Best Addict Pickleball Podcasts (2025)

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We Tried Xtreme Brands CBD Balm & Spray | Instant Pain Relief on the Court! 13:32

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16d ago13:32

13:32

At a recent NPL event, Gina was struggling with serious back pain when she stumbled across Xtreme Brands, a pharmaceutical-grade wellness company known for their CBD-based products. One quick try of their CBD Pain Relief Balm and Spray, and the results? Immediate. Neil tested it on his knees... same story. We’re talking about what makes these produ…

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Pickleball Rituals, Nerves, and Motivation | The Mental Side of the Game 24:33

23d ago24:33

24:33

In this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, we’re diving into the mental side of pickleball, from quirky rituals and nervous habits to how we motivate ourselves (and our partners) when the game gets rough. We’ve all been there. You lose a few points in a row, your partner’s off their rhythm, and the pressure’s creeping in. So what do you d…

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Paddle Evolution | How Design Changed the Game 24:40

30d ago24:40

24:40

In this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, it’s all about paddles — where they started, how they’ve evolved, and where innovation is headed next. Neil shares a bit of family history from the early days of Pro Lite Pickleball and breaks down the details of the wooden paddles players had to use at the recent PPA Sacramento Vintage Open. Fro…

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The Pickleball Obsession | When Passion Turns Into Addiction 19:11

1M ago19:11

19:11

Pickleball is fun, social, and healthy—but what happens when it takes over your entire life? Gina and Neil dive into the growing obsession with the sport and how it can spill into every area of life, from friendships and relationships to work and responsibilities. They talk about what makes pickleball so addictive, how to find balance between passi…

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From Pros to Pick-Up | Lessons From the Court 21:16

2M ago21:16

21:16

This week’s episode is packed with real match talk and lessons from the court. Gina shares her run in the senior pro bracket at the APP Chicago Open, while Neil breaks down his local flex league tournament — including how he adjusted against opponents towering at 6’7” and 6’8”. The two dive into strategies for handling taller players, why partner c…

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The Love of the Game | Why Pickleball Brings Out Our Inner Kid 21:27

2M ago21:27

21:27

Everyone has that first game they fell in love with — the one that sparked endless hours of practice in the driveway, backyard, or garage. In this episode, they reflect on the athletes they admired growing up, the games that shaped them, and how all those moments paved the way for falling head over heels for pickleball. They explore why pickleball …

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From Local Courts to National Stages | How Pickleball Players Grow Their Game 24:12

2M ago24:12

24:12

How do you go from hitting around at the local rec center to competing on the national stage? In this episode, Gina and Neil dig into the pathway of a pickleball player: starting with those first rallies at community gyms and rec departments, and eventually working up to tournaments both big and small. They talk about what it’s like to sign up for …

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The Delusional Player | When Confidence Turns to Chaos 18:10

2M ago18:10

18:10

This week’s episode takes on one of Gina’s favorite topics: the delusional player. You know the type: the ones signing up for pro brackets without a shot at qualifying, the 3.5s decked out in flashy gear, or the players asking if they “have what it takes to go pro” while treating others with a sense of entitlement. Gina and Neil talk about the fine…

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Hall of Famer, Founder, Father | Mark “Yoda” Friedenberg’s Pickleball Story 27:18

3M ago27:18

27:18

Neil’s dad isn’t just Mark Friedenberg... he’s THE Mark “Yoda” Friedenberg: National Champion, USA Pickleball founder, Hall of Famer… and the guy who taught Neil almost everything he knows. We cover the early days of pickleball, the wild ride of owning Pro-Lite Sports, and why he decided to pull the trigger on creating USA Pickleball. Mark shares w…

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Temper Tantrums & Walk-Offs | When Pickleball Gets Ugly 12:44

3M ago12:44

12:44

From paddle tossers to mid-game quitters, this week Gina and Neil dive into the emotional outbursts and dramatic exits happening more often on the pickleball court. Gina opens up about how she used to throw her paddle (but with flair), while Neil reflects on a lesson learned after throwing one in front of a crowd of retirees. They explore how reput…

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When Pickleball Breaks Up the Friendship (or the Marriage) 12:15

3M ago12:15

12:15

Pickleball is supposed to be fun... but what happens when it starts blowing up friendships, marriages, and long-standing court groups? Gina and Neil dive into the emotional fallout happening in pickleball communities everywhere, from breakups between besties to actual divorces. Some players are getting ditched because they "got too good." Others ar…

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From Death & Dismemberment to Dinks | Meet Kim Bastien, Co-Founder of Empower Pickleball 32:19

3M ago32:19

32:19

This week’s episode is a big one! Gina and Neil welcome their first-ever guest to the pod: Co-founder of Empower Pickleball, Kim Bastien. Kim opens up about how she stumbled into pickleball after a career in insurance, the corporate burnout that led her to a total life pivot, and what inspired her to start a platform that gives voice to everyday pl…

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Court Etiquette | A Dying Art Form 9:07

4M ago9:07

9:07

It shouldn’t have to be said, but here we are. If you’re blowing through open gates mid-point, smacking balls back instead of handing them over, or just generally being THAT Person on the court... this episode is for you. Gina and Neil break down the etiquette that should be common sense but clearly isn’t anymore. From respect and pacing to body ba…

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Is Open Play Really Open | The Truth About Newbies, Cliques, and Court Culture 6:16

4M ago6:16

6:16

You show up to open play for the first time. You’ve got your paddle, your nerves, and a little excitement in your step—because pickleball is supposed to be the most welcoming sport, right? But then… no one asks you to play. Your paddle sits untouched in the lineup. You’re told to play on parking lot lines. Welcome to the sometimes not-so-welcoming …

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Stop Getting Hurt Playing Pickleball | Real Talk on Shoes, Technique & Recovery 9:43

4M ago9:43

9:43

If you’ve ever stepped on a pickleball court and thought, “I’ve got the moves like I’m 25 again,” only to pull something mid-rally… yeah, you’re not alone. This week, Neil and Gina get real about injuries, and how the sport we love can quickly turn painful when we’re not taking care of ourselves. They dive into why pickleball injuries are becoming …

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Cheating in Pickleball | Rec vs Tournament Play (and How to Handle It) 13:25

4M ago13:25

13:25

This week on Keeping It Real, Gina and Neil get into the sticky subject of cheating in pickleball, from rec play politics to tournament tension. In this episode: ✔️ What to do when you're on the receiving end of a bad call ✔️ Why humor might be your best weapon in casual games ✔️ When to speak up, when to shrug it off ✔️ How cheating messes with yo…

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Sandbagging in Pickleball | Why Playing Up Makes You Better 11:04

4M ago11:04

11:04

Let’s call it what it is: sandbagging hurts the game. In this episode, Gina and Neil get into why playing up will always serve you better than playing down, and how tournament brackets don’t always reflect real skill levels. They share personal stories (including a 5.0 player sneaking into a 3.5 bracket at the US Open), talk about where DUPR rating…

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8-0 in LA & Mountain Camp Vibes | NPL Wins, Coach Bonds & Community Feels 36:08

5M ago36:08

36:08

It’s a full-court press this week. Gina shares what went down at the National Pickleball League (NPL) event in LA: her undefeated run with the Denver Iconics, changes in the format, how team dynamics work, and why one encounter with Jennifer Dawson meant so much. Neil recaps his time coaching at a Suncoast Pickleball Camp in the North Carolina moun…

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Karens & Bangers | Soft Shots, Power Plays & Why Balance Wins 14:35

5M ago14:35

14:35

In this episode, Gina and Neil dive into the playful (but very real) divide in recreational pickleball: Karens vs. Bangers. Gina admits she used to be all power, all the time, until she had to teach herself how to slow things down. Neil naturally leans into a calmer, dink-focused game, but both agree: to truly grow as a player, you have to get unco…

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Ball Hogs & Bullies | Iced-Out Courts, Competitive Egos & When to Walk Away 11:11

5M ago11:11

11:11

Gina and Neil are tackling a tough one this week: ball hogs, bullies, and those players who make the court feel anything but welcoming. From isolating better players to refusing to rotate out, they talk about the behaviors that divide rec play and how to respond (without losing your love for the game). In this episode: 🎾 Why some players refuse to …

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US Open Recap | Gold Medals, Celebrity Sightings & a Proud Son Moment 19:10

5M ago19:10

19:10

Neil and Gina are back from the US Open in Naples, and they’ve got stories. In this episode, Neil takes the mic (mostly) and walks us through one of the most meaningful tournaments of his life: from playing in the Florida heat, to watching his dad—a 70s pickleball hall of famer and USA Pickleball founder—win gold in his age bracket. Along the way, …

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What’s In Your Pickleball Bag? Essentials, Fails & Court Surprises 15:44

6M ago15:44

15:44

What’s in your bag—and what’s not, but probably should be? In this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina and Neil, they get real about their gear, their travel habits, and the sometimes strange (and gross) items that make it to the court. From emergency socks to pre-game music that goes hard, they’re talking through the essentials and the unexpected…

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Episode 0: Welcome to Keeping it Real with Gina & Neil 10:19

6M ago10:19

10:19

This is Keeping it Real with Gina & Neil—a no-fluff pickleball podcast powered by Empower Pickleball. In this short intro episode, your hosts Gina Cilento and Neil Friedenberg give a behind-the-scenes look at why they’re launching the show, what “keeping it real” actually means in the pickleball world, and what you can expect every Wednesday moving…