Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Opinions
Episode: ‘Skin Orgasms for Everyone’: Highlights of the Winter Olympics So Far
Host: The New York Times Opinion
Date: February 19, 2026

Overview

This episode features a lively roundtable led by Steve Stromberg (NYT Opinion Editor and Olympic enthusiast), joined by Times contributing writer Issa McCally, writer/podcaster Kelly Corrigan, and Olympic silver medalist figure skater Sasha Cohen. The group discusses their standout moments and superlatives from the ongoing Winter Olympics, blending awe for athletic excellence with reflections on resilience, mental health, politics, and the evolving spirit of international competition. The conversation also features candid insights from athletes themselves and spirited debate about the Olympics’ cultural relevance.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Standout Olympic Moments & Athlete Stories

• Frederica Brignoni’s Comeback

  • Issa McCally (01:52): Praises Italian skier Frederica Brignoni for returning from a severe leg injury just 10 months ago to win two gold medals.
    • "She talked about how she thought that she may never ski or walk normally again. For her to come back and to win two gold medals. That'd be my favorite story from the Olympics so far."

• Francesca Lollobrigida and Family

  • Kelly Corrigan (02:43): Highlights Lollobrigida, the first Italian woman to win speedskating gold in 20 years, and the emotional moment with her two-year-old son.
    • "I can't even imagine what it would do for me for my kid to see me excel at my thing."

• Ilia Malinin, “The Quad God”

  • Discussion (02:19–04:12; 08:48–12:27): Malinin failed to medal, but impressed with composure and gratitude.
    • Ilya Malinin (03:38): "I think it was definitely mental...I'm still so grateful that I was able to put in this work and effort to get to where I am..."
    • Sasha Cohen (09:33): Offers expert perspective on the unique, nerve-wracking pressure of Olympic figure skating.
      • "...as an athlete, what we should do is train our body, trust our body, and tell our mind to be quiet...the mind just really tries to be involved and perfect each moment. And that can lead to...change timing on a jumping pass."

• Maxim Nomov’s Poignant Journey

  • Sasha Cohen (04:46): Shares goosebump-inducing story of Nomov, who lost his parents in a plane crash just over a year ago and now skates in their honor.
    • "He carries a picture of his parents...He was saying, 'This is my parents' dream. I'm living their dream.' That was definitely my favorite moment."

• Athlete Psychology, Reframing “Winning”

  • Discussion of an unnamed silver medalist reframing her finish (06:06–08:22).
    • "I'm the most decorated female free skier in history. I think that's an answer in and of itself."
    • Sasha Cohen: Points out happiness paradox—third and first place medalists are happiest, second and fourth least happy, depending on context.

The Evolution of Mental Health in Sports

• Kelly Corrigan (08:22): Notes the shift towards athlete openness regarding mental health.

  • "This is the golden age of the layperson understanding mental health...these young, young people are either balanced or striving for balance in a way you didn't hear 20 years ago."

• Alyssa Liu’s Perspective—the “Blade Angels” (US skaters)

  • Sasha Cohen (12:51 & 14:51): Commends Liu’s healthy process-focused attitude.
    • Liu: "I don't evaluate my performance by the outcome. I evaluate it by what it feels like and what the process leading up to it has been."
    • Cohen: "She lives what she says."

• Sasha Cohen's Own Journey (15:34–17:53): Explains the emotional complexity and pressures of Olympic life, and why she took a long break from the sport.

  • "Every time I saw the Olympic rings or heard that music...it would just. I would relive my own programs and disappointments...it was a lot. I think I needed space to develop as a person and have other outside interests."

Awe, Wonder, and the “Skin Orgasm” Effect

• Kelly Corrigan (25:02): Describes the restorative power of Olympic “aesthetic chills.”

  • "They talk about aesthetic chills and they call them skin orgasms. And I was like, more skin orgasms for everyone."

• Steve Stromberg and Kelly Corrigan (21:05–21:44): Marvel at the physicality of Olympic athletes (e.g., Jordan Stoltz’s massive quads) and how it invites both awe and humility in viewers.

Other Inspiring Stories

• Alana Meyers Taylor’s Road to Gold
  • Kelly Corrigan (19:41–20:47): Lauds bobsledder and mother of two disabled children who almost gave up but won her first solo gold in her fifth Olympics.
    • "She was texting her husband saying, I don't think that this is...where I should be...And then two months later, she's wearing the gold and signing to her children, 'I did this. I did it.'"

The Politics of the Olympics

• Hunter Hess and Representing America

  • Steve Stromberg (22:33): Introduces the debate on national representation at the Games and a divisive quote from freestyle skier Hunter Hess.
    • Hess (22:48): "Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the US Now."
  • Issa McCally (23:33): Contextualizes the dilemma given US immigration politics and points to athletes as ambassadors of a broader, more inclusive American ideal.

• Politics vs. Performance

  • Issa McCally (26:46–27:42): Highlights how American athletes’ graciousness (e.g., Chloe Kim congratulating a competitor) counters aggressive nationalism and models respect on the world stage.
    • "That to me is what America is supposed to be like—being able to celebrate and cooperate with our global neighbors."

• Kelly Corrigan (25:02): Sees the Games as a respite from politics and an opportunity for awe—a "neurobiological reset" that helps Americans stay available for real-world challenges.

Olympic Fandom: Winter vs. Summer Debate

• Kelly Corrigan (30:09): Prefers summer due to nostalgia but appreciates winter's intimacy.
  • "You feel like you can really get to know these people..."
• Issa McCally (30:57): Refuses to choose, cherishes both, but looks forward to Summer’s track/field and gymnastics.
• Sasha Cohen (31:45): Leans Winter out of loyalty but eager for her first Summer Olympics in LA, 2028.
  • "I'm cheating by choosing both."
• Steve Stromberg (32:29): Advocates for Winter—fewer but more daring events; jokes about “skeleton people.”
  • "Everything is on a slick surface. The skill and the daring that's required..."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Issa McCally (01:52): “For her to come back and to win two gold medals. That’d be my favorite story from the Olympics so far.”
• Kelly Corrigan (02:58): “As a mom, I can't even imagine what it would do for me for my kid to see me excel at my thing.”
• Ilya Malinin (03:38): “I think it was definitely mental...it's not like any other competition.”
• Sasha Cohen (04:46): “He carries a picture of his parents...living their dream...to me, that just captured the Olympic spirit at its best.”
• Silver Medalist (paraphrased) (06:20): “I'm the most decorated free skier in history. I think that's an answer in and of itself.”
• Sasha Cohen (09:33): “The mind just really tries to be involved and perfect each moment. And that can lead to just one millisecond of delay...”
• Kelly Corrigan (25:02): “They talk about aesthetic chills...they call them skin orgasms. More skin orgasms for everyone.”
• Hunter Hess (22:48): “Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the US Now.”
• Sasha Cohen (17:53): “Every time I saw the Olympic rings...I would relive my own programs and disappointments.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:54–01:22 — Introduction of panelists
• 01:52–04:27 — Panel “superlatives”: standout Olympic stories
• 04:46–06:41 — Maxim Nomov story, silver medalist reframing
• 06:41–08:22 — Athlete psychology, reframing, mental health
• 08:22–12:27 — Discussion of “The Quad God,” mental pressure, Sasha's insights
• 12:27–15:34 — The “Blade Angels,” Alyssa Liu, figure skating medal drought
• 15:34–17:53 — Sasha Cohen on life after the Games, dealing with pressure
• 19:26–21:44 — Notable stories in other events, “the awe of the Olympics”
• 22:33–25:02 — Politics at the Olympics, athletes and national identity
• 25:02–26:46 — Olympics as “respite,” awe, and the meaning of criticism in democracy
• 27:33–28:57 — Highlights of graciousness and sportsmanship
• 29:47–32:29 — Looking ahead: Summer vs Winter Olympics debate

Tone & Flow

The conversation mixes heartwarming athlete tributes, candid personal reflections, moments of humor (“skeleton people!”, “is that what a leg is supposed to look like?”), and thoughtful commentary on both sports and society. Each panelist brings their own perspective, from the deep, lived experience of an Olympian to cultural critique and parental awe.

Conclusion

The episode offers a rich panorama of Olympic highlights—heroic comebacks, new voices in mental health, debates about politics and patriotism, and the simple joy and awe of world-class athletic achievement. Whether discussing technical figure skating, equipment minutiae, or the healing power of “skin orgasms,” the hosts maintain a warm, engaging tone that celebrates both the grandeur and the humanity of the Olympic Games.