Welcome to the Party

Welcome to the Party is launching its first-ever Book Club with Billie Jean King’s new book, See It to Be It, co-written with Liz Robbins and featuring 11 athletes who are changing what the next generation can imagine. Then, one of those athletes joins the party: history-making baseball player Kelsie Whitmore. The Savannah Bananas star and first overall pick in the new Women’s Pro Baseball League opens up about growing up as the only girl on the field, the isolation and pressure that came with competing in male-dominated spaces, and the emotional moment she finally stepped onto a field surrounded by women who understood that experience. Kelsie also shares what it meant to receive the torch from baseball pioneer Maybelle Blair, why she never gave up on the game she loved, and her message to the next generation: dream big, believe in yourself, and never let anyone else define the version of you that belongs.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com

Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com

Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store



Keep the Party Going:

Billie Jean King’s new book, See It to Be It: https://a.co/d/0axjnoVJ

Books By Billie Jean King: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/74527.Billie_Jean_King

WPBL Baseball Schedule: https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/

Follow Kelsie Whitmore:https://www.instagram.com/kelsie_whitmore/?hl=en

Maybelle Blair throwing out the first pitch:https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbl60zFGVeI/

At 95, Maybelle Blair came out to the world, her incredible Story:https://www.mlb.com/news/maybelle-blair-on-coming-out-at-95-and-a-new-league-of-their-own



Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

What deserves our attention in women’s sports and what are we choosing to amplify? Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach and Billie Jean King dig into the noise surrounding the WNBA, from Caitlin Clark and the league’s growing pains to the stories of joy, excellence and record-breaking performances they’d rather see dominating the conversation. Plus, they break down new research from the Women’s Sports Foundation on movement and body appreciation, react to the Cleveland Sirens’ vision for building a WNBA franchise around women’s sports fans, and somehow find their way to “Boob Gate” at the Tour de France Femmes.

Then, record-breaking ocean rower Kelsey Pfendler joins the party fresh off spending 43 days, 17 hours and 55 minutes alone at sea, rowing more than 2,400 miles from California to Hawaii. Kelsey takes us inside the storms, extreme sleep deprivation, meticulous preparation and very real fear that came with becoming the fastest person, man or woman, to complete the solo crossing. She shares why bravery can’t exist without fear, how endurance is as much emotional as it is physical, and why getting older might actually make us better at doing really hard things.



Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com

Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com

Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store



Keep the Party Going:

Women’s Sports Foundation Built to Move Study: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Built-to-Move.pdf

Our episode with the Authors of Fair Game where we take a deep dive into Transgender athletes: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Trans Athletes

Follow Kelsey Pfendler:https://www.instagram.com/kelseypfendler/?hl=en

Part of our proceeds from our merch this month will go to the Whale Foundation, the organization that helped Kelsey through some of her toughest times:https://www.whalefoundation.org/



Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone joins Welcome to the Party for a candid conversation about leading American soccer through one of the most transformative eras in its history. From negotiating equal pay and rebuilding trust within U.S. Soccer to opening the new Arthur M. Blank National Training Center and preparing for the 2027 Women’s World Cup and a historic 2031 tournament on home soil, Cindy shares what it really takes to lead through uncertainty.

Abby, Julie, Billie Jean and Cindy also break down FIFA’s abandoned private investment proposal, why the men’s World Cup changed the conversation around soccer in America, Mauricio Pochettino’s contract extension, Emma Hayes’ lasting impact, and the work still ahead to make youth soccer more affordable, accessible and fun. It’s an inspiring conversation about leadership, teamwork, and why the future of American soccer has never looked brighter.



Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com

Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com

Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store



Keep the Party Going:

Learn more about the Whale Foundation: https://www.whalefoundation.org/

U.S. Soccer Forward Foundation: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/06/us-soccer-launches-soccer-forward-foundation



Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Believe it, Party People: Ted Lasso is back and this time, women’s soccer is taking center stage.

Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy and Billie Jean King sit down with Emmy-winning stars Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham for a joyful, thoughtful and very funny conversation about the long-awaited fourth season. Jason reveals how his daughter, the Lionesses, the New York Liberty and years of watching women’s sports inspired AFC Richmond’s new women’s team, and how real players and leaders helped shape the stories behind the season.

Then, Hannah opens up about Rebecca Welton’s evolution, the subtle sexism women face in leadership and entertainment, mentoring other women and why true feminism sometimes means confronting your own blind spots. Plus, Jason reflects on how playing Ted has changed him, Hannah learns a legendary USWNT cheer and the Party puts both guests through a little musical chaos.

It’s an episode about representation, leadership, belonging and the power of women’s sports, with plenty of laughs, heart and, naturally, a whole lot of belief.



Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com

Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com

Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store

*for the month of August part of the proceeds will go to the Whale Foundation.



Keep the Party Going:

Watch Season 4 of Ted Lasso this Wednesday:https://tv.apple.com/us/show/ted-lasso/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy

WPBL - Women’s Professional Baseball Season Schedule:https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/

Learn more about the Whale Foundation: https://www.whalefoundation.org/



Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Nebraska volleyball star Harper Murray joins Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy live from Fanatics Fest to talk about her rise as one of college volleyball’s biggest names. Harper reflects on playing in front of a record-breaking 92,003 fans, navigating NIL and social media, prioritizing her mental health and stepping into a leadership role ahead of her senior season. She also shares what she has learned from Nebraska’s toughest NCAA Tournament losses, what makes Cornhusker volleyball culture so special and how she is preparing for another national championship run, before facing Abby and Julie in a chaotic live volleyball challenge.



Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com

Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com

Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store



Keep the Party Going:

Follow Harper on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/harpermurrayy/

Nebraska’s Schedule:https://huskers.com/sports/volleyball/schedule

Nebraska to play a 1 Million Dollar Game at AT&T Stadium: https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/49471859/marquee-matchups-set-1m-women-volleyball-exhibition



Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC