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

#573: Spain vs. Argentina — previewing the men’s World Cup Final

July 16, 2026 • 28 mins
39 days and 102 games later, it’s nearly time for the FIFA men’s World Cup final. Spain takes on Argentina this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, so today co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz preview the championship match, from the stars they think will shine to their final predictions to win it all.

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#572: WNBA sideline reporter Kayla Grey has some advice for the Indiana Fever

July 14, 2026 • 31 mins
We’re living our WNBA fangirl dreams. Executive producer Alessandra Puccio sat down with Prime Video’s WNBA sideline reporter Kayla Grey to talk all things W. Grey’s been on site for some of the league’s biggest and brightest moments this season — she and Puccio discuss the upcoming WNBA All-Star Weekend, which team isn’t getting enough attention right now, and Grey’s recommendations for on...
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#571: A gossipy World Cup quarter-final preview

July 9, 2026 • 29 mins
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.
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The GIST Plus: Paralympian Noelle Lambert’s lesson in resilience (The GIST Plus preview)

July 8, 2026 • 17 mins
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 membership platform. Until th...
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#570: How FIFA lost control of the World Cup

July 7, 2026 • 30 mins
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. Tod...
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#569: Kristine Lilly understands the importance of winning (Gift episode)

July 2, 2026 • 18 mins
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 perfect co...
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#568: Getting emosh about CanMNT's World Cup run, plus Mal Swanson’s advice for the USMNT

June 30, 2026 • 30 mins
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 national team’s...
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#567: Normalizing motherhood in sport 

June 25, 2026 • 31 mins
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 cha...
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The GIST Plus: Kristine Lilly understands the importance of winning (The GIST Plus preview)

June 24, 2026 • 11 mins
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...
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#566: Azzi Fudd chose Project B over Unrivaled — but why?

June 23, 2026 • 27 mins
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. 

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#565: Previewing CanMNT & USMNT’s second group stage games

June 18, 2026 • 24 mins
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. Of course, we&rsqu...
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#564: Pink cleats, problematic breaks, and player bans — this World Cup has it all

June 16, 2026 • 27 mins
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 every field to the player bann...
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#563: Hiding in the bathroom and watching soccer with Trinity Rodman

June 11, 2026 • 27 mins
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.

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The GIST Plus: Everything that’s wrong with the World Cup (The GIST Plus preview)

June 10, 2026 • 9 mins
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, this preview will have to...
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#562: Christine Sinclair reflects on her youth soccer career, as Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities pushes the game forward

June 9, 2026 • 39 mins
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 how youth soc...
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#561: Crystal Dunn is present, pivoting, and powerful (The GIST Plus gift episode)

June 4, 2026 • 27 mins
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 out about Long Island.

I...
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#560: How the French Open boycott might change tennis’ pay structure (The GIST Plus gift episode)

June 2, 2026 • 37 mins
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. 

...
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#559: Why PWHL salary transparency is so important

May 28, 2026 • 24 mins
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 transparenc...
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The GIST Plus: Jen Cooper literally wrote the book on women athletes in skirts (The GIST Plus preview)

May 27, 2026 • 12 mins
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. 

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#558: Spilling World Cup tea and talking tequila with Tobin Heath & Christen Press 

May 21, 2026 • 49 mins
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.

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