When it comes to volleyball, Karch Kiraly’s name is synonymous with the sport. And it’s no wonder—a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, Karch has actually had three careers in the industry: player (the most winningest ever), analyst and now coach of the gold medal winning U.S. women’s national volleyball team.

But his commitment to volleyball goes much farther than just the elite levels. He’s dedicated to increasing opportunities for all young athletes, especially those who may not be able to afford to play without the help of organizations like Starlings Volleyball, USA and First Point Volleyball Foundation.

You’ll hear why this purpose is so important to Karch in our latest episode of About Time, a podcast focused on women’s sports. A champion of women’s volleyball, Karch said it best: “It is absolutely right that girls and women should have wonderful, and as many, opportunities as boys and men in sports.”

Volleyball has seen explosive growth over recent years, and that impressive progress can’t be narrowed down to just one factor (though the impact of leaders like Karch has certainly been tremendous). As he said, “It’s a combination of things, and thousands and thousands of people have been working behind the scenes for decades to help get [volleyball] to this wave of growth.” We think it’s about time.

The value of having a mentor is not about getting a job. It’s not having someone who agrees with you all the time. It’s about encouragement, pushing you toward success, and learning from those who have been there. Like LaChina Robinson, founder of Rising Media Stars, a mentorship organization that provides resources to women of color who are interested in sports media.

As a college basketball phenom turned women’s basketball broadcaster, LaChina finds time to be a mentor to her organization’s up and coming sports media stars because she believes in the transforming power of mentorship—especially for young women. In episode nine of About Time, you’ll hear LaChina’s journey first hand, and her best advice for both mentors and mentees.

You might even walk away thinking of her as your own mentor. Because as LaChina explains, having a mentor you never meet is possible in today’s digital world. Mentors are everywhere—in podcasts like this one, on TV or in books. And the more the better. “We need to see black women in more places in our world in general, to see them as leaders, as capable, as knowledgeable,” said Robinson. It’s about time.

Grounded in family values and dedicated to making the most of her education while also making a difference in the world, Jackson’s story is a must-listen for anyone who’s looking to understand the modern student-athlete. From what gives her “fire and fuel,” to how she’s helping young girls stay in sports, you’ll hear how she’s pushed boundaries—and maybe even gain inspiration to pursue your own passions.

Not only is she a woman remaking sports, Natalie Schneider is the epitome of defying the odds and rising above whatever challenges life throws her way. As a teenager who loved playing basketball, Schneider received a devastating cancer diagnosis. But she didn’t let that end her athletic ambitions. By the time she was graduating college from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, she’d discovered wheelchair basketball—and only a year later, made the U.S. women’s national team.

NIL, or name, image and likeness, has given athletes the ability to control their own brand. Maybe even more importantly, it’s helping break down gender stereotypes. But navigating publicity is a full-time job. That’s why positions like Taylor Jacobs’ now exist—as Associate AD for NIL & Strategic Initiatives, she creates resources to guide student-athletes through the process of building, promoting and protecting their brands. A former collegiate athlete herself, she’s dedicated to giving today’s athletes the opportunities she never had.

Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, a parent, an administrator or a fan of women’s sports, this episode of About Time will give you an inside look at NIL—specifically how Jacobs and her all-female staff are leading the charge in equipping student-athletes with everything they need to succeed. And it doesn’t stop at graduation. Jacobs explains how NIL is opening more doors for future careers than ever before.

Like Jacobs said, “The platform that female athletes have, and women’s sports have, is incredible.” It’s about time.

00:00 Welcome
02:17 Opportunities in Sport
05:19 Career Opportunities
06:41 LSU on Name Image Likeness
07:30 NIL Education
08:53 Transitioning after NIL
10:06 Building a Brand
10:29 Livvy Dunne and Angel Reese
11:11 Raising Value of Women in Sport
12:40 NIL - Where to Start
14:08 Finding your Niche
15:10 Making NIL Contacts
17:41 Maximizing Social Media
18:54 Micro-influencer Value
21:13 Maintaining NIL Deals
23:31 Athlete NIL Responsibilities
24:35 Athletes vs Influencers
27:00 College vs Pro Value
28:33 Finances
31:51 Educating Athletes
34:31 Educating Businesses
36:42 Advice For Parents
39:01 Opportunities for Women Outside of Sports
41:40 Advice

With big dreams come big pressures, Laken James takes us through her inspiring journey with mental health. After falling in love with basketball at a young age, James turned her dreams of playing professionally into a reality—she currently plays for the Caledonia Gladiators in East Kilbride, Scotland. Along the way, she learned how much of an impact mental training had on her performance on—and off—the court. But there weren’t a lot of resources available to help her. That’s why she’s researching how sports can benefit young female athletes’ personal development for her PhD, and why she decided to create the Five Star Academy. Big dreams can mean big time pressure—even youth players can face stress and anxiety when achieving their goals. James is making sure they have the tools, methods, and support they need. It’s about time. Dive into the fifth episode of About Time to hear about Laken James’ mental health journey, and why we must prioritize it for all athletes.

Tennis coach turned scholar, coach educator and director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi is a true champion for women coaches. Her research on the key challenges women coaches face is moving the needle in the right direction. The data proves it—this past year’s Women in College Coaching Report Card (a joint project between the Tucker Center and WeCOACH) shows the greatest increase in the percentage of women head coaches in the history of the report!

Join us for an episode delving into the transformative journey of The Sports Bra with its founder, Jenny Nguyen. Uncover how her dedication has forged a close-knit sports community, reshaping the way we engage with women’s athletics through inclusivity and shared passion.