Laughter Permitted With Julie Foudy

Get ready to be inspired, uplifted and walk away with new “Hacker-isms” -- aahhhh!!! In the Season 5 finale, Dr. Colleen Hacker returns -- again! -- to Laughter Permitted. Dr. Hacker, who is an expert in the psychology of performance and professor at Pacific Lutheran University, discusses how lessons she teaches Olympic-level athletes can be applied in everyday life, and are particularly relevant in the wake of the pandemic. With her signature style, Dr. Hacker explains the idea of stress-related growth, how we’ve all experienced a version of “pressure training” this past year and what steps can be taken to implement positive action into life.

MMA fighter Amanda Nunes joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her dominance in UFC, what is left for her to do in the sport and how becoming a mom has helped her in the cage. In a new Lynn Game, Amanda takes on Julie in a “Trash Talk Off.” At the end of the interview, Amanda’s baby daughter, Reagan, joins the party, and in the close of the show, Julie and Lynn consider how much money it would take for either of them to step in the cage with Amanda.

WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Candace Parker joins Laughter Permitted to talk about starting her 14th WNBA season for the Chicago Sky, what drives her and lessons she learned from Pat Summitt. Candace shares the best parts of being back in her hometown of Chicago -- it’s possible her mom has done some of her laundry -- and explains why, at the age of 35, she considers what her legacy will be. Also, find out where the fun happens during TNT broadcasts, and why fishing might not be in Candace’s future plans. In “Questions Permitted,” Julie and Lynn go down another riveting food rabbit hole to talk over whether a hot dog is a taco or sandwich.

Arizona head basketball coach Adia Barnes joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her style as a coach, the “double middle finger moment” and what went into upsetting UConn in the semifinals. Along with sharing the realities of life inside the NCAA tournament bubble, Adia tells the full story of pumping breast milk during halftime of the national championship game. Plus, find out why Adia has her players take etiquette class, and off the top of the episode, Adia's five-year-old son Matteo makes a cameo with his guitar.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion and 5-time Olympic medalist Venus Williams joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her fight for equal pay in tennis, where her entrepreneurial spirit comes from and what continues to drive her as player. Venus describes her bond with Serena and how Serena's daughter, Olympia, might be the most athletic in the family. Plus, Venus invites Julie to be on team "Bad Guys" and explains that while the Olympics might be in her future, pickle ball most likely isn't. In the close of the show, Julie and Lynn share the soundtrack to their lives, which leads to a lot of Julie singing. You've been warned! (Oh, and Julie thinks there are 12 planets.)

Two-time world champion surfer Tyler Wright joins Laughter Permitted to talk about how a battle with a crippling virus led her to become an activist within the sport of surfing. Tyler gets candid about the lows she experienced while enduring two years with post-viral syndrome, and explains how she’s now using her platform as a top surfer to affect real change. In Most Pressing Questions, Julie asserts herself as Tyler’s personal cheerleader for a surf competition in San Clemente this September, and in the close of the show, Julie and Lynn debate whether cereal is a soup.

Veteran journalist and longtime CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin joins Laughter Permitted to talk all about her new book "Huddle." Brooke shares the inspiration behind writing her first book, breaks down the concept of a huddle and how women across the country are huddling to harness their collective power. Along with explaining the virtues of huddling -- from support to sponsorship -- Brooke gives ideas on how all women can find their way into a huddle. Plus, Julie goes into why lack of cheddar cheese was her tipping point during her playing days, and Brooke recalls the moment she learned the lesson to, "Go with your gut and speak the F up for yourself."

Legendary softball pitcher and two-time Olympic medalist Cat Osterman joins Laughter Permitted to talk about how a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics impacted her life, and why she decided to come out of retirement for the 2020 Olympics. Cat shares her strategy for overcoming “mental mountains,” particularly in the past year with the pandemic and Olympic delay. As an official member of the Dope Village, Cat weighs in on the great “is a cinnamon roll a donut” debate, and Julie teaches Cat her Soccerettes’ Green Machine song. (Yes, this means more of Julie singing...)

NFL official Sarah Thomas joins Laughter Permitted to talk all about making history as the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl...woot woot! She explains exactly what a "down judge" does -- it's next-level multitasking -- and tells the story of how being voted out of a church basketball league set her on the path to becoming a football official. Plus, Sarah shares her favorite moments from Super Bowl LV, and we find out what the chatter during a game is really like from NFL players. In the close of the show, Julie and Lynn discuss alternative podcasts they could do together.

In the Season 5 premiere, USWNT legend Abby Wambach returns to Laughter Permitted. Cue the crowd noise! As longtime teammates and friends, Abby and Julie share stories from their playing days and how Abby’s forehead potentially saved Julie’s marriage. Considered one of the greatest soccer players ever, Abby gets candid about how the challenging moments in her career and life have shaped her the most. Plus there is breaking news from Abby that leaves Julie nearly speechless, emphasis on “nearly.” And learn what "Hit me with an 'And I!'" means in the close of the show.

Laughter Permitted is back! Julie and Lynn share highlights of Season 4 and hand out some Dopie Awards.

In the Season 4 finale, Dr. Colleen Hacker returns to Laughter Permitted to dive deeper into four concepts -- or “Hacker-isms” -- she introduced to us back in March 2020. Dr. Hacker, a renowned mental skills coach and professor at Pacific Lutheran University, goes in depth on laughter, joy, the idea of "do now well" and why we’re equipped to continue adjusting and adapting (bust a move!). We also learn a new breathing technique and the value of “high, low, cheer” in daily life. In the close of the show, members of the "Dope Village" share their "cheers" for the year.

Two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Kelley O'Hara joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her career on the USWNT, her uber-competitiveness (it extends to crossword puzzles) and what it's been like hosting her podcast, "Just Women's Sports." Kelley also discusses her decision to stand during the national anthem and the united message the USWNT has on racial justice. Stay tuned for THREE "Zoom bombs" from Kelley's U.S. teammates and good friends Alex Morgan, Allie Long and Emily Sonnett, who each tell their favorite Kelley stories. Finally, Kelley and Lynn find a shared fondness for the Bachelor and Bachelorette franchise, while Julie makes a year-making discovery during "takeaways" in the close of the show.

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin joins Laughter Permitted to discuss her journey both in and out of the pool. Missy shares what it was like to win four gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics as a 17-year-old -- there’s a Justin Bieber story involved -- and how the 2016 Rio Olympics were the hardest eight days of her career. She describes how that experience shaped her life and talks candidly about mental health. Now retired from competitive swimming, Missy updates us on what she’s doing -- it’s a lot of good work! -- and finds common ground with Julie over the merits of having an air fryer. Plus, Julie is determined to clone Missy.

Wheelchair racing superstar Tatyana McFadden joins Laughter Permitted to share her remarkable journey from a Russian orphanage to Paralympic stardom. Born in Russia with spina bifida and paralyzed from the waist down, Tatyana spent the first six years of her life in an orphanage before being adopted and brought to the United States. She would go on to excel in wheelchair racing and win 16 Summer Paralympic medals and 24 major marathon titles, but Tatyana says a silver medal in cross-country skiing at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in her home country of Russia is one her career "highs." Plus find out how many pull-ups Tatyana can do in a row and what her favorite city in the world is.

Professional rock climber and American adventurer Emily Harrington joins Laughter Permitted to talk about making history by becoming the first woman to free climb the Golden Gate route of El Capitan in one day. Emily describes what it was like achieving what she called an “impossible dream," and how she actively seeks out existing in her limits. Plus, Emily tells us about her dog named "Cat," and explains why a wide-mouthed Nalgene water bottle is a necessary accessory when living out of a van. It's a revelation that will change Julie’s life forever...

USWNT legend and two-time World Cup champion Carla Overbeck joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her leadership style, how she was a true "soccer mom" and why refs get under her skin. Mia Hamm “Zoom bombs” the conversation, and Carla, Mia and Julie share stories from their playing days, and how they once dominated a whiffle ball game against Carla's son.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields joins Laughter Permitted to talk about her illustrious career in boxing, how her upbringing in Flint, Mich. shaped her and what it means to be the “GWOAT.” She also tells a hilarious story about the night before the gold medal match at the 2016 Olympics, and we learn the difference between Claressa’s “hit list” and “prayer list.”

Four-time NCAA champion Molly Seidel joins Laughter Permitted and tells the story of how she ran her first marathon and qualified for the Olympics. She also shares the response she received after opening up about her experiences with disordered eating, anxiety and depression, and her hope for change in the running culture. Stay tuned for the "Lynn Game" in which Molly goes deep on why a cinnamon roll is NOT a donut, and in the close of the show, Julie and Lynn express their mutual love for the show "Ted Lasso."

WNBA Champion and MVP Nneka Ogwumike joins Laughter Permitted to talk about life inside the Wubble, her leadership style as president of the WNBA Players Association and her advice for women on how they can advocate for themselves. Nneka also delves into her incredible family along with her vast array of nicknames.