Once upon a time, Kaitlin Miller was covering broadcast journalism red carpets and national headlines. Now she’s helping the Nashville pickleball scene blow up one rooftop pickleball rally and post-game marg at a time. With a paddle in one hand and a mic in the other, she’s turning rec play into a real movement, and she’s just getting started.

In this episode of your favorite pickleball podcast, Dinks On Tap, Kaitlin spills the sweet tea on how she went from chasing breaking news to building courts with Court Kings, hosting celeb tournaments, and giving newbies pickleball tips not to freak out in the kitchen. Whether she’s running drills at Pickleball Kingdom, throwing rooftop matches, or sipping martinis mid-dink, she’s blending paddle sports with Southern charm and redefining what it means to play for the long game.

Kaitlin’s breaking down everything from shady open-play vibes to the little mindset shifts that actually matter from newbie nerves to pro-level coaching pickleball moments.

We get into:

From broadcast booths to pickleball courts, this episode hits every line. Expect big laughs, real talk, and the kind of strategic glow-up that happens when women run the show. Grab your paddle and your drinks, happy hour starts here.

Cheers,

Casie & Lauren

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What would happen if pickleball got a Caitlin Clark–level shake-up, a blast of PR glitter, and just enough paddle-side gossip to keep the courts buzzing all weekend? That is exactly what we are serving today!

First up, our resident pickleball provocateur, Andrew Kole, spills why the sport still hasn’t found its breakout star and what it could steal from the sports marketing playbook of the WNBA. We’re talking player branding that goes way beyond logos on paddles, plus the coaching strategies that could make the pickleball community as binge-worthy as your favorite competitive sports.

Then, Dr. Joy Macci takes the mic for a masterclass in mental toughness, mindset training, and game psychology. She’s worked with elite athletes at the top of their game and she’s dropping pickleball tips that go way past the dink. Think paddle positioning secrets, shot selection tweaks, and micro-adjustments that create major performance improvement.

We get into:

It’s got spice, it’s got receipts, and it’s packed with takeaways whether you’re medal-chasing, brand-building, or just here for the mental edge.

Grab your marg (or martini), park it courtside, and let’s serve up the kind of real talk this game’s been begging for.

Cheers,

Casie & Lauren

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What do you get when two podcasters train like pros, catch COVID five days before a tournament, and still walk away with medals (and maybe a mild cough)? 

You get an episode that’s equal parts redemption story, hydration plan, and doubles therapy session.

In this week’s episode of Dinks on Tap, we break down our wild ride to the Dallas Classic from getting smoked in Houston to sharpening our pickleball strategy, drilling with stronger players, leveling up our game preparation, and crushing teenagers with braces and unreal reflexes. We talk about adjusting our game mode, building mental resilience, and staying locked in through a surprise round of covid recovery (plus a few Trader Joe’s runs and enough hydration tips to last a lifetime).

Then we sit down with Ben McNair, who brings the perfect blend of biomechanics, dry humor, and strategic gameplay. He shares how to master the transition zone, prevent injuries, and read your opponents with stronger court awareness.

We also touch on the evolving world of high-level pickleball, how team dynamics shape performance, and what it’s like facing off against hyper-focused youth players who may or may not be checking TikTok between matches.

Here’s what you’ll get from this episode:

If you’re down to laugh, learn, and maybe reconsider playing a tournament five days post-covid, tighten those laces, pack your snacks, and let’s get into it.

Cheers,

Casie & Lauren

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What do you get when pickleball ratings make no sense, sandbagging gets a spotlight, and a restaurant entrepreneur turns out to be a beast on the court? You get an episode that’s part strategy session, part cocktail hour, and a whole lot of real talk.

This week, the pickleball provocateur, Andrew Kole, returns with the kind of hot takes only he can deliver, questioning DUPR math, calling out tournament trickery, and unpacking why your 4.0 rating might only count in your zip code. It’s spicy, it’s chaotic, and it might just change how you play rec.

Then we meet Brenton Phillips of Written by the Seasons, who’s serving up cold-pressed cocktails, thoughtful business partnerships, and the kind of communication strategies that work whether you’re running a restaurant or hitting a drop shot. He talks about how he and his wife keep it cool on the court (most of the time), what pickleball taught him about energy and awareness, and why calling a timeout mid-game can feel a lot like defusing a tense dinner service.

We talk about:

Grab a glass, hit play, and let’s get into it.

Cheers,

Casie & Lauren

Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:

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What happens when you mix pickleball vs tennis debates, spicy pickleball TV ratings, and a 9-month pregnant woman dinking like a champ? You get an episode that’s equal parts spicy, sweaty, and a little bit unhinged in the best way.

In this episode, we kick things off with our resident spice specialist, Andrew Kole, who casually compares Anna Leigh Waters to Serena Williams and questions if Pickleball TV Ratings are even a thing. (They are. Sort of.)

Then we meet Hugh Zhang, owner of the Houston Hammers in the National Pickleball League. He’s building something bigger, and he’s using pickleball to support veterans, 50+ athletes, and anyone who thinks their best playing days are behind them. Spoiler: they’re not.

And just when you think we’ve covered it all, we introduce you to Sarah, who was competing until four days before giving birth. Yes, really. Dinking for two, and dominating.

We talk about:

This one’s big. It’s warm. It’s a little unhinged.

Cheers,

Casie & Lauren

Craving a speakeasy moment with less controversy and more carbs?

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What happens when two confident 4.0 players stroll into a pickleball tournament thinking they’re ready… and Houston says, “Bless your hearts”?

You get this episode of Dinks on Tap.

We packed our paddles, mics, and maybe a little too much confidence for a Houston pickleball tournament, only to get served by next-level talent. Turns out, getting humbled was exactly what we needed to spark real pickleball growth. We left calling our coach and rethinking everything from strategy to mindset.

Then Andrew Kole drops in for a spicy “On the Rocks” segment and challenges us to a game-show-style throwdown about pickleball ratings. DUPR, UTR-P, USAP… none of it makes sense, and Andrew’s here to make that point, loudly and hilariously.

And don’t miss our sit-down with Hal Martin, the visionary behind one of the most impressive pickleball facilities we’ve ever set foot in. With 13 indoor pickleball courts, top-tier lighting, and built-in vibes, this spot is redefining what pickleball training spaces can be.

Just when we thought Houston couldn’t impress us more, in come Raz and Jesse, two junior players (13 and 15!) who strolled into the men’s 4.0 division and left with gold. Total naturals. 

We talk about:

Grab your martini. Text your coach.

And maybe don't get too comfy. Houston’s got smoke to spare.

Cheers,

Casie & Lauren

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What do you get when you mix a booming pickleball community, a bunch of angry neighbors, and one very opinionated provocateur?

This week, we’re diving into the pickleball controversy that’s taking over cities everywhere, starting with our favorite instigator, Andrew Kole. He’s got numbers, bold claims, and a not-so-quiet warning about pickleball franchises that might be growing faster than they can handle.

Then we tag in Denver Parks and Rec Director Jolon Clark (and yes, Park Hill Dave makes a cameo). Jolon breaks down the rise of urban pickleball, the unexpected science of pickleball noise, and why so many noise complaints are landing on his desk.

He also shares how cities are using quiet pickleball balls, smarter urban planning, and policy pivots to keep things civil on the courts. Because when community sports grow this fast, they don’t just build connections, they stir up real pickleball drama.

We talk about:

If you love this sport, and want to keep it growing without the blowups, this one’s for you.

Grab your marg. Text your doubles partner.

Cheers,

Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:

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When a court clash turns spicy and the hot takes are served shaken, not stirred, you know it’s a Dinks on Tap episode.

You’ve seen the clips.

Our friend (and professional instigator) Andrew Kole, from Pickleball is Great, joins us for our brand-new segment “On the Rocks”, and let's just say… he’s not holding back.

Then we tag in America’s pickleball referee MVP Courtney Miller Johnson (who was literally courtside for the showdown) and bring back straight-talker Ben Paquette for a brutally honest take on the DUPR rating system (a.k.a. the algorithm everyone loves to hate).

Grab your paddle. Grab your marg. Let’s get into it.

Cheers,

Casie & Lauren

Dinks on Tap

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What do you get when you mix a high-stress finance job, a family health scare, and a few curious visits to the local gym? If you're Ben Paquette, you get a full-on life remix served underhand.

In this episode, we sit down with the man who first taught us how to dink without overthinking: pickleball coach Ben Paquette. What started as a few casual games turned into a complete career pivot. Now he’s teaching pickleball, traveling for professional pickleball tournaments, and building a thriving pickleball community in Dallas—all while keeping that signature chill-coach energy.

We talk about:

This one’s deep. It’s funny. It might even make you rethink your doubles partner.

And it’s a reminder that sometimes, the game is just the beginning of finding purpose.

So grab your marg, hit play, and meet the coach who changed our game—and maybe our lives (no pressure, Ben).

Cheers,

Casie and Lauren

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Website: dinksontap.com

Let’s be honest: switching careers is hard. But switching athletic careers after more than two decades? That’s a whole different level.

In this episode, we sit down with Ivan Jakovljevic, who walked away from a 23-year soccer career to go all in on the world of pro pickleball. And it all started because he had a crush!

We dig into his unexpected pickleball journey, what it’s like learning a totally new sport later in life, and how he keeps his athlete mindset sharp even when he’s running on very little sleep and way too many gummy bears.

From emotional discipline on the court to learning how to find joy in the grind, Ivan shares what helped him make a big change in career, found purpose through pickleball coaching, how he stays focused, and why connection in the pickleball community matters just as much as competitive drive.

If you’ve ever considered a bold pivot, wondered what it’s really like to go pro, or just want to hear a story that proves it’s never too late to start over, this one’s for you.

Let’s dink, sip, and get into it.

Cheers,

Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap

Website: dinksontap.com