The Farm and Forge Podcast

At RPNY Tennis @ Farm & Forge, we’re always focused on helping players unlock their best. In Episode #4, we sit down with legendary racquet technician Roman Prokes to break down his Racquet Evaluation Process—what it is, how it works, and why it can completely change a player’s game.From beginners to pros (including players like Sloane Stephens), Roman explains how finding the right racquet isn’t just about feel—it’s about performance, efficiency, and what your opponent experiences on the other side of the court. Think of it like finding your wand in Harry Potter… when it’s right, you know.Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a college program, or just someone who loves the game, this conversation will change how you think about your equipment. #ForgeIn00:00 Intro00:13 What is the Racquet Evaluation Process?02:10 How the Process Works04:30 Why the Opponent Matters06:45 Finding the “Right” Racquet10:35 Who It’s For + Session Types13:30 Role of Coaches & Hitting Partners15:00 Dialing In: Strings, Tension, Specs18:00 Precision & Matching Racquets19:00 Pro Player Case Studies22:40 Why Equipment Matters More Than You Think25:55 Treating Every Player Like a Pro27:30 Closing + What’s Next

In Episode 3 of the RPNY Podcast, we take a closer look at extended-length tennis racquets — why some players go beyond the standard 27 inches, who actually benefits, and where the tradeoffs begin.Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY Tennis, explores how racquet length evolved, why 27 inches became the modern norm, and what longer frames really change on court — from added reach and serve leverage to increased demands on footwork and timing. This episode challenges common assumptions about racquet length and offers a more thoughtful framework for players, coaches, and parents thinking about extended frames and long-term development.Subscribe for more conversations on equipment, performance, and smarter tennis decisions.0:00 Intro0:27 Extended Racquets Overview3:23 Who Should Use a Longer Racquet?6:48 Serve Benefits8:15 Middle Ground9:30 Advantages of Longer Racquets11:39 27 vs 27.5 Inches13:01 Pro Player Examples14:03 Outro

In Episode 2 of The RPNY Podcast, we take a deep dive into junior racquets, equipment progression, and injury prevention—and why small details matter far more than most people realize.Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY Tennis explains why juniors shouldn’t “grow into” full-size racquets—and how smart, gradual equipment changes can reduce injury risk and support long-term development.This episode connects the dots between racquet sizing, grip size, weight placement, string choice, and volume of play—showing how smart equipment decisions can remove unnecessary variables and reduce stress on growing bodies.Whether you’re a parent navigating junior tennis, a coach guiding player development, or an athlete looking to stay healthy long-term, this episode offers practical, expert insight you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders inside the Farm & Forge ecosystem! #ForgeIn00:00 Introduction00:14 Why Junior Racquets Matter02:08 Junior Racquet Sizes Explained04:20 Why Small Changes Matter for Pros (and Kids)06:38 How to Progress Racquet Size Safely08:02 Grip Size Mistakes with Junior Players10:11 Equipment Changes & Injury Risk14:39 Grip Size as Kids Grow18:10 How Equipment Affects the Opponent20:21 Strings for Junior Players25:37 When Poly Becomes an Option29:18 Racquet Weight vs Maneuverability31:27 Where to Add Weight for Power or Control33:31 Final Thoughts

In this episode, we sit down with Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY, to talk about his move from New York to Tennessee and what it’s been like becoming part of the Farm & Forge ecosystem.Roman shares his first impressions of Tennessee, the people, and the culture—and what ultimately led him to bring RPNY to Farm & Forge. We dive into the evolution of the facility, the vision for what’s being built, and how this unique environment fosters both elite performance and a true family atmosphere. This episode marks the first time we’ve showcased RPNY as part of Farm & Forge on the channel—and it’s just the beginning.Follow for future episodes and conversations at the intersection of performance, craft, and culture! #ForgeIn00:00 Intro00:11 Roman's move to Tennessee01:25 First Impressions of Tennessee03:00 The People & Community at Farm & Forge04:29 Why Farm & Forge Was the Right Fit06:05 The Vision for the Facility07:24 From The Barn to the New Building08:40 Inside the RPNY Shop at Farm & Forge11:27 A True Family Environment

In this episode of the Farm & Forge Podcast, we pull back the curtain on how we do school — and why it looks nothing like the traditional model. Joined by our lovely teachers, we walk through what a real day looks like for students at Farm & Forge, how online academics and in-person support work together, and why personalization is at the center of everything we do.This conversation is for parents rethinking education, educators curious about alternative models, and families searching for an environment where students don’t just do school — they own it. #ForgeIn00:00 Introduction00:30 “How We Do School”01:06 Why This Model Is So Different05:15 Hands-On Learning in an Online Model08:27 Passion-Based Education Explained09:56 Building STEM, Coding, and Future Skills10:51 What a Typical Day Looks Like13:45 Balancing Academics and Athletics15:19 Travel, Absences, and Real-Life Flexibility18:22 Student Ownership and Self-Motivation21:09 Preparing Students for College Independence22:15 Playing Sports at Local Public Schools23:19 College Admissions, Merit, and Opportunity24:30 Why Teachers Took the Risk25:37 Challenges of Teaching in This Model27:00 Test Prep 29:03 Meaningful Assessment (No Busywork)33:34 Using AI as a Tool—Not a Crutch35:30 What Kind of Student Thrives Here38:58 Online School Partnerships Explained40:39 Stories That Define the Culture44:12 Keeping Kids Excited About School45:25 Community, Leadership, and Belonging49:23 Closing Thoughts

In this episode of the Farm & Forge Podcast, we introduce you to the educators behind the work. Robert Garrett sits down with our 3 lovely teachers—Mrs. Miyake, Mrs. Harper, and Mrs. Pickman—to share their backgrounds, their journeys through education, and what ultimately led them to Farm & Forge. From decades in public and private schools to engineering, homeschooling, tutoring, and leadership roles, each brings a unique perspective on teaching and learning.The conversation explores why these educators chose to step away from traditional models, what drew them to something so different, and how Farm & Forge allows them to focus on what they love most: teaching students, building relationships, and saying “yes” more often than “no.” This episode is all about people, purpose, and perspective—and gives a deeper look into the culture that defines Farm & Forge. Subscribe for future episodes as we continue exploring how we do school, how we support students, and how education can work differently.#ForgeIn00:00 Introduction00:49 Meet Mrs. Miyake — Science03:39 Meet Mrs. Harper — English07:28 Meet Mrs. Pickman — Math14:14 How Each Teacher Found Farm & Forge17:00 “Is This Job Real?”18:53 Robert Garrett’s Background21:56 Family, Parenting & Perspective24:02 Saying "Yes" More Than "No" in Education24:36 Teachers on Family & Life Outside School26:15 Community, Gratitude & Balance29:08 Closing Thoughts

Welcome to the inaugural podcast of The Farm & Forge Club! In this episode, we sit down with Tiffany Milner and Matias Marin to dive deeper into their tennis journeys, the philosophy behind Farm & Forge Tennis, and what it takes to build a world-class training environment rooted in culture, character, and long-term athlete development. From junior tennis to college championships to the future of tennis facilities, this episode is all about building something that lasts.#ForgeIn 00:00 Intro00:34 Tiffany Milner06:45 Matias Marin16:50 Farm & Forge Tennis Philosophy24:30 Why Juniors Matter31:30 Facility Vision & Technology36:30 Full-Time Academy Overview42:00 Building Culture Before Buildings49:00 Closing Thoughts