Hey now, you’re an All-Star. Cue up Smash Mouth because it’s officially WNBA All-Star Weekend — and The GIST of It co-host Ellen Hyslop will be in Indianapolis for all the fun. Tune in to this episode to hear El and Steph Rotz preview the weekend, from the on-court festivities to the off-court negotiations surrounding the league’s collective bargaining agreement. Can you say spicy? Show notes: Episode #474: That don’t impress me much: WNBA CBA negotiations rage on Subscribe to our newsletter Vis...
Jul 17, 2025•38 min•Ep. 477
It’s the final countdown. The group stage of the Women’s Euro is done and dusted, leaving eight teams to compete in this week’s knockout round. On this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive deep on two teams, No. 6 Sweden and No. 10 France, that could finally turn their respective country’s luck around and hoist the trophy. Is this the year a bridesmaid finally becomes a bride? Show notes: Episode #473: Women’s Euro: Will England survive the Group of Death? Episode...
Jul 15, 2025•36 min•Ep. 476
There’s been a major shakeup in Formula 1. Yesterday, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was fired after 20 years with the team, sending shockwaves throughout the F1 community. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, F1 girlies and co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dig into the curious timing of Horner’s sacking, digging into how Red Bull’s lackluster performance — not previous misconduct allegations — sealed Horner’s fate. Vroom vroom. Show notes: More on The GIST: ☎️ Leave us a voicemai...
Jul 10, 2025•36 min•Ep. 475
Bring it to the boardroom. ICYMI, the WNBA players union (WNBPA) is negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with their employer, the WNBA. Contract restructuring, increased workplace benefits, codifying charter flights — the players’ goals are focused on revamping the growing league…but initial negotiations are not going well. In today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss recent comments from some high-profile players about the league’s first ...
Jul 08, 2025•34 min•Ep. 474
Hot European summer, loading. Forget the fondue, it’s all footy, all the time in Switzerland because the Women’s Euro is already underway, pitting the 16 best European national teams against each other for continental glory. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dig into the tourney’s group of death, where world No. 5 England, No. 10 France, No. 11 Netherlands, and No. 30 Wales will battle for one of two tickets to the knockout rounds. Spicy is an understatem...
Jul 03, 2025•32 min•Ep. 473
Keep going, keep growing. The WNBA announced their long-term expansion plans on Monday, revealing that the league is aiming to reach a whopping 18 teams in the next five years. Today’s episode of The GIST of It takes a closer look at why the WNBA chose Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia as their newest markets, with co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz breaking down the deets, including the record-setting expansion fee each squad will pay to join women’s basketball’s hottest club. This episode...
Jul 01, 2025•39 min•Ep. 472
She’s baaack. Friend of The GIST Breanna Stewart is back on the pod and busier than ever. On this episode of The GIST of It, Stewie sits down with The GIST’s Managing Editor Lauren Tuiskula for an extra-fun, super caffeinated conversation about the NY Liberty's recent injury struggles, finding inner zen on the road, and what the six-time All-Star is most looking forward to at the upcoming All-Star Weekend. This episode was brought to you by Amazon Business, the ultimate partner for smart busines...
Jun 26, 2025•39 min•Ep. 471
This episode is truly inspiring. It’s no secret that The GIST of It co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are huge hockey fans…but this episode truly takes the cake. After the gals preview tonight’s PWHL draft, El sits down with blind hockey player Joe Fornasier for a wide-ranging, super-interesting conversation that will take you inside the world of blind hockey. Fornasier is an inspiring hockey content creator whose videos have captivated millions online — and that’s why he’s Canada’s Next Grea...
Jun 24, 2025•40 min•Ep. 470
Wait, what’s happening right now? It’s the FIFA Club World Cup. The first-of-its-kind tournament could have been a smashing success, especially in the lead up to next year’s World Cup hosted in North America — but with empty seats making headlines, it’s been anything but. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz explain what the tournament is before investigating why it’s a flub and what that might mean for next year’s FIFA World Cup. This episode was brought to...
Jun 19, 2025•32 min•Ep. 469
Didn’t see that coming. Check in on the Boston Red Sox fans in your life because a blockbuster trade is sending shockwaves through MLB: Franchise cornerstone Rafael Devers is heading to the San Francisco Giants. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dig into the stunning move that’s giving shades of February’s logic-defying Luka Dončić deal in the NBA. Buckle up. This episode was brought to you by Amazon Business, the ultimate partner for smart business buyin...
Jun 17, 2025•32 min•Ep. 468
We’re almost at the end of the Hockey Canada trial. Covering this case hasn’t been easy, but here at The GIST of It, we’re in the business of telling hard stories that shed light on important issues, while calling out bullsh!t along the way. With a verdict expected on July 24th, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share thoughts on the defense’s disturbing closing arguments. Take care with this one, GISTer. This episode was brought to you by Amazon Business, the ultimate partner for smart busin...
Jun 12, 2025•27 min•Ep. 467
The winds of change are blowing in college sports. The $2.8B lawsuit settlement House v. NCAA was approved on Friday, ushering in a new era of college sports where Division I athletes can be paid directly by their schools through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. Now that each school has the right to determine how it will distribute revenue, we have lots of questions — and on this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz will try to answer them. From how the settlemen...
Jun 10, 2025•31 min•Ep. 466
Welcome to Inside the Lines with A.J. Andrews, a six-part series exploring mental health and wellness through game-changing 1:1 conversations with athletes. Mental health matters — it’s a topic that’s been taboo for far too long, but is thankfully being discussed more and more. Each installment centers around a 1:1 athlete conversation, creating a candid, open dialogue and an opportunity to dive deeper into important topics. We’ve tapped softball superstar and broadcaster extraordinaire A.J. And...
Jun 09, 2025•54 min
The math isn’t mathing. Sexism is in the air at Roland-Garros. For the second straight year, no women’s matches have been scheduled at night at the French Open, relegating high-profile matches to morning slots where there are fewer fans in the stands, and crucially, fewer viewers across the pond. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dig into this prime-time gender gap and all the fun storylines you probably missed on the women’s side. This episode was brough...
Jun 05, 2025•29 min•Ep. 465
Ep #464: WTF: Protect women athletes from stalkers—Enough is enough. Over the weekend, there were two incidents of stalking and harassment of women athletes, incidents that targeted NCAA gymnast and content creator Livvy Dunne and track superstar and three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share both stories and place them in the larger landscape of the growing popularity of women’s sports. This episode was brought...
Jun 03, 2025•33 min
Welcome to Inside the Lines with A.J. Andrews, a six-part series exploring mental health and wellness through game-changing 1:1 conversations with athletes. Mental health matters — it’s a topic that’s been taboo for far too long, but is thankfully being discussed more and more. Each installment centers around a 1:1 athlete conversation, creating a candid, open dialogue and an opportunity to dive deeper into important topics. We’ve tapped softball superstar and broadcaster extraordinaire A.J. And...
Jun 02, 2025•46 min
Step up to the plate. And start swinging! This episode of The GIST of It is all about the Women’s College World Series, which begins today in Oklahoma City. Co-hosts Steph Rotz and Lauren Tuiskula dig into No. 2 seed Oklahoma’s dynastic run and pick the softball squads that could play spoiler before zooming out to discuss where the sport is heading in the future. Batter up! This episode was brought to you by Amazon Business, the ultimate partner for smart business buying. Amazon Business offers ...
May 29, 2025•32 min•Ep. 463
It’s time to negotiate. The WNBA season is in full swing, but there’s an even spicier battle brewing off the court. The WNBPA (aka, the WNBA players union) is currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the league to outline the rules that govern the WNBA. In this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz establish the timeline leading up to this pivotal moment for the WNBA, as well as explore what the players are asking for — and how the league may mak...
May 27, 2025•19 min•Ep. 462
Welcome to Inside the Lines with A.J. Andrews, a six-part series exploring mental health and wellness through game-changing 1:1 conversations with athletes. Mental health matters — it’s a topic that’s been taboo for far too long, but is thankfully being discussed more and more. Each installment centers around a 1:1 athlete conversation, creating a candid, open dialogue and an opportunity to dive deeper into important topics. We’ve tapped softball superstar and broadcaster extraordinaire A.J. And...
May 26, 2025•37 min
The PWHL Finals are off to a raucous start. The defending champ Minnesota Frost fell in overtime to the upstart Ottawa Charge in Tuesday’s Game 1 — but the box score only tells half the story. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share their thoughts on a player that’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons before shifting gears to the latest news about the upcoming expansion draft. Drop that puck. This episode is sponsored by our friends at SharkNinja. ...
May 22, 2025•36 min•Ep. 461
There’s no place for racism in the WNBA — full stop. Unfortunately, a hate speech incident marred an otherwise thrilling opening weekend of WNBA action. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss allegations of racist and hateful fan comments launched at the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese during a game against her longtime rival, the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. The WNBA is growing in popularity, but fans like this do not mesh with the league, which has stood...
May 20, 2025•34 min•Ep. 460
Welcome to Inside the Lines with A.J. Andrews, a six-part series exploring mental health and wellness through game-changing 1:1 conversations with athletes. Mental health matters — it’s a topic that’s been taboo for far too long, but is thankfully being discussed more and more. Each installment centers around a 1:1 athlete conversation, creating a candid, open dialogue and an opportunity to dive deeper into important topics. We’ve tapped softball superstar and broadcaster extraordinaire A.J. And...
May 19, 2025•56 min
Well that ain’t it. Today’s episode of The GIST of It is all about Ironman (no, not this Iron Man ) after the sport’s governing body recently announced that women won’t have their own championship race starting in 2026. It’s only been three years since the sport separated the women’s and men’s events — and the ripple effects of shifting back are vast. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz provide the context you need before digging into the details about the decision itself, including how it will...
May 15, 2025•33 min•Ep. 455
Welcome to Inside the Lines with A.J. Andrews, a six-part series exploring mental health and wellness through game-changing 1:1 conversations with athletes. Mental health matters — it’s a topic that’s been taboo for far too long, but is thankfully being discussed more and more. Each installment centers around a 1:1 athlete conversation, creating a candid, open dialogue and an opportunity to dive deeper into important topics. We’ve tapped softball superstar and broadcaster extraordinaire A.J. And...
May 12, 2025•58 min
This one’s a toughie. As we’ve covered extensively at The GIST, hockey culture is in desperate need of a reckoning — and the ongoing Hockey Canada trial is the perfect example of why. Today’s episode of The GIST of It takes listeners through the latest updates from the courtroom, as co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss toxicity in the sport and provide key insight as to why this trial may be different from the rest. Take care. Show notes: She’s Not Next, She’s Now capsule collection CBC’...
May 08, 2025•29 min•Ep. 458
The more women’s hockey, the better. And our friends at Jocks in Jills couldn’t agree more. Today’s extra-special episode of The GIST of It features an interview with Tessa Bonhomme and Julia Tocheri, the hosts of Jocks in Jills, our favorite PWHL podcast. Tune in to hear co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss their PWHL postseason predictions with the gals, ask questions about the expansion draft rules, and learn the names we all need to know as the league grows and grows. This episode is...
May 06, 2025•39 min•Ep. 457
Welcome to Inside the Lines with A.J. Andrews, a six-part series exploring mental health and wellness through game-changing 1:1 conversations with athletes. Mental health matters — it’s a topic that’s been taboo for far too long, but is thankfully being discussed more and more. Each installment centers around a 1:1 athlete conversation, creating a candid, open dialogue and an opportunity to dive deeper into important topics. We’ve tapped softball superstar and broadcaster extraordinaire A.J. And...
May 05, 2025•55 min
The ACL injury epidemic isn’t going away. But as of Tuesday, FIFA is taking major strides to address this career-altering injury in the women’s game. Today’s episode of The GIST of It breaks down the new FIFA-funded study investigating the link between ACL injuries and a player’s menstrual cycle, with co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz highlighting the importance of gender-specific research like this across all women’s sports Time to make progress. Show notes: More on The GIST: ☎️ Leave us a v...
May 01, 2025•32 min•Ep. 456
Mr. Barkley goes to Washington. But before he visited the White House yesterday to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles 2025 Super Bowl win, superstar running back Saquon Barkley spent some one-on-one time with President Donald Trump, raising the eyebrows of many football fans — especially after his Super Bowl MVP teammate Jalen Hurts didn’t make the trip at all. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share their reactions to Barkley’s surprising afternoon with t...
Apr 29, 2025•31 min•Ep. 455
It’s happening! The PWHL is officially growing. Yesterday, the upstart pro women’s hockey league announced it’s expanding to Vancouver for the 2025-26 season, delighting local fans who turned out in massive numbers during the PWHL Takeover Tour’s stop in the city. On this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Steph Rotz and Lauren Tuiskula dig into why Vancouver was chosen as the league’s first expansion team and what that means for the future of the PWHL. Let’s do that hockey. This episode was br...
Apr 24, 2025•22 min•Ep. 454
