Cracked Paddles Podcast (Pickleball Podcast)

Cracked Racquets
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Sports
  • Updated Daily

“Cracked Paddles Podcast” is a weekly pickleball podcast hosted by Alex Crum (AC) and Kevin Dong (KD) that brings you the biggest storylines, controversies, guests, and tips for both professional and recreational pickleball. This is a podcast that undoubtedly will bring joy and belly laughs to your life both in and outside the kitchen – guaranteed, or your money back. Tune in every Wednesday to hear what outrageous topics AC and KD will cover that you would only talk about with your closest pickle friends. This podcast is produced and managed by Cracked Media Ventures.

  1. 2d ago

    Crazy MLP Trades and Kevin's Surprise Hospital Trip

    AC and Kevin are back for Episode 40, and the conversation starts with Kevin sharing the details of a serious medical scare that landed him in the hospital. The guys discuss what happened, recovery, and the challenges of balancing work, travel, and tournament play during a busy stretch of the pickleball season. They then break down MLP St. Louis, including standout performances, team results, and the players who impressed most throughout the event. Later in the episode, the conversation shifts toward player development as AC and Kevin discuss what newer pickleball players should actually be drilling, common mistakes players make when transitioning from other racket sports, and the skills that matter most for long-term improvement. _____ Midwest Sports If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. 0:00 Intro 1:00 Kevin’s hospital scare and recovery story 5:45 MLP St. Louis recap and major takeaways 13:10 Top performers and team storylines from St. Louis 20:15 APP Cincinnati discussion 26:50 Midwest Sports 28:10 Beginner pickleball development and drilling philosophy 35:20 Transitioning from tennis to pickleball 42:00 What newer players should practice most 49:15 Pickleball documentary and tour discussion 55:00 Closing thoughts and upcoming events Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    59 min

  2. 2d ago

    The Philippines Pickleball Scene Is Going to Surprise You

    Kevin returns from the Philippines and shares everything he learned from an eye-opening week of clinics, tournaments, and community events with Friday Pickleball. The guys discuss the incredible growth of pickleball in the Philippines, why participation is skyrocketing, and how the sport is developing differently than it has in the United States. Along the way, Kevin shares stories from his travels, observations about the local pickleball culture, and what surprised him most during the trip. Later, the conversation turns to the on-court experience as Kevin breaks down his first time teaching clinics, competing internationally, and the lessons he took away from tournament play. From player development and coaching challenges to the future of global pickleball, this episode provides a fascinating look at one of the fastest-growing pickleball markets in the world. _____ Midwest Sports If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. 0:00 Intro 2:15 Why pickleball is exploding in the Philippines 7:40 The growth of pickleball outside the United States 13:10 Pickleball's expansion strategy in Asia 21:05 Midwest Sports 22:00 Teaching clinics in the Philippines 29:30 Running events, coaching, and player development 34:45 Tournament experience and competing internationally 40:10 Lessons learned from the trip 44:30 Final thoughts and future international growth Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min

  3. Jun 8

    MLP Columbus Winners and Losers

    AC and Kevin break down everything from MLP Columbus, including the teams and players who helped themselves most through the first stretch of the season. From standout performances and surprise results to roster construction and trade implications, the guys analyze which organizations should be feeling confident and which teams still have major questions to answer moving forward. Later, the conversation shifts from professional pickleball to player development, as AC and Kevin discuss the skills that most players need to improve in order to take the next step. They dive into footwork, transition-zone play, and common mistakes that hold players back before wrapping up with Kevin's recent tournament experience and a look ahead to upcoming events. _____ Midwest Sports If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. 0:00 Intro 2:45 MLP Columbus winners and biggest surprises 9:30 MLP Columbus losers and teams facing questions 14:20 Trade reactions and roster movement discussion 20:05 How teams should evaluate early-season results 24:20 Kevin's Philippines tournament experience 28:15 Midwest Sports 29:10 Most important skills for improving players 31:20 Footwork and movement fundamentals 33:40 Transition-zone strategy and common mistakes 38:00 Kevin's silver-medal run and final takeaways 40:45 Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    41 min

  4. May 27

    The MLP Season Has Begun

    AC and Kevin break down everything that happened at MLP Dallas, including the biggest surprises of the weekend, standout player performances, and why certain teams exceeded expectations while others struggled to find consistency. AC gives an inside perspective from competing during the event, discussing team chemistry, momentum swings, and how strategy changes throughout a long MLP weekend. The conversation also dives into individual player performances, including reactions to Ben Johns and several of the tour’s biggest names, along with broader discussion about where MLP currently stands and how teams may continue evolving moving forward. The guys also touch on Kevin’s recent Philippines trip, upcoming tournaments, and what they expect from the next stretch of the professional pickleball season. Midwest Sports If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. 0:00 Intro and Kevin’s Philippines medal story 1:45 MLP Dallas overview and AC’s perspective from the event 6:10 Best teams, surprises, and Dallas takeaways 11:40 Team strategy, momentum swings, and DreamBreaker pressure 17:15 Standout performances and player reactions 21:50 Ben Johns discussion and top player analysis 28:20 Midwest Sports 29:10 Upcoming tournaments and Portland Challenger talk 33:15 AC’s training, recovery, and preparation moving forward 37:40 Future tour outlook and closing thoughts 41:40 Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    42 min

  5. May 15

    What Should Beginners Focus on in Pickleball

    AC and Kevin break down the biggest conversations happening around professional pickleball, including recent tournament takeaways, player performances, and how the pro game continues evolving at the highest level. The guys discuss strategy trends, confidence swings, and what separates players who are consistently rising from those struggling to maintain momentum on tour. The conversation also expands into paddle technology, player development, and the broader direction of professional pickleball moving forward. Along the way, AC and Kevin mix in personal updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and their thoughts on what fans should be watching closely as the next stretch of the season approaches. Midwest Sports If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. 0:00 Intro 1:10 AC’s upcoming MLP schedule and summer travel 4:30 APP signings and Omar Wazir discussion 6:45 What beginners should focus on first 10:40 Counters, blocking, and fast hands 18:47 Midwest Sports 20:05 Footwork, court positioning, and efficient movement 27:30 AC and Kevin preview their Portland Challenger partnership 30:15 Doubles strategy: drives, crashes, and limiting errors 34:10 Kitchen movement, Ernes, ATPs, and match patterns 37:20 Outro and upcoming travel plans Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    38 min

  6. May 12

    It's Tama Time!

    AC and Kevin break down one of the biggest breakout performances in recent pickleball, diving deep into Tama Shimabukuro’s rise and why his game has suddenly become one of the most talked-about stories on tour. The guys analyze what makes Tama so effective, including his movement, hands, court awareness, and ability to transition his tennis background into high-level pickleball success. They also discuss Tour Finals storylines, standout results, and what these performances could mean moving forward. Later in the episode, the conversation shifts toward the global growth of pickleball as Kevin previews his upcoming trip to the Philippines with Friday Pickleball. The guys explore how paddle brands may expand internationally, what the pickleball scene looks like overseas, and why Asia could become one of the sport’s biggest growth opportunities in the coming years. AC also shares updates on his knee recovery, training progress, and preparation heading into the next stretch of MLP and tournament play. Midwest Sports If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. 0:00 - Intro 3:25 - PPA documentary reaction and AC’s “Partners” snub 8:15 - Tama Shimabukuro’s breakout run 11:05 - Tama’s game style, hands, footwork, and pickleball IQ 15:50 - Midwest Sports 17:20 - Utah, Connor Garnett, and Tour Finals storylines 21:35 - Tour Finals format, results, and TV implications 23:20 - Kevin’s Philippines trip with Friday Pickleball 26:20 - Friday’s Asia strategy and global paddle growth 30:20 - Travel logistics, clinics, and overseas pickleball plans 34:05 - Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    34 min

  7. May 4

    How and When Will Paddle Brands Break Into Asia + KD Honeymoon + PPA Recaps

    AC and Kevin catch up after Kevin’s honeymoon in China, diving into his experience exploring the country and getting a firsthand look at the growing pickleball scene overseas. From playing at local clubs to seeing which paddle brands are actually being used, they discuss how the sport is developing in Asia and what it might take for American brands to break into that market. Later, the conversation shifts back to the tour as AC reflects on a frustrating stretch of results following his return from injury. He breaks down what’s been holding him back, where his game currently stands, and why he’s optimistic heading into the next phase of the season. The guys also touch on upcoming events, future travel plans, and what’s ahead both on and off the court. Watch this latest episode on the Cracked Paddles YouTube channel. Midwest Sports If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. 0:00 Intro and catching up 3:30 Kevin’s honeymoon 12:40 Pickleball scene in China and playing overseas 19:30 Paddle brands in Asia and US expansion discussion 27:10 Midwest Sports sponsor 28:30 AC’s recent results 41:00 Training plan, MLP prep, and upcoming tournaments 49:00 “Partners” documentary and media discussion 55:30 Closing thoughts and outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    41 min

  8. Apr 14

    Is Asia Taking Over Pickleball?

    AC and Kevin dive into the PPA’s Asia swing, breaking down what the events looked like on the ground and how players experienced the transition to international competition. They discuss travel demands, scheduling challenges, and how conditions impacted play, while also evaluating the overall level of competition and which performances stood out throughout the trip. Beyond the matches themselves, the conversation shifts to what this international push means for the future of professional pickleball. The guys explore how global expansion could shape the tour, influence player decisions, and impact the long-term growth of the sport. They wrap by looking ahead to what’s next on the calendar and whether this marks a turning point for the PPA moving forward. Watch this latest episode on the Cracked Paddles YouTube channel. Midwest Sports If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. 0:00 Intro and opening thoughts 4:50 Midwest sports 10:30 Overview of the PPA Asia events 18:40 Player experience, travel challenges, and event conditions 27:20 Level of play, competition differences, and standout performances 36:10 What the Asia swing means for the future of the PPA Tour 44:30 Broader tour implications: scheduling, growth, and player decisions 50:40 Closing thoughts and upcoming events Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

“Cracked Paddles Podcast” is a weekly pickleball podcast hosted by Alex Crum (AC) and Kevin Dong (KD) that brings you the biggest storylines, controversies, guests, and tips for both professional and recreational pickleball. This is a podcast that undoubtedly will bring joy and belly laughs to your life both in and outside the kitchen – guaranteed, or your money back. Tune in every Wednesday to hear what outrageous topics AC and KD will cover that you would only talk about with your closest pickle friends. This podcast is produced and managed by Cracked Media Ventures.

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