Best Ari Saperstein Podcasts (2024)

1
Assembling The World’s Best Gymnastics Team (with Dvora Meyers & Emily Giambalvo) 37:59

8h ago37:59

37:59

At most US Olympic Trials, you earn your spot by being the top finisher. In sports like track & field and swimming, it’s the top finishers who get to compete at the Paris Games this summer. Gymnastics doesn’t work that way –– but some people think it should. Unpacking this messy, subjective process are two guests: Dvora Meyers, author of The End Of…

1
How Female Gymnasts In Their 20s Became The Frontrunners For Olympic Gold (with Emily Giambavlo from The Washington Post) 29:09

14d ago29:09

29:09

The story for nearly half a century has been that youth is the key to women’s gymnastics –– but in recent years, there’s been a surge of female gymnasts in their twenties dominating the sport. Emily Giambalvo from The Washington Post joins host Ari Saperstein to break down how everything we were told about success in gymnastics got turned upside do…

1
The Trifecta: How Simone, Suni, & Gabby Made History 44:05

21d ago44:05

44:05

On May 18th 2024, the gymnastics world saw something that had never happened before: the return of three Olympic all-around champions. Host Ari Saperstein unpacks this historic story with producer Maddie Bender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
The Improbable Comeback of Rebeca Andrade 29:10

1+ y ago29:10

29:10

The making of Rebeca Andrade, one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and a comeback unlike any other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
Kristi Yamaguchi: Asian American Idol 52:52

2y ago52:52

52:52

For many Asian Americans, seeing Kristi Yamaguchi win the gold in women’s figure skating at the 1992 Olympics was everything. She was more than a famous athlete — she was one of the few Asian Americans on TV, period. Yet for Kristi, the polished, glamorous image that we all saw was very different from her experience on the inside. From her choice t…

1
Ukrainian Gymnast Illia Kovtun & The Story Behind The Photo Seen Around The World 18:41

2+ y ago18:41

18:41

On this special episode of Blind Landing, we're stepping away from figure skating and going back to the world of gymnastics to bring you Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun. Illia tells us about what it's been like to compete during the invasion of Ukraine and the story of how politics found it's way onto the competition floor. Learn more about your ad …

1
Mabel Fairbanks: Beyond The Edge 49:00

2+ y ago49:00

49:00

Mabel Fairbanks changed figure skating forever. As a Black figure skater in the 1940s, Mabel made a name for herself skating in ice shows all over the world — but was barred from entering competitions because of the color of her skin. Mabel made it her life’s mission to get Black skaters into the sport and to reach the highest peaks. Using excerpts…

1
Out On The Ice: Part 3 38:31

2+ y ago38:31

38:31

“Out On The Ice” concludes with the story of Adam Rippon, the first out skater to represent the US at the Olympics, and a new generation of queer skaters determined to change the culture of their sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
Out On The Ice: Part 2 38:27

2+ y ago38:27

38:27

For decades, skaters have been pushed to play into narrow gender stereotypes on and off the ice, leaving queer athletes feeling like being themselves wasn’t an option –– but not everyone was going to stay silent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
Out On The Ice: Part 1 38:28

2+ y ago38:28

38:28

From the outside, figure skating might look like a queer haven, a space where LGBTQ+ athletes can be out and open… but inside of the sport? That couldn’t be farther from the reality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
Blind Landing: Season Two Trailer 2:11

2+ y ago2:11

2:11

The new season of Blind Landing is all about… figure skating! We’re taking you behind the scenes with the biggest names in the sport, from Adam Rippon to Kristi Yamaguchi, and telling the stories of skaters who dared to challenge the norms and put everything on the line for something greater than gold. New episodes coming February 7th. Learn more a…

1
A Look At Safety In Gymnastics: Part 2 28:18

2+ y ago28:18

28:18

When it comes to addressing the safety concerns gymnasts have about competitions, there are structures in place to help gymnasts be heard... but are these structures working? Can they work? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
A Look At Safety In Gymnastics: Part 1 26:44

2+ y ago26:44

26:44

We spoke with Olympic gymnasts from around the world about the current state of safety at competitions. Twenty years after the Sydney vault controversy, things have changed. And not necessarily for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
The Vault: Part 5 31:20

3y ago31:20

31:20

On the final episode of Blind Landing, British gymnast Lisa Mason reflects on the culture she trained in. Elise and Allana discuss the impact that the Sydney Olympics had on their lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
The Vault: Part 4 26:16

3y ago26:16

26:16

Romanian gymnast Maria Olaru discusses how the vault problem might have been stopped before it even started. Olympic officials explain what was happening behind the scenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
The Vault: Part 3 27:11

3y ago27:11

27:11

The officials tried to solve the vault problem. Their decision had major consequences for everyone in the arena – but no one more so than the frontrunner, Russia’s Svetlana Khorkina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
The Vault: Part 2 20:01

3y ago20:01

20:01

The story of the 2000 women’s gymnastics all-around final picks up with Australian gymnast Allana Slater. In the midst of the competition, Allana realized that it was no coincidence gymnasts were falling on vault. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
The Vault: Part 1 24:45

3y ago24:45

24:45

Elise Ray, America’s top gymnast, qualified for the 2000 Olympics with big dreams –– but during the all-around final, high expectations clashed with reality and came crashing down. Literally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

1
Blind Landing: Season One Trailer 2:55

3y ago2:55

2:55

Blind Landing is the untold story of the greatest mistake in Olympic history. All episodes available on July 19th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Ari Saperstein

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Ari Saperstein Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Blind Landing

Ari Saperstein

1
Assembling The World’s Best Gymnastics Team (with Dvora Meyers & Emily Giambalvo) 37:59

1
How Female Gymnasts In Their 20s Became The Frontrunners For Olympic Gold (with Emily Giambavlo from The Washington Post) 29:09

1
The Trifecta: How Simone, Suni, & Gabby Made History 44:05

1
The Improbable Comeback of Rebeca Andrade 29:10

1
Kristi Yamaguchi: Asian American Idol 52:52

1
Ukrainian Gymnast Illia Kovtun & The Story Behind The Photo Seen Around The World 18:41

1
Mabel Fairbanks: Beyond The Edge 49:00

1
Out On The Ice: Part 3 38:31

1
Out On The Ice: Part 2 38:27

1
Out On The Ice: Part 1 38:28

1
Blind Landing: Season Two Trailer 2:11

1
A Look At Safety In Gymnastics: Part 2 28:18

1
A Look At Safety In Gymnastics: Part 1 26:44

1
The Vault: Part 5 31:20

1
The Vault: Part 4 26:16

1
The Vault: Part 3 27:11

1
The Vault: Part 2 20:01

1
The Vault: Part 1 24:45

1
Blind Landing: Season One Trailer 2:55

Quick Reference Guide