Sports in America explores stories that shape athletes and fans alike. Each week, David Greene hosts in-depth conversations with people across the world of sports  – from the star who hits the game winner to the millions of us whose lives are touched by the game.From <a href="https://whyy.org/">WHYY</a> and <a href="http://prx.org">PRX</a>.

With nearly a dozen marathon titles and a handful of Olympic medals under her belt, Susannah Scaroni is one of the most decorated wheelchair racers in the world. But her story has been anything but easy. At just 5 years old, Susannah and her family were involved in an accident that paralyzed her from the waist down. This incident, and the many others she’d come to face, only motivated her more to become the elite athlete she is today.In this episode, Susannah sits down with host David Greene to talk about the sport of wheelchair racing, what it was like to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and the unexpected aftermath of the games that almost ended her racing career.Content warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and recovery. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you can contact the <a href="https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/find-treatment/">National Alliance for Eating Disorders’ helpline</a> or the <a href="https://anad.org/get-help/eating-disorders-helpline/">ANAD helpline</a>. Show Notes<ol>
<li><a href="https://will.illinois.edu/prairiefire/story/susannah-scaroni">Susannah Scaroni | Illinois Public Media</a></li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/pOSnpGCmK-g?si=Fe8K-3E2S1rsubip">WATCH: Susannah Scaroni wins 2025 Chicago Marathon | NBC Chicago</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-biBA1u4nw">Wheelchair Racing - Push Stroke Basics | Challenged Athletes Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EVydFCTSus">Scaroni breaks from pack during Tokyo’s 2020 Paralympics | NBC Sports</a></li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a20795534/eat-like-an-elite-susannah-scaroni/">Eat like an Elite: Susannah Scaroni Runner's World</a> </li>
</ol>Show CreditsExecutive Producers: Tom Grahsler and Joan IsabellaSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

With nearly a dozen marathon titles and a handful of Olympic medals under her belt, Susannah Scaroni is one of the most decorated wheelchair racers in the world. But her story has been anything but easy. 
At just 5 years old, Susannah and her family were involved in an accident that paralyzed her from the waist down. This incident, and the many others she’d come to face, only motivated her more to become the elite athlete she is today.
In this episode, Susannah sits down with host David Greene to talk about the sport of wheelchair racing, what it was like to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and the unexpected aftermath of the games that almost ended her racing career.
Content warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and recovery. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you can contact the National Alliance for Eating Disorders’ helpline or the ANAD helpline.
Show Notes

Susannah Scaroni | Illinois Public Media
WATCH: Susannah Scaroni wins 2025 Chicago Marathon | NBC Chicago
Wheelchair Racing - Push Stroke Basics | Challenged Athletes Foundation
Scaroni breaks from pack during Tokyo’s 2020 Paralympics | NBC Sports
Eat like an Elite: Susannah Scaroni Runner's World 
Show Credits
Executive Producers: Tom Grahsler and Joan Isabella
Senior Producer: Michael Olcott
Producer: Michaela Winberg
Associate Producer: Bibiana Correa
Engineer: Mike Villers
Tile Art: Bea Walling
Sports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Susannah Scaroni on the Magic Outside Your Comfort Zone

In 2022, University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first trans woman to win a D1 NCAA title. Under pressure from the Trump administration, Penn stripped Lia of that title earlier this year, and banned future trans athletes from competing. For many people, Lia has come to symbolize the heated debate over whether trans athletes should be able to compete in women’s sports. Regardless of what side of the debate you're on, all this news hasn’t just been news to Lia. It’s been her real life, and people have long misunderstood her. In this episode, Lia sits down with host David Greene to dive into her journey: what it took for her to come out as trans in college and compete on the women’s team, while under an international microscope. Content warning: This episode discusses mental illness and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or thoughts of suicide, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visiting <a href="http://988lifeline.org/">988lifeline.org</a>.Show Notes<ol>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EX6LQcj19uhvK8Bf37Pa9?si=s2YMzW4ZSaiuePkU1FRuTA">Should trans women be included in sports? With Lia Thomas | Dear Schuyler </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.dw.com/en/do-trans-women-have-an-unfair-athletic-advantage/a-58583988">Fact check: Do trans women have an unfair athletic advantage? | DW</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/07/02/nx-s1-5454369/upenn-swimming-records-feds-transgender-athletes">UPenn updates swimming records to settle with feds on transgender athletes case | NPR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gender-dysphoria/what-is-gender-dysphoria">What is gender dysphoria | American Psychiatric Association </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/03/29/transgender-athletes-stories-in-their-own-words/72857863007/">Transgender athletes face growing hostility: four tell their stories in their own words | USA Today</a></li>
</ol> Show CreditsExecutive Producer: Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea Walling Sports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

In 2022, University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first trans woman to win a D1 NCAA title. Under pressure from the Trump administration, Penn stripped Lia of that title earlier this year, and banned future trans athletes from competing. For many people, Lia has come to symbolize the heated debate over whether trans athletes should be able to compete in women’s sports. 
Regardless of what side of the debate you're on, all this news hasn’t just been news to Lia. It’s been her real life, and people have long misunderstood her. In this episode, Lia sits down with host David Greene to dive into her journey: what it took for her to come out as trans in college and compete on the women’s team, while under an international microscope.


Content warning: This episode discusses mental illness and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or thoughts of suicide, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org.
Show Notes

Should trans women be included in sports? With Lia Thomas | Dear Schuyler 
Fact check: Do trans women have an unfair athletic advantage? | DW
UPenn updates swimming records to settle with feds on transgender athletes case | NPR
What is gender dysphoria | American Psychiatric Association 
Transgender athletes face growing hostility: four tell their stories in their own words | USA Today


Show Credits
Executive Producer: Tom Grahsler
Senior Producer: Michael Olcott
Producer: Michaela Winberg
Associate Producer: Bibiana Correa
Engineer: Mike Villers
Tile Art: Bea Walling


Sports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Lia Thomas' Fight to Compete

Known for his brute strength and punishing style, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward made a name for himself as one of the best NFL running backs during the 90s. After his passing in 2006, his son Cameron continued his dad’s legacy by getting drafted to the Steelers and quickly becoming one of the premier defensive linemen in the game. A few years later, Craig’s youngest son, Connor, would join his brother in Pittsburgh and learn to pave his own way in the NFL. So what’s it like to be a Heyward? How do the pressures of living up to a family legacy compare to the pressure athletes put on themselves every day? And will this be the year Cam gets that elusive ring? We sit down with both brothers to find out. Show Notes<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbvovdNqn5I">Craig Heyward Hall of Fame Nominee | Pitt Football </a></li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/KbMAeumZT-E?si=BWdQUytpM6m2nOSl">Chiefs vs. Steelers Week 4 Highlights, 2017 | NFL</a></li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/O7Jtn5G4y8A?si=ybcNkW3nmUesRkmX">Connor Heyward's first career touchdown | NFL</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frhGDC7ZJ_U">Cam Heyward shares emotional story about brother Connor’s first touchdown | All Steelers Talk</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/american-football/articles/cp92gzpd22vo">Why has Rodgers signed for the Steelers | BBC</a></li>
</ol> Show CreditsExecutive Producer: Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Known for his brute strength and punishing style, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward made a name for himself as one of the best NFL running backs during the 90s. After his passing in 2006, his son Cameron continued his dad’s legacy by getting drafted to the Steelers and quickly becoming one of the premier defensive linemen in the game. A few years later, Craig’s youngest son, Connor, would join his brother in Pittsburgh and learn to pave his own way in the NFL.


So what’s it like to be a Heyward? How do the pressures of living up to a family legacy compare to the pressure athletes put on themselves every day? And will this be the year Cam gets that elusive ring? We sit down with both brothers to find out.


Show Notes

Craig Heyward Hall of Fame Nominee | Pitt Football 
Chiefs vs. Steelers Week 4 Highlights, 2017 | NFL
Connor Heyward's first career touchdown | NFL
Cam Heyward shares emotional story about brother Connor’s first touchdown | All Steelers Talk
Why has Rodgers signed for the Steelers | BBC


Show Credits
Executive Producer: Tom Grahsler
Senior Producer: Michael Olcott
Producer: Michaela Winberg
Associate Producer: Bibiana Correa
Engineer: Mike Villers
Tile Art: Bea Walling
Sports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Meet the Heywards

From WHYY and PRX, this is Sports In America with David Greene, a new show that explores the stories that make sports the cornerstone of American life. Premieres September 30th 2025 on podcast feeds and public radio.

From WHYY and PRX, this is Sports In America with David Greene, a new show that explores the stories that make sports the cornerstone of American life. Premieres September 30th 2025 on podcast feeds and public radio.