Sidelined w/ Brooke Fletcher & Dani Klupenger

Sidelined is the sports podcast that finally gives women a space to talk about the game—without leaving behind everything else they love. Brooke Fletcher and Dani Klupenger have spent over a decade as sports broadcasters but they realized their conversations weren’t solely based on sports- they were about fashion, pop culture, beauty and even reality tv. They know they are not the only ones. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider or ‘sidelined’ in sports talk, this podcast is for you. Why should sports only be for the guys? It’s for the girls too!

Listen on:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Podbean App
  • Spotify

Episodes

7 days ago

Brooke and Dani kick things off with a recap of SoxFest before breaking down a historic Australian Open final, as Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to complete the career Grand Slam, and look ahead to the Super Bowl matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
The conversation continues with Super Bowl plans, including thoughts on Bad Bunny's halftime show and what to expect from this year’s commercials. Brooke and Dani also spotlight National Girls & Women in Sports Day, react to newly released Olympic kits ahead of the Winter Games, and wrap up by turning their attention to baseball as spring training approaches and Brooke prepares for her trip to Arizona.

Thursday Jan 29, 2026

Alexandra Francisco joins the show for an inside look at the New England Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl and what it’s like covering one of the league’s hottest teams. She shares perspective on the AFC Champion Patriots, the impact of head coach Mike Vrabel, and the evolution of quarterback Drake Maye as he continues his rapid rise on the biggest stage.
The conversation also highlights the human side of the season, from Rhamondre Stevenson’s resilience to inspirational stories within the organization that helped define this championship run. Alexandra weighs in on pop-culture moments surrounding the team, reflects on growing up in New England and how sports shaped her career, and offers insight into preparing for Super Bowl week as a team reporter.
The episode wraps with thoughts on Bill Belichick’s legacy and why now might be the perfect time to jump on the Patriots bandwagon.

Friday Jan 23, 2026

Brooke and Dani open the show with a recap of the College Football Playoff National Championship, breaking down Indiana’s win behind Fernando Mendoza and the postgame backlash involving Miami quarterback Carson Beck. The conversation then shifts to the Australian Open for early tournament updates and a look at the fashion making waves on and off the court. From there, the duo dives into pop-culture headlines, unpacking the latest Beckham family drama and why it’s grabbing attention beyond the sports world.
The episode continues with a rundown of the latest NFL news, including the Bears’ playoff loss to the Rams, quarterback changes in Denver with Bo Nix sidelined and Jarrett Stidham stepping in, along with early NFL Honors buzz and coaching carousel chatter. The show wraps with a major MLB headline as the White Sox trade Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets and what it means moving forward.

Thursday Jan 15, 2026

Brooke and Dani open the show by diving into the Australian Open spotlight, starting with amateurs getting a rare crack at the pros and a look at the tournament’s early favorites, including how Novak Djokovic fits into the title picture. The conversation then moves beyond the courts with a recap of the Golden Globes and a breakdown of the hit show Heated Rivalry.
The episode keeps rolling with a pulse check on the NFL coaching carousel and a closer look at the Rams vs. Bears divisional playoff matchup, digging into what could swing the game. Brooke and Dani also weigh in on the viral “2016” social media trend, preview the College Football Playoff National Championship between Indiana and Miami, and close things out with thoughts from around the college basketball world.

Wednesday Jan 07, 2026

In this episode, Brooke and Dani kick things off reflecting on the holidays and sharing their goals heading into 2026. The conversation then turns to college football, as they break down a wild College Football Playoff quarterfinal round and look ahead to what’s shaping up to be a must-watch semifinal slate.
From there, Brooke and Dani recap their fantasy football seasons and preview the NFL playoffs, including which teams and storylines have their attention. They also react to the coaching shakeups and what those moves could mean going forward. To wrap things up, the duo looks back on 2025 with their favorite sports moments, trends, TikTok sounds, TV shows, and more!

Friday Dec 19, 2025

Ashley ShahAhmadi of NBA on NBC joins Brooke Fletcher and Dani Klupenger for a wide-ranging conversation on life, career, and the realities of sports broadcasting. Ashley reflects on her early days in the industry, the importance of networking in college sports, and how her journey led her to the national stage. She also looks back on her time as a sideline reporter with the Charlotte Hornets and discusses the shift from regional coverage to a national role.
The conversation dives deeper into the personal side of the job, including motherhood, long-distance relationships, and how Ashley balances reporting life with being a mom. She opens up about handling tough moments with players and coaches, shares the story behind her viral moment at last year’s SEC Championship Game, and offers insight into what it really takes to succeed in today’s sports media landscape.

Thursday Dec 04, 2025

Lane Kiffin, Heisman favorites, coaching vacancies, and LinkedIn pages, Nicole Auerbach joins us to break down the latest in college football. She dives into the Heisman conversation, goes behind the scenes at schools with top contenders, and reacts to Fernando Mendoza’s surprising LinkedIn page. Plus, Nicole weighs in on the Erin Andrews situation and shares how her bigger role in coverage has changed her life, delivering stories, insights, and moments every college football fan will want to hear.

Tuesday Nov 25, 2025

Brooke and Dani cover it all—from football, tennis, and TV life to holidays and heated rivalries. They recap Sidelined Live, talk the whirlwind of football season, and share behind-the-scenes stories on traveling with TV crews. Dani breaks down her tennis world updates, while Brooke brings the Big Ten heat heading into Michigan–Ohio State. Plus: Super Bowl week nostalgia, holiday traditions, Thanksgiving food takes, Brooke’s first dinner party, and her story about meeting Giuliana Rancic.

Friday Nov 21, 2025

Brooke and Dani are joined by broadcaster and Chicago native Kylen Mills for a special live event inside the White Sox clubhouse at Guaranteed Rate Field. Kylen reflects on how her passion for sports broadcasting first took shape, her journey through local news, and the lessons she learned along the way. Brooke shares her unexpected story of auditioning for MTV’s TRL, while Dani talks about her experience as the Clippers’ in-arena host. Together, the group dives into the grind of building a career in sports media, the highs and lows of life behind the mic, and what it really takes to find balance and keep moving forward in an ever-evolving industry. 

Friday Nov 14, 2025

Brooke and Dani are joined by Dodgers on-field reporter Kirsten Watson, who reflects on an unforgettable Dodgers World Series run, the emotional roller coaster of Game 7, the championship parade, and life in the offseason. Kirsten walks through her unique path from college volleyball to ESPN, the NFL, the WNBA, and ultimately the Dodgers — plus how pageants, fashion, and travel shaped her journey. The group also talks work-life balance, career goals, and what comes next in a fast-changing sports media landscape.

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