Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – "Good Follow - WNBA Legend Candace Parker Talks Expectations, Finding Fulfillment, Feeling Misunderstood & More"

Release Date: July 22, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Good Follow, hosted by Roz Golden Woody, WNBA legend Candace Parker joins the conversation to discuss her illustrious career, recent retirement, new endeavors, motherhood, and the challenges of navigating public perception. The interview delves deep into Candace's transition from the court to her various off-court roles, her competitive spirit, and her perspectives on broadcasting and media representation in women's basketball.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Roz begins by celebrating Candace Parker's remarkable career, highlighting her numerous accolades:

• Three-time WNBA Champion
• Two-time WNBA MVP
• Seven-time All-Star
• Seven-time WNBA First Team
• Two-time NCAA Champion
• Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist

Candace reflects on her 16-year career, discussing the longevity and evolution of her role in basketball.

Candace Parker ([02:32]): "Sixteen years. Yes. Crazy."

Retirement and New Roles

Candace recently retired from professional basketball and has since embarked on several new ventures:

• President of Adidas Women’s Basketball
• Author of "The Can Do Mindset"
• NBA Sports Broadcaster for Amazon
• Podcaster
• Entrepreneur
• Mother of Three

Roz emphasizes the significance of Candace's availability amidst her busy schedule, underscoring the importance of her participation in the podcast.

Roz Golden Woody ([02:51]): "She is now in retirement. Newly named the president of Adidas Women’s basketball. Newly the author of the book the Can Do Mindset. NBA sports broadcaster newly of Amazon. And a podcaster. An entrepreneur, a mother of three."

Balancing Motherhood and Career

Candace opens up about the challenges and joys of being a mother to three children while managing her professional responsibilities.

Candace Parker ([03:30]): "The hardest job has been the mother of three. Because whoever told me that going from two to three is the same as having two? They lied."

She discusses the logistical challenges, such as chauffeuring her 16-year-old daughter and managing time effectively.

Candace Parker ([04:00]): "I'm still her Uber driver, you know, so it's three kids is a lot, but I love it."

Staying Organized and Maintaining Wellness

Roz inquires about Candace's organizational strategies amidst her multifaceted roles. Candace credits her success to meticulous planning and a strong support system.

Candace Parker ([04:21]): "Lots of Google Calendars and color-coordinated Google Calendar. That's huge. But also leaning on my family to make sure everything is good where I'm not."

She emphasizes the importance of being present and committed to where her focus lies, whether at home or work.

Competitive Spirit Beyond the Court

Despite retiring, Candace's competitive nature remains undiminished. She finds fulfillment in everyday activities, turning ordinary moments into competitive endeavors.

Candace Parker ([05:16]): "I just can't take the competitor out of the girl. Like, it’s just not okay. Doesn't matter. Even when you retire, you can't take it out."

Roz humorously highlights how Candace's competitiveness extends to casual games at home, ensuring her family stays on their toes.

Launching the Podcast: "Post Moves"

Candace introduces her new podcast, "Post Moves," co-hosted with Aaliyah Boston, a three-time All-Star from a different generation.

Candace Parker ([06:43]): "We're two generations seeing things from a different perspective. The show is called Post Moves, obviously because we're two posts and we do a lot of post moves, but it's also like post career moves and what you do."

The podcast aims to blend basketball insights with discussions on entrepreneurship, life off the court, and personal growth.

Candace Parker ([08:16]): "We're going to talk about basketball, obviously, because that's the vehicle that takes us through life. But we're going to talk about off the court stuff. We're going to talk about news that pops up. We're going to talk about life. We're going to talk about food and wine, which I am now, like, I’m a foodie."

Broadcasting Challenges and Media Representation

Roz addresses the scrutiny women face in sports broadcasting, particularly in women's basketball. She references recent viral comments Candace made about Angel Reese and the backlash that ensued.

Candace Parker ([10:48]): "I think that my response is, there’s no hate on Angel Reese. I love her. She plays for the Chicago Sky. I saw her at my Jersey retirement versus LA, so it's nothing like that."

Candace stresses the importance of objective and constructive commentary in broadcasting, advocating for a respectful discourse that focuses on the game rather than personal attacks.

Candace Parker ([12:04]): "I think it's so interesting in this female space, the need to have to explain some of these things like that you don't see where, you know, we worked with the guys at Turner where they come on and they say stuff that's just so outlandish."

Handling Expectations and Feeling Misunderstood

Roz draws parallels between Candace's experiences and those of male superstars like LeBron James, exploring the pressures of living up to high expectations.

Candace attributes her resilience and focus to her upbringing, emphasizing that external expectations should never surpass personal aspirations.

Candace Parker ([17:59]): "My parents always talked about, like, the bar and everybody else's expectations should never exceed your own. And I really value the upbringing that I had to focus on the process and what's gonna get me there and not the noise that's around."

She reflects on moments of feeling misunderstood during challenging phases of her career, highlighting the importance of perseverance and maintaining focus on personal goals.

Candace Parker ([22:03]): "I really have to keep your head down and just like they say in kindergarten, like, keep your eyes on your own paper. It gets difficult at times, but the more you do that and you just dive into your process, all that other stuff, expectations, those are all just white noise."

Future Aspirations and Legacy

In the concluding segment, Roz asks Candace about her aspirations for the future, contemplating whether her second chapter could surpass her basketball achievements.

Candace expresses her ambition to influence the business world, advocate for financial literacy among female athletes, and increase women's representation in corporate leadership.

Candace Parker ([24:14]): "I hope Magic Johnson is my North Star in terms of business and athletes and family and all of those good things. I'd like to see more women in board seats. I'd like to see more women at cap tables. I'd like to see more female athletes get opportunities that our male counterparts are getting."

She envisions leveraging her experiences to open doors for future generations, ensuring that the skills and lessons learned from her athletic career translate into sustained success off the court.

Candace Parker ([25:20]): "I hope to serve the game that has given me so much, but also hopefully open it up more doors for when the ball stops bouncing for others."

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a lighthearted exchange about a Domino’s tournament, showcasing the camaraderie between Roz and Candace. Candace reinforces her supportive nature, encouraging Roz to embrace the competitive spirit.

Candace Parker ([25:37]): "There is no try, okay? There is do or do not."

Roz humorously admits her apprehension about the competitive games ahead, while Candace assures her of unwavering support.

Roz Golden Woody ([25:55]): "All right, Candace, thank you so much for kicking it. Alright. Love you."

Candace Parker ([26:13]): "Love you, Love you."

Notable Quotes

• Candace Parker ([05:16]): "I just can't take the competitor out of the girl. Like, it’s just not okay. Doesn't matter. Even when you retire, you can't take it out."

• Candace Parker ([10:48]): "I think that my response is, there’s no hate on Angel Reese. I love her. She plays for the Chicago Sky."

• Candace Parker ([17:59]): "My parents always talked about, like, the bar and everybody else's expectations should never exceed your own."

• Candace Parker ([24:14]): "I'd like to see more women in board seats. I'd like to see more women at cap tables."

Conclusion

This episode offers an insightful glimpse into Candace Parker's journey from a celebrated athlete to a multifaceted leader in sports, business, and media. Her candid discussions on balancing personal and professional life, handling public scrutiny, and paving the way for future female athletes provide valuable lessons for listeners. Candace's unwavering dedication, competitive spirit, and forward-thinking mindset underscore her commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

For those who missed the episode, this summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights shared by Candace Parker, offering an engaging and comprehensive overview of her experiences and future aspirations.