U.S women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes returns to Laughter Permitted to talk about winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, what went into shaping the team’s culture in a short period of time and how gratitude factors into her current role. Emma also shares an exercise she did with the USWNT to cultivate trust and explains why it was impor…

In a special NWSL-themed episode of Laughter Permitted, World Cup champion and 3-time NWSL champion Sam Mewis returns to the podcast to discuss and give her pick for the 2024 NWSL Championship between the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit. Plus, we find out her reaction to the news that she's going to be an aunt, what the journey has been like at…

Legendary University of Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso joins Laughter Permitted to talk about winning four straight national championships (and eight total), how culture is crucial in her program and what she enjoys most about coaching. Coach Gasso also shares how she had to step out of her comfort zone to become the highest paid coach in coll…

Paralympic superstars Scout Bassett and Alana Nichols join Laughter Permitted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Women's Sports Foundation and talk about their experiences serving as president of the Women's Sports Foundation, how sports came into their lives and their leadership styles. Plus, Scout, Alana and Julie share what they'd like to …

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and water polo superstar Ashleigh Johnson joins Laughter Permitted to talk about how she was introduced to the sport of water polo, how she remains the only Black woman to compete for the U.S. in water polo at the Olympic level and how she hopes to be an example of what’s possible in the sport and beyond. She also sha…

Olympic gold medalist and Portland Thorns star Sam Coffey joins Laughter Permitted to talk about the experience of winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, what it was like being led by USWNT head coach Emma Hayes and how the joy was real during her Olympic journey. Plus, Sam shares how she dealt with the disappointment of not making the Wo…

Olympic beach volleyball pair Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss join Laughter Permitted to talk about what it was like competing at the 2024 Paris Games (from a rain-soaked Opening Ceremonies to playing in front of LeBron James), how they joined forces at LSU and the unique way they solidified their playing partnership through creating a brand and busin…

Paralympic silver medalist Sarah Adam joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her experience of competing in wheelchair rugby at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, what it was like being the first woman on the U.S. wheelchair rugby team and how the sport came into her life. Sarah also shares how her identity as an athlete helped her cope with a multiple sc…

Laughter Permitted is back! Julie and Lynn share highlights of Season 11 and hand out some Dopie Awards. Do you have question you'd like to get answered during Questions Permitted or a general comment to share with the hosts? Email Julie and Lynn at laughterpermitted@gmail.com. They also take jokes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch…

In the final installment of the Laughter Permitted Olympics series, Julie blasts a Zoom link on the 99ers text thread after the U.S. wins gold at the Paris Games and Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Cindy Parlow Cone, Brandi Chastain, Michelle Akers, Joy Fawcett, Sara Whalen Hess, Saskia Weber, Shannon MacMillan and Tish Venturni Hoch join the podcast to …

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Brandi Chastain and Julie dive into breaking down the USWNT’s 1-0 win over Germany, preview the gold medal game against Brazil and give their predictions for the final. Plus, Brandi has a nickname idea for the U.S.’s front three and Lynn gives her hot takes. Questions Permitted and Olympics Buzz are all about the fun,…

After the USWNT's hard-fought 1-0 win over Japan, two-time Olympic gold medalist Briana Scurry and Julie talk about how a tough game is part of the process in a tournament like the Olympics, how winning has a way of making everyone forget about the difficult moments and Bri shares what she would say to the USWNT before its upcoming semifinal game. …

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Shannon Boxx and Julie discuss what they like about the USWNT's start at the Olympics and give a full breakdown of the quarterfinals. As debate wages over a nickname for the frontline of Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman, Lynn weighs in with what she considers to be the answer. Plus, the Canadian spyi…

In a Dope Village/ Pod Squad crossover episode, two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach and The Soccer expert Glennon Doyle join Laughter Permitted to discuss what they're loving about the USWNT's 4-1 win over Germany in the Olympics. Abby and Julie like the tactics and tenacity while Glennon praises the steadiness of new head coach Emma Hayes,…

With the Paris Games officially underway, three-time Olympic gold medalist Heather O'Reilly - a.k.a. HAO! - joins Laughter Permitted to talk all things Olympics, including winning gold with Julie at the 2004 Athens Games. Heather and Julie have a lively discussion about Team Canada's use of a drone to spy on opponents - yikes! - and then they dive …

With the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics about to get underway, Julie - live from France! - and Lynn talk about the storylines of the Games, including Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, U.S. women’s basketball and U.S. women's soccer. Plus, they share the game plan for their Laughter Permitted "Olympics-style" episodes. Have an Olympics-themed question? Email…

Tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1999! It’s officially 25 years since the U.S. women’s national team won the 1999 World Cup in front of a sold-out Rose Bowl and TV audience of 40 million people. That team, affectionately known as The 99ers, has a legacy that’s endured and two of its stars, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini, join Laughter Permit…

Celebrate good times, come on! To honor the 25th anniversary of the U.S. women’s national team's 1999 World Cup win, legends Brandi Chastain and Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak join Laughter Permitted to talk about what makes up a 99er, the keys to why the 1999 team was so successful and how the legacy of The 99ers continues today. Brandi, TIffany and Jul…

In a live recording of Laughter Permitted at the espnW Summit NYC, college basketball players Azzi Fudd of UConn, Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame and Tessa Johnson of South Carolina join the podcast to talk about their hoops careers, who inspires them as players and what they've learned from their respective coaches. Be sure to stay tuned to the close…

Two-time WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist Jewell Loyd joins Laughter Permitted to talk about how she has stepped out of her comfort zone to share her voice, lessons she learned playing with former teammates Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart and how pickleball has become a big part of her life. Jewell and Julie bond over their experiences of being…

Notre Dame women's basketball head coach Niele Ivey joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her daily meditation practice, what it's like coaching in the era of NIL and the transfer portal and how she is building her program based on the principles of "love, serve and mentor." Niele also talks about the pride she has watching her son, Jaden, play in…

Two-time World Cup champion Alyssa Naeher joins Laughter Permitted to talk about how she became a goalkeeper, how her background as a point guard in basketball helps her in goal and where her steadiness at the position comes from. Alyssa shares how she was told several times in her career that she didn't have the "personality" to be the starting go…

ESPN broadcasters Andraya Carter and Elle Duncan join Laughter Permitted to talk about the ratings history made at the Final Four and why this year's tournament was such a success. Andraya and Elle also share behind-the-scenes stories of Caitlin Clark and discuss Dawn Staley's greatness. In the close of the episode, Julie and Lynn give ideas of how…

Sailing sensation Cole Brauer joins Laughter Permitted to talk about becoming the first American woman to race solo, nonstop and unassisted around the world, why she took on the challenge and how Instagram allowed her to bring people along on the journey. Cole also shares what it's like being a woman in the sailing world and why she intentionally p…

World Cup champion Sam Mewis joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her recent retirement from soccer, the biggest lesson she learned while dealing with her knee injury and how she misses the camaraderie of the U.S. women's national team. Sam also learns about the art of "plorking" (she's already great at it) and discusses her new role as Editor in…