Podcast Summary: "Stolen Seasons"
Podcast: The World and Everything in It
Date: January 24, 2026
Host: Mary Reichard, WORLD Radio
Guest: Peyton McNabb (Independent Women’s Ambassador, North Carolina)
Episode Overview
In this special episode titled "Stolen seasons," host Mary Reichard interviews Peyton McNabb, a young woman from North Carolina who became nationally recognized after suffering serious injuries during a high school girls' volleyball game in 2022 involving a transgender athlete. Peyton discusses the physical and psychological impact of her experience, her advocacy for fair women's sports, criticism of policy-makers, and her hope for the future. The episode centers on the broader debate over the participation of transgender women (biological males) in female athletics, the impact on affected athletes, and the responsibilities of educational institutions and policy-makers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Peyton’s Background and Injury (00:04–01:12)
- Incident Recap: Peyton recounts being knocked unconscious and seriously injured when a volleyball was powerfully spiked by a "male playing on the opposition's girls team." Her injuries included partial paralysis and a brain bleed.
- Impact on Future: Peyton explains that this injury derailed her dreams of playing collegiate softball and participation in all her sports.
- “I wasn't going to be like a college volleyball player... Played college softball. But of course, that got taken away... I couldn't perform to my highest ability anymore because of the volleyball season, which was two seasons before the softball.” (02:18)
The Emotional and Psychological Effects (00:59–01:57)
- Fear and Responsibility: Peyton describes the fear of playing against biological males and her feeling of needing to protect younger or less experienced teammates.
- "I was terrified... we need to just finish the game... I was scared because I didn't want to get hurt... I feel like it was better that it happened to me rather than a little freshman girl..." (01:11)
- Disillusionment with Adults: She voices disappointment in adults and elected officials who she feels failed to protect her and other girls.
- “I never thought that the adults would allow that to happen… the people that have been elected to protect me are simply looking away because they don't want to get an uncomfortable conversation and they're putting me at risk...” (01:51)
Societal and Policy Critiques (02:33–04:26)
- Call to Action for Adults: Peyton urges adults and leaders to "stand up for these girls," highlighting that many use the risk of losing jobs or friends as an excuse to avoid action.
- “It's way past time to be able to say what you truly believe and stand up for these girls… The excuse that you're afraid to speak up… that's been overly used. It doesn't really work for me anymore.” (03:00)
- Frustration at Policy-makers: She expresses frustration at having to explain “basic biology” to adults and being put in a position to testify at congressional hearings.
- “I don't understand why me, at 20 years old, I have to sit in front of congressional hearings and explain that there's a biological difference between a man and a woman.” (03:57)
Public Opinion and Legal Developments (04:26–06:24)
- Growing Resistance: Peyton observes that while those in favor of transgender participation are "the loudest," public opinion is shifting as more people speak out.
- "Majority of America agrees that a man is different than a woman, and they're just completely tired of seeing all this... our side has grown so much and it's gotten so big..." (04:43)
- On the Supreme Court: She expresses hope that the Supreme Court will recognize the biological differences between men and women.
- “You're supposed to be the court that always chooses facts over feelings. And so I guess we'll see if that's still the case.” (06:21)
Message to Justice Gorsuch and Policymakers (06:24–07:27)
- Direct Message: Peyton addresses Justice Gorsuch directly, critiquing prior legal decisions regarding gender identity.
- "Be a real man and, like, understand that that's not true. Delusion is not over facts. If you have to hurt someone's feelings to tell them the truth, that's just the way it is. It isn't loving to lie, and that's exactly what you're doing, and you know it." (06:59)
Advocacy and Legislative Action (07:27–08:54)
- Testifying and Legislative Success: Peyton describes advocating for and helping to pass North Carolina’s “Fairness, Women and Girls Sports Act” despite political resistance.
- Legislative Skepticism: She recalls the other side dismissing her case as a rare incident.
- "They're saying, this just happened to that one girl in western North Carolina—like, way out there. This isn't going to happen again..." (08:07)
- Call for Proactivity: Peyton argues that lawmakers should not wait for harm to occur before acting to protect athletes.
Personal Cost and Resolve (09:02–10:26)
- Personal Sacrifice: She describes losing normal college experiences due to threats and national attention, but ultimately views her advocacy as a mission with meaning.
- "I can't go to college normally and be with my friends because it got so bad. I had to move home because people were trying to find me at school... But it's okay, because I just try to see the good in it always." (09:19)
Vision for Safe and Fair Sports (10:31–11:30)
- Definition of Fairness: Peyton says true fairness means returning to a time when no adult would allow a biological male in girls' sports—so her younger sister and other girls feel safe again.
- "Having that feeling that there's no way anyone would allow that—once we're back there, then they'll know that we won." (11:27)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "I never thought that the adults would allow that to happen... they're putting me at risk because they don't want to hurt this guy's feelings."
— Peyton McNabb (01:51) - "It's way past time. These girls deserve better. And for all the women before us who have fought for us to even get here, and now we're simply regressing back because people can't understand... it's basic biology, it's basic knowledge, because it really is."
— Peyton McNabb (03:33) - "I have to sit in front of congressional hearings and explain that there's a biological difference between a man and a woman."
— Peyton McNabb (03:57) - “You're supposed to be the court that always chooses facts over feelings. And so I guess we'll see if that's still the case.”
— Peyton McNabb (06:21) - "Be a real man and... understand that that's not true. Delusion is not over facts... It isn't loving to lie, and that's exactly what you're doing, and you know it."
— Peyton McNabb (06:59) - "Why do you have to wait for something for my life to completely change and flip upside down? You shouldn't wait for someone to get personally affected. Like, you should just try to protect them because that's what you were elected to do. So do your job."
— Peyton McNabb (08:31) - "Having that feeling that there's no way anyone would allow that—once we're back there, then they'll know that we won."
— Peyton McNabb (11:27)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:04 — Introduction and Peyton’s story
- 01:11 — Emotional and mental effects of encountering male players
- 02:18 — How her injuries ended her sports future
- 03:00 — Call for adult responsibility and action
- 03:57 — Critique of policy-makers and need for basic biological understanding
- 04:43 — Changing legal landscape and public opinion
- 06:59 — Message to Justice Gorsuch and policymakers
- 07:51 — Testimony in North Carolina and passing women’s sports legislation
- 09:02 — Personal cost of advocacy
- 10:31 — Vision for safe and fair women’s sports
Tone and Closing Remarks
The conversation is earnest, urgent, and impassioned, blending personal narrative with public policy critique. Peyton’s candor, sense of mission, and faith-driven perspective define the tone, blending vulnerability (“I was terrified,” “public speaking was the only class I had ever failed”) with assertive calls for leadership (“It’s way past time. These girls deserve better,” “Do your job”).
Summary Prepared for Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This episode features an unfiltered account from Peyton McNabb, whose firsthand experience with the dangers and policy implications of transgender participation in female sports has propelled her into national advocacy. The conversation covers her personal trauma, systemic failings, shifting public opinion, legislative struggles, and steadfast vision: restoring and safeguarding fair, biologically-based women’s sports for generations to come.