Ep 36: Jordan Thompson: The Underdog Mentality, Olympic Gold, and the Fine Art of Antiquing

Ep 39: Whitney Lauenstein: Stepping Into Happy Valley, Reclaiming the Joy, and the Reality of Being a D1 Super-Mom

Listener’s Note: This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available 24/7. Please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or check the resources listed at the bottom of these show notes. In this episode of the Side Out Society Podcast, we sit down with Penn State’s graduate outside hitter Whitney Lauenstein for an incredibly honest conversation about resilience, self-advocacy, and growth. Whitney pulls back the curtain on her highly publicized collegiate journey from Nebraska to Texas, sharing the immense courage it took to step away from the sport to properly process personal grief after losing her dad to suicide. She breaks down how the arrival of her daughter, Layla, completely transformed her relationship with volleyball, shifting her focus from social media speculation to the beautifully hectic reality of being a D1 student-athlete and a mom. Whitney takes us behind the scenes of her new life in Happy Valley, explaining how a search on Zillow and a profound desire to play for an all-woman coaching staff led her straight to Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. She opens up about the logistical grind of balancing peak physical training with parenting, and how her fiancé, Luke, stepped up as a stay-at-home dad so she could fearlessly chase her final collegiate chapter. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time or experiencing a mental health crisis, please know that support is available 24/7. You are not alone. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US & Canada): Call or text 988 to speak with a trained counselor. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Website: 988lifeline.org The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor via text. Website: crisistextline.org The Trevor Project (For LGBTQ youth): Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678. Website: thetrevorproject.org Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255. Website: veteranscrisisline.net International Resources: If you are listening outside the United States, please find a helpline in your country at findahelpline.com or befrienders.org.

Encore: Jordan Thompson: The Underdog Mentality, Olympic Gold, and the Fine Art of Antiquing

Tiff and Lindsay will be taking a little break over the next two weeks, so we'll be airing some previous interviews. In this week's Encore episode of the Side Out Society Podcast, we sit down with one of the most clinical and feared offensive threats in the world: two-time Olympic medalist and LOVB Houston star Jordan Thompson. Despite being at the absolute peak of her powers (leading LOVB in points and kills), Jordan opens up about her unique "underdog mentality" and the journey of a late bloomer who wasn't a five-star recruit but went on to shatter NCAA records and win Olympic Gold. She shares the vulnerable side of professional athletics, from the heartbreak of a surprising playoff exit to the "endless tryout" energy of the Team USA gym as she begins her focused run toward the LA 2028 Olympics. Beyond the "scoring machine" persona, we get a rare look at the person off the court. Jordan discusses her passion for antiquing, her hilarious and adorable engagement story, and her deep-seated life motto to "lead with love". From her background in basketball to her current status as a mentor for the next generation of players, this conversation is an inspiring deep dive into what it truly means to evolve as both an athlete and a human being. Follow us on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsociety Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

Ep 38: Natalia Valentín-Anderson: Defying the Giants to Become One of the World’s Elite Setters

In this episode of Side Out Society, we sit down with a true pioneer, an international icon, and a master floor general: Natalia "Naty" Valentín-Anderson. Standing at 5-foot-6 in a sport dominated by giants, Naty has spent her entire career defying the height restrictions, relying on relentless hard work, pristine location, and unmatched grit to prove that shorties can absolute dictate terms in a big girls' game. She opens up about her unique journey from Caguas, Puerto Rico, where she originally trained as a track runner before her mother stepped in with a life-changing suggestion to try volleyball, to shattering records as Florida International University’s all-time assists leader. Naty takes us behind the scenes of her extensive global resume, spanning top professional leagues across Europe and captaining the Puerto Rican national team to its historic first-ever Olympic appearance at the 2016 Rio Games. We also explore the incredible twist of fate that brought her back to the States, from winning the inaugural PVF championship with the Omaha Supernovas in her husband Colt’s hometown, to moving to Texas to become the captain who orchestrated a fairytale run for the expansion Dallas Pulse to win the 2026 MLV Championship. Follow us on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsociety Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

Ep 37: Kaylee Cox: From Flower Mound Phenom to Major League Volleyball Champion

In this episode of the Side Out Society Podcast, we are joined by a newly crowned champion: Kaylee Cox. Fresh off helping lead the Dallas Pulse to an incredible victory in the 2026 Major League Volleyball Championship, Kaylee takes us behind the scenes of that intense five-set battle against the Omaha Supernovas. She opens up about the "underdog mentality" that fueled the Pulse all season and the locker room culture that allowed a first-year expansion team to shock the league and hoist the trophy in front of a sold-out hometown crowd. We also dive into Kaylee’s unique journey as the "volleyball rebel" in a family of legendary basketball players. Kaylee shares hilarious stories of growing up in an elite athletic household, from the physical battles with her sisters to the moment she officially traded in the hoops for the net. From her record-breaking 34-kill performance to her deep love for Italian pasta and lake-day adventures, this conversation explores the fire and grit of a hometown hero who is truly coming into her own. Follow us on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsociety Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

Ep 36: Jordan Thompson: The Underdog Mentality, Olympic Gold, and the Fine Art of Antiquing

In this episode of the Side Out Society Podcast, we sit down with one of the most clinical and feared offensive threats in the world: two-time Olympic medalist and LOVB Houston star Jordan Thompson. Despite being at the absolute peak of her powers (leading LOVB in points and kills), Jordan opens up about her unique "underdog mentality" and the journey of a late bloomer who wasn't a five-star recruit but went on to shatter NCAA records and win Olympic Gold. She shares the vulnerable side of professional athletics, from the heartbreak of a surprising playoff exit to the "endless tryout" energy of the Team USA gym as she begins her focused run toward the LA 2028 Olympics. Beyond the scoring machine persona, we get a rare look at the person off the court. Jordan discusses her passion for antiquing, her hilarious and adorable engagement story, and her deep-seated life motto to "lead with love". From her background in basketball to her current status as a mentor for the next generation of players, this conversation is an inspiring deep dive into what it truly means to evolve as both an athlete and a human being. Follow us on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsociety Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety