The GIST of It

The GIST of It

The GIST of It is a twice-weekly podcast on what’s going on in the sports world. Hosts Ellen Hyslop and Stephanie Rotz discuss current sports topics and how they intersect with pop culture and social issues, covering everything from major league season previews to calling out the sexist BS we see in sports daily. Expect a hilarious yet informative conversation with a refreshing female perspective on the world of sports.

Episodes

October 23, 2025 29 mins
Buckle up.

Formula 1’s popularity is surging among women, which is no surprise considering gals like Mercedes-Benz Chief Marketing Officer Melody Lee are at the helm. Lee visited The GIST to chat all things F1, from innovation in the sports space to bringing F1: The Movie to life and of course, who Lee’s all-time heroes are. Lights out, and away she goes. 

Psst — you can listen to more inspiring interviews like this one by subscribin...
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There’s meeting the moment, and then there’s making a moment. 

Last Thursday, long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall made a moment, competing in the middle of Times Square to qualify for the finals at Athlos NYC. The buzzy event caught the world’s attention, but Davis-Woodhall is no stranger to fame as a reigning Olympic and world champ. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, The GIST’s Associate Managing Editor Lauren Tuiskula chats with D...
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How do you measure, measure six years?

With 500 episodes, it appears. Today marks the 500th episode of The GIST of It, so co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are taking a trip down memory lane. Tune in as the gals reveal the most popular episode of all-time, plus share a few behind-the-scenes secrets on what really happens when they’re recording. Happy 500 to us!

Show notes:
Our most popular episodes
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All hoops, all the time. 

The WNBA Finals are in full swing, which means The GIST of It co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz were ready to break down what to expect in Game 3, now that the Las Vegas Aces hold a two-game lead over the Phoenix Mercury…but then LeBron James tweeted. Is the King retiring? Or is he trolling with another clever marketing campaign? Hear the gals’ thoughts on all the above today.

A big thank you to our frien...
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The exit interview heard ’round the world.

ICYMI, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier lambasted WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league office on Tuesday. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz place Collier’s explosive comments into the league’s larger context, connecting the dots to the ongoing CBA negotiations, the WNBA’s sustainability, and of course, Unrivaled. Questions? Answered.

T...
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September 30, 2025 39 mins
It’s all fun and games until someone throws a beer.

And unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened at the Ryder Cup over the weekend. The biennial men’s golf competition between Team USA and Team Europe reached new levels of drama this year, as fans at NY’s Bethpage Black berated the European golfers, even launching physical attacks at members of their families.

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph R...
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The Golden State Valkyries are that team. 

ICYMI, the WNBA’s 13th team absolutely crushed it in their debut season, becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural campaign — but the on-court accomplishments are only half the story. The Valks sold out every single home game in 2025, creating an ultra-supportive women’s hoops fanbase that’s now considered the blueprint for success as the W continues to grow....
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Crown her.

Las Vegas Aces icon A’ja Wilson won a historic fourth career WNBA MVP on Sunday, the most of any player in league history. Wilson’s more than just the WNBA’s best player; she is the moment in women’s sports…but when it comes to marketing, she’s simply not getting her due. In this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dig into Wilson’s unprecedented season before diving into the disparities in WNB...
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It’s not every day you meet your heroes.

But The GIST’s Associate Managing Editor Lauren Tuiskula did just that earlier this week, sitting down with legendary ESPN reporter Holly Rowe to discuss the evolution of female fandom across the sports universe. Tune in to this episode of The GIST of It to hear Lauren and Holly discuss college football, Holly’s biggest storyline of the ongoing WNBA playoffs, and to hear about Holly’s work wi...
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Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

ICYMI, nostalgia is having a moment at the box office — and now, we’re seeing that translate to the sports world. Inspired by the news that Bend It Like Beckham is getting a long-awaited sequel, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are diving into the business of sports movie sequels on today’s episode of The GIST of It, including how pop culture moments can turn casual sports viewers into devoted...
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Women’s hoops is where it’s at.

Yes, the WNBA regular season ends today, but this episode of The GIST of It is all about the offseason plans for the best hoopers in the game. Unrivaled, the 3v3 league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, will be bigger and better than ever for its second season, boasting new investments and even more teams. And we’re digging into all of it, including how the league continues to lean into...
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September 9, 2025 33 mins
Aces all around.

ICYMI: Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s US Open men’s single final, clinching his sixth career Grand Slam and snatching the world No. 1 ranking from his respected rival in the process. So on today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dig into the Big Two era of men’s tennis, a stark contrast to the parity in the women’s game. Game, set, slay.

Thanks to Fan Duel for their ...
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September 4, 2025 44 mins
Hut hut, here we go!

It’s officially NFL season, GISTer — and we’re going all in on The GIST of It. Before tonight’s kickoff, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are breaking down the league’s top contenders, from the defending champs to a team we know, ahem, all too well. It really is the greatest time of year.

Show notes:
Episode #489: A new league of their own: Introducing the Women’s Pro Baseball League
The GIST’s NFL Pick’ems Cha...
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This is girlhood.

Today’s episode of The GIST of It is all about the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL), a first-of-its-kind women’s pro league launching in 2026. It’s a tale of girlhood, community, and sports — and that sounds an awful lot like the founding principles of The GIST, meaning co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are the perfect duo to break down everything you need to know now that the league has hosted open tryouts. A...
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This one’s totally gnarly. 

Let us introduce you to Brooke Johnson, the first woman to skateboard across the United States. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-host Ellen Hyslop sits down with Johnson to discuss her 3,266-mile journey, and Johnson’s efforts to raise $50K for spinal cord injury research in honor of her late stepfather along the way. Grab your tissues, strap on your helmet, and get ready to feel inspired.

Show not...
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Money, money, money.

Always funny in a rich man’s world — like the WNBA, where the Connecticut Sun’s potential sale is causing some serious drama. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz break down a new report from ESPN that details the behind-the-scenes moves as the league’s smallest market tries to find a new home. From potential buyers in new cities to the W’s plan to move the team whenever the...
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It’s almost time for the NFL!

Pumpkin spice and crisp leaves are just around the corner, meaning football season is nearly here. To celebrate, today’s episode of The GIST of It features NFL analyst and former tight end Greg Olsen, chatting with co-host Ellen Hyslop on everything from unexpected storylines to follow this season to the impact of his pal, Travis Kelce, and Taylor Swift. Hut, hut, here we go.

Show notes:
www.youth.inc VBT...
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Buckle up.

The WNBA’s first-ever international regular-season game tips off in Vancouver tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET, marking the third Canada Game in the league’s history. Before the Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream battle for Great White North bragging rights (and fight to maintain their playoff positions), tune into today’s episode of The GIST of It to learn about this monumental moment for Canada women’s basketball, the implications f...
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Batter up!

Today’s episode of The GIST of It is a true home run, as co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss the Little League World Series (LLWS), the classic youth baseball competition molding the MLB stars of tomorrow. Tune in to learn how the LLWS works, why it’s such a magical tournament, and to meet the gals turning the baseball world upside down.

Show notes:

More on The GIST: 
☎️ Leave us a voicemail! Call us at 1-437-564-55...
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This one’s inspiring, GISTer.

On this very special episode of The GIST of It, Associate Managing Editor Lauren Tuiskula sits down with author, swimmer, and retired therapist Hendrika de Vries ahead of the release of her memoir, “Open Turns.” de Vries fled Nazi-occupied Amsterdam as a child and started a new life as an immigrant in Australia, where becoming an athlete helped her re-discover her sense of self amid global and internal ...
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