Podcast Summary

Welcome to the Party

Episode: Your Winter Games Watch Guide Starts Here
Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, with guest Billie Jean King and featured guest Marisa Kumari Tandon
Produced by: Treat Media

Episode Overview

This vibrant and candid episode kicks off with a heartfelt conversation about the urgent need for empathy and action in the socio-political climate before shifting into high gear as a spirited preview of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The hosts, joined by sports writer and Olympics aficionado Marisa Kumari Tandon, deliver an energetic “Winter Games Watch Guide” packed with key storylines, athletes to follow, and the inside scoop on women’s sports at the Olympics. Sprinkled throughout are party vibes, notable moments in women’s sports, and playful behind-the-scenes banter—classic “Welcome to the Party” style.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening: On Empathy, Action, and Athlete Advocacy

• Julie opens with a passionate statement on the need for humanity and resistance in the face of recent tragic events (esp. in Minneapolis), highlighting the responsibility athletes have to use their platforms for social change (00:11–02:23).
  • “Silence means that we accept this cruelty and this chaos and this craziness... Courage is contagious.” – Julie (01:07)
• Abby lists resources and actionable steps (donation sites, calling senators) for listeners wanting to get involved (02:23–04:25).
  • Provides practical instructions (e.g., call 202-224-3121 to contact senators).
  • Shoutout to athletes like Paige Bueckers and Breanna Stewart for reaction and activism.

2. Party Starter: Weekly Women's Sports Highlights (07:11–14:39)

• USWNT vs Paraguay: Recap of the game where Raelyn Turner scored on her debut and Trinity Rodman flourished, marking her second game back since the 2024 Olympics. Fun sideline moment: Trinity tries to get coach Emma Hayes to join her goal celebration dance (the "sexy dexy").
  • “Emma said F-U to me. She said it from the sideline!” – Trinity Rodman via Julie (08:56)
• Player Movement & Pay: Trinity Rodman re-signs with Washington Spirit for a landmark deal (reportedly over $2 million/year).
• NCAA Hoops: South Carolina crushes undefeated Vanderbilt—standout performances by Tania Latson and Tessa Johnson.
• Australian Open Drama:
  • Naomi Osaka’s viral jellyfish-inspired pre-match outfit and on-court drama with opponent Serana Cirstea over fair play.
  • “[Osaka] could have just said, shut up!” – Julie, on Osaka’s post-match quote (13:21)
  • Osaka later withdraws due to injury, and Venus Williams makes history as the oldest woman to compete at the tournament.
  • Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys' matchup—"cruel draw" for American tennis fans.

3. Segment Launch: Youth Athlete Spotlight (17:18–18:32)

• Call for nominations of remarkable youth athletes who embody the heart and spirit of sport.
• "We want to make room for every age in the conversation." – Julie (17:50)
• Audience invited to help name the new segment; working title: Fountain of Youth.

4. Main Feature: Winter Olympic Games Watch Guide

With Marisa Kumari Tandon (Olympic mega-nerd, TikTok creator, soon-to-be on-the-ground reporter in Milan and Cortina)

4.1. Olympic Structure & Logistics (24:46–26:29)

• Most spread out Winter Olympics in history: Over 8,000 square miles across Milan, Cortina, and additional venues; 25 in total.
  • "One of my favorite things about this Olympics is that it's actually the most spread out Olympics in history." – Marisa (24:46)
• Sustainability efforts: Heavy reuse of existing venues, multiple Olympic Villages to ease athlete travel.

4.2. Storylines & Athletes to Watch (28:50–56:14)

Women’s Participation

• Highest ever female athlete participation in a Winter Games (49%).
  • "We're getting closer every year [to gender parity]." – Marisa (29:04)

Alpine Skiing: Lindsey Vonn & Mikaela Shiffrin (29:35–31:29)

• Vonn's comeback post-knee replacement ("titanium woman") and inspirational ad campaigns.
• Shiffrin’s return post-serious injury; both poised for high-level competition, potentially head-to-head.

Snowboarding: Chloe Kim (33:04–35:42)

• Injury update: Dislocated shoulder, but expected to compete; aiming for her historic three-peat.
  • "Chloe Kim is one of those athletes that is just so much better than everyone around her." – Marisa (33:13)
• Backstory: From SoCal, dad’s sacrifice, overcoming age limits to reach the Olympics.

Figure Skating (36:04–41:48; 54:41–56:22)

• US men's medal favorite: Ilya Malinin—“the quad god.”
• US women's: Amber Glenn (oldest US singles competitor at 26), Lissa Liu (alt/punk personality, self-pierced, championing athlete autonomy).
  • “No one is going to starve me.” – Lissa Liu’s bold quote in 60 Minutes (39:48)
• US team coping with recent tragedy (plane crash affecting skaters and their families).
• Emotional highlight: American pair skater Max Naumov competes in honor of his late coach-parents.
• Bonus comeback story: Diana Stellato-Dudek (Team Canada), 42, returning to pairs, landed the first assisted backflip in competition, wears Oscar de la Renta. (54:48–56:22)

Bobsled & Speedskating (46:47–48:19)

• Erin Jackson: poised for speed skating gold.
• Alana Myers Taylor: questing for elusive bobsled gold in her fifth Olympics.
• Jamaica returns to Olympic bobsled.

Hockey — USA vs. Canada Rivalry (48:19–51:11)

• Epic ongoing rivalry: “They have literally won every single gold medal since the tournament started in 1998.”
  • "Not for nothing, there have been two marriages between Team Canada and Team USA hockey team members." – Marisa (48:41)
• Spotlight: Layla Edwards, first Black woman to represent Team USA in Winter Olympics hockey; changed from forward to defense for the good of the team.
  • "She'll be the first Black woman to ever represent Team USA in winter Olympics." – Marisa (50:46)
• Notable difference: More NCAA college players on Team USA than Canada.

Athlete Challenges & Courage (51:11–53:36)

• Winter athletes’ resource challenges: Many must pay their own way or rely on endorsements.
  • “It really is a testament to these people's courage and grit and resilience…” – Abby (51:09)
• Athlete support examples: Flavor Flav’s creative fundraising for bobsled and water polo.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Julie (01:07): “Silence means that we accept this cruelty and this chaos and this craziness... Courage is contagious.”
• Abby (04:25): “If you want ICE to get out of our cities, call your senators... call twice daily, once per senator.”
• Julie on Trinity Rodman (08:56): “Emma said F-U to me. She said it from the sideline!”
• Naomi Osaka drama (13:21): “She could have just said, shut up!”
• Marisa, on Olympic spread (24:46): “It's actually the most spread out Olympics in history… over 8,000 square miles.”
• Marisa, on Chloe Kim (33:13): “Chloe is just so much better than everyone around her in a way that is so shocking.”
• Abby, on Olympic Villages (26:29): “It’s a lot. It’s like going back to college.”
• Marisa, on US women’s figure skating (39:48): “No one is going to starve me.” – Lissa Liu, describing her return on her own terms.
• Marisa, on hockey rivalry (48:41): “There have been two marriages between Team Canada and Team USA hockey team members.”
• On Layla Edwards (50:46): “She’ll be the first Black woman to ever represent Team USA in winter Olympics.”
• Marisa, on comeback story (55:14): “She completed the first assisted backflip in history on ice skating last season.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Topic | Timestamps | |----------------------------------|---------------------| | Opening: On empathy & action | 00:11 – 04:25 | | Party Starter: Highlights | 07:11 – 14:39 | | Youth Athlete Spotlight launch | 17:18 – 18:32 | | Main: Olympics Watch Guide | 24:46 – 56:22 | | Olympic venues, logistics | 24:46 – 26:29 | | Women’s participation stats | 28:50 – 29:35 | | Alpine skiing key stories | 29:35 – 31:29 | | Chloe Kim & snowboarding | 33:04 – 35:42 | | Figure skating US preview | 36:04 – 41:48 | | Figure skating comeback/CAN | 54:48 – 56:22 | | Bobsled and speedskating | 46:47 – 48:19 | | Hockey: USA vs Canada | 48:19 – 51:11 | | Winter athlete challenges | 51:11 – 53:36 | | Support from allies (Flavor Flav)| 52:20 – 53:36 | | Closing fun and party pose | 56:41 – 57:14 |

Final Thoughts and Takeaways

• Empathy and Advocacy Come First: The hosts set a serious tone, urging listeners to get involved and use their voices for justice—reinforcing that sports platforms demand responsible action.
• Women’s Sports are Surging: Women are nearing 50% participation at the Winter Olympics, breaking barriers, and rewriting the script in traditionally male-dominated spaces.
• Inspiring Athlete Stories: Comebacks, identity, activism, and team-first mentality are woven through every narrative—listeners leave with names and stories to root for.
• The Olympic Party is Inclusive: The "Welcome to the Party" spirit ensures every age, background, and sport is welcome—whether you’re watching for the first time or a superfan.

For Your Olympics Watch

Follow Marisa Kumari Tandon across socials for on-the-ground reporting from Milan & Cortina
Don’t miss: Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin (alpine skiing showdown), Chloe Kim’s three-peat attempt, Layla Edwards making history, the epic USA-Canada hockey rivalry, and Diana Stellato-Dudek’s generational comeback in skating (Team Canada).

“Bring it in, USA on three!” – The Party Crew (58:23)

Listen for: Candid athlete insight, activist calls, and a celebration that makes women’s sports feel like the party everyone deserves to be at.