Women at Work & The Episode That Wasn’t with Sarah Spain (Best Of)
Mar 29, 2025
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Sarah Spain, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning sports journalist, dives into the reality of sexism and harassment in male-dominated industries. She reflects on a troubling past incident from a previous interview, emphasizing the emotional toll it took on the team. The conversation explores the challenges women face when reporting workplace harassment and the need for systemic change. Spain advocates for solidarity among women and discusses the significance of fostering supportive work environments, while also addressing personal agency in professional settings.
The podcast reflects on a canceled episode that highlights systemic mistreatment and injustices faced by women in male-dominated fields.
Sarah Spain shares her experiences as a sports journalist, emphasizing the need for representation and solidarity among women in the industry.
The discussion calls for open dialogue about microaggressions and harassment, stressing the importance of supporting each other to create safer workspaces.
Deep dives
Navigating Allergies with Preparedness
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Unpacking the Episode That Wasn't
The episode discusses a previously planned show that was abruptly canceled due to an unpleasant encounter with a guest's husband during a tech check. This experience led to a much larger conversation about how women, particularly in male-dominated fields, are often mistreated and undermined. After launching this episode, a significant response was received, indicating that many women resonated with the feeling of being part of an oppressive system. The hosts emphasized the experience wasn't just about one individual but highlighted a widespread issue.
Highlighting Female Perspectives in Sports Media
The inclusion of Sarah Spain, a renowned sports journalist and advocate for women in sports, exemplifies the intersection of sports and feminism. Spain discussed her journey in an industry often dominated by men and the challenges that female journalists face daily. Her award-winning career showcases the importance of representation and calls attention to the misogyny that persists in sports media. This conversation serves as a reminder of the need for supportive spaces where women can thrive and speak on their experiences.
The Impact of Microaggressions and Sexism
The podcast touches on the subtle yet pervasive nature of microaggressions that female journalists experience, such as harsh comments about their appearance or condescending assumptions about their knowledge. These experiences are not only discouraging but contribute to systemic misogyny in the workplace, affecting women's mental health and career progression. Spain bravely shared incidents where male colleagues diminished her contributions, illustrating how such behaviors can manifest into broader societal issues. Conversations about these topics are essential in fostering an environment of accountability and respect.
Strategies for Supporting Women in Male-Dominated Fields
A vital takeaway from the discussion is the emphasis on solidarity among women in the workplace and the importance of supporting each other in navigating oppressive systems. Identifying and challenging problematic behaviors is essential for changing workplace culture and creating safe spaces for all. By encouraging open dialogue about these issues, women can find support networks and strategies to cope with harassment. Ultimately, promoting awareness and empowering women to speak up against injustices contributes significantly to fostering equality in professional settings.
Pioneering sports journalist – the brilliant, hilarious, badass Sarah Spain – joins us to reflect on:
1. One of our most popular episodes – Episode 147: The Episode That Wasn’t – when we ended an interview after the guest was disrespectful to our team member;
2. The constant indignities and inequities in male-dominated fields;
3. To report or not to report harassment – and what actually happens when you do report?; and
4. How to help ourselves – and come together to help each other – secure safer and more just work spaces.
CW: sexual harassment
About Sarah:
Sarah Spain is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning sports journalist. In her 12+ years at ESPN she has worked as a radio and podcast host, writer and TV analyst. She's a minority owner of the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL, a co-founder of “Hear The Cheers,” which provides hearing aids and equipment to kids so they can continue participating in sports, and is on the board of Embarc, a program that provides community-driven experiences and learning opportunities to low-income Chicago high school students.
