Burn It All Down

Burn It All Down

The feminist sports podcast you need. Shireen Ahmed, Lindsay Gibbs, Brenda Elsey, Amira Rose Davis, and Jessica Luther break down the week in sports and culture.

  • 20 minutes 30 seconds
    Q+A from Bowling Green

    This episode of Burn It All Down was recorded in front of a live audience at Bowling Green State University on March 27, 2025.

    We’re back...for a single live show. If you have not heard the show itself, you can find it on your feed now. This is the Q+A with the live audience that followed.

    We are not resuming weekly shows at this point, but we do have another live show scheduled at the end of May in Gatineau, Canada (more on that to come). 

    If you are interested in bringing BIAD to your location for a live show, please contact us through our website: ⁠https://www.burnitalldownpod.com/⁠


    EPISODE NOTES: 

    We want to thank Dr. Vikki Krane, the Social Justice through Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, Amy J. Kolk, and everyone else at BGSU for bringing us back together for a live show. A special shout out to Phil Beskid for recording all of our audio. 

    This episode was produced by Martin Kessler. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. 

    For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: ⁠http://www.burnitalldownpod.com⁠

    NOTE: We will have a transcript for this episode available on our site as soon as we can, though not as quickly as we used to. We are not the well-oiled machine we used to be; things take more time these days.

    For BIAD merchandise: ⁠https://teespring.com/stores/burn-it-all-down⁠

    Find us on Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/burnitalldownpod.com⁠; Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/BurnItAllDownPod/⁠; and Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/burnitalldownpod/

    21 April 2025, 2:17 pm
  • 1 hour 28 minutes
    Ep 268: Live from Bowling Green State University

    This episode of Burn It All Down was recorded in front of a live audience at Bowling Green State University on March 27, 2025.

    We’re back...for a single live show. We are not resuming weekly shows at this point, but we do have another live show scheduled at the end of May in Gatineau, Canada (more on that to come). 

    If you are interested in bringing BIAD to your location for a live show, please contact us through our website: https://www.burnitalldownpod.com/


    EPISODE SUMMARY:

    This week, Shireen, Lindsay, Amira, Brenda, and Jessica talk about sports at, what feels like, the end of the world. They discuss the dissonance and relationship between all the good that is happening within sports and the brutal societal attack on trans people’s civil rights, especially on trans girls and women in sports, the rollback of diversity/equity/inclusion on college campuses as athletes begin to secure more labor rights, and the United States’ horrific isolationist and nationalist movements as the US, Mexico, and Canada get ready to host some of the world’s biggest international sporting events.

    And, as always, you’ll hear the Burn Pile and Torchbearers, starring, well, us.


    EPISODE NOTES: 

    We want to thank Dr. Vikki Krane, the Social Justice through Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, Amy J. Kolk, and everyone else at BGSU for bringing us back together for a live show. A special shout out to Phil Beskid for recording all of our audio. 

    This episode was produced by Martin Kessler. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. 

    For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: http://www.burnitalldownpod.com

    NOTE: We will have a transcript for this episode available on our site as soon as we can, though not as quickly as we used to. We are not the well-oiled machine we used to be; things take more time these days.

    For BIAD merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/burn-it-all-down

    Find us on Blueskey: https://bsky.app/profile/burnitalldownpod.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BurnItAllDownPod/; and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burnitalldownpod/

    15 April 2025, 6:45 pm
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    Ep. 267: Burn On, Not Out

    In this episode, the whole team -- Lindsay Gibbs, Amira Rose Davis, Shireen Ahmed, Brenda Elsey and Jessica Luther -- is together. First they discuss upcoming Halloween costumes. Then, they share a very important announcement.

    Following this discussion, they preview a special Patreon segment about bold predictions for sports outcomes in 2022. Then, you'll here a preview of Amira's interview with Sam Coffey of the Portland Thorns and Ellie Jean of Gotham FC, on their first NWSL season.

    Next, they burn some of the worst in sports on the Burn Pile. Then, they celebrate those shining light, including Torchbearer of the Week, Crystal Dunn, who's banger goal three minutes into stoppage time pushed the Portland Thorns past the San Diego Wave and into the NWSL finals, where they’ll face the Kansas City Current on October 29 in DC. They wrap up the show with What's Good and What We're Watching In Sports this week.

    This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. 

    For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com

    To get exclusive content and support the Burn It All Down podcast, become 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/

    27 October 2022, 2:02 pm
  • 55 minutes 33 seconds
    Interview: Sam Coffey and Ellie Jean on their first NWSL Season

    In this episode, Amira Rose Davis interviews her former students, Ellie Jean of Gotham FC and Sam Coffey of the Portland Thorns, about their first season in the NWSL. They also talk about how their college journey impacted who they are now and their goals for the future.

    This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media wizard.

    For show notes, transcripts, and more info about BIAD, check out our website: www.burnitalldownpod.com

    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/

    25 October 2022, 6:35 pm
  • 57 minutes 48 seconds
    Ep. 266: Buckle Up! It's the Fall Sports Mayhem Mash-Up Whip-Around
    In this episode, Amira Rose Davis, Jessica Luther and Lindsay Gibbs recap the current madness of fall sports. But first, they share memorable moments from their live show at the University of Notre Dame. Then, they discuss all things fall and sports, including updates on rookie quarterbacks and the start to the NFL; the MLB post-season; soccer, including English Premier League football standings and both the NWSL and MLS playoffs; F1 racing drama; college sports like football, soccer, volleyball and basketball; and excitement around the newest NBA season. Following this discussion, they preview a special Patreon segment about the rise of pickleball's popularity. Then, you'll here a preview of this week's interview with Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick. Next, they burn some of the worst in sports on the Burn Pile. Then, they celebrate those shining light, including Torchbearer of the Week, Elnaz Rebaki, the Iranian climber who recently competed in the IFSC Asian Championship without a hijab, breaking Iran's legal dress code. Though Rebaki has stated climbing without a head covering was an accident, many see it as an act of solidarity with protests in Iran over the murder of Mahsa Amini. They wrap up the show with What's Good and What We're 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 get exclusive content and support the Burn It All Down podcast, become 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
    20 October 2022, 2:57 pm
  • 40 minutes 10 seconds
    Interview: Jack Swarbrick, Athletic Director at the University of Notre Dame, on the Challenges and Opportunities of Collegiate Athletics' Programs
    In this episode, Amira Rose Davis and Brenda Elsey interview Jack Swarbrick, Athletic Director at the University of Notre Dame. They discuss the modern challenges and opportunities of running an athletic program in the NCAA. 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 get exclusive content and support the Burn It All Down podcast, become 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
    18 October 2022, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Ep. 265: Live from Notre Dame on Protecting Labor in Sport
    In this episode, Jessica Luther, Amira Rose Davis, Shireen Ahmed, Lindsay Gibbs, and Brenda Elsey are live at the University of Notre Dame. First they share their favorite Notre Dame trivia. Then, they discuss protecting -- or not -- the labor of athletes, starting off with the the recent Sally Yates report about sexual and racial abuse in the NWSL by former coaches Paul Riley, Christie Holly, and Rory Dames, and the lack of accountability by US soccer federation and Safe Sport, and CONCACAF. They also talk about how the myth women's sports being in peril is used as shield to defend actions of abuse and mistreatment; lack of physical and mental health protection for athletes, gendered violence, the importance of labor unions in sport. Following this discussion, they preview of Shireen's interview with endurance athlete and activist Alison Mariella Désir on her new book Running While Black. Next, they burn some of the worst in sports on the Burn Pile. Then, they celebrate those shining light, including Torchbearer of the Week, handball player Lucas Krzikalla, who became the first out gay man actively playing in a professional German sport. They wrap up the show with What's Good and What We're Watching In Sports this week. Following this discussion, they have a Q&A with the audience, which is available on Patreon. 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 get exclusive content and support the Burn It All Down podcast, become 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
    13 October 2022, 1:06 pm
  • 39 minutes 59 seconds
    Interview: Alison Mariella Désir, author of Running While Black
    In this episode, Shireen Ahmed interviews Alison Mariella Désir, endurance athlete, activist, mental health advocate and author of the book Running While Black. They talk about Alison's writing process, relationship with endurance running in as Black woman in a white sport. To pre-order Running While Black, which publishes October 18, 2022, visit: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/675749/running-while-black-by-alison-mariella-desir/ 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 get exclusive content and support the Burn It All Down podcast, become 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
    11 October 2022, 1:08 pm
  • 55 minutes 58 seconds
    Interview: An Exploration of Women's Rugby in the U.S., with Alycia Washington, Kat Aversano, and Kerri Heffernan
    In this episode, Jessica Luther spoke with three women in US rugby: Kerri Heffernan, who has been a part of rugby in the US for many decades and is currently the Chair of the Women’s Rugby Coaches and Referees Association; Kat Aversano, the head coach of the Howard University women’s rugby team; and Alycia Washington, one of the top current players in the US. They discuss the history of the sport, the incredible community among rugby athletes and the growing pains of the game in the U.S. Listen to get ready for the Rugby Union World Cup that starts Saturday, October 8, in New Zealand. 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 get exclusive content and support the Burn It All Down podcast, become 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
    6 October 2022, 5:22 pm
  • 55 minutes 1 second
    Ep. 264: Cheating! The Latest Soap Operas in Chess, Pro-fishing and More
    Note: Next week, Burn It All Down has a live show at the University of Notre Dame on October 11. Reserve a free ticket here. In this episode, Shireen Ahmed, Lindsay Gibbs and Jessica Luther dive into the most recent cheating scandals in sport. But first, they talk about where they would put a new franchise of an unestablished sport. Then, they discuss the latest in sports soap operas. First is chess, where a teenage takedown of a longtime world champion, caused said champion to quit a $500,000 tournament. Unfounded rumors around the teenager's cheating include anal beads. Second, is a pro-fishing tournament where winners were caught with prize-winning walleye stuffed with other fish and lead weights to make them heavier. Third, is the wild turn of events at the women's PSG football club, where arrests have been re-made concerning a hired violent attack on a player, that was instigated by a teammate. Fourth is the round-about conversations in the media on what is the true homerun record Aaron Judge is trying to break. Fifth, is a risky, perhaps unwise, multi-bluff hero play in a poker match, where the actual winner was bullied into giving her quarter of a million prize to the loser, because he couldn't fathom he actually lost, so she must have cheated. Following this discussion, they preview a special Patreon segment about recent demonstrations Iran after the killing of Mahsa Amini, and how sport is both used a tool of the state and of protest. Then, you'll here a preview of this week's interview w three women in US rugby: Kerri Heffernan, a former player and coach, and currently the Chair of the Women’s Rugby Coaches and Referees Association; Kat Aversano, the head coach of the Howard University women’s rugby team; and Alycia Washington, one of the top current players in the US. Listen to get ready for the Rugby Union World Cup that starts Saturday, October 8, in New Zealand. Next, they burn some of the worst in sports on the Burn Pile. Then, they celebrate those shining light, including Torchbearers of the Week, all of the Puerto Rican athletes, including the Puerto Rican national men's ice hockey team and the Puerto Rican national women's basketball team, who dedicated recent victories to the victims of Hurricane Fiona. They wrap up the show with What's Good and What We're Watching In Sports this week. To attend a Live Show of Burn It All Down at Notre Dame on October 11, reserve a free ticket here. 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 get exclusive content and support the Burn It All Down podcast, become 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
    6 October 2022, 12:32 pm
  • 50 minutes 45 seconds
    Ep. 263: Favre's Welfare Fraud and Other Sports Criminals Ripping Us Off
    In this episode, Brenda Elsey, Lindsay Gibbs and Jessica Luther dissect Brett Favre's welfare fraud. But first, they talk about what occupation they would have if they weren't an historian and journalists. Then, they discuss how sports have defrauded the public, dissecting the most recent headline about former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre stealing millions from the Mississippi's welfare funds to build a volleyball stadium. They talk about how this story broken by a local investigative reporter, Anna Wolfe, on the poverty beat and how sports media often glosses over corrupt, fraudulent behavior of sports stars. They also discuss similar cases, including the construction of the Buffalo Bills Stadium being paid for largely by New York State taxpayers despite the Bills' owners being billionaires, and they ways Donald Trump used golf courses to facilitate his fraudulent acts. Following this discussion, they preview a special Patreon segment about the current 15 players for the National Spanish Women's Football Team who are on strike to try and oust their toxic coach. Then, you'll here a preview of this week's interview with Andrew Maraniss about his latest book Inaugural Ballers, which tells the story of the 1976 Women’s Olympic Basketball team. Next, they burn some of the worst in sports this week on the Burn Pile. Then, they celebrate those shining light, including Torchbearers of the Week, all those who in Iran protesting the death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody for allegedly violating hijab protocols. Several prominent athletes have joined university professors, government officials and other state employees in resigning, including taekwondo practitioner Mahsa Sadeghi, Olympic fencer Mojtaba Abedin and Sajjad Esteki, the captain of Iran's national handball team. They wrap up the show with What's Good and What We're 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 get exclusive content and support the Burn It All Down podcast, become 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
    29 September 2022, 1:42 pm
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