Podcast Summary: Good Follow – Phoenix Mercury Forward Kathryn Westbeld Talks Alyssa Thomas, Playing Overseas & More

Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Good Follow
Host: Raz Golden Bore (special segment)
Guest: Kathryn Westbeld, Phoenix Mercury Forward
Date: September 4, 2025
Location: Elser Hotel, Miami

Overview

This episode of "Good Follow" features an engaging and candid conversation with Kathryn Westbeld, the 29-year-old rookie forward for the Phoenix Mercury. Raz Golden Bore dives deep into Westbeld’s unconventional path to the WNBA, her years overseas, the importance of family, her passion for food, and her role on a playoff-bound Mercury squad. The episode offers listeners a heartfelt look into perseverance, the value of faith and family, and the realities of women’s professional basketball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kathryn’s Unique WNBA Journey (01:49–04:49)

• Late Bloomer Rookie: Kathryn is a 29-year-old rookie, years removed from her 2018 NCAA championship at Notre Dame.
• Quote: “I honestly couldn’t have scripted a better rookie season for myself, honestly… a lot of injuries, a lot of adversity early on... it kind of gave me an opportunity to really make my mark from the beginning.” (02:13, Kathryn)
• Gratitude for the Chance: Emphasizes her thankfulness for finally reaching the WNBA, after feeling it might be out of reach.

2. Playing Overseas – Challenges and New Perspectives (03:05–04:49)

• Global Experience: Played six years in Spain, Italy, France, Hungary, Puerto Rico, Australia, and a brief, harrowing stint in Israel during the outbreak of war.
  • Quote: “I even was in Israel for, I think, not even two weeks during the war... a little scary moment in there. But, yeah, it’s been quite a journey.” (Kathryn, 03:54)
• COVID Impact: Took a year off during the pandemic—worked a 9-to-5 office job, not knowing if she’d ever play again.

3. Life as an Account Executive – The “Regular Job” Interlude (04:49–06:24)

• Office Reality Check: Spent six months as an account executive at a logistics firm and realized quickly it wasn’t for her.
  • Quote: "Sales... you kind of lose your moral compass... it was just totally against, like, kind of who I am as a person.” (05:19, Kathryn)
• Learned What’s Not Right: Now knows with certainty that basketball is her calling.

4. Staying Motivated and Never Giving Up (08:53–10:10)

• Love of the Game: Took things season by season, motivated by steady improvement.
  • Quote: “Every season I was getting better... why would I stop when I’m on an uphill trend?” (08:53, Kathryn)
• Family Support: Credits her aunt and uncle for helping her see the silver lining in tough situations.
  • “If you can see the silver lining in everything, I feel like you can just continue to do it because… you’re gonna get good out of it regardless.” (09:53, Kathryn)

5. Food, Cooking, & Creativity (10:10–13:31)

• Active Foodie: Runs Kat’s Cuisine on Instagram; cooking became a bigger part of her life overseas.
  • Quote: “In another life, I think I’m a chef... I feel like I’m very much like an artist also. Food is an art.” (10:58, Kathryn)
• Family Influence: Grew up in a big family where food and gatherings were central.
• No Time for Teammate Dinners (Yet): The Mercury take great care of players' meals, but she cooked a special dinner for her sister on a recent visit.

6. Sisterly Bond: Kathryn & Maddie Westbeld Both Go Pro (13:31–17:04)

• Draft Class Together: Despite a six-year age gap, both sisters entered the WNBA in 2025—Kathryn (29, Phoenix Mercury), Maddie (23, Chicago Sky).
  • Quote: “Did I find timing? There’s nothing else I can say about that… we’ve been best friends for so long.” (14:18, Kathryn)
• Family Support: 30+ family members traveled to their game in Chicago; custom “half-and-half” shirts and hats became family symbols.
• Mutual Motivation: Shared love for intensive summer workouts, healthy eating, and being each other's biggest supporter.

7. Notre Dame Roots & Women’s Basketball Excellence (18:27–21:01)

• Winning Culture: Recounts the lineage of Notre Dame stars and the program's tradition of preparing players for pro success.
  • Quote: “Notre Dame is going to challenge you enough and make you uncomfortable enough to where you have no choice but to grow...” (19:58, Kathryn)
• Historic 2018 Run: Remembers their shorthanded, dramatic national championship win, with Arike Ogunbowale’s legendary shots and the presence of Kobe Bryant.
  • “I feel like I already knew the outcome of that game.” (21:35, Kathryn)
  • “It was meant to be. Like, I feel like it was written.” (21:35, Kathryn)

8. Perseverance, Faith, and Young Girls in Sport (22:34–23:45)

• Early Inspiration: Childhood memory of watching Candace Parker win the NCAA championship fueled her lifelong ambition.
  • “I want to do that. I’m going to win a national championship.” (22:51, Kathryn)
• Message for Young Athletes: Importance of faith, conviction, and seeing role models live.

9. Role on the Phoenix Mercury – The Glue Player (24:35–25:50)

• All-Around Contributor: Known for doing the “little things” that don’t always show up in box scores.
  • “They call me the glue player... the person who just keeps everyone together, doing all the little things, the intangibles.” (24:46, Kathryn)
  • “It’s not always the most rewarding role, but at the end of the day… it’s what helps us win.” (25:35, Kathryn)

10. Playing with Alyssa Thomas & Coach Nate Tibbets (25:50–28:52)

• Alyssa Thomas’ Impact: Praises the veteran for her overlooked greatness, leadership, and integrity.
  • “She’s not going to ask you to do anything that she’s not going to do herself.” (26:45, Kathryn)
• Coach Tibbets’ Style: A players’ coach who empowers his team; Kathryn commends his collaborative approach and the staff’s quality.
  • “You want to run through a wall for [him] because… he’s got your back at all times.” (27:45, Kathryn)
  • “This is probably the best I’ve worked with in my whole career.” (28:15, Kathryn)

Memorable Quotes

• On her unlikely WNBA debut:
  “I honestly couldn’t have scripted a better rookie season for myself, honestly.” – Kathryn Westbeld (02:13)

• On the overseas grind:
  “I feel like I’ve been everywhere... I even was in Israel for, I think, not even two weeks during the war... a little scary moment in there.” – Kathryn Westbeld (03:54)

• On prioritizing the right path:
  “Sales... you kind of lose your moral compass... it was just totally against... who I am.” – Kathryn Westbeld (05:19)

• On family and faith:
  “We’ve been best friends for so long... there’s nothing else I can say about that but divine timing.” – Kathryn Westbeld (14:18)

• On playing the glue role:
  “What I do isn’t always going to show up on the stat sheet, but... it’s what helps us win.” – Kathryn Westbeld (25:35)

• On Alyssa Thomas:
  “She’s not going to ask you to do anything that she’s not going to do herself.” – Kathryn Westbeld (26:45)

• On Coach Tibbets:
  “A coach like that, you want to run through a wall for.” – Kathryn Westbeld (27:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:49–04:49 – Kathryn recounts her non-traditional path to the WNBA and years overseas.
• 04:49–06:24 – Her stint in a corporate 9-to-5 job and the realization she belonged on the court.
• 08:53–10:10 – Discusses staying motivated through adversity.
• 10:10–13:31 – Her love of food, running Kat’s Cuisine, and adapting culinary skills in new countries.
• 13:31–17:04 – Family, sibling bond, entering the WNBA with her sister, and their support system.
• 18:27–21:01 – Notre Dame memories, why the school produces pro-ready talent.
• 21:35–23:45 – Reflections on championship moments and inspiring the next generation.
• 24:35–25:50 – Explains her valuable and versatile role on the Mercury.
• 25:50–28:52 – Talks about Alyssa Thomas' influence and Coach Tibbets’ leadership.

Episode Tone & Closing

The conversation is candid, warm, and at times humorous—mirroring Kathryn's humble self-assurance and the familial, supportive tone set by the host. Kathryn’s openness about her setbacks, her unwavering belief, and her gratitude for each chapter—on and off the court—offer listeners encouragement, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of the women’s game.

For listeners

Even if you haven’t followed Kathryn Westbeld’s career, this episode is an essential listen for anyone interested in resilience, family, the realities of professional women’s sports, and how life experiences off the court can shape those on it.