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In this episode, we’re showing love to one of the Valkyries’ fiercest and finest forces: Monique Billings, #25. From dominating at UCLA to making her mark in Atlanta, and now rocking black and violet in the Bay, Mo’s journey is all about having her hands in so many flourishing pots.

She’s the heartbeat of the paint, a fan favorite, and living proof of just how multi-talented this squad really is—on and off the court.

Come hang as we play a new game to unpack Mo’s background and why she’s such a powerful spark in the Valks lineup. We 💜 Monique Billings!

P.S. Huge thanks to KPIX and journalist Kelsi Thorud for the incredible feature on our podcast—we’re feeling the love and so, so grateful! 🏀💜🔥🖤

Check it out here if you haven’t seen it yet :)

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Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

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In episode 7, we’re showing love to one of the Valkyries’ real-deal anchors: Kayla Thornton. She’s an incredible defender, experienced vet, and the kind of player every team needs and wants.

From going undrafted to grinding her way through Washington, Dallas and New York, Kayla’s journey shows grind and glory, and now she’s holding it down in black and violet with jersey #5.

Come hang as we break down why KT's the lowkey MVP of the Valks. We HEART Kayla Thornton. Let’s gooo! 🏀🔥🖤💜

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

In episode 6, we’re talking game and fame of Valkyries' talented guard, Kate Martin. She's the energetic spark plug, the on-court coordinator, and our rising star now rocking the Golden State Valkyries jersey #20. From her 6-year run at Iowa to stepping up big in her second WNBA season, Kate’s journey is one of resilience, leadership, and infectious positivity.

This episode we’re digging into some stats, history, and the je ne sais quoi intangibles that make Kate so great. We talk about her work ethic, BB iq and social iq, the fundamentals she brings to the court, and how she's quickly becoming a fan favorite and vital piece of this Valkyries squad.

Come hang as we shout out the hustle plays, the leadership vibes, and the nonstop gracious and game-for-whatever energy. We 💜 Kate Money Martin!⚡🏀 🏳️‍🌈

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

In this episode, we’re talking about Veronica Burton—the defensive dynamo, brainy baller, and clutch playmaker now rocking the Golden State Valkyries jersey #22. From Northwestern stardom to her grit-filled seasons with Dallas and Connecticut, Veronica’s journey is one of smarts, hustle, and quiet consistency.

But we’re not just here to run her stats—we’re digging into the intangibles. We talk about her sources of inspiration and how she's an incredible contribution to this team.

Come hang as we shout out the IQ, the steals, the steady hands—and give this low-key star her spotlight. Let’s hear it for Veronica Burton! 💜🔒🏀

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

In this episode, we’re talking about Temi Fagbenle—the seasoned vet, Olympic baller, and newest powerhouse joining the Golden State Valkyries wearing jersey #14. From London roots to Harvard halls to WNBA locker rooms (most recently with the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark), Temi’s story is global, grounded, and so inspiring.

But this convo goes beyond her resume—we’re diving into her presence, poise, and the quiet strength she brings to the game. We chat about what it means to have a leader like Temi on this young squad, and why we’re already picturing her as the soul of the Valkyries. Graceful, gritty, and wildly underrated… we see you, Temi.

Come hang as we give this queen her flowers and bask in the beauty of experience meeting opportunity. Let’s gooo, Valkyries! 💜✌️🏀

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

In this episode, we talk about Carla Leite—the fearless 19-year-old guard from France who’s now suiting up for the Golden State Valkyries wearing jersey #0. From dominating the court in Lyon to making her WNBA debut in the Bay, Carla brings boldness, flair, and a whole lot of promise.

But this convo isn’t just about her stats or potential—it’s about why we’re instantly obsessed. We get into her confidence, creativity, and what it means to have an international star stepping onto this brand-new stage. Come hang out as we celebrate Carla’s debut, dream about her impact, and soak in the excitement of seeing this next-gen talent help shape the Valkyries from day one. Bienvenue, Carla!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

In this episode, we talk about the Coach Natalie Nakase—head coach for the Golden State Valkyries and our new personal hero. We get into her journey from playing ball at UCLA to coaching overseas to breaking barriers in the NBA and now helping launch the Valkyries into greatness.

But this convo isn’t about stats and sidelines—it’s about why we vibe with her energy, her story, and how she leads with purpose, fire, and heart. Come hang out with us as we fangirl, reflect, and dive into what makes Coach Nakase so special—not just to the team, but to the whole movement this new era of women's basketball is creating.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!

Send us a text

Episode 1: “Meet the Valkyries (and Us)”

In our debut episode, we introduce ourselves—two former hoopers turned SF moms, educators, and entrepreneurs—and share why we’re all in on the new WNBA team in town: the Golden State Valkyries.

We officially bleed lavender now.

Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan, a curious newcomer, or just here for community vibes and solid recs, you belong in this space. We’ll break down who the Valkyries are, why they matter, and what this podcast is all about. Let’s tip it off!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to "Valkyries, Say Less"!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our own and not affiliated with the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, or any official organization.

🎙 Co-Hosted by Raina Mast — multimedia artist, educator, musician, and of course...ex-hooper.

🎙 Co-hosted by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely — meditation and PE teacher, writer, founder of Big Belly Breathing, and of course...ex-hooper.

Follow along for more episodes, courtside convos, and community love as we celebrate the Golden State Valkyries and everything they stand for.

💜 Follow us on Instagram & don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this brought some lavender joy to your day!