The GIST of It

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. S...

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 membe...

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. Toda...

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...

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 nati...

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.  Show notes: Check out Jumpstart Canadian Tire chariti...

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. Show notes: Join The GIST Plus Watch “Soccer’s American Dream” on VICE TV More on The G...

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...

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. O...

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 e...

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. Show...

The 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup starts tomorrow, but the road to the biggest soccer tournament ever has been…bumpy, to put it mildly. Before the first whistle blows, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are sharing their unfiltered World Cup thoughts on everything from ticket prices to politics. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus , our extra-special membership platform. Until then, th...

Ahead of the biggest soccer tournament ever, we have a special treat. In collaboration with our friends at Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, today’s episode of The GIST of It features two thrilling conversations about the state of Canadian soccer and how Jumpstart is expanding youth access to pitches across the country.  First, you’ll hear from CanWNT legend Christine Sinclair, who reflects on ho...

GIST HQ is gathering IRL at our team offsite and prepping all sorts of exciting new content. So today, we have a free listen of a members-only The GIST Plus interview with USWNT legend Crystal Dunn. Executive producer Alessandra Puccio sat down with Dunn to get the inside scoop on USWNT head coach Emma Hayes, reflect on Dunn’s trailblazing legacy as a Black woman in soccer, and, of course, geek ou...

The GIST HQ is cooking up new content IRL this week, so we prepped a fun episode in advance. Today, you’ll hear Steph’s interview with Odessa Jenkins, founder and CEO of the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC), which was previously only available to The GIST Plus members. After that, El & Steph dig into what’s happened at the French Open and how it might change the future of tennis.  I...

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are talking about trail-blazing women — because of course they are. Earlier this week, the PWHL Players’ Association released every player’s 2025-26 salary, all 194 of them. Talking about finances has often been viewed as a faux pas, especially for women. But now, the curtain’s up, the receipts are out, and financial transp...

Calling all readers: today’s preview episode is a real treat. Author Jennifer Cooper sits down with Senior Editor Lauren Tuiskula to discuss her new book This Skirt Won’t Work , a fun, picture book history of women’s sporting uniforms, from bloomers to swim dresses to leggings and shorts. Want to hear how it ends? Join The GIST Plus — it’s as easy as one, two, three.  Show notes: Join The GIST Plu...

The men’s FIFA World Cup is just three weeks away — which means it’s time to start studying up on the tournament’s biggest edition ever. Good thing USWNT legends Tobin Heath and Christen Press are today’s guests on The GIST of It, spilling the tea on their World Cup plans, the teams they’re most excited to cheer on, and their World Cup partnership with Don Julio 1942. Cheers to that. Show notes:...

Two words: Ilona Maher. The rugby star and queen of the Internet joins The GIST of It today, sitting down with senior editor Lauren Tuiskula for a convo on building strength, something Ilona knows better than anyone. Trust us — by the end of this episode, you’ll be ready to add another plate at the gym. Show notes: Check out Muscle Milk’s new protein shakes Hockey Canada resists joining abuse regi...

Calling all sports fans. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, executive producer Alessandra Puccio sits down with one of her USWNT heroes, retired two-time World Cup winner Kelley O’Hara. The soccer-loving duo dig into Kelley’s latest adventure: hosting an alt-cast on Victory+ for the NWSL’s Utah Royals vs. Racing Louisville game on Sunday, May 17th at 8 p.m. ET. Between NWSL hot takes and men’s...

Tune in to hear a snippet of this super fun conversation, but to get to the end, you’ll need to subscribe to The GIST Plus using the link in our show notes. Don’t miss this one.  Show notes: Join The GIST Plus In partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation, Haleon is launching “For The Assist” — a campaign celebrating the essential assists that make big goals possible, both on and off the field. B...

Softball is having a major moment this season, so on this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz head to the diamond to preview the 64-team NCAA national softball tournament which begins on Friday. After consulting with former NCAA softball player (and our senior editor) Lauren Tuiskula, the gals have the low-down on the storylines you need to know, from a record-breaking...

At long last, we’re just one day away from the start of the highly-anticipated WNBA season. To celebrate, we have an extra-special treat: Acclaimed sports broadcaster and women’s basketball expert Elle Duncan sat down with The GIST’s Senior Editor Lauren Tuiskula to talk about her move to USA Sports, spill her spiciest women’s sports takes, and share insight into balancing fandom and professionali...

It’s been 33 years since a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup, and with the second round of the playoffs underway, just one squad remains in contention: the Montreal Canadiens. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dig deep on the Habs, the NHL’s youngest team, before highlighting the other NHL playoff series that has our undivided attention. After that, in toda...

The puck drops now — literally. The PWHL Playoffs begin tonight when the No. 2 seed Boston Fleet take on the No. 4 Ottawa Charge, making this episode of The GIST of It the perfect time for co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz to preview the four-team competition. Who will hoist the coveted Walter Cup? The girls have thoughts — and they’re spilling.  Show notes: Episode #551: Our unfiltered PWHL pl...