The GIST of It

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’s Hockey Canada trial coverage...

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 sponsored by our friends at SharkNinja. As one of...

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. Andrews to host this crucial series. From snagging gold gloves as a player to holding down the diamond as an MLB Netwo...

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 voicemail! Call us at 1-437-564-5579 or hold down on th...

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 the polarizing president and add crucial context to the recent history of championship teams visiting 1600 Pennsylv...

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 brought to you by Amazon Busin...

The NBA is so the drama.

If you thought the first few games of the NBA playoffs were exciting, just wait until you hear what’s going on behind-the-scenes. On Monday, ESPN dropped a bombshell article detailing the Dallas Mavericks’ dysfunction amidst the blockbuster trade that sent franchise star and generational talent, Luka Dončić, to the LA Lakers.

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share their takeaways from the report, including the questionable decisions general manager Nico Harrison has been making for years. Don’t miss this one. ...

It’s finally happening.

Last night was the long-awaited debut of the Northern Super League (NSL), aka Canada’s brand-new pro women’s soccer league. Calgary Wild FC and Vancouver Rise FC kicked off the action, but there’s so much more to discuss, on and off the pitch.

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz chat all things NSL, from the six teams spread out across the country to how the new league is fostering Canada’s FIFA Women’s World Cup ambitions. Tap those ruby slippers because there’...

A moment for the champion. 

Golfer Rory McIlroy reached the peak of his sport’s mountaintop on Sunday, winning the Masters to become just the sixth player to achieve a career Grand Slam. It’s only been a couple of days since McIlroy earned his long-awaited green jacket, but folks already want to know: What’s next?

Today’s episode of The GIST of It explores Rory’s ascension, as co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz explain why a late-career renaissance is on the table for the Northern Irishman. To the greens they go. 

This episode...

It’s always the right time to talk about women’s basketball.

But that’s especially true when one of the greatest hoopers of all time comes on the pod. NY Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart joins co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz on The GIST of It today, and no topic is off-limits. From her latest PUMA shoe drop to her advice for Paige Bueckers ahead of Monday’s WNBA Draft to bonding over injury recovery, Stewie and the gals gab about it all. Don’t miss this one.

Show notes:

More on The GIST: 

Crown her.

Winners win — and on Sunday, UConn superstar Paige Bueckers finally reached the NCAA basketball mountaintop after her Huskies defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 82–59 to claim the 2025 national championship. So what’s next for Paige Buckets? Going pro, of course.

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview next Monday’s WNBA Draft, where Bueckers is expected to be the undisputed first overall pick, before providing you with all the deets about the other top talents in this year’s draft class. Let’s hoop to it.

Thi...

The women’s Final Four is almost here. 

The winner of the women’s national basketball tournament will be crowned this Sunday, but first, four schools — No. 1 seeds UCLA, Texas, South Carolina and No. 2 UConn — will compete in the Final Four tomorrow in Tampa. In this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share why they think UConn, the lowest seed with the game’s brightest star, will come out on top and win their first championship since 2016. 

A special shout out to FanDuel for sponsoring today’s episode! The GIST partnered with...

March Madness, meet April reality check.

Sorry, Cinderella — this year, the men’s March Madness tourney is straight chalk, with all four top seeds advancing to the Final Four after last weekend’s Elite Eight showdowns. But how did we really get here? On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss how the transfer portal and NIL created a Final Four chalkfest. May the best teams win. 

This episode was brought to you by Amazon Business, the ultimate partner for smart business buying. Amazon Business offers a one-stop shop for...

March Madness, meet March sadness. 

The women’s NCAA hoops tourney suffered a serious blow earlier this week when No. 1 seed USC’s sophomore superstar JuJu Watkins tore her ACL in the second-round. Devastating. That’s why on today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are discussing the immediate and long-term implications of Watkins’ injury, from the Trojans’ title chances to Watkins’ path to recovery. Sending healing love. 

This episode was brought to you by Amazon Business, the ultimate partner for smart business buying. Amazon Business offers a one-stop shop for all of...

Let’s get down to business. 

With the 2025 WNBA season fast approaching, this episode of The GIST of It takes a peek behind the curtain, as co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz explore how improving amenities are changing the look of the league from the inside out.  From the Unrivaled effect to the importance of facilities during free agency, one thing is clear: The WNBA’s pro hoopers want to be treated as such, and improved facilities are a major way to draw in the league’s top talent. 

And in part two, Karina LeBlanc, the Executive...

The odds of making a perfect bracket? 1 in 9.2 quintillion.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t tips, tricks, and tools of the trade when it comes to filling out your Big Dance predictions. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz look at the shocking men’s March Madness trends that have stood the test of time, from the seed that always seems to pull off the upset to the underrated skills that turn unknown teams into contenders. Grab your pencils: Bracketology 101 is in session.

A special shout out to P...

There’s no time like The Big Dance for a little celebration.

Today’s episode of The GIST of It is extra special because we’re celebrating our five-year anniversary! From teaching themselves how to edit on Garage Band to creating hundreds of episodes with a full production team, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz have seen it all — and now it’s time to shake things up.

Don’t worry — The GIST of It will still be your twice-weekly go-to source for the latest on the top sports headlines, but by focusing on just one story per epis...

Formula 1 is back, baby, with the Australian Grand Prix kicking off the new season this weekend. To celebrate, The GIST of It co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz break down the top storylines you need to know, including the lifetime legacy battle between Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. 

Then the gals have an extra special treat in part two: former USWNT star Sam Mewis joins the pod to discuss her first year as Editor-in-Chief of The Women’s Game, moving on from pro soccer, and which team she thinks will be the dark horse t...

The name of the game? College hoops.

We’re officially five days away from Selection Sunday, so it’s time to assess the men’s and women’s college hoops landscape. In today’s episode of The GIST of It, guest host Lauren Tuiskula and co-host Steph Rotz first preview the players you need to know on the men’s side, before shifting gears to the gals and highlighting a few conference tourney–winning teams — and the controversial TCU player who still holds a starting position.  

A special shout out to FanDuel for sponsoring today’s episode! The GIST par...

Hello hello!

The grass really is greener in March because the NWSL is finally back. Today’s episode of The GIST of It previews tomorrow’s Challenge Cup, the ceremonial start of the season. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz will walk through the changes to this year’s game before picking their winner: Will it be the defending NWSL champ Orlando Pride or the runner-up Washington Spirit?

Then in part two, the gals shift gears to the NBA hardwood to weigh in on the fallout from one of the most shocking moves in NBA history. We’re...

Hello, March!

Today’s episode of The GIST of It is a classic two-parter, starting off with a WTF moment before digging into a hoop-tastic preview.First up, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss an incident of homophobic chants at MLS squad San Diego FC’s first-ever home opener on Saturday. The gals dig into this pervasive and unacceptable trend in footy, including the MLS’ response to hate speech. There’s no place for hate in sports — full stop.

Then in part two, it’s off to the hardwood: the NCAA women’s basketball conference tournaments be...

Here’s to a legend!

Diana Taurasi, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, announced her retirement on Tuesday, so today’s episode of The GIST of It is a toast to the queen of confidence. As co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss, Taurasi’s skill, starpower, and most of all, swagger, re-defined women’s hoops — the game is in a bigger, better, and brighter place because of her. Bowing to the best. 

Then in part two, the gals stay on the hardwood, previewing this weekend’s must-watch NCAA women’s hoops action as the regular...

Ice, ice, baby.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is chasing history, now just 13 goals away from breaking Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky’s all-time NHL scoring record. So on today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive into Ovi’s pursuit of greatness, from his consistency across 20 (!!!) NHL seasons, to the challenges he’s overcome this year.

Then in part two, the gals zoom out to examine how record chases impact pro sports leagues and discuss the legendary athletes continuing a high level of play well into their thirties. Age is just...

It’s time to do that hockey!

The hottest thing in sports right now is the 4 Nations Face-Off, a replacement to the NHL’s All-Star tourney that’s drawing millions of viewers and creating new hockey fans across North America. And tonight, it’s Team USA vs. Team Canada in the highly anticipated championship game, sparking new life into a storied rivalry.

In today’s episode, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview the final before taking a step back to consider why this tourney has been such a success — and what it means for the upcoming 202...

The business of women’s sports is booming.

It’s all gals, all the time in this extra-special episode of The GIST of It. Today, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are digging into two major women’s sports business headlines, sponsored by our pals at Amazon Business. First, El and Steph are diving head first, fearless into the PWHL’s wildly successful Takeover Tour, which is making history across nine North American cities this season. Then in part two, it’s all about Unrivaled, the women’s basketball league that’s shaking up and reshaping the hoops landscape, fro...

Happy Galentine’s Day!

Leslie Knope’s favorite day of the year is here, and to celebrate co-hosts Steph Rotz and guest host Lauren Tuiskula are diving into all the shiny and fun happenings in the sports world this coming weekend. First, the gals discuss the 74th NBA All-Star Game, airing this Sunday from San Francisco. Much like the NHL, who upgraded their All-Star situation with the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA All-Star Game looks a bit different this year, transforming from a team vs. team showdown to a mini-tournament. Hey now.

And stick around for part two...

Hi!

Today’s episode of The GIST of It has a little bit of everything with one tournament preview and one WTF moment on deck. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz start things off by discussing the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, an NHL hockey tourney that’ll pit Team USA, Team Canada, Team Finland, and Team Sweden against each other for international glory. Icy and spicy.

Then in part two, El and Steph unfortunately have to dig into a massive WTF moment following last week’s news that U.S. president Donald Trump signed an executive order barrin...

Hut, hut, hello there!

You already know what time it is. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz kick off Super Bowl weekend with a full preview of the biggest event in sports.

Will quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs achieve a historic three-peat? Can running back Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles soar to a revenge victory? Will Kendrick Lamar bring out Taylor Swift at halftime? Tune in as El and Steph discuss all of these questions and more.  

Show notes:
Buy our...

Hey there!

The sports headlines came fast and furious this weekend, so co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are here to break it all down on today’s episode of The GIST of It. First, the gals dig into the disturbing sexual misconduct allegations against Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who has been accused of inappropriate behavior dating back to 2012 by nine massage therapists.

Then in part two, it’s all about the NBA trade deadline drama. Generational talent Luka Dončić was shockingly traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the LA Lakers in exchange for vetera...

Happy Friday Jr.!

Grab some boxes because today’s episode of The GIST of It is all about major moves. From the WNBA to the NWSL, there’ve been a plethora of massive trades and signings in the last few weeks. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz begin in the WNBA, where two perennial All-Stars — Alyssa Thomas and Brittney Griner — will be donning different jerseys next season.

Then it’s over to the pitch for part two as El and Steph discuss USWNT star Naomi Girma’s recent record-setting transfer to Chelsea, the headliner in a flurry of in...

Happy Tuesday!

Or should we say hoopy Tuesday because today’s episode of The GIST of It is all about the WNBA. A blockbuster three-team trade sent shockwaves through the league over the weekend, so co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are breaking down which players are on the move (hint: it’s two All-Stars) and the potential impact of this massive deal.

Then in part two, the gals keep the focus on the W, discussing the evolving landscape in women’s basketball and some free agents to keep an eye on as the offseason rolls on. Th...

Hello hello!

We’re talking gridiron and Grand Slams on today’s episode of The GIST of It, previewing this weekend’s NFL Conference Championships along with the finals of the first tennis major of the season, the Australian Open.

Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz begin by previewing this weekend’s AFC title game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs and the NFC clash between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles. That’s right, the Super Bowl matchup is nearly set.

And speaking of sets, the gals also discuss the upcoming Australian...

Go long!

On today’s three-part episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz go long as they preview three major sporting events this weekend. First up, the gals continue their deep dive into new pro women’s basketball 3v3 league Unrivaled ahead of its inaugural tipoff on Friday, previewing the teams, players, and coaches that will make this league a thrilling watch. 

Then in part two, El and Steph head to the gridiron to chat through the NFL Divisional Round taking place this weekend. This quarter-final round features eight teams and four m...

Who run the world?

Girls, of course — and that’s especially fitting for today’s all women’s sports episode of The GIST of It. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz begin with a look at the PWHL’s nine-game Takeover Tour, which is already off to a rousing start as the league tests new markets for its two expansion teams, set to debut next season.

Then in part two, El and Steph go all in on Unrivaled, the new 3v3 women’s basketball league set to make its highly anticipated debut on Friday. From how the league w...

Hut hut!

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview a wild weekend on the gridiron. First, the gals check in with the College Football Playoff as the remaining four teams head into the semifinals, with star-studded games on deck tomorrow and Friday. Score.

Then in part two, El and Steph look ahead toward the NFL’s Wild Card weekend kicking off on Saturday. With the Kansas City Chiefs claiming the top AFC seed and the Detroit Lions enjoying a magical run atop the NFC, 12 teams are left to b...

Hello, 2025!

New year, same sports drama. In this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive headfirst into Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler’s team-issued seven-game suspension, detailing the timeline behind this shocking breakup before sharing their takes on where Butler could land before the February 6th trade deadline.

Then in part two, the gals set up the ultimate pro women’s volleyball primer, digging into the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) and League One Volleyball (LOVB) before their seasons start this week. Ready, set, bumpin’ that. 
Show notes:
Pro Footbal...

It’s time to reflect.

This year was truly one for the books, so today’s episode of The GIST of It is a classic year in review. From the women’s sports movement to the standout moments at the Paris Olympics, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are taking a trip down memory lane, diving headfirst, fearless into a phenomenal year full of championship moments, tear-inducing retirements, and so much more.

A big thank you to Aflac for partnering with us on today’s episode! Add Aflac to your team to close the insurance gap today. L...

Hello, hello!
Forget the holidays — it’s playoff season for a few fall college sports: women’s volleyball and football. On this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz first preview tonight’s national volleyball tournament semifinals, where all four No. 1 seeds will be duking it out for a spot in Sunday’s championship. And volleyball is just getting started in the U.S., with major news about the Pro Volleyball Federation and League One Volleyball dropping this week.

Then in part two, it’s all about the College Football Playoff, which begins on Fr...

It’s hoopin’ time!

Today’s episode of The GIST of It is all about the hardwood. First, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview today’s NBA Cup final between the in-season tournament’s two No. 1 seeds: The Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Trust us — you won’t want to miss this star-powered showdown featuring a pair of perennial MVP candidates in Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

And all that glitters is green in part two, where the gals discuss Unrivaled’s latest money moves. The brand-new 3v3 women’s league will tip off...

Hey there!

End-of-year awards season chatter is growing by the minute, and the football world is no exception. The fun begins on Saturday, when the Heisman Trophy, aka, the MVP award of college football, will be handed out. Before the winner is named, today’s episode of The GIST of It begins with an explainer on one of the most important trophies in college sports and the four players in contention for the coveted prize.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. With just four weeks left in the NFL regular season, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Step...