The Side Out Society Podcast

What does it take to pull off one of the most electric NCAA Tournament runs in volleyball history? Fresh off winning a National Championship with Texas A&M, libero Tatum Thomas sits down with Tiff and Lindsay to talk about that amazing run and reveal what really happened behind the scenes during that legendary upset over Nebraska, including a dig kill for the ages and floor-shaking pressure.
Tatum shares the mental routine that keeps her calm in high-stakes moments, the secrets behind her family's competitive sports legacy, and how she transitioned from national champion to her new gig at ESPN.
Follow us on social media:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsocietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

What does it take to transform a program into a national powerhouse in record time? In our very first interview with a college head coach, SMU’s Sam Erger joins Tiff and Lindsay to break down her rise through the coaching ranks, her "full throttle" approach to roster-building, and how she balances high-stakes ACC volleyball while raising three young kids.
Plus, Sam opens up about carrying on her family’s coaching legacy, what SMU looks for in top recruits, and her take on SMU’s massive upcoming showcase events.
Follow us on social media:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsocietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

With just 30 days standing between us and the start of the 2026 college volleyball season, Tiff and Lindsay reunite to sit down with one of the most explosive, dominant forces in the sport: Kentucky outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye!
Brooklyn opens up about the Wildcats' unbelievable, globe-trotting non-conference slate, from kicking off at the AVCA First Serve in Milwaukee to making history outdoors at Wrigley Field (and her hilarious fears about playing in the Chicago elements) before jet-setting to the Bahamas. She takes us behind the scenes of Head Coach Craig Skinner’s wild group chats, reflects on how her multi-sport background built her elite athleticism, and shares the deep family bonds that drive her. Plus, Brooklyn reveals her quirky pre-game whiteboard ritual, her go-to pre-match comfort food, and her ultimate travel bucket list in a hilarious, rapid-fire Side Out Sprint!
Follow us on social media:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsocietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

Tiff is out this week, so Lindsay is taking the mic solo for a massive, jam-packed breakdown of the biggest pro volleyball shakeups of the summer!
First up, Lindsay breaks down Team USA's absolutely electric performance at the VNLs, including an unforgettable, dominant sweep that locked up the top seed heading into the quarterfinals. But the real chaos is happening off the court. LOVB just dropped their highly anticipated 2027 team rosters, and the shakeups are real. From a legendary superstar coming out of retirement to a massive wave of big-name player defections between leagues, Lindsay debates which franchise just built the ultimate super-team and who won the free agency wars. 
Follow us on social media:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsocietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

With Lindsay away on a July 4th vacation, Tiff steps up to the mic solo for a rapid-fire, punchy rundown of the massive waves shifting the volleyball landscape. And trust us, the sport does not slow down for a holiday!
In this quick solo session, Tiff previews the upcoming, late-night VNL matches in Osaka, Japan, and shares some incredibly exciting news about the future return of Team USA’s legendary "volleyball mamas." She also dives deep into a game-changing new NCAA eligibility rule that is about to completely rewrite the future of college rosters, NIL valuations, and draft strategy. Plus, Tiff goes over the new LOVB signings and how it felt like they were in damage control after a volleyball database seemingly dished the tea early, and rounds out the week with a celebratory sweep of recent engagements, baby milestones, and new commitments within the community. 
Follow us on social media:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsocietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

The society finally has its very first libero! In this milestone episode of Side Out Society, Tiff and Lindsay sit down with a literal defensive machine: three-time NCAA National Champion at Stanford and Team USA back-row anchor, Morgan Hentz. Morgan takes us directly onto the court during the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) to break down the sheer depth of this year's roster, what it's like sharing the libero jersey rotation mid-match with Lexi Rodriguez, and how she navigates pre-game anxiety. She shares a masterclass in the technical art of reading play development from the back row -- explaining why she never keeps her feet fully planted in the concrete. - and reveals how her early club days as an underdog built her legendary, never-die hustle.
Off the hardwood, Morgan opens up about her incredibly close-knit family, sharing how her role as the oldest of four siblings heavily shaped her leadership, and what it looks like to connect with her brother, Louie, through backyard swims and a strict rotation of classic Disney movies. From her whirlwind mid-season pro trade to Grand Rapids to her post-volleyball dreams of pursuing occupational therapy, Morgan brings a beautiful, grounded perspective on how to play at the highest level while prioritizing joy.
Follow us on social media:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsocietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

With Lindsay away this week, Tiff takes the mic solo for a jam-packed, fast-paced overview of the chaotic post-season landscape in American women's pro volleyball. 
She starts with a celebratory breakdown of Team USA’s absolute domination during Week 2 of the VNL in the Philippines. From there, Tiff dives into the wild transaction wires across both domestic leagues. She details the major wave of "LOVB defectors" making the jump to MLV. while pointing out massive roster vacancies and expansion team question marks still loooming over the league. She wraps up the episode with a rundown of other exciting things happening off the court in the world of women's volleyball!
Follow us on social media:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsocietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

With a highly anticipated Team USA guest on deck for next week, Tiff and Lindsay are flying solo for a quick, unfiltered recap of everything going on in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). The hosts dive straight into the shockwaves that swept the volleyball world after Canada's historic sweep of Team USA, before analyzing how the Americans bounced back against Germany. They discuss the major roster adjustments heading into Week 2 in the Philippines, celebrating the dominant return of Olympians like Chiaka Ogbogu and Jordyn Poulter to face a tough Italian squad.
Plus, the great Team USA libero debate, Nebraska players in Tanzania, and the interesting crossover that led Michigan to cancel an upcoming match.
Follow us on social media:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsocietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety

Listener’s Note: This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available 24/7. Please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or check the resources listed at the bottom of these show notes.
In this episode of the Side Out Society Podcast, we sit down with Penn State’s graduate outside hitter Whitney Lauenstein for an incredibly honest conversation about resilience, self-advocacy, and growth. Whitney pulls back the curtain on her highly publicized collegiate journey from Nebraska to Texas, sharing the immense courage it took to step away from the sport to properly process personal grief after losing her dad to suicide. She breaks down how the arrival of her daughter, Layla, completely transformed her relationship with volleyball, shifting her focus from social media speculation to the beautifully hectic reality of being a D1 student-athlete and a mom.
Whitney takes us behind the scenes of her new life in Happy Valley, explaining how a search on Zillow and a profound desire to play for an all-woman coaching staff led her straight to Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. She opens up about the logistical grind of balancing peak physical training with parenting, and how her fiancé, Luke, stepped up as a stay-at-home dad so she could fearlessly chase her final collegiate chapter.
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time or experiencing a mental health crisis, please know that support is available 24/7. You are not alone.
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US & Canada): Call or text 988 to speak with a trained counselor. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.Website: 988lifeline.org
The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor via text.Website: crisistextline.org
The Trevor Project (For LGBTQ youth): Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.Website: thetrevorproject.org
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255.Website: veteranscrisisline.net
International Resources: If you are listening outside the United States, please find a helpline in your country at findahelpline.com or befrienders.org.

Tiff and Lindsay will be taking a little break over the next two weeks, so we'll be airing some previous interviews.
In this week's Encore episode of the Side Out Society Podcast, we sit down with one of the most clinical and feared offensive threats in the world: two-time Olympic medalist and LOVB Houston star Jordan Thompson. Despite being at the absolute peak of her powers (leading LOVB in points and kills), Jordan opens up about her unique "underdog mentality" and the journey of a late bloomer who wasn't a five-star recruit but went on to shatter NCAA records and win Olympic Gold. She shares the vulnerable side of professional athletics, from the heartbreak of a surprising playoff exit to the "endless tryout" energy of the Team USA gym as she begins her focused run toward the LA 2028 Olympics.
Beyond the "scoring machine" persona, we get a rare look at the person off the court. Jordan discusses her passion for antiquing, her hilarious and adorable engagement story, and her deep-seated life motto to "lead with love". From her background in basketball to her current status as a mentor for the next generation of players, this conversation is an inspiring deep dive into what it truly means to evolve as both an athlete and a human being.
Follow us on social media:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsocietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety