Welcome to the Party

UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma does a drive by the pod — he’s got the rings in the trunk, stories in the glovebox — and nothing’s off limits. Geno talks about the next chapter of UConn basketball led by Azzi Fudd and rising star Sarah Strong, what it’s like coaching in a world of transfer portal chaos, and how the program keeps evolving through generations of stars like Taurasi, Bird, and Bueckers. Plus, he dishes out a few senior superlatives to some of his all-time greats.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com   Keep the Party Going: -TCS NYC Marathon winner Hellen Obiri embraces her family after the win: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQkHQcsCcWQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== -Geno shows off his 12 rings: https://www.tiktok.com/@brwsports/video/7496649276672544031 -NWSL Playoff Picture: https://www.nwslsoccer.com/playoffs -Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. arriving to the World Series Game 7 in a game-worn Marie-Philip Poulin Team Canada jersey: https://www.mlb.com/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-wears-marie-philip-poulin-team-canada-jersey-to-world-series-game-7 -Cricket World Cup Final Highlights - India vs South Africa: https://youtu.be/frf8Drafn5A?si=gQSHPeAIg_Idr0_N   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

In this special Halloween edition Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter join the crew to dig into what’s haunting women’s soccer — from questions around the salary cap to how the league can keep its biggest stars playing at home. No jump scares — just a really good conversation you don’t want to miss. It’s a thoughtful look at how the NWSL is evolving, even as the ghosts of past challenges linger. ?? Zero tricks, all treats. Join the Party:Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:YouTube — @welcometothepartyshowInstagram — @welcometothepartyshowTikTok — @welcometothepartyshowEmail — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: - NWSL Collective Bargaining Agreement – https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41400681/nwsl-2024-cba-draft-free-agency-charter-flights-health-coverage-revenue-sharing - The Guardian: “The Women Who Saved the Afghan National Soccer Team” – https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/29/afghanistan-special-report-athletes-escape-kabul - USWNT players going to Europe isn’t an exodus. It’s an evolution - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6742302/2025/10/23/women-soccer-uswnt-european-league-players/ Thank You to our Sponsors:* Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC* Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty for free shipping and 365-day returns.

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon joins Abby and Julie fresh off another WNBA championship run — and she’s got stories. She shares the best advice she ever got from Greg Popovich, the one thing she values more than any ring, and the real story behind her now-famous hooded blazer look. Plus, let us not forget the “Tootsie Roll” - Becky shares the history behind her famous dance moves. Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: -America’s 25 most powerful women in sports: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2025/10/22/americas-most-powerful-women-in-sports-2025/ -Kate Douglass sets NEW WORLD RECORD with sub-50-second 100m free at Toronto World Cup: https://youtu.be/uaoi_Kqu9fs?si=3XHgzfkizit12qw0- - Becky doing the “Tootsie Roll”: https://x.com/WNBA/status/1979374839883534478 -Aj’a and Becky’s relationship: https://x.com/YahooSports/status/1974316954925380037-A New Documentary in the works about Becky: https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/10/17/smac-2463-plan-documentary-on-aces-becky-hammon/?issueId=MFJ2T5F7BJC4DBVMOGF3TMQC4U  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

The party people asked—and Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy answered. From whether parents should coach their own kids, to how early specialization is hurting youth sports, to what they regret (and don’t) in life, this Q&A Power to the Party People episode has it all. Plus, Abby uses a Sharpie and lip gloss to teach Julie the real meaning of “offside.”   Keep the Party Going: Linda Flanagan - Take Back The Game - https://lindaflanaganauthor.com Join the Party: 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-Start your therapy journey today by visiting  https://growtherapy.com/start/welcometotheparty/ -Start your career coaching today at https://www.strawberry.me/welcometotheparty

We’re throwing Alex Morgan a Welcome to the Party retirement party — and it’s exactly the kind of sendoff she deserves. The two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist joins Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy to talk about what comes after greatness: motherhood, learning to slow down after years of rushing, and building what’s next through her venture fund, foundation, and TOGETHXR (because, let’s be honest, everybody watches women’s sports).  Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: -Alex’s first goal in Philly — Abby’s assist, Julie’s call, Alex’s finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= -All the moments that made her a legend, from World Cups to tea time:  https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41161833/ranking-greatest-moments-uswnt-star-alex-morgan-career -TogetherX, because everybody really does watch women’s sports: https://www.togethxr.com/ -The Alex Morgan Foundation — changing the game for girls everywhere: https://www.alexmorganfoundation.org/ -The Camino de Santiago, what finally made her slow down: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago -Unrivaled, the women’s league built by Stewie and Phee — and backed by Alex: https://www.unrivaled.basketball/ 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

From high school fields to World Cups and the Olympics, Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy talk about what makes a great teammate — the ones who push you, support you, and change how you play the game. They share stories about Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Carla Overbeck, Brandi Chastain, and Christine Lilly  as they dig into the balance between competition and connection. Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Go Deeper Dr. Colleen Hacker | Pacific Lutheran University — bio, career highlights, and her work with Olympic and World Cup teams. Books & Publications by Dr. Colleen Hacker — including Catch Them Being Good (with Tony DiCicco). Achieving Excellence: Mastering Mindset for Peak Performance in Sport and Life — Dr. Hackers latest book on mindset and performance. Wolfpack by Abby Wambach — Abby’s New York Times bestselling book on leadership and teamwork. Abby Header goal from Megan Rapinoe 2011 World Cup Quarterfinal - One of the best goals EVER. Thank you to our sponsors: *Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC *Start your career coaching today at https://www.strawberry.me/welcometotheparty  *https://www.joinmidi.com/

The Las Vegas Aces went from chaos to champs — and it all started with leadership, trust, and a text message from A’ja Wilson that set the tone for one of the most remarkable comebacks in WNBA history. ESPN analyst LaChina Robinson joins Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach to break down how the Aces turned a midseason collapse into a championship sweep, what makes Becky Hammon’s connection with her players so unique, and why the upcoming WNBA CBA negotiations could reshape the entire league. Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Go Deeper: Aces Press Conference after sweeping in the finals 10/10/2025: https://youtu.be/iMS2ApUbRsA?si=b0EEAIqJxe6ekXMS Natalie Grabow became the first ever female finisher in iconic IRONMAN World Championship: https://www.tri247.com/triathlon-news/age-group/natalie-grabow-world-record-ironman-world-championship-kona Napheesa Collier goes OFF on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert:https://youtu.be/KF4SMnP5-rU?si=nNT2GieEiVdhUWsN Thank you to our sponsors: Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at https://www.onepeloton.com/ Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty for free shipping and 365-day returns. Get 25% off your first month at Ritual.com https://www.ritual.com/welcometotheparty Find a host or co-host at http://airbnb.com/host

Everyone remembers the coach who changed everything. Abby and Julie swap stories about the ones who shaped their journeys — from youth soccer to the US Women’s National Team and the Olympic stage — with legends like Tony DiCicco, Emma Hayes, and Pia Sundhage. And Abby turns Welcome to the Party into a surprise party with one spontaneous call to her old high school coach. Join the Party: 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 Start your therapy journey today by visiting : https://growtherapy.com/start/welcometotheparty

Gabby Thomas doesn’t just run fast — she does everything at full speed. Three Olympic golds in Paris, degrees from Harvard and Texas, groundbreaking public health research, Athlos League owner, and oh yeah… Vogue and SI Swimsuit covers. We slowed her down long enough to stop by the Party. Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Go Deeper: Learn more about Athlos League: https://www.athlos.com The Impossible Mile: https://youtu.be/-NLda6xHUpQ?si=r9Vg9ejlRcFEQldS Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone record 400 meters: https://youtu.be/EDvEZ2_ZcA4?si=-2ZGToWYqlAkE4qP Gabby 200M Gold Medal Run - Paris: https://youtu.be/qTl5OJ2Qmjo?si=STAXNxtAR5wWRBhw Gabby 200M Bronze Medal Run - Tokyo: https://youtu.be/UI17_3ciVeM?si=r-IMtbDD80FLv7uF Christine Sinclair becomes the first Portland Thorns player to have a jersey retired. Here are 12 of her best all-time goals with the Thorns in case you want to know why: https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/12-of-christine-sinclair-s-best-thorns-goals-in-honor-of-no-12-jersey-retirement  PWHL Drops 2025/2026 Schedule: https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2025/october/1/pwhl-unveils-2025-26-regular-season-schedule Thank you to our sponsors: Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Start your therapy journey today by visiting  https://growtherapy.com/start/welcometotheparty Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at https://www.onepeloton.com

The WNBA Finals are about to begin, but at Welcome to the Party we’re running our own 2025 WNBA Dream Team Mock Finals. Abby and Julie go head-to-head by picking their best 8 players from the 2025 season (assuming all players are healthy. ??) Hall of Famer and WNBA Legend Sue Bird stops by the Party to judge who wins in a best of ONE series, Team Julie or Team Abby. Let’s just say the loser has to wear a special hat ??. Join the Party: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Go Deeper: Listen to Sue Bird: * A Touch More Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-touch-more-with-sue-bird-megan-rapinoe/id1510142364 * A Bird’s Eye View Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird  * Sue Statue Reveal: https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/retired-wnba-star-sue-bird-makes-history-1st/story?id=124741140  Thank you to our sponsors: * Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC Head to https://moshlife.com/welcometotheparty to save 20% off plus free shipping.  Start your therapy journey today by visiting:  https://growtherapy.com/start/welcometotheparty Visit https://www.wayfair.com to get your go to items for game day.  #WNBA #WNBAPlayoffs #WNBAFinals #WNBADraft #WNBABasketball #WomenInSports