How long have you been working with TSN?

Kara Wagland: I have worked in sports broadcasting for 10.5 years on air at TSN, 3 years before that behind the scenes.

When did you first make the decision to get into sports journalism/broadcasting? What drove you to do so?

KW: I was pre-law in my undergrad and took a hard left turn after graduation. After a year interviewing for everything from PR jobs to working for a special effects movie company, I went back to school for journalism and immediately fell in love with being on-air.

Is there a particular journalist that has influenced you in your career?

KW: I have always admired Michelle Beadle. Her presence on air is so natural, she's always so knowledgeable and has an uncanny ability to create chemistry with whoever she works with.

Can you tell me about the mentors, coaches and champions you've had in your corner as you've progressed in your career? Can you talk about their importance? 

KW: I have been so fortunate to have a number of co-workers who mentored me and took me under their wing, giving me advice while I worked behind the scenes. Rod Smith was such an amazing cheerleader for me over the years, Jay Onrait supported and advocated for me to get opportunities and Kate Beirness has always made herself available to answer any question I had, and Noodles has been an amazing resource and friend - a trusted ear that I have been able to lean on through different challenges.

What are your thoughts on how the media currently covers women’s sports?

KW: I think the media has come a long way in covering women's sports...but much like most progress, it doesn't happen over night and we still have a long way to go. I can recognize that this is still a business, but I think in recent years, media has better understood the chicken and egg conversation of promoting and helping to grow women's sports.

With your job, sometimes the access viewers and fans have with you can be very rewarding but also very damaging; how do you take care of yourself?

KW: Social media can be a trip. The constant feedback used to be tough for me, especially with the things that people would comment on or nit pick. I think over the years I've just grown a thick skin. As long as you know you're putting in your best effort you have to realize that we're all human and everyone makes mistakes.

In your words, why is it so important to have diverse voices and viewpoints in media? 

KW: Diversity is important in media just like it is in every workplace. From decision-making to how we tell stories and the people we see on camera telling them. Different backgrounds and experiences are so vital to reaching everyone in the audience and being able to tell a complete story with proper context.

Has your view of what Women’s history means now, compared to what it meant in the past, changed? 

KW: I think women's history is that much more important now. We've seen steady change in favour of equality for women in so many areas. To see things being rolled back in some countries so close to us, to see progress being reversed is difficult to wrap your head around. My brain always thinks in a linear, chronological pattern...so to see a halt in that forward momentum in so many areas is so disappointing.

What advice would you give to your younger self when you first started? 

KW: I would tell my younger self to trust the process. This career didn't happen overnight for me and it took years of grinding. Working 80 hour work weeks, multiple jobs at all hours in hopes of maybe getting a chance one day to prove myself. I had a boss at a part-time job once ask me how long I was going to give this career path before I gave up. When I didn't have an answer for him I realized that in my mind, I knew I would make it - it was just a matter of how long it would take.

What’s the best part of your job?

KW: The best part of my job aside from getting to talk sports is definitely the amazing people I've met and those I get to work with every day. Some really amazing, hard-working people work in this industry from all backgrounds and it has been amazing to work with and learn from them. Aside from that, I love to see how sports can unite people in uncertain or tough times. It's pretty special.

What does being a woman here in Canada mean to you?

KW: Being a woman in Canada means being able to have an opinion. To speak my mind and have it respected by those around me. It's not perfect, but I watch what women are going through in the U.S right now and I feel for them.