When the NFL season ended and FOX wrapped its Super Bowl LIX coverage, there was one noticeable omission from the usual offseason headlines: Charissa Thompson. Her contract had expired. It was her “longest-lasting” relationship after she rejoined FOX in 2013, and she even made history as the host of FOX NFL Kickoff: Thompson was the first female to host the pregame show! While she had many great moments, 2023 was a turbulent time for her after she stated that she would “would make up the report sometimes,” and that started a discussion about ethics among fans and the sports media industry.

She later on clarified that what she meant was that in the “absence of a coach providing any information that could further my report, I would use information that I learned and saw during the first half to create my report.” She apologized for using the wrong words, and while it was a difficult time, she successfully moved forward. But with her contract done, will sports fans get to see her NFL coverage in the future as well? That’s up to FOX and Thompson, but what we do know is that fans will get the chance to watch her do something extremely exciting; A gig that has nothing to do with sports but will provide a similar adrenaline rush!

During a recent episode of the ‘Calm Down with Erin and Charissa’ podcast, Thompson casually dropped a bombshell. “I’ve been asked by Blue Origin, which I’m very excited about, to host their historic all-female space crew. I’ve been immersed in this for the last, like, almost two months now. And I’ve already learned so much.

“For those of you who want to watch Blurorigin.com, it starts at 7 a.m. CT on April 14. So Blueorigin.com. All you do is log on, its a webcast. Log on to the webcast and it livestreams from 7 a.m. So 7 a.m until the launch which is expected to take off around 8:30. I was asked if I would ever go up there and do it, I was like, ‘Hell yeah, I would.’ I would, I think it would be amazing.” Let’s back up, though. What exactly is Blue Origin?

Jeff Bezos, the creator of Amazon and the man behind the scenes at Blue Origin. If you still think Elon Musk has a monopoly on space toys, think again. Founded in 2000, the company is now valued at around $50 billion. Their mission? Build a road to space, and so, Blue Origin is making it happen, one reusable rocket at a time, even though it seems like something straight out of a science fiction trailer. They are launching more than simply astronauts; they are launching history!

Presenting the New Shepard Mission NS-31. The flight will be the 11th human mission in the New Shepard program and, more significantly, the first all-female crew since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963. It will take off on April 14 from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas. It is indeed historic. And taking the lead in the coverage? Alongside co-hosts Ariane Cornell and Kristen Fisher is Charissa Thompson. Now let’s talk crew.

The women on this mission aren’t just astronauts—they’re icons. There’s Aisha Bowe, a former NASA aerospace engineer. Amanda Nguyen is a civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee. Gayle King, journalism royalty. Katy Perry, of course, joins the mix as the pop queen gets involved. Kerianne Flynn is an indie film powerhouse. And Lauren Sánchez, pilot, journalist, and yes—Jeff Bezos’ fiancée. That launch isn’t just historic. It’s red-carpet worthy.

Speaking of women who are breaking new ground, Charissa Thompson is also causing a stir off the pitch. She’s turning up the volume in a whole new way, from her days at FOX Sports to hosting the hugely popular Calm Down podcast.

Charissa Thompson & Erin Andrews bring their husbands into the podcast game

Charissa Thompson’s media career is nothing short of legendary. She started off in the HR division of Fox Sports in 2006 and worked her way up to become the face of popular NFL broadcasts, including Thursday Night Football and NFL Kickoff. “There’s not a Sunday that goes by that I don’t appreciate my second home,” she wrote last year about FOX. Thompson didn’t just report the game; she redefined it. But now, she’s swapping the sideline mic for a more personal, chaotic, and, frankly, hilarious platform: Her Calm Down podcast.

Alongside her longtime bestie and fellow sports media queen, Erin Andrews, Thompson’s podcast is the unfiltered backstage pass to their lives and careers—without the scripted soundbites. And now? It’s about to get even crazier. Thompson and Erin Andrews have officially brought their husbands—marketing mogul Steven Cundari and NHL legend Jarret Stoll—into the podcast mix, adding a whole new layer of chaos. If you thought Calm Down was wild before, wait till you hear this duo, plus their husbands, break it all down.

They’ve built their bond over 15 years of friendship, sideline stumbles, and shared experiences. From ESPN days to sideline mishaps, their podcast has always been a place for honest, unpolished conversations. But now, with their husbands in the mix, it’s an all-access pass into their lives—family drama, sports world anecdotes, and all the chaos in between.

So, while Thompson might be out here prepping for a literal space mission (hello, Blue Origin), she’s also making major moves in the podcast world. We still have to see if she will return to FOX. But she’s not waiting around.