Laughter Permitted with Julie Foudy

NFL official Sarah Thomas joins Laughter Permitted to talk all about making history as the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl...woot woot! She explains exactly what a "down judge" does -- it's next-level multitasking -- and tells the story of how being voted out of a church basketball league set her on the path to becoming a football official. Plus, Sarah shares her favorite moments from Super Bowl LV, and we find out what the chatter during a game is really like from NFL players. In the close of the show, Julie and Lynn discuss alternative podcasts they could do together.

In the Season 5 premiere, USWNT legend Abby Wambach returns to Laughter Permitted. Cue the crowd noise! As longtime teammates and friends, Abby and Julie share stories from their playing days and how Abby’s forehead potentially saved Julie’s marriage. Considered one of the greatest soccer players ever, Abby gets candid about how the challenging moments in her career and life have shaped her the most. Plus there is breaking news from Abby that leaves Julie nearly speechless, emphasis on “nearly.” And learn what "Hit me with an 'And I!'" means in the close of the show.

Laughter Permitted is back! Julie and Lynn share highlights of Season 4 and hand out some Dopie Awards.

In the Season 4 finale, Dr. Colleen Hacker returns to Laughter Permitted to dive deeper into four concepts -- or “Hacker-isms” -- she introduced to us back in March 2020. Dr. Hacker, a renowned mental skills coach and professor at Pacific Lutheran University, goes in depth on laughter, joy, the idea of "do now well" and why we’re equipped to continue adjusting and adapting (bust a move!). We also learn a new breathing technique and the value of “high, low, cheer” in daily life. In the close of the show, members of the "Dope Village" share their "cheers" for the year.

Two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Kelley O'Hara joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her career on the USWNT, her uber-competitiveness (it extends to crossword puzzles) and what it's been like hosting her podcast, "Just Women's Sports." Kelley also discusses her decision to stand during the national anthem and the united message the USWNT has on racial justice. Stay tuned for THREE "Zoom bombs" from Kelley's U.S. teammates and good friends Alex Morgan, Allie Long and Emily Sonnett, who each tell their favorite Kelley stories. Finally, Kelley and Lynn find a shared fondness for the Bachelor and Bachelorette franchise, while Julie makes a year-making discovery during "takeaways" in the close of the show.

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin joins Laughter Permitted to discuss her journey both in and out of the pool. Missy shares what it was like to win four gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics as a 17-year-old -- there’s a Justin Bieber story involved -- and how the 2016 Rio Olympics were the hardest eight days of her career. She describes how that experience shaped her life and talks candidly about mental health. Now retired from competitive swimming, Missy updates us on what she’s doing -- it’s a lot of good work! -- and finds common ground with Julie over the merits of having an air fryer. Plus, Julie is determined to clone Missy.

Wheelchair racing superstar Tatyana McFadden joins Laughter Permitted to share her remarkable journey from a Russian orphanage to Paralympic stardom. Born in Russia with spina bifida and paralyzed from the waist down, Tatyana spent the first six years of her life in an orphanage before being adopted and brought to the United States. She would go on to excel in wheelchair racing and win 16 Summer Paralympic medals and 24 major marathon titles, but Tatyana says a silver medal in cross-country skiing at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in her home country of Russia is one her career "highs." Plus find out how many pull-ups Tatyana can do in a row and what her favorite city in the world is.

Professional rock climber and American adventurer Emily Harrington joins Laughter Permitted to talk about making history by becoming the first woman to free climb the Golden Gate route of El Capitan in one day. Emily describes what it was like achieving what she called an “impossible dream," and how she actively seeks out existing in her limits. Plus, Emily tells us about her dog named "Cat," and explains why a wide-mouthed Nalgene water bottle is a necessary accessory when living out of a van. It's a revelation that will change Julie’s life forever...

USWNT legend and two-time World Cup champion Carla Overbeck joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her leadership style, how she was a true "soccer mom" and why refs get under her skin. Mia Hamm “Zoom bombs” the conversation, and Carla, Mia and Julie share stories from their playing days, and how they once dominated a whiffle ball game against Carla's son.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her illustrious career in boxing, how her upbringing in Flint, Mich. shaped her and what it means to be the “GWOAT.” She also tells a hilarious story about the night before the gold medal match at the 2016 Olympics, and we learn the difference between Claressa’s “hit list” and “prayer list.”