logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
8m 14s

Athletes: Debi Thomas

Wonder Media Network and iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Debi Thomas (1967-present) is an American figure skater who became the first Black athlete to win a medal in any sport at the Winter Olympics in 1988. She wasn’t content with just being a world class skater, she also became a doctor, earning degrees from Stanford University and Northwestern University. Now in her fifties, she recently returned to skating.

For Further Reading:

This month we're celebrating the women who performed physical and mental feats in sports. They overcame societal barriers, personal struggles, and fierce competition to pursue their dreams of glory. We're talking about Athletes.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, and Adrien Behn. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

Follow Wonder Media Network:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
Maritime Madams: Lagertha
Lagertha was a Viking shield-maiden who is said to have ruled in the 9th century AD in what is now Norway She was the first wife of Ragnar Lothbrok, King of the Vikings and a skilled warrior and sea commander. In one such instance, Ragnar sent to Norway for support in a battle he ... Show More
4m 10s
Yesterday
Maritime Madams: Lehua Kamalu
Lehua Kamalu (c. 1980-present) was the first woman in modern history to captain and navigate a voyaging canoe using the traditional Polynesian practice of wayfinding. Without maps or GPS, she navigated the Pacific Ocean using cues from the currents, the winds and the stars. For F ... Show More
6m 33s
Jul 8
Maritime Madams: Radhika Menon
Radhika Menon is the first female captain in the Indian Merchant Navy. In 2016, she became the first woman to receive the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea following a successful rescue mission that saved the lives of seven fishermen. For Further Reading: BBC, Indian woman ... Show More
3m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
What Olympians eat
Three million bananas; 600-800 baguettes a day; 47,000 plates...as the world’s elite sportsmen and women arrive in Paris, a huge catering operation awaits them. Ruth Alexander finds out what it takes to keep the athletes happy and fuel a medal-winning performance. Team GB pole va ... Show More
28m 10s
Jul 2024
Olympic Kickoff | Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes, Michael Phelps' Coach Bob Bowman, and Basketball Icon George Raveling
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris are officially here!  To kick off the Olympics, Ryan talks to gold medalist Dominique Dawes, Michael Phelps’ coach Bob Bowman, and legendary basketball coach George Raveling.  Dominique Dawes is one of only three US women to compete at three ... Show More
43m 23s
Aug 2024
Southport attack, Simone Biles profile, Author Anne Hawk
The prime minister today will be meeting police leaders to discuss the riots in Southport following the horrific attacks which left three small girls dead - and eight other children and two adults injured, with some believed to be in critical condition. A 17-year-old youth is due ... Show More
57m 36s
May 2024
Brittney Griner On Coming Home & Recovering From Trauma
308. Brittney Griner On Coming Home & Recovering From Trauma  Glennon and Abby talk with athlete, humanitarian, activist–and one of the bravest people they’ve met–Brittney Griner. Brittney discusses her harrowing experience in the Russian prison system, as well as her basketball ... Show More
51m 58s
Apr 7
Embracing Audacity: Anne Marie Anderson on Transitioning Boldly Through Midlife
Who is in Your Front Row? Join 3-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Anne Marie Anderson as she teaches you how to build your team! Discover how to prioritize yourself without guilt, differentiate between urgent and important tasks, and even learn to enjoy rejection! Dr. Mindy an ... Show More
1h 4m
Jul 2024
Sports olympiques, médaille d'or du sexisme
Les Jeux Olympiques de Paris débutent le 26 juillet 2024, et pour la première fois de l’Histoire, ils seront paritaires. Le sport a longtemps été un domaine réservé aux hommes. Si les femmes accèdent aujourd’hui aux pratiques physiques et sportives, les compétitions demeurent non ... Show More
47m 1s
Aug 2024
The Ancient Olympics: Games Of The Gods
A tradition that endured millennia. The ancient Olympic Games began in 776 BC and took place every four years until at least 396 AD. It was a major religious and sporting festival, attended by over 40,000 spectators who flocked to watch athletes compete in sports like wrestling, ... Show More
50m 49s
Aug 2024
The Modern Olympics
Every four years, the Modern Olympic Games is a celebration of athletic excellence. From modest roots in 19th Century Athens, to a worldwide phenomenon which will feature almost 15,000 athletes in Paris 2024, the Modern Olympics has developed into the largest sporting festival in ... Show More
1 h
Apr 5
Minda Dentler - Ironman World Championship
On 12 October 2013, American Minda Dentler became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the super-endurance Ironman World Championship race, over 226km. Born into poverty in India, Minda describes how she overcame serious physical illness to realise her athletic dream i ... Show More
9m 4s
Oct 2019
"Week 6" Season 28 Episode 6 'Dancing With the Stars' Review
On tonight's themeless nights, we had some sambas, some quicksteps, and two VERY emotional contemporaries. It was tears, smiles, and tutti-frutti booties, and this rousing edition of America's favorite Ballroom show. Carla Renata, Tiege Dooley-Panko, Jeff Graham, and Karla Beltra ... Show More
52m 54s