Part 2: Why Is Saudi Arabia All-In On Sports?
In part-two of this story, we cover the real reasons behind Saudi Arabia’s dramatic entry into several sports.
Sports and Recreation Sub-categories:
- Athletes (12)
- Baseball (5)
- Basketball (4)
- Figure Skating (1)
- Football (13)
- Golf (1)
- Running (4)
- Soccer (2)
Part 1: Why Is Saudi Arabia All-In on Sports?
In part one of this two-part story, we cover the history of sport in Saudi Arabia and some of the explanations behind why the country is so focused on becoming a global sports hub.
Dive Inside: A Look Into Some of the Greatest Coaches in History
We look at the unique qualities behind the coaches who guided, motivated and supported these pro athletes and teams to victory.
“Am I Too Invested?”: The Emotional Rollercoaster Of Youth Sports
We speak with Rich Cohen, a longtime hockey dad, about the modern pressures of competitive sports and why some parents seem to end up caring more winning than their own kid.
What’s Next For Elite Women’s Sports?
It’s no surprise that women’s sports have long trailed behind men’s in pay, marketing dollars and the amount of attention it receives. We cover why this is and how athletes and advocates are pushing for greater equity across college and pro sports.
Why Does Russia Continue To Get Away With The Wide-Scale Doping Of Its Athletes?
There are still many lingering questions about the efficacy of anti-doping tests and if the Olympics will once again be plagued by athletes who are retroactively banned.
Viewpoints Explained: A Russian Figure Skater Disqualified & A New Precedent Set
We cover figure skater Kamila Valieva's disqualification & why this sentence sends a message to all countries competing in this year’s Olympics.
Struggling To Get Into Running? Why This Change Could Make All The Difference
We speak with two members of different running clubs about the benefits of being in this kind of group and how listeners can easily get involved.
Will Soccer Finally Score Big in the U.S.?
We speak with soccer expert, G. Edward White about what’s driving this shift and why it took so long for soccer to take hold in America.
“You Need To Lose Weight or You’re Going To Die”: What One Man Did Next
Martinus Evans shares his story of how he got into running and embodies his own mantra as a 300-pound-man who has run eight marathons.
Isaac Murphy: A Forgotten Sports Legend
We discuss the early history of horse racing in America and one African American jockey who made a lasting impact on the sport.
RV Life: The Classic American Way of Roadtripping
We speak with travel expert Bonnie Sinclair about the many benefits of road tripping across the U.S. via RV, including some of her top destinations.
The Damaging World of Women’s Elite Running
Lauren Fleshman joins us this week to talk about the toxic culture present in many elite running organizations and what needs to change to better support these young, vulnerable athletes.
Culture Crash: A Tough Month for the NFL Ahead of the Super Bowl
Ahead of the year’s biggest game, we discuss the state of the NFL following the serious injury suffered by Bills player Damar Hamlin.
Culture Crash: The Decline of America’s Favorite Pastime
More Americans are watching less baseball these days. What changed? We discuss some theories as to why the sport is seeing a downturn.
The Mental Health Epidemic Plaguing Collegiate Sports
We speak with a sports psychologist this week about the rising prevalence of mental health disorders among young athletes and what’s being done to improve support services and get rid of stigma both on campus and off-campus.
One Man, Two Paths: Building a Career in the NFL and Applied Mathematics
Before earning his PhD in applied mathematics from MIT, Urschel played college football at Penn State and then went on to play in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. This week – we touch on his unique path & what he’s learned along the way.
The Early History of the NBA
We speak with basketball expert and former NBA player and coach Ray Scott about the NBA's early years and its efforts to evolve in a time when segregation and discrimination ran rampant.
The Coaches That Changed the Game
Bowman was Phelps’ longtime swimming coach who mentored Phelps since he was 11 years old. He was there every step of the way in Phelps’ athletic career, crafting him into the Olympic swimming superstar he is today. It makes you wonder – where would many of the top athletes be today without the coaches who guided, motivated and supported them?
Culture Crash: Nostalgia of Music in Super Bowl Halftime Show
This year’s Super Bowl halftime show featuring Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige was an instant hit. It was a blast to the past and reinvigorated that the nostalgic music of our younger years will always hold a special place in our hearts.
A Comprehensive Guide to Fandom
What was your favorite comic book series, video game or card game growing up? Depending on your age, it could have been Magic: The Gathering, Batman or Minecraft. In fact, you still could be a fan of these no matter what your age is. This week – we discuss the vast world of fandom and just what it means to be a part of this community.
Culture Crash: The Thanksgiving Sitcom Classics
We explore some of our favorite Thanksgiving-themed episodes to get you in the holiday spirit. We touch on multiple “Friends” features to classic Thanksgiving installments of “The Simpsons” that never get old.
Culture Crash: Netflix’s “Untold” Series
We explore the different focuses of the sports documentary series that highlight the stories of different sports superstars.
The Many Sides of Ballerino, James Whiteside
Ballet requires athleticism, artistry and decades of grueling practice. It’s an extremely competitive field and few dancers manage to become principal dancers at major theaters. This week on Viewpoints – James Whiteside, a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, shares his professional ballet journey and what he’s learned about himself along the …
