Best The Dink & The Props Network Podcasts (2025)

1
Zane Uncovers Never Before Seen Serve Rules w/ Samin Odhwani 1:13:38

7d ago1:13:38

1:13:38

Major League Pickleball Commissioner Samin Odhwani is the special guest on a new PicklePod. Commish previews the opening of the 2025 season, explains the updates behind expanded distribution and owner-hosted events. Next, Brooklyn Pickleball Team GM, Josh Gartman, breaks down the name swap between the Brooklyn and the DC team. Gartman recaps his of…

1
UPSETS AND SCANDALS: Legacy Park FRAUD, the Alleged Origins of Pickleball, and NC Open Recap 1:01:09

20d ago1:01:09

1:01:09

Zane Navratil and Thomas Shields talk about the fraud allegations leveled against Legacy Park in Mesa, AZ, by the SEC and DOJ. Legacy Park was supposed to be a utopia for the sport-obsessed. It had hosted multiple APP Tour, PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball events. Thomas then shares information he found in a book that claims that the Pritchard …

1
A Gold Medal Podcast plus A New Replay System w/ Christian Alshon, Tyra Black, Parris Todd, and Jason Aspes 1:26:26

1M ago1:26:26

1:26:26

Zane Navratil and Thomas Shields talk to Christian Alshon, Tyra Black, and Paris Todd about their most recent gold medal wins at the PPA Texas Open, Ben Johns’ calling out of yelling during matches, their goals for the coming year, and much more. Christian Alshon is one of the fastest-rising stars in the world of Pickleball. His gold medal win at t…

1
Carrying Ben Johns to Gold and Addressing Rumors of Fraud w/ Zane Ford, Andrei Daescu and Pran Kohli 1:37:45

1M ago1:37:45

1:37:45

Zane Ford is quickly burning his way through the pro ranks. With his flashy style and unique accessories, he is catching attention (and some ricochets) from the competition. Andrei Daescu is one of the older players on the PPA Tour but he's had a resurgence unlike any other. After dominating on the APP Tour, he's moved to the PPA and won three stra…

1
Hot Girl Summer w/ Travis Rettenmaier 1:22:19

2M ago1:22:19

1:22:19

The first paddle challenge of 2025 revealed some major flaws in the system. Travis Rettenmaier challenged three paddles at PPA Mesa and despite winning the challenge, received no retribution. JOOLA Chief Experience Officer Gordon Kaye weighs in on the situation and explains how the world of professional table tennis handles paddle testing different…

1
Controversial Calls, Targeting Rule Suspension, and Disrespect w/ World's No.1 Federico Staksrud 1:07:08

2M ago1:07:08

1:07:08

The king is in the building. Pickleball's No. 1 ranked singles and doubles player Federico Staksrud joins the pod. We cover Fed's controversial semifinal loss to Hunter Johnson at the PPA Mesa Cup. Next we talk targeting and Fed explains how the rule was immediately suspended after the failed call on Hayden Patriquin. Finally, the guys question if …

1
How to Judge if a Player is a Cheater 2:41:33

2M ago2:41:33

2:41:33

It's a full house on the PicklePod this week as we hear from four special guests. First up is Erik Tice who breaks down the Max Freeman contract situation and the surprising results of the MLP keep/drop exchange. Then Zane goes off on how he judges if a player is a bad line caller or flat-out cheater. Next up, John Kew gives us the update on the Ro…

1
"Can you stop body bagging Australians?" | Zane shocked by the state of pickleball in Australia 1:02:24

3M ago1:02:24

1:02:24

Zane went down under to compete in the first-ever PPA Australia Open. While on-site he sat down with PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe, and Australian pickleballers Joey Wild, Roos Van Reek, and Brendan Lee. Listen to the leaders of the Australian pickleball movement explain how the game is rapidly growing in the country. Joey Wild explains how the tennis…

1
Zane holds nothing back. Debating new pickleball policies with UPA exec. 1:08:35

3M ago1:08:35

1:08:35

Samin Odhwani is the newly appointed Chief Strategy Officer at the United Pickleball Association. Heading into his first year in the role Samin and the team at UPA gave Major League Pickleball a major overhaul. Zane and Thomas run through the changes that include a switch from rally to side-out scoring, an addition of 2 players to each premier leve…

1
The Paddle Problem That isn't Going Away w/ John Kew 1:05:40

3M ago1:05:40

1:05:40

John Kew is at the forefront of pickleball paddle technology. He is setting up a top-in-class testing facility in his basement in Colorado including a PBCoR testing setup. Zane and John cover the ongoing power struggle between paddle companies and UPA-A's emergence as a governing body in the sport. Zane weighs in on the Quang Duong paddle situation…

1
Collin Johns addresses split with Ben, why they called it quits despite being #1 pickleball duo 1:11:27

3M ago1:11:27

1:11:27

Fresh off a gold medal at the PPA Masters, Collin Johns joins the PicklePod. He shares the details behind the Johns Brothers' breakup and why Gabe Tardio was the right partner choice to strengthen the team and eliminate the competition. Zane and Collin debate a violation of the unwritten rules of pro pickleball that led to a shocking bodybag attemp…

1
The Johns Bros' Fallout and Nike Dink Awards Predictions w/ Jim Kloss 1:08:12

4M ago1:08:12

1:08:12

Jim Kloss is known for hot takes in the world of pickleball. He provides his 25 predictions for 2025 and his analysis on the Johns Bros split. Later in the episode, Zane and Jim cast their votes for the Nike Dink Awards. Vote along with Zane and Jim at https://dinkawards.com/. All voters are automatically entered into a giveaway to win one of 10 Pr…

1
From 48-seed to CHAMPION in one year 1:14:37

4M ago1:14:37

1:14:37

No one was hotter than hotter than Hunter Johnson at the end of the 2024 season. He won three PPA titles in the second half of the year including a win at the PPA Finals. Hear Hunter explained the mindset change that helped him reach the top and his take on the state of paddles and where he hopes to land as one of the few top players without a padd…

1
The Tour Wars Go International w/ Armaan Bhatia 1:09:19

5M ago1:09:19

1:09:19

If you ask Chat GPT who the number 1 player in India is, it will tell you the triple crown champion Armaan Bhatia. He is leading the pickleball revolution in India and will influence how the game develops as factions compete in the newest version of tour wars. Meet Mitopure® the only clinically validated, highly pure Urolithin A supplement. Use cod…

1
WORLDS GAUNTLET Pt. 2 w/ Pardoe, Rettenmaier, Blatt, and Goldin 1:13:51

5M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

The podcast Gaunlet at the World Championships in Dallas gave us more guests than we could squeeze into one episode. Part two is out now and features: - Connor Pardoe sharing battle stories from inside of the Tour Wars - Grayson Godin and Hanna Blatt talk about breaking through in pro pickleball in 2024 and playing mixed doubles with a significant …

1
He Had a 1% Chance of Winning w/ Michael Loyd 1:16:18

5M ago1:16:18

1:16:18

Michael Loyd took out some of the biggest names in the game on the World Championship stage. The 21-seed topped Ben Johns, JW Johnson, and Quang Duong in three consecutive days. Based on DUPR, he had a 1% chance to escape the round of 16. We talked about how he devised a winning strategy and how an attitude change has let him be himself on the cour…

1
WORLDS GAUNTLET Pt. 1 w/ KOTC, Dow, Manasse, and Blackwood 1:02:13

6M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

It was a reunion at the UPA World Championships. Zane and Thomas caught up with some of the biggest personalities in the game including ‘Coach to the Stars’ Matt Manasse, Kamryn Blackwood, Tyler Loong, Jimmy Miller, and Greg Dow. Together they cover how paddles are providing an unfair boost to some players, a review of the MLP season, and predict w…

1
98% of Matches Won Have THIS in Common w/ Dave Fleming 1:31:49

6M ago1:31:49

1:31:49

Dave Fleming has been dubbed 'The Voice of Pickleball' and we put that name to the test by trying out some new catchphrases. We dissect new stats that reveal what you should be choosing at the coin toss and why getting out to an early lead is more important than ever. Meet Mitopure® the only clinically validated, highly pure Urolithin A supplement.…

1
Competition Breeds Excellence w/ Christian Alshon 1:08:41

6M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Christian Alshon is the special guest on a new PicklePod. We dive into Alshon's Twitter battle with James Blake, Nick Kyrgios, and the rest of the tennis world. Alshon shares why tensions have been high between him and the Johns bros at recent PPA events. He also explains his plans for creating content while competing at the highest level. Want to …

1
Donald Young's Message to Tennis Pros Outside the Top 100 1:12:26

7M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

Donald Young made a historic run to the U.S. Open mixed doubles finals in his final pro tennis tournament ever. At the nation's biggest tennis event, the topic of conversation was pickleball. On this week's PicklePod, Young breaks down what that event meant to him, the lifestyle difference between tennis and pickleball, and the tips that have helpe…

1
What Happens When Pickleball Consumes Your Life w/ Kaitlyn Kerr 1:33:21

7M ago1:33:21

1:33:21

Kaitlyn Kerr shares her journey from pickleball superfan to MLP team owner. She helped assemble the Las Vegas Night Owls and is now focused on growing something that no one can take away from her. Kaitlyn weighs in on the gender disparity in the leadership of the sport and shares her plans to carve out a bigger spot for women in the game. Catch the…

1
Why Are Your Serves so Illegal? w/ Will Howells 39:14

7M ago39:14

39:14

You know you've made it in pickleball when they change a rule because of you. Will Howells’ performance at MLP NYC was one of the reasons a new rule was in place days after the event. Learn how Will has adopted pickleball after a tennis career at Notre Dame, find out who is behind the Will Howells fan page on IG, and hear all about The 5s experienc…

1
Gary Vee: Pickleball is the Future, Building the Next NBA 54:31

7M ago54:31

54:31

World-renowned entrepreneur and online personality Gary Vee is the very special guest on PicklePod this week. He explains the unique aspect of pickleball that made it a no-brainer investment. Gary and New Jersey 5s GM Ryan Harwood disclose the ‘Big Bet’ draft strategy that won them Anna Leigh Waters. Gary shares his perspective on controlling the m…

1
New Offensive Tactics, Pickleball Analytics, and Good vs Bad Coaching 1:08:52

8M ago1:08:52

1:08:52

If you're a true pickleball fan then you've seen a video from @thatpickleballguy He's been creating entertaining and instructional pickleball content and amassed one of the biggest followings in the game all while working on a pro pickleball career. We cover how analytics will change the way the game is played, what good vs bad pickleball coaching …

1
Show Me an Illegal Serve, Win $20 w/ Matty Pickles 1:25:05

8M ago1:25:05

1:25:05

Infamous pickleball influencer Matty Pickles joins the PicklePod this week. Matty had a front row seat at the Las Vegas Cup and compares his notes from the stands to what Zane experienced on court. We talk court conditions, serve rule controversies, play Guess My DUPR, and react to the Selkirk Letters. We play Guess My DUPR and react to the Selkirk…

1
I'm Happy to Say I Was Wrong About Pickleball w/ John Isner 1:39:22

8M ago1:39:22

1:39:22

The ATP all-time ace leader and owner of ITF's fastest official serve, John Isner, is this week's special guest. John weighs on the evolution of the pickleball service rules and gives an inside look at how US tennis stars are approaching pickleball. Win on any court with Olukai footwear https://bit.ly/3VxEGoF Save $25 on Proton Paddles with code PR…

1
Should Blatant Headshots Come With a Punishment? w/ Anna Bright 1:20:10

9M ago1:20:10

1:20:10

Anna Bright is the special guest on an all-new episode of PicklePod. She shares a hot take on the ALW vs Agassi hypothetical match, weighs in on the bodybag hunting trend, and reveals her favorite pro player to watch. Plus we had you submit your game tape. Zane and Anna try to guess your DUPR and provide some heartfelt coaching in the process. Win …

1
Tanking, Agassi vs ALW, and Owning Your Hooks w/ Travis Rettenmaier 1:18:18

9M ago1:18:18

1:18:18

Travis Rettenmaier shares his unfiltered takes on the leaked 'letter' from Collin Johns, why Riley Newman is struggling in 2024, and why line calls won't get better until a solution is put in place. Travis and Zane start the groundwork on organizing a series of exhibition Battle of the Sexes matches including Anna Leigh Waters vs tennis legend Andr…

1
Nasty Nelsons, private jets, and Big H's breakout w/ Hayden Patriquin 1:05:59

9M ago1:05:59

1:05:59

Zane and Hayden Patriquin had the most talked-about moment from MLP Salt Lake City. It was the first Nasty Nelson in MLP history and prompted an outburst that earned Patriquin an Orange Card. Plus a Facebook Group out to combat pickleball noise is actively working to prevent courts from being built. Zane and Thomas cover the claims of mental disord…

1
Bad line calls, Zane's rant & randomly calling influencers & execs 1:19:15

9M ago1:19:15

1:19:15

Is Zane the new GOAT of MLP? His New Jersey 5s team won the MLP Mid-season championship and are now favorites to win the season title in December. The guys weigh in on the controversial Challenger Level line call, the Johns Bros performance, and the paddle testing fiasco. Plus we play a new game, "Call someone who" and hear from some of our friends…

1
Upsetting the world's top three w/ Chris Haworth 1:13:58

10M ago1:13:58

1:13:58

You’re going to have a new favorite player after hearing from special guest Chris Haworth. Despite having wins over Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud he is humble and hungry in his pickleball journey. Haworth shares his road to becoming one of the best singles players in the game and what he is focusing on to become one of the best doubles players as…

1
Is USA Pickleball in BIG trouble? w/ Jill Braverman 1:12:19

10M ago1:12:19

1:12:19

What happens when a former Challenger Level MVP enters the league mid-season? Jill Braverman shares the scramble prior to last week's Wavier Period and more. ➡️ Details emerge on the JOOLA vs USA Pickleball lawsuit ➡️ Jill shares the reason she decided to rejoin MLP ➡️ Will equipment sales follow the same pattern as golf? We've teamed up with Oluka…

1
Rumors that might change pickleball forever 56:42

10M ago56:42

56:42

The pickleball world could look a lot different in 2025. Rumors have begun to swirl about the paddle certification process under UPA. A change here could result in consumers paying even more for paddles. Thomas and Zane debate who won last week’s MLP trade frenzy and share the details from a visit to Proton HQ. Catch the new episode here. We've tea…

1
Hot paddles, hotter mics, and pickleball's wildest fault 1:12:59

11M ago1:12:59

1:12:59

Lawsuits are popping up everywhere in the world of pickleball. We share the latest in a growing class action lawsuit. Ben Johns was caught on a hot mic at the PPA Sacramento Open, Zane shares his take. The guys take a look at the upcoming MLP Washington D.C. event and revisit the unlikely James Ignatowich sticker fault. We've teamed up with Olukai …

1
Worst attempt at "cheating" results in largest pickleball fine 1:21:25

11M ago1:21:25

1:21:25

Kyle Selinko co-owner of Boxcar Productions and Close Call Relay joins the pod to solve pickleball's line call headache. Selinko explains the technology he's employed to automate line calls and remove subjectivity. Zane and Thomas catch up after Zane's honeymoon and cover the Andrei Daescu suspension, JOOLA Gen 3 paddles getting de-listed, and the …

1
Best of PicklePod 2024 1:02:16

11M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Zane is still on his honeymoon so we've compiled some of the best moments so far this year. Catch some of our favorites here and go back and listen to your favorite personalities in the game. Show Notes: 0:00 Intro 3:19 Collin Johns - Building Ben's backhand 12:22 Anna Leigh Waters - Insane fan stories 15:32 Riley Newman - The Pancake Grip 22:30 Ri…

1
Pickleball's leading organizations share insights at racquetX 1:00:17

11M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Back in March, leaders from pickleball’s top organizations gathered under one roof at the racquetX Conference to discuss the future of the game. The Dink’s own Thomas Shields led a panel that included: Anne Worcester - Strategic advisor, MLP Bryce Morgan - President, PPA Tour Tom Webb - Chief Marketing Officer, APP Mike Nealy - Chief Executive Offi…

1
Paddle disqualified for 'illegal substance' 1:23:06

12M ago1:23:06

1:23:06

What's your DUPR? Are you above or below the average player? DUPR CEO Tito Machado breaks down how the game is exploding among younger players and in more countries. Plus Zane and Thomas recap events from MLP Atlanta including illegal substances, players earning penalties, and a dust-up between The 5's and Hustlers. It's not just the weapon, it's t…

1
Let's be blunt about pickleball with Travis Rettenmaier 1:17:46

12M ago1:17:46

1:17:46

Travis 'The Rattlesnake' Rettenmaier joins the pod fresh off a PPA Bronze with Zane Navratil. Travis shares the life-changing pickleball experience that led to him becoming a pickleball pro and MLP team owner. Travis is not shy to call out cheating at the pro ranks. He goes in on how new paddles have changed the identity of the game overnight. Reco…

1
Let the players do the talking w/ Lea Jansen 1:13:17

1y ago1:13:17

1:13:17

Lea Jansen joins the pod after her first singles title in nearly three years. We discuss paddle technology, her return to singles, drug testing, and the new wave of players in the women's game. A big change is imminent in the pro game. Find out what Lea would change to help the game keep up with other professional sports. Save 20% on Tifosi sunglas…

1
Paddle technology and legality with paddle expert Dan Martinson 1:10:01

1y ago1:10:01

1:10:01

Dan Martinson from PIKKL joins the pod to discuss the current state of paddle technology. Dan's material science background and passion for pickleball have led him to become a paddle expert. His new approach to maintaining paddle integrity could have a big impact on how players use and replace paddles. Find an event near you and register to play in…

1
Unique pickleball drills that fueled rapid rise to top pro 1:08:28

1y ago1:08:28

1:08:28

Augie Ge’s unique entry into pickleball had an unfortunate beginning but became a blessing in disguise. After losing his biostatistics job, Ge went all-in and pro pickleball. His own brand of obscure drills and tennis/ping pong background have led him to a PPA Silver Medal, MLP Premier Level, and an Arizona Pickleball League title. Ready to wield s…

1
This episode is for pickleball nerds only 1:23:12

1y ago1:23:12

1:23:12

Newly appointed GM of the Texas Ranchers, Ryan Dawidjan, joins the pod. The guys grade and analyze all of the MLP teams following the draft. The Ranchers' first pick Christian Alshon has started a Twitter feud. The guys discuss how the back and forth shook out and a new possible on-court challenge between Alshon and James Blake. Ready to wield some…

1
How Zane upset the #1 Johns Bros 1:23:53

1y ago1:23:53

1:23:53

Zane recaps his big weekend at the Austin Open and how the conditions were right for a Johns upset. Pickleball United CEO Pranav Kohli stops by to explain the Pickleball World Series. The new international tour is set to kick off in 2025 and offers some of the largest prize pools in pickleball history. Use code DINK10 to save 10% on the new CHUCK p…

1
Insane fan stories and the pressure of being #1 1:21:03

1y ago1:21:03

1:21:03

What’s it like to be the world’s best player at just 17 years old? Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters join a very special edition of the PicklePod to give you a look behind the curtain. They share some insane fan stories including groups of fans tracking them down at the airport. Finally, Anna Leigh explains how to hit one of her most dangerous shots. Sav…

1
The reality of the PPA & MLP Merger 1:32:22

1y ago1:32:22

1:32:22

Jimmy Miller from the King of the Court podcast joins the pod to break down the merger aftermath. The MLP season can finally get underway but there are still a few loose ends to tie up. A couple players have opted out of salary reductions or have been bought out of their contracts. That means we could see some top talent choosing not to compete in …

1
Collin Johns gets technical, pickleball strategy talk 1:19:27

1y ago1:19:27

1:19:27

After a surprising upset in Mesa, Collin Johns is back on the PicklePod. He explains how the new Vulcan ball is affecting play and how the new serve rule has helped remove egregious faults from the game. Collin recalls the few teams that have taken him and his brother Ben in the past three years and explains how those opponents were able to hand th…

1
How to go pro in less than a year w/ Jaume Martinez Vich 1:04:48

1y ago1:04:48

1:04:48

Jaume Martinez Vich is the guest on an all-new episode of the PicklePod. From humble origins in Spain, Jaume has gone from Rafa Nadal's hitting partner to a DII Tennis National Champion and is now a top 10 pro pickleball player. Learn more about Jaume's risky bet on himself to make it as a pickleball pro. He shares the details of how he fought for …

1
How America gave the world pickleball fever 1:30:49

1y ago1:30:49

1:30:49

Tom Webb, the Chief Marketing Officer at the APP sits down with Thomas and Zane to share a little of what the APP has been building in the shadows. From international events to college championships and establishing a new headquarters in FL, the APP has been quietly making moves. Their goal is to share their brand of pickleball with the world and l…

1
Risky strategy to win more pickleball matches w/ Dekel Bar 1:12:23

1y ago1:12:23

1:12:23

The big man, Dekel Bar, steps into the PicklePod studio to get some things off his chest. Dekel is not a fan of the new serve rule and thinks it detracts from viewer friendly pickleball. Zane and Dekel had an epic semifinal matchup and the Desert Ridge Open. We break down the hostile attacks and game-changing clips that made the match unforgettable…

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