Welcome to the Party

Sportsmanship is in the spotlight as Julie and Abby bring the party to one of the biggest issues in youth sports: us grown-ups. They share powerful moments of real sportsmanship, swap hilarious sideline stories, and address one of the most important issues in youth sports, parents behavior. Plus, NCAA insider Jordan Robinson kicks off our new segment Party Buzz with the dish on college hoops — from Texas women’s basketball getting their flowers to why LSU has posted eight straight 100-plus games to an unexpected name on the U.S. National Team. roster drop. You don’t want to miss this party!   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: USA Women's Basketball Roster: https://justwomenssports.com/reads/usa-basketball-taps-vets-fresh-faces-for-december-training-camp-roster/#:~:text=JWS%20Staff-,USA%20Basketball%20Taps%20Vets%20&%20Fresh%20Faces%20for%20December%20Training%20Camp,to%20rehab%20an%20ACL%20tear. Ten of our Favorite Sportsmanship Moments Marta's decision to hand the ball to fellow Brazilian and cancer survivor Luana to seal the quarterfinal win in the NWSL: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQyBdrRjODe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link After colliding in the 2016 Rio Olympic 5,000m semifinal, Abbey D’Agostino and Nikki Hamblin pull each other up and refuse to quit: https://usopm.org/abbey-dagostino-cooper-uses-her-story-to-share-olympic-values/ With just 17 seconds left in the 2023 Italian U23 fencing final, Emilia Rossatti chose compassion over competition: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxvyOxG1tdtrfF5onJZPem1N4-YplnZrbD?si=tYiByUsJYlCAl0Tf Grand View’s Kaitlyn Moses hit a grand slam but injured herself rounding first, leaving her unable to run and with her own team unable to help, Southeastern University players carried her around the bases so her run would still count: https://youtu.be/unNo93gbor8?si=kWBT7Oe0lY0uPwDs&t=155 At the 2024 Olympics, during a women’s handball match, Brazil’s Tamires Morena lifted and carried Angola’s Albertina Kassoma to the bench after she collapsed with a knee injury, drawing a roaring ovation:https://www.facebook.com/reel/555610740601075 After Rebeca Andrade won floor gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowed to her on the podium in a joyful, spontaneous display of mutual respect: https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/biles-chiles-bow-down-rebeca-andrade-medal-ceremony In a youth jiu-jitsu match, a young competitor comforted her crying opponent and lifted her hand alongside her own, a sweet reminder that empathy starts young:https://youtube.com/shorts/Lmr6CzpxTsE?si=MYV33QqcFAhtHoPK After Napheesa Collier went down injured, Aces players rushed to surround and shield her, offering protection and comfort in a moment of pure respect: https://x.com/espn/status/1951747469055807583 In the 2017 Dallas Marathon, when Chandler Self collapsed near the finish, high school runner Ariana Luterman lifted her up and stayed with her to the line: https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a25426738/chandler-self-returns-to-dallas-marathon/ In an NCAA soccer match, a UCLA player paused play to help a USC opponent stretch out a cramp, a small but powerful moment of care between rivals: https://x.com/UCLAWSoccer/status/1982580536150204836  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.  -Shop deals and member-exclusive savings all season long at https://www.shipt.com/ -Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit for perimenopause and menopause support.  -Find the perfect for you - visit www.thirdlove.com!

UCLA’s Cori Close stops by the party for a powerful conversation on coaching hearts, building culture, finding “the edge,” and why mindset and connection matter more than ever. She opens up about the Texas loss, the response her team showed in Vegas, and the lessons she still carries from her years with Coach John Wooden — plus we’re hitting all the biggest stories in women’s sports this week, from the PWHL’s record-breaking Seattle debut to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Final Four being set, dominant NCAA XC championship performances, a historic NWSL Final, and more party buzz from across the sports world. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: https://www.thewoodeneffect.com/pyramid-of-success/ UCLA’s Megan Grant’s celebration:https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/46960510   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 -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

Julie and Abby kick off a Thanksgiving-day party with turkey-trot confessions, family rituals, ridiculous food stats, and plenty of laughs. Then they dive into the first-ever Thanksgiving Table Draft, each building a five-seat table featuring a current athlete, a legend, a coach, an owner/executive, and a wild card from the women’s sports universe. Think Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Billie Jean King, Emma Hayes, Michelle Kang, Rachel Maddow, Ted Lasso—yep, it gets lively. Happy Thanksgiving, party people!   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Thanksgiving Food Stats: https://www.driveresearch.com/market-research-company-blog/40plus-thanksgiving-statistics-to-gobble-up-2023/   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/ Shop the Black Friday sale at ThirdLove where you can shop their entire collection for up to 60% off. Visit: https://www.thirdlove.com/

Julie and Abby relive an epic NWSL championship weekend full of laughs, late nights, and Gotham getting its swagger back against the Spirit. It’s pure fun and big energy as they roll through the weekend’s best moments—from the NWSL final to the buzz around NCAA women’s basketball, the wild finishes in NCAA women’s soccer, and the Players Era tournament dropping a mini–Final Four into November.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Ben Shelton comforting Trinity Rodman: https://people.com/ben-shelton-comforts-trinity-rodman-after-she-suffers-injury-nwsl-championship-loss-11855895 The Ohio State’s Banger by Jadin Bonham with :35 left in double OT: https://youtu.be/Io_D-rWB1S4?si=ensONcAHe0byq4Rc Minute to Win It Games That Made Abby Sweat! Time Code: 56:03: https://youtu.be/xYHPC0EaRnU?si=7hib-M--5O7IIFIO Notre Dame stuns USC in Women’s Hoops: https://youtu.be/GClFHRwK934?si=0Q8LaXfMRr42AXYh Learn More About The Players ERA NCAA Basketball Tournament: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/big-tournament-bigger-money-how-the-players-era-event-is-changing-college-basketball-in-just-its-second-year/ American Mikaela Shiffrin wins AGAIN, cruises to second World Cup victory in seven days: https://youtu.be/gvQcauiGG7Q?si=iC05gP7L7NmN0ndn   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/ -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes partnerships&utm_campaign=welcometotheparty_d35ct__a10727__o27&utm_term=cac__a10727__o27&utm_content=__a10727__o27 -Getting contacts doesn't need to be a hassle. Order online today at: https://www.1800contacts.com/ -Save 60% sitewide on ThirdLove's Black Friday sale. Plus, $25 off when you spend $135. Visit: https://www.thirdlove.com

Description: Gotham FC and the Spirit may be the main event this NWSL Championship weekend, but this was its own kind of show — a wild, joyful mix of women’s sports celebration, real talk, empowerment, and pure party energy. Our first LIVE pod at the Ally House in San Jose brought Julie and Abby together with Ally CMO Andrea Brimmer, Brandi Chastain, and Danielle Slaton, and once the competitive fire kicked in, the whole thing turned into hilarious, iconic chaos. It was everything we love about women’s sports in one room and one pod. Reserve a Spot at the Ally House for all of Saturday’s happenings in San Jose: https://www.ally.com/ally-house-2025/   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: NWSL Awards and Best XI: https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/players-step-out-and-celebrate-2025-season-at-nwsl-awards-presented-by-at-t Learn more about Andrea Brimmer and how Ally is changing the game: https://www.powerplays.news/p/how-ally-broke-the-vicious-cycle NWSL Championship Game: https://www.nwslsoccer.com/championship?utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Known_Playoffs/Championship&utm_term=nwsl%20championship&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23211050588&gbraid=0AAAAAp8vocIJFf8g2xzLVGXxmuP137HvW&gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFmHpp8cko8Tfn3et2yfDbVZu03NbLkNADa0mpsKFmtQk-57IVgUeohoCwqEQAvD_BwE   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/

Description: Nobody has changed women’s sports — or the world — more than Billie Jean King. So for her 82nd birthday, we threw her the ultimate surprise party on Welcome to the Party…  Billie had no clue what was coming: celebrity drop-ins, messages from icons, a look-alike contest from her hometown of Long Beach, and a birthday cake delivered on set by the one and only Ilana Kloss. Robin Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Holly Hunter, Rosie Casals, Lindsay Davenport, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Mary Carillo, Alex Rodriguez, Christiane Amanpour — they all popped in to celebrate the Kinger. Plus, Julie and Abby break down the 10 ways Billie Jean King changed the world, changed women’s sports, and quite literally changed people’s lives. (Trust us — every athlete playing today is living in the world she built.) RSVP to attend the Ally House in San Jose for NWSL Championship week Nov. 21-22 at https://www.ally.com/ally-house-2025   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: Billie Jean King Foundation: https://billiejeankingfoundation.org/ Women’s Sports Foundation: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/who-we-are/ The Ten Ways Billie Jean Has Changed The World: (Watch the episode to learn more!) She showed us the power of a UNIFIED women’s sports movement.  She taught us to never settle for the crumbs. She showed millions of girls and women what they were capable of achieving. She showed the world what Women’s sports could be. She taught us that Girls who Play, become Girls who Lead:  She shows us daily that Athlete activism is part of our very fiber. She made sure Title IX was fully realized. She made it known that Women not only had a seat at the table, but also owned a piece of that table. She preached from the very beginning that Women’s sports investments should not be based on sympathy, but strategy. She made sure Generation after generation could see what they could be.     Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/

After years of different women’s hockey leagues trying to find their footing, the PWHL burst onto the scene with sold-out crowds, real momentum, and a model that’s actually working. We sit down with Jayna Hefford — a five-time Olympian, four-time gold medalist, Hockey Hall of Famer, and the PWHL’s Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. Alongside hosts Billie Jean King, Abby Wambach, and Julie Foudy, we dig into why this league is taking off, what finally clicked behind the scenes, and where the PWHL is headed next. RSVP to attend the Ally House in San Jose for NWSL Championship week Nov. 21-22 at https://www.ally.com/ally-house-2025   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: More on Jayna Hefford: https://jaynahefford.com/ PWHL Schedule: https://www.thepwhl.com/en/schedule PWHL Takeover Tour: https://www.thepwhl.com/en/takeover-tour-2026   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/ -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 -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/

Before there was Welcome to the Party, there was a chance meeting at an Angel City game. Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King revisit the moment that changed everything, the history between them, the unexpected timing, and the shift that followed. And Abby reveals why stepping into this show has brought her back to life. RSVP to attend the Ally House in San Jose for NWSL Championship week Nov. 21-22 at https://www.ally.com/ally-house-2025 Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Brandi Carlisle - Returning to myself: https://youtu.be/UTgD4AYJlJw?si=ikLc7i46wRzAUhpV  The original nine: https://youtu.be/WCj8VJ-SXJ8?si=pTcfp7Gd_bfGp3jj Thank you to our sponsors: Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Midlife is a Journey. Midi Is your Map: https://www.joinmidi.com CHAPTERS: 00:00 – The Party Begins 00:12 – “The Universe Brought Us Together” 04:05 – Why We’re Finally Telling Our Origin Story 05:09 – Abby’s Return to Women’s Sports 08:12 – The Angel City Moment That Sparked the Podcast 11:03 – Billie’s $1 Contract + The Original Nine 13:19 – The Advice That Changed Everything 16:17 – Passing the Fight Through Generations 24:42 – Why This Podcast Brought Us Back to Life 32:10 – What WTTP Is Really About: Community, Light & Women’s Sports

Nebraska is 24–0, the #1 team in the country, and Dani Busboom Kelly is the woman leading the charge. The former Husker star and John Cook protégé joins Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach to talk about building culture, mom life, cowboy hats, and what it’s like to coach a team that never loses. Oh—and Billie Jean King crashes the interview with a surprise call you don't want to miss! RSVP to attend the Ally House in San Jose for NWSL Championship week Nov. 21-22 at https://www.ally.com/ally-house-2025 Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Marta and Luana, an incredible act of sportsmanship: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQx-cbWEe_g/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Keep up on the NWSL Playoff Race: https://www.nwslsoccer.com/ Kansas City, December — the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four: https://www.ncaa.com/sports/volleyball-women/d1 Washington celebrates their Big Ten Championship in honor of Mia: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ2mrFVEnXm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Emily Thames, Angelo State CRAZY goal: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQah07lABCQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 92,003 fans at Memorial Stadium on August 30, 2023, part of an event called "Volleyball Day in Nebraska: https://huskers.com/volleyballday Bergen Reilly warms up hands of Cambell Flynn as she enters the game: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DQRg0yqjIeP/ Roots of the Fight - Dani’s Billie Jean King Gear: https://www.rootsoffight.com/pages/search-results?q=billie+jean+king No place like Nebraska - ESPN Documentary: https://www.espn.com/watch/film/5c88f17e-df1c-41fd-9c73-ac0ccf3835de/no-place-like-nebraska Thank you to our sponsors: * Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC * RSVP to attend the Ally House in San Jose for NWSL Championship week Nov. 21-22 at https://www.ally.com/ally-house-2025 * Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/ * Get 25% off your first month at Ritual.com: https://www.ritual.com/welcometotheparty * Start your career coaching today at https://www.strawberry.me/welcometotheparty 

At just 25, Ali Truwit has lived a story few could imagine — and even fewer could survive. Ali’s life forever changed when her left foot was bitten off by a shark off the coast of Atlantic waters while in Turks and Caicos with a friend and teammate from Yale - just days after her college graduation. Ali returned to the pool just six weeks later. And within a year, represented Team USA at the Paralympics - taking home two silver medals. Next, she set her sights on the New York City Marathon. In this powerful conversation, Billie Jean King, Abby Wambach, and Julie Foudy dive into Ali’s remarkable journey of resilience, purpose, and strength — from dumping tears out of her goggles to creating Stronger Than You Think, her foundation helping others heal through sport. Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. honored Canadian hockey legend Marie-Philip Poulin by wearing her Team Canada jersey into Game 7 of the World Series: https://www.mlb.com/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-wears-marie-philip-poulin-team-canada-jersey-to-world-series-game-7 Ali’s Foundation, Stronger Than You Think: https://strongerthanyouthink.org/ Ali’s book that helped her, When Bad Things Happen to Good People: https://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Happen-Good-People/dp/1400034728 Thank you to our sponsors: * Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC * Start your career coaching today at Strawberry.me: https://strawberry.me/?promotionCode=WELCOMETOTHEPARTY&utm_campaign=Natively&utm_source=youtube_and_podcast&utm_term=welcometotheparty Chapters: 00:00:00 Party Starts 00:00:22 Billie Jean King on the Dodgers’ Epic World Series 00:05:25 Meet Ali Truwit: Shark Attack Survivor Turned Paralympian 00:10:08 Running for a Cause – $220K for Prosthetic Blades 00:12:56 The Full-Circle NYC Marathon Moment 00:16:05 The Shark Attack Story 00:18:58 Turning Trauma into Purpose 00:20:41 From Survivor to Paralympian 00:24:46 Reliving the Trauma in Paris 00:26:57 “Stronger Than You Think” Documentary 00:27:53 Grief and the Athlete Mindset 00:29:22 The Power of Vulnerability 00:30:51 “Why Me?” and Gratitude 00:33:43 Marathon Finish with Her Mom 00:35:54 What’s Next For Ali – L.A. 2028