Award-winning sports journalist Malika Andrews joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her role as host of ESPN's NBA Today, reporting from inside the NBA bubble during the 2020 season and how the experience helped propel her career forward. Malika is also open about adversity she faced in her adolescence, and how she credits her college best friend with helping her find journalism. Things get competitive during a Lynn Game about coffee and Swaggy once again shines, despite initially being locked...
Dec 15, 2021•1 hr 13 min
South Carolina basketball coach Dawn Staley joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her new $22.4 million contract, her purpose as a coach and the story behind giving pieces of the 2017 national championship net to Black coaches across the country. Stay tuned as Dawn and Julie bond over a mutual love -- their dogs. Swaggy once again makes her presence known on the pod and we learn about Champ Staley's Instagram account and why he doesn't follow anyone. Plus, find out what goes into being a GOAT a...
Dec 08, 2021•1 hr 4 min
Holocaust survivor, psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Edith Eger joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her life and bestselling book, "The Choice: Embrace the Possible." Dr. Eger, 94, recounts the words her mother told her that helped her survive the Auschwitz concentration camp, discusses her own healing journey and encourages everyone to consider their power of choice. Plus: Find out the go-to dish Dr. Eger makes her grandchildren, her favorite TV show and the unique way she ends every ...
Dec 01, 2021•48 min
Happy Thanksgiving from Laughter Permitted! Julie and Lynn share a clip from a 2019 episode in which their favorite person, Amy Liss, shares her motto in life: "Live each day with an attitude of gratitude."
Nov 24, 2021•6 min
In a special bonus episode of Laughter Permitted, Julie talks with Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the National Women's Soccer League Players Association, and Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and PR Officer of Ally, about the partnership they have formed to enact positive change for the players of the NWSL.
Nov 19, 2021•14 min
Get ready for a jolt of joy as Olympic gold medalist wrestler Tamyra Mensah Stock joins Laughter Permitted. Tamyra shares how she quickly rose in the sport of wrestling despite a late start, how tragedy has shaped her perspective on life and why fun is a key component to her success as an athlete. Julie’s dog Swaggy makes a strong showing during the Lynn Game, Tamyra explains the perks of winning a gold medal and how her coach encouraged her to bring a karaoke machine to the Olympics. In the clo...
Nov 17, 2021•48 min
Olympic gold medalist hockey player Hilary Knight joins Laughter Permitted to talk about the U.S. going for back-to-back gold at the upcoming Winter Olympics, her new NHL gig with ESPN and what she sees for the future of women's hockey. And get this. After building a home gym during quarantine, Hilary shares how she needed something else to pursue, so she decided to get her MBA! Last but not least, Hilary describes what a hockey locker room smells like, and Julie gives a highly anticipated updat...
Nov 10, 2021•42 min
Get ready to be inspired to go after your big goal in life! NYC Marathon champion and Olympic medalist Shalane Flanagan joins Laughter Permitted to share the stories behind running six World Major Marathons in six weeks -- each in under three hours -- and what drove her to take on the challenge, dubbed "Project Eclipse." Shalane talks about the incredible journey the marathons have been, how she's doing something that "lights her soul on fire" and why she hopes she's proof positive that sport is...
Nov 03, 2021•56 min
Olympic gold medalists and beach volleyball team Alix Klineman and April Ross (a.k.a. The A-Team!) join Laughter Permitted to talk about the hilarious backstory of how they became partners (it involves Stagecoach and an errant text), the moment they knew their partnership could work and how their shared perfectionist mentality is effective for them. Recorded live at the espnW Women + Sports Summit, Alix and April also breakdown why they hug between every point during matches. Plus find out what ...
Oct 27, 2021•44 min
Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Larson and legendary college softball coach and high performance consultant Sue Enquist join Laughter Permitted to discuss how the U.S. national volleyball team developed its team culture en route to gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Jordan shares how Sue came to work with the team, and both talk about the secret sauce that went into building the Olympic volleyball team's chemistry. This episode also features Julie's viewpoint on hopping on the "Ted Lasso...
Oct 20, 2021•1 hr 3 min
In the Season 6 premiere, two-time NCAA champion, four-time WNBA champion and five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird joins the Laughter Permitted party. Sue shares what she did when she felt a plateau in her career, how she doesn’t set individual goals and lives by an 80/20 approach. She also talks about what it was like winning a fifth gold medal alongside BFF Diana Taurasi at the Tokyo Olympics and tells the story of how fiancé Megan Rapinoe found a way into the gold medal game. In the close...
Oct 13, 2021•53 min
Cue the crowd noise because Laughter Permitted is back! Julie and Lynn share highlights of Season 5 and hand out some Dopie Awards.
Oct 11, 2021•27 min
Get ready to be inspired, uplifted and walk away with new “Hacker-isms” -- aahhhh!!! In the Season 5 finale, Dr. Colleen Hacker returns -- again! -- to Laughter Permitted. Dr. Hacker, who is an expert in the psychology of performance and professor at Pacific Lutheran University, discusses how lessons she teaches Olympic-level athletes can be applied in everyday life, and are particularly relevant in the wake of the pandemic. With her signature style, Dr. Hacker explains the idea of stress-relate...
May 19, 2021•1 hr 7 min
MMA fighter Amanda Nunes joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her dominance in UFC, what is left for her to do in the sport and how becoming a mom has helped her in the cage. In a new Lynn Game, Amanda takes on Julie in a “Trash Talk Off.” At the end of the interview, Amanda’s baby daughter, Reagan, joins the party, and in the close of the show, Julie and Lynn consider how much money it would take for either of them to step in the cage with Amanda.
May 14, 2021•34 min
WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Candace Parker joins Laughter Permitted to talk about starting her 14th WNBA season for the Chicago Sky, what drives her and lessons she learned from Pat Summitt. Candace shares the best parts of being back in her hometown of Chicago -- it’s possible her mom has done some of her laundry -- and explains why, at the age of 35, she considers what her legacy will be. Also, find out where the fun happens during TNT broadcasts, and why fishing might not...
May 05, 2021•48 min
Arizona head basketball coach Adia Barnes joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her style as a coach, the “double middle finger moment” and what went into upsetting UConn in the semifinals. Along with sharing the realities of life inside the NCAA tournament bubble, Adia tells the full story of pumping breast milk during halftime of the national championship game. Plus, find out why Adia has her players take etiquette class, and off the top of the episode, Adia's five-year-old son Matteo makes a...
Apr 28, 2021•51 min
Seven-time Grand Slam champion and 5-time Olympic medalist Venus Williams joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her fight for equal pay in tennis, where her entrepreneurial spirit comes from and what continues to drive her as player. Venus describes her bond with Serena and how Serena's daughter, Olympia, might be the most athletic in the family. Plus, Venus invites Julie to be on team "Bad Guys" and explains that while the Olympics might be in her future, pickle ball most likely isn't. In the ...
Apr 21, 2021•52 min
Two-time world champion surfer Tyler Wright joins Laughter Permitted to talk about how a battle with a crippling virus led her to become an activist within the sport of surfing. Tyler gets candid about the lows she experienced while enduring two years with post-viral syndrome, and explains how she’s now using her platform as a top surfer to affect real change. In Most Pressing Questions, Julie asserts herself as Tyler’s personal cheerleader for a surf competition in San Clemente this September, ...
Apr 14, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Veteran journalist and longtime CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin joins Laughter Permitted to talk all about her new book "Huddle." Brooke shares the inspiration behind writing her first book, breaks down the concept of a huddle and how women across the country are huddling to harness their collective power. Along with explaining the virtues of huddling -- from support to sponsorship -- Brooke gives ideas on how all women can find their way into a huddle. Plus, Julie goes into why lack of cheddar cheese...
Apr 07, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Legendary softball pitcher and two-time Olympic medalist Cat Osterman joins Laughter Permitted to talk about how a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics impacted her life, and why she decided to come out of retirement for the 2020 Olympics. Cat shares her strategy for overcoming “mental mountains,” particularly in the past year with the pandemic and Olympic delay. As an official member of the Dope Village, Cat weighs in on the great “is a cinnamon roll a donut” debate, and Julie teaches Cat her Socc...
Mar 31, 2021•55 min
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 clos...
Mar 24, 2021•55 min
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.”...
Mar 17, 2021•1 hr 22 min
Laughter Permitted is back! Julie and Lynn share highlights of Season 4 and hand out some Dopie Awards.
Mar 10, 2021•23 min
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 t...
Dec 21, 2020•59 min
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 ...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 6 min
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...
Dec 09, 2020•1 hr 3 min
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 skii...
Dec 02, 2020•44 min
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. ...
Nov 25, 2020•1 hr 12 min
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.
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 10 min
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.”
Nov 11, 2020•47 min
