Levels to This with Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down a packed NCAA women's Final Four weekend in Phoenix, starting with the South Carolina–UConn semifinal — a defensive masterclass that had a lot of people expecting more offense. They get into Geno Auriemma's postgame meltdown, the classless exit, and the two apologies that followed, including why failing to address Dawn Staley by name said everything. From there, they cover UCLA's first-ever national championship, Lauren Betts's standout performance, and what Cori Close's patient program-building should mean for how we talk about coaching. The duo also pivots to the WNBA offseason, touching on Angel Reese's move to Atlanta, Satou Sabally's uncertain future in free agency, and what the new CBA means for the wild player movement already underway.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut team president Jen Rizzotti joins Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby to break down how the move happened, what's coming up for fans in this emotional season, and what this means for the league more broadly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby break down the new WNBA CBA and what it actually means for players — from the historic salary increases and charter travel to the pregnancy consent provision that protects players from being traded without their knowledge. Sheryl speaks to what the deal means for former players too, including a one-time retirement payment for league veterans who built the foundation these gains are standing on. The duo also gets into the importance of award voting now that bonuses are tied to results — and they don't let the media off the hook. They also turn their attention to the women's Sweet Sixteen, running through upsets, coaching hot seats, and their Final Four picks heading into the weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby get real about what it actually takes to prioritize yourself when work, family, and life are all pulling at once. They dig into the impossible math of "work-life balance"—why it's a myth, and what it actually looks like to shift priorities by season without drowning in guilt. Terrika gets honest about what it means to move with the money as a freelancer, and Sheryl opens up about how hard it can be to put her health at the top of the list. They also push back hard on the timelines society hands women (married by this age, kids by that one) and who exactly decided any of that. The episode closes on a note that hits: satisfy your soul, not society.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby take a moment to honor the life and legacy of two-time WNBA champion Kara Braxton, reflecting on her impact on the game, her competitive spirit, and the deep loss felt across the basketball community. Then: a full breakdown of the Athletes Unlimited season, celebrating Odyssey Sims finally winning the chip after five seasons of being so close, shouting out breakout star Aneesah Morrow, Kaitlyn Chen's Newcomer of the Year performance, and Natasha Mack's dominant Defensive Player of the Year run. They also get into the bigger picture: what the future of AU looks like, why Nashville feels like home, and why Odyssey Sims deserves a guaranteed WNBA contract, like, yesterday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with Shaniqua McClendon, Senior Vice President of Political Strategy (you heard that "senior" here first) at Crooked Media, for a conversation that is equal parts eye-opening and unfiltered. From Obama's election to Trump's rise, Shaniqua breaks down how we got here — and why she believes we're already in authoritarianism, not approaching it. The trio digs into why Kamala lost, what gender had to do with it, and what sustainable civic engagement looks like for Black women who are exhausted. Shaniqua doesn't hold back on what accountability must look like in a post-Trump America — and spoiler: somebody needs to go to prison.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby take us back to their live conversation from Fanatics Fest 2025 with special guest Cynthia Cooper. The trio shares their favorite moments from the event, including run-ins with sports legends and fans. They reflect on their playing days, the physicality of the game back then, and how it compares to today’s style. The three talk about the evolution of the WNBA, the rise of new stars like Juju Watkins, and what NIL deals mean for the future of women’s sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker for a conversation on leadership, resilience, and the evolving landscape of HBCU athletics. From her journey to becoming the first woman to lead the conference to the lessons she’s learned navigating pressure, perception, and change, McWilliams Parker shares what it takes to lead with purpose. They also break down what makes the CIAA experience so unique, from its deep cultural impact to its role in creating opportunities for student-athletes beyond the game. The conversation highlights the importance of representation, community, and why building legacy matters now more than ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by WNBA All-Star and Duke legend Alana Beard. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year reflects on guarding the league’s toughest scorers, battling back from injury, and what it was like playing across multiple generations of the W. Plus, Alana breaks down her vision for Project B, a new global, touring basketball league built around player ownership. Tipoff is November 2026—don't miss it!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby dig into the WNBA’s long legacy of activism—and why this moment feels especially urgent. They react to Breanna Stewart’s “Abolish ICE” sign, unpack why players across the league are speaking out, and connect today’s political climate to the WNBA’s history of standing on the front lines of social justice. From Minneapolis to the bubble to now, Sheryl and Tee make the case that this league has never been about “shut up and dribble.” And it never will be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby kick off (one of) the most wonderful times of the year: Athletes Unlimited season! They break down why this year’s AU roster might be the deepest yet, from returning champions and OGs to rookies looking to prove they belong. The duo digs into what makes AU such a critical cultivation ground for players fighting for WNBA opportunities, the impact of vets like Tina Charles joining the mix, and why this season feels especially important for player development. They also get into new builds for AU this year—from named teams to real coaching staffs—and make early, spicy predictions about who could walk away as champion. PLUS: Should AU be the WNBA's G League?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby dig into the latest flashpoint that sparked a much bigger—and longer-running—conversation: men, from who-knows-'em podcasters to Stephen A. Smith, can't seem to keep Black women's names out of their mouths. From Jasmine Crockett to Joy-Ann Reid and beyond, they unpack a disappointingly familiar pattern of who gets criticized, who gets grace, and who’s constantly asked to justify their presence. The conversation widens into a deeper look at power, platform, and why Black women so often become the easiest targets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And Happy Season Two of Levels to This! Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby kick off the new season with a no-holds-barred conversation about the dress—and the much bigger issues it exposed. The duo breaks down the controversy surrounding Dr. Karri Turner Bryant’s UNCF gala look, the policing of women’s bodies (especially in the Black church), and the double standards women are constantly asked to navigate. Along the way, they talk modesty, autonomy, respectability politics, and why folks were louder about a dress than the millions raised for HBCUs. Equal parts sharp, funny, and deeply real, this episode sets the tone for a fearless Season Two.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with Harvard women’s basketball head coach Carrie Moore to talk leadership, culture, and building a winning program. Coach Moore reflects on Harvard’s historic Ivy League championship run, what it takes to create buy-in at an elite academic institution, and how she balances NIL, player branding, and development in today’s game. The conversation also dives into the rise of the Ivy League, preparing players for the WNBA, and why nerds can hoop too. From championship standards to TikTok dances, this episode is all about what it really takes to lead — on and off the court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby are joined by sisters, business partners, and community builders Krystal Payne and Kerry Coddett, the co-founders of the Kwanzaa Crawl. They get into how a single idea—rooted in joy, culture, and cooperative economics—grew into a massive, multi-venue celebration that has circulated hundreds of thousands of dollars back into Black-owned businesses. Krystal and Kerry break down the seven principles of Kwanzaa, how they reimagined the holiday for a new generation, and why fun, fashion, and creativity are just as essential as purpose and unity. Plus, they talk entrepreneurship, pivoting through challenges, building community at scale, and what it really means to make tradition your own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.