Feb. 6, 2026, Redmond, Veteran sports broadcaster Jen Mueller drew a packed room in Overlake last week for Talk Sporty to Me, a conversational workshop the City of Redmond ran as part of its Fútbol for All Speaker Series.
Mueller kept the evening low-key and useful. Rather than a formal lecture, the session felt like a practice huddle.
She mixed short stories from her broadcasting career with clear, actionable tips on starting better conversations, listening to teammates, and turning awkward moments into productive exchanges.
People left with practical next steps they could try at work or in community groups the next day.
“Thank you to everyone who joined veteran sports broadcaster Jen Mueller in Redmond’s Overlake neighborhood for Talk Sporty to Me last week,” the city posted after the event.
“We hope you enjoyed learning about actionable conversation strategies for more effective workplace communication and how sports can build relationships.”
That tone of practical optimism matched the room, where attendees nodded along, asked questions, and traded notes about applying the ideas in the office.
The event is one thread in Redmond’s broader Ready for the World effort, the city’s program to prepare neighborhoods, businesses, and residents for World Cup summer activity.
City staff say the speaker series is meant to meet a wide range of people, from those who only follow soccer casually to business owners planning for heavier foot traffic on match days.
Redmond has two related events coming up that expand on the same theme.
On Monday, Feb. 9, the city will host Let’s Get Match Ready, an information and strategy session at Redmond City Hall focused on public safety, emergency preparedness, and tips for businesses during large match days.
The free session runs from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., and includes a brief networking period followed by presentations from city staff and guests.
Sounders FC legends James Riley and Brad Evans will join the discussion to talk about the teams still in contention and what fans should expect.
Then on Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Fútbol for All Speaker Series continues with a free talk on sports photography by Corky Trewin at Aloft Seattle Redmond.
Trewin, a Redmond High graduate who has shot for the Seahawks and currently works as a team photographer for Sounders FC, will share how he captures game action and the stories behind memorable images.
The event runs from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., snacks will be available, and a cash bar will be on site. The session is presented in partnership with Amazon and the Port of Seattle.
City staff encourage residents to register early because some sessions have limited seating.
You can find registration details and the full Ready for the World schedule on the City of Redmond events pages, including the Sports Photography sign-up.
If you missed Mueller’s talk, there will be more chances to join the series and get practical tips that connect sports to everyday life and work.
The emphasis isn’t just on match day excitement, city staff say, it’s on building community skills and neighborhood readiness that last well after the final whistle.
While all the sources are provided by the superficial harmony of the football songs in the mix.
Source: City of Redmond event posts and Fútbol for All Speaker Series materials.
