Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition

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 allows it to evolve with market demands. Brian also answers one of the industry’s biggest questions—is it too late to open a pickleball facility?—and lays out the smartest path forward for those looking to enter the space. Be sure to follow to this page!

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 playful, active, and community-driven. PickleMatch connects singles by skill rating, favorite courts, and age, then encourages them to meet on the court instead of swiping for weeks. With over 500 people already on the waitlist and a launch party that drew 120 players, the app is set to open to the public this August. Anneliese shares the story of turning a “wouldn’t-it-be-funny-if” idea into a growing movement and why pickleball might just be the best way to find your match.

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 legend herself. David also shares plans for a full-blown line dance to go with the tune and hopes to perform it live at tournaments. Plus, we talk about his life near the birthplace of pickleball on Bainbridge Island and how the local scene continues to honor the sport’s roots.A special thank you to our new partner Kineon — their MOVE+ Pro and RELIEF+ products are game changers for recovery and longevity on the court. Use code KAITLIN for 10% off or follow this link: kineon.sjv.io/9LB6E0

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 women learning to play and love the game. Despite making up less than 8 percent of players nationwide, this group is building representation and joy on the court. Pamela was recently selected as one of only 10 Humana Game Changers from 12,000 athletes at the 2025 National Senior Games, an honor that recognizes senior athletes who exemplify healthy aging, motivation, and community impact. In this episode, Pamela shares her inspiring journey of health, courage, and creating change through pickleball.

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 mobility, and boost performance on and off the court. With mobile kits you can use anywhere from hotel rooms to courtside, C2 is now making waves in the pickleball world. Curt explains what makes his bands different, shares how teams are training with them, and offers tips to stay powerful, pain free, and pickleball ready.Check out his videos and gear at c2equipment.com

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, the sisters launched Le Pickle Club to capture the social and playful spirit of the fastest growing sport in America. In this episode, they share how French family roots inspired the brand’s aesthetic, how they are redefining the pickleball uniform for both on and off the court, and what it takes to build a fashion label from the ground up in a new niche. Whether you're a diehard player or just love good design, this conversation serves up style, strategy, and sisterhood. Follow our page for new episodes dropping weekly!

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 love for the game has sparked a movement. In over 18 months, Life Time has built over 700 courts across the U.S., setting the gold standard for fitness clubs everywhere. Emily shares how it all began, the sport’s power to connect communities, and how the Life Time Foundation is creating lasting impact through healthier school lunches, youth fitness, and sustainability initiatives.

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 Pickleball League, the first pro league for players 50 and over, with John by her side as her trainer. Together, they launched Pickle Box, a boutique consulting agency offering outsourced business services to companies in the paddle and racquet sports world. The journey keeps getting better for this duo!

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 curricula across Tennessee schools to championing a proposed state pickleball license plate, with profits directly supporting youth programs, Randall is working tirelessly to ensure the next generation has access to this fast-growing sport. Tune in to learn how he's building a movement to get more kids on the court, one paddle at a time.

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 Margaritaville hangout, an enhanced Zing Zang Championship court, and more sponsors and vendors than ever before. Tennis legend Andre Agassi is making headlines as he teams up with world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters for his highly anticipated pro pickleball debut. If you're not planning to go to Naples yet, you're going to want to be.