Epicenter of Women’s Sports with Karina LeBlanc

Sylvia Fowles, Ashley Battle, Helen Darling: WNBA Legends

lmonroe@thorns.com (RAJ SPORTS ) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode, WNBA legends come together for a conversation that goes beyond the game and into what it actually takes to build, lead, and evolve it.

From defining moments, to life after sport, this conversation explores the realities behind sustained success. The discipline, the mindset, and the leadership required not just to reach the highest level, but to continue growing beyond it.

It also gets personal. From confidence and body image to the transition out of playing, they share the parts of being an athlete that aren’t often said out loud, even at the highest level.

As the WNBA continues to grow, the conversation turns to how the experience of the athlete is evolving. The talent is there, the visibility is rising, and through their experiences as players and now as leaders, they offer a clear look at what it takes to sustain greatness.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Sarah Spain: The Media Shift Powering Women’s Sports

lmonroe@thorns.com (RAJ Sports, Karina LeBlanc, KPTV Fox 12, Sarah Spain) — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 12:02:01 +0000

Award-winning journalist Sarah Spain joins Karina LeBlanc for a conversation on the evolution of women’s sports and the systems that have shaped it.

From covering the Olympics to helping redefine how women’s sports stories are told, Sarah shares why the industry is at an inflection point. Investment is rising. Fan demand is accelerating. And the narratives that once held women’s sports back are starting to shift.

This episode explores the opportunities ahead, the role of media in shaping the narrative, and why storytelling, consistency, and cultural relevance will define the next era of growth.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Robert Vilahamn: Bravery, Leadership and a New Era for the Portland Thorns

lmonroe@thorns.com (RAJ Sports, KPTV, Karina LeBlanc, Robert Vilahamn) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Less than 24 hours after landing in Portland, new Portland Thorns head coach Robert Vilahamn sits down with Karina LeBlanc for his first in-depth conversation about leading one of the most iconic clubs in women’s soccer.

Following the Thorns’ win in his first match on the NWSL sideline, Robert shares the philosophy that will shape this next chapter for the club.

In this episode, Robert talks about the four values guiding his leadership, how he plans to build a team identity that connects with Portland’s passionate fan base, and why this moment for the club feels bigger than the game itself.

The conversation also goes beyond the pitch. Robert reflects on becoming a father of twins, the life lessons he learned through football projects in Uganda, and the belief that has shaped his leadership on and off the field: be kind.

This is the beginning of a new era for the Thorns, led by a coach determined to build something lasting.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Jenny Nguyen: Belonging, Identity, and the Cultural Impact of The Sports Bra

lmonroe@thorns.com (RAJ SPORTS ) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

In this Season 1 finale, few people have shaped the culture of women’s sports more powerfully than Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Sports Bra, the Portland bar that became a worldwide sensation and helped redefine how women’s sports are watched and valued.

Her story has reached millions, and her work has helped cement Portland’s role in the global rise of women’s sports.

In this conversation with Karina, Jenny opens up about the origins of The Sports Bra, the defining moment that pushed her to create the space she never had growing up, and the vulnerability of building something bigger than herself. She talks about identity, representation, belonging, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people when leadership requires courage and clarity.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Elizabeth Lindsey: What the Data Reveals About Fandom and the Future of Women’s Sports.

lmonroe@thorns.com (KPTV Fox 12, Elizabeth Lindsey, Karina LeBlanc, RAJ Sports) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Few people understand the intersection of data, fandom, and leadership like Elizabeth Lindsey, Global President of Brands and Properties at Wasserman.
In this conversation with Karina LeBlanc, Elizabeth unpacks what the numbers truly show about the growth of women’s sports—challenging outdated definitions of success and revealing what brands, leagues, and fans are getting right (and wrong).

She discusses findings from The Collective, Wasserman’s data-driven initiative advancing equity through insights, exploring how women are shaping global fandom, controlling household influence, and redefining engagement across generations.

Elizabeth also opens up about leadership, loss, and letting go of expectations while also sharing how purpose, adaptability, and curiosity have guided her own career and how leaders can stay aligned to their North Star through change.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Christine Sinclair: Thorns Legend, Lifelong Leader & What Comes Next

lmonroe@thorns.com (Karina LeBlanc) — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000

What does it take to go from great to extraordinary, and stay there for more than two decades?

In this deeply personal episode, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with her former teammate and friend Christine Sinclair for an honest conversation that goes far beyond the game. After 16 years—through four World Cups, Olympic medals, and countless milestones—Karina offers a rare inside look at the person behind the legend.

Together, they reflect on Christine’s journey from a kid who lived on the soccer field to one of the greatest to ever play. She shares what kept her pushing when things got hard, how she refused to settle even at the top, and what it means to invest back into the sport that shaped her.

From her recent Hall of Fame induction and jersey retirement at Providence Park to her next chapter in life and Portland, this episode captures the heart of an athlete whose legacy was built not only on talent, but on resilience, loyalty, love for the game, and for the people in it.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Vanja Černivec and Jeff Agoos: Inside the Front Office with General Managers from Portland Fire and Portland Thorns

lmonroe@thorns.com (RAJ SPORTS ) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000

What happens when two former players step into the front office to shape the next era of women’s sports in Portland?

In this conversation, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with Vanja Černivec, General Manager of the Portland Fire and Jeff Agoos, General Manager of the Portland Thorns, to talk about building trust, leading through change, and creating a culture where athletes and staff can thrive.

Together they reflect on lessons from their playing days and share how collaboration between the Thorns and Fire is helping define a new model for leadership in women’s sports.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Carl Lewis, Shannon Boxx, Sylvia Fowles: Centering the Athlete

lmonroe@thorns.com (Karina LeBlanc) — Thu, 2 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000

What does it truly mean to put the athlete first?

In this episode, host Karina LeBlanc sits down with three legends: Olympic track and field icon Carl Lewis, World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Shannon Boxx, and basketball Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles.

Recorded live at The Epicenter: Women’s Global Sports Summit at Nike World Headquarters, the conversation explores resilience, redefining success, and the systems athletes need to thrive. Between them, the panelists hold 16 Olympic medals — and they get candid about overcoming setbacks, shaping the next generation, and building athlete-centered cultures that extend far beyond sport.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Olivia Moultrie and Deyna Castellanos: Breaking Barriers and Changing the Game

lmonroe@thorns.com (RAJ Sports, Karina LeBlanc) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0000

What does it take to change the game before most players even graduate high school? At just 13, Olivia Moultrie challenged the system to follow her dream. At 14, Deyna Castellanos inspired a generation of girls in Latin America. Now teammates on the Portland Thorns, they join host Karina LeBlanc for a raw, real conversation about courage, sacrifice, and purpose. From Olivia’s fight to create new opportunities for young players to Deyna’s mission of opening doors across Latin America, they share the power of betting on yourself and the responsibility of paving the way for others. Together, they reflect on representing Portland — a city uniquely supportive and invested in women’s sports — and what it means to play in front of fans who set the standard for the game.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Clare Hamill: Coming Out of Retirement to Lead the Return of Portland’s WNBA Franchise

lmonroe@thorns.com (RAJ Sports, Karina LeBlanc) — Thu, 4 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Clare Hamill, Interim President of the Portland Fire, spent four decades helping to shape women’s sports, athletes, and brands around the world at Nike. Just when she thought she was retired, the opportunity to build something historic pulled her back in: the return of Portland’s WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire. In this episode, Clare joins Karina to share why she came out of retirement for this moment, what it takes to bring back a professional team and brand, and the leadership lessons she’ll carry from her career into this next chapter. She also reflects on her work creating the WIN (Women in Nike) program, which helps WNBA players transition into life and careers beyond the court. From decades spent elevating women athletes on the global stage to shaping the future of women’s basketball in Portland, Clare offers candid insights on purpose, resilience, and the power of saying yes when the right opportunity comes along. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Lisa Bhathal Merage & Alex Bhathal: Building the Future of Women’s Sports in Portland

lmonroe@thorns.com (RAJ Sports, Karina LeBlanc) — Thu, 4 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In their first-ever podcast appearance, Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal—co-owners of RAJ Sports and the driving force behind the Portland Thorns and the WNBA’s Portland Fire—share their story and their vision for the future of women’s sports. From defining family and business moments to their career paths that led to becoming the only ownership group in the U.S. with two professional women’s teams, Lisa and Alex open up about why women’s sports represent one of the fastest-growing opportunities in business today—and why they believe this is just the beginning. The siblings and business partners talk candidly about why women’s sports, why now, and why Portland—sharing their vision for making the city the global epicenter of women’s sports. Listeners will hear what fans, brands, and investors should know about this historic moment—and, beyond the business, get a personal look at who Lisa and Alex are as leaders, innovators, and family. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Introduction: Welcome to Epicenter of Women’s Sports

lmonroe@thorns.com (Karina LeBlanc, RAJ Sports) — Wed, 3 Sep 2025 00:48:42 +0000

Welcome to The Epicenter of Women’s Sports, a new podcast hosted by Olympic medalist and global sports executive Karina LeBlanc. This short intro episode sets the stage for what’s to come - raw, real conversations at the intersection of women’s sports, leadership, and business. Karina brings you inside access to the fastest-growing space in sports—featuring industry executives, cultural changemakers, championship-winning athletes, and bold investors. New episodes drop every two weeks, each offering insights into the rapid growth and future of women’s sports, and the leadership lessons that extend far beyond the game. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.