Lucky Breaks Podcast

Sue Lueder
  • 4.6 (7)
  • Sports
  • Updated Biweekly

Listen. Learn. Play. Repeat. 🎱 Join host Sue and the Lucky Breaks Podcast team as they break down smart strategy, mental toughness, and competitive grit for the obsessed amateur pool player. Stop hoping for a lucky roll; start playing a smarter game. #LuckyBreaksPodcast Subscribe now for episodes, shorts, and livestreams!

  1. 6d ago

    The Viral Creator Behind Pool’s Funniest Memes | Jim Muschetti

    Pool Memes, APA Drama & Viral Shorts: Jim Muschetti (Pool For Fun) on Lucky BreaksOn this episode of the Lucky Breaks podcast, the hosts interview Napa Valley pool content creator Jim Muschetti (Pool For Fun) about how he got into pool, his return to the game in 2015, joining the APA last year, and how a single filmed kick shot sparked four years of videos and memes across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Shorts. Jim explains that his ideas come from bar pool culture, team dynamics, APA frustrations, rules like double hits, and rotating themes like arrogance and players who think they’re better than they are. He shares how consistent posting—even during a long Facebook restriction—helped him grow to about 60,000 followers, how he edits quickly using CapCut and AI for writing, and how audience messages and tournament invites showed him memes can have real emotional impact and keep people connected to pool.00:00 Meme Impact Stories00:17 Podcast Welcome00:48 Pool Origin Journey01:42 Joining APA Fast02:06 Pool For Fun Begins02:52 Platforms And Shorts03:23 Growth And Consistency04:15 Finding Meme Ideas05:00 APA Team Breakup Meme07:38 Balancing Meme Topics09:15 Filming And Editing Workflow11:04 Audience Comments And Community13:54 Reacting To Memes14:47 APA Matches Too Long15:31 Double Hit Meme Explained16:54 Calling Your Fouls17:10 Pain of Losing19:08 Leveling Up Fast19:41 Backseat Pooling21:08 Women in Pool23:11 Daughters and Practice23:57 Creator Growth Tips25:50 Memes Grow the Game28:12 Copycats and Credit28:51 Lucky 8 Ball29:33 Final ThanksWhere you can find our guest:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MuschettiInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/pool4funfunTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pool4fun1𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcastYouTube - www.youtube.com/@luckybreaks-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakspodcast/#Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakspodcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/luckybreakspodcast📧Email - luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com✅Guest Sign Up - Apply To Be A Guest or Suggest A Topic https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeai_jCboxj2P-p1Qol3KjSaMqFbUvJLCBSql_5kPJOg0Y4Rw/viewform#luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers

    The Viral Creator Behind Pool’s Funniest Memes | Jim Muschetti

  2. Aug 22

    Raising the Cue: Insights from a lifetime of pool | Emilyn and Eleanor Callado

    Growing Up in the NorCal Pool Scene: Emilyn & Eleanor Callado on Junior Pool, Women’s Tour, and Building Community On the Lucky Breaks podcast, Emilyn and Eleanor Callado share how they started playing pool at age eight through their father, early kid tournaments at Town & Country, and inspiration from the Philippines where pool is huge. They discuss why junior pool matters, how to spot young players who take the game seriously, and the character-building lessons of composure, resilience, and sportsmanship. Emilyn explains creating and rebuilding her junior program through the pandemic, including virtual tournaments and later scholarship-added youth events, plus a weekly Tuesday tournament at California Billiards. They also cover the West Coast Women’s Tour’s evolution (format changes, inclusivity, and growth), returning to WPBA competition, and a new Fargo-capped semi-pro series. The episode closes with a Magic 8 Ball segment and advice on getting a 16-year-old interested in pool. 00:00 Seedy Pool Hall Stigma 00:19 Meet the Callado Twins 00:53 How They Started Playing 01:53 Philippines and Junior Tournaments 04:43 Spotting the Pool Bug 07:18 Teaching Mindset and Character 12:16 Returning to Pro Competition 13:48 Buying an APA League 16:51 Growing Junior Pool Events 19:06 Pandemic Pivot and Scholarships 24:13 Making Pool Spaces Welcoming 24:56 West Coast Womens Tour Origins 28:03 Handicaps and Player Feedback 31:24 Resilience Through Competition 31:59 Losing and Growth 32:55 Learner Mindset in Matches 34:32 Teaching a New Player 37:02 Juniors Events and Motivation 38:35 Upcoming Tours and WPBA 42:16 Women’s Tour Culture 44:22 Local Tournaments and Practice 45:34 Sponsor Shoutouts 50:19 Cue Stories and Support 52:50 Magic Eight Ball Goals 54:45 Wrap Up and Farewell  Where you can find our guest: West Coast Women’s Tour: https://www.facebook.com/twcwtour Emilyn Callado: https://www.facebook.com/emilyn.callado Eleanor Callado: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.callado Sponsors: https://www.castilloleathergoods.com/ https://rjhcustomcues.com/ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀:  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/luckybreakspodcast YouTube - www.youtube.com/@luckybreaks-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakspodcast/# Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakspodcast 📧Email - luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com ✅Guest Sign Up -  Apply To Be A Guest or Suggest A Topic  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeai_jCboxj2P-p1Qol3KjSaMqFbUvJLCBSql_5kPJOg0Y4Rw/viewform #luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers

    Raising the Cue: Insights from a lifetime of pool | Emilyn and Eleanor Callado

  3. May 8

    What You Feel is What You Get with Noel Flannery

    In this episode, we are joined by Noel Flannery, an elite performance coach from Edinburgh, Scotland, and the owner of Cue Sports Hub. Noel brings a unique perspective to the table—not as a professional player, but as a specialist in the mental game with a background in high-pressure environments like Formula One.We dive deep into why the mental game is at least 50% of your performance and how your emotional state directly dictates your physical technical execution.Key Takeaways:The 50% Rule: Technical skill is only half the battle; the other 50% is mindset and how you feel at the table.Cause and Effect: Your body responds to your emotions. If you feel frustration or anxiety, your cue action will physically suffer.Emotional Replacement: Noel shares techniques for replacing negative emotions (like tournament pressure) with positive ones to maintain performance.Perception is Reality: How you perceive a situation—whether it's a "failure" or a learning opportunity—dictates your next result.Episode Highlights (Timestamps):[00:00] Intro: Meeting Noel Flannery and his "non-player" background in elite sports coaching.[05:30] The transition from F1 and high-performance environments to Cue Sports.[12:45] Why players "choke": Understanding the link between emotion and physical cue action.[22:15] The "Dylan" story: A powerful anecdote on using positive emotional replacement to overcome pressure.[35:00] Finding your "Nirvana" on the table and the importance of the "Reset Button".[48:20] The Magic 8-Ball Segment: Will Cue Sports make it into the Olympics?.Mentions & Resources:Cue Sport Hub: Learn more about Noel’s coaching programs and mindset work.Edinburgh, Scotland: Noel's home base (and yes, Sue pronounced it correctly!).The Magic 8-Ball Says...Noel asked the Magic 8-Ball a big question for the industry: "Will Cue Sports make it onto the Olympics?" The 8-Ball's answer: "YES".Noel believes 8-ball and Chinese Pool are the prime candidates to lead that charge.Don't forget to subscribe to Lucky Breaks on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform for more insights into the mental and technical side of the game!Where you can find our guest:Cue Sport Hub - https://www.cuesporthub.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553799358422YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Cuesporthub1𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/luckybreakspodcastYouTube - www.youtube.com/@luckybreaks-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakspodcast/#Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakspodcast📧Email - luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com✅Guest Sign Up - Apply To Be A Guest or Suggest A Topic https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeai_jCboxj2P-p1Qol3KjSaMqFbUvJLCBSql_5kPJOg0Y4Rw/viewform#luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers

    What You Feel is What You Get with Noel Flannery

  4. Apr 17

    Dont Forget to Have Fun with Alex Pagulayan

    Alex Pagulayan on Mindset, Hard Work, and How Amateurs Can Improve at Pool On the Lucky Breaks Podcast, Alex Pagulayan discusses what matters most for amateur pool players, emphasizing mindset—enjoying the game, learning, and reducing pressure after losses. He weighs hard work as more important than raw talent, saying dedication can overcome obstacles even without being a uniquely gifted player. Pagulayan shares goals for his Alex Pagulayan business, focusing on leaving a legacy through quality products, and explains how travel baggage fees inspired him to create his own cue case. He also promotes a live giveaway raffle that requires scanning a code to join. For improving, he advises amateurs to be honest about weaknesses and learn one skill at a time rather than trying to master everything at once. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:25 Mindset After Losses 01:08 Talent Versus Hard Work 02:04 Building a Legacy Brand 02:32 Why I Made a Case 03:05 How to Enter Giveaway 03:44 Amateur Improvement Tips 04:36 Closing Thanks Where you can find our guest: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pagulayancues https://www.facebook.com/alex.pagulayan.1426 https://www.instagram.com/alexpagulayan 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀:  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/luckybreakspodcast YouTube - www.youtube.com/@luckybreaks-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakspodcast/# Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakspodcast 📧Email - luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com ✅Guest Sign Up -  Apply To Be A Guest or Suggest A Topic  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeai_jCboxj2P-p1Qol3KjSaMqFbUvJLCBSql_5kPJOg0Y4Rw/viewform #luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers #alexpagulayan

  5. Apr 10

    Find Your Line: 3 Words to Winning with Max Adams

    Max Adams on Playing Your Game, Mental Focus, and Better Warmups | Lucky Breaks Podcast On the Lucky Breaks Podcast, host interviews Alaska pro pool player Max Adams about learning pool as a toddler in his mom’s bar, early mentors in a hustler-heavy scene, stepping back to focus on family, and returning to serious competition around 2016. Adams discusses how Alaska players tend to be “gunslingers,” why choosing higher-percentage safeties often beats low-percentage shots, and how to face top opponents through mental focus, breathing, meditation, rhythm, and a short memory—forgetting mistakes in the moment while reviewing them later in practice. He shares a major comeback at the US Open 10-Ball, rallying from 8–3 down to win, and advises playing within your own skill set. The episode includes sponsor thanks and a brief draw-shot lesson and warmup drill for table speed and cue-ball control. 00:00 Safety Over Ego 00:30 Meet Max Adams 00:54 Pool Since Toddlerhood 01:55 Barroom Mentors 02:24 Going Pro Later 04:02 Alaska Pool Scene 04:37 Traveling From Fairbanks 05:14 Mental Game Vs Giants 07:25 Meditation In Matches 10:40 Winning Ugly Lessons 14:21 Play Your Game 16:42 Rhythm And Tempo 17:58 Biggest Comeback Story 20:24 Improving Later In Life 24:45 Short Memory Mindset 25:32 Magic 8 Ball Predictions 26:18 Sponsor Shoutouts 29:58 Alaska Roots and Barrow Pool (This segment is a video demo on draw shots that can be found on YouTube in the links below) 31:15 Draw Shot Fixes 35:14 Mini Draw Adjustments 35:46 Cloth Speed Drill 39:00 Warmup Mindset and Routine 42:07 Final Thanks and Wrap Where you can find our guest: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MaxAdams1974 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Maxadams-alaskapool9750 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alaskamaxpoolplayer/ Max’s Sponsorshttps://www.facebook.com/TheBreakRoomFairbanks Www.Jocues.com Outsville.com Digitalpool.com Facebook.com/gilleathergoodscastillo 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀:  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/luckybreakspodcast YouTube - www.youtube.com/@luckybreaks-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakspodcast/# Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakspodcast 📧Email - luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com ✅Guest Sign Up -  Apply To Be A Guest or Suggest A Topic  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeai_jCboxj2P-p1Qol3KjSaMqFbUvJLCBSql_5kPJOg0Y4Rw/viewform #luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers

  6. Apr 3

    Calm Your Cue with Gabrielle Fields

    Calm Your Cue: Gabrielle Fields on Yoga, Breathwork & the Pool Player’s Mental Game | Lucky Breaks Podcast Recorded at the BCA USAPL Nationals in Las Vegas, this Lucky Breaks podcast episode features Gabrielle Fields, who shares how yoga and breathwork improved her pool performance, emotional control after misses, endurance, and overall health after having back-to-back babies and recovering from a torn ACL. She explains bringing wellness into the pool community through “Calm Your Cue,” hosting yoga and breath sessions in a pool room followed by a tournament to feel immediate benefits. Gabrielle and the hosts discuss treating the body as a key tool, using breath rhythms and simple poses for balance, shoulder and neck relief, and focus, plus mental strategies like reset breathing, self-talk, and grace after mistakes. She previews a planned app with breathing guides, stretches, flows, journaling, and match-play features, then leads a short pre-tournament yoga routine and closes with a testimonial from pro player Teruko Macklin. 00:00 Body as the Tool 00:21 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:55 Gabrielle Pool Origin 02:01 Yoga Journey and Recovery 03:21 Bringing Yoga to Pool Halls 06:53 Grace and Responsibility 09:53 Physical Yoga for Pool 15:19 Breathwork for Mental Game 19:20 Mantras and Self Talk 22:01 Grace Over Perfection 23:15 Winning Over Skeptics 27:39 Pool Wellness Mindset 29:03 Meditation Like Misses 29:59 Calm Your Cue Vision 33:34 Magic Eight Ball Picks 35:18 Tournament Warmup Flow 37:59 Breath With Movement 44:16 Try It Daily 46:44 Player Testimonial Where you can find our guest: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gabrielle.fields.3 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀:  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/luckybreakspodcast YouTube - www.youtube.com/@luckybreaks-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakspodcast/# Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakspodcast 📧Email - luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com ✅Guest Sign Up -  Apply To Be A Guest or Suggest A Topic  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeai_jCboxj2P-p1Qol3KjSaMqFbUvJLCBSql_5kPJOg0Y4Rw/viewform #luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers

  7. Mar 27

    Learn Better, Play Better with Larry Nicholson

    Pool Coach Larry Nicholson on Fundamentals, Practice, and the Learning Journey What makes pool such a great game isn’t just making balls—it’s the life lessons you learn along the way. In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast, Sue sits down with longtime PBIA/CSI instructor and trick-shot artist Larry Nicholson, who shares how a childhood belt buckle and a target drill shaped his cue-ball control, why performance anxiety is part of every competitor’s journey, and how real improvement starts with humility and solid fundamentals. Larry explains the difference between playing and true practice, why focused 10-minute sessions can beat hours of casual play, and how decision-making and strategy expand once mechanics are sound. He also points listeners to PBIA resources for finding qualified instruction and reflects on pool’s welcoming community for all players. 00:00 Resilience Lessons 00:16 Meet Larry Nicholson 00:53 Belt Buckle Origin 02:07 Position Play First 03:02 Trick Shots Warning 03:53 League Nerves 05:51 Failure Builds Greatness 07:04 Learning Without Coaches 08:41 Fundamentals Before Strategy 11:30 Humility To Improve 14:19 Thinking Outside Box 17:19 Practice With Purpose 19:50 Playing Versus Practice 21:26 Building Evaluation Plan 22:29 Remote Coaching Follow Ups 24:20 Adult Learning In Layers 25:03 Drills Versus Skills 27:01 Building Your Lesson Plan 27:48 Testing With BU Exam 30:09 Side Spin Comfort Zone 31:03 Embracing Discomfort Wins 34:03 Pool Is Lifelong Mastery 34:46 Finding Certified Instructors 38:18 Magic Eight Ball Jeanette 40:04 Why Pool Community Matters 41:17 Final Thanks And Sign Off Scientific American Article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-works-what-doesn-t/ Dr. Dave’s Billiard University Exam: https://billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/ Where you can find our guest: Official Website - https://TrinityBilliards.com  YouTube - Trinity Billiards - YouTube FaceBook - Trinity Billiards School - FaceBook Email:  larry@trinitybilliards.com Professional Billiards Instructor Association (PBIA) - www.playbetterbilliards.com American Cue Sports (ACS Instructors) - https://americancuesports.org/find-an-instructor 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀:  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/luckybreakspodcast YouTube - www.youtube.com/@luckybreaks-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakspodcast/# Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakspodcast 📧Email - luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com ✅Guest Sign Up -  Apply To Be A Guest or Suggest A Topic  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeai_jCboxj2P-p1Qol3KjSaMqFbUvJLCBSql_5kPJOg0Y4Rw/viewform #luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers

  8. Mar 20

    Smooth Operators: Bylaws, Boards, and the Future of the APA

    From Players to League Operators: Scot and Liza on Running the San Diego APA On the Lucky Breaks Podcast, San Diego APA league operators Scot and Liza discuss APA’s origins as an amateur-focused league founded by pros Terry Bell and Larry Hubbard, with rules designed to welcome beginners through handicaps, coaching, and an “anyone can win” model. They share how they started playing and joined APA, then transitioned together into league operators after years as players, first rebuilding South Orange County and later buying the San Diego. They explain league-operator support networks, the role of a Board of Governors, and how bylaws work versus the official team manual, including examples like replay/double-posting and attempts denied by APA. They address long match nights, tournament signup issues, player communication, safety marking, championship skill-level locks and appeals, the 23-rule rationale, and upcoming app and tournament scoring technology. 00:00 APA Origins 00:40 Meet Scot and Liza 02:17 How They Found Pool 03:25 What APA Is About 07:39 Handicaps and Team Caps 09:38 Becoming League Operators 11:53 League Operator Network 13:13 Rules Versus Bylaws 17:26 Board of Governors 21:01 Faster Match Nights 24:05 Helping Operators Help You 27:53 Tournament Signup Tips 29:49 San Diego Pool Culture 31:17 Taking Over the League 33:13 APA Welcoming New Players 39:50 App Upgrades and AI 45:02 Rules and Skill Level Q&A 51:33 Safeties and Scorekeeping 55:28 Payouts and Captain Duties 58:11 Magic Eight Ball Finale Harry the Pool Fairy Faster League Nights Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10152964005279366 Where you can find our guest: San Diego APA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoAmericanPoolplayersAssociation San Diego APA Team Building Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1391768620848642 San Diego APA YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sandiegoapa San Diego APA Website: https://sandiego.apaleagues.com/Default.aspx Member Services (APA app) News: https://league.poolplayers.com/sandiego/news Hairy the Pool Fairy “Home By 11” Video: https://youtu.be/RACr8av1cxI?si=StqBNzFTA87oJwE6 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀:  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/luckybreakspodcast YouTube - www.youtube.com/@luckybreaks-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakspodcast/# Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakspodcast 📧Email - luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com ✅Guest Sign Up -  Apply To Be A Guest or Suggest A Topic  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeai_jCboxj2P-p1Qol3KjSaMqFbUvJLCBSql_5kPJOg0Y4Rw/viewform #luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers

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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Listen. Learn. Play. Repeat. 🎱 Join host Sue and the Lucky Breaks Podcast team as they break down smart strategy, mental toughness, and competitive grit for the obsessed amateur pool player. Stop hoping for a lucky roll; start playing a smarter game. #LuckyBreaksPodcast Subscribe now for episodes, shorts, and livestreams!

Information

  • Creator
    Sue Lueder
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sue Lueder
  • Show Website
    Lucky Breaks Podcast

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