Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition

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 helping facilities fill unused courts during off-peak hours. The app creates a win-win ecosystem for players and clubs and is already partnering with major names in the industry. With upcoming integrations to find players and shop within the platform, Courts App is positioning itself as a central hub for how people play, connect, and access racquet sports. Learn more by listening to this epiosde and follow our page.

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 Open is expected to welcome more than 3,400 athletes from all 50 states and over 40 countries, along with 55,000+ spectators. Owner and President Ben Weinberger shares what sets the tournament apart, from the energy and camaraderie to the player village, live music, and social atmosphere. Ben also previews what’s ahead this year, including special guests and the return of world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, who is chasing a three-peat alongside her mom, Leigh Waters. Follow our page if you like what you're listening to.

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 future. Now the CEO of the National Pickleball League, Gordon shares how he turned personal adversity into a mission to build an affordable, inclusive league for players of all ages and skill levels. In this inspiring conversation, he reveals how pickleball brought him back to community, confidence, and a brand-new calling. Follow this page :)

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 up. Forrest also explains how Kineon’s travel-size red light therapy goes beyond injury recovery to support gut health, deeper sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, and a stronger immune system. Plus, with Kineon’s pickleball campaign launching soon, listeners can use code KAITLIN for 20% off all Kineon products, making it the perfect time to invest in smarter recovery and long-term health. Click this link to learn more: https://superfiliate.kineon.io/KAITLIN

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 million strategic growth investment from Mainsail Partners. Ashley opens up about building the business alongside her husband, combining complementary skill sets to create a strong team marriage, assembling the right team, and modernizing an industry still often relying on pen and paper. This conversation is packed with insight for founders, club operators, and anyone inspired by businesses built with vision, grit, and heart. Follow our page if you like what you're listening to.

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 share what this milestone means for the future of pickleball. From demanding time off to recover to advocating for fair schedules and better player conditions, Dekel opens up about the movement to bring balance, professionalism, and longevity to the sport we all love. Remember to follow this podcast if you like hearing the untold stories of pickleball!

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 into the software consulting world but missed working with product. Then one day, a random email landed in his inbox that he almost deleted, thinking it was spam. It turned out to be from the investors of Centerline. He decided to respond, and that single decision set him on the path to building one of the most exciting and fast-growing apparel brands in pickleball. If you like what you're listening to, follow this page:)

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 launched Ace with a mission to build community through the sport he grew to love. In this episode, Joe shares how he created a scalable franchise model that’s fueling one of the fastest national expansions in pickleball, what sets Ace apart from other clubs, and how strategic partnerships like DoorDash are taking the brand to the next level. Remember to follow this page if you like our content :)

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 nonprofit promoting gender equality and education through sport in post genocide communities.In this episode, Tracy shares how her program has transformed lives, with 90 percent of children involved going on to pursue higher education. Now she is introducing pickleball to Rwanda and Cambodia, leveraging the sport’s accessibility, inclusivity, and social nature to continue breaking down barriers. Kids Play International is raising funds to build new pickleball courts in Cambodia, expanding opportunities for kids around the world to play, learn, and thrive. Subscribe to our page to stay updated with latest episodes :)

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 moving to Dallas without knowing anyone and how pickleball opened doors to new friendships, competition, and joy. Together, they play in a semi-pro league, toast to victories after matches, and use their podcast to celebrate the connections this sport creates. Their story is about more than just the game. it is about rediscovering joy, building community, and creating space for what matters most.