Burn It All Down

In this episode, Shireen Ahmed interviews Alison Mariella Désir, endurance athlete, activist, mental health advocate and author of the book Running While Black. They talk about Alison's writing process, relationship with endurance running in as Black woman in a white sport. To pre-order Running While Black, which publishes October 18, 2022, visit: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/675749/ru...

In this episode, Jessica Luther spoke with three women in US rugby: Kerri Heffernan, who has been a part of rugby in the US for many decades and is currently the Chair of the Women’s Rugby Coaches and Referees Association; Kat Aversano, the head coach of the Howard University women’s rugby team; and Alycia Washington, one of the top current players in the US. They discuss the history of the sport,...

Note: Next week, Burn It All Down has a live show at the University of Notre Dame on October 11. Reserve a free ticket here. In this episode, Shireen Ahmed, Lindsay Gibbs and Jessica Luther dive into the most recent cheating scandals in sport. But first, they talk about where they would put a new franchise of an unestablished sport. Then, they discuss the latest in sports soap operas. First is che...

In this episode, Brenda Elsey, Lindsay Gibbs and Jessica Luther dissect Brett Favre's welfare fraud. But first, they talk about what occupation they would have if they weren't an historian and journalists. Then, they discuss how sports have defrauded the public, dissecting the most recent headline about former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre stealing millions from the Mississippi's welfa...

In this episode, Lindsay Gibbs interviews Andrew Maraniss, special projects coordinator at Vanderbilt University and author. They discuss his latest book Inaugural Ballers, which tells the story of the 1976 Women’s Olympic Basketball team, who laid the foundation for the rise of women’s sports in the U.S.. This team included many players who would become some of the most legendary figures in the h...

In this episode, Lindsay Gibbs, Shireen Ahmed and Jessica Luther break down the recent report on the behavior of Robert Sarver, owner of the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns basketball teams. But first, they talk about the retirement of tennis great Roger Federer. Then, they dig into a report released by a law firm and commissioned by the NBA to look into allegations of of Robert Sarver's sexist a...

In this episode, Lindsay Gibbs and Sabreena Merchant, W/NBA writer for SB Nation and co-host of The Step Through, break down the rollercoaster of the WNBA playoffs, including Becky Hammon's historic championship title with league MVP A'ja Wilson, playoff MVP Chelsea Gray, and rest of the dynamic Las Vegas Aces team. They also discuss the potential off seasons trades and moves for the Connecticut S...

In this episode, Shireen Ahmed and Amira Rose Davis discuss who the sporting world has responded to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. But first, they talk about their favorite recent concerts, including Bad Bunny and a candlelight Vivaldi quartet. Then, they dive into the ways athletes and sporting institutions have reacted to the Queen's death, including messages of reverence and resistance. The a...

In this episode Shireen Ahmed interviews Daniel Sailofsky, a lecturer in criminology and sociology at Middlesex University London, whose research examines gender and gender-based violence, masculinity, sport sociology and labor, and the sociology of law. They discuss Sailofsky's recent article in The Guardian called, "NFL season is here but I won’t be following anymore. I can’t un-see the harm it...

Before we get into this episode, a content warning. We talk about mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988 in the United States or 1-833-456-4566 in Canada. Please take care while listening. In this episode, Amira Rose Davis, Shireen Ahmed and Lindsay Gibbs do a fall sports round-up! But first, they talk about...

In this episode, Amira Rose Davis interviews Victoria Jackson, sports historian and Clinical Assistant Professor of History in the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies at Arizona State University. They discuss the struggle for power in the NIL system, the college football money machine, the mental health crisis in higher education and how the overturning of Roe vs. Wade will...

In this episode, Brenda Elsey and Lindsay Gibbs talk about the latest news from the NWSL and USWNT. But first, they share their reactions to Serena William's first round US Open win. Then, they delve into the most recent controversies and celebrations in women's soccer in the US. They start with the controversies, including criticism over Vlatko Andonovksi USWNT call-ups, the firing of Kris Ward f...

In this episode, Brenda Elsey interviews Ana Jurka, an Emmy-nominated sports and entertainment host for Telemundo Deportes, who will be one of the network's commentators for the 2022 Men's World Cup. They discuss her journey from Honduras to Orlando to Qatar and the changes she's seen in fútbol broadcasting. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and websit...

In this episode, Jessica Luther, Shireen Ahmed and Brenda Elsey discuss what's going on (and not going on) as the Men's World Cup in Qatar nears. But first, they share their favorite foods they recently ate. Then, they talk about preparations for the Men's World Cup, which is less than 90 days away from starting on November 20. They discuss the mostly off-the-pitch mess, mystery and general cluste...

In this episode, Jessica Luther speaks to Bradford William Davis, an investigations reporter for Insider, about the MLB season so far, including the response to Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 80-game suspension for using a performance-enhancing substance, if Aaron Judge is actually chasing a home run record, and how the Baltimore Orioles’ have succeeded at tanking. This episode was produced by Tressa Verste...

In this episode, Lindsay Gibbs talks with Maggie Hendricks, writer for Bally Sports. They preview the eight teams that qualified for the WNBA playoffs, which started on Wednesday night, and discuss their playoff predictions. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show not...

Burn It All Down is Back from summer break! In this episode Lindsay Gibbs, Amira Rose Davis, Shireen Ahmed and Jessica Luther talk about the huge retirement announcements that have happened this summer. But first, they share their favorite Serena moments from her 27 year tennis career. Then, they reflect on the retirement of the GOAT, Serena Williams; the most decorated US track and field athlete,...

In this episode, Lindsay Gibbs interviews BIAD's own Brenda Elsey, Associate Professor of History at Hofstra University and co-author of Futbolera: Women, Sports, and Sexuality in Latin America. about the 2022 Women's Copa America tournament. They discuss tournament play, including Brazil's 1-0 victory over host-country Colombia in the final. The also talk about the challenges that women's footbal...

In this episode, Amira Rose Davis talks with Kristen Lappas, an Emmy award-winning director and producer about her latest film, Dream On, a three-part documentary from ESPN's 30 for 30 about the 1996 USA women's basketball team journey to Olympic gold. They discuss what it like to interview all members of the team, including legends like Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley and Rebecca Lobo. They also dive in...

In this episode, Brenda Elsey interviews Evan Whitfield, former Chicago Fire FC defender as the new VP of Equity, Alumni and Engagement for the club. They discuss Chicago Fire FC's DEI programming efforts in the club and in the city of Chicago, the need for more bilingual MLS websites and why jobs like his are important. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social med...

In this episode, Jessica Luther talks Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and Kate Veronneau about the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which is the first time in over 30 years women have been allowed to compete under the Tour de France brand name. Ashleigh is a pro-cyclist from South Africa with Team SD Worx. She won first place in the first ever eSports World Championships in 2020. Kate is the Director of W...

In this episode Lindsay Gibbs talks with Annie Costabile, Chicago Sky beat reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, about the 2022 WBNA All-Star Game that was held in Chicago. They discuss the best and the worst of the event. Lindsay also shares resources to learn more about Brittney Griner's ongoing wrongful detainment in Russia. To sign the petition to bring BG home, visit https://wearebg.org. This e...

In this episode, Shireen Ahmed interviews G. Willow Wilson, an award-winning author of many novels and comics, including recent Ms. Marvel series from Disney+ featuring Kamala Khan. They discuss how Willow became a Seattle Sounders super fan, why fandom is important part of Kamala Khan's story and the ways in which comic book and soccer communities intersect. They also do a deep dive on Willow's f...

In this episode, Shireen Ahmed interviews Laeticia Amihere, a power forward and Canada's first female dunker, Team Canada Olympian and NCAA Champion with the South Carolina Gamecocks. They discuss how she came to love basketball, what it's like to play for the legendary Dawn Staley, her hopes for the WBNA Draft and her non-profit Back to the Motherland, where she puts on basketball camps to make t...

In this episode, Jessica Luther talks with Aimee Arrambide, Executive Director of Avow Texas, an abortion advocacy organization committed to shifting the stigmatizing culture surrounding abortion. Aimee provides information and abortion resources related to the overturning of Roe V. Wade. They also discuss ways in which sports organizations need to be showing up to support abortion rights in this...