The Playbook: Her Edition

In this week's episode, I chatted with the host of the Drop and play by play commentator for the PGA Chanel, Lauren Withrow. Lauren graduated from the University of Michigan in 2019 and even with a degree that may not be aligned to sports broadcasting, she was still involved in the industry. She's found her place on-air and not only shares her story, but offers advice to other women wanting to break out into the industry.

This week, I sat down with University of Florida master's student and social media coordinator for the Florida Panthers, Brynn Smith. Brynn started her journey at Penn Sate, learning the in's and out's of athletics, and the rest is history. Brynn shares her favorite moments working with the Panthers, and the reality of being a woman in sports.

As a Minnesota native, Lindsey Young has always been surrounded by the energetic Minnesota sports community. From being an intern and writer for the Minnesota Timberwolves, to now being a writer and editor for the Vikings, Lindsey has seen it all. She shares her journey with me from the very beginning, the experiences along the way, and the advice she would give to those wanting to break out into the writing/media side of the industry.

On this week's episode, I sat down with Emmy-award winning video producer for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sydney Bauer. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Syndey has always been involved in sports, whether that was playing baseball and being a Steelers fan. After attending Duquesne University, Sydney found her passion for storytelling through video, and the rest is history. Listen to hear the rest of her story and the valuable advice she offers to women wanting to break out into a male-dominated sport.

This week, I sat down with technical director at ESPN, Shannon Szefinski. Shannon began her journey at Sacred Heart getting both her bachelor's and master's. From NBC Sports, to the Kansas City Chiefs, Shannon has found her way to working at the top sports network in the world. Shannon shares her story, along with providing valuable advice to those wanting to follow a similar path.

From Colorado to Seattle, Cassidy Davis has found her passion for sports through avenues of making others feel special. As the corporate partnerships coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, Cassidy connects with brands to make the 12s as exciting and memorable as possible. Cassidy offers her best advice to breaking into the NFL front offices as a recent college grad and shares her story from the University of Colorado to now.

This week, I sat down with sideline reporter and social media manager, Nicole Beckelman. Nicole started her journey at San Diego State and now lives in Austin, Texas living our her dreams. She offers great advice to women in the industry and provides real, relatable ideas of the industry and beyond.

From local television, to the PGA tour, Celia Palermo has seen and done it all. Celia talks about her college journey from the University of Georgia and making her way to a small town in Iowa. Celia shares her experience at the PGA tour to now taking on a new brand content creation role and offers valuable advice to young women wanting to explore a similar path.

As a former basketball player, Bre Sorensen gets to continue pursuing her love for the sport as the sideline reporter for SMU's men's and women's basketball teams. Bre shares her story from undergrad to now, and shares valuable advice to those first starting out in the industry.

This week, I sat down with Bridgeport Islanders gameday production crew member and former Sacred Heart men's hockey photographer, Kallie Shanahan. Kallie talks about where her love for sports began, how she uses photography for storytelling, and much more.

On this week's episode, I interviewed in-arena host for the Bridgeport Islanders, Gotham FC and the PWHL, Sam Bohrer. Sam's journey from Fordham University to where she is now is truly inspiring, and she discusses the best parts of her job and where the industry can see improvement. And with just the right advice for young women wanting to break into the industry, Sam's journey is one to remember.

In this week's episode, I sat down with Danbury Hat Tricks rickside reporter and president of the club ice hockey team at Quinnipiac University, Gabby Ponzo. Gabby talks about her experience as an ice hockey player from an early age to now and how her experiences as a woman in sports has impacted her career choices and lifestyle.

Welcome back to season 2 of The Playbook: Her Edition! For our first episode of the season, I interviewed associate producer at NASCAR, Jordan Nemeth. Jordan graduated from Ball State University and has worked at NASCAR for four years. Jordan is a huge advocate for women in sports both within her company and the sports industry. She discusses her experience with NASCAR, the community she's found within it, and shares her advice for women wanting to break into the industry.

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Playbook: Her Edition! This season, we've got women from all over the country and all over the industry. More stories, more impact. Stay tuned for the first episode on November 4th. The Playbook: Her Edition, the untold stories of the women in your favorite sports.

For the last episode of this season, I sat down with the founder of the Belmont women's basketball team, Betty Wiseman. Betty is truly the definition of a trailblazer in women's sports and she shares her entire journey of teaching, coaching, ministry, and so much more, and offers such valuable advice to anyone wanting to make a difference in sports.We'll be back in August with the start of a new season with more special guests! Thank you all for the support and love as I started this new podcast and I can't wait to share more stories of women in sports. Until next time, this is Cat Da Rocha, signing off from the sidelines of change.

In one of the final episodes of the season, I sat down with FOX17's sports director and reporter, Jill Jelnick. Jill runs a one-woman sports department at Fox17 Nashville and she shares her experience before reporting, how she runs her show, and valuable advice for anyone wanting to enter the sports industry.

This week, I interviewed Chief Business Officer for Nashville SC, Lindsey Paola. Lindsey comes from a political analyst field working in D.C. and eight years ago made the shift to working in sports. She offers her advice for women wanting to break into the industry and shares her views on what makes her role in the industry special.

In this week's episode, I interviewed the rinkside reporter for the Nashville Predators, Kara Hammer. Kara shares some of her greatest moments and challenges as a sports reporter and offers valuable advice to women in the industry and wanting to get their foot in the door.

This week, I got to chat with Big Ten's Coordinating Producer, Bitzy Brandes. Bitzy shares her journey getting into the sports industry, the accomplishments and challenges she has faced along the way, and how she has seen the change women's sports has made over her time in the industry.

On this week's episode of The Playbook: Her Edition, I interviewed Belmont thrower, Logan Gray. Logan shares her journey starting at the University of Charleston and transferring to Belmont her sophomore year. She also offers advice to college athletes soon graduating from college and what they should look forward to post grad.

This week, I interviewed Tennessee's sports director for the Associated Press, Teresa Walker. Teresa has worked for AP for the past 35 years and she shares some of her own personal experiences being a woman in sports while offering her advice to those wanting to break into this male-dominated field.

On this week's episode, I interviewed NFL broadcast associate, Maggie Robinson. Maggie graduated from UPenn and has been invovled in the industry since her college days, working with specific teams like the Philadelphia Union and the Eagles. Now working at the league level, Maggie offers her advice and personal experiences to inspire other women wanting to get started in the sports industry.

This week, I sat down with Belmont grad and graduate student at Boston College, Nikiah Perry. Nikiah is a sports photographer who has had many opportunities to shoot for teams and athletes, as well as artists such as Latto. Nikiah shares her advice and opinions on what it really takes be a woman in the sports industry.

This week's guest is Belmont Alum and ESPN+ commentator, Laura Shoopman. Laura played for the Belmont volleyball team during her time at Belmont and she shares the valuable lessons she's learned as a student athlete through her work as a materials planner for Bridgestone Americas.

This week, I interviewed Belmont professor, historian, and author Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel. She talks about her most recent book, Title IX, Pat Summit, and Tennessee's Trailblazers and the historical context of women in sports.

This week, I interviewed the Oklahoma City Thunder's digital reporter, Paris Lawson. A former Belmont basketball player, Paris shares her growth being involved in sports and how everything she's learned applies to reporting in the NBA.

Listen as I interview Nashville's WSMV sports reporter Lauren Walsh. Lauren shares her story from the very beginning of her journey to where she is now and offers valuable advice to students who are wanting to get involved in sports news.

In another episode of the Playbook: Her Edition, I interviewed anchor and host at CBS Sports, Emily Proud. Emily shares her story on being a collegiate athlete to navigating the daily struggles of being a woman in sports.

Welcome back to the Playbook: Her Edition, with another special guest who is a student and ESPN+ broadcaster at Lipscomb University, Alaina Morris. Although across the Boulevard, Alaina and I shared some of our favorite sports icons and the growth women's sports has seen since first watching sports take place.

For our first episode, I interviewed the Vice President of Communication and Corporate Affairs for the Tennessee Titans, Kate Guerra. Kate's journey spreads far and wide in the sports world and gave some great insight into the representation of women in sports.

"The Playbook Her Edition" is an electrifying podcast that pulls back the curtain on the remarkable women driving change in the sports industry. From groundbreaking reporters and pioneering athletes to innovative executives and behind-the-scenes game-changers, we dive deep into the untold stories of female leadership, resilience, and transformation. Each episode uncovers the strategic minds, raw passion, and extraordinary journeys of women who are redefining the playbook and breaking barriers in sports culture.