Summary
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
In this live episode of "Why Are You Like This?" recorded during WNBA All-Star Weekend, host Megan Rapinoe sits down with Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. They discuss Reeve's journey as the winningest coach in WNBA history, her evolution from a hyper-critical point guard into a coach who empowers players to be authentically themselves, and the league's deep-rooted history of social activism.
Reeve opens up about the uncertainty of the recent collective bargaining agreement, her team's surprising 20-win season, and the heavy moments surrounding the 2016 player protests against police brutality in Minnesota. The conversation highlights how the WNBA has evolved from an era where players were pressured to conform to rigid feminine norms into a vibrant league where athletes can openly embrace their identities and individuality.
- Allowing players and coworkers to bring their authentic selves to the workplace creates an environment where teams can reach unexpected heights. 26:50
- When the unaffected speak up and join marginalized groups in advocacy, meaningful change becomes possible. 32:57
- Surrounding yourself with honest people and viewing critical feedback as an opportunity for growth is essential for leadership. 25:29
Chapters
- 0:00
- 1:36Live Recording at WNBA All‑Star Weekend
The episode is recorded live during the WNBA All‑Star Weekend, with Rapinoe noting the unique atmosphere and her excitement.
- 3:25Personal Identity and Coming Out
Reeve shares her journey of coming out as a lesbian, family reactions, and how her identity shaped her coaching philosophy.
- 5:12Megan Rapinoe’s Podcast Vision
Rapinoe explains her goal of hosting conversations with diverse, disruptive figures across sports, culture, and politics.
- 13:35Coaching in the All‑Star Game
Reeve discusses the experience and honor of coaching in the All‑Star game, reflecting on team dynamics and personal growth.
- 15:00Evolution of Coaching Style
Reeve explains how her coaching style evolved from being critical to embracing authenticity and empowering players to be themselves.
- 20:00Legacy and Future of the WNBA
The conversation turns to the growth of the league, the role of women and LGBTQ+ athletes, and the future of inclusive sports culture.
- 28:07Activism and Protest in Minnesota
Reeve recounts the 2016 player protest, her support for social justice, and the impact of police brutality on the team and community.
- 36:23Balancing Activism and Winning
Reeve discusses the tension between social activism and competitive success, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on the game.
- 51:59Closing Reflections and Takeaways
Rapinoe and Reeve reflect on their shared values, the impact of their work, and the broader message of authenticity and resilience.
- 52:38Personal Reflections on Career Doubts
The guest reflects on moments of doubt and the decision to stay committed to the WNBA.
Highlights
- 17:44
Turning the Reins Over to a Rookiestory
Reeve describes the pivotal early-season meeting where she decided to bench veteran Courtney Williams and hand point guard duties over to rookie Olivia Miles.
- 21:32
The Duality of Public Personainsight
Megan Rapinoe and Cheryl Reeve discuss the divergence between their public, professional identities and their internal, reflective selves.
- 25:32
The Value of Hard Truthsinsight
Cheryl Reeve explains why she believes people should thank their teachers and mentors for critical feedback, noting that nobody is perfect and there is always room to grow.
- 33:26
Organizing the 2016 Proteststory
Reeve details the tense days following the police shooting of Philando Castile, when the Minnesota Lynx captains decided to wear protest t-shirts and Reeve informed league leadership without asking for permission.
- 35:44
Police Walkout During Proteststory
Reeve shares that target center security informed her that police officers had walked out and abandoned facility security because the team wore Black Lives Matter shirts, prompting Reeve to tell her players they had to win the game by 30.
- 49:49
Early WNBA Financial Realitiesdata
Reeve recalls being offered a salary of just $5,000 to work as an assistant coach in the WNBA in 2001, balancing two degrees and her brother's skepticism against her love for the game.
- 53:40
Cleveland Rockers Foldingstory
Reeve recounts the instability of the early WNBA, including when the Cleveland Rockers folded in 2003 to get books in order for selling the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise, leaving her to collect unemployment.
- 56:31
Unapologetic After Game One-Linersinsight
Reeve reflects on her viral post-game quote "We should've done it for the gays," noting it was her attempt at levity after a loss and expressing zero regrets.
Quotes
“the WNBA has exploded in popularity in recent years.”
Kara Swisher · 0:38 “I was like, 'God, no, not a lesbian.'”
Unnamed speaker · 3:21 “I could be myself because I wasn't a player and I wasn't forward-facing.”
Unnamed speaker · 50:36 “the league, you know, now, now we have stud buds.”
Unnamed speaker · 51:16 “We should've done it for the gays. I would absolutely not change a thing.”
Unnamed speaker · 56:29 “That was my one liner, that was my attempt at levity, bringing levity to the situation.”
Unnamed speaker · 56:57 “I remember having a conversation with my older brother, kind of going, okay, here we are again.”
Unnamed speaker · 54:21
Sponsored segments
- Lululemon 1:35–2:05
- Xfinity 2:09–2:33
- Happy Hour 2:37–3:06
- Tiger Sisters 20:13–20:40
- Lululemon 1:02:50–1:03:11
About this episode
Today we’re bringing you an episode of a new podcast called “Why Are You Like This? with Megan Rapinoe” from A Touch More and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Live from WNBA All Star Weekend, host Megan Rapinoe sits down with five-time All-Star coach Cheryl Reeve, the winningest coach in WNBA history. Cheryl Reeve has been head coach of the Minnesota Lynx since 2010. In addition to leading the team to four WNBA world championships, Reeve supported the Lynx’s 2016 protest against police brutality and continues to advocate for social justice issues in Minneapolis and beyond, including as an outspoken supporter of transgender athletes. Megan and Cheryl get into how she’s evolved as a coach, the WNBA’s legacy of activism and why she’s proud of a league where “everyone is so authentically themselves.” Why Are You Like This? is a co-production of A Touch More and Vox Media Podcast Network. New episodes every Thursday. Follow Megan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrapinoe/ Follow A Touch More on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whyareyoulikethis/ Follow A Touch More on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whyareyoulikethis Learn more about A Touch More here: https://www.atouchmore.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcript
10,826 words · 8 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
Topics
- WNBA
- Vox Media
- Cleveland Rockers
- Charlotte Hornets
- Cleveland Cavaliers
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