Welcome to the Big Life, the first-ever podcast that takes you into the insane, everyday lives of Sam and Jordy, two Division 1 soccer players living their best lives in the Big Ten Conference. With an impressive 23 showdowns between these Big Ten conference juggernauts since2000 – 12 victories for the Iowa Hawks and 11conquests for the Michigan Spartans – it’s an undeniable fact that Jordyn and Sam are battle-tested adversaries on the field, yet kindred spirits balancing school/soccer and social life. This very dynamic makes their podcast an unfiltered and exhilarating auditory journey, no less thrilling than witnessing their teams pour their souls into the battle on the hallowed pitch.
The Big Life delivers an electrifying, live insight into collegiate women’s soccer, fueled by Big Ten players Samantha Cary and Jordyn Wickes.
Episodes
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate are joined by Notre Dame Head Coach Nate Norman for a candid convo about soccer, leadership, and the mental side of the game.
Leah kicks things off fresh off a huge win over Duke, while Kate reflects on the challenges of facing ranked opponents. Then Coach Norman jumps in with insights on building a team culture, the pressure coaches face, and why mental health matters just as much as fitness.
From staying grounded to finding joy outside of sport, this episode is full of wisdom for athletes, coaches, and anyone navigating high-performance environments.
🎧 Listen now — and get ready to take notes.
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Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate kick off conference play with big wins and even bigger vibes. Kate breaks down her team’s 3–1 dub over Texas, while Leah relives a nail-biter 2–1 win over NC State.
With Duke (ranked #2) on deck, they dive into rivalry week prep, mindset shifts, and what makes conference games feel different. It’s a battle every match, and they’re here for it.
Off the field? It’s all about balance — pumpkin muffin baking, football games, and trying to stay sane in the chaos of student-athlete life.
🎧 Tune in now and catch the highs, the hustle, and the heart behind NCAA women’s soccer.
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Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
This week, Leah and Kate sit down with Notre Dame’s Berkley Mensik — a baller with a bright future and a story that goes way deeper than soccer.
From growing up in Chicago to grinding through the ECNL circuit, Berkley seemed destined for the top. But after a brutal ACL tear during practice, everything paused. What followed? A journey of recovery, reflection, and radical resilience — including time at the Grotto on Notre Dame’s campus that changed the way she sees the game…and life.
Berkley gets real about the mental side of injury, the small wins that matter most, and the freedom she’s found in embracing her full identity — not just as a player, but as a person. Her message for other athletes? Find joy in who you are off the pitch, too.
She’s still got big dreams (think overseas), but this convo is all about mindset, growth, and the stuff you don’t see on the highlight reel.
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Check out our new merch!
Follow us on Instagram (@girlssoccernetwork)
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Leah Klenke and Kate Phillips are back with a look at Week 3 of NCAA women’s soccer — the highs, the lows, and everything in between! Leah shares a bounce-back win over Missouri State after a tough loss to Memphis, while Kate celebrates a dominant 8-0 dub over Oakland (yes, eight).
The duo also digs into what makes Sunday games so brutal — the fatigue, the travel, the mental battle. They share their own strategies for staying locked in and how quick turnarounds test both body and mind.
Plus, we’re talking pregame rituals, power meals, and standout matchups across the country — from Duke to Arkansas to Kansas — as conference play looms large.
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Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
This week, Leah and Kate break down some serious shakeups in Week 2 of NCAA women’s soccer — including Houston’s huge 4-1 win over Texas and Mississippi State’s upset over Wake Forest. It’s giving underdog energy, and we’re here for it.
Special guest Shea O’Rourke from Tennessee joins the pod to talk about bouncing back from injury, transferring programs, and finding her groove as a leader. Her journey from South Carolina to Texas A&M to Tennessee is all about grit, growth, and believing in your squad.
The crew also gets real about balancing school, soccer, and life — because being a student-athlete is no joke. Whether you're here for the game recaps or the mindset gems, this one’s packed with perspective.
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Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
The season is officially on, and Leah Klenke and Kate Phillips are wasting no time breaking down their opening matches. Leah dishes on a big win over Western Michigan and a gritty tie with powerhouse Arkansas, while Kate shares the highs and learning moments from her matchup against South Dakota State.
But this episode isn’t just game talk — it’s gym talk too. The hosts bring in special guest Ana Menendez, Kate’s strength and conditioning coach at Mizzou, to spill the tea on training smart during the season. Spoiler: it’s not about lifting the heaviest weights — it’s about staying strong, mobile, and injury-free.
Ana breaks down how workouts change by position, why form > ego, and how recovery and nutrition are just as clutch as any drill on the field. Whether you’re a rising athlete or just trying to stay in the game, her tips are gold.
From game-day grind to gym-day gains, this episode has it all. Tune in, get inspired, and let’s keep the momentum rolling.
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Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
We’re officially in preseason mode, and Leah Klenke and Kate Phillips are bringing the heat. In this episode, the duo breaks down what those early matchups actually teach a team — from tough lessons vs. Kansas State and Indiana to figuring out how to get the freshmen locked in and game-ready.
They get into the nitty gritty of film review (spoiler: it’s not always pretty) and talk about how seeing the big picture helps shape team identity before the real grind begins.
Plus, they unpack what rankings really mean — or don’t. Leah’s team sits at #2, but she’s keeping it real: "Preseason polls really don’t mean anything." It’s all about showing up and proving it on the field.
With big games ahead against Western Michigan and Arkansas, the energy is high and we wish both our fantastic new hosts a great season to boot!!
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Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
College soccer preseason is HERE and it’s a whole vibe. Kate and Leah spill the tea on double sessions, heat waves, new coaches, and team reunions. From late-night laughs to sports psych sessions, they share how their squads are building chemistry and bracing for the season ahead.
They also get real about the mental side of the game — how teams are leaning into sports psych, handling the pressure, and finding small wins along the way. Plus, a few chaotic off-field moments you won’t want to miss.
Whether you're a soccer junkie or just love a good story about grit, growth, and team chaos — this one’s for you.
Become a Patron of The BIG LIFE
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Follow us on Instagram (@girlssoccernetwork)
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