Kitchen Conversations Podcast

Kitchen Conversations

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Sports

Kitchen Conversations is a story driven podcast that explores the lives behind the paddle, uncovering the personal journeys, careers, and defining moments of the people who make up the pickleball community. Through thoughtful, unhurried conversations, host Mike Spies goes beyond dinks and drives to reveal the character, resilience, and human connection that truly define the game.

2d ago

SMASHING Success!

What happens when you take an old warehouse… and turn it into one of the most electric pickleball communities in Canada? In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with Jody Allen and Jeff Allen, the visionaries behind Smash Courts in Peterborough — and what they’ve built is far more than a facility. It’s a community. It’s a culture. It’s a place where people don’t just play pickleball… they belong. From Jody’s decades working in child welfare to Jeff’s background in teaching and coaching, their mission goes deeper than court bookings and memberships. They’ve created a space that tackles loneliness, builds connection, and gives people something many are missing today… A place to show up — and be seen. When I visited Smash Courts, I was blown away — not just by the design, the pro shop, or the courts… but by the energy in the room. You feel it the second you walk in. This conversation pulls back the curtain on how it all came together — and where it’s going next. 🎯 In this episode, we dive into: • The leap from stable careers to building Smash Courts • Turning a dark warehouse into a best-in-class pickleball facility • The culture behind Smash — and why it feels different • How pickleball is quietly fighting loneliness and isolation • The balance between competitive and social play • Why space, design, and community matter more than you think • The future vision for Smash Courts 📍 Learn more about Smash Courts: 👉 Smash Courts (Peterborough, Ontario) https://smashcourts.ca 👉 Follow Smash Courts on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/smashcourts 👉 Connect with Jody & Jeff Allen https://www.facebook.com/smashcourts 🎥 Watch more episodes: 👉 Kitchen Conversations YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast 🎙️ About the Show: Kitchen Conversations is more than dinks, drops and drives — it’s stories from behind the paddle. 🔥 Hashtags: #SmashCourts #PickleballCanada #PickleballCommunity #KitchenConversations #JodyAllen #JeffAllen #PeterboroughPickleball #PickleballLife #PickleballGrowth #PickleballCulture #IndoorPickleball #PickleballPodcast #SportsEntrepreneur #CommunityMatters #PickleballAddiction #PickleballFamily #CourtCulture #FromWarehouseToWow #EntrepreneurStory #CanadianPickleball And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations. If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do. And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast That’s where these stories really come to life. You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description. Until next time… more than dinks, drops and drives… these are stories from behind the paddle.

55 min
May 28

Canada’s Padel Pioneer

He Brought Padel to Canada 🇨🇦 | The Untold Story of Bill Stamile What happens when one man stumbles onto a sport… and decides to change a country with it? In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with Canada’s padel pioneer, Bill Stamile — the man who brought padel from Argentina to Canada in 1992 and spent over three decades building it from nothing. This is not just a story about a sport. It’s about obsession. Vision. And the kind of persistence most people simply don’t have. From a dusty warehouse court in Calgary… to helping shape the global structure of the game… to sitting at the table where the rules of padel were debated and defined… Bill didn’t just introduce padel to Canada. He fought for it. “The minute I played… I knew I had to bring this back to Canada.” We go deep into: How padel was discovered on a beach in Argentina The gritty reality of building the first court in North America Why the sport “died” multiple times… and kept coming back His role in the global growth of padel through the Canada Padel Federation What’s happening right now across Canada… and why it’s about to explode This is a story very few people know… but every player should. Because none of this exists without people like Bill. 🔗 Connect + Learn More 🌐 Canada Padel Federation 👉 https://padelcanada.ca 🎯 Why This Episode Matters If you’ve ever stepped onto a court… If you’ve ever picked up a paddle… If you’ve ever felt that instant pull of racket sports… You’re part of this story. You just didn’t know it. 🔥 Hashtags (Go Heavy) #Padel #PadelCanada #BillStamile #RacketSports #Pickleball #Tennis #PadelLife #PadelCommunity #CanadianPadel #PadelGrowth #SportsInnovation #KitchenConversations #Podcast #YouTubePodcast #EntrepreneurStory #SportsHistory #PadelWorld #PadelFederation #ActiveLifestyle #Longevity #FitnessJourney #RacketLife #PadelNation #GlobalSports #PadelMovement And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations. If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do. And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast That’s where these stories really come to life. You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description. Until next time… more than dinks, drops and drives… these are stories from behind the paddle.

1h 14m
May 21

All it took was 10 minutes to get hooked!

What happens when a lifelong tennis pro gives pickleball just 10 minutes… and it completely changes his life? In this episode of Kitchen Conversations – Stories Behind the Paddle, I sit down with Kevin Beeson—elite coach, national champion, and one of the most recognizable voices in pickleball education today. From grinding through the tennis world to becoming a global pickleball coach, Kevin breaks down the real reason this game is exploding—and why so many of us wish we started sooner. We get into: The exact moment pickleball “hooks” players (and why it happens so fast) Why most players plateau—and how to avoid it The biggest mistake beginners make (hint: it’s not what you think) His “Zero to Hero” philosophy and what it actually means Why the future of pickleball might be moving too fast And the deeper truth: this game isn’t just about competition—it’s about connection This is more than a conversation about pickleball. It’s about reinvention, purpose, and finding something new to chase—no matter your age. “We all start at zero… the goal is to become your version of the hero.” 🔗 Connect with Kevin Beeson 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@kbpickleball?si=rdy9soY7zfm2tJl4 👉 Website / Coaching & Camps: https://www.kevinbeesonpickleball.com/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbpickleball?igsh=eDBwcjl3NXdyZTNw 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.beeson.2025 🎧 Watch More Episodes 👉 Full Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast 💬 Join the Conversation If this episode inspires you to pick up a paddle for the first time… mission accomplished. Drop a comment below 👇 What was YOUR pickleball “magic moment”? 🏓 Hashtags #Pickleball #KevinBeeson #KitchenConversationsPodcast #PickleballLife #PickleballCoach #PickleballTraining #PickleballTips #PickleballCommunity #DinkAndDrive #PickleballAddict #SportsPodcast #RacketSports #PickleballJourney #ActiveLifestyle #PlayPickleball #PickleballStories #ZeroToHero #PickleballGrowth #SeniorAthletes #GameOfALifetime Sent from my iPhone [Please excuse any and all spelling and grammatical errors.] And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations. If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do. And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast That’s where these stories really come to life. You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description. Until next time… more than dinks, drops and drives… these are stories from behind the paddle.

55 min
May 14

Dr. Colin Campbell- Pickleball Injury Prevention

What if the person who could extend your pickleball life…doesn’t even play the game? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Colin Campbell, a chiropractor from the Nepean Active Health Clinic who sees the game from the outside looking in — and what he shares might completely change how you approach the court. From walking onto a varsity football team at Queen's University football team with zero experience… to treating athletes for over 20 years…to breaking down the real reason pickleball injuries are exploding… This conversation is different. It’s not about how to play better. It’s about how to keep playing at all. 🧠 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: • Why pickleball injuries are rising fast (and what nobody tells you) • The biggest mistake players make before stepping on the court • The truth about aging vs performance • Why your brain thinks you’re 35… but your body disagrees • The most common injuries: knees, Achilles, back, elbow • Simple changes that can add YEARS to your game ⚠️ REAL TALK: Most players don’t get injured because of one bad movement. They get injured because of thousands of small ones done wrong. This episode breaks that down in a way every player needs to hear. 🔗 CONNECT WITH NEPEAN ACTIVE HEALTH CLINIC 👉 https://nepeanahc.com/ If you’re in the Ottawa area and serious about staying in the game, this is where you start. 🎯 ABOUT THE SHOW “More than Dinks, Drops and Drives – Stories from Behind The Paddle.” This is not a coaching channel. This is where the real stories live. 💬 QUESTION FOR YOU: Have you ever played through an injury you knew you shouldn’t have? 🔔 DON’T FORGET: Subscribe for weekly episodes. Every Thursday. 1pm. 🏷️ HASHTAGS: #Pickleball #PickleballInjuries #KitchenConversations #SportsHealth #InjuryPrevention #ActiveLiving #PickleballLife #Longevity #HealthAndWellness #ChiropracticCare #OttawaHealth #StayInTheGame #PickleballCanada #AthleteMindset #MovementMatters And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations. If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do. And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast That’s where these stories really come to life. You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description. Until next time… more than dinks, drops and drives… these are stories from behind the paddle.

54 min
May 14

Ottawa Pickleball Association- President Diana Dowthwaite

What does it take to build one of the most organized and respected pickleball communities in North America? In this episode of Kitchen Conversations – Stories Behind the Paddle, I sit down with Diana Dowthwaite, President of the Ottawa Pickleball Association, to unpack the incredible growth of the game—and how the OPA has quietly become a blueprint for how to do it right. From humble beginnings—chalk lines on cracked tennis courts—to a 700+ member powerhouse with a waitlist of 1000 players, this is the story of leadership, vision, and community. We get into: Why pickleball is solving something deeper than just sportHow OPA built a skills-first development model (not just rec play)The truth about ratings systems—and why OPA ignores themThe secret behind creating instant community and lifelong friendshipsThe biggest threat to the game right now (and it’s not what you think)How structured play at level is transforming player experience“Pickleball isn’t just about the game… it’s about connection, purpose, and belonging.” If you want to understand where pickleball is going—and what great leadership in this space actually looks like—this conversation is required listening. 🔗 Ottawa Pickleball Association (OPA) 👉 Official Website: https://ottawapickleballassociation.com/ 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ottawa.Pickleball.Association 🎧 Watch More Episodes 👉 Full Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast 💬 Join the Conversation Have you experienced the “pickleball effect”? Drop a comment below 👇 What has this game brought into your life beyond the court? 🏓 Hashtags #OttawaPickleball #PickleballCanada #KitchenConversationsPodcast #PickleballCommunity #PickleballLife #PickleballGrowth #PickleballClub #PlayPickleball #PickleballAddict #DinkLife #PickleballNation #SportsCommunity #ActiveLifestyle #PickleballTraining #PickleballSkills #PickleballLeagues #PickleballCulture #CanadianPickleball #PickleballPodcast #GameOfALifetime And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations. If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do. And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast That’s where these stories really come to life. You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description. Until next time… more than dinks, drops and drives… these are stories from behind the paddle.

1 hr
May 12

DUPR Confused! Pickleball Ratings explained with Rick Bigelow

What exactly is DUPR… and why is the entire pickleball world talking about it? In this episode of Kitchen Conversations: Stories Behind the Paddle, Mike sits down with Kingston pickleball leader and founding Kingston Pickleball Club member Rick Bigelow for a deep dive into the evolution of pickleball ratings, the rise of DUPR, tournament play, sandbagging, reliability scores, and the growing pains of a sport exploding across the globe. From the early YMCA days in Kingston… to today’s data driven world of ratings, ladders, and tournament algorithms… this conversation breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in pickleball in a way every club player can understand. Whether you are: 🏓 brand new to the game 🏓 curious about tournament play 🏓 frustrated by your DUPR rating 🏓 or simply fascinated by where pickleball is heading globally …this episode delivers real insight without the noise. Special thanks to Kingston Pickleball Club for continuing to help grow one of the strongest pickleball communities in Canada. 📍 Kingston Pickleball Club 1050 Gardiners Road Kingston, Ontario 🔥 WATCH / FOLLOW / LEARN MORE: Kingston Pickleball Website 🏓 https://kingstonpickleballclub.com/ Kingston Pickleball Club Facebook Group 📘 Kingston Pickleball Club Facebook ▶️ Kitchen Conversations YouTube Channel #Pickleball #DUPR #KingstonPickleballClub #KitchenConversations #StoriesBehindThePaddle #PickleballPodcast #PickleballCanada #OntarioPickleball #KingstonOntario #PickleballCommunity #TournamentPickleball #PickleballRatings #DoublesPickleball #PickleballLife #KitchenConversationsPodcast #RickBigelow #PickleballPlayers #PickleballTalk #RoadToTheOlympics #PickleballGrowth And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations. If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do. And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast That’s where these stories really come to life. You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description. Until next time… more than dinks, drops and drives… these are stories from behind the paddle.

50 min
May 7

Living in a Yurt- Loving Pickleball!

What happens when a guy living in a yurt becomes one of the most influential voices in pickleball? In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with Mike “Sleeves” Sliwa… one of the most recognizable, unfiltered, and thought-provoking personalities in the game today. He’s not just talking about pickleball. He’s challenging it. From hosting the Senior Pickleball Report to narrating a major pickleball documentary… to working behind the scenes on initiatives like the Pickleball Manufacturers Association (PMA) and emerging rating systems… Sleeves is right in the middle of where the game is going next. And he’s not afraid to push back on where it’s going wrong. As he puts it, he’s constantly “pushing against the status quo” in a sport that’s rapidly being shaped by money, technology, and competing agendas. This is a conversation about pickleball… but more importantly, it’s about who controls the future of the game. 🔥 In this episode, we dive into: • The real story behind the Senior Pickleball Report • How Sleeves went from content creator to documentary narrator • The power struggle behind pro pickleball • Why he’s challenging the current rating systems • The vision behind the Pickleball Manufacturers Association (PMA) • The explosion of paddle companies and who really wins • How AI could reshape the way the game is played and analyzed • Why the current direction of the sport may not serve everyday players 🌎 Follow Mike “Sleeves” Sliwa: 👉 Senior Pickleball Report (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@SeniorPickleballReport 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seniorpickleballreport 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeniorPickleballReport 🏓 Pickleball Manufacturers Association (PMA): 👉 Learn more / Get involved: https://www.pickleballma.com A growing collaborative space for paddle brands, creators, and innovators looking to challenge the traditional power structure of the sport. 📊 Emerging Rating System (VER / VAR TV): 👉 Learn more: https://www.vertvpickleball.com A new approach to rating players using real performance, decision-making, and AI… not just scores. 🎬 Documentary Mentioned: 👉 Dream Breaker (Pickleball documentary narrated by Sleeves) https://therokuchannel.roku.com 🎙️ About Kitchen Conversations: This is not an interview. This is a court-side conversation. Real stories. Real people. More than dinks, drops, and drives. Stories from behind the paddle. 🏓 If this episode makes you think: Subscribe Share it Send it to someone who loves the game Because the future of pickleball is being shaped right now. 🔖 Hashtags: #Pickleball #SeniorPickleballReport #MikeSliwa #Sleeves #PMA #PickleballManufacturersAssociation #PickleballPodcast #KitchenConversations #PickleballCommunity #PickleballGrowth #AIInSports #PaddleReviews #PickleballIndustry #SportsInnovation And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations. If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do. And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast That’s where these stories really come to life. You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description. Until next time… more than dinks, drops and drives… these are stories from behind the paddle.

50 min
Apr 30

Changing the Face of Pickleball

What if the biggest risk in pickleball… isn’t your opponent? In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with Brad Robbins — the mind behind Kitchen Blockers — a product that’s not just entering the game… …it’s trying to change it. After taking a ball to the eye, Brad saw something most players ignore: 👉 The fastest-growing sport in the world 👉 Millions of players 👉 Almost no one protecting their vision And that’s where Kitchen Blockers was born. This isn’t just about eyewear. It’s about awareness. It’s about safety. And it’s about protecting the game we all love. Brad doesn’t hold back in this conversation — from why eye injuries are inevitable… to why governing bodies are behind the curve… to why the culture of pickleball itself needs to evolve. Love it or not… this is a conversation the sport needs. 🎯 In this episode, we dive into: • The real risk of eye injuries in pickleball • The story behind Kitchen Blockers • Why most players are ignoring safety • The “kitchen line danger zone” explained • Why eye protection may eventually be mandatory • The explosive growth of Kitchen Blockers globally • What the future of pickleball safety looks like 👁️ Learn more about Kitchen Blockers: 👉 Official Website https://kitchenblockers.com 👉 Follow Kitchen Blockers on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kitchenblockers 👉 Learn more about Brad Robbins https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradrobbins 🎥 Watch more episodes: 👉 Kitchen Conversations YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast 🎙️ About the Show: Kitchen Conversations is more than dinks, drops and drives — it’s stories from behind the paddle. 🔥 Hashtags: #KitchenBlockers #BradRobbins #PickleballSafety #EyeProtection #PickleballInjuries #PickleballCanada #KitchenConversations #ProtectYourEyes #PickleballGear #PickleballLife #PickleballGrowth #SportsInnovation #EntrepreneurStory #PickleballCommunity #PlaySafe #PickleballPodcast #DinkResponsibly #GameChanger #PickleballAwareness And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations. If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do. And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast That’s where these stories really come to life. You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description. Until next time… more than dinks, drops and drives… these are stories from behind the paddle.

15 min

Kitchen Conversations is a story driven podcast that explores the lives behind the paddle, uncovering the personal journeys, careers, and defining moments of the people who make up the pickleball community. Through thoughtful, unhurried conversations, host Mike Spies goes beyond dinks and drives to reveal the character, resilience, and human connection that truly define the game.

Creator

Kitchen Conversations
Years Active

2K
Episodes

17
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Kitchen Conversations Podcast
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Kitchen Conversations Podcast