The GIST of It

Never in our wildest dreams did we think Kim Kardashian would be a guest on The GIST of It, but when the reality star executive produced a new show about youth sports, we had to chat. In today’s episode, you’ll hear what inspired Kardashian to spotlight youth sports (and in particular, the behavior of the athletes’ parents) before co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Lauren Tuiskula share their thoughts on the ongoing WNBA semis series. 

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🎧 Episode #590: Alex Ovechkin’s concerning relationship with Vladimir Putin

Today’s episode of The GIST of It is especially fun because walking green flag Jared McCain is joining the pod. Whether you’re familiar with the NBA star because of his on-court acumen or his TikTok legacy, you’re in for an absolute treat. The 22-year-old is prepping for his third NBA season after being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in February. And while he’s a talented basketball player, our favorite part about him is that he’s unapologetically himself, from singing and dancing on social media for his millions of followers to painting his nails. King. 

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The NHL season is starting extra-early, tipping off tonight instead of in October with a five-game slate, but we’re having trouble getting excited here at The GIST. During the offseason, we felt discouraged by NHL headlines on multiple occasions, which has sparked some really important conversations at The GIST about how to cover a league that seems hellbent on alienating the women in its fanbase. In today’s One Big Story, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Alessandra Puccio discuss some of the frustrating NHL stories from this summer as they grapple with loving a sport that doesn’t love you back. ...

Calling all women’s basketball fans: The WNBA postseason tipped off yesterday, so it just makes sense that today’s episode features an interview with two legends: Former WNBA scoring champ Chamique Holdsclaw and Indiana Fever icon Tamika Catchings. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our extra-special membership platform. Until then, this preview will have to do.

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Kentucky State University women’s basketball star Amina Seck was detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, aka ICE, a month-and-a-half ago and remains in custody at the Grayson County Detention Center. Seck is from Senegal and was arrested while traveling with her team in August, reportedly over an expired student visa. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss this important story, as Seck remains in custody. 

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In the September 1st episode of The GIST of It, #586: Exposing fake NFL players, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz briefly discussed two men who made headlines for posing as NFL players: Daejon Love and Uras Agee IV. At the end of August, Love was arrested for allegedly scamming 26 women out of $1.3M while posing as a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. On September 18th, the FBI announced that another 35 women have been identified as victims of Love’s scheme…and there might be more on the way. In today’s One Big Story, the gals will share everyt...

Today is Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin’s 41st birthday. It’s also the first day of training camp ahead of his 22nd and perhaps final season in the NHL, which should be cause for celebration as one of the league’s all-time greats. However, on today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz detail Ovi’s relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin, inspired by the hockey player's recent ad endorsing Putin’s party ahead of parliamentary elections. 

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Today’s episode features an interview with journalist Hannah Vanbiber, a staff writer at The Athletic, who covers just about everything in the sports world. In particular, Vanbiber focuses on the intersection between sports and culture, making her the perfect person for GISTers to hear from as the NFL season begins. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our extra-special membership platform. Until then, this preview will have to do.

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Week 1 of the NFL season did not disappoint. The stars shined, the offenses scored a mind-boggling number of touchdowns, and most importantly, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson played absolutely terribly.

To celebrate one of our favorite times of the year, today’s episode of The GIST of It is dedicated to NFL Week 1 overreactions, from the team co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz think will win Super Bowl 61 to the players they consider MVP contenders after one outing.

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Today, we’re covering the end of an era…maybe. LIV Golf has officially filed for bankruptcy, bringing the four-year battle between the Saudi-backed league and the PGA Tour to an end…kinda. In today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotzl dive into what LIV’s bankruptcy entails, how much is owed to its players (hint, it’s millions), and what the league’s CEO has in store for the next iteration of LIV Golf. Oh boy. 

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Today, The GIST of It is celebrating iconic women: Venus and Serena Williams are returning to doubles, playing together for the first time since 2022 at the iconic US Open. Plenty of folks know about the siblings’  tremendous singles success, but their doubles prowess is sometimes an afterthought. In honor of their return to the court, today’s One Big Story is a women’s sports history lesson on one of the greatest tennis teams to ever take the court. 

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Today’s members-only episode is about the WNBA’s two newest expansion teams: The Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. Both squads will officially miss the upcoming WNBA postseason, but considering The GIST will be all-in on the playoff contenders soon, now’s the perfect time to dig into the good, the bad, and the path forward for this season’s debutants.. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our extra-special membership platform. Until then, this preview will have to do.

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On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz turn the exposure all the way up, digging into not one, but two instances of men posing as NFL players online. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds — and one man scammed women out of $1.3M doing it. Plus, hear from Nebraska senior volleyball star Andi Jackson as the new season heats up. 

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ICYMI, Good Good Golf and Callaway are in hot, hot water after releasing a video ad that depicted a woman being shoved to the ground. The backlash was swift and fierce, but questions remain, like how did this gross concept even receive approval in the first place? Tune in to hear The GIST of It co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz’s unfiltered thoughts on this *gestures wildly* absolute disaster.

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#584: WTF? Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s controversial return
The Cleveland Browns controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least 27 women, is back on the Browns’ starting line: Watson was named QB1 yesterday, winning the coveted position over second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Today, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Alessandra Puccio share Watson’s story, from his then-record setting contract with the Browns, to the dozens of lawsuits that followed, and finally, the injuries that have plagued his career since. 

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#396: Deshaun Watson suit, PWHL drops new logos and team names & wrappin...

Earlier this year, players on a girls’ team had their privacy repeatedly violated when two members of a U-13 boys’ team entered their dressing room multiple times while the women were changing. A disciplinary panel later raised concerns not only about the incidents themselves, but how adults around the boys responded — including repeatedly characterizing the behaviour as an “unfortunate incident” rather than treating it as an opportunity for accountability and education. Inspired by Rick Westhead’s reporting, today co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss what happened, the troubling “boys will be boys” response, and why changing hockey culture has to start long be...

Today’s members-only episode features a lovely conversation between our podcast producer Alessandra Puccio and Anne-Valérie Seto, a defender for the Montreal Roses in Canada’s Northern Super League. Al and Anne-Valérie chatted about all things footy, from her transition from playing midfield in college to defense as a pro, her first NSL goal, and how the Roses will tackle the rest of the season following the shocking firing of their head coach Robert Rositoiu. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our extra-special membership platform. Until then, this preview will have to do.

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Over the weekend, WNBA legend Diana Taurasi’s jersey was officially retired by the Phoenix Mercury — but her legacy in the desert is far from over: She told ESPN that she hopes to join the Mercury’s ownership group in the near future. Investing in a sports team is so hot right now. On today’s episode, The GIST of It co-hosts Steph Rotz and Alessandra Puccio explore why it’s all the rage in a rapidly changing world. 

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🎧 Episode #456: Finally — FIFA funds study investigating ACL injuries in women’s so...

On Wednesday, the LA Lakers were shockingly sold for $12.5B to businessman Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, former two-time CEO of Disney. This sale came out of nowhere and has a shocking connection to women’s sports, namely the PWHL. On today’s subscriber-only episode, we’ll dig into this sale, explain why it’s a BFD in both the men’s and women’s sports scene, and share our thoughts on it all. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our membership platform.

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Today’s episode of The GIST of It is a classic GIST explainer on one of sport’s most unique postseasons: The PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup. In individual sports like golf, majors get most of the glory, so much so that a lot of folks don’t even know there is a postseason — and that it’s really fun. Tune in to hear co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz break down how it works and highlight the players they think can win the $10M season-ending prize. 

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The WNBA seems to be everywhere these days, but not in a great way. A lot of the oxygen around the league is being taken up by off-court issues, particularly regarding trans women and trans athletes. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share their thoughts on it all, detailing the anti-trans comments that sparked this nationwide debate, the Players Association’s response, commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s leaked internal memo. 

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Sophie Cunningham Jacy Sheldon foul

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There’s been some major drama going down at FIFA headquarters. Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced a plan to sell stakes in future World Cups to private equity firms — an announcement that was met with immediate backlash. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Steph Rotz and Alessandra Puccio explain why Infantino’s failed plan caused such a stir and detail the potential fallout from his latest bungle. 

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The GIST’s resident baseball expert Lauren Tuiskula joins co-host Steph Rotz on today’s episode of The GIST of It — and she’s got answers to Steph’s, ahem, hard-hitting questions about a certain MLB blockbuster trade. Tune in to hear Tuiskula break it all down, from the on-field implications of Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal heading to the LA Dodgers to the potential lockout that’s looming. Let’s play ball.

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NFL training camps began this week, reigniting America’s great love affair with football. There are some spicy storylines already emerging out of camp, including an update from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his impending retirement. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz have all the deets. Hut hut. 

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Episode #489: A new league of their own: Introducing the Women’s Pro Baseball League
The Best Way for the WNBA to Solve Its Sophie Cunningham Problem Was to Ignore It

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We have to talk about the man on everyone’s mind: King James. LeBron James shocked the basketball world last Friday when he announced he was signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, likely the last NBA team he’ll ever play for. People have opinions — including co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz. So on today’s episode, the gals discuss the good and bad of King James taking his talents to Philly. Tune in. 

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Ready to get your game on and go play? So are the WNBA’s best. That’s why on today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Steph Rotz and Lauren Tuiskula are going all in on All-Star Weekend, breaking down the on-court action and putting their crystal balls to the test. And because it’s the WNBA — the spiciest league in sports — there’s some tea to spill, too. Let’s hoop to it.

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And just like that the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup has come to an end. Five weeks and 104 games later, Spain are the world champions after defeating defending champ Argentina 1–0 in extra time on Sunday. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz relive the tournament’s top moments, from the World Cup–winning goal to a certain jersey-clad duck. Vamos.

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39 days and 102 games later, it’s nearly time for the FIFA men’s World Cup final. Spain takes on Argentina this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, so today co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview the championship match, from the stars they think will shine to their final predictions to win it all.

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We’re living our WNBA fangirl dreams. Executive producer Alessandra Puccio sat down with Prime Video’s WNBA sideline reporter Kayla Grey to talk all things W. Grey’s been on site for some of the league’s biggest and brightest moments this season — she and Puccio discuss the upcoming WNBA All-Star Weekend, which team isn’t getting enough attention right now, and Grey’s recommendations for one squad in particular: Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever. 

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The summer of soccer rages on, and the World Cup is about to gift us a slate of spectacular quarterfinal matches. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz break down all four tilts: They highlight the players to watch, each team’s path to the final eight, and sprinkle in their hottest takes…as is tradition. Clear your cal — this weekend’s footy is must-watch TV.

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Today, our executive producer and Survivor superfan Alessandra Puccio sits down with Paralympian and former Survivor contestant Noelle Lambert. Lambert, who lost one of her legs in an accident, first rose to fame at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics as a sprinter for Team USA before appearing on Survivor season 43 shortly after. 

To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our extra-special membership platform. Until then, this preview will have to do.

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Noelle Lambert becomes the first amputee to win an individual Survivor challenge

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On Sunday, FIFA shocked the world by announcing that American striker Folarin Balogun’s red card had been suspended, allowing the USMNT’s World Cup leading scorer to play in yesterday’s Round of 16 match against Belgium. 

That decision set off a flurry of conversations about fairness and opportunity at the World Cup — particularly after a certain president inserted himself into the narrative. Today, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz break down the situation, detailing how FIFA’s controversial decision sparked outrage from other competing nations, inciting chaos and tainting the legacy of this tourney. S

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We’ve been loving all the World Cup action — and as a special holiday treat, you can access this members-only episode of The GIST of It featuring USWNT legend Kristine Lilly. Lilly sat down with executive producer Alessandra Puccio to chat about her fiercely competitive nature, the pressure of hosting a World Cup, and her thoughts on why soccer’s rise in the U.S. has been steady but slow. It’s the perfect companion piece to your World Cup watching. 

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CanMNT won their first-ever World Cup knockout game on Sunday, so Canadian co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are in their feels. Today, they break down the historic win, look to what’s next, and place this game in the greater conversation about the growth of soccer in Canada. And because we’re equal opportunity here at The GIST, we have an interview with USWNT star Mal Swanson on the men’s national team’s chances right after that. Enjoy. 

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Mal Swanson thinks you should be eating more Buffalo W...

We’re celebrating for all the right reasons today. Blayre Turnbull of the Toronto Sceptres is pregnant, marking the first PWHL player going through pregnancy in the league’s three-year history. It felt like as good a time as any to explore what the PWHL’s maternity policy is and how it stacks up to the rest of the pro women’s sports landscape. 

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In honor of the first World Cup hosted on U.S. soil since 1999, USWNT legend Kristine Lilly joins executive producer Alessandra Puccio for a very special subscribers-only episode. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our extra-special membership platform. Until then, this preview will have to do.

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Azzi Fudd is packing her passport, electing to join Project B, the new 5-on-5 offseason league that will make its grand debut in December. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz examine the current pro player landscape, now stuffed with options galore for women hoopers. One thing is clear: With an abundance of choices, this player empowerment era is here to stay. 

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Today, the Canadian men’s national team takes the field in their second World Cup game, playing Qatar at 6 p.m. ET. To celebrate, we’re previewing the match, shouting out the players you need to know, plus sharing why Canada shouldn’t doubt inexperienced Qatar. Then, their World Cup co-hosts, the undefeated Americans, take the pitch for their second game, tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET against Australia. Of course, we’re previewing that group stage tilt, too. You’re welcome.

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The World Cup is in full swing in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. There are four (!!!) games to watch every day from now until next Wednesday, when that number jumps to six through the end of the group stage. With all the on-field action happening, we wanted to use this episode to talk about some of the off-field storylines from this tourney, both good and bad. From the pink cleats we’re seeing on every field to the player banned from Canada because of criminal charges, there’s a lot to discuss. 

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You know what kind of soccer player Trinity Rodman is — but what kind of soccer fan is she? Find out on today’s episode of The GIST of It. Executive producer Alessandra Puccio sat down with the USWNT and Washington Spirit star to discuss the national team’s recent win in Brazil, Rodman’s World Cup watching plans, and her new summer of soccer partnership with State Farm. Jake better watch out.

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