Sideline Stories - a Can't Retire From This Podcast is from the mind of Melanie Page, creator of the Can't Retire From This project, a platform dedicated to women's basketball storytelling. As the director of the award-wining documentary of the same name that explores basketball in the DMV area, the podcast is an inclusion of those themes and expands on her and her co-hosts point of view on the women's hoops world as forever hoopers themselves.
Tun in every week for more!
Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com
Sideline Stories: Before the W, there was the WBL"
In this special live episode, the Can't Retire Crew sits down with three legends of the game—Charlene McWhorter Jackson, Liz McQuitter, and Adrian Newell—to honor the women who helped lay the foundation for professional women’s basketball in the U.S. Long before the WNBA, there was the WBL (Women’s Professional Basketball League), the first pro league for women, active from 1978 to 1981.
These trailblazers share powerful stories of sacrifice, resilience, and sisterhood—reflecting on what it meant to play in a league that was underfunded, overlooked, and under-documented, yet historic in every sense. From riding buses to chasing missed paychecks to paving the way for Title IX athletes and today's W stars, this conversation is a reminder that women’s basketball didn’t start in 1996—it started with them.
Tune in as we give them their flowers, correct the record, and celebrate the legacy that lives on today.
Learn more: majormotives.com
16 Jul 2025
Sideline Stories: WNBA All-Star 2025 Predictions
The Sideline Stories crew is back and buzzing ahead of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis! Misha, Melanie, and Tanisha link up (in their iconic orange tees, of course) to talk predictions for this year. Who ya'll got?
There is so much to look forward to this weekend, including a exclusive All-Star event, The Assist (https://www.icloud.com/invites/08fPoz9_l5wD3gXUvXgO7OhBg), where they'll be honoring WBL legends and building community through good vibes well-deserved flowers.
All-Star Weekend, we’re coming for you!
Learn more: https://www.majormotives.com/crft
4 Jul 2025
Sideline Stories: Built to Lead - Ashely Koranteng
Ashley Koranteng, General Manager and owner of the Virginia Vitesse, discusses launching a women’s semi-professional basketball team with purpose and community, shaping her unique leadership style in this interview.
25 Jun 2025
Sideline Stories: Money Money Money!
The Can’t Retire From This crew examines the financial aspects of college basketball, including NCAA tournament revenue distribution, NIL deals, and conference realignment, revealing who benefits and who is disadvantaged.
18 Jun 2025
Sideline Stories: The CRFT Reunion
The original CRFT crew reunites to reflect on their five-year journey, sharing untold stories and discussing the community's impact, in this special anniversary episode.
11 Jun 2025
Sideline Stories: The Legacy Continues: Chirsty & Ayana
Christy Winter Scott and Ayana Ball-Ward discuss the evolution of women's basketball, motherhood, and coaching in a post-COVID world, highlighting their enduring passion for the sport in this interview episode.
4 Jun 2025
Sideline Stories: Coach for Life - The Legacy of Coach Rich
Coach Diane Richardson discusses her transition from a Bank of America executive to a basketball coach, highlighting her dedication to mentoring young athletes in an interview with Melanie.
3 Jun 2025
Sideline Stories: CRFTVersary - Ashley Koranteng
Ashley Koranteng, founder of the Virginia Vitesse, discusses building a semi-professional women’s basketball team from the ground up, emphasizing community and culture in this interview.
28 May 2025
Sideline Stories: WAVIED: The Cutthroat Reality of Chasing the W
The Can't Retire From This crew discusses the harsh realities of being waived in the WNBA, exploring the emotional and professional impact on players' careers in this interview episode.
21 May 2025
Look Good, Feel Good Play Good!
In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can't Retire From This crew dives into the wild, weird, and wonderful pregame routines that helped some of the best in women's hoops get locked in. From red lipstick and Diet Cokes to hot toddies before tipoff (yes, really) the crew share their own habits, memories, and superstitions on and off the court.
Plus, Mel gives us an inside look at Ulta Beauty World and drops some must-have products she wishes she had in her playing days.
Because when you look good and feel good… you already know what comes next.
Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/
13 May 2025
SidelineStories: WNBA 2025 Preview & Hot Takes
In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can’t Retire From This crew breaks down which teams we’re keeping our eyes on this 2025/2026 WNBA season, which players have something to prove, and why some of y’all might be sleeping on the Sparks.
From hot takes on the Aces and Liberty to the rise of Paige Bueckers, Skylar Diggin's revenge tour, and the arrival of Dominique Malonga—no one is safe.
We also take a real moment to talk about youth hoops, NIL, and why it feels like the next generation might be losing the love for the game.
Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/
7 May 2025
Sideline w/ Lindsay Allen
In this episode of Sideline Stories, the CRFT crew welcomes WNBA guard of the Connecticut Sun, AND DMV legend Lindsay Allen! From making noise in high school to locking down the point in the pros, Lindsay chops it up with the crew about her deep hoops roots, her transition from idolizing stars to competing against them, and what makes the DMV such a basketball powerhouse.
With a few call-outs (Mel, we see you), the crew breaks down Lindsay’s journey through AAU battles, the WNBA grind, and why she can’t retire from this. Oh — and we vote on her official induction to the pod.
Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com/
30 Apr 2025
Protect the Game: DEI in the Women's Basketball Space
In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can't Retire From This crew gets real about the rising tide—and backlash—of DEI in the women’s basketball space. Plus a break down of the brand moves that matter, the ones that miss, and why multi-year deals are critical to protect the sport.
Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com
28 Apr 2025
Sideline Stories
Coming Soon! Sideline Stories - a Can't Retire From This Podcast.
Founder and Creator of Can't Retire From This, Melanie Page, is joined by host Misha Jones, along with Jazmine Dallas, and Tenishia Benson.
We really can't retire from this. Can you?!
Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com
Who has been a guest on Sideline Stories
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Ashley Koranteng
Christy Winter Scott
Ayana Ball-Ward
Diane Richardson
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
52
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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