SEASON OF FIRSTS: Natalie Nakase on Breaking Barriers and Paving the Way for What’s Next + CBA talks
The WNBA season is over, but on A Touch More we’re still playing games: we’re checking out the tug of war between the players and the league as the CBA is about to expire, while five teams play a round of musical chairs to fill their empty head coaching slots.
We’re also talking to Golden State Valkyries’ head coach Natalie Nakase about her epic first season, the biggest risks she took during this year, and what it’s like to play in Ballhalla.
On a more serious note: Millions of Americans are losing their SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown and the Trump Administration’s refusal to tap emergency funds to keep the program going. We want to encourage our listeners to consider helping by contributing to your local food back: check out Feeding America to find one in your community. For those in the New York City or Seattle, here are a few organizations we recommend:
NYC:
Food Bank for NYC - https://www.foodbanknyc.org/
West Side Campaign Against Hunger - https://www.wscah.org/
Seattle:
Rainier Valley Food Bank - https://www.rvfb.org/
North Helpline - https://northhelpline.org/
Northwest Harvest - https://www.northwestharvest.org/
A Touch More: The Podcast is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR.
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1:17:20
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1:17:20
Winning Energy Only: Alyssa Naeher + The Aces’ Championship Parade
We are wrapping up the WNBA season with the Aces’ championship parade in Las Vegas and looking ahead to the NWSL playoffs with a very special guest – the goalkeepers’ goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher.
Alyssa talks about her decision to retire from the international game, what it’s like to lead a team as a goalkeeper, and why this year is being called her “soft era.”
We also tell you everything you need to know heading into the NWSL playoffs and the big picture on viewership stats.
And we share our favorite moments from the Aces’ championship parade (Becky dancing with Crime Mob?!), and Megan blind ranks the Aces players’ t-shirts.
Special Announcements! A Touch More Live, presented by Delta, Google Pixel, and Volkswagen will be at the NWSL Championship game in San Jose, California, on November 21st. Get tickets here.
And we are planning another Q+A episode and we want your questions! What do you want to know about us? Call: 1-8-3-3-A-Touch-8. Or leave us your questions in the YouTube comments. Get your questions in by next week!
A Touch More: The Podcast is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:25:19
Best in the world: Jackie Young on Winning Her THIRD Ring & The 2025 Meggie Awards
We are covering all things WNBA Championships with the champion herself, Jackie Young. How do you celebrate a THIRD championship? What does it feel like to go on a shooting spree? And how did the Aces turn their season around to go on one of the longest winning streaks in WNBA history? Plus: find out which celebrity was sitting bench-side during her epic Game 2 of the finals.
And because the season is over, it’s time for the most prestigious awards of the season: The Meggies! We are awarding everything from best dressed to the gayest moment of the season.
Plus, major league baseball makes its ATM debut and we have a new Bicker – it’s Megan’s turn to object to how Sue behaves in the self-checkout aisle.
A Touch More: The Podcast is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:17:42
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1:17:42
Natasha Cloud on WNBA CBA Negotiations, Cathy Engelbert & Activism
We are live from Tech Futures with NY Liberty point guard Natasha Cloud, diving into all things WNBA on and off the court. Sue and Megan break down what the Las Vegas Aces did right in the first two games of the WNBA Finals, and what the Phoenix Mercury need to do for a W on home court. And we catch up with the developments off the court since Napheesa Collier’s scorched-earth press conference criticizing the league’s leadership.
Natasha Cloud tells us what she wants to get out of the next CBA negotiations, how she’s enjoying living in New York City, and her non-negotiables during free agency. Plus she gets back at Stewie in her bench/start/cut.
A Touch More: The Podcast is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR.
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WNBA Semi-Finals Insanity PLUS USWNT Coach Emma Hayes joins us
This week we are talking about what everyone else is talking about: the WNBA semi-finals, and how the refereeing has impacted the games.
We weigh in on Cheryl Reeve’s explosive press conference and allegations of unfair refereeing, and whether or not the WNBA is too physical. We also discuss how the Phoenix Mercury overcame the number one seed, the Minnesota Lynx, in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year.
Then we talk to US Women’s National Team Coach Emma Hayes about how she’s reshaping the team for the next Olympics and what it means to coach through the “Female Lens.”
PLUS: A Touch More has been nominated for TWO Signal Listener's Choice Awards! Your vote can help us win — voting is open until October 9th, so click on the links below!
1️⃣ Best Video Podcast Co-Host Team
2️⃣ Athletes Shaping Culture
A Touch More: The Podcast is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Everyone watches women's sports—and now, there's a podcast for that.
Take a front row seat with world champion athletes Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, as they invite both new and longtime women's sports fans to join them in obsessing over the newest headlines and breaking down the sports landscape.
Every week, they'll share deep cut stories from their experiences as athletes, and illuminate the intersection of sports and pop culture. Their energy is contagious, their guests are boldfaced names in sports and entertainment, and, bonus: you'll get a touch more insight into their lives together, too.
From A Touch More and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
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