Megan Rapinoe’s New Podcast Asks the Big Question: Why Are You Like This?
Megan Rapinoe, the soccer icon and activist known for her fearless voice on and off the pitch, is launching a new weekly interview podcast called Why Are You Like This? The show, produced by Vox Media, promises to explore the inner lives of artists, athletes, activists, and other cultural architects. It is set to premiere on August 6, 2026, and will be available on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
For Rapinoe, the podcast is not just about sports. It is about understanding what drives people who challenge the status quo. I am mostly interested in talking with people about why they do things the way they do things, and why some people seemingly take a left when everyone else is taking a right, she told Variety. I am curious to see how they see themselves in the world.
What Makes This Podcast Different?
Rapinoe is stepping beyond the boundaries of her athletic fame to create a space for deep, unfiltered conversation. The show will span the personal and the professional, the origin story and the long game, the private cost and the public legacy, according to Vox Media. Each episode will run about one hour, offering a rare look at the motivations behind some of the worlds most influential people.
This is not Rapinoe’s first foray into podcasting. She previously co-hosted A Touch More with basketball star Sue Bird, a show that focused on women’s sports. While Why Are You Like This? will occasionally touch on topics like the 2027 Women’s World Cup, Rapinoe insists the scope is much broader. It is about people who have influence on culture in different ways: what is hard for them, what is scary for them, what their origin stories are, she said.
A Voice for the Culture
Rapinoe’s credentials go far beyond the soccer field. A two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, she is also a New York Times bestselling author of the memoir One Life and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her activism on issues like gender equality, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights has made her a polarizing but respected figure in American public life.
Nishat Kurwa, senior vice president and executive producer at Vox Media, highlighted why Rapinoe is the right host for this project. We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Megan, an iconoclast who is as admired for her fearless voice as for her accomplishments in sports, Kurwa said. Why Are You Like This? is an exciting opportunity to leverage her range and authority to reveal the layered backstories of her fellow trailblazers.
The Bigger Picture: Media and Democracy
The launch of Why Are You Like This? comes at a time when media consolidation is reshaping the landscape. Vox Media’s podcast network is now owned by James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems, which acquired it along with New York Magazine and Vox.com for more than $300 million. Meanwhile, PMC, parent company of Variety, has acquired other Vox Media brands like Eater, The Verge, and SB Nation.
For Rapinoe, this new platform is a chance to amplify voices that challenge conventional thinking. In an era of deepening political divides and media fragmentation, her podcast could serve as a space for honest, nuanced dialogue. It is a reminder that the personal is political, and that understanding each other’s stories might just be the first step toward building a more inclusive democracy.
As Rapinoe puts it, I am mostly interested in talking with people about why they do things the way they do things. For a nation hungry for connection and meaning, that question feels more urgent than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Megan Rapinoe’s new podcast start?
The first episode of Why Are You Like This? drops on Thursday, August 6, 2026, with new episodes weekly.
Where can I listen to the podcast?
The show will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other major platforms.
Will the podcast focus only on sports?
No. While it will occasionally discuss women’s sports, the show is designed to explore the lives and motivations of a wide range of cultural influencers, including artists and activists.
Who is producing the podcast?
The podcast is produced and distributed by Vox Media, as part of its podcast network.