Female Athletes Paula Scanlan and Meghan Burke Fight to Protect Women’s Sports

On March 11, 2025, Kevin Lundberg, Paula Scanlan, and Meghan Burke joined the show. Kevin Lundberg analyzes Colorado’s legislative session including SB 003 firearm magazine bill, calls for Republican unity ahead of state party leadership elections, and emphasizes focusing on principles rather than personalities Paula Scanlan shares her experience as a University of Pennsylvania swimmer forced to share a locker room with Lia Thomas.

Republican Unity and Colorado Legislative Challenges

Start listening at 21:29 – Hour 1

Kevin Lundberg, former Colorado State Senator and author of the Lundberg Report, discusses the importance of Republican unity ahead of upcoming state party leadership elections. He draws on lessons from his political career, emphasizing the need to focus on principles rather than personalities. Regarding Colorado’s legislative session, he notes that SB 003, the controversial firearm magazine bill, has been pulled from committee and rescheduled, suggesting Democrats may be having difficulty finding support.

“You know, a house divided cannot stand. Uh, that’s a biblical principle that Abraham Lincoln seized on and put to work in his efforts within the Civil War. And we need that today, right here and right now.”

Kevin Lundberg, Former Colorado State Senator

Locker Room Privacy Violations in Women’s Swimming

Start listening at 74:31 – Hour 2

Paula Scanlan, a former University of Pennsylvania swimmer, shares her harrowing experience of being forced to share a locker room with Lia Thomas, a biological male identifying as female, 18 times per week. When she and her teammates raised concerns, the university told them they were the problem and advised them to seek psychological services. Thomas went on to win the Ivy League championship and an NCAA title, defeating Olympic medalists.

“Yes, he was undressing in our locker room 18 times per week. This was not something that happened once or twice. We were subjected to undressing in the locker room with him every single week, multiple times per day because we have multiple practices.”

Paula Scanlan, Former University of Pennsylvania Swimmer

Trump Executive Order Signing

Start listening at 82:37 – Hour 2

Both Paula Scanlan and Meghan Burke attended President Trump’s executive order signing protecting women’s sports. Paula reflects on seeing young girls at the signing who understood exactly why they were there, calling it bittersweet that such an obvious protection required presidential action. Meghan shares a humorous story about managing her five-year-old daughter during the ceremony, who at one point was banging on the stage as Secret Service looked on.

“But in a way it was a little bit bittersweet, because the fact that we had to be there and the fact that we had to waste a sitting president’s time and force him to do something as silly as sign an executive order that says boys don’t belong in women’s sports. I mean, it just shows how far we’ve fallen.”

Paula Scanlan, Women’s Sports Advocate

Colorado’s Fight for Women’s Sports

Start listening at 95:08 – Hour 2

Meghan Burke, a former track athlete who won 15 Colorado Class 5A state championships and three national championships, explains that Colorado may need another ballot initiative to protect women’s sports despite the federal executive order. She notes that 79% of Americans oppose men in women’s sports, including 69% of Democrats. She highlights concerning local issues, including East High School converting the women’s second-floor bathroom to all-gender while keeping the men’s bathroom.

“I think this is the gender identity state and they’re trying to push this. And there, even if you go and look at our youth sports, for example, Colorado Rapids and go on their gender identity page, you are allowed to play on whatever team in which you identify within youth sports in Colorado.”

Meghan Burke, Independent Women’s Network Colorado

Courage is Contagious

Start listening at 99:53 – Hour 2

Paula Scanlan describes how speaking out has created a network of support for female athletes facing similar situations. She shares the story of Roanoke College swimmers who, with support from Paula and Riley Gaines, successfully prevented a male from competing on their women’s team. Kim Monson observes that “courage is contagious,” a sentiment both guests embrace as they continue their advocacy work.

“And we’re continuing to help people, and especially in Denver. I mean, Megan can talk more about this. This is still a problem in bluer states. I’m from the Northeast myself, so I completely understand. I mean, Connecticut, my home state, is still such a problem with this. And we need to stand up for these people in these states that are going to keep allowing this.”

Paula Scanlan, Women’s Sports Advocate