EP 50: Broadcasting gold: Kathryn Tappen & Team USA’s historic wins on ice
About this episode
The episode features Kathryn Tappen discussing her experiences covering the Olympics and Team USA's historic hockey wins.
Our 50th episode marks an exciting milestone for Brand Slam, and to celebrate it we welcome back one of our favorite guests, Kathryn Tappen of NBC Sports. This episode takes listeners inside one of the most powerful storytelling stages in sports: the Olympic Games. When the world tunes in to watch history unfold, broadcasters play a critical role in shaping how those moments are experienced, remembered and shared. Few understand that responsibility better than Kathryn. The Emmy Award–winning NBC Sports broadcaster has now covered seven Olympics, including the recent 2026 Winter Games in Milan. With hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata, Kathryn shares stories from rinkside of Team USA’s gold medal runs in both men’s and women’s Olympic hockey. The conversation explores the sustained dominance of the U.S. women’s program and the men’s historic first Olympic gold since 1980, while offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to document those moments as they unfold. Kathryn also reflects on what it takes to conduct a defining postgame interview in one of the most emotionally charged environments in sports, with 26 million viewers watching. Her conversation with Jack Hughes moments…
More episodes of Brand Slam Podcast
- EP 53: Heartbreak Hill to global thrill: The Boston Marathon brand
- EP 52: Going global: Baseball’s resurgence story with Dan Duquette
- EP 51: Slides, swagger and Shark Tank: The ISlide story
- EP 49: Betting on the brand: How DraftKings stands out in a crowded game
- EP 48: The Dodgers’ dynasty blueprint with GM Brandon Gomes
- EP 47: How GoodRx turns savings into brand loyalty
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