PODCAST · sports
Flame Bearers
by Founded by Jamie Mittelman
Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio. We tell stories via video production, podcasts, and live events and have supported just shy of 400 world-class athletes from 52 countries. In a landscape where 85% of coverage is dedicated to men and the remaining 15% often highlights a narrow segment of women athletes, we broaden the lens to highlight diverse voices. Why? Because we’re here to inspire the next generation of athletes, centering their stories on their terms. Our mission is to spark a movement that lights up women athletes worldwide, inspiring girls to see their dreams within reach. Watch our episodes on YouTube to see our conversations. Tune into all podcast episodes, wherever you get your podcasts including: -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sLW663... -Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0... -Castro: https://castro.fm/podcast/f31308b5-4c... </
Episodes
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From the Oka Crisis to the Olympics | Waneek Horn-Miller
In this powerful episode of Flame Bearers, host Toccara Ross sits down with iconic Mohawk activist, Pan American Games gold medalist, and Olympic water polo co-captain Waneek Horn-Miller. At just 14 years old, Waneek survived a near-fatal bayonet wound while protecting her younger sister during…
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Who Decides When a Runner's Career Is Over? | Lauren Hagans
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Toccara Ross speaks with professional marathoner, elite running coach, and Olympic Trials qualifier Lauren Hagans. Tune in to hear how Lauren transitioned from an 800-meter middle-distance sprinter at Baylor to winning her marathon debut in 2023, reaching…
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From Last Place to Olympic Gold | Thea LaFond
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Toccara Renee speaks with World Indoor Champion, and Dominica’s historic first-ever Olympic medalist Thea LaFond. Tune in to hear how her background in classical dance and special education cultivated the patience and grace needed to weather years of…
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What Makes a Great WNBA Player? | Sami Whitcomb
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Toccara Renee speaks with dual WNBA champion, All-Star, and Australian Opals powerhouse Sami Whitcomb on embracing an unconventional, non-linear path to basketball, balancing motherhood with a year-round international career, and calling out media agendas to...
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How Kenya Produces the World's Best Runners | Susan Ejore
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Toccara Renee speaks with Olympic middle-distance runner and Kenyan track powerhouse Susan Ejore on discovering her athletic path through US collegiate scholarships, pushing through the exhausting reality of training while looking for sponsors, and…
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There’s More to Wheelchair Basketball Than You Think | Emily Oberst
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Toccara Renee speaks with Paralympic silver medalist and Team USA wheelchair basketball powerhouse Emily Oberst on transitioning into adaptive sports following a life-altering cancer diagnosis, dismantling systemic barriers for young girls, and pushing…
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The Culture Behind Puerto Rican Women’s Basketball | Arella Guirantes
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Toccara Renee speaks with WNBA talent, overseas standout, and Puerto Rican national team star Arella Guirantes on honoring her family's Puerto Rican roots on the global stage, pushing for stronger media coverage and equity for international athletes, and...
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How a 2026 Wimbledon Champ Learned to Adapt | Yui Kamiji
In this episode of Flame Bearers, guest host Dana Mathewson speaks with Japanese wheelchair tennis superstar, world number one, and newly minted Career Golden Slam winner Yui Kamiji on capturing her elusive first Wimbledon singles title, adapting to an increasingly powerful era of tennis, and...
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What Makes a Wimbledon Champion? | Aniek van Koot
In this episode of Flame Bearers, guest host Dana Mathewson chats with Dutch wheelchair tennis player Aniek Van Koot, former world No. 1 in both singles and doubles. The two friends and former competitors reminisce about past tournaments, break down the differences between the U.S. Open…
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Studying Literature Made Me a Better Cyclist | Elisa Balsamo
In this episode of Flame Bearers, guest host Dana Mathewson speaks with Italian pro cycling superstar, former road world champion, and multi-stage Giro d'Italia Women winner Elisa Balsamo on navigating the Tour de France Femmes, and what it's like to keep your mind steady when your bike is going...
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Five Paralympics and Still Competing at the Top | Lucy Shuker
In this episode of Flame Bearers, guest host Dana Mathewson speaks with British wheelchair tennis legend and multi-time Paralympic medalist Lucy Shuker on the US Open, rebuilding her life after a severe spinal cord injury at age 21, learning to maximize her game to compete at the highest level…
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How a World Champion Thinks | Danielle Dorris
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Manasi Joshi speaks with Canadian world record holder Danielle Dorris on making her Paralympic debut at just 13 years old, navigating the relentless fatigue of elite training, and learning the vital lesson that it’s okay if you can’t balance every area of…
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What It Takes to Compete at the Highest Level of Para Swimming | Katie Cosgriffe
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Manasi Joshi speaks with Canadian paraswimming icon Katie Cosgriffe on reclaiming her purpose after a life-altering 2021 diagnosis, leaning into the philosophy of turning life's hardest trials into its greatest triumphs, and navigating the relentless mental...
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Balancing Motherhood and Elite Sport | Leanne Taylor
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host and Paralympian Manasi Joshi speaks with Canadian paratriathlon powerhouse Leanne Taylor on balancing elite athletic training with the demands of motherhood, leaning into the philosophy of "embracing the chaos" and finding peace in the fact that things do…
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From Chronic Pain to Becoming an Athlete and a Doctor | Danielle Cummings
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Manasi Joshi sits down with paratriathlete and emergency medicine doctor Danielle Cummings to talk about navigating demanding hospital training while simultaneously adjusting to life as an elite competitor. She shares the vulnerability of pushing through six...
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The Mindset That Makes a Paralympic Athlete | Scout Bassett & Annie Carey
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host and Paralympian Manasi Joshi sits down with Paralympic trailblazer, mentor, and foundation founder Scout Basset and rising collegiate para-track star and world championship medalist Annie Carey for an illuminating conversation honoring Disability Pride…
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Mindset of a Champion with USWNT's Shannon Mac Millan
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Toccara Ross sits down with foundational American soccer icon and '99 World Cup champion Shannon Mac Millan for a captivating conversation on navigating an intense global spotlight and building the legendary sisterhood that changed women’s sports forever....
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Layshia Clarendon: I'm Not a Talking Point
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Janelly Farías sits down with WNBA All-Star, USA gold medalist, and trailblazer Layshia Clarendon for a conversation on Layshia’s complex intersectional journey—navigating life as the first out trans and non-binary player in WNBA history while balancing…
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Abby Dunkin: What I Do is Not Who I Am
In this episode of Making It To Milan, co-host [co-host name not stated in transcript] sits down with Paralympic gold medalist and world champion Abby Dunkin to discuss her journey in wheelchair basketball representing [country not stated in transcript]. Abby Dunkin shares her complex experiences...
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Rebe Bernal: Puedo Cambiar Vidas (En Espanol)
**Please see here for translated captions. Also, please visit our YouTube to watch the episode with English captions. ** En este episodio de Flame Bearers, la presentadora Janelly Farías conversa con la capitana de la selección nacional de fútbol de México, defensa del Washington Spirit y su...
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Mirai Nagasu: Pulling Medals from My Underwear Drawer
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Shannon Rowbury sits down with Mirai Nagasu, a two-time Olympic figure skater and bronze medalist, to talk about her legendary career on the ice, transitioning into coaching, and navigating motherhood. Mirai Nagasu shares her journey from making history as a...
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Femita Ayenbeku: Chasing Down My Dreams
In this episode of Flame Bearers, host Shannon Rowbury sits down with Femita Ayenbeku, a Paralympic sprinter representing the United States, to talk about her rapid rise in track and field, motherhood, and competing at the highest level. Femita shares how she received her first running blade in...
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Danusia Francis-Reid: Balancing in the Chaos
In this episode of Flame Bearers, Danusia Francis-Reid, a gymnast who represented Great Britain and Jamaica, joins host Shannon Rowbury to reflect on life after elite sport and the realities of new motherhood. Seven months after welcoming her son Solly, Danusia shares how sleepless nights, baby...
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Jodie Grinham: I Stopped Aiming for Perfection
In today’s Flame Bearers episode, British archer Jodie Grinham reflects with host Shannon Rowbury on winning silver at her debut Paralympics and returning in 2024 to earn team gold and individual bronze while seven months pregnant. Jodie shares how she balanced precision training with raising…
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Lessons from Making it to Milan & Introducing Shannon Rowbury
In this episode, Flame Bearers Founder and CEO Jamie Mittelman looks back on the Making it to Milan season. She reflects on ways that Milan Cortina athletes like Alyssa Liu and Eileen Gu redefined success in their own terms, the visibility void that Paralympic athletes continue to face, and the...
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Mia Clerc: Another Life is Waiting for Me
In this episode of Making It To Milan, Flame Bearers Founder and CEO Jamie Mittelman sits down with Mia Clerc fresh off her third Olympics, where she competed in alpine skiing for [country not stated in transcript]. Mia Clerc reflects on a life- and career-shaping experience, from connecting with...
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Dani Aravich and Ashley Cain: Looking Back on Milan 2026
In this episode of MADE it to Milan, our series co-hosts Dani Aravich and Ashley Cain look back on what they learned from this series from the athletes they spoke to leading up to Milan, Dani's own competition experience, and Ashley's experience attending as a fan. Dani shares the intensity of...
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Polina Rozkova: We Made History
We’re taking a look at athletes who made it to Milan, starting with Polina Rozkova, a wheelchair curler representing Latvia, who won Latvia’s first-ever Winter Paralympic medal in Milano Cortina. In this episode of Made It To Milan, Polina Rozkova shares the intensity of that final battle,...
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María Martín-Granizo Ferreiro: Skiing Shows I Can Do it All
In this episode of Making It To Milan, Ashley Cane sits down with Spanish Paralympic alpine skier and world champion parasurfer Maria Martín Granizo-Ferreiro. Representing Spain in alpine skiing, Maria shares how growing up in a ski-obsessed family shaped her path and how she became the first...
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Brittany Hudak: Giving Myself Grace
In this episode of Making It To Milan, Dani Aravich chats with Brittany Hudak, a Canadian Paralympic cross-country skier and biathlete representing Canada, as she prepares for her third Paralympic Games. A two-time Paralympic bronze medalist, Brittany reflects on discovering para sport at 18…
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Polina Rozkova: Stay Calm and Don't Have a Cow
In this episode of Making It To Milan, co-host Dani Aravich speaks with Polina Rozkova, a Latvian Paralympian who competes in wheelchair fencing and wheelchair curling for Latvia. Polina Rozkova traces her athletic roots back to swimming at age three and shares how she discovered fencing during...
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Aline Rocha: We Must Evolve
In this episode of Making It To Milan, co-host Ashley Cain speaks with Aline Rocha, a Brazilian Paralympian who competes in both the Winter and Summer Paralympic Games. Representing Brazil as a sitting skier in cross-country and biathlon, and as a wheelchair racer on the track, Aline is a...
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Natalie Wilkie: I Had Something to Prove
In this episode of Making It To Milan, co-host Dani Aravich sits down with Natalie Wilkie, a Canadian Paralympic cross-country skier and multi-time medalist representing Canada. Natalie shares how she first entered sport after losing her left hand in a childhood accident and how cross-country...
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Carina Edlinger: I’m the Master of Hardships
In this episode of Making It to Milan, Dani Aravich sits down with Carina Edlinger, a Paralympic biathlete representing the Czech Republic. A Paralympic champion and six-time world champion, Carina reflects on her journey from competing for Austria to changing nationality and navigating the…
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Brenna Huckaby: I Forge My Own Path
In this episode of Making It to Milan, co-host Dani Aravich sits down with Brenna Huckaby, a Paralympic snowboarder representing Team USA, to talk about her road to the Milano Cortina Paralympic Games. Brenna shares how she went from growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a gymnast to being...
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Kristi Yamaguchi: Be a Champion in Life
Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi joins co-host Ashley Cain for a conversation on a historic career in figure skating, decades of preparation, and what it takes to stay in it through heartbreak and doubt. Kristi shares how she began skating through physical therapy as a child, and her…
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Liu Jaiyu: Find Your Own Soul
Liu Jiayu joins co-host Ashley Cain to talk through what it means to return for a fifth Olympic run in snowboard halfpipe for China after stepping away from the sport. Jiayu shares how retirement plans shifted toward a comeback, fueled by honest conversations with sponsors and encouragement from...
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Hannah Lim: Owning my Pride
Ice dancer Hannah Lim joins co-host Ashley Cain to talk about representing South Korea on the road to the 2026 Olympics in Milan. Hannah shares how she first stepped on the ice at four in Richmond Hill in Toronto, Ontario, skated in free skate until she was 14, then found her home in ice dance...
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Mia Clerc: Live Without Regrets
In this episode, Mia Clerc: Live Without Regrets, Mia (Madagascar, alpine skiing) looks ahead to Milano Cortina 2026 with a focus on patience, joy, and staying present. She shares with co-host Dani Aravich how returning from a 2021 injury reshaped her training mindset, and what it takes to keep...
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Amber Glenn: I’m Done Comparing Myself
In this episode, Amber Glenn: I’m Done Comparing Myself, Amber Glenn (United States, figure skating) speaks with co-host Ashley Cain on how she steadies herself for Milan by staying consistent, keeping doubts in their place, and focusing on the moment in front of her. She reflects on the pressure...
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Sabrina Simader: Opening the Closed Door
In this episode, Sabrina Simader: Opening the Closed Door, Sabrina Wanjiku Simader (Kenya, alpine skiing) reflects on the joy and pressure of carrying a first for her country, from becoming Kenya’s first woman Winter Olympian to racing in spaces where she rarely sees her nation represented. She...
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Hilary Knight: There's a Place for Everyone in Sport
In this episode, Hilary Knight: There's a Place for Everyone in Sport, US ice hockey player Hilary Knight reflects with co-host Ashley Cain on a career defined by longevity, leadership, and change. She shares what it takes to stay patient across five Olympic cycles, the unseen sacrifices behind...
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Olivia Smart: Believe in the Journey
In this episode, Olivia Smart: Believe in the Journey, Olivia Smart (Spain, ice dance) opens up about chasing her second Olympic Games with deeper gratitude after time away from competition. She breaks down the mental side of elite sport, from overthinking and “inner demons” to learning how to...
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Julia Kern: Every Challenge is an Opportunity
In this episode, Julia Kern (cross-country skiing) shares what it takes to stay steady through five-month winters on the road, from finding joy in the routine to rolling with the punches when things go sideways. Co-host Dani Aravich connects the Olympic and Paralympic paths, reflecting on…
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Dani Aravich: No One Could Tell Me No
In our first episode, meet our incredible athlete co-hosts: Dani Aravich, a Paralympic biathlete and Nordic skier and the cofounder of Culxtured, and Ashley Cain, Olympian and 2X US Champion in pairs skating. Dani is also training for her 3rd Paralympics, and has a unique perspective on training...
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Flame Bearers: Joy in Motion
After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for…
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Best Of: Maé Bérénice Méité
After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for…
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Flame Bearers: Reframing the Impossible
After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for…
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Flame Bearers: Breaking the Mold
After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for…
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Flame Bearers: Greatness in Motion
After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio. We tell stories via video production, podcasts, and live events and have supported just shy of 400 world-class athletes from 52 countries.
In a landscape where 85% of coverage is dedicated to men and the remaining 15% often highlights a narrow segment of women athletes, we broaden the lens to highlight diverse voices. Why? Because we’re here to inspire the next generation of athletes, centering their stories on their terms. Our mission is to spark a movement that lights up women athletes worldwide, inspiring girls to see their dreams within reach.
Watch our episodes on YouTube to see our conversations. Tune into all podcast episodes, wherever you get your podcasts including:
-Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sLW663...
-Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0... -Castro: https://castro.fm/podcast/f31308b5-4c... </
HOSTED BY
Founded by Jamie Mittelman
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Flame Bearers have?
Flame Bearers currently has 202 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Flame Bearers about?
Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio. We tell stories via video production, podcasts, and live events and have supported just shy of 400 world-class athletes from 52 countries. In a landscape where 85% of coverage is dedicated to men and the remaining 15% often highlights a narrow...
How often does Flame Bearers release new episodes?
Flame Bearers publishes regularly with 202 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Flame Bearers?
You can listen to Flame Bearers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Flame Bearers?
Flame Bearers is created and hosted by Founded by Jamie Mittelman.
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