Hi there! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are brushing up on their French (again) to preview the Paralympic Games, which kick off on Wednesday. From the Paralympics’ origins to the Games’ unprecedented growth on the international stage, we’re diving headfirst, fearless into the top tier alternative sports competition. Then in part two, the gals are heading back stateside to preview the US Open, tennis’ final Grand Slam of the season, underway now from Q...
Aug 27, 2024•35 min•Ep. 393
Hey there! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz sift through the details surrounding world No. 1 men’s tennis player Jannik Sinner’s anti-doping sanction, and what it means for the young player at the upcoming US Open. Then in part two, the girls swing for the fences, previewing Athletes Unlimited’s Softball’s Champions Week, which goes down this weekend in Rosemont, Illinois. It all goes down on the diamond. A big thank you to our friends at Aflac for power...
Aug 22, 2024•24 min•Ep. 392
Hello! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-host Steph Rotz and guest host Lauren Tuiskula dive headfirst into the WNBA playoff push after a thrilling weekend of headline-making action. From the NY Liberty’s postseason clinch to the ongoing Rookie of the Year battle, the W is adding extra spice to a thrilling summer of sports. Then in part two, the gals dig into some off-court WNBA moments, from updates in LA Sparks star Dearica Hamby’s lawsuit to the league’s latest partnership. Up, up, and...
Aug 20, 2024•23 min•Ep. 391
Hi there! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-host Steph Rotz and guest host Robyn Pearson dive into a plethora of WNBA news before the second half of the season tips off. First up, the gals discuss LA Sparks forward Dearica Hamby’s recent federal lawsuit against her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, and the WNBA over alleged discrimination in relation to her pregnancy. Then in part two, Steph and Robyn preview the second half of the season as the league returns from the Olympic break. After...
Aug 15, 2024•25 min•Ep. 390
Hello! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz wrap up their Olympic coverage with the latest headlines and a business breakdown on Paris. First, the gals discuss Team USA gymnast (and friend of the pod) Jordan Chiles, who may be stripped of her individual floor exercise bronze medal. Heartbreaking. Then in part two, El and Steph dive into the massive viewership numbers driving growth around these Olympics. From gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik to rugby star Ilona Ma...
Aug 13, 2024•33 min•Ep. 389
Hi there! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-host Ellen Hyslop and guest host Lauren Tuiskula continue their Olympic coverage heading into the final weekend of the Games. First up, it’s back to the pitch as the gals review a wild USWNT semis win over Germany, which sent the squad to Saturday’s gold medal match vs. Brazil, the first gold medal game for the red, white, and blue since 2012. Then in part two, it’s time for the next installment in our Olympic athlete interview series, featuring...
Aug 08, 2024•43 min•Ep. 388
Hello! On today’s episode of The GIST of It , co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are back to discuss the biggest storylines from the ongoing Paris Olympics. The gals start with a preview of the stacked women’s soccer semis before the No. 5 USWNT takes on No. 4 Germany and No. 9 Brazil meets No. 1 Spain on Tuesday. Then in part two, El and Steph break down the controversy surrounding two women boxers who are through to semifinals in their respective events today and tomorrow. There’s been some ...
Aug 06, 2024•35 min•Ep. 387
Hello, August! New month, same Olympics excitement on today’s episode of The GIST of It. Host Ellen Hyslop kicks things off with the latest news from Paris, specifically surrounding the drama-filled women’s soccer tournament. Then we have a special treat — CBC and NPR just released a new series called Tested, which asks the question: “who gets to compete?” Tested follows the unfolding story of elite female runners who have been told they can no longer race as women, because of their biology. Enj...
Aug 01, 2024•54 min•Ep. 386
Happy Olympics! With the Paris 2024 Games underway, The GIST of It is back with a gold medal recap of the opening action. On today’s episode, co-host Steph Rotz and guest host Lauren Tuiskula discuss the latest news surrounding the CanWNT drone scandal before our special interview with Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles. First, the gals walk through the latest on the Team Canada women’s soccer drone spying scandal, with CanWNT recently appealing FIFA’s six-point penalty deduction.. There’s a lot of ...
Jul 30, 2024•31 min•Ep. 385
The Paris Olympics are almost here! In a very special episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive into gender parity at the Olympics, sponsored by our pals at Canadian Tire. Since 1900 when women first competed at the Olympics to 2024, there’s been enormous progress in terms of gender equity at the Games — and the Paris Olympics will be the most equitable ever. In addition to discussing the history of women at the Olympics, this episode features two insightful conversati...
Jul 25, 2024•50 min•Ep. 384
It’s Olympics Week! The Paris Games are just three days away, so we’re going for gold on today’s episode of The GIST of It. First, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive headfirst into the major Olympic storylines you need to know before the opening ceremony on Friday. And in Part Two, we have the next installment in our Olympic athletes interview series — a conversation with track & field icon and women’s sports legend Allyson Felix. Our associate managing editor Lauren Tuiskula sat down...
Jul 23, 2024•39 min•Ep. 383
Happy Thursday! Or should we say hoopy Thursday because today’s episode of The GIST of It tips off with all things WNBA. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview the upcoming All-Star Weekend festivities before digging into the league’s groundbreaking new media rights deals. A true slam dunk. Then to close things out, we have the next installment in our Olympic athletes interview series — a conversation with Team USA men’s gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik. Our associate managing editor Lauren Tuis...
Jul 18, 2024•41 min•Ep. 382
Hey there! And welcome to another episode of The GIST of It. On today’s pod, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss chaos at the Copa América final in Miami and troubling allegations of bullying and verbal abuse coming out of PWHL Minnesota just months after the team won the inaugural Walter Cup. Then after discussing these tough but important stories, the gals close things out with the latest installment in our Olympic athletes interview series — a conversation with USWNT fan favorite Kri...
Jul 16, 2024•51 min•Ep. 381
Hello there! And welcome to a very special episode of The GIST of It featuring an international women’s footy star, CanWNT winger Adriana Leon. First up though, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss the UEFA Euro 2024 and Copa América tournaments with the thrilling finals of both men’s tourneys set for Sunday, July 14th. Then in part two, stick around for our convo with CanWNT star Adriana Leon. The 2020 gold medal winner will once again rep Team Canada at the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. W...
Jul 11, 2024•44 min•Ep. 380
Hi there! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz have a good old fashioned two-parter covering the latest in the ongoing men’s soccer tourneys and a record-setting stretch in the WNBA. Both the Copa América and UEFA Euro 2024 semis kickoff on Tuesday and the championship matches of both epic tourneys will be set by Wednesday. El and Steph chat through the remaining contenders and their tourneys thus far. Then in part two, the gals recap the many WNBA records t...
Jul 09, 2024•38 min•Ep. 379
Happy Fourth of July! It’s all soccer, all the time on today’s episode of The GIST of It as co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss the latest allegations and firings rocking the NWSL before previewing the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-finals. The NWSL news surrounds the tumultuous San Diego Wave, who continue making the wrong kind of headlines after shockingly firing their head coach Casey Stoney in late June. El and Steph unpack all the details. Then for part two, it’s time for the on-p...
Jul 04, 2024•32 min•Ep. 378
Hey there! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz recap all the thrilling moments from the US Olympic Gymnastics and Track & Field trials, which wrapped up on Sunday. Then, the gals shift gears to the grassy courts of Wimbledon, previewing The Championship underway across the pond. A big thank you to our friends at Aflac for powering today’s episode! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports coverage, Aflac closes the gap that health insurance l...
Jul 02, 2024•27 min•Ep. 377
Hello there! And welcome to an Olympic-filled episode of The GIST of It. On today’s pod, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive into the latest Olympic buzz, starting with the USWNT roster drop that broke the Internet by leaving out a longtime veteran. Then, the gals take it to the mat to chat about the four-day U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials that kick off later today. A big thank you to our friends at Aflac for powering today’s episode! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports co...
Jun 27, 2024•32 min•Ep. 376
Hello hello! And welcome to an all-action episode of The GIST of It. On today’s pod, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz take you from the hardwood to the pitch, first previewing the upcoming WNBA Commissioner's Cup Championship before discussing a whole host of international men’s footy updates as the summer of soccer kicks off. A big thank you to our friends at Aflac for powering today’s episode! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports coverage, Aflac closes the gap that health i...
Jun 25, 2024•36 min•Ep. 375
Hey there! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-host Steph Rotz and guest host Lauren Tuiskula discuss two big upcoming events: the 2024 Paris Olympics and the anniversary of the passage of Title IX, the landmark U.S. civil rights law. First up, Steph and Lauren chat through the ongoing U.S. Olympic swimming trials and this weekend’s track & field trials, where some Olympic hopeful’s dreams will come true. Then in part two, the gals dig into Title IX ahead of the 52nd anniversary this Su...
Jun 18, 2024•29 min•Ep. 374
Content warning: Today’s episode contains mention of racism. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, we’re going full send into the world of European men’s soccer. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz begin with a preview of the UEFA men’s Euro 2024 before the tourney kicks off this Friday, discussing how it works, the top teams, and the players to watch. Then in part two, El and Steph detail a harsh reality in the game: The brutal racism players have been subjected to for years. After a 2023 inci...
Jun 13, 2024•26 min•Ep. 373
Happy Tuesday! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, we’re celebrating the continued growth in women’s sports. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz begin with a refresher on what’s happening in the WNBA, including Caitlin Clark’s Team USA Olympics roster omission and more. Then in part two, El and Steph review yet another record-setting Women’s College World Series with attendance and viewership numbers hitting it out of the park. Is women’s college softball the next big thing? The data says yes...
Jun 11, 2024•36 min•Ep. 372
Happy Thursday! Today’s episode of The GIST of It is a three-parter previewing three big finales coming up on the sports cal. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz start the party by laying the groundwork for the best-of-seven NBA Finals series before the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks tip off today. Then in part two, El and Steph head over to the ice for a Stanley Cup Final preview ahead of the NHL’s best-of-seven championship series. The puck doesn’t drop until Saturday, but there’s a lot ...
Jun 06, 2024•34 min•Ep. 371
Happy Tuesday! On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz start off by digging into the viral conversation around physicality in the WNBA after a controversial on-court play sparked a slew of off-court responses. Then in part two, El and Steph head back to the diamond to discuss the ongoing Women’s College World Series ahead of the best-of-three championship series. It’s been a banner few months for softball, and there’s even more excitement to come. A big thank y...
Jun 04, 2024•31 min•Ep. 370
Happy Tiny Friday! Welcome to another episode of The GIST of It. First up, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss a major announcement from the world of women’s soccer: Canada is officially getting a pro women’s soccer league! Unfortunately, at the same time, members of Argentina’s national soccer team are quitting due to poor treatment. We think we’ve seen this film before. Then in part two, El and Steph hit it out of the park and preview the upcoming Women’s College World Series, a highl...
May 30, 2024•32 min•Ep. 369
Happy Tiny Friday! Welcome to an extra-special episode of The GIST of It. First, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview the second tennis Grand Slam of the year: the French Open, which begins this Sunday. Oui oui! Then stick around for a very exciting part two: a conversation between El and Toronto reporting legend, Hazel Mae, taped live in the Six near the Toronto Blue Jays home stadium. A big thank you to our friends at Destination Toronto for sponsoring this event and to Aflac for power...
May 23, 2024•44 min•Ep. 368
Happy Tuesday! This episode of The GIST of It is jam-packed with headlines from the tennis courts to the hardwood. First, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive into the newly announced partnership between the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), an eyebrow-raising alliance considering the country’s reputation for sportswashing and their treatment of women and the LGBTQIA+ community. Then it’s all about hoops in parts two and three. First, the g...
May 21, 2024•36 min•Ep. 367
Merry WNBA season start! It’s all hoops, all the time on today’s episode of The GIST of It as co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview everything you need to know before the new WNBA season tips off tonight. From the league’s off-court moves to the teams and players to keep an eye on, El and Steph are here to help you prepare for the most anticipated W season…ever. Thank you to Aflac for powering today’s episode! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports coverage, Aflac closes the...
May 14, 2024•32 min•Ep. 366
Hey there! Content warning: Today’s episode contains mention of sexual assault. Today’s episode of The GIST of It starts out with nothing but net, as co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss a plethora of league-altering WNBA news, most notably the announcement that charter flights could be implemented for all teams as soon as this season. Part 2 sadly brings a WTF, after a federal jury ordered the USTA — tennis’ governing body — to pay a $9M settlement to a player who alleges the organizati...
May 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 365
Happy First Tuesday in May! Today’s episode of The GIST of It is downright hoop-tastic, as co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz go all in on the WNBA. First, the gals dive into the preseason problems plaguing the league, specifically broadcasting issues that resulted in a fan live streaming a preseason Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx game for 2M (!!!) viewers. Thankfully, the W is already making adjustments with their biggest season ever scheduled to tip off in exactly one week. Then get ready fo...
May 07, 2024•40 min•Ep. 364
