Podcast
Welcome to the Party
Hosted by Treat Media · EN
What’s up, Party People! Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King welcome you to the women’s sports party. Whether you’ve been here all along or are looking to get in the game, you're invited. Twice a week, soccer legends and forever teammates Abby and Julie will be hanging with the change-makers and shot-takers in women’s sports while giving their perspectives on big issues and hot topics. Plus, there will be regular appearances by the LEGEND of legends Billie Jean King.
This show is on a mission to build a community that celebrates and elevates women’s sports. So bring it in, Party People, because Welcome to the Party is for YOU and the first Party Rule is: have a sh*t ton of fun.
New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
104episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Your Winter Games Watch Guide Starts Here
Jan 2701:00:31Summary readyBefore the highlights, Julie and Abby open with a moment of humanity. They process what’s happening in Minnesota, honoring lives lost, and sharing tangible ways to help, from donation links to calling your senators. Then it’s back to the women’s sports party: USWNT puts on a show (plus Trinity Rodman’s record-setting new deal), NCAA hoops delivers a statement game, and the Australian Open serves fashion and frost. And for the main event: Winter Games are almost here. Creator and writer Marissa Kumari Tandon joins the Party Buzz to break down Milan-Cortina storylines, women’s participation nearing parity, the comeback drama in alpine skiing, Chloe Kim’s chase for history, the figure skating contenders to know, and why the Winter Games are the ultimate stage for grit, risk, and underdog funding fights. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com More information: Take action with your government officials: https://indivisible.org/get-involved/take-action/ How to Support Minnesota - Stand With Minnesota Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) - https://www.miracmn.com UNIDOS-MN - https://unidos-mn.org/@unidosm ACLU of MN - https://www.aclu-mn.org/@ACLUMN ISAIAH - https://www.isaiahmn.org/our-story MPLS Mutual Aid - @mplsmutualaid PowWow Grounds Coffee - @powwogroundscoffee Food Shelf - @joyceuptown Isuroon - @isuroonnonprofit Twin cities leather - @twincitiesleather Olympic Games Schedule: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/overview Heated Rivalry: Hudson Williams and Connor Story, stars of HBO's "Heated Rivalry," carried the Olympic torch in Italy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLHxNajL7tM Thank you to our sponsors: -Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/ -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Join the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/welcometotheparty Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes -Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After your place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and Welcome to the Party! -Join the loyalty program for renters at https://www.bilt.com/podcast-overview?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=podcast__test_awareness_prospecting_growth_welcometotheparty___ -Get an annual membership to http://shipt.com/ and order groceries delivered to your door with zero fees for orders over $35+. Download the app today. -Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at https://skims.com/. After your place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and Welcome to the Party!
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Katie McConnell: Paddling Into Death-Defying Waves
Jan 2200:44:13Summary readyWhat do you do when the thing you love could literally kill you? This week, Julie and Abby welcome Katie McConnell, one of the top big wave surfers on the planet, an athlete who paddles (or gets towed) into towering walls of water where timing, calm, and judgment are the difference between getting out… or not. Katie explains what a “big wave” really is, the physics and chaos behind places like Nazaré, and why chasing swells is part science, part instinct, and part spiritual relationship with the sea. Then the conversation turns to a different kind of fight: Katie’s mission to change the system for women in big wave surfing, from uneven invites and costly last-minute travel windows to building a future where women aren’t “included” as an afterthought, but centered in the story. Extreme sport. Ocean obsession. Equality push. Puny humans, giant waves. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Follow Katie: https://www.instagram.com/keiti_mar/ Learn more about Katie: https://www.surfwithkatie.com/ Watch 100ft Wave Documentary Series: https://www.hbomax.com/shows/100-foot-wave/34e489ad-2eca-4078-adb6-6d2b521b407e Follow more big wave surfing, follow:@bigwavechallenge @thebigwavealliance @womensbigwavecollective Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com https://www.onepeloton.com/ -Shop deals and member-exclusive savings at https://www.shipt.com/ -Get 20% off your first order at https://vuoriclothing.com/pages/pod_f -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Get 20% off your order at http://cozyearth.com/em-cgi/btag/ with code WTTP. 00:00 — Begin 00:38 — Welcome + Julie & Abby Talk Surf Experiences 12:24 — Katie McConnell Intro 14:06 — How Katie Got Into Surfing 17:00 — What Counts as a “Big Wave” + Paddle vs Tow 20:18 — Biggest Waves Katie’s Surfed 20:50 — Why Nazaré Creates Monsters 23:09 — What It Feels Like to Ride One 24:26 — Fear + Risk Management 27:20 — The Fight for Women’s Equality in Big Wave Surfing 32:16 — Making a Living + Sponsorship Reality 33:15 — How the Party People Can Help 36:52 — Closing Thanks + Future of Women’s Big Wave Surfing 39:05 — Post-Interview Debrief: “How Do They Live Like This?”
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The Creative Mind That’s Redesigning Women’s Sports as We Know It
Jan 2001:02:23Summary readyWhat happens when a DJ-turned-designer decides women’s sports deserves better than “pink it and shrink it” merch? Domo Wells, founder and creative director of Dead Dirt and the creative force behind the Washington Spirit’s visual identity, joins Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach to talk about betting on yourself, building a brand without permission, and why the NWSL (still basically a “teenager”) has a rare chance to create heritage from scratch. From tunnel fits and uniform hacks to designing across all 16 NWSL clubs, Domo breaks down how culture, city identity, and women’s buying power can completely reshape the business of sports fashion. Plus: a truly chaotic “rate our tunnel fits” moment you’ll want to see on YouTube. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: -USWNT Roster: https://www.ussoccer.com/teams/uswnt/roster -USWNT Television Schedule: https://www.ussoccer.com/schedule-tickets/uswnt -Domo Wells: https://www.deaddirt.com/ -Lindsey Vonn: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6948010/2026/01/19/lindsey-vonn-olympics-skiing-knee-replacement/ Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day. -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes -Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty for free shipping and 365-day returns. -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Get 40% off your first order today at https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=WTTP&b=2971&utm_source=welcome-to-the-party%21&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=veritone-podcast Chapters: 00:00 — Begin 00:51 — Pregame banter: fashion, sweatpants, and TV life 02:29 — Styling without the price tag 06:03 — Kids, thrift culture, and rejecting materialism 07:28 — USWNT friendlies and soccer updates 13:52 — Lindsey Vonn comeback 17:09 — Abby’s 2007 World Cup story 22:24 — Domo Wells joins the show 26:05 — From music to design: finding the right path 33:18 — What women’s sports merch has been missing 43:00 — Designing for 16 cities and building culture 48:02 — The meaning behind Dead Dirt 50:37 — Tunnel fits, confidence, and personal style 54:30 — Angel City reveal and future plans 56:42 — Why artists matter in women’s sports 59:42 — Wrap-up and where to find us
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Ilona Maher: Awkwardness is Her Superpower
Jan 1500:56:45Summary readyOlympic bronze medalist, two-time Olympian, rugby star, and internet favorite Ilona Maher joins us for a funny, honest conversation about confidence, body image, and learning to fully own who you are. Ilona opens up about growing up socially awkward, finding rugby by accident, and why sports taught her to take up space. She shares how vulnerability and humor became the foundation of her massive online platform, why she believes awkwardness is a superpower, and how showing the real side of elite athletics helps people feel less alone. We also dive into the now-iconic “Naked Mom Theory,” body confidence, sex education, Dancing With the Stars, and the realities of building a career in women’s sports—on and off the field. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: -House of Maher; Ilona’s podcast with her sisters: @houseofmaher https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlOeUHgXPlaF2bxCwBdJMg Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com https://www.onepeloton.com/ -Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/ -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Get 20% off your order at http://cozyearth.com/em-cgi/btag/ with code WTTP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Introducing Coffee with the Kinger
Jan 1300:56:07Summary readyIntroducing Coffee with the Kinger, a new recurring series built around candid conversations, big ideas, and whatever’s on our hosts minds. In each episode one of the hosts brings a subject they can’t stop thinking about and the group digs in over coffee. For this very first episode Billie Jean King kicks things off with something that’s been heavy on her mind…New Year’s Resolutions. BJK shares with Julie and Abby why she’s rethinking the way we approach goals and what she’s excited about heading into the year; from the Olympics to new leagues and long-term investment. Pull up a chair, pour a cup, and settle in. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Winter Olympics Viewing Schedule: https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule WTGL New Women’s Golf League: https://wtglgolf.com/articles/2026/01/tmrw-sports-and-lpga-announce-wtgl Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Go to https://im8health.com/WTTP for a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order. -Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/ -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com https://www.onepeloton.com/ -Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day. Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes Chapters: 00:00 Begin 01:50 Discussion on Heated Rivalry 08:38 What are we most looking forward to in 2026 11:11 What inspired Abby to become an Olympian 14:01 WTGL Golf 19:28 Project B 33:18 Coffee with the Kinger - New Years Resolutions
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Madisen Skinner on Winning and the Future of Volleyball
Jan 800:36:03Summary readyMadisen Skinner has won everywhere she’s played, but winning isn’t the whole story. A national champion at University of Kentucky women’s volleyball and a two-time NCAA champion with University of Texas women’s volleyball, the LOVB Austin star opens up about pressure, mental health, and learning to build a life beyond volleyball while still chasing championships. From sisterhood with Avery Skinner to the future of women’s pro volleyball, this is a real conversation about success, balance, and staying human at the top. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: LOVB Schedule: https://www.lovb.com/2026/schedule Madisen Skinner ESPN Article detailing her mental health struggles: https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/42737670/ncaa-volleyball-madisen-skinner-texas-longhorns-three-peat Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Chapters 00:00 Start 05:34 Madisen Skinner joins the party 07:38 LOVB Austin’s turnaround 11:05 The Pressure of being Madisen Skinner 11:54 Abby shares her mental health story 15:32 How playing for UT helped Madisen’s mental health 18:34 Growing up with Dance and Music 20:09 Discovering Volleyball 21:16 Her relationship with her sister 23:50 What to expect this season 27:03 Joining forces with MLV 29:55 How difficult beach volleyball is
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A New Year, A New Era in Women’s Sports
Jan 600:56:04Summary readyJulie and Abby return to kick off the year with the biggest wins and headlines in women’s sports, from record-breaking winter performances and Olympic qualifiers to buzzy moments in college basketball. They celebrate athletes making history, dig into major storylines shaping the landscape, and share firsthand highlights from a packed UCLA/USC showdown. Then hoops insider Jordan Robinson joins the party to break down Unrivaled season two, the player-led league redefining the WNBA offseason, plus what’s next for women’s basketball at every level. New year, new energy, let’s get this party started. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Unrivaled opening day results: https://www.unrivaled.basketball/ Pre-order Jordan’s Book Court Queens:https://www.amazon.com/Court-Queens-Celebrate-Players-Basketball/dp/B0FGX73CKW Follow Jordan: https://www.instagram.com/jordanligons/ And https://www.tiktok.com/@heyjordanrobinson Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com -Athletic Greens has their best offer ever. For $126 in free gifts. Head to: https://drinkag1.com/partner/general-partnerships?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=welcometotheparty_d35ct__a10727__o27&utm_term=cac__a10727__o27&utm_content=__a10727__o27 -Get your business data all in one place using Intuit Quickbooks. Visit https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ to learn more. -Get 40% off your first order today at hungryroot.com/wttp.
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The Best Life Lessons You’ll Ever Learn with Dr. Colleen Hacker
Jan 101:00:17Summary readyWhat does it really take to build a gold medal mindset and how do those lessons show up in everyday life? Julie and Abby welcome one of the most influential sports psychologists of all time, Dr. Colleen Hacker, whose work helped shape generations of champions, including multiple U.S. Olympic gold medal teams. In this wisdom-packed conversation, Dr. Hacker shares the psychology behind championship cultures, mental toughness, and sustained excellence. From confidence and communication to handling pressure and self doubt, she offers practical, relatable tools you can use far beyond sports. This episode is all about the gold medal mentality and the life lessons that come with it. Whether you are leading a team, chasing a goal, or navigating everyday challenges, this is a conversation that will stick with you. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Chapters: 00:00 Begin Billie Jean King Surprise + Battle of the Sexes “Before/After” Abby’s Anxiety: “How Do You Win Without a Scoreboard?” Stop Juggling: The Skeeball Rule for Adult Life The “Suffering = Self-Esteem” Trap (And Resetting It) Don’t Kill the Butterflies—Teach Them to Fly in Formation Boys vs. Girls Under Pressure: What’s Real, What’s Culture Parenting Without Ego: Autonomy, Mastery, Connectedness “They Want It”… or They Want Your Approval? When Kids Truly Want It, You Can’t Keep Them Away
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The Moments That Changed Women’s Sports in 2025
Dec 3000:48:09Summary readyIt’s our final episode of 2025, and we’re closing the year the only way we know how — big. Julie, Abby, and Billie step onto the Party Podium for a snake draft of the moments that defined women’s sports in 2025, with the year delivering no shortage of contenders — from Coco Gauff’s French Open triumph and UConn reclaiming the NCAA title to England’s historic runs in soccer and rugby and a WNBA season flipped on its head behind A’ja Wilson and the Aces. These aren’t just championships or box scores — they’re the moments that shifted the conversation, changed the game, and stuck with us long after the final whistle. Three rounds. Nine picks. Plenty of debate. And because no draft is ever complete, we turn it over to you: what did we miss, and whose draft deserves the top spot? Draft day. The moments of 2025. Let’s get this party started. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: -Birch Bayh - Making a Difference - By Robert Blaemire: https://www.amazon.com/Birch-Bayh-Difference-Robert-Blaemire/dp/0253039177 -Good Game with Sarah Spain:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-game-with-sarah-spain/id1752100672 -The Women’s Game - Sam Mewis: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-womens-game/id1733926389-Coach Jackie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSvACYzkUPM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== -The Recap Show:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-re-cap-show-with-tobin-heath-and-christen-press/id1698132164 -Sports Are Fun:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sports-are-fun/id1522055041 -A touch More:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-touch-more-with-sue-bird-megan-rapinoe/id1510142364 '-Birds Eye View:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birds-eye-view-with-sue-bird/id1812530040 -Post Moves:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/post-moves-with-candace-parker-aliyah-boston/id1825485084 -Bawsi: https://www.bawsi.org -Top Women’s Sports Moments of 2025:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2025/12/29/ranking-top-10-womens-sports-moments-of-2025/87897430007/ Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Shop deals and member-exclusive savings all season long at https://www.shipt.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Billie Jean King’s Safari and Mercedes Benz $500 Million WTA Partnership 07:30 Our hosts shine the party spotlight on the organizations, authors, and influencers that matter to them. 20:50 Our top three women’s sports moments of 2025
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OUTTAKES: Welcome to the After-Party
Dec 2500:32:38Summary readyConsider this our holiday gift to you. For this special Christmas episode, Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach pull back the curtain and serve up the funniest bloopers of the year. From technical malfunctions and verbal slip ups to unexpected background chaos and cameras falling at exactly the wrong moment, nothing is off limits. As they relive the moments that did not go according to plan, the laughs keep coming, including one brand new live blooper from Julie that absolutely steals the show. It is unfiltered, unscripted, and guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. Happy Holidays and welcome to the messiest party of the year. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes
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