Welcome to Bagel Bagel! New episodes drop every Thursday (beginning 11/13). Like and subscribe for updates. Follow @thebagelbagelpod on Instagram for more info and behind the scenes fun.

Welcome to Bagel Bagel! In our first episode, we chat with Faren Wise of the hilariously relatable Instagram account Hot Mess Tennis and what it means to be a beginner adult tennis player.

In this episode of Bagel Bagel, Lia sits down with Christine Santos—coffee shop owner, entrepreneur, and one-time singles opponent turned friend. They talk about the unexpected human connections that unfold on the court, how tennis has shaped Christine’s personal and professional life, and why the sport continues to anchor her through the chaos of business ownership. It’s a conversation about friendship, community, and the way tennis brings people together long after the match is over.

Happy Thanksgiving! To keep it short and sweet on this holiday, host Lia Picard chats with her tennis inspiration, her husband. Find out why he got into tennis and why he believed Lia could do it, too. 

In this episode, Sam McCoy shares the humorous and unexpected journey of creating "Carpools and Country Clubs," a social media account that started as a joke among friends and grew into a popular platform. The conversation delves into the cultural nuances of tennis, the camaraderie it fosters, and the relatable experiences of adult life that resonate with a broad audience. Sam also discusses the challenges and joys of balancing personal life with the public persona, highlighting the importance of community and authenticity. Follow Sam on Instagram: carpoolsandcountryclubs Follow Bagel Bagel on Instagram: thebagelbagelpod

In this episode, Lia talks with Shawanda Mason, co-founder of the Chattery, a non-profit in Chattanooga that promotes adult education outside of a traditional school setting. They discuss Shawanda's journey back to tennis, the importance of having hobbies as adults, and the joy of "unserious" tennis happy hours.

Some links from the conversation:

Check out the Chattery in Chattanooga

Lia's story about the Atlanta Cup Noke's Granola (Shawanda's must-have) Lucky In Love - the brand Lia wants to try but hasn't yet

In this episode, Lia chats with Jane Forman, of the Jane Forman Tennis Academy, about her journey from professional tennis player to coach. They discuss the mental challenges of tennis, what makes the sport so irresistible, and her unique teaching style. 

Links:

The Jane Forman Tennis Academy (and Experience) League Queens - with Jane Forman and Kim Wojnowich

The Bagel Bagel Pod Instagram

Happy holidays! In case you're traveling this week or new to Bagel Bagel, here's a re-run of Bagel Bagel's first interview: Faren Wise of Hot Mess Tennis. We hope you're enjoying the holiday season however you spend it (hopefully there's lots of tennis). 

It's the first Bagel Bagel of 2026 -- welcome! It's a short and sweet episode in which host Lia Picard shares her tennis resolutions, as well as the resolutions of listeners, for the year ahead. Have a great first week of the year!

It's the season one finale of Bagel Bagel, and to wrap things up Lia chats with her friend and fellow journalist, Allison Ramirez. Allison doesn't play tennis (...yet), but was happy to dive into what drew Lia to the sport and what listeners can expect for future episodes of Bagel Bagel. The podcast will return in a few weeks, but for now, follow along on Instagram. 

Links:

the Vogue essay

Allison Ramirez's Instagram

In this surprise episode, Lia pops by to give listeners a preview of season 2 (which drops Thursday, February 5) and a rec tennis update. It's short and sweet. Follow the Bagel Bagel Pod on Insta!

Welcome back to season 2 of Bagel Bagel! In this first episode, host Lia Picard chats with Damla Dogan of the Instagram account Racquet Therapy. They discuss how Damla found her way back to tennis, why it's important for moms to have hobbies, and Damla's knack for tennis fashion. Follow Damla on Instagram. Follow the Bagel Bagel Pod on Instagram.

Today we chat with Dr. Keshia Green, a former special education teacher turned content creator and passionate tennis player. In this episode, Keshia shares her inspiring journey of starting tennis in her thirties, balancing competitive play and fun, and how her professional background influences her creative content. Whether you're into tennis, education, or personal growth, there's something here for everyone. Follow Dr. Keshia Green on Instagram as well as her podcast, BrokePhD. Follow Bagel Bagel on Instagram, too!

In this episode, host Lia Picard chats with Melany Robinson, founder of Sprouthouse, a PR agency, about how her love of tennis influences her leadership style. Melany shares her journey from childhood tennis champion to a dedicated adult player, highlighting lessons learned on and off the court. 

Notable links: Melany's cute sweatshirt

Melany's recommended tennis travel bag

Follow Sprouthouse Agency on Insta

Follow Bagel Bagel Pod on Insta

This week, host Lia Picard chats with Josh Gettler, co-founder of clothing brand Ace the Moon. They talk about how he transitioned from real estate to apparel, what goes into designing and producing cool tennis apparel in Los Angeles, his love of vintage tennis gear, and bagels. Lia also shares an "unforced error." Visit Ace the Moon's website and Instagram. Follow Bagel Bagel, too!

In this episode we hear from Mikey Severson who shares his path from high school tennis and innovative writing to covering college sports and balancing his passions. Discover how his love for tennis, storytelling, and creativity shapes his future goals and daily life. Follow Mikey here and here and check out his articles here. Don't forget to follow the Bagel Bagel Pod!

In today's episode, host Lia Picard dives into the inspiring story of Joy Cho, a Los Angeles-based graphic designer, entrepreneur, author, and passionate tennis player. In this episode, Joy shares her journey from childhood tennis to becoming a dedicated captain of USTA teams, and how tennis has influenced her life and creativity. Whether you're a new player or seasoned enthusiast, listen for insights on balancing competition, community, and self-growth. Follow Joy's tennis account, Joy On the Court and her main one, Oh Joy. Follow the Bagel Bagel Pod, too!

In this episode, Marina Cooley, a professor at Emory’s Business School and avid hobbyist, reveals how hobbies like tennis can serve as powerful tools for stress relief and personal growth. Through her journey of exploring 17 hobbies in a year, Marina shares insights on embracing persistence over proficiency, de-influencing consumer culture, and finding joy in the process. This episode challenges the modern obsession with productivity, urging listeners to invest in genuine hobbies that foster resilience, patience, and happiness. 

Follow Marina Cooley on Instagram and check out her Substack, Professor Off Duty. Follow the Bagel Bagel Pod, too!

Anthony Evrard is transforming the tennis landscape by creating innovative indoor spaces with Court 16, inspired by his childhood experiences in Belgium. This episode delves into his journey of founding cutting-edge tennis clubs in NYC, where he combines high-tech features with accessibility to make tennis more inclusive and enjoyable. Discover how Anthony's unique approach to court design and programming is turning tennis into a year-round sport for players of all skill levels.

Links: Follow Court 16 and Bagel Bagel.

Read my interview with Hilary Sheinbaum where I first learned about Court 16.

In this Quick Bite episode of Bagel Bagel, host Lia Picard shares a brief rec tennis update (in other words, she rambles about her wins and losses). The show will return with full episodes in May!  Follow Bagel Bagel on Instagram.

In this episode, host Lia Picard interviews Tabitha Morse, founder of Playful Pleats, about her innovative tennis skirts with built-in towels, exploring the inspiration and design process behind them. They discuss the impact of these skirts and how they enhance functionality on the court. The conversation also touches on Tabitha's entrepreneurial journey and her passion for creating practical sportswear.  Check out Playful Pleats as well as their Instagram. Follow Bagel Bagel on Instagram, too!

In this episode, host Lia Picard chats with Phillip Kim, a Los Angeles-based tennis pro and founder of the nonprofit Love Set Match. Phillip shares his journey from being a musician to coaching tennis to making tennis accessible to underserved communities. The episode highlights the impact of sports on community building and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and education in tennis.

Learn more about Love Set Match  and give them a follow on Instagram. Follow Phillip Kim and the Bagel Bagel Pod, too!

In this episode, host Lia Picard chats with Marcelo Ferreira, a coach for Intennse (a professional tennis league in Atlanta). They chat about his journey to tennis through being a ball boy, playing college tennis, and what Intennse is all about.  Intennse's season starts June 5 - buy tickets here. Follow them on Instagram as well as Marcelo. Don't forget to follow Bagel Bagel, too!