Last year when Overholt added EiC of ESPN The Magazine to her duties overseeing the espnW platform she became the first-ever female editor-in-chief of a national, general interest sports magazine. With Overholt at the helm, the magazine received the American Society of Magazine Editors’ National Magazine Award for general excellence in the news, sports and entertainment category. Looking big picture, Overholt says, “As long as we remain in an age of ‘firsts’ and ‘onlys,’ the systemic barriers won’t be broken. When our numbers reach a critical mass—and in positions of significance, making decisions of consequence—that’s when real change happens.”
Who is your favorite current female TV character and why?
Miss Frizzle! We watch a lot of “Magic Schoolbus” in our house—the original, and also the new “Magic Schoolbus Rides Again” that Netflix just released. Miss Frizzle is easily one of my all-time favorites, whether you’re talking about the Lily Tomlin-voiced original, or the Kate McKinnon-voiced current character. She’s smart and fearless, she encourages everyone around her to be curious and learn new things, she’s eccentric and lives on her own wavelength, and she knows when to just let go and enjoy the ride.
What industry topic do you think will dominate industry headlines in 2018 and why?
New distribution models. We know what the challenges are—we’ve been living in the reality of cord-cutting and cord-shaving for several years now. So now we shift to focused conversation around what the future looks like and how our industry, or the leaders among our industry, will invent the way forward.
What is one way the industry can continue to evolve in ridding itself of gender discrimination?
More women in more roles that matter. As long as we remain in an age of “firsts” and “onlys,” the systemic barriers won’t be broken. When our numbers reach a critical mass—and in positions of significance, making decisions of consequence—that’s when real change happens.
What famous woman, living or deceased, would you like to have dinner with?
Oprah Winfrey. I have a list of life goals that I wrote the year I graduated from college, and one of them was to meet Oprah. Another was to collaborate with her on a project someday. I have faith, there’s still time to make it happen! (What do you think, if I keep saying it in places like this, maybe I improve my odds?)
Best advice for relieving stress?
Get outside. Breathe fresh air. Go for a run, or even just a walk. Remind yourself that the world is bigger than the moment you’re currently experiencing.