Epicenter of Women’s Sports with Karina LeBlanc

Lauren Cheney Holiday and Jrue Holiday are college sweethearts who became two of the most decorated athletes of their generation — she as an NWSL founding player, World Cup scorer, and two-time Olympic gold medalist; he as a two-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist. Long before women's sports was a proven investment, Jrue was freezing in the stands at Harvard Stadium watching Lauren play for a league that wasn't guaranteed to survive. During the NBA's COVID bubble season, the two of them pledged Jrue's remaining salary to Black-owned businesses, nonprofits, and initiatives. In this conversation with Karina, they talk about how athletes carry a competitive edge that belongs in every boardroom and why Lauren believes women's sports has borrowed too much from the men's game. They also make the case for athletes in ownership as the bridge between what owners need and what players need — and Jrue argues that watching women's sports made him a better professional. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

KeyBank Market President Josh Lyons has a north star for his eight-year-old daughter: whether she ends up in a boardroom, at a gala in a ballroom, or chasing a pro contract on the pitch, she should never doubt she earned her way there. That's the thinking behind KeyBank's new five-year deal with the Portland Thorns, a tripling of their previous commitment and the single largest investment in women's sports KeyBank has ever made. Karina sits down with Josh and Thorns forward Morgan Weaver to talk through what the partnership supports. This includes financial education for players, free Thorns Academy access for kids whose families can't afford club soccer, nonprofits hosted in the suite every home match, and a senior signing day for the next generation of girls coming up behind Morgan. Morgan opens up about the two injuries that nearly made her quit and the trip to San Diego with the Academy girls that pulled her back. Josh shares insights about why 93% of women in C-suites played sports, and what that statistic means for how KeyBank shows up at Providence Park. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

For Epicenter's first-ever live taping, recorded on the concourse at Moda Center before a Portland Fire home game, Karina sits down with four of the women who built the original Portland Fire. The night's theme was Legacy Reignited. Twenty-three years after the original Fire played its last game, Jackie Stiles, Sophia Witherspoon, Sylvia Crawley, and head coach Linda Hargrove came back to talk about what it took to play in the WNBA before the league had investment, attention, or resources, and what it means to see this franchise come back to life. A handful of former Fire players join the stage to speak to the moment.   Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

The conversation continues. After sitting down with Reilyn Turner, Megan Gustafson and Karlie Samuelson for a Mother's Day special, host Karina LeBlanc returns with the second half of the conversation — this time about who they are as athletes, the journeys that brought them here, and what it means to play in the epicenter of women's sports. The trio reflects on what they're learning and unlearning at this stage of their careers, from comebacks and overseas chapters to growing into vet roles on new teams. They open up about the rivalry with Seattle, the first-ever dual-sport performance center built for women, and the responsibility of setting a new standard — one they hope cities across the country will follow. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

What shapes the women behind the athletes? In this special Mother's Day episode, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with three of Portland's professional athletes — Portland Thorns forward Reilyn Turner and Portland Fire's Karlie Samuelson and Megan Gustafson — for a  conversation about the moms and mother figures who raised them, the belief they instilled, and the values that carried them to the highest levels of their sport. From small-town beginnings to single-parent households, the players reflect on the work ethic, sacrifice, and unwavering support that shaped who they are on and off the field. They open up about being taught to bet on themselves, to know their worth, and to keep going — and the defining moments that turned that belief into reality.  Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

Diana Taurasi rarely does podcasts. Widely considered the greatest of all time, she’s the only basketball player ever to win six Olympic gold medals, three WNBA championships, and two Finals MVPs. In this episode, she joins Karina in Portland for a rare, reflective conversation as she steps back from the game and discusses what's next.  They get into what made her great, the uncomfortable moments being a child of immigrants, how an early love of soccer shaped her game, and what lights her up now. And for Portland, with the WNBA’s Fire returning, she tells Karina what we have to get right. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

In this episode, WNBA legends come together for a conversation that goes beyond the game and into what it actually takes to build, lead, and evolve it. From defining moments, to life after sport, this conversation explores the realities behind sustained success. The discipline, the mindset, and the leadership required not just to reach the highest level, but to continue growing beyond it. It also gets personal. From confidence and body image to the transition out of playing, they share the parts of being an athlete that aren’t often said out loud, even at the highest level. As the WNBA continues to grow, the conversation turns to how the experience of the athlete is evolving. The talent is there, the visibility is rising, and through their experiences as players and now as leaders, they offer a clear look at what it takes to sustain greatness. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

Award-winning journalist Sarah Spain joins Karina LeBlanc for a conversation on the evolution of women’s sports and the systems that have shaped it. From covering the Olympics to helping redefine how women’s sports stories are told, Sarah shares why the industry is at an inflection point. Investment is rising. Fan demand is accelerating. And the narratives that once held women’s sports back are starting to shift. This episode explores the opportunities ahead, the role of media in shaping the narrative, and why storytelling, consistency, and cultural relevance will define the next era of growth. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

Less than 24 hours after landing in Portland, new Portland Thorns head coach Robert Vilahamn sits down with Karina LeBlanc for his first in-depth conversation about leading one of the most iconic clubs in women’s soccer. Following the Thorns’ win in his first match on the NWSL sideline, Robert shares the philosophy that will shape this next chapter for the club. In this episode, Robert talks about the four values guiding his leadership, how he plans to build a team identity that connects with Portland’s passionate fan base, and why this moment for the club feels bigger than the game itself. The conversation also goes beyond the pitch. Robert reflects on becoming a father of twins, the life lessons he learned through football projects in Uganda, and the belief that has shaped his leadership on and off the field: be kind. This is the beginning of a new era for the Thorns, led by a coach determined to build something lasting.  Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

In this Season 1 finale, few people have shaped the culture of women’s sports more powerfully than Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Sports Bra, the Portland bar that became a worldwide sensation and helped redefine how women’s sports are watched and valued.Her story has reached millions, and her work has helped cement Portland’s role in the global rise of women’s sports.In this conversation with Karina, Jenny opens up about the origins of The Sports Bra, the defining moment that pushed her to create the space she never had growing up, and the vulnerability of building something bigger than herself. She talks about identity, representation, belonging, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people when leadership requires courage and clarity. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

Few people understand the intersection of data, fandom, and leadership like Elizabeth Lindsey, Global President of Brands and Properties at Wasserman.In this conversation with Karina LeBlanc, Elizabeth unpacks what the numbers truly show about the growth of women’s sports—challenging outdated definitions of success and revealing what brands, leagues, and fans are getting right (and wrong).She discusses findings from The Collective, Wasserman’s data-driven initiative advancing equity through insights, exploring how women are shaping global fandom, controlling household influence, and redefining engagement across generations.Elizabeth also opens up about leadership, loss, and letting go of expectations while also sharing how purpose, adaptability, and curiosity have guided her own career and how leaders can stay aligned to their North Star through change. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

What does it take to go from great to extraordinary, and stay there for more than two decades?In this deeply personal episode, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with her former teammate and friend Christine Sinclair for an honest conversation that goes far beyond the game. After 16 years—through four World Cups, Olympic medals, and countless milestones—Karina offers a rare inside look at the person behind the legend.Together, they reflect on Christine’s journey from a kid who lived on the soccer field to one of the greatest to ever play. She shares what kept her pushing when things got hard, how she refused to settle even at the top, and what it means to invest back into the sport that shaped her.From her recent Hall of Fame induction and jersey retirement at Providence Park to her next chapter in life and Portland, this episode captures the heart of an athlete whose legacy was built not only on talent, but on resilience, loyalty, love for the game, and for the people in it. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

What happens when two former players step into the front office to shape the next era of women’s sports in Portland?In this conversation, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with Vanja Černivec, General Manager of the Portland Fire and Jeff Agoos, General Manager of the Portland Thorns, to talk about building trust, leading through change, and creating a culture where athletes and staff can thrive.Together they reflect on lessons from their playing days and share how collaboration between the Thorns and Fire is helping define a new model for leadership in women’s sports. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

What does it truly mean to put the athlete first? In this episode, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with three legends: Olympic track and field icon Carl Lewis, World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Shannon Boxx, and basketball Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles. Recorded live at The Epicenter: Women’s Global Sports Summit at Nike World Headquarters, the conversation explores resilience, redefining success, and the systems athletes need to thrive. Between them, the panelists hold 16 Olympic medals — and they get candid about overcoming setbacks, shaping the next generation, and building athlete-centered cultures that extend far beyond sport. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

What does it take to change the game before most players even graduate high school? At just 13, Olivia Moultrie challenged the system to follow her dream. At 14, Deyna Castellanos inspired a generation of girls in Latin America. Now teammates on the Portland Thorns, they join host Karina LeBlanc for a raw, real conversation about courage, sacrifice, and purpose. From Olivia’s fight to create new opportunities for young players to Deyna’s mission of opening doors across Latin America, they share the power of betting on yourself and the responsibility of paving the way for others. Together, they reflect on representing Portland — a city uniquely supportive and invested in women’s sports — and what it means to play in front of fans who set the standard for the game. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

Clare Hamill, Interim President of the Portland Fire, spent four decades helping to shape women’s sports, athletes, and brands around the world at Nike. Just when she thought she was retired, the opportunity to build something historic pulled her back in: the return of Portland’s WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire. In this episode, Clare joins Karina to share why she came out of retirement for this moment, what it takes to bring back a professional team and brand, and the leadership lessons she’ll carry from her career into this next chapter. She also reflects on her work creating the WIN (Women in Nike) program, which helps WNBA players transition into life and careers beyond the court. From decades spent elevating women athletes on the global stage to shaping the future of women’s basketball in Portland, Clare offers candid insights on purpose, resilience, and the power of saying yes when the right opportunity comes along. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  

In their first-ever podcast appearance, Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal—co-owners of RAJ Sports and the driving force behind the Portland Thorns and the WNBA’s Portland Fire—share their story and their vision for the future of women’s sports. From defining family and business moments to their career paths that led to becoming the only ownership group in the U.S. with two professional women’s teams, Lisa and Alex open up about why women’s sports represent one of the fastest-growing opportunities in business today—and why they believe this is just the beginning. The siblings and business partners talk candidly about why women’s sports, why now, and why Portland—sharing their vision for making the city the global epicenter of women’s sports. Listeners will hear what fans, brands, and investors should know about this historic moment—and, beyond the business, get a personal look at who Lisa and Alex are as leaders, innovators, and family. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  

Welcome to The Epicenter of Women’s Sports, a new podcast hosted by Olympic medalist and global sports executive Karina LeBlanc. This short intro episode sets the stage for what’s to come - raw, real conversations at the intersection of women’s sports, leadership, and business. Karina brings you inside access to the fastest-growing space in sports—featuring industry executives, cultural changemakers, championship-winning athletes, and bold investors. New episodes drop every two weeks, each offering insights into the rapid growth and future of women’s sports, and the leadership lessons that extend far beyond the game. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.