PicklePod
On “PicklePod”, Thomas Shields and Zane Navratil deliver an entrée of updates from around the Pickleball World. Some would say it’s a “Picklers” dream podcast with the duo’s loud and unfiltered insights commentating on the good, the bad, and even the ugly sides of the sport as Pickleball undeniably rockets towards mainstream adoption. Weekly rotating topics, guests, tournament recaps, Pickleball pop-culture, player strategies, and more. No comment or topic can breach the PicklePod Non-Valley Zone, everything is in play. It’s on the PicklePod or it didn’t happen. Thomas Shields is the Founder Of “The Dink Pickleball” Media company and Zane Navratil is atop ranked pickleball pro who has won championships on the PPA Tour, APP Tour, and Major League Pickleball.
Episodes
September 20, 2023 • 66 mins
Zane and Thomas caught wind of three players who won’t be in the mix for MLP Atlanta. Some of them might sit at home in bubble wrap until the ball drops on New Year's to protect their new contracts. The guys preview the highly anticipated event and share their predictions for who will hoist the cup.
Thomas recaps the first-ever Bounce Nashville Tournament sponsored by the Tenessee Titans and issues a correction towards USA Pickleb...
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September 15, 2023 • 84 mins
Zane and Thomas wade through the Tour Wars fallout on a new episode of PicklePod. MLP Atlanta is a go, but there is still plenty of bad blood among owners, players, and staff. Speaking of bad blood, the McGuffin vs. Loong feud rages from the court to podcasts and to Twitter. There is speculation on holdouts, renegotiations, and how this new organization can function moving forward.
Zane and Thomas cover Zane’s injury and recap the...
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August 25, 2023 • 66 mins
Everything we know about the battle between the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball. Jimmy and Thomas break it down.
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August 23, 2023 • 79 mins
James Ignatowich joins the pod from a Sonic parking lot in Kansas City. He breaks down his match-of-the-year contender from TOC and explains why he wasn’t a candidate in the Riley Newman partner sweepstakes.
Zane and Thomas cover Zane’s injury and recap their head-to-head results from last week.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Use code DINK...
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August 10, 2023 • 92 mins
For the first time ever, a winner of the PicklePod listener contest joins the pod. He is a former free diver and competitive surfer who outlines the flow state benefits of pickleball. Zane explains the new scrutiny around his signature paddle and gets coerced to auction off a seat at his wedding. Plus a story featuring Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox and ayahuasca in Costa Rica.
Learn more about Honcho Pickleball League here: https:/...
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August 4, 2023 • 71 mins
The Seattle Open was full of headlines. The guys cover Lea’s singles retirement, Pablo’s costly paddle throw and the upset over the Johns bros. MLP announced new paddle color guidelines to eliminate a possibly unfair advantage. Zane discusses how he pushes the rules to their limit.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Shop performance-driven comfo...
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July 26, 2023 • 86 mins
The boys have been on the road and are back with some classic stories. Thomas went toe-to-toe with Jay Devilliers on the court before attending Ed Sheeran in Detroit. Zane ended a match in the most savage way possible. He recounts one of the strangest on-court injuries that you will ever hear. The discussion leads to the APP’s new growth strategy which appears to be an international endeavor.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and sub...
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July 17, 2023 • 80 mins
It’s a special edition of PicklePod from the Morning Brew podcast studio in Manhattan. The King of the Court crew joins the pod to dissect the eventful MLP draft. The guys cover who won the draft, who lost the draft and who got left out in the cold.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Shop performance-driven comfort from Vuori https://vuoriclothi...
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June 27, 2023 • 68 mins
US tennis icon and former sexiest man alive James Blake defends pickleball on the PicklePod. Blake is an owner in Major League Pickleball and an advocate for the sport. The Twitter trolls have been blowing up Blake’s DMs and he has a message for the haters. Pickleball is here to stay.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Shop performance-driven co...
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June 15, 2023 • 85 mins
What will it take to beat the most dominant men’s team in the game? Zane Navratil thinks he has the answer. The guys go over the stand-out performances from San Clemente including the rise of Hurricane Tyra Black.
Equity and royalties are now being structured into paddle deals. How big should the pros' slice be in the pickleball pie? Send in your listener questions to support Stop Alzheimer’s Now.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now an...
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June 12, 2023 • 97 mins
Description: MLP creator Steve Kuhn joins PicklePod this week. Steve is addicted to growing the sport of pickleball domestically and internationally. On the pod he unveils new initiatives and projects that will get pickleball into schools, create more playing opportunities and end sandbagging once and for all. Don’t miss an all new episode with pickleball visionary Steve Kuhn.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your questio...
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June 6, 2023 • 67 mins
Description: Zane and Thomas address the mud that is being slung around the pickleball world. New podcasts and Twitter have provided a platform for players to defend themselves and point fingers and Zane says he’s “Here for it.” On the heels of an epic comeback from William Sobek, the guys debate the best comebacks of all time. Listener questions are answered in support of Stop Alzheimer’s Now.
Show Notes:
4:46 The new Tyler Loong...
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May 25, 2023 • 68 mins
Break out your calculator and loafers because we’re talking pickleball finance. Companies are trying to break into the ball game, players are upping their media output and pickleball is taking over malls.
We’re back from a two week hiatus to cover everything happening in the world of pickleball.
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Want to work in...
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May 4, 2023 • 73 mins
MLP Commissioner Brooks Wiley stops by PicklePod on his podcast tour. Brooks and the Pickle Pro Labs team have been busy creating new standards for pickleball testing and he is here to update the fans. Brooks shares plans for future MLP updates including an MLP ball and VAR system. MLP San Clemente is just one month away and will now include a Super Final to determine the season one champion. Find out more in an all-new episode.
S...
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April 26, 2023 • 52 mins
The first on-site DQ for paddle delamination, pickleball pro flips the bird to courtside heckler and a new rebel will sell you a juiced-up paddle. We thought we could get away with taking a week off but there is too much happening in the world of pickleball. We cover the Newport Beach Shootout, US Open, and results from the infamous Red Rock Open paddle challenge.
Show Notes:
0:00 Twitter’s MVPs
3:55 Meme of the week
7:35 Mr. Be...
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April 20, 2023 • 95 mins
Owner of the SoCal Hard Eights, Tim Parks, joins the PicklePod. Tim’s insights into MLP financials, sports betting, and building a sports league are shaping the way the game is played. Tim is willing to debate anyone on the merits of rally scoring and brings a unique take to the conventional wisdom of MLP draft strategy. Quite possibly the best episode yet.
Show Notes:
0:00 The 'no-due diligence' era
4:50 Always wanted to be a GM
...
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April 14, 2023 • 94 mins
Time to check in with pickleball GOAT Ben Johns. Ben went on Twitter to address the paddle delamination issue and started a fire. He goes deeper into how to test for delamination and why power is a problem. We touch on all the controversies facing the pro game including white paddles, match schedules, and rule changes. Ben even provides a history lesson on some of Pickleball’s OG’s. You can’t miss this episode with Pickleball’s top...
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April 11, 2023 • 50 mins
Description: It’s been said before. It will be said again. Pickleball is the wild west right now. Between PEDs and paddle delamination, there seems to be cheating happening every weekend. Lea Jansen joins the pod to share her unabashed thoughts on the matter
Show Notes:
0:00 Twitter fingers Jansen
3:30 We need drug testing
7:12 Delamination Abundant in Utah
11:02 Lea vs Salome Saga
17:12 The YouTube chat and being authentic
24:16 ...
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April 6, 2023 • 66 mins
Description: Zane and Thomas burn through pickleball’s hottest stories of the week. First up, they respond to Lea Jansen’s take on singles. Then a juicy letter from a host in Daytona is making its way through the picklesphere. Can we chalk it up to growing pains? Zane shares his takes on the inaugural Pickleball Slam. There’s still a chance for you to get on the pod, jump in the comments and make your case.
Show Notes:
0:00 Lea ...
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March 29, 2023 • 91 mins
Description: Pickleball’s most polarizing player Julian Arnold is here to talk all things MLP. His unabashed excitement for the game leaves some fans pining for more and others muting their TVs. Learn more about how Julian co-founded his paddle company Volair and coined his own catchphrase. MLP Mesa’s Most Valuable Player also shares his insights on how pro pickleball can continue to improve. Andiamo!
Show Notes:
0:00 Julian and ...
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