Sideline Stories

In this special live episode, the Can't Retire Crew sits down with three legends of the game—Charlene McWhorter Jackson, Liz McQuitter, and Adrian Newell—to honor the women who helped lay the foundation for professional women’s basketball in the U.S. Long before the WNBA, there was the WBL (Women’s Professional Basketball League), the first pro league for women, active from 1978 to 1981. These trailblazers share powerful stories of sacrifice, resilience, and sisterhood—reflecting on what it meant to play in a league that was underfunded, overlooked, and under-documented, yet historic in every sense. From riding buses to chasing missed paychecks to paving the way for Title IX athletes and today's W stars, this conversation is a reminder that women’s basketball didn’t start in 1996—it started with them. Tune in as we give them their flowers, correct the record, and celebrate the legacy that lives on today. Learn more: majormotives.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sideline Stories crew is back and buzzing ahead of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis! Misha, Melanie, and Tanisha link up (in their iconic orange tees, of course) to talk predictions for this year. Who ya'll got? There is so much to look forward to this weekend, including a exclusive All-Star event, The Assist , where they'll be honoring WBL legends and building community through good vibes well-deserved flowers. All-Star Weekend, we’re coming for you! Learn more: https://www.majormotives.com/crft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sideline Stories, we continue to reflect on the 5th anniversary of the Can't Retire From This Documentary. We sit down with Ashley Koranteng, GM and owner of the Virginia Vitesse, a new women’s semi-professional basketball team in the WABA. Ashley walks us through her journey from playing and coaching to launching a team rooted in purpose, community, and intention. She shares how her background in public health, coaching experience, and love for the game all came together to shape her leadership style. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can’t Retire From This crew dives into the money behind the madness. From NCAA tournament “units” finally being awarded in the women’s game to NIL chaos, conference shakeups, and a long history of being shortchanged, we ask: who’s really cashing in? And who’s still getting left behind? It’s a raw, honest look at the business of college hoops and the price of progress. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special anniversary episode of Sideline Stories, the original CRFT crew reunites to reflect on the journey that began during the pandemic that came from a simple Facebook post. We talk about the trials, triumphs, and transformations over the last five years. You'll hear never-before-told stories about the early days, the power of community, favorite moments from the doc, and how this project has shaped each of us professionally and personally. This isn’t just an anniversary—it’s a love letter to the game, the people, and the purpose behind Can’t Retire From This. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Sideline Stories, we’re back — this time with a powerful reunion conversation featuring two DMV legends: Christy Winters Scott and Ayana Ball-Ward. From raising sons who are now heading to Michigan State University as D1 athletes we reflect on how much has changed — and how much hasn’t — in women’s basketball, motherhood, and the impact of coaching in a post-COVID world. They remind us why they still can't retire from this - because for them its never been about just basketball. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Sideline Stories, we reflect on the 5th anniversary of the Can’t Retire From This documentary. Melanie sits down with Coach Diane Richardson—an icon in the DMV women’s basketball scene whose impact spans generations. From walking away from a high-powered role at Bank of America to mopping gym floors and mentoring future WNBA stars, Coach Rich shares her journey, her purpose, and the full-circle moments that continue to inspire the next generation of hoopers. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sideline Stories, we sit down with Ashley Koranteng — founder, GM, and visionary behind the Virginia Vitesse, a brand-new semi-professional women’s basketball team in the WABA (Big love to all my Northern VA folks!). From showing up to a documentary screening with a dream, to building a franchise rooted in community, culture, and care — Ashley breaks down what it really takes to build something from scratch. We talk about her coaching journey, how she’s reimagining team branding and operations, and why the Vitesse is more than just a team — it’s a movement. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can't Retire From This crew gets real about one of the hardest pills to swallow in the WNBA: being waived. From rookies with promising college careers to vets battling injuries and roster cuts, the crew also unpacks the emotional and professional toll of not making the final squad. They name names, shout out players who deserved more time, and even get personal about their own near-misses (and flexes) on the court. They also dig into what it really takes to make a W roster—and why some of it might be out of your control. This one’s for anyone who’s ever been cut, doubted, or told they weren’t ready. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can't Retire From This crew dives into the wild, weird, and wonderful pregame routines that helped some of the best in women's hoops get locked in. From red lipstick and Diet Cokes to hot toddies before tipoff (yes, really) the crew share their own habits, memories, and superstitions on and off the court. Plus, Mel gives us an inside look at Ulta Beauty World and drops some must-have products she wishes she had in her playing days. Because when you look good and feel good… you already know what comes next. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can’t Retire From This crew breaks down which teams we’re keeping our eyes on this 2025/2026 WNBA season, which players have something to prove, and why some of y’all might be sleeping on the Sparks. From hot takes on the Aces and Liberty to the rise of Paige Bueckers, Skylar Diggin's divorce tour, and the arrival of Dominique Malonga to America—no one is safe. Will she and BG have a dunk off? We'll be watching. We also take a real moment to talk about youth hoops, NIL, and why it feels like the next generation might be losing the love for the game. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the CRFT crew welcomes WNBA guard of the Connecticut Sun, AND DMV legend Lindsay Allen! From making noise in high school to locking down the point in the pros, Lindsay chops it up with the crew about her deep hoops roots, her transition from idolizing stars to competing against them, and what makes the DMV such a basketball powerhouse. With a few call-outs (Mel, we see you), the crew breaks down Lindsay’s journey through AAU battles, the WNBA grind, and why she can’t retire from this. Oh — and we vote on her official induction to the pod. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can't Retire From This crew gets real about the rising tide—and backlash—of DEI in the women’s basketball space. Plus a break down of the brand moves that matter, the ones that miss, and why multi-year deals are critical to protect the sport. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming Soon! Sideline Stories - a Can't Retire From This Podcast. Founder and Creator of Can't Retire From This, Melanie Page, is joined by host Misha Jones, along with Jazmine Dallas, and Tenishia Benson. We really can't retire from this. Can you?! Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices