Dinks On Tap: The Happy Hour Pickleball Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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:

• The real role of team building events and how they make corporate court time way less awkward
• Why the US Open pickleball scene has nothing on a good country music Nashville courtside playlist
• Why having a tennis background can help but won’t save you from getting schooled by an 80-year-old with fast hands and a knee brace
• What the future of inclusivity in sports really looks like (and why open play still has some work to do)
• How women in sports are leading the charge on the court, in the booth, and behind the business deals

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 Dinks on Tap

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

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:

• Why sports confidence starts long before your first serve
• How a positive mindset can flip a bad point into a teaching moment
• The surprising pickleball strategy change that can instantly upgrade your pickleball skills
• Why skill development is a forever thing, not just for newbies
• How athletic performance could soar with better storytelling and sports growth that actually sticks

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 Dinks on Tap

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

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 Hill, co-authors of In a Pickle: How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other. We dive into the wild world of playing pickleball with your romantic partner, where tension, love, competitive behavior, and the occasional eye roll collide.

From emotional intelligence on the court to safe words, love languages, and intention-setting before a match, this conversation is full of real strategies for keeping both your game and your relationship strong. 

We also touch on important topics like relationship advice for couples who play sports together, communication in sports, and how understanding partner dynamics can actually lead to deeper relationship growth, both on and off the court. Plus, we get into some unspoken rules of pickleball etiquette and the power of intentional play when the pressure is high.

Whether you're in love, in competition, or both, this episode is packed with relatable insights to help you play better together and maybe even argue a little less, on and off the court.

Cheers, Casie & Lauren

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

The must-read for couples who love (and survive) playing pickleball together: 

In A Pickle: How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other

Explore more tools, tips, and upcoming retreats at LoveandPickleball.net

Follow the fun and join the Love nad Pickleball community:

Instagram: @love_and_pickleball

Facebook: @love.and.pickleball

TikTok: @loveandpickleball

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 episode, he reveals why so many players struggle with chronic shoulder, elbow, and lower back pain and how small changes in your stretching routine can help you play longer and feel better.

One game-changing tip? If you're not doing an ice bath for athletes after intense play, you’re missing out on faster muscle recovery and better performance. But don’t worry, Albert also shares easy alternatives for those of us who hate freezing water.

Listen now and learn how to keep your muscle health in check, stay pain-free, and keep dinking like a pro.

Cheers, Casie & Lauren

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap

Website: dinksontap.com

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 bonding activities like a Mardi Gras night, petting zoo adventures, and even a choreographed team entrance helped us feel more connected and confident going into a super competitive pickleball season.

We’ll also get real about the nerves that come with leveling up in competition, how building community and connection off the court helps us play better on it, and why staying loose is the secret weapon to better performance.

So, if you’ve ever wondered how to build trust with your doubles partner, strengthen your pickleball team, or just want an excuse to plan a fun team trip, this episode is for you!

Hit play and let’s talk about why fun actually makes you a better player.

Cheers, Casie & Lauren

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap

Website: dinksontap.com

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) and one of the most respected referees in the game. She’s been a USA Pickleball certified referee since 2018, has officiated some of the biggest matches in pro pickleball, and even had to stand her ground against John McEnroe at the Pickleball Slam.

Courtney shares how she went from a casual rec player to one of the most well-known refs in the sport, breaks down the viral “Two Becomes One” rule, and explains why MLP switched from rally scoring to side-out scoring. We also get into the biggest mistakes rec players make, the best way to handle bad line calls and lobbers, and whether pickleball is still the inclusive, welcoming sport we all love or if it's becoming too exclusive.

Plus, there’s an exclusive giveaway you won’t want to miss! If you love pickleball tips, pro pickleball insights, and fun conversations, join us for this episode!

Cheers, Casie & Lauren

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

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 better pickleball partner.

We dive into essential pickleball psychology topics like pre-acceptance versus pre-expectance and how to stop overthinking mistakes, reset rituals to improve focus and consistency, and practical ways to strengthen your doubles pickleball partnership. 

We also discuss common pickleball pet peeves, how to handle pressure in tournaments, and the biggest mindset shifts that separate elite players from the rest. To keep things fun, we wrap up with rapid-fire questions, including our dream pickleball foursomes and what superpowers we’d love to have on the court.

This episode is packed with laughs, lightbulb moments, and real talk about the mental game of pickleball. Grab a drink, get cozy, and listen in!

Cheers, Casie & Lauren

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

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.

We also dive into hot topics like what makes pickleball inclusive, balancing the fun of the game with the pressure to improve, and the hilarious white lies people tell to sneak in extra pickleball time.

Plus, Melissa gives us her take on pet peeves on the court, who she’d pick for her dream pickleball match, and her love for creating delicious ceviche. (Recipe in our Instagram bio.)

Tune in and don’t forget to share with your favorite dinking buddy!

Cheers, Casie & Lauren

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

Get Melissa’s Ceviche Recipe here: https://dinksontap.com/melissas-ceviche-recipe

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 opportunity, ditch the fear of “slumps,” and build confidence like never before. This episode is full of practical tips to help you improve your performance, enjoy the game more, and stay mentally tough.

Plus, don’t miss our fun facts about pickleball’s origin, the rise of younger players, and how to get your own Pickleball homepage. This episode is your go-to guide for embracing pickleball’s explosive growth, strengthening your mental game, and kicking off 2025 as your best pickleball year yet.

So pour your favorite drink, and join us for a lively conversation where pickleball meets margaritas. 

Cheers, Casie & Lauren

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

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 time on the court but in life. Whether you’re just picking up a paddle or you’re already a 4.0+ player, you’ll find insights, inspiration, and maybe even a few laughs in this episode.

And that’s not all, stay tuned for an exciting announcement about what’s coming up for Dinks on Tap in 2025. 

Grab your favorite drink, join us for this heartfelt chat, and get ready to toast to pickleball, personal growth, and a fantastic year ahead. 

Cheers, Casie & Lauren

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

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com