerseys.
- Black fans wearing white players’ jerseys (and vice versa); 10,000+ cheering for queer athletes.
On WNBA Relationships, Drama & Greatness
- “Men are playing checkers, women are playing chess.” – Jenny (56:05)
- Comparing the extra drama of player relationships and exes (with World Cup examples) to the limited narrative drama in the men’s leagues.
- Stud Buds moments, authenticity, and how WNBA players’ openness makes the league special.
7. WNBA, Expansion, and Team Branding
Timestamps: 56:30–66:36
- Katie declares her fandom for the Utah Valkyries as a “day one” fan.
- Discussion of team branding—call for more creative, plural team names.
“The Connecticut Sun sounds like a newspaper. I’ve always said I hate the name.” – Katie (64:28)
- Pitch: Teams like the Philly Hoagies, Texas Tacos, Utah Unicorns—embracing fun and merch potential.
8. Women’s Pro Baseball League Launch
Timestamps: 71:14–76:06
- Excitement about the upcoming Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) and what it means for women who love baseball.
“The second this women’s professional baseball league kicks off, I will never remember that the Cubs existed. I cannot wait.” – Jenny (72:03)
- League’s barnstorming model for its inaugural season, reminiscent of musicals on tour.
- Jenny and Katie vow to attend a game together, “legally required to own a Subaru” joke and all.
9. Lightning Round: “Jenny Hagel Gives Sports Advice”
Timestamps: 77:24–81:46
- Jenny gives rapid-fire “advice” to fake audience questions, all playful roasts:
- “Travis from Kansas City” (KillaTrav IG handle) is told to stay true to himself, but “you should be troubled if that’s what’s in your heart.”
- “Sophie from Indiana” (Sophie Cunningham, WNBA star) is told to stop talking about work on her podcast and “worry less about your podcast and more about...broadening your worldviews.”
- “J.D. from New York City” (James Dolan) is told he should have hired Dawn Staley and that if he goes back, needs to offer her more money than her male predecessor.
Tone & Standout Moments
- Warm, inclusive, uproariously funny and openly nerdy about women’s sports.
- Frequent self-deprecating asides and open invitations for all listeners (“We’ll welcome you back...Not you, Ostapenko.” – Katie, 40:06).
- Sincere celebration of the relational and community aspects of women’s sports fandom.
- Calls to action mixed with improv-level bits about mascots and team names (“Utah Unicorns,” “Philly Hoagies,” “Connecticut Rest Stops”).
- Guest Jenny Hagel brings both heartfelt appreciation and killer jokes; brilliant at highlighting the ways women’s sports bring something new and better to the table.
Notable Quotes
- “Women’s sports—it’s not about hiding who they are to have a product. The product is their authenticity.” – Jenny (54:53)
- “Men are playing checkers. Women are playing chess. Are you in two dimensions or in three? Because I’m in three.” – Jenny (56:05, 56:34)
- “If that person [Serena Williams] didn’t feel good about how they looked...what have we done as a society?” – Jenny (44:40)
- “The Connecticut Sun sounds like a newspaper...but one that’s about to fold.” – Katie (64:28)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Topic | Start | End | |----------------------------------------|---------|---------| | Fantasy League Housekeeping | 02:34 | 08:00 | | Sports News, Tennis, F1, Tom Brady | 08:00 | 13:59 | | Celebrity Dating Rumors | 21:47 | 25:45 | | US Open Fight & Race in Tennis | 33:00 | 39:35 | | WNBA/Men’s Sports Fandom | 47:00 | 56:30 | | Team Branding/Mascots | 64:10 | 66:36 | | Women’s Pro Baseball Launch | 71:14 | 76:06 | | Sports Advice Game | 77:24 | 81:46 |
For New Listeners: Why This Episode Works
- Educational and accessible: Explains inside jokes, tennis terms, cultural context.
- Community-driven: Shares and responds to listener input and feedback.
- Fandom as celebration: Elevates personal stories and humor over dry stats.
- Takes women’s sports seriously—but not itself: Heartfelt and hilarious in equal parts.
For more on Jenny Hagel:
See her live show, “Jenny Hagel Gives Advice” (dates in LA and Chicago); find her on Late Night with Seth Meyers’ “Jokes Seth Can’t Tell.”
“We love you. We mean it.” – Katie (83:33)