Burn It All Down

In this episode Jessica Luther, Amira Rose Davis, Lindsay Gibbs and Brenda Elsey preview the 2020/21 Tokyo Paralympic Games, which start TODAY, August 24, and close September 5, 2021. First they discuss some of the major storylines around the games, including fights for equity for disabled athletes, who is "inspiration" for?, and how the Paralympics show disparities between nation-states. You'll also hear from disability activist Katelyn Steele and 2x gold medal Paralympic swimmer Kelly Crowley. Then, they preview of some the sports and competitors they are looking forward to watching in the games. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfire

This week, Burn It All Down is featuring conversations about the 2020/21 Tokyo Paralympic Games, which start Tuesday August 24. This episode is re-airing two interviews from September 2020, with updates at the end. Jessica talks with Kristen Duquette, disability advocate and a 5x American Paralympic record holder and Lacey Henderson, a track and field Paralympian and host of the podcast Picked Last In Gym Class. They discuss their athletic journeys, disability in sports and impact of COVID-19. Following these interviews, you'll hear updates from Kristin and Lacey regarding the Tokyo 2020/21 Olympics. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfi

In this episode Shireen Ahmed interviews Canada Women's National Soccer Team stalwart Diana Matheson, who is responsible for the game-winning goal in stoppage time to clinch the bronze medal for Canada in the 2012 Olympics. They discuss Diana's journey into playing professionally, the building of the Canadian program, an overdue professional league, and if, in fact, history was made right at the 2020/21 Olympics.  This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/burn-it-all-down/ Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/BurnItDownPod; Facebook: www.facebook.com/BurnItAllDownPod/; and Instagram: www.instagram.com/burnitalldownpod/ Learn more abou

Sparked by the conversation around football legend Lionel Messi leaving FC Barcelona after 21 years, Brenda Elsey, Shireen Ahmed and Lindsay Gibbs talk about gratitude, loyalty and the idea that athletes should owe anything to coaches, teams, organizations or fans. They discuss how the media demonizes athletes who leave teams and how often these stories are gendered and racialized. They also discuss player unions and labor organizing, how loyalty between an athlete and a team is not a two-way street and their favorite sports "fairytales" about loyalty. Then, Shireen previews her interview with Diana Matheson, Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team stalwart. They discuss her recent retirement, the building of this program and a possible Canadian league and if, in fact, history was made right at the Olympics.  Next, they burn all the garbage in sports this week on the Burn Pile. Then they celebrate those shining light and changing sports for the good, including Torchbearer's of the Week: Jewell Loyd, Sue Bird, a

Lindsay Gibbs interviews Imani McGee-Stafford, WNBA athlete and law-student, on mental health in sports and society. They discuss Simone Biles' recent leadership in prioritizing her mental health in the Olympics, their own journeys to actively maintaining mental health and how American sports culture still has a long way to go in ending the stigma around mental health. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/burn-it-all-down/ Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/BurnItDownPod; Facebook: www.facebook.com/BurnItAllDownPod/; and Instagram: www.instagram.com/burnitalldownpod/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a

In this episode, Lindsay Gibbs, Amira Rose Davis and Brenda Elsey discuss their favorite moments of the 2020/21 Tokyo Olympic Games. From their favorite couples to World Record finishes to many athletes breaking the mold of what athletes "should" do or who they "should" be, the team revels in a little bit of Olympic joy and also dig into the darker moments of the games. Next, they burn all the garbage in sports this week on the Burn Pile. Then they celebrate those shining light and changing sports for the good, including Torchbearer's of the Week: Women's Canadian Soccer Team Gold Medal Champions! We are so happy for you. They wrap up the show with what's good in their lives and what they are watching in sports this week. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn I

Amira Rose Davis hosts a round table discussion with sports writers and scholars on the Black and African Diaspora at the 2020/21 Tokyo Olympics. She is joined by Bria Felicien, writer of the Black Sportswoman newsletter, Dr. Javier Wallace, the Race and Sport Postdoctoral Associate in the African and African American Studies Department at Duke University and Courtney Stith, co-host of the Diaspora United women's football/soccer podcast. They discuss the ways the Diaspora is on display at the Olympics, how athletes navigate multiple identities and finding joy amidst the Olympic chaos. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/bu

Amira Rose Davis, Shireen Ahmed and Lindsay Gibbs start the show with customized "twisted" triathlons. Then they dive into a discussion about the immense pressure Olympic athletes carry into these games and what happens when they they don't meet the expectations placed on them. This episode revisits, contextualizes and reclaims three historical so-called disappointments: the 2000 Sydney Olympics vault controversy and Russian gymnast Svetlana Khorkina, world renowned Brazilian gymnast Daiane dos Santos never capturing an Olympic medal and Perdita Felicien's 100m hurdles in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Next is a preview of Amira's discussion with three writers on the African Diaspora in the Tokyo 2020 games. Then they torch all the garbage in sports this week on The Burn Pile. Following the flames, they celebrate those shining light including so many Olympic firsts and Torchbearer Raven Saunders, silver medalist in the shot put, Olympic twerker and voice for the oppressed. The wrap up the show with what's good in

In this Hot Take, Shireen Ahmed, Amira Rose Davis and Lindsay Gibbs talk all about Canada's 1-0 victory over the U.S. in the women's soccer Olympic semi final. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/burn-it-all-down/ Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/BurnItDownPod; Facebook: www.facebook.com/BurnItAllDownPod/; and Instagram: www.instagram.com/burnitalldownpod/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Jessica Luther interviews journalist Mirin Fader about her new book, Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP, which comes out August 10. They talk about Mirin’s basketball skills, how she got into writing about sports, and, of course, about NBA champion and two-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/burn-it-all-down/ Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/BurnItDownPod; Facebook: www.facebook.com/BurnItAllDownPod/; and Instagram: www.instagram.com/burnitalldownpod/ Submit your Blue Wire Hustle application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast

In this episode Shireen Ahmed, Amira Rose Davis and Jessica Luther start the show with a discussion of the Cleveland Guardians. Then, sparked by Game 4 of the NBA playoffs between the Bucks and the Suns, they discuss all things refereeing: Is it getting worse? Do we ever notice good refereeing? Why is yelling at refs so fun? How is tech impacting reffing? Are there any alternative models to traditional refereeing? A continued discussion on various leagues' attempted solutions to inconsistent and poor reffing is available on our Patreon. (www.patreon.com/burnitalldown) Next is a preview of Jessica's interview with journalist Mirin Fader on her new book, Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP. Then they torch all the bad in sports this week on The Burn Pile. Following the flames, they celebrate those shining light including literal Torchbearer Naomi Osaka. The wrap up the show with what's good in their lives and what they are watching in sports this week. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby

The Tokyo 2020/21 Olympics are the Pandemic Games. Even so, over two episodes (210 Part I and II) Burn It All Down will preview EVERY sport with excitement, cynicism, awe and critical thinking. In Part II, Brenda Elsey, Amira Rose Davis and Lindsay Gibbs cover who to watch and what to know about the following events: swimming, track, modern pentathlon, beach volleyball, surfing, wrestling, shooting, fencing, boxing, gymnastics, diving, sport climbing, equestrian, skateboarding, basketball, handball, rugby and indoor volleyball. They also discuss what sport they'd like to see included in the Olympics that is not, as well as what sport they'd like to medal in. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreo

The Tokyo 2020/21 Olympics are the Pandemic Games. Even so, over two episodes (210 Part I and II) Burn It All Down will preview EVERY sport with excitement, cynicism, awe and critical thinking. In Part I, Brenda Elsey, Shireen Ahmed and Jessica Luther cover who to watch and what to know about the following events: artistic swimming, rowing, table tennis, sailing, water polo, canoeing, golf, tennis, football/soccer, softball, baseball, field athletics, badminton, archery, judo, weightlifting, taekwondo, karate and cycling. They also discuss what sport they'd like to see included in the Olympics that is not, as well as what sport they'd like to medal in. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/

In this episode, Amira Rose Davis talks with Dr. Courtney Cox, Assistant Professor of Race and Sport in the Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies Department at the University of Oregon, about the exhaustion of the last week -- and more -- for Black women in sports, in both the media and the academy. They discuss the interconnection between Olympic qualifying snubs of Black athletes across sports, the tenure rejection of journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, disparaging comments made about Maria Taylor within ESPN and Naomi Osaka prioritizing her own mental health, among other events. They also talk about the ways that rest and Black spaces and kinship help them better breathe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jessica Luther, Amira Rose Davis and Brenda Elsey break-down what is happening in the wake of college athletes finally being able to use their own name, image and likeness (NIL). They discuss what the new NIL rules have meant on the ground, what guidance (or lack thereof) academic institutions and the NCAA have provided and how racism, sexism and capitalism are already impacting who gets what. They also share their favorite NIL partnerships and who Burn It All Down would like to sponsor. Then, they preview Amira's interview with Dr. Courtney Cox about recent events impacting Black women in media, academia and sport. Next, they torch all that needs to be burned from this week. After the flames, the torchbearers rise, including Torchbearer of the Week Zaila Avant-garde, the 2021 Scripps Spelling Bee champion and Guinness World Records holder for various basketball tricks. They wrap up the show with what's good in their lives and what they are watching in sports this week. This episode was produ

In this episode Lindsay Gibbs interviews Anne Orchier of NOlympics LA about opposition to the Toyko 2020 Olympics from on-the-ground organizers in Japan, which is largely led by unhoused people and those who will be displaced by the games. The discuss the privatization of public spaces and the aggressive policing of poor communities that happens regardless of where the Olympics are held, and how COVID-19 is heightening these trends. They also talk about the latest updates on pushback to LA's 2028 Olympic Bid. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/burn-it-all-down/ Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/BurnItDownPod; Facebook: www.f

Lindsay Gibbs, Shireen Ahmed and Jessica Luther bring Burn It All Down back after a short break. Like it or not (it's both!) the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are coming and this week BIAD covers the the incredible, the heartbreaking and the huh?!. They discuss COVID updates in Japan, US track and field sensations and amazing athletes from around the world breaking barriers. Then, Lindsay shares a pre-view of her interview with Anne Orchier of NOlympics L.A and the team sets aflame a much needed Burn Pile. Next, there's the torchbearers leading the way, including Carl Nassib and Kumi Yokoyama. Carl is the first active NFL player to come out as gay and Kumi, an NWSL footballer, came out as transgender and uses they/them pronouns. They wrap up the show with what's good in their lives and what sports they are watching this week. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and

*Content Warning: Indigenous genocide and intergenerational trauma* In this episode, Shireen Ahmed interviews Averie Allard, a Métis woman from Treaty 1 Territory and volleyball setter of the University of Saskatchewan. They talk about how Averie has used sport for healing and to advocate for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) in Canada and the US. Most recently, Averie began walking 1 km for each child found in unmarked mass graves on the grounds of residential schools in Canada. Her walking, which she is doing with her dog Rory, is also raising money for the Legacy of Hope Foundation which works to educate people about the lasting impacts of residential schools. She also works with Waanishka, an organization that creates safe spaces for Indigenous youth. To donate to Averie's walk, visit her GoFundMe: Averie and Rory's Walk for Legacy Hope. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All

Brenda Elsey brings you a special Burn It All Down episode. Horseracing is undergoing exceptional drama this year sparked by Kentucky Derby star and scandal Medina Spirit and his trainer Bob Baffert. Brenda interviews three experts in the horse racing world: Joe Drape, New York Times reporter, Dr. Megan Kerford, racetrack veterinarian, and Dr. Katherine Mooney, associate professor at Florida state and author of "Race Horse Men" to understand the history, the breaking news and the future of the sport. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Music in this episode is by Ketsa. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/burn-it-all-down/ Find us on Twitter: twitter.com

The Montreal Canadiens are headed to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 28 years. What is it like for their fans? Shireen chats with one partticular die-ard Habs fan: Her Maman. Dr. Tahira Ahmed joins Burn It All Down for this Hot Take on the ups and downs of being a Habs fan for almost 50 years. This episode was produced by Shireen Ahmed and Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network. For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com To help support the Burn It All Down podcast, please consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/burnitalldown For BIAD merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/burn-it-all-down/ Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/BurnItDownPod; Facebook: www.facebook.com/BurnItAllDownPod/; and Instagram: www.instagram.com/burnitalldownpod/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices