In the latest episode, hosts Quinn and Paulina discuss the "panic meter" with the rising concerns surrounding the Edmonton Oilers as they navigate a challenging start to their season. Are we in a goaltending crisis? We have some totally sane theories. Then we talk Jack Hughes/Tate Mcrae dating rumours and how Quinn ties into it all.

The women are coming. This week, the ladies get into the details around the new Professional Women's Hockey League, which kicks off January 1st; the questionable (unofficial) team names, "Brads, Dads and Chads" (thank you, Taylor Swift), which leads to a new segment on The Bits: Roasted Nuts.

Snuggle up with The Bits and learn some fun facts about our sweet boy Zach Hyman. Quinn puts the girls to the test with trivia about the Oilers forward, and Paulina puts the psychology major she doesn’t have to use by psychoanalyzing your favourite Christmas movie. Follow along as Claire discovers where her fear of home invasions all began.

This week on The Bits, we’re joined by Cara Cotter, founder of So Pretty, to chat about her brand’s new So Pretty × NHL jewelry collection. Cara breaks down how the collaboration came to life, the design inspiration behind the pieces, and what it means to bring a feminine, fashion-forward touch to the hockey world. A fun deep-dive into creativity, sport, and an unexpected crossover.

Goalie trade rumours - the ladies discuss whether the rumour is legitimate and if we have concerns. A heated debate in the objectification of 29 and 74. Plus, how is Nintendo 64 connected to the PWHL?

The Blue Jays are flying high, and so is the bandwagon. This week on The Bits, we’re joined by guest host and die-hard Jays fan, CBC AM host Tara McCarthy, to talk all things Jays World Series run: Vlad, team vibes and fun facts, the bandwagon, and why Canada can’t help but fall for the Birds again. Not sure if you're a baseball fan? You will be after this episode.

This week, we’re joined by Kady Risby from Kaden Ave Communications for a spicy round of “Red Flag / Green Flag: Oilers Edition.” We dive into Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s unexpected sideline actions, debate Taylor Swift vs. Charli XCX, which leads into the online trend of “golden retriever boyfriend” — looking at you, Travis Kelce. This naturally begs the question: where do the Oilers fall on the “Black Cat vs. Golden Retriever” scale? Plus, Kady tells us which athlete's social she'd love to run.

Canadian rugby great Jen Kish joins us to talk about Alberta’s Bill 29 and what it means for girls’ and women’s sport, youth participation, and inclusion. Kish is known for her ongoing LGBTQ2S+ advocacy and for never shying away from the heat when it comes to making sure everyone has a place in sport. She’s joined by Leah, a parent of teen daughters and a nonbinary kid who wants to play. Together we dig into the new eligibility rules for girls 12+, the ripple effects for kids, parents, coaches, and teachers, and the risks of ‘eligibility policing’ that can unfairly target tomboys, gender-nonconforming athletes, and even girls who are simply taller, stronger, or don’t fit narrow expectations of what a girl should look like. We also explore the government’s fairness and safety arguments, how consent and notification policies in schools intersect with sport, and what this all means for team culture.

Disclaimer We’re not experts, but we’re trying to process this too.

References:

One in three girls drop out by late adolescence

Women and Sport and several allied reports (e.g. Alberta Women’s Health Foundation’s Practice More Parity) report that about 1 in 3 girls quit sports during adolescence.

REF: Alberta Women's Health Foundation (https://www.albertawomenshealthfoundation.org/our-impact/practice-more-parity)

Girls leave at twice the rate of boys

The drop-out rate for teenage girls (ages roughly 16–18) is around 33%, versus only about 10% for boys in the same age range.

REF: Alberta Women's Health Foundation (https://www.albertawomenshealthfoundation.org/our-impact/practice-more-parity)

Participation falls sharply after age 16

According to the 2024 Rally Report from Canadian Women & Sport, nearly four in ten girls are missing out on organized sport overall, and this rises to five in ten (50%) by age 16.

REF: Beyond Sport (https://beyondsport.org/2024/11/22/canadian-women-sport-release-report-to-ensure-all-girls-benefit-from-sports/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

It also notes dropout rates increase at age 16 and accelerate through the late teenage years.

REF: Beyond Sport (https://beyondsport.org/2024/11/22/canadian-women-sport-release-report-to-ensure-all-girls-benefit-from-sports/)