Welcome to Babes n Sports — where accomplished sports professionals Jamie Hersch and Tory Zawacki Roy pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to juggle motherhood with high-pressure careers in the male-dominated world of sports.

With honesty and humor, Jamie (a play-by-play announcer for professional women’s hockey and soccer) and Tory (a 15-year ESPN storytelling veteran and former collegiate tennis player) share their personal journeys and the unique challenges working moms face in sports media.

This week’s Mansplain Moment of the Week has Tory reliving a cringeworthy exchange where she was forced to defend her NFL knowledge mid-interview. Meanwhile, Jamie reflects on finding unexpected empowerment in saying no to an assignment so she could prioritize being mom first. Together, they explore the guilt that comes with turning things down — and the relief and strength that follow when family comes first.

Subscribe now for real conversations about chasing big career goals while raising families, and connect with Jamie (@JamieHersch), Tory (@Tzawacki), and the show (@babensportspodcast) on social media.

Follow the conversation on instagram @babesinsportspodcast

Welcome to the debut episode of Babes n Sports, where accomplished sports professionals Jamie Hersch and Tory Zawacki Roy pull back the curtain on what it's really like balancing motherhood with demanding careers in the male-dominated sports industry.

With refreshing honesty and humor, Jamie (a play-by-play announcer for professional women's hockey and soccer) and Tory (a 15-year ESPN storytelling veteran and former collegiate tennis player) share their personal journeys navigating the unique challenges working moms face in sports media. From the overwhelming guilt of leaving infant children for work assignments to the psychological burden of enjoying "fun" careers while being away from family, they dive deep into the emotional complexities rarely discussed in professional settings.
A particularly revealing discussion emerges around the lengths both women go to prevent their children from being heard during work calls, fearing their professional credibility might somehow be diminished if their motherhood becomes apparent. This segues perfectly into their "Mansplain Moment of the Week" segment, where they share recent experiences of having their expertise explained to them by men who failed to recognize their extensive credentials – including Jamie being told she might "work her way up" to positions she'd already held for decades.

Subscribe now to join this honest conversation about crushing career goals while raising families, and connect with Jamie (@JamieHersch) and Tory (@Tzawacki), or with the pod @babensportspod on social media.

Edited by Rachel Kodner.

Follow the conversation on instagram @babesinsportspodcast