PODCAST · sports
Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition
by Kaitlin Miller
A podcast highlighting pickleball pros, community leaders, and business professionals. The show spotlights how special and unique the pickleball community is on a worldwide stage. Don't forget to follow us and leave a review!Contact: [email protected]
Episodes
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Episode 86: Couple Sold their first pickleball club to build a new club triple the size
Russ Johnson and Deb Cohen’s pickleball journey began with Pickleball Citi, a smaller club that gave them the experience and insight to dream bigger. After selling their first facility, they’re taking everything they learned and putting it into Rally Haus Sports, a much larger, community-focused...
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Episode 85: Transforming Pickleball Through Faith, Community, & Ministry
Mark Stephens leads the Pickleball Ministry for SportsLife Leadership, an organization dedicated to building sports communities for kingdom impact and infusing life into sports leaders around the world. Mark shares how he is using pickleball as a platform for ministry, bringing professional...
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Episode 84: Building Pickleball’s Most Iconic Venues
What happens when a two-sport Division I athlete at Harvard with an accomplished career in finance discovers pickleball for the first time and sees an opportunity to completely change the game? Mary Cannon, co-founder of CityPickle, shares the story of how one game sparked an idea that would…
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Episode 83: Pickleball Without Borders: How Wesley Gabrielsen Is Growing the Game Around the World
Pickleball Hall of Famer and global ambassador Wesley Gabrielsen returns to Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition to share how the sport is creating connections far beyond the court. From leading the Dilli Dilwale to a World Pickleball League Team Championship in India, to participating in the...
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Episode 82: Inside the Rapid Rise of Dill Dinkers with CEO Will Richards
Dill Dinkers CEO, Will Richards, shares how a love for pickleball turned into one of the fastest-growing pickleball franchises in the country. With 27 clubs open across 13 states and rapid expansion underway, Dill Dinkers has also achieved the highest court revenue per court in the industry.…
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Episode 81: Inside DUPR: Death Threats, Controversy, and the Rise to #1
Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR, gets real about the highs and lows of building the world’s leading pickleball rating system. From nearly going out of business and facing intense backlash, including death threats, to helping establish DUPR as the clear global standard in pickleball, now used in more…
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Episode 80: How AI Is Transforming Pickleball Highlights and Content Creation
Vaibhav Verma, founder of Aero AI, explores how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing pickleball content creation. From his background as a competitive tennis player and Y Combinator-backed founder to building a tool now used by the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, Vaibhav shares how he...
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Episode 79: Bringing Pickleball to Prisons: The Movement Changing Lives Behind Bars
Roger BelAir is using pickleball to bring together inmates, including violent offenders, from places like Chicago’s Cook County Jail, where even individuals convicted of murder are finding common ground on the court. What were once deeply divided groups, including rival gang members who would not...
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Episode 78: A Pickleball to the Eye Sparked the Creation of a Global Brand
Brad Robbins, founder of Kitchen Blockers, the lensless protective eyewear brand talks about redefining safety in pickleball After suffering an eye injury on the court Brad was inspired to create a solution that players would actually want to wear eliminating common issues like fogging glare and...
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Episode 77: Evan Slaughter Found Pickleball in Rehab and the Purpose That Changed His Life
You probably know Evan Slaughter aka Fit2Serve as the hilarious guy behind the pickleball reels that make us all laugh but his story goes far deeper than social media. An Army veteran, Evan faced PTSD after his service and struggled with addiction, weight gain, and ultimately found himself in…
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Episode 76: Courts App: The Expedia for Pickleball and Racquet Sports
Daren Hornig brings his real estate and marketplace expertise to pickleball with Courts App, a new platform designed to simplify court booking across racquet sports. Often described as the “Expedia for racquet sports,” Courts App allows players to book available court time nationwide while…
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Episode 75: Ten Years of the Biggest Pickleball Party in the World — The US Open Lottery Is Open
The US Open Pickleball Championships is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, and with the competition lottery opening this week, we’re taking a closer look at what makes this event one of the most anticipated tournaments in the sport. Often called the Biggest Pickleball Party in the World, the US...
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Episode 74: When the Music Stopped, a New Game Began for the CEO of National Pickleball League
When an injury forced former rockstar Gordon Gebert to step away from the stage, he found himself searching for the energy, connection, and purpose that had once fueled his life. Everything changed when he discovered pickleball, a sport that not only reignited his passion but transformed his...
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Episode 73: The Future of Pickleball Recovery with Kineon Red Light Therapy & Longevity
Forrest Smith, founder of Kineon Labs, breaks down why recovery is the key to playing pickleball for life. We dive into how red light therapy and trigger point therapy help reduce inflammation, protect your joints, and keep your body moving at a high level as the wear and tear of the sport adds…
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Episode 72: How CourtReserve Turned a Kitchen Table Idea Into a 54M Company
CourtReserve cofounder Ashley Owens shares the remarkable growth story behind one of the leading platforms in racquet and paddle sports. What began as an idea at a kitchen table has scaled into a company serving more than 2,000 clubs and five million players worldwide and recently secured a 54...
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Episode 71: Power to the Players: Inside the Launch of the WPPA with Dekel Bar
In a historic moment for the sport, professional pickleball players have come together to launch the World Pickleball Players Association (WPPA), the first-ever player-led organization dedicated to uniting athletes and advancing the game. Board member and pro player Dekel Bar joins the show to...
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Episode 70: The Email That Changed Everything: Scott Brown’s Journey to Centerline Athletics
Scott Brown is now leading one of the top pickleball apparel brands, partnering with the biggest names in the sport and getting their products featured in national television commercials on ESPN and Fox Sports. His path here was anything but ordinary. After spending 20 years at Nike, Scott moved...
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Episode 69: Acing the Franchise Game:Joe Sexton's Story Behind Building a Franchise Empire
Joe Sexton, Co-Founder and President of Ace Pickleball Club, never imagined franchising would become his long-term career path. After more than 20 years working with top brands like Sky Zone, Joe entered the pickleball world and it changed everything. Inspired by his mom’s life-changing story, he...
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Episode 68: From Olympian to Global Game-Changer: Tracy Evans Brings Pickleball to Rwanda & Cambodia
Three-time Olympian and national champion in freestyle skiing, Tracy Evans, has always been a trailblazer both in sport and in life. After revolutionizing aerial skiing with groundbreaking jumps, she turned her passion toward creating impact off the slopes by founding Kids Play International, a...
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Episode 67: Finding Friendship & Freedom Through Pickleball
Casie Caldwell and Lauren Vosbein, hosts of the podcast Dinks on Tap, are proof that pickleball can change your life in the best way. Casie shares how losing her hospitality career became the spark that helped her finally find work life balance and a new sense of purpose. Lauren talks about…
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Episode 66: Pickleball + Eatertainment: The Winning Formula?
Brian Harper, the visionary behind Pickle & Social, shares how he’s blending pickleball with the wildly successful eatertainment model he helped grow at Topgolf. He explains why combining food, fun, and the fastest-growing sport in America is a winning formula, and how the concept’s adaptability...
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Episode 65: Pickleball Meets Romance: The New App Changing the Dating Game for Pickleballers
What happens when love and pickleball collide? In this episode, we chat with Anneliese Niebauer, co-founder of PickleMatch, the first pickleball dating app built for pickleball players. Born out of her own post-breakup journey, Anneliese turned the not-so-fun world of dating apps into something...
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Episode 64: Singing for the Pickleball Queen: A Country Song & Line Dance for Anna Leigh Waters
Singer, songwriter, and pickleball poet David Francis joins the show to debut his country & western comedy song about Anna Leigh Waters, the number one pickleball player in the world. Packed with golden pickles, body bags, ATPs, and punchlines, this song captures the spirit of the game and the...
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Episode 63: Building Community and Smashing Stereotypes in Pickleball
Pamela DeLoatch, a writer turned athlete from Raleigh, North Carolina, never saw herself as a competitor until a spontaneous pickleball match with a friend changed everything. That moment led to the founding of Black Girl Magic Pickleball, a vibrant and growing community of more than 120 Black...
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Episode 62: Game Changing Recovery with C2 Bands for Pickleball Performance
Curt Carbaugh, founder of C2 Performance, joins the show to break down how his innovative band system is helping pickleball players train smarter and prevent injuries. After years of training Olympic athletes and top-tier pros, Curt developed C2 bands to target muscle imbalances, improve…
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Episode 61: Le Pickle Club: Where French Chic Meets Pickleball Culture
Twin sisters and fashion founders Ashley Cornil and Sara Brady turned their love of racquet sports and style into Le Pickle Club, one of the most buzzed about clothing brands blending comfort, elegance, and pickleball flair. After selling their successful women’s accessories line, KIN THE LABEL,...
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Episode 60: The Woman Behind Pickleball’s Rise at Life Time: A Fitness Club Revolution
We're joined by the woman behind one of the biggest pickleball booms in the country, Emily Akradi. As the founder of the Life Time Foundation and wife of Life Time CEO Bahram Akradi, Emily is the driving force behind bringing pickleball to Life Time clubs nationwide. What started as her personal...
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Episode 59: From Opponents to Partners: Sarah Bowman & John Braun's Journey On and Off the Court
Sarah Bowman and John Braun went from pickleball opponents to an unstoppable duo in business and competition. After reconnecting off the court, they hit the road, traveling the world by car, co-hosting a podcast, and building their brand along the way. Sarah is now chasing a spot in the National...
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Episode 58: Serving the Future with Randall Bedwell’s Mission to Grow Junior Pickleball
Randall Bedwell is a passionate advocate for junior pickleball development. Randall shares his mission to grow the sport among youth through his organizations Pickleball Kids USA and the Tennessee Junior Pickleball Association. From integrating pickleball into after-school programs and PE…
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Episode 57: US Open Pickleball Championships with New Tech, Big Upgrades, and an Agassi Appearance
The 2025 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples is bringing the heat like never before. With over 3,400 players from all 50 states and 40 countries, it’s the biggest pickleball party in the world. US Open Owner, Ben Weinberger, talks about the brand-new wellness center, a beachside...
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Episode 56: 36 Hours for a Purpose: CK’s Attempt to Break the Pickleball World Record
Chong Kim, better known as CK, is on a mission to break the Guinness World Record for the longest pickleball marathon, aiming to play for an incredible 36 consecutive hours with three of his friends. The current record stands at 34 hours and 5 minutes, and CK is pushing past it not just for the...
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Episode 55: Serving More Than Pickleball: How USA Pickleball Gives Back
Jose Moreno is the Chief Marketing Officer of USA Pickleball, which is the national governing body for the sport in the United States. Jose dives into the excitement of USA Pickleball’s golden ticket events, which give players a chance to qualify for the prestigious national championships. But...
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Episode 54: Revolutionizing Recovery With Kineon’s Game-Changing Red Light Therapy
Forrest Smith set out to build a mission-driven company that truly helps people—and that’s exactly what he did with Kineon. In this episode, we dive into how Kineon is making advanced light therapy accessible and affordable with the Move+ Pro, a compact yet powerful device delivering…
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Episode 53: 12-Year-Old Pickleball Phenom Rocco Monteleon Is Just Getting Started
In just four months, 12-year-old Rocco Monteleon has skyrocketed from pickleball beginner to medaling in 4.0 tournaments and winning two bronze medals at his first national junior tournament. A former USTA tennis player, Rocco made the switch to pickleball and hasn’t looked back—so much so that…
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Episode 52: Next Gen Pickleball: 11-Year-Old Ethan Lefkowitz on Competing, Challenges, and Going Pro
For the first time ever, an 11-year-old is joining the podcast! Ethan Lefkowitz is one of the youngest rising stars in pickleball, competing on the junior tour and already making a name for himself. Growing up in New York City, he learned the game by playing against adults, facing challenges and...
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Episode 51: From Garage Startup to Powerhouse in Pickleball Innovation with Diadem's Evan Specht
What does it take to thrive in the fastest-growing sport in America? Evan Specht, Co-Founder of Diadem Sports, knows firsthand. Starting in his garage, Evan built a tennis brand that quickly pivoted into pickleball, driven by his love for innovation and the challenge of a fast-paced industry. In...
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Episode 50: More Than a Game: How Pickleball Saved My Life
In this heartfelt episode, Stephen Jones shares his deeply personal journey with Stage 4 cancer and how the pickleball community has shown up for him in extraordinary ways. While he’s no longer able to play the sport he loves during his chemotherapy treatments, Stephen’s connection to the...
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Episode 49: From Dinking to Thinking: Pickleball Corporate Team Building
Christine and Peter Burrows started PB-CB to provide corporate teams the opportunity to learn and play the fastest-growing sport while also enjoying some cohesion, communication, collaboration and fun! Whether you’re a small team or an enterprise organization that wants to build departments or...
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Episode 48: Pickleball Poetry Verses That Bring Joy to the Game
Doug Snelson is the author of the award-winning book Pickleball Poetry: Fun and Whimsical Verses to Dink About. Collaborating with renowned referees and players, Doug crafted 32 playful and insightful poems that celebrate the techniques, emotions, and camaraderie of the pickleball community. His...
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Episode 47: Turning a Setback into an Entrepreneurial Success: The CLT Paddle Battle Journey
Anthony Flores, a Charlotte native with a lifelong passion for sports, turned a post-injury spark into a thriving entrepreneurial venture. After discovering pickleball in 2021, Anthony combined his competitive spirit with his love for building community to create CLT Paddle Battle, a flexible...
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Episode 46: From One of the First Backyard Courts to #1 Junior Player
Step into pickleball history with Jesse Knutson, a trailblazer who grew up on one of the first backyard pickleball courts in Seattle, dating back to 1969. As the #1 junior player in the U.S., Jesse dominated the game before most even knew it existed. Now the Head of Publicity for the Academy of...
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Episode 45: The Cinderella Story is Just Beginning for Michael Loyd
This week, we welcome Michael Loyd back to the podcast to relive his remarkable journey at the Pickleball World Championships. Michael shocked the pickleball community with a Cinderella run, taking down legends like Ben Johns, JW Johnson, and Quang Duong to claim silver. Now, his name is on...
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Episode 44: Building Middle Tennessee's First Outdoor Pickleball Facility with Apex Pickleball
Stephen Grich is the Founder and CEO of Apex Pickleball and he brings Middle Tennessee its very first outdoor, dedicated pickleball facility. With 11 courts, a championship court, and a deep commitment to growing the sport, Stephen shares the inspiring story behind transforming an empty property...
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Episode 43: Revolutionizing Pickleball Rules With The Official Pickleball E-Referee™️
Tracy Thomas and Cass Torian are co-founders of The Official Pickleball E-Referee™️, the first-ever AI-powered rules app built exclusively for pickleball. Designed to empower players with a deeper understanding of the game, this interactive tool provides real-time answers to rule-related…
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Episode 42: Make it Yours With Custom Bands That Make Your Paddle Stand Out
Ever get tired of hearing, "Whose paddle is this?" at open play? Sam Goodwin, co-founder of MyPadL, has the answer—custom bands that let you personalize your paddle with your name, number, favorite saying, or even emojis. But that’s not all: Sam and his team hand-paint and craft each band...
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Episode 41: Bouncing into the Future with an Innovative Coaching Platform
Ryan is the co-founder and CEO of Bounce which is an innovative platform transforming the way racquet sport players and coaches connect. Whether you're on the court or learning remotely, Bounce serves as a one-stop shop for all your needs. Players can review coach profiles, receive personalized...
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Episode 40: Unlocking Pickleball Anywhere: How 365Dink is Changing Access to Pickleball Facilities
Vanessa and Camilla are the visionary duo behind 365Dink. Much like the popular Epic or Ikon passes for skiing, 365Dink brings a game-changing concept to the pickleball world. These trailblazing women have created the first-ever membership program allowing pickleball enthusiasts to play at...
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Episode 39: Giving 110%: Todd 'Mojo' Muffley on Building a Brand Behind a Bigger Meaning
Todd "Mojo" Muffley is the creative force behind 110 Hats and Mojo Pickleball. Each hat design is a personal project for Todd, with only 110 hats made per design, inspired by his father’s advice to always give 110%. Todd doesn’t stop there—he also designs the hats himself and personally crafts…
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Episode 38: Dr. Tess Kilwein on Peak Performance, PTSD, and Partnership in Pickleball
Dr. Tess Kilwein is a renowned clinical and sports psychologist who works with elite collegiate athletes at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Kilwein dives deep into the power of mental performance and the critical role of mental resets in pickleball, comparing these strategies to other sports and...
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Episode 37: From Hospitality to Pickleball: Blake Wilke’s Dream Barndominium in Tennessee
Blake Wilke is an entrepreneur who merged his love for hospitality and pickleball to create a unique short-term rental experience. Blake shares his journey from working in the hospitality industry to developing a stunning barndominium-style home on three acres in the Tennessee countryside, just...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast highlighting pickleball pros, community leaders, and business professionals. The show spotlights how special and unique the pickleball community is on a worldwide stage. Don't forget to follow us and leave a review!Contact: [email protected]
HOSTED BY
Kaitlin Miller
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition have?
Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition currently has 87 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition about?
A podcast highlighting pickleball pros, community leaders, and business professionals. The show spotlights how special and unique the pickleball community is on a worldwide stage. Don't forget to follow us and leave a review!Contact: [email protected]
How often does Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition release new episodes?
Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition has 87 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition?
You can listen to Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition?
Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition is created and hosted by Kaitlin Miller.
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