What's the dill? Welcome to the Addict Podcast, brought to you by Addict Pickleball! Join hosts Andrew Stephan and Nicholas Sarabalis as they explore the captivating stories of remarkable individuals they've met through the world of pickleball. This podcast goes beyond the court, delving into the backgrounds, entrepreneurial journeys, and life experiences of their guests. Discover how pickleball has impacted their lives and fueled their passions. From seasoned pros to passionate enthusiasts, ...
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Addict Pickleball Podcasts
Tired of the same old pickleball chatter? So are we. Keeping it Real with Gina and Neil is the pickleball podcast that gets past the highlight reels and dives into what actually matters on and off the court. From honest gear reviews to what should really be in your pickleball bag, weāre bringing you real conversations without the fluff. Join us every week as we break down the good, the bad, and the unexpected sides of the fastest-growing sport, plus a few strong opinions along the way. Wheth ...
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The Pickleball Obsession | When Passion Turns Into Addiction
19:11
19:11
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19:11
Pickleball is fun, social, and healthyābut 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 passiā¦
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From Pros to Pick-Up | Lessons From the Court
21:16
21:16
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This weekās 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 ā including how he adjusted against opponents towering at 6ā7ā and 6ā8ā. The two dive into strategies for handling taller players, why partner cā¦
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The Love of the Game | Why Pickleball Brings Out Our Inner Kid
21:27
21:27
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21:27
Everyone has that first game they fell in love with ā 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 ā¦
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From Local Courts to National Stages | How Pickleball Players Grow Their Game
24:12
24:12
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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 itās like to sign up for ā¦
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The Delusional Player | When Confidence Turns to Chaos
18:10
18:10
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18:10
This weekās episode takes on one of Ginaās 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 āhave what it takes to go proā while treating others with a sense of entitlement. Gina and Neil talk about the fineā¦
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Hall of Famer, Founder, Father | Mark āYodaā Friedenbergās Pickleball Story
27:18
27:18
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27:18
Neilās dad isnāt just Mark Friedenberg... heās THE Mark āYodaā Friedenberg: National Champion, USA Pickleball founder, Hall of Famerā¦ 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 wā¦
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Temper Tantrums & Walk-Offs | When Pickleball Gets Ugly
12:44
12:44
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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 reputā¦
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When Pickleball Breaks Up the Friendship (or the Marriage)
12:15
12:15
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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 arā¦
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From Death & Dismemberment to Dinks | Meet Kim Bastien, Co-Founder of Empower Pickleball
32:19
32:19
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This weekās 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 plā¦
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It shouldnāt have to be said, but here we are. If youāre 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 isnāt anymore. From respect and pacing to body baā¦
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Is Open Play Really Open | The Truth About Newbies, Cliques, and Court Culture
6:16
6:16
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You show up to open play for the first time. Youāve got your paddle, your nerves, and a little excitement in your stepābecause pickleball is supposed to be the most welcoming sport, right? But thenā¦ no one asks you to play. Your paddle sits untouched in the lineup. Youāre told to play on parking lot lines. Welcome to the sometimes not-so-welcoming ā¦
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Stop Getting Hurt Playing Pickleball | Real Talk on Shoes, Technique & Recovery
9:43
9:43
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9:43
If youāve ever stepped on a pickleball court and thought, āIāve got the moves like Iām 25 again,ā only to pull something mid-rallyā¦ yeah, youāre not alone. This week, Neil and Gina get real about injuries, and how the sport we love can quickly turn painful when weāre not taking care of ourselves. They dive into why pickleball injuries are becoming ā¦
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Cheating in Pickleball | Rec vs Tournament Play (and How to Handle It)
13:25
13:25
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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: āļø What to do when you're on the receiving end of a bad call āļø Why humor might be your best weapon in casual games āļø When to speak up, when to shrug it off āļø How cheating messes with yoā¦
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Sandbagging in Pickleball | Why Playing Up Makes You Better
11:04
11:04
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11:04
Letās 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 donāt 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 ratingā¦
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8-0 in LA & Mountain Camp Vibes | NPL Wins, Coach Bonds & Community Feels
36:08
36:08
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36:08
Itās 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 mounā¦
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Karens & Bangers | Soft Shots, Power Plays & Why Balance Wins
14:35
14:35
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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 uncoā¦
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Ball Hogs & Bullies | Iced-Out Courts, Competitive Egos & When to Walk Away
11:11
11:11
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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: š¾ Why some players refuse to ā¦
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US Open Recap | Gold Medals, Celebrity Sightings & a Proud Son Moment
19:10
19:10
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19:10
Neil and Gina are back from the US Open in Naples, and theyāve 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 dadāa 70s pickleball hall of famer and USA Pickleball founderāwin gold in his age bracket. Along the way, ā¦
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Whatās In Your Pickleball Bag? Essentials, Fails & Court Surprises
15:44
15:44
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15:44
Whatās in your bagāand whatās 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, theyāre talking through the essentials and the unexpectedā¦
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Episode 0: Welcome to Keeping it Real with Gina & Neil
10:19
10:19
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This is Keeping it Real with Gina & Neilāa 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 theyāre launching the show, what ākeeping it realā actually means in the pickleball world, and what you can expect every Wednesday movingā¦
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Meet Richard Wirthlin: The Jordan Belfort of Solar Energy | The Addict Podcast Ep. 6
1:08:16
1:08:16
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1:08:16
š§ Richard Wirthlin: The Jordan Belfort of Solar Energy & King of Collectibles š§ In Episode 6 of The Addict Podcast, we bring you a conversation with the one and only Richard Wirthlin, co-founder of Flo Energy. Known as the "Jordan Belfort of Solar Energy," Richard is a force of nature, brimming with energy, excitement, and an insatiable love for liā¦
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Talking with the #1 Personal Finance Podcaster on the Planet: Andrew Giancola | The Addict Podcast Ep. 5
1:54:19
1:54:19
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1:54:19
š§ Talking with the #1 Personal Finance Podcaster on the Planet: Andrew Giancola | The Addict Podcast Ep. 5 š§ In this episode of The Addict Podcast, we chat with Andrew Giancola, the mastermind behind the #1 Personal Finance Podcast globally! š Andrew is a serial entrepreneur who transformed his passion for finance into a leading podcast. Tune in toā¦
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From Gronk Family to Pickleball Star with Gordie Gronkowski | The Addict Podcast Ep. 5
49:42
49:42
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In Episode 5 of The Addict Podcast, we sit down with Gordie Gronkowski, the first-born of the legendary Gronk family and the best pickleball player among his brothers. While his siblings made their mark in the NFL, Gordie forged his own path, excelling in pro baseball and transitioning into a successful career as an investor and entrepreneur. Now, ā¦
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Building a Creative Empire w/ Kayla Goldman, founder of Sunny Collabs | The Addict Podcast Ep. 4
1:17:31
1:17:31
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1:17:31
In Episode 4 of The Addict Podcast, we sit down with Kayla Goldman, the dynamic solo founder of Sunny Collabs, a social-first creative agency thatās making waves in the industry. Kayla's journey is nothing short of inspiringāself-taught in photography and videography, she now manages over 2000 models, influencers, and creators, delivering scroll-stā¦
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Revolutionizing Pickleball & Exposing Scandals with David Tabb | The Addict Podcast Ep. 3
1:32:03
1:32:03
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1:32:03
In Episode 3 of The Addict Podcast, we dive into the electrifying world of pickleball with none other than David Tabb, one of the nationās top tournament directors and the mastermind behind All Florida Pickleball. Known for bringing unparalleled energy and atmosphere to the sport, David shares his journey of transforming pickleball tournaments and ā¦
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A Two Wheel Journey with Michael Joyce of Emoto | The Addict Podcast Ep. 2
40:49
40:49
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40:49
Welcome to the second episode of The Addict Podcast, broadcasting from our brand-new studio and store! This episode features a special guest, Michael Joyce, the visionary founder of Emoto. Emoto is revolutionizing the electric mobility industry, and weāre thrilled to dive into Michaelās inspiring journey from concept to creation. Join us as we explā¦
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The Pickleball Professor: Dan Werner - What's the DILL? Podcast Ep. 1 | Addict Pickleball
54:27
54:27
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š¾ Welcome to Episode 1 of the "What's the DILL?" podcast, brought to you by Addict Pickleball! In this episode, our co-founder Andrew Stephan sits down with a legend in the world of pickleball, Dan Werner. At 82 years young, Dan is a veteran of the sport and a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in pickleball. š š¹ About Dan Werner: Dan Wernerā¦
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