Ep. 8 — When Mom's Obsessed with Pickleball (Shannen)

Host Deirdre welcomes her daughter Shannen for an inside look at what it's like to be family to a pickleball enthusiast. From almost missing family portraits for tournaments to tracking mom's location through phone apps, Shannen shares candid and often hilarious stories about life with a pickleball-obsessed parent. While she's tried the sport herself, Shannen offers a refreshing perspective on pickleball culture through the eyes of a casual player who appreciates the community benefits yet hasn't caught the same intense passion. This episode highlights the relatable family dynamics, the powerful connections formed through recreational sports, and the special mother-daughter bond that thrives despite (and sometimes because of) pickleball's presence in their lives.HighlightsShannen's hilarious impressions of her mom's animated on-court reactionsPlaying with strangers at open play can be nerve wrackingParallels between finding love through recreational hockey and making friends through pickleballThe infamous "dinner reservation incident" that became family loreThe family intervention that led to mandatory phone location trackingHow a pickleball tournament almost derailed a long-planned family portrait sessionThe competitive dynamics when playing doubles with her fiancé, sister, and brother-in-lawHow Shannen's fiancé's natural athletic ability led to some good-natured jealousyWhy making friends as an adult is hard, and how recreational sports can helpChapters00:00 Introduction 01:30 Family Perspective on Mom's Playing Pickleball05:07 Almost Missing Family Portraits for a Tournament06:33 How Open Play Can Make Newbies Like Her Nervous09:37 The Dinner Reservation Incident14:17 The Kids Insist Tracking Phone Locations17:24 Making Fun of Mom's Animated Reactions20:04 Shannen Playing Pickleball With College Friends23:07 Deciding to Step Back from Pickleball24:47 Welcoming Culture of Pickleball26:03 Meeting Her Fiance Through Rec (Hockey) Play29:42 The Bonding Power of Recreational Sports31:21 Making Friends as an Adult Can Be Hard34:38 The Benefits of Pickleball for Mom38:20 Origins of Calling Her Mom by Her First Name40:24 Annoyed That Her Fiance is Naturally Good at Pickleball41:18 Dynamics of Playing With Her Sister and Their Partners