While Ashlyn Harris’ career as a goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and in the National Women’s Soccer League has come to an end, her work within the women’s sports space is far from over. In addition to serving as the Global Creative Director of the NWSL’s Gotham FC, a board member of the Women’s Sports Foundation, and a creative consultant and producer working with brands like Hello Sunshine and Ally Bank, Harris is now adding “women’s sports podcast host” to her resume. The 2x World Cup champion has launched a new show, titled Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris, which is part of iHeartMedia’s expanded line-up of programming in 2025 for its iHeart Women’s Sports audio network. “Wide Open” is one of eight new shows to launch on the network in 2025, all headlined by top athletes and leaders from across the women’s sports industry.
For Harris, hosting “Wide Open” offers an opportunity to facilitate open and real conversations with guests and listeners about struggles and triumphs. Throughout her life, Harris has experienced how being open and vulnerable can lead to personal and professional growth. Inspired by her personal experiences, Harris will speak with guests across sports, fashion, music, and politics on “Wide Open” to talk about seizing opportunities, breaking down barriers, and embracing one’s true self. Harris hopes that the show helps bridge the gap between experiences in sports and experiences in real life, and humanizes athletes to showcase their layers beyond what the public sees while they’re competing.
“We need to know athletes for who they are and not what they do,” said Harris. “People have this perception and idea of professional athletes, and I’m just splitting everything wide open and really talking about the struggle.” Harris went on to share, “What people don’t understand is, as a professional athlete, one day it’s just gone – whether you choose it or you don’t choose it – and you have to be prepared for regular life.”
So far, Harris’ guests have included former USMNT goalkeeper, Tim Howard, American reality television personality and former professional football player, Colton Underwood, and American journalist, television host, and author, Brooke Baldwin.
“It’s really bringing all of these experts in, stripping back the layers, and really analyzing and unlearning a lot of toxic traits that sport has given me – all while having beautiful conversations,” said Harris.
As a longtime advocate for mental wellness and health care, a top priority for Harris is that listeners feel both safe and a sense of belonging when they listen to “Wide Open.”
“It’s about lending a hand and saying, you belong and there’s no playbook to life. We’re all learning in real time,” said Harris. “It’s this whole notion of mental health that not enough of us talk about. I think being that vulnerable and that open and honest about our struggles and our scars – so maybe someone else doesn’t have to go through it – that’s where the power lies.”
“Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris” and iHeartMedia’s expanded women’s sports programming comes at a time when the popularity of women’s sports is at an all-time high. Founded in June 2024 by iHeartMedia and Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment, iHeart Women’s Sports is the first-ever audio platform dedicated exclusively to amplifying women’s sports. iHeartMedia Women’s Sports was launched to address the rising interest in women’s sports coverage and serves as iHeartMedia’s commitment to bringing equitable media coverage to women’s sports.