Dinks On Tap: The Happy Hour Pickleball Podcast
Casie and Lauren, two recreational pickleball players, explore the social and emotional aspects of the sport beyond just the game. They discuss the joy of rediscovering play, the camaraderie on the court, and the humorous and heartfelt moments that make pickleball special. Each episode delves into the dynamics that turn strangers into friends and bring fun back into focus.
Episodes
Cleo King on The Dink Movie: How She Booked Gail on a Pickleball Court, Learned the Game from Brad Gilbert, and Never Put the Paddle Down
We all love a Gail. We've met her at open play, we've been her on a bad-line-call day, and we've absolutely texted the group about her afterward. We love her enough that we tracked down the woman behind the Gail character in the movie, The Dink, and brought her to your favorite pickleball happy hour podcast.
In this episode, we sit down with Cleo King, the actress who plays Gail in The Dink, to t
How Major League Pickleball Really Works: What Fans Don’t See Behind the Trades, Contracts, and Team Decisions with Alex Geesbreght
What really goes on behind the scenes of Major League Pickleball?
In this episode, we sit down with LA Mad Drops team owner Alex Geesbreght to get an inside look at how MLP works, from team contracts and player movement to the MLP draft, scouting, ownership, and the business behind the sport.
Alex walks us through some of the biggest questions we have had about pickleball players, pickleball tea
He Bought A Pickleball Team: Inside Team Ownership And Family Connection With Los Angeles Mad Drops Owner Alex Geesbreght
Pickleball has a remarkable way of pulling people into your life who probably never would have been there otherwise.
You can be on the court with someone 20 years younger than you, someone 20 years older than you, a complete beginner, or a highly competitive player, and somehow everyone still feels like they belong. That mix of movement, competition, family connection, and community is a big pa
Grief Is Part of the Game: Why Losing a Pickleball Partner Hurts and How Healthy Competition Can Help You Keep Growing with Dr. Amanda Sovik Johnston
Nobody warns you about this part of pickleball.
Your favorite doubles partner moves away, levels up, or… stops putting you on the calendar. Suddenly, “it’s just pickleball” doesn’t come close to describing what’s happening.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Sovik-Johnston, founder of The Connected Competitor and the sports psychologist behind the blog post “Pickleball Will Break Your
The Dink Movie Premiere: Mary Steenburgen Got Snubbed at Open Play, Ted Danson Fell Head Over Heels for Pickleball, and Ben Johns' Celebrity Foursome
You know how everyone at open play decides how good you are as a pickleball player before you've hit a single ball? Your paddle, your shoes, your warmup, whether the next twenty minutes are worth their court time?
It happens to beginners. It happened to an Oscar winner, and she told us about it over dinner.
Rivulet invited us to what we understood was a cast party for The Dink movie. Instead, we
Why Pickleball Might Be Rearranging Your Whole Life Before You Notice
What if the most “irresponsible” thing you ever did… (joining a sport with a wiffle ball and a weird name) was actually the smartest move you’ve made for your physical health, your sanity, and your social life?
In this episode, Casie & Lauren are doing what they do best: pickleball + truth + tequila. We’re talking Mardi Gras (yes, balls, yes, beads, yes, strangers screaming at you like they’ve kn
What Two Empty Nesters with Gold Medals and Matching Outfits Can Teach Us About Starting Over with Cecy Feld and Holly Kerr
You know that friend who texts you at 1am just because she figured out you’re both still awake? Now imagine she’s also your doubles partner, your hype woman, your matching-outfit co-conspirator, and the person who gets genuinely jealous when you drill with someone else.
That’s what’s waiting for you in this episode.
This week, we’re sitting down with Cecy Feld and Holly Kerr of Feld/Kerr Pickleb
Top Chef Winner Richard Blais Didn't Need Another Obsession…Pickleball Found Him Anyway
It turns out the distance between a Michelin-starred restaurant and a pickleball court is shorter than anyone expected, especially when the person crossing it is already wired for pressure, creativity, competition, and just a little bit of chaos.
This week, Casie and Lauren sit down with Chef Richard Blais, a chef, entrepreneur, author, television personality, and newly declared aspiring pickle
The Future Of Pickleball Might Belong To The Amateurs, And This Episode Explains Why
What happens when a Dallas pickleball duo suddenly finds themselves wearing St. Louis Shock colors?
This week, we’re unpacking how we became part of the St. Louis Shock's Minor League Pickleball program while still serving as Dallas Flash ambassadors.
What starts as a “how did we get here?” story quickly turns into something bigger: a look at why pickleball’s next chapter may depend less on
DUPR Reset: The Ratings Rollercoaster, the Reality Check, and Tito Machado’s Take
This spring, DUPR hit pause on your history and asked a simple question: Who are you right now, without all that baggage?
Turns out that's a harder question than it sounds.
We know because Casie did the Reset, knew it didn't count, watched her number drop, and still had to talk herself off the ledge on the way home. So we brought Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR and the man who's spent years trying
How College Football's Wild West is a Warning Every Pickleball Player Should Hear with Jay Paterno
This week, Casie and Lauren sit down with Jay Paterno, son of Penn State coaching legend Joe Paterno, and author of Blitzed: The All-Out Pressure of College Football's New Era.
This one is part sports conversation, part cultural temperature check, and we did what we do best: take a sports story and find the human behavior hiding underneath it. Because it turns out that money, pressure, loyalty,
Why Pickleball Starts as a Game and Turns Into Something So Much Harder to Walk Away From, with Clare Frank
It’s one thing to pick up a paddle sport on a whim.
It’s another thing entirely to realize (somewhere between a rec game and an invite-only underground games scene) that this “casual hobby” has started organizing your calendar, your social life, and, subtly, your sense of self.
This week, Casie and Lauren sit down with Clare Frank, former Chief of Fire Protection for the state of California, lon
Find Your Ride-or-Die Partner: Because You’re Gonna Be Playing Pickleball at 80, with Jeanne Koepke and Pam McCurry
What happens when two big personalities collide on the pickleball court?
You get a duo that turns the game into chemistry, rhythm, and unapologetic energy!
Today, Casie and Lauren sit down with Jeanne Koepke and Pam McCurry, a duo who found more than just a partner. They built a rhythm, a routine, and a friendship that reshaped this stage of life. What starts with pickleball tournaments and mix
What Rec Players Are Missing by Not Watching Pickleball on TV, with Sports Broadcaster Will Daughton
Pickleball players will build an entire life around playing. Watching the pros? That’s where things get interesting.
In this episode, Casie and Lauren sit down with broadcaster, commentator, and certified pickleball numbers guy, Will Daughton, to ask a deceptively simple question: if rec players are so obsessed with pickleball…why aren’t more of them watching the pickleball pros?
What follows is
BONUS - The Parents Behind the Pod: Meet the Original Support Team of Dinks on Tap
Ever wonder what your parents would say if they were handed a microphone and asked to review your sports career? Would they praise your hustle… or finally reveal that one time you blamed the wind for a missed shot? In this special bonus episode, an extension of Episode 38, we invite the ultimate behind-the-scenes MVPs onto the mic: our parents.
This isn’t your typical lineup of sports interviews.
The Parent Perspective of Competitive Pickleball and Why the Car Ride Home Might Matter Most
Ever wonder what it takes to raise a kid in competitive pickleball without turning every car ride home into a post-match press conference? A junior pickleball match only lasts so long, but parenting the player behind it is the part that follows you home. This episode gets into the family side of the game, where the travel is real, the pressure is sneaky, and keeping the joy alive can matter just a
Pickleball Is Changing Us: What the Game Reveals About Who We’re Becoming
What if the most “irresponsible” thing you ever did… (joining a sport with a wiffle ball and a weird name) was actually the smartest move you’ve made for your physical health, your sanity, and your social life?
In Episode 37, Casie & Lauren are doing what they do best: pickleball + truth + tequila. We’re talking Mardi Gras (yes, balls, yes, beads, yes, strangers screaming at you like they’ve know
The Pickleball Tournament Survival Guide with PIG’s Mike Hoxie: How to Skip the 4-Hour Wait, Spot the Good Ones, and Make It to Happy Hour on Time
You’re standing on the court, paddle in hand, staring at an empty net while the Tournament Director is nowhere to be found and your "10:00 AM start time" has officially become a suggestion.
We’ve all been there… trapped in a bracket that feels more like a gridlocked parking lot than an elite player experience.
In this episode, joining us in the hot seat is Mike Hoxie, the "Tournament Titan" and
3 Sports Psychology Tips That Will Stop You From Obsessing Over Your DUPR Score and Build Unshakeable Mental Toughness, with Executive Coach Lauren Vosbein
Let’s be real, how many times have you missed an easy dink and immediately blamed your paddle, the wind (even indoors), or your partner’s breathing?
We’ve all been there: the dreaded mental spiral where one bad shot turns into three, and suddenly you’ve forgotten how to hold a paddle.
In this inaugural episode of 2026, we’re stacking the court differently as Casie takes the host seat to interv
RE-RELEASE: Is DUPR Driving Us or Dividing Us? CEO Tito Machado's Answer Will Surprise You
EP 34 - Ever wondered why your DUPR score nosedives after a win, and you're wondering if your app is gaslighting you? What is happening in the pickleball matrix?
In this episode, we sit down with Tito Machado, the most loved and rage-texted man in pro pickleball. He’s the CEO of DUPR, the rating system that somehow manages to both unite and divide the pickleball community like it’s the pineapple
Listener Favorite of 2025! Pickleball Doubles Partnerships and Why Team Chemistry Matters with Captain Molly Bonner
This was one of the most-loved episodes of 2025 and we’re bringing it back for a reason.
As we head into 2026, there’s no better time to revisit what this conversation unlocked: how real team chemistry and trust can change the way we play and how we connect. Growing as a player, a partner, or a teammate? This episode holds the good stuff that doesn’t just help you win more... it helps you play b
What 2025 Revealed About Pickleball: The Highs, Lows, and WTF Moments
At some point this year, we all looked around and thought, “How did the pickleball community get this big?” and somehow, pickleball became everyone’s personality.
Welcome to our year-end rundown of the best and worst things that happened in pickleball this 2025, and we’re saying it all!
In this episode, we kick things off by celebrating some big wins, from growing audiences and packed events to
No More Boring Gifts! Inside Our Holiday Gift Guide for Pickleball Lovers and Their Favorite Dinking Partners
You’ve shown up to every match with your gear perfectly packed, but when it comes to holiday gifting, you’re the person scribbling a card in the parking lot with a pen you borrowed. Don’t worry, we’ve been there. And we’re here to make you look like a pro.
We’re back with our second annual holiday gift guide, and this one’s loaded with actual good ideas (you’re welcome). Whether you’re shopping f
Our Podcast Anniversary Happy Hour Event: Live, Loud, & Loosely Monitored.
Welcome to the only live podcast episode where the court drama is matched only by the party vibes, and the wardrobe choices might just win their own medal.
Here’s some front-row access to the Dinks on Tap one-year celebration, recorded with a live audience of our favorite paddle-loving warriors. This episode is equal parts pickleball pep rally, behind-the-scenes tea, and hilarious fun. We relive
Is DUPR Driving Us or Dividing Us? CEO Tito Machado’s Answer Will Surprise You
Ever wondered why your DUPR score nosedives after a win, and you're wondering if your app is gaslighting you? What is happening in the pickleball matrix?
In this episode, we sit down with Tito Machado, the most loved and rage-texted man in pro pickleball. He’s the CEO of DUPR, the rating system that somehow manages to both unite and divide the pickleball community like it’s the pineapple on pizza
DiNKR: The Pickleball App That Saved Our Group Chat (And Might Get You a Date?)
Ever tried organizing a pickleball game with five group chats, two calendars, and someone’s cousin who “might show up if it doesn’t rain”? It’s like herding cats… in court shoes. And just when you finally get a foursome, someone drops out at 7 a.m. Sound familiar?
This week on Dinks on Tap, we’re sitting down with Dan and Steve, the creators of DiNKR, the pickleball app designed to bring order to
When the Lights Go Out Mid-Match: Our Wildest Pickleball Tournament Experience Yet (And What It Taught Us About Focus Training)
Winning gold sounds great… until the court lights shut off mid-point, and someone’s Uncle Larry is heckling from the sidelines. Welcome to pickleball tournaments, where the only thing more unpredictable than the tape lines are the emotions running high.
In this episode of Dinks on Tap, we take you inside our latest wild ride at a local tourney in Austin, complete with lighting meltdowns, DJ shutd
Is DUPR Dead? Mike Barker's VAIR Rating System Might Just Bury It
Curious how your pickleball rating actually gets calculated?
Check out VAIR, the new pickleball rating system: https://www.vairified.com/?ambassador=7180389
Pickleball rating systems can feel like the Wild West… where matchups make zero sense and “fair play” is more myth than rule. One minute you’re rallying with a retired pro, the next you’re getting smoked by a 13-year-old with braces and a
Pickleball Doubles Partnerships and Why Team Chemistry Matters with Captain Molly Bonner
You can perfect your third shot drop… but can you survive a 10-day pickleball trip with your doubles partner and still want to split a margarita after?
This week, we’re talking all things chemistry on and off the court. We’re covering pro-led clinics in Spain, silent side-eyes during rec play, and everything in between as we dig into what really holds a team together (and what quietly breaks it)
Red Carpets, Rooftop Pickleball, and why Kaitlin Miller Swapped Broadcast Journalism for Drop Shots and Dinks
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,
Big Names, Bigger Brains: The Caitlin Clark Effect and Game Psychology with Dr. Joy Macci: What You Need For Your Pickleball Mindset Training
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.
The Dallas Classic Diaries: We Got COVID, Still Got a Podium Finish, and Got Schooled by Ben McNair on Pickleball Strategy
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 pic
DUPR Delusions & Kitchen Confessionals with Restaurant Powerhouse Brenton Phillips of Written By The Seasons
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 tour
Houston We Have a Problem Part 2: The Pickleball vs Tennis Debate You Didn’t Know You Needed
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 Pickle
Houston We Have a Problem Part 1: How a Houston Pickleball Tournament Exposed Our Game (and Grew It)
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 pic
The Loud Truth About Pickleball Noise: What Denver Parks and Rec Is Doing About It
What do you get when you mix a booming pickleball community, a bunch of angry neighbors, and one very opinionated provocateur?
An episode that’s equal parts civic chaos and court-side commentary.
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
Secret Love Affair or Smart PR? The Wild Theories Around Anna Leigh Waters vs Hayden Patriquin Pickleball Controversy
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.
You’ve read the threads.
But now we’re talking exactly what went down between Anna Leigh Waters and Hayden Patriquin at Major League Pickleball Orlando.
Real tension? PR stunt? Secret teen love story? (We wish we were joking.)
Our friend (and professio
This Is What Happens When a Finance Guy Gets Sucked Into the Pickleball Community with Ben Paquette
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’
Ivan Jakovljevic’s Pickleball Journey Started with a Crush (and Ended in Pro Pickleball)
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 tota
How to Play Pickleball with Your Romantic Partner Without Killing Each Other
Let’s be real for a second: playing pickleball with your romantic partner isn’t always a love story. Sometimes, it’s a full-blown drama. You’re holding hands one minute, and the next, you’re side-eyeing their third shot drop like they betrayed you. We’ve been there. That’s why this episode of Dinks on Tap hit home in the best way.
In this episode, we chat with Teri Citterman and Dr. Stormy Hil
How to Stop Pickleball Injuries Before They Happen (And Recover Like a Pro!) With Albert Ibanez
Are you stretching the wrong way? You might think a quick quad stretch before a match is enough, but according to soft tissue specialist Albert Ibanez, most players are skipping the real key to pickleball injury prevention… and it's not what you’d expect.
Albert, known as the Muscle Whisperer, has worked on countless athletes, including some of the best pickleball players in Dallas. In this ep
What Happens Off the Court Matters More Than You Think
What if we told you that having fun off the court is just as important as practicing your dinks and drives? Sounds wild, right? But after an epic pickleball team-building trip to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, we’re here to tell you… IT WORKS.
In this episode, we’re diving into why team building is important for every pickleball league (and any competitive sport, really). We’ll share how doing team bon
Pickleball Rules, Refs & Controversial Calls with Courtney Johnson
If you’ve ever played pickleball, you know how fast things can get heated- bad line calls, foot faults, and that one player who lobs every single shot.
But have you ever wondered what it’s like to be the person making the tough calls? That’s exactly what we’re diving into on this episode!
We got to sit down with Courtney Johnson, the Head of Competition for Major League Pickleball (MLP) a
Why Your Mindset is the Key to Better Pickleball with Dayne Gingrich & Jill Martin
Have you ever rescheduled a meeting or called in sick just to play pickleball? We get it!
In this episode, we explore the mental game of pickleball with Dayne Gingrich, a seven-time national champion, and Jill Martin, a former attorney turned fitness pro.
As co-authors of Pickleball Mindset, they share winning strategies for improving mental toughness, building confidence, and becoming a
Sneaky Pickleball Lies, Court Pet Peeves & More with Pro Melissa Pedroza
What’s the magic behind the explosive growth of pickleball?
In this episode, we’re joined by Melissa Pedroza, a pickleball pro and coach who’s turned her passion into a tool for transforming communities and workplaces. Melissa shares the hilarious and heartwarming moments from her journey into the sport, plus the surprising ways pickleball can bring people together, even in corporate settings.
What’s New in Pickleball? Growth Stats, Game Rules, and Pickleball Mindset for 2025
Welcome to 2025, pickleballers!
This week, we’re serving up a fresh episode packed with everything you need to start the year strong. From pickleball stats to new rules for 2025, we’ve got the scoop to keep your game sharp.
We’re also diving into the ultimate pickleball growth hack. Inspired by the game-changing book Pickleball Mindset, we’re exploring how to flip pressure into opportunit
Why Playing Better Opponents is the Secret to Pickleball Success
Ready to wrap up 2024 with us?
In this special New Year's episode of Dinks on Tap, we're getting festive with some holiday gift-giving before diving into real talk about our pickleball journey this year.
Thinking about how to level up your pickleball game in 2025? We’re sharing pickleball strategies, tips for improvement, and how the “one word” we each chose for 2024 shaped not only our t
From Yips to Gifts: A Pickleball Lover’s Guide to Holiday Fun and Mental Comebacks
What happens when your pickleball serve suddenly betrays you?
Lauren’s back from South Africa with tales of adventure and a surprising comparison between pickleball and a sport she tried abroad. Meanwhile, Casie’s been battling the dreaded "pickleball yips" and learning a lot about mental toughness, teamwork, and how to bounce back.
Plus, we’ve rounded up our ultimate Pickleball Holiday G
Pickleball, Drama, and Sportsmanship - Oh My!
Hey, dinking buddies!
This week we’re diving into the unexpected drama that unfolded during our first pickleball match of the season.
We’re talking sportsmanship, handling those tense moments on the court, and the surprising ways pickleball competition can bring out all the feels. Plus, we share a wild story about how a simple rule dispute spiraled into a lesson on how to keep cool under pressu
The Mental Games of Pickleball: How to Stay Cool When Your Game (and Brain) Is Falling Apart
Pickleball isn’t just about hitting the perfect shot—sometimes, the real game is handling everything that’s happening around you and in your own head.
In this episode, we share what it’s really like to play pickleball when both the outside elements and your own mind are working against you. We talk about surviving the brutal Texas heat, the ways it can zap your energy and throw off your game,
From Curiosity to Obsession: The 5 Stages of Pickleball!
Curious about how deep your pickleball love runs?
Join us in today’s episode where we break down the 5 stages every pickleball player experiences. From our initial doubts to an all-consuming pickleball obsession, we're covering it all!
Have you ever felt a strange mix of reluctance and curiosity when you first heard about playing pickleball? Or maybe you're past that, deeply committed, sch
Pickleball Etiquette 101: Music, Court Vibes, and Game Nuances
Cheers, pickleball pals! 🥂 Welcome back to Dinks on Tap!
In this episode, we’re talking about something every pickleballer has experienced: music on the court. Do you love blasting tunes while playing pickleball, or is silence golden for your game? We dive into the unwritten rules of pickleball etiquette when it comes to bringing the party with your playlist, and we’re asking—what’s the right
What’s the Big Deal About Pickleball?
Hey friend! Welcome to the debut episode of Dinks on Tap!
We’re diving into how we discovered the pickleball community and why we instantly fell in love with the sport.
This game isn’t just a social sport—it’s a way to find joy in play, connect with new friends, and bring a little light-hearted fun back into our lives.
We may not be pros, but we’ve got plenty to chat about, from the
Welcome to Dinks On Tap!
Have you wondered why everyone seems to be talking about pickleball lately? Or what makes this quirky sport more than just a game?
Welcome to Dinks On Tap, where the pickleball paddle meets the margarita. We're Casie and Lauren, your recreational pickleball pals here to explore why we are so hooked on this sport. And trust us, it's about way more than dinks and volleys. It's about rediscoverin
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