Episodes

  • Empowering Female Coaches with Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCoach

    Empowering Female Coaches with Vanessa Fuchs, CEO of WeCoach
    May 13 2025
    In this episode of the Mixed Doubles Podcast, hosts Maggie and Josh interview Vanessa Fuchs, the CEO of WeCoach, a non-profit dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels through year-round professional growth & leadership development programs. Vanessa discusses her career journey from being a former dual-sport athlete at Florida State University (FSU) to becoming the first woman to lead the FSU Athletic Department. The conversation then delves into the changing landscape of college athletics, the importance of female leadership in sports, and Vanessa's impactful experiences throughout her career. Vanessa emphasizes the critical need for professional development and support for women in coaching, addressing challenges such as underrepresentation and retention. 00:27 Introducing Vanessa Fuchs: CEO of We Coach 01:37 Vanessa's Journey as a Dual Sport Athlete 05:11 Lessons from College Athletics 08:32 Navigating Career Paths in Sports Administration 12:30 Returning to FSU: Leading the Athletics Department 18:00 Advice for Aspiring Athletic Directors 21:38 Funny Stories from FSU Athletics 22:07 The FSU Logo Redesign Controversy 23:35 A Generous Donation of Palm Trees 26:30 The Future of College Athletics 31:59 The Mission of WeCoach 35:29 Challenges and Initiatives for Women Coaches 41:46 Future Goals and Success Metrics for WeCoach 43:06 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Check out WeCoach on all platforms! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecoachsports/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wecoach/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Advice Line!

    Advice Line!
    Apr 11 2025
    In this special solo episode, host Maggie Robinson shares valuable career advice she has compiled from previous interviews with accomplished women in the sports industry. Maggie focuses on offering guidance for those facing significant life changes, particularly those in transitional periods of their careers. She features advice from Caroline Chagares (Director of Marketing and Commercial Ops at NWSL ), Emily Proud (CBS sports reporter), Tish Carmona (Director of Communications for Unrivaled), Cathy Yancy (Vice President of Broadcasting at the NFL), and the founders of Launch Break, Teresa Saputo-Crerend and Philippa Portnoy. Each guest shares insights on networking, work-life balance, breaking into the industry, finding one’s passion, and ignoring discouraging statistics to stay focused on one's mission. 00:48 Advice from Caroline Chagares: Building Relationships 03:58 Emily Proud: Balancing Work and Life 07:00 Tish Carmona: Breaking into the Sports Industry 09:51 Cathy Yancy: Finding Your Passion 12:09 Launch Break Founders: Focus on Skills, Not Stats 14:33 Conclusion and Personal Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    17 mins
  • New IOC President, an NWSL Rebrand, and March Madness Recap

    New IOC President, an NWSL Rebrand, and March Madness Recap
    Apr 4 2025
    We're back with your women's sports news updates! Listen in as hosts Maggie Robinson and Josh Smythe-Macaulay tell you all you need to know about women's sports from the past week. They provide updates on Maggie's upcoming move and final month at the NFL, leading up to the Draft. The hosts transition into several significant highlights, including the global rise of women's soccer with the advent of World Seven Football and Juju Watkins winning the Naismith Player of the Year in college basketball. They further cover Kirsty Coventry's historic appointment as the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee and Boston's NWSL team's rebranding to Boston Legacy FC. They delve into the unveiling of New York Liberty's new practice facility, the excitement of the Miami Open, PWHL's current standings and collaboration with Barbie, and the thrilling developments in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, including the standout teams and players heading into the Final Four. The episode wraps up with reflections on Dawn Staley’s potential second consecutive championship win with South Carolina and Paige Buecker’s final matches before heading to the WNBA. Listen in! 02:02 Maggie's Big Move and NFL Draft Insights 04:04 Big Plays and Big Players 08:56 Historic First for the IOC 12:33 NWSL Club Name Controversy 13:50 Boston Legacy FC: A New Beginning 15:46 New York Liberty's State-of-the-Art Practice Facility 18:42 Miami Open Highlights and Winners 20:48 PWHL Standings and Exciting Collaborations 23:44 March Madness: Women's Basketball Final Four 29:12 Closing Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Doubles Partners to Business Partners: Meet The Columbia Duo Behind LaunchBreak's Success

    Doubles Partners to Business Partners: Meet The Columbia Duo Behind LaunchBreak's Success
    Mar 21 2025
    Welcome back to our interview series! In this episode of the Mixed Doubles Podcast, hosts Maggie Robinson and Josh Smythe Macaulay sat down with Teresa Saputo-Crerend and Philippa Portnoy, the founders of LaunchBreak, an innovative networking platform for women athletes. Teresa and Philippa, former doubles partners and Columbia University alumni, discuss transitioning from corporate careers to launching their platform. They share insights on the impact of their athletic background on their professional success, the importance of mentorship, and the drive to support female athletes. The conversation covers their collegiate experiences, the significance of community, and practical advice for young women pursuing careers. The episode offers a deep dive into the vision behind LaunchBreak and its growing community. 00:31 Meet the Guests: Teresa and Philippa 01:26 Columbia University and Tennis Background 03:44 Corporate Careers and LaunchBreak 07:06 The Birth of LaunchBreak 12:13 Columbia University Experience 18:41 Running a Business Together 23:41 Advice for Young Athletes and Professionals 26:22 Conclusion and Shoutouts Connect with LaunchBreak on LinkedIn: Teresa Saputo-Crerend & Philippa Portnoy LaunchBreak website: https://launchbreak.com/ Columbia & Barnard Background: Teresa Saputo-Crerend Chair of the Columbia Alumni Association's Mentoring and Networking Committee Member of Columbia Alumni Association Board &Columbia University Women's Alumnae Engagement Group Key leader for the first-ever three-day Women’s Conference across eighteen Columbia University schools. Keynote speakers featured Ruth Bader Ginsburg Served on the Board of the Columbia College Alumni Association, the Dean’s Alumni Task Force, the Board of Columbia College Women, and the CAA’s Strategic Planning Committee Served as CoChair of She Opened the Door, the first-ever Columbia University Women’s Conference Member of the Columbia Alumnae Legacy Circle, the Women's Leadership Council, and the Columbia College Board of Visitors Recipient of Columbia Alumni Association Medal for Distinguished Service Philippa Portnoy Founding member of Barnard’s Athena Center for Leadership Studies On the board of Barnard College Board of Trustees & Columbia University Board of Directors Co-founder of Columbia’s Women’s Leadership Council for Athletics Member of the University Alumnae Engagement Committee and Strategic Planning Committee Member of Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) Board and Women Creating Change Leadership Council Serves on Columbia University Club of NY Board, and co-chair of CAA Arts Access Named one of the 50 most influential female athletes in Columbia’s 50th Anniversary of Title IX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • Cathy Flowers Yancy: ESPN, 30 Super Bowls and Work-Life Balance

    Cathy Flowers Yancy: ESPN, 30 Super Bowls and Work-Life Balance
    Mar 14 2025
    Welcome back to another edition of our interview series! Today we sat down with Cathy Flowers Yancy, Vice President of Broadcasting at the NFL. Cathy shares her illustrious career journey, from being the first female producer of SportsCenter at ESPN to negotiating groundbreaking deals like the WNBA's broadcast rights. The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of working in sports media, the significance of mentorship, and balancing a demanding career with family life. Key moments include Cathy's advice on raising kids alongside a career, her experiences at numerous Super Bowls, and the pivotal role she played in advancing women's sports. The episode concludes with an acknowledgment of Cathy's legacy and her ongoing impact in the industry. 00:36 Introducing Cathy Yancy: A Trailblazer in Sports Broadcasting 00:55 Cathy's Early Career and ESPN Journey 08:29 Cathy's Transition to the NFL 24:09 The Founding of the WNBA and ESPN's Role 32:10 Challenges and Progress in Women's Sports 35:46 Balancing Family and Career in Sports 37:22 The Importance of Taking Kids to Work 38:17 A Daughter's Perspective on Career Choices 40:25 Transitioning from ESPN to the NFL 44:53 Super Bowl Experiences and Memories 49:50 Handling Unexpected Challenges: The New Orleans Super Bowl XLVII Blackout 55:10 The Intricacies of Live Sports Broadcasting 01:01:10 Reflecting on Legacy and Mentorship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Sierra Brooks: NCAA Gymnastics, NIL, and the Gymternet

    Sierra Brooks: NCAA Gymnastics, NIL, and the Gymternet
    Mar 7 2025
    Welcome back to our interview series! Today we sat down with Sierra Brooks, a decorated gymnast from the University of Michigan. The conversation spans her early beginnings in gymnastics at age three, her rise to a 13-time All American, and her pivotal role in Michigan’s first NCAA championship in 2021. Sierra shares insights on handling pressure and expectations, her decision to forego elite gymnastics in favor of collegiate competition, and the impacts of NIL on college athletes. She also reflects on her transition to life after gymnastics and her other passions like photography and graphic design. The discussion is a powerful narrative of dedication, balancing multiple interests, and maintaining high standards both on and off the mat. 00:28 Introducing Sierra Brooks: Gymnastics Superstar 01:05 Sierra's Journey into Gymnastics 02:52 Balancing All Four Events 04:41 Handling Pressure and Expectations 09:15 Early Graduation and Transition to College 13:57 Choosing Between Elite and Collegiate Gymnastics 22:52 Life as a Michigan Gymnast 27:38 Mental Preparation and Visualization Techniques 30:43 The Impact of NIL on College Athletes 34:57 Memorable Moments and Achievements 40:41 Transitioning from College to Corporate Life 44:04 Exploring Creative Passions Beyond Gymnastics 47:47 Reflecting on Role Models and Inspirations Find Sierra here: Instagram LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • Tish Carmona: Unrivaled Basketball and Shooting Your Shot (professionally)

    Tish Carmona: Unrivaled Basketball and Shooting Your Shot (professionally)
    Feb 28 2025
    Welcome back to our interview series! Today's guest is Tish Carmona, director of communications for Unrivaled, the newest 3v3 Women's Basketball League. She is joined by fellow University of Maryland alum and NFL rotational analyst, Bradley Polkowitz. Tish discusses her career journey, starting from her college internships and moving to her professional roles with the Washington Commanders, the NBA, and the WNBA. She shares insights about her responsibilities at Unrivaled, her experiences working closely with elite athletes, and the challenges and triumphs of building a new league from the ground up. This episode provides valuable career advice for young professionals and offers a glimpse into the exciting future of women's sports. 00:31 Special Guests Introduction 01:58 Tish Carmona's Career Journey 04:19 Advice for Aspiring Professionals 10:28 Bradley Polkowitz's Role and Networking 11:52 Transition to the NBA and WNBA 19:20 Joining Unrivaled: Challenges and Opportunities 28:02 Season Highlights and Future Prospects 34:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Cozy Chats - Super Bowl, Grad School and Crying Over Animated Movies

    Cozy Chats - Super Bowl, Grad School and Crying Over Animated Movies
    Feb 25 2025
    Welcome to episode one of Cozy Chats! We're trying new things in 2025 and in this series, you'll get to hang out with us as we catch up on life, sports, and everything in between. Cozy Chats is like chatting with your friends over coffee, so listen in for some laughs, heartwarming moments, and personal updates from the squad! In this episode, Maggie shares the exciting news of her acceptance into Syracuse University’s Newhouse School for Public Communications to study broadcast and digital journalism, specifically in sports media and communications. She explains the emotional journey of applying and getting accepted, along with the support received from colleagues at the NFL. Maggie also recaps memorable Super Bowl and Pro Bowl moments, including interactions with famous personalities like Bill Belichick and Samuel L. Jackson. In addition, Josh shares his experiences from a sports-filled weekend, touching on NBA All-Star events, women's college basketball highlights, and a tear-jerking moment from an animated movie. The episode concludes with reflections on the changes and achievements in their personal and professional lives and a look forward to future podcast content. 01:48 Grad School Announcement and Career Aspirations 03:44 Super Bowl Week: Behind the Scenes 18:43 NFL Honors and Unexpected Encounters 22:50 Reflecting on the Super Bowl Experience 24:05 Weekend Recap: Family Time in D.C. 25:26 NBA All-Star Weekend and Tournament Ideas 27:42 Exciting Women's College Hoops 33:07 Heartwarming Movie Night: The Wild Robot 39:54 Cozy Chats: Podcast Goals and Future Plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins