PicklePod

Latest Episodes:

Federico Staksrud Has One Job: Take Down the St. Louis Shock Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

MLP Chicago is in the books and the playoff picture is getting brutal. Zane and Nico break down whether the Dallas Flash are actually contenders or just riding a soft schedule, argue about whether Dream Breaker power is overrated after JW Johnson's demolition of Chris Haworth, and recap Zane's week with the Chicago Slice — including Christian Alshon's first pitch at Wrigley Field and the blue card moment that swung a Dream Breaker.

Then Federico Staksrud joins the pod fresh off his blockbuster trade from the Orlando Squeeze to the New Jersey 5s, breaking down how the deal actually went down, whether pickleball needs real free agency, and his (very confident) opinion on bucket hats.

Plus: Nico's hybrid pickleball debut at PickleCon, the Texas vs. Kansas City BBQ debate, a brutally honest review of the Dink movie, and a full draft of the greatest sports movies of all time.

👕 Check out the new performance apparel line from Six Zero: https://bit.ly/3T9NaDM

💊 Marek Health → https://www.marekhealth.com | Code: THEDINK for 10% off

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

------------------

0:00 Intro

4:30 Dallas Flash: overhyped, GM of the Year, and is Brooklyn in trouble?

15:34 Zane's MLP Chicago recap: Wrigley Field, Alshon's first pitch, and the paddle-brand fantasy draft

25:04 Chicago Slice's playoff push and the blue card moment

38:07 Nico's hybrid pickleball debut at PickleCon

46:02 Reviewing The Dink movie — Zane and Nico do not agree

Federico Staksrud

55:53 Fed joins the pod

1:05:06 Should we just have a 7-game series?

1:15:35 Heroes of villains game

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Johns Just Had the Worst Week of His MLP Career Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Ben Johns scored FOUR points all weekend and Nico thinks he's already quit on the Mad Drops. Plus: Anna Leigh Waters' ESPYs purse gets roasted, the Dallas Flash prove everyone wrong, and a bucket hat starts a war. Zane & Nico break down the wildest weekend in MLP San Diego, trades that actually worked, rookies stealing Rookie of the Year, a mystery rec player who turns out to have two pros on his court, and the debate everyone in pickleball is having: how many hours is too many? 📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com #Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #mlp #ppa ------------------ Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify -Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Join the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://discord.gg/ZCqXrxhgsv -For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam -Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/ -Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball ------------------ 0:00 Intro 1:55 Dallas Flash Are Back: The Trade Everyone Hated Just Worked 10:20 Has Ben Johns Quit on the Mad Drops? (The Honeymoon Theory) 18:59 How Much Pickleball Is Too Much? (The 3-Hour Wall) 25:00 I Got Unblocked by Pickleball Twitter's Most Notorious Poster 35:13 The Anna Leigh Waters ESPYs Purse Roast 38:43 Ban the Bucket Hat? (Free the Bucket) 42:26 Rookie of the Year Is Closer Than You Think (Danni vs. Sofia) 50:11 Drafting the Best MLP Team of 2029 (Under 20 Only) 57:18 Could Anna Leigh Waters Go Pro in Tennis? (Hell No) 1:02:20 Guess My DUPR Backfires: We Rated a Pro Player

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the Pickleball Boom Actually Over? The Owners Respond Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

$20K, one point, zero room for error — Nathan joins the pod fresh off winning the first-ever Paddletek One Point Challenge with Zane as his partner. We break down how they actually pulled it off, plus the chainsaw serve that almost got them DQ'd in the final.

Also this week: the Shock swept the 5s at Beer City Open, Zane's prop bet died in front of everyone, and there's a new S-tier. Federico Staksrud's about to be the most valuable trade chip in the league — we rank who should go get him. Kate Fahey vs. Jorja Johnson gets heated. And Zane's got a real answer for how to stop teams from hunting Anna Leigh Waters all game.

Then the actual news: Paddletek just bought PIKKL and signed the whole Johnson family — JW, Jorja, and Julie — plus Hurricane Tyra Black. Ron and Joe Saslow explain why that deal happened, why paddle brands keep eating each other, and whether Padel is about to eat pickleball's lunch.

Oh, and there's a cereal draft.

🗳️ Vote on our Cereal Draft in the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://www.discord.gg/JxEcUZ54z

📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for everything that matters in pickleball: https://subscribe.thedinkpickleball.com

📚 Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://www.tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Follow us on IG : https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/

-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

------------------

0:00 Intro

1:39 MLP Mid Season recap

6:48 Takeaways from the weekend

8:34 Three S-tier teams

10:52 Everyone needs Federico Staksrud

14:59 Salary cap and salary floor

20:29 Icing out Anna Leigh Waters

Nathan Furness

26:34 The Paddletek 1-Point Challenge

35:50 Going toe-to-toe with Zane

43:10 Somebody hire Nathan

45:55 Cereal draft

54:10 Guess my DUPR

Ron and Joe Saslow

59:25 Ron and Joe join the show

1:02:09 How do the Johnsons fit in?

1:04:42 The age of consolidation

1:12:15 Addressing the “doubters”

1:21:30 Bullish on pickleball

1:25:59 What’s more valuable: reviewers or pros?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Sock + Danni Townsend NEEDS to Happen | Every MLP Trade We Want Before the MLP Deadline Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Zane is fresh off a trip to PPA Tokyo and lands straight in Grand Rapids for the Beer City Open / MLP Mid-Season Tournament — so he and Nico have a lot to cover.

They break down the mysterious dueling "Team USA" pickleball announcements, preview Match Day prop bets for the Beer City Open, draft the most Silent Assassins in an MLP-style event, and dig into Jay Devilliers' surprise move to the APP Tour ahead of a wave of expiring PPA contracts.

Plus: Zane's Tokyo recap (sumo wrestling included), MLP trade deadline predictions, and a new Guess My Duper.

🩺 With Marek, taking care of your health doesn't have to be a huge commitment.

Head to https://MarekDiagnostics.com and use code THEDINK for 10% off

🎟️ Enter for a chance to win the new Ultre Power 2 from 11SIX 24 http://giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com

🗳️ Vote on our Silent Assassin Draft in the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://www.discord.gg/JxEcUZ54z

📚 Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://www.tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com

https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG

-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

------------------

0:00 Intro

1:47 Zane loves the World Cup

5:07 What's the deal with the new "Team USA"

10:57 Can an amateur team win at the Mid-Season Championship?

16:43 Prop bets from Match Day

27:56 Nico sets the odds for Mid-Season Championship

30:33 Zane uses the honor system in Tokyo

45:48 Jay Devilliers moving to the APP

53:25 Silent assassin MLP Draft

1:02:14 Possible big trade coming before the deadline

1:19:46 Guess my DUPR

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Good Was Anna Leigh Waters at Soccer, Really? Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Is the best pickleball player in the world sitting on a pro soccer career she never cashed in?

Zane Navratil and Nico the Lefty sit down with Clem McAuley, Anna Leigh Waters' former club soccer coach, to find out just how real this "she could've gone pro" storyline actually is.

Clem recalls his first training session with a 12-year-old Anna Leigh – a kid who, in his words, practiced like it was a World Cup final. He breaks down her jaw-dropping U15 stat line (46 goals, 31 assists in 38 games) and what it was like building a roster and schedule around one player. Then there's his claim that with six months of real training she'd have top women's soccer teams calling – and inside two years, a shot at the US Women's National Team (USWNT).

Zane and Nico debate it themselves before Clem joins: is Anna Leigh Waters a Wilt Chamberlain-style talent dominating a shallower pool, or could her competitiveness and movement translate to any sport she picked up?

We went even deeper on thedinkpickleball.com – more from Clem, and insight from AC Delray's Director of Coaching, Anna Leigh's mom Leigh, and former Duke soccer All-American Kaitlyn Kerr. The full story covers her call-up to the Danone Cup, a FIFA-endorsed international football event for youth, along with real interest from the NWSL's Orlando Pride, a recruiting push from UNC, and how soccer almost pulled her away from pickleball for good – plus a soccer stat breakdown and highlight clips.

Find the full article here: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/anna-leigh-waters-the-soccer-prodigy-who-pickleball-stole/

📚 Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://www.tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com

https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG

-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

------------------

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did the Shock Just Guarantee a Title AND Blow Their Future? Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Zane's calling in from a hostel kitchen in Tokyo and Nico's posted up at Gino the Righty's place in California, but somehow they still pulled off the wildest PicklePod yet.

This week: the New Jersey Fives win their third straight MLP event and take over first place in the standings, the league's first-ever four-team trade reshuffles the Chicago Slice and St. Louis Shock, and the guys break down the Casey Diamond/Grayson Goldin injured reserve controversy that's got every GM in the league fired up. Oh, and we finally talk about the scoreboard that collapsed on Brooklyn's Rachel Rohrabacher mid-match — and why MLP's statement on it might have made things worse.

🟦 Blue Cannatine from Troscriptions is designed to support the mental and physical flow state that pickleball players chase: focused, responsive, smooth, and adaptable — without jitters, crashes, or chaos. Try it today at https://troscriptions.com/dink

🗳️ Vote on our Continental Draft in the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://www.discord.gg/JxEcUZ54z

📚 Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://www.tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com

https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG

-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

------------------

0:00 Intro

5:30 MLP NYC recap

9:33 Which team falls to the 5-seed?

11:46 Ranchers stating their case

18:14 The Mid-Season Tourney = Soccer’s FA Cup

20:51 The Hogs surprise upset

24:10 The first 4 team trade in MLP history

30:10 Nico the Insider gets almost gets it right

37:23 Should teenagers be allowed to be pros?

42:35 The Royals IR scheme + hated teams

45:41 Power ranking MLP most hated teams50:19 MLP Scoreboard falls on Rachel Rohrabacher57:22 Continental draft

1:03:17 Guess my DUPR

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Tiger & MJ Have in Common With Pickleball's Best Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Zane Navratil and Nico the Lefty break down MLP St. Petersburg — the stunning blown foot-fault call that saved Nico and Mari Humberg's mixed doubles match, the eleventh-hour Casey Diamond signing drama between the Palm Beach Royals and Columbus Sliders, and why "super teams" like the St. Louis Shock, LA Mad Drops, and Columbus Sliders keep struggling out of the gate.

Then St. Louis Shock star Kate Fahey joins to talk her MVP weekend (top Player Impact Rating in the field), the art of playing "squishy" on defense, her breakdown of Sofia Sewing and Tina Pisnik's breakout run, and an honest conversation about on-court anxiety, working with a sports psychologist, and the line between competitive fire and burnout.

Plus: Zane and Nico draft an all-time Blue Card team, and the crew tries to guess a duper's rating.

💊 Marek Health → www.marekhealth.com | Code: THEDINK for 10% off

🗳️ Vote on our Blue Card Draft in the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://www.discord.gg/JxEcUZ54z

📚 Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://www.tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com

https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG

-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

------------------

0:00 Intro

2:34 Glazing St Pete Athletics

7:24 The Chicago Slice are outperforming expectations

15:38 Blocking out the haters

19:20 Sports Predict is giving away $1 million

Kate Fahey

24:33 Kate joins the show

24:56 Kate goes the extra mile for dogs

27:22 MVP of the weekend and weaponizing unpredictability

33:57 The definition of Squishy Pickleball

39:16 Palm Beach Royals bending the rules

49:11 Super Teams feeling the pressure

56:10 Embracing competitive spirit

1:04:02 The Blue Card Draft

1:11:56 Guess my DUPR

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did Jay Cross the Line? The Body Bag That Blew Up MLP Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

This might be the biggest news week in MLP history. Zane and Nico break down the Hurricane Tyra Black ↔ Danni-Elle Townsend trade, debate whether the New Jersey 5s need to make a move of their own, and dig into salary floor/cap rumors that could reshape the league.

Then Danni-Elle Townsend joins fresh off the trade to tell her side of the story, followed by Florida Smash's Zoey Weil for a no-holds-barred conversation on the Jay Devilliers/Lea Jansen blowup, the "body bag" debate, and her ongoing beef with Jim Closs.

🗳️ Vote on our Hunger Games Draft in the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://www.discord.gg/JxEcUZ54z

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://www.tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com

https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG

-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

------------------

0:00 Intro

2:31 Will the 5s make a move before the trade deadline?

9:33 New post-trade power rankings

Danni-Elle Townsend

16:15 Danni-Elle Townsend joins the show

19:23 The not-so-secret trade

23:49 Is there beef between Danni and Parris?

26:20 What was the trade process like?

31:12 Building the team around Danni

Zoey Weil

34:17 Defending the Florida Smash

36:36 Zoey dishing it out on X

41:25 Reaction to the Danni Townsend trade

44:42 Jay vs Lea | Pablo vs Everybody

49:22 Body bag vs full bag

53:20 Full bags are going to increase

59:30 Zoey judges the draft results

1:02:11 The Hunger Games Draft

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Targeting Ben Johns ON PURPOSE — And It's Working Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Last week Zane called out Hayden Patriquin's Columbus performance. Hayden texted back one sentence — and then went 10-0 in St. Louis. We cover all of that, the Shock's total demolition of the Mad Drops, a deep dive on how to actually beat Ben Johns, and full MLP power rankings with a new segment: the James Ignatowich Terminated Team of the Week. 🪓

We also run a brand new age-based MLP draft (teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s — yes, all age groups must be represented), Nico recaps his wild weekend at the Bread & Butter Nerdy Tournament in Vero Beach (featuring Robert Slutzky playing right-handed and Doug dropping $420 checks), and we debate whether the pro pickleball world needs to stop glazing Ben Johns just for showing up.

Plus: the dead spot problem is real, Nico's most awkward fan FaceTime, and another round of Guess My DUPR.

🗳️ Vote on our age draft in the Pro Pickleball Talk Discord → https://www.discord.gg/JxEcUZ54z

📣 $500 Midwest Racket Sports Giveaway → www.giveaway.thedinkpickleball.com (ends June 10th!)

💊 Marekk Health → www.marekhealth.com | Code: THEDINK for 10% off

🩺 ZocDoc → www.zocdoc.com/thedink

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://www.tzpickleball.com/

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com

https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG

-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

------------------

0:00 Intro

1:08 Nico’s experience at the Nerdy Tourney

5:06 Winner of the Nerdy Tourney

9:42 Drafting players from every decade

21:49 Nico’s funny story + Zane’s chill weekend

25:12 The Shock right the skip in home event

28:55 Hayden’s response to criticism

38:03 Ben Johns is the dad of MLP

40:48 Power + Tier Rankings

49:44 Terminated team of the week + paying for a roster spot

52:50 Trading bad bounces for bigger venues

59:59 Listener comments

1:02:11 Guess my DUPR

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zane Had Game Point Against Anna Leigh Waters (Here's How) Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Zane's calling in from Match Point Pickleball in Columbus (winners of the Dink Award for best pickleball facility) after surviving a six-hour clinic, MLP, and accidentally yelling "Let's go 5s" for his old team. Classic.

We break down everything from MLP Columbus — New Jersey Fives sweep their way to 25 standings points, St. Louis Shock falters, and Zane comes THIS close to beating Anna Leigh Waters in mixed doubles. Plus: Grayson Goldin's jaw-dropping Dreambreaker win just months after suffering two strokes, the Genie Bouchard situation explained, Anna Bright goes viral on X, and the moment you've been waiting for — the MLP Vibes-Only Draft.

Subscribe and let us know: Who has the highest ceiling in pickleball right now? 👇

Be the first to try Zane's new course here: https://tzpickleball.com/

Check out Zane's Pro Pickleball Talk channel on Discord: https://discord.gg/wzNVADmZb

#Pickleball #PPATour #PickleballPodcast

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com

https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpickleball/ -Follow us on IG

-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

------------------

0:00 Intro

4:36 Zane had game point against his former team

11:26 Are the Shock still No.1?

13:13 Sliders trying to mix Danni and Parris

15:57 NBA to MLP equivalents

19:55 Should the Sliders stack?

22:11 Zane blows the lob serve return

25:37 The Royals make their debut and Grayson Goldin’s emotional return

29:56 Drafting players on "Vibes" alone

37:00 Pro Pickleball discord and honorable mentions

40:12 Guess my DUPR goes off the rails

45:57 Pro players held to a different standard

50:23 Unearthing the comments section

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected