Podcast Summary

Welcome to the Party

Episode: Caitlin Clark’s Former Coach, Lisa Bluder Makes Her March Madness Pick
Date: March 19, 2026
Hosts: Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach
Special Guest: Lisa Bluder (Former Iowa Women’s Basketball Coach)
Special Commentator: Billie Jean King (Regular)

Episode Overview

This lively episode celebrates the huge moment for women’s sports as it dives into the start of March Madness. Soccer legends Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy are joined by the legendary Lisa Bluder, who coached superstar Caitlin Clark and led Iowa to sustained national prominence. The conversation blends bracket breakdowns, deep dives into team culture, reflections on Caitlin Clark's ascent to stardom, the changing landscape in women’s college sports, and plenty of laughs.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Big News in Women’s Sports (CBA & Iranian Team Spotlight)

• WNBA’s Historic CBA Agreement

  • [01:38–03:30] Hosts react to the "not just nice, but substantial" progress in the WNBA's new collective bargaining deal.
  • Julie Foudy: “Women’s sports is not just a pipe dream anymore. Women’s sports is an actual business opportunity... Congratulations, you guys.” [02:32]
  • Abby Wambach highlights the trickle-down effect for all women’s sports.

• Iranian Women’s Soccer Team and Human Rights

  • [03:39–07:03] Somber coverage of the Iranian women’s team’s silent protest at the World Cup, reprisals at home, and the bigger dangers athletes face.
  • “My heart goes out to these athletes...I wish for them love and light...these are impossible decisions to make.” — Abby Wambach [05:54]

2. Women & March Madness: Context and Brackets

• History of Women’s “March Madness” Branding & Legacy

  • [07:26–09:30] Julie explains that women’s basketball teams were only allowed to use "March Madness" branding since 2022, drawing parallels to other historical inequities in women’s sports.
  • Anecdotes about early Women's World Cups and travel.

• Podcast Bracket Challenge Launch

  • [09:32–11:42] The hosts kick off their own bracket challenge, invite listeners to get involved, and joke about making picks based on mascots and colors.
  • “We may or may not have chosen a team because, yeah, we think their mascot is cuter...” — Julie Foudy [10:44]
  • Banter about trash-talking with other women’s sports podcasts.

3. NWSL Offseason & Transfer Updates

• [12:01–14:53] A fast-paced review by Julie of major National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) moves, including key signings for Angel City and Bay FC, re-signings, and massive new contracts raising the bar for women’s sports salaries.
  • “Triple espresso is back! ...That’s big for the league.” — Julie Foudy [13:51]

4. Main Interview: Lisa Bluder Joins the Party

Lisa’s March Madness Mindset & Bracketology

• [20:57–23:35] Lisa joins from her vacation in Cancun (in a beauty salon for WiFi!) and describes the weirdness of her first March without coaching.
  • “This is the time of year that it bothers me a little bit... I do miss it.” — Lisa Bluder [22:37]
  • “But when that bracket came out...I went out and had dinner. So there are some advantages!” [23:16]

Preparation & Mentality for the Tournament

• [23:40–24:33] Lisa goes inside the mental approach teams must take.
  • “It’s putting the blinders on... focusing on one game at a time... I kind of looked at it as mini-tournaments, but keeping your kids focused on the next game is really, really important.” [23:49]

Bracket & Matchup Insights

• [24:33–26:01] Lisa breaks down her views on key regions, surprise matchups, Cinderella teams, and parity.
  • Notes on UConn and Vanderbilt in same region, South Carolina–Oklahoma possibility, Big Ten dark horses.
  • “There’s so much parity and I love that in this game right now... none of the brackets look great. They’re all going to be hard to get through.” [25:48]

Can UCLA Upset UConn? Lisa’s Pick

• [26:04–27:31]
  • “I think UCLA has the best shot... with shooters around [Lauren] Betts, you’ve got to be able to put those threes down against UConn.” [26:04]

Parity, NIL & the Transfer Portal

• [29:02–30:33] Deep dive into the impact of new NCAA rules:
  • “I think it’s a little bit easier [to sustain success]...if you’re already successful, you’re going to be able to draw those better kids...Plus the financial part and the NIL money...if you have deeper pockets, it helps.” — Lisa Bluder [29:31]
  • Also notes the downside: “I don’t love...kids hopping around from school to school. One of the great things about Caitlin Clark — she stayed four years.” [30:51]

5. Building Team Culture & Coaching Caitlin Clark

Recruiting and Developing Caitlin Clark

• [38:59–41:30]
  • Bluder started recruiting Caitlin in 7th grade, recounts how Clark first committed to Notre Dame before changing to Iowa at the last minute.
  • “I get a phone call from her saying, ‘Do you still have room for me?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, of course I do!’” — Lisa Bluder [39:14]

What Makes Caitlin Clark Special?

• [41:30–42:18]
  • “She’s an unbelievable competitor...she has no fear of failure. And that allows her to put herself out there and risk it...The kid works...She takes care of the things mentally as well as physically.” [41:55]
  • Credits Clark’s soccer background for elite passing vision.

Team Culture & Leadership

• [43:01–45:24]

  • “We tried to explain: when her light shines, it shines on all of us...We had frank, open conversations — all the time, not just once. We did culture building every day.” [43:28]
  • Used Abby’s "Wolfpack" book one year, Billie Jean King’s “Pressure is a Privilege” another: “I hate to tell you this, Abby, but Billie Jean’s got you beat — we repped ‘pressure is a privilege’ all the way to the Final Four.” — Lisa Bluder [45:25]

• [46:38–48:40] Extended conversation about the overlooked importance of intentional culture-building, including regular meetings and heart-to-hearts to foster emotional connection and accountability.

6. Reflections on Coaching Legacy & Women’s Sports’ Growth

• [50:08–51:38]
  • “To see where it’s gone...I want the younger generation to respect that, to understand how hard people fought for them to have these opportunities.” — Lisa Bluder [50:08]
  • On coaching Caitlin through a paradigm-shifting era: “To me, Caitlin is just Caitlin…You’re so locked in, you don’t even know what’s going on around you.” [51:38]
  • Bluder’s daughter’s realization: “Shit, Mom, this really is a big deal. Billie Jean King is here.” [52:22]

Leadership Book?

• [53:24–55:05]
  • Abby encourages Lisa to write a leadership book. Lisa shares she started a project, but lost a core collaborator. Abby suggests, “Write your own commencement speech...siphon all those golden nuggets.” [54:07]

Lisa’s 2026 Championship Pick!

• [56:24–56:42]
  • “Everybody’s saying UConn, and I’m probably gonna get all kinds of hate mail. I’m gonna go with UCLA because I gotta be different.” — Lisa Bluder [56:30]
  • “Too easy to say UConn. Too easy.” [56:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On WNBA’s CBA Deal:
  “Women’s sports is not just a pipe dream anymore. Women’s sports is an actual business opportunity…Something that is here to stay.” — Abby Wambach [02:32]

• On Building Team Success Around a Star
  “When her [Caitlin Clark’s] light shines, it shines on all of us. We’re all going to have more opportunities because of her.” — Lisa Bluder [43:28]

• On Coaching & Culture
  “We did culture building every day...You have to have the culture piece in any team sport. You just have to.” — Lisa Bluder [46:45]

• On Modern College Sports:
  “If you’re already successful, you’re going to be able to draw those better kids, in my opinion...Plus the NIL money — if you have deeper pockets, it helps for sure.” — Lisa Bluder [29:31]

• On Caitlin Clark’s Mindset:
  “She has no fear of failure...she works her butt off. She’s in the gym. She takes care of all the things mentally as well as physically.” — Lisa Bluder [41:55]

• On Being at the Epicenter of Change
  “To see where it’s gone...I want [the next generation] to respect that. To understand how hard people fought for them to have these opportunities.” — Lisa Bluder [50:08]

• A Daughter’s Perspective at the Final Four:
  “Shit, Mom, this really is a big deal. Billie Jean King is here.” — Lisa Bluder [52:22]

• On Making Her Pick for the Title:
  “I’m gonna go with UCLA because I gotta be different.” — Lisa Bluder [56:30]

Timestamp Guide to Major Segments

• WNBA CBA news: [01:38–03:30]
• Iranian women’s team protest/human rights: [03:39–07:03]
• March Madness branding history/ramp up: [07:26–09:30]
• Podcast bracket challenge banter: [09:32–11:42]
• NWSL hot stove report: [12:01–14:53]
• Lisa Bluder joins interview: [20:57–56:45]
  • On not coaching March Madness: [22:37]
  • Tournament prep & seeding breakdown: [23:40–27:31]
  • NIL & transfer portal impacts: [29:02–30:33]
  • Recruiting & developing Caitlin Clark: [38:59–41:30]
  • Team culture methods: [43:01–45:24]
  • Leadership, legacy, and personal approach: [50:08–55:05]
  • 2026 Championship pick: [56:24–56:42]

Episode Tone & Vibe

• Upbeat, humorous, and filled with inside stories of women’s sports.
• Generous with praise, candid about challenges, and unafraid to tackle serious issues alongside lighthearted bracket talk.
• Celebratory and community-focused, always reminding listeners: “first party rule is: have a sh*t ton of fun.”
• Bluder’s wise, calm energy anchors the episode.

For New Listeners

This episode is a must for anyone wanting to understand not just the Xs and Os of women’s basketball’s March Madness, but also the heart, behind-the-scenes drama, and evolving culture of women’s college sports. Lisa Bluder offers a rare, generous glimpse into what makes a transcendent athlete like Caitlin Clark — and a powerhouse program — thrive. Plus, you’ll leave with bracket tips and deep respect for the cultural shift underway.

“Pressure is a privilege.” — Lisa Bluder (shouting out Billie Jean King) [45:33]