The Most Dangerous Challenge in Sports?

The Brutal Pressure of Playing The 2026 World Cup On Home Soil

World Cup fever is officially here…but so are the complications. This week, Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach dive into the magic, madness, and massive stakes of the World Cup returning to North America. From the U.S. Men’s National Team’s chances on home soil to the sky-high ticket prices, FIFA chaos, fan concerns, and the unifying power of soccer, Abby and Julie break down why this tournament still has the potential to be transformative. Plus, the Party Starter covers Nelly Korda’s historic U.S. Women’s Open comeback, a chaotic French Open, Texas going back-to-back at the Women’s College World Series, Sophia Wilson’s return to the USWNT, and a little golf etiquette mayhem from Abby and Julie’s trip to Ally House. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WelcomeToThePartyShow] Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometothepartyshow/?hl=en] TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@welcometothepartyshow] Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Reserve Your Spot at Our FIFA x Airbnb Watch Party - June 19, 2026 in Culver City, CA: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/6995610?location=Los%20Angeles%2C%20CA%2C%20United%20States¤tTab=experience_tab&federatedSearchId=c744bc22-5a75-4e00-9eec-6e877b0a19f7§ionId=3be13c00-955a-4822-82b9-3075f7d5ef51 [https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/6995610?location=Los%20Angeles%2C%20CA%2C%20United%20States¤tTab=experience_tab&federatedSearchId=c744bc22-5a75-4e00-9eec-6e877b0a19f7§ionId=3be13c00-955a-4822-82b9-3075f7d5ef51%20] The Centre for Sport and Human Rights is a human rights organisation for the world of sport. Their mission is to advance a world of sport that fully respects and promotes human rights by generating awareness, building capacity and delivering impact: https://www.sporthumanrights.org/about-us/ [https://www.sporthumanrights.org/about-us/%20] Follow the No Laying Up podcast: https://www.instagram.com/nolayingup/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/nolayingup/?hl=en%20] Follow Tisha Alyn: https://www.instagram.com/tishaalyn/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/tishaalyn/?hl=en%20] Athletes Unlimited Softball League kicks off today, schedule of games found here: https://theausl.com/schedule/?season=369 [https://theausl.com/schedule/?season=369%20] Professional Softball League (PSL) launches its inaugural season on Friday, June 12: https://www.instagram.com/professionalsoftballleague/ [https://www.instagram.com/professionalsoftballleague/%20] Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com https://www.onepeloton.com/ [https://www.onepeloton.com/] -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes [https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes] -Get a $49 annual membership with promo code podcast at http://www.Shipt.com/offer. [http://www.Shipt.com/offer] Terms apply. -Use code WELCOME at http://www.remento.co [http://www.remento.co] to save $20 through Father’s Day -Goodles are available nationwide at Target and Walmart, plus many other major grocery stores and retailers

Tennis Stars Revolt at the French Open

This week, the party gets a world-class tennis upgrade as Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss join Julie and Abby for a Coffee with Kinger all about the state of the game. The crew reacts to Serena Williams’ rumored return, Venus still being very much in the mix, and the chaos of a French Open where a new generation is breaking through. Then, they dive into the major player protest at Roland Garros, why top tennis stars are pushing for a bigger share of Grand Slam revenue, and how Billie and Ilana see this fight as part of a much bigger battle for player power, pensions, health care, and a seat at the table. Plus: why college tennis programs are being cut, what tennis needs to do to survive in the new era of college sports, Naomi Osaka’s fashion moment, and Julie introduces the More Than Four Challenge in support of pediatric cancer research. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com [partypeoplequestions@gmail.com] Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com]   Keep the Party Going: Participate in Zoe’s Challenge: https://www.pledge.to/mt4zoesgoal [https://www.pledge.to/mt4zoesgoal] Serena’s Nike Ad announcing her return: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZC5f9ZRAuL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZC5f9ZRAuL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] John Wertheim article about French Open: https://www.si.com/tennis/tennis-mailbag-breaking-down-players-media-protest-roland-garros [https://www.si.com/tennis/tennis-mailbag-breaking-down-players-media-protest-roland-garros]   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

The Most Dangerous Challenge in Sports?

What does it take to race 1,100 miles in a single day? This week, racing trailblazer Katherine Legge joins the party fresh off her attempt at one of the most grueling challenges in all of sports: racing both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Katherine takes Abby, Julie, and Billie Jean King inside the physical, mental, and emotional demands of competing at 230 mph, burning 5,000 calories in a day, and staying locked in for nearly 10 hours behind the wheel. She opens up about the sacrifices she's made to build a career in motorsports, the pressure she once felt to downplay her femininity, and why driving a pink car became one of the most powerful moments of her career. Katherine also gets candid about the barriers women still face in racing, from sponsorship dollars to access to top teams, and why she believes the next generation deserves a clearer path to success. Before the interview, the crew celebrates Pride Month, congratulates Julie on her Sports Emmy win for Save: The Katie Meyer Story, wishes Abby an early happy birthday, previews their upcoming Ally House event at the U.S. Women’s Open, and dives into the latest from the NWSL, USWNT, WNBA, NCAA lacrosse, and NCAA golf. From life at 230 mph to the fight for equality in motorsports, this is a conversation about courage, resilience, and refusing to let anyone define what's possible.  Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WelcomeToThePartyShow] Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometothepartyshow/?hl=en] TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@welcometothepartyshow] Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com]   Keep the Party Going: Watch Save: The Katie Meyer Story: Save: The Katie Meyer Story | E60 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xndyPUJRFII] Follow Katherine Legge: https://www.instagram.com/katherineracing/ [https://www.instagram.com/katherineracing/]   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Shannon Boxx Opens Up About Her Lupus Journey

This week on Welcome to the Party, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King sit down with U.S. Women’s National Team legend Shannon Boxx for one of the most powerful and emotional conversations we’ve ever had on the show. Shannon opens up for the first time in depth about secretly battling lupus throughout her iconic soccer career, while winning a FIFA Women’s World Cup, three Olympic gold medals, and nearly 200 caps for the USWNT. She shares the terrifying symptoms she ignored for years, the fear of losing her career if coaches found out, and the emotional toll of competing at the highest level while her body was literally attacking itself. The conversation also highlights the larger reality of chronic illness in sports and beyond, including the story of Belmont softball star Maia Johnson and current Division I soccer player Emma Peyton, both of whom are navigating lupus while continuing to chase elite athletic dreams. Plus, lupus expert Dr. Susan Manzi joins the show to break down why autoimmune diseases are so difficult to diagnose, especially for women and athletes. From invisible illness and self-advocacy to teammate support, mental resilience, and redefining strength, this episode is honest, eye-opening, and deeply inspiring. Also in this episode: * Abby and Julie reflect on their years traveling the world with the USWNT * The crew talks Olympic-level competition while living with chronic illness * Shannon shares the adjustments that helped extend her legendary career * A hilarious lupus awareness trivia game breaks out at the party * And the team announces the launch of the brand new Welcome to the Party Substack This is a conversation about perseverance, advocacy, friendship, and what it really means to keep showing up when no one sees the battle you’re fighting.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WelcomeToThePartyShow] Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometothepartyshow/?hl=en] TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@welcometothepartyshow] Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com]   Keep the Party Going: The Lupus Foundation of America: https://www.lupus.org/ [https://www.lupus.org/%E2%81%A0] The Lupus Quiz: https://knowlupus.lupus.org/ [https://knowlupus.lupus.org/] Support Shannon’s Lupus Fundraiser: https://sipandsupportfundraiser.eventbrite.ca/ [https://sipandsupportfundraiser.eventbrite.ca/] Ali Truwit WttP Interview: From Shark Attack to Paralympian to Marathoner, the unbreakable Ali Truwit [https://youtu.be/6TBm8mLBiZ0?si=t-DdKNywrFfIWds1] Ali Truwit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alitruwit/related_profiles/ [https://www.instagram.com/alitruwit/related_profiles/] Ali Truwit Stronger Than You Think: https://strongerthanyouthink.org/ [https://strongerthanyouthink.org/] Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com [http://onepeloton.com/]  https://www.onepeloton.com/ [https://www.onepeloton.com/] -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes [https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes]

The Most Inspiring Graduation Story You’ll Ever Hear

Billie Jean King just added another historic achievement to her legendary career: graduating from college at 82 years old. More than 60 years after first enrolling at California State University, Los Angeles, Billie finally walked the stage and Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy were there to witness every emotional moment.   In this special graduation-themed episode of Welcome to the Party, Abby and Julie break down Billie’s inspiring commencement speech, reflect on what it means to finish what you start, and share their own hilarious college graduation stories. The crew also reacts to Billie’s powerful messages about equality, inclusion, Title IX, women’s sports, and making history. Plus, Billie joins the show moments after receiving her diploma to talk about returning to school decades later, studying history remotely, correcting inaccuracies in a college course about women’s sports, and why earning this degree meant so much to her. This episode is funny, emotional, deeply inspiring, and a reminder that it’s never too late to chase something meaningful. Party People this one’s special.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WelcomeToThePartyShow] Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometothepartyshow/?hl=en] TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@welcometothepartyshow] Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack: https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com]   Keep the Party Going: Billie Jean’s Graduation Speech at Cal State Los Angeles: Billie Jean King Commencement Address [https://youtu.be/h0zu3MeFR3M?si=DlfUxpSc-lg4SoLB] Abby’s Wolfpack Book: https://a.co/d/01wZH3Hw [https://a.co/d/01wZH3Hw] Abby’s Barnard Wolfpack Speech: https://youtu.be/wJe40l2waxs?si=gbVFS4Yos5jkKpuf  [https://youtu.be/wJe40l2waxs?si=gbVFS4Yos5jkKpuf%C2%A0] Eric Church Commencement Speech: https://youtu.be/pSYEDc7-Ah0?si=Aa01ZxZXz5N6Sjis [https://youtu.be/pSYEDc7-Ah0?si=Aa01ZxZXz5N6Sjis]   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC