Levels to This with Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby get ready for a WNBA Finals that will crown a first-time champion, regardless of who takes it home. The Golden State Valkyries take on the Atlanta Dream. How did a second-year expansion team make it all the way to the top? And what happens when the league’s best defense runs into Angel Reese and an Atlanta team that hasn’t lost a game all postseason? Neither host is ready to pick a winner, but Sheryl wants this series to go seven, and Terrika needs it over befo...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby start with their guilty pleasures: Sheryl's 2 a.m. poker session and Terrika's roulette night in Vegas. Then guilty takes on a whole new meaning in the Street Level segment. From there they turn to the WNBA playoffs, from the Lynx's early exit to Dallas's turnaround, before getting into why Indiana's drama is STILL the story even with the Fever eliminated. They dig into Amber Cox's statements and why it turned Kelsey Mitchell's restrained but painful exit interview into a heartbreaking moment. They also run through who's left...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down who showed up in the first round of the WNBA playoffs and who didn't. Sheryl, a three-time MVP, talks about what it means for MVP candidates like A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart to perform in the postseason, and the duo discuss Olivia Miles' adjustment to her first playoff series and Angel Reese's defense. They also go through their awards ballots, share picks for Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player, and close with a mantra about making decisions based on where you're going--regardless...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by two of their Sigma Gamma Rho sorors: award-winning director Okema T. Moore, a three-time American Black Film Festival winner, and producer Nicole "Sassy" Harrison, who went from offering to fetch Okema's coffee to a full IMDb page and VFX credits in a single year. They get into Love Zuri, the festival favorite that brought them together, and What Kim Saw, a vertical thriller made for Juicy Shorts, a new Black woman-owned streaming platform. Okema explains why she refused to use AI to create an...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by Naismith Hall of Famer Van Chancellor, the Houston Comets head coach who won the WNBA's first four championships (1997–2000), was named Coach of the Year three straight times, and coached Sheryl for a decade in Houston and to Olympic gold in 2004. Van talks about the Comets' return to Houston, how he'd build a contender today, and why managing three superstars was 80% of his job. The admiration runs both ways: Van calls Sheryl possibly the greatest small forward ever, and Sheryl tells him he made her a b...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down Cathy Engelbert's retirement announcement, timed to slip out while the media's attention was on FIBA in Berlin (nice, Cathy!), and run through the names being floated to replace her. They also dig into Team USA's uneven start at FIBA, including the ugly shooting night against Italy. The duo saves their sharpest words for Linda Cohn, who suggested A'Ja Wilson was intimidated by Caitlin Clark before flipping her stance entirely, and Sheryl and Terrika don't hold back on media members rendering opinions on a sport they...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby cope with the fact that Athletes Unlimited basketball is paused for 2027. It's a bummer! They also weigh in on DeWanna Bonner signing with the Dream (LOVE it) for another title run, and turn to the ridiculous criticism of A'ja Wilson's and Kelsey Plum's stepping away from FIBA. What's with people still scrutinizing players' personal needs? No is a complete sentence. Take the note: FIBA break is a break, and Terrika means it.

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby set the table for the playoffs: all eight teams are in, but the seeding fight is where it gets interesting, and a potential Atlanta–Indiana matchup has both of them poppin' popcorn. They get into Angel Reese's 26 rebounds (breaking Chamique Holdsclaw's 23-year-old record), why Minnesota is Terrika's pick to win it all, and who's got the most to lose in the first round. The duo also opens their early awards ballots — A'ja Wilson for MVP, Olivia Miles for Rookie of the Year, Janelle Salaün for Sixth Player...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with Shaniqua McClendon, Senior Vice President of Political Strategy (you heard that "senior" here first) at Crooked Media, for a conversation that is equal parts eye-opening and unfiltered. It's primary season and we've still got a long way to go until November. The trio digs into what sustainable civic engagement looks like for Black women who are... exhausted. Shaniqua doesn't hold back on what accountability must look like in a post-Trump America — and spoiler: somebody needs to go to prison.

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby take issue with the people driving the "WNBA is Drama" storyline—even though they seem like they've never even watched a game. That includes the manufactured debate about transgender women "taking over" a league that hasn't had one in 30 years. Terrika shares a personal story and the receipts on how few trans athletes exist anywhere in sports. They also break down DiJonai Carrington's ejection, the history behind the "white privilege" post that followed, and why outside uneducated commentary is fueling an already lit fire. Sheryl and Terrika keep...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down the two moves that shook up the WNBA trade deadline: Aneesah Morrow heading from the Connecticut Sun to the Toronto Tempo, and All-Star guard Kelsey Plum getting dealt from the Sparks to the Phoenix Mercury. Sheryl admits she was already picturing Morrow in a Houston uniform, while Terrika digs into why a double-double machine kept riding the bench in Connecticut. They also try to make sense of the Plum move: why L.A. would break up a team it just built, whether Plum wanted out...

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by Dr. Bettina Love, renowned public speaker, educator, and New York Times bestselling author of Punished for Dreaming. Dr. Love breaks down why "reform" is a word Black and brown communities should be skeptical of, and why America's racial inequities aren't a crisis — they're a continuation. Dr. Love brings real joy to the conversation, breaking down what black joy actually means: the spades table where nobody's thinking about white folks, the sundress that needs no explanation, the McDonald's money question that transcends generations.

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby kick off All-Star week by addressing the controversy that almost overshadowed it: Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello's one-game suspension for calling Angel Reese a "protected species" during a game. Sheryl and Terrika break down why the phrase landed the way it did regardless of intent, why Angel always seems to absorb the most heat in this league, and why the people defending Brondello should probably take a cue from Brondello herself. Then the duo pivots to Chicago: they revisit their All-Star mock drafts (closer than you'd...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby run their own All-Star draft — going pick-by-pick through the full 2026 roster to build their dream squads ahead of All-Star Weekend in Chicago. They break down the snub conversation too, with Kamilla Cardoso, Chelsea Gray, Veronica Burton, and Carla Leite among the names they felt deserved a nod, and weigh in on whether Kelsey Plum will be healthy enough to suit up. The duo also takes a moment to honor the lives of Nolan Wells, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and Johan Sebastian Guerrero, and to speak plainly about the vio...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down something that's been building all season: the state of WNBA officiating. From the Angel Reese–Laeticia Amihere foul controversy to GMs going on record saying the refs are as bad as they've ever been. What would accountability for officials actually look like? Then, the sky is falling (again) in Chicago, where Skylar Diggins found out she was coming off the bench and used Instagram to blow her own whistle on being extremely unhappy about the way it went down. Sheryl and Terrika get into the dyn...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down the 2026 WNBA All-Star race heading into Chicago — and the fan voting results already have them raising eyebrows. Aliyah Boston at number one? Surprising. Jackie Young not cracking the top 20? Unacceptable. Terrika shares her full media ballot and the real stress behind it — Natasha Howard vs. Gabby Williams, Allisha Gray vs. Rhyne Howard — while Sheryl puts together her own hypothetical 10-player All-Star team and makes the case for why Jessica Shepard should be in the MVP conversation. They also get into what happens to players like Kelsey...

On this rerun of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by WNBA All-Star and Project B co-founder and Chief Basketball Officer Alana Beard. In light of the arms race between Project B and Unrivaled, Alana breaks down her vision for Project B, a new global, touring basketball league built around player ownership. Tipoff is November 2026—don't miss it!

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby start with the very rude UFC fighter Josh Hokit's post-fight comment about Michelle Obama at the White House, and the myriad ways being Black in America is not only infuriating, but dangerous. They also break down the WNBA's Commissioner's Cup race, where the red-hot New York Liberty are making a case for themselves, and get into Isabelle Harrison's flagrant foul on Angel Reese, and why it's ridiculous that physical play in the W sparks so much speculation online.

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby take stock of the WNBA one month in. They break down what in the world is going on in Chicago. Skylar Diggins-Smith called out the staff... maybe the organization has driven out too many stars for anyone to keep pointing at the players. On the other side of that coin is Indiana, who responded to their team meeting with a defensive performance that told you everything — holding Atlanta to 71 and then riding Caitlin Clark's deep three to a win over Washington. The duo also makes the case for...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down why the WNBA's surprise teams are surprising  (Toronto and Portland winning without a so-called superstar) and what that says about coaching and buy-in. Contrast that with Phoenix's stunning fall from the Finals to two-and-eight. Has a roster that beat the defending champs by 33 tuned its coach out? They also get into the Stephanie White–Caitlin Clark sideline moment and the impossible scrutiny of coaching the most-watched team in the league, then run down their early Coach of the Year ballots.

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On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by veteran play-by-play analyst Cindy Brunson, who heard "no" for seven straight years before the Phoenix Mercury finally let her into the booth. By then she'd hosted WNBA Studio at ESPN, taught herself play-by-play "in the dark" at the Pac-12 Network where nobody could find the channel... and watched NBA guys with no W experience get handed the jobs she was chasing. The trio discuss the evolved landscape of WNBA broadcast coverage and why this year’s Finals will mean so much.

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down the opening weeks of the WNBA season, starting with the devastating news that Rickea Jackson is out for the year with a torn ACL, and what that means for a Chicago Sky team that's been one of the early surprises at 3-1. They get into A'ja Wilson's 45-point masterclass against the Sun (she missed three shots, period), why Kennedy Carter has the Aces looking scary, and the case for the Washington Mystics as the most underrated team in the league. Then they get into the...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby were joined by Clare Hamill, Interim President of the Portland Fire. We're running this one back because the Fire just returned to the floor for the first time in over two decades this past weekend as one of two new WNBA expansion franchises in the league's 30th season. They're off to an explosive start, setting a new WNBA attendance record for an expansion team opener! Listen back to the conversation that laid out the vision.

Original run-date: August 21, 2025

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby take the show live to the Sigma Gamma Rho Boulé in Springfield — Terrika's home chapter energy on full display, and Sheryl one year into her own neo season as a new soror. With a room full of sisters in the audience, they  break down what spring cleaning really means: clearing out old clothes, old ideas, and maybe even some old "friends." Especially the friendships where only one person is building the bond. Sorors on the mic bring the bars too — including one line that needs to be a t-shi...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby continue their live conversation at the Lighthouse with Flagrant and Funny co-hosts Cari Champion and Jemele Hill. The four get into who actually gets the credit in women's sports media — and why the reporters who've been on the ground for years keep getting passed over when the big news breaks. Jemele calls out the double standard directly: men can openly admit they know nothing about the WNBA and still get a platform, while outspoken Black women get scrutinized for having opinions rooted in decades of institutional knowledge. The c...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined live at the Lighthouse by Flagrant and Funny co-hosts Cari Champion and Jemele Hill. The four break down the 2025 WNBA Draft — from Azzi Fudd going first overall to the Dallas Wings, to the implications of Raven Johnson landing in Indiana alongside Caitlin Clark. The conversation shifts to the backlash against the UCLA women's basketball team after their NCAA championship run, and what it really means to interrupt a narrative when you're not who people expected to win. All four women get honest about the specific, grind...

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by Dr. Bettina Love, renowned public speaker, educator, and New York Times bestselling author of Punished for Dreaming. Dr. Love breaks down why "reform" is a word Black and brown communities should be skeptical of, and why America's racial inequities aren't a crisis — they're a continuation. Dr. Love brings real joy to the conversation, breaking down what black joy actually means: the spades table where nobody's thinking about white folks, the sundress that needs no explanation, the McDonald's money question that transcends generations.

...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down a packed NCAA women's Final Four weekend in Phoenix, starting with the South Carolina–UConn semifinal — a defensive masterclass that had a lot of people expecting more offense. They get into Geno Auriemma's postgame meltdown, the classless exit, and the two apologies that followed, including why failing to address Dawn Staley by name said everything. From there, they cover UCLA's first-ever national championship, Lauren Betts's standout performance, and what Cori Close's patient program-building should mean for how we talk about coaching. The duo also pivots to th...

Connecticut team president Jen Rizzotti joins Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby to break down how the move happened, what's coming up for fans in this emotional season, and what this means for the league more broadly.

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down the new WNBA CBA and what it actually means for players — from the historic salary increases and charter travel to the pregnancy consent provision that protects players from being traded without their knowledge. Sheryl speaks to what the deal means for former players too, including a one-time retirement payment for league veterans who built the foundation these gains are standing on. The duo also gets into the importance of award voting now that bonuses are tied to results — and they don't let the media off the h...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby get real about what it actually takes to prioritize yourself when work, family, and life are all pulling at once. They dig into the impossible math of "work-life balance"—why it's a myth, and what it actually looks like to shift priorities by season without drowning in guilt. Terrika gets honest about what it means to move with the money as a freelancer, and Sheryl opens up about how hard it can be to put her health at the top of the list. They also push back ha...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby take a moment to honor the life and legacy of two-time WNBA champion Kara Braxton, reflecting on her impact on the game, her competitive spirit, and the deep loss felt across the basketball community. Then: a full breakdown of the Athletes Unlimited season, celebrating Odyssey Sims finally winning the chip after five seasons of being so close, shouting out breakout star Aneesah Morrow, Kaitlyn Chen's Newcomer of the Year performance, and Natasha Mack's dominant Defensive Player of the Year run. They also get into the bigger picture...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with Shaniqua McClendon, Senior Vice President of Political Strategy (you heard that "senior" here first) at Crooked Media, for a conversation that is equal parts eye-opening and unfiltered. From Obama's election to Trump's rise, Shaniqua breaks down how we got here — and why she believes we're already in authoritarianism, not approaching it. The trio digs into why Kamala lost, what gender had to do with it, and what sustainable civic engagement looks like for Black women who are exhausted. Shaniqua doesn't hold back on what ac...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby take us back to their live conversation from Fanatics Fest 2025 with special guest Cynthia Cooper. The trio shares their favorite moments from the event, including run-ins with sports legends and fans. They reflect on their playing days, the physicality of the game back then, and how it compares to today’s style. The three talk about the evolution of the WNBA, the rise of new stars like Juju Watkins, and what NIL deals mean for the future of women’s sports.

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker for a conversation on leadership, resilience, and the evolving landscape of HBCU athletics. From her journey to becoming the first woman to lead the conference to the lessons she’s learned navigating pressure, perception, and change, McWilliams Parker shares what it takes to lead with purpose. They also break down what makes the CIAA experience so unique, from its deep cultural impact to its role in creating opportunities for student-athletes beyond the game. The conversation highlights the importance of rep...

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by WNBA All-Star and Duke legend Alana Beard. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year reflects on guarding the league’s toughest scorers, battling back from injury, and what it was like playing across multiple generations of the W. Plus, Alana breaks down her vision for Project B, a new global, touring basketball league built around player ownership. Tipoff is November 2026—don't miss it!

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby dig into the WNBA’s long legacy of activism—and why this moment feels especially urgent. They react to Breanna Stewart’s “Abolish ICE” sign, unpack why players across the league are speaking out, and connect today’s political climate to the WNBA’s history of standing on the front lines of social justice. From Minneapolis to the bubble to now, Sheryl and Tee make the case that this league has never been about “shut up and dribble.” And it never will be.

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On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby kick off (one of) the most wonderful times of the year: Athletes Unlimited season! They break down why this year’s AU roster might be the deepest yet, from returning champions and OGs to rookies looking to prove they belong. The duo digs into what makes AU such a critical cultivation ground for players fighting for WNBA opportunities, the impact of vets like Tina Charles joining the mix, and why this season feels especially important for player development. They also get into new builds for AU this year—fr...

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby dig into the latest flashpoint that sparked a much bigger—and longer-running—conversation: men, from who-knows-'em podcasters to Stephen A. Smith, can't seem to keep Black women's names out of their mouths. From Jasmine Crockett to Joy-Ann Reid and beyond, they unpack a disappointingly familiar pattern of who gets criticized, who gets grace, and who’s constantly asked to justify their presence. The conversation widens into a deeper look at power, platform, and why Black women so often become the easiest targets. 

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And Happy Season Two of Levels to This! Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby kick off the new season with a no-holds-barred conversation about the dress—and the much bigger issues it exposed. The duo breaks down the controversy surrounding Dr. Karri Turner Bryant’s UNCF gala look, the policing of women’s bodies (especially in the Black church), and the double standards women are constantly asked to navigate. Along the way, they talk modesty, autonomy, respectability politics, and why folks were louder about a dress than the millions raised for HBCUs. Equal parts sharp, funny, and deeply real, this episod...