Pickleball Effect: The Podcast

Braydon Unsicker
  • 4.2 (10)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Join Braydon Unsicker and Aaron Ghena on the Pickleball Effect Podcast for honest, data driven takes on paddles, gear, trends, and the business of pickleball. Real testing, real opinions, and conversations that actually help you play better and understand the game.

  1. 4d ago

    Spartus Spitfire, Paddles for Less Arm Strain, and Aaron’s Gameshow | EP 130

    Spartus is releasing the first budget paddle we've tested with a highly durable grit texture. We break down the data and how it plays. We also dive into the best paddles for tennis elbow and do a gameshow Aaron created to test Braydon against his own brain.  👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 04:05 Special delivery 04:36 Under Review - Best paddles for arm comfort 10:19 Aaron it Out - Scoreboard falls on pro player 15:15 NFL stars seen playing pickleball 17:50 Aaron’s gameshow testing Braydon’s brain 30:13 Paddle Babble - Spartus Spitfire 30:54 Grit retention results 34:39 Performance stats, tech & feel 37:41 Aaron’s take 47:19 Three reasons it’s unique 48:28 VS Inferno, J6CR, Hurache-X, P1 54:05 Neonic Swift FLX 56:38 RPM Friction Pro V2 58:58 Paddletek TKO-X __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: PE Paddle Comfort Index Article: https://pickleballeffect.com/resources/best-pickleball-paddles-for-tennis-elbow-and-arm-comfort/  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Six Zero Coral Pro: https://pickleballcentral.com/paddles/by-brand/6-0-six-zero-pickleball-paddles/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo&tab=products#/productsFilter:custom_collection:Coral$2520Pro  Spartus: https://gospartus.com/?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=discount RPM Friction Pro V2: https://collabs.shop/aj1u3i  Neonic: https://neonicpickleball.com?sca_ref=4377451.jlzqfvnOEH  Paddletek: https://pickleballcentral.com/paddles/by-brand/paddletek-pickleball-paddles/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo  👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

    1h 5m

  2. Jun 23

    Addressing Gen 4 Hype, Market Shifts & Why Head Might Be Ready to Start Winning | EP 129

    👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 02:30 Braydon paddle setups library & Matt to an all-court 07:52 Special delivery 09:17 Under Review - Highest spinning paddle & RPM Q2 setups 11:38 RPM Q2 elongated setups 16:56 RPM Q2 widebody setups 19:30 Aaron it Out - Why Tyra was traded 23:50 Are Gen 4 paddles all hype? 30:06 Aaron preaches in favor of gen 4 37:02 Paddle recon: what paddles are coming 40:23 Paddle Babble - Tama seen playing with Coral Pro 41:19 State of paddle market thoughts 43:52 Head will be legacy brand that rises 53:42 Scoop Sidewinder 56:27 Our current personal top 3 paddles __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: Braydon’s paddle setup library: https://tune.pickleballeffect.com/setup-library  Matt Reny paddle journey article: https://pickleballeffect.com/resources/my-pickleball-paddle-journey-what-3-0-to-4-5-actually-looked-like/  Paddle Tuning Strips (code PBEFFECT): https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/tuning-tape-strips  Paddle Cap Coins (code PBEFFECT): https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/cap-coins  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT RPM Q2: https://collabs.shop/ywmxhl  Six Zero Coral Pro: https://pickleballcentral.com/paddles/by-brand/6-0-six-zero-pickleball-paddles/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo&tab=products#/productsFilter:custom_collection:Coral$2520Pro  Honolulu J2CR: https://808pickle.com/collections/honolulu-foam/products/j2cr-crystal-blue-endurance-surface%E2%84%A2-pre-order?sca_ref=5946671.20PzzMr8tb&variant=51746641445184  Thrive Ignite: https://thrivepb.com/products/products-https-thrivepb-com-products-fury-hybrid-15-5-mm-gen-3-5-power-series-6-month-warranty-copy?sca_ref=5610194.6jsyCS8G5F&sca_source=written  Spartus P1 Standard: https://gospartus.com/collections/paddles/products/p1-standard?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=yt  Head Pickleball: https://www.head.com/en_US/pickleball  👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

    1 hr

  3. Jun 16

    11SIX24 Ultre, Coral Pro, Frozen Inferno & I Read it on Reddit | EP 128

    We discuss why the 11SIX24 Ultre feels different, share new information on the Six Zero Coral Pro series and LUZZ Frozen Inferno, and dive into the depths of Reddit to react to what players are talking about.   👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview & intro 02:00 Shoutout to pickle star nephew Drew 06:51 Special delivery 08:32 Under Review - Customer service tiers of brands 13:03 Aaron it Out - ALW is top 100 most influential people in sports 17:50 I read it on Reddit - pickleball injuries  21:41 I read it on Reddit - live paddle fitting 26:47 Paddle Babble - 11SIX24 Ultre 33:19 Ultre sound difference 37:02 Ultre vs J6CR  40:28 Coral Pro extended thoughts 48:44 LUZZ Frozen Inferno 53:28 Squariz XRZ2 court shoes 56:30 Our go to shoes right now & last thing __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: Comparison Tool: https://comparison.pickleballeffect.com/  Tuning Lab: https://tune.pickleballeffect.com/  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT 11SIX24 Power 2 Ultre: https://11six24.com/collections/power-paddles/products/ultre-power-2?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&sca_source=written  Six Zero Coral Pro: https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/coral-pro?sca_ref=3984855.EuK6iQZio1&sca_source=ig   Honolulu J2CR: https://808pickle.com/collections/honolulu-foam/products/j2cr-crystal-blue-endurance-surface%E2%84%A2-pre-order?sca_ref=5946671.20PzzMr8tb&variant=51746641445184  LUZZ Frozen Inferno: https://luzzpickleball.com/products/luzz-pro-4-frozen-inferno?sca_ref=9809117.VbWrtANPhw&sca_source=stats  Squariz XRZ2 (discount auto applied at checkout): https://pickleballcentral.com/sqairz-xrz2-pickleball-court-shoes-men-s-storm-gray/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo  👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

    59 min

  4. Jun 9

    Mid-Year Paddle Winners, Honorable Mentions & Misses + Interview With Selkirk & BNB | EP 127

    The 2026 mid-year paddle recap is here. We discuss the standout releases, honorable mentions, and disappointments of the year so far, share Nerdy Tourney stories and results, and interview the CEOs of Selkirk and Bread & Butter.   👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview & intro 03:10 Braydon’s DUPR reset results 07:17 Special delivery 11:08 Under Review - CEOs of Selkirk & BNB interview 15:18 Why Selkirk chose BNB 19:22 Advice for new brands 23:17 Has paddle technology plateaued? 27:51 Will we see InfiniGrit on a Loco? 32:00 Aaron it Out - Nerdy Tourney results 40:23 Dunk tank and elite chirping from Selkirk Doug 43:37 Whiskey Dink, John Kew drumming, porta potty joke 13:58 Stories from the weekend 49:12 Paddle Babble - Mid year paddle check in 50:30 Best paddle releases so far 54:20 Honorable mentions for best paddles 57:42 Good but not elite paddles 1:02:18 Missed the mark paddles __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: Comparison Tool: https://comparison.pickleballeffect.com/  Tuning Lab: https://tune.pickleballeffect.com/  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Six Zero Coral Pro (coming June 13): https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/?sca_ref=3984855.EuK6iQZio1  Honolulu J2CR: https://808pickle.com/collections/honolulu-foam/products/j2cr-crystal-blue-endurance-surface%E2%84%A2-pre-order?sca_ref=5946671.20PzzMr8tb&variant=51746641445184  Babolat Jet Mach 4: https://www.babolat.com/us/jet-mach-4-all-court-men/1115-30S26629B.html  11SIX24 Power 2 Vapor: https://11six24.com/products/vapor-power-2?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&sca_source=written  Selkirk Omni (code INF-BRAYDONU): https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-omni-pickleball-paddle?sca_ref=1945879.KgYa6r1ANw&sca_source=written&variant=45607806173286  Thrive Ignite: https://thrivepb.com/products/products-https-thrivepb-com-products-fury-hybrid-15-5-mm-gen-3-5-power-series-6-month-warranty-copy?sca_ref=5610194.6jsyCS8G5F&sca_source=written  Friday Aura Pro: https://fridaypickle.com/products/aura-pro-paddle?snowball=pbeffect  Spartus P1 Standard: https://gospartus.com/collections/paddles/products/p1-standard?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=yt  👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

    1h 6m

  5. Jun 2

    Selkirk Omni vs Best All-Court Paddles + 11SIX24 Ultre | EP 126

    Everything you need to know about the new Selkirk Omni, how it compares to the top all-court paddles on the market, community favorite paddles under $200, and fitting Aaron’s dad to the right paddle.   👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save 👉 Shop Selkirk Omni (code INF-BRADYONU): https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-omni-pickleball-paddle?sca_ref=1945879.KgYa6r1ANw&sca_source=yt&variant=45607806173286  TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview & intro 01:16 Nerdy Tourney paddles & tungsten is back 04:02 Special delivery 05:48 Under Review - Comparing trending paddles 10:27 Aaron it Out - RPM & Six Zero drama 13:58 Reactions to community best paddles under $200 20:12 Paddle fitting Aaron’s dad 24:34 Paddle Babble - Omni tech 26:23 MOI numbers and thoughts 29:36 Specs with and without MOI 32:53 Play impressions 42:38 Omni vs Boomstik 44:52 Omni vs Coral 48:18 Omni vs Pro V 50:38 Omni vs J2NF 53:45 Recommended Omni setups 59:06 11SIX24 Ultre __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: Comparison Tool: https://comparison.pickleballeffect.com/  Tuning Lab: https://tune.pickleballeffect.com/  5g Tuning Clamps (code PBEFFECT): https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/pickleball-effect-tuning-clamps-adjustable-clamp-on-pickleball-paddle-tuning-weights?variant=48730594181344  4g Tuning Strips (code PBEFFECT): https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/tuning-tape-strips  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Shop Six Zero (code PBEFFECT): https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/?sca_ref=3984855.EuK6iQZio1  Shop JOOLA: https://joola-usa.myshopify.com/pbeffect  Shop Honolulu Pickleball (code PBEFFECT):  Shop 11SIX24 (code PBEFFECT): https://11six24.com/?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&sca_source=coupon  Shop Selkirk (code INF-BRAYDONU): https://www.selkirk.com/?sca_ref=1945879.KgYa6r1ANw&sca_source=coupontable  👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

    1h 5m

  6. May 26

    We Tested the UPA Coral’s New Grit + Who Should Use All-Court Paddles? | EP 125

    Six Zero released a new UPA version of the Coral with a grittier surface, so we tested its spin potential, overall grit levels, and grit durability. We also discuss the all-court vs. power paddle debate with the new Selkirk Omni line on the way, plus break down the teams in the 2026 Nerdy Tourney and who’s officially on Flush Watch.  👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save 👉 Shop PE Memorial Day sale (up to 35% off at checkout): https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview & intro 06:03 Special delivery 09:56 Under Review - Picking all-court vs power (beginner to intermediate) 18:40 All-court vs power (advanced) 25:43 Aaron it Out - Pickleball rage quite story 28:08 Who’s on flush watch for Nerdy Tourney 36:22 Paddle recon 38:31 Paddle Babble - 6.0 Coral Pro spin & grit test 48:01 Why P1 Standard is good 53:12 LUZZ Glider durable grit tested 59:15 Durable grit cleaning solution 1:01:07 PE’s next product? __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: SportRx: https://www.sportrx.com/  Why pros are shifting to all-court (article): https://pickleballeffect.com/resources/are-pros-switching-to-all-court-pickleball-paddles/  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Shop Six Zero (code PBEFFECT): https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/?sca_ref=3984855.EuK6iQZio1  Spartus P1 Standard (code PBEFFECT): https://gospartus.com/collections/paddles/products/p1-standard?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=discount  Shop LUZZ (code PBEFFECT): https://luzzpickleball.com/?sca_ref=9809117.VbWrtANPhw  Paddle Reset (code PBEFFECT): https://resetpickleball.shop?sca_ref=11234102.MZysgI7ebt  👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

    1h 3m

  7. May 19

    Mizuno’s New Paddle Misses the Mark + Community Foam Paddle Durability Feedback | Ep 124

    We break down Mizuno’s newest paddle release and why a cool new feature couldn’t save the overall paddle. We also discuss real-world foam paddle durability feedback from players, plus thoughts on the Selkirk & Bread & Butter acquisition, MLP kickoff, and Dunlop’s new paddles.  👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 All Pickleball Effect Discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 02:38 New! Special Delivery segment 07:22 Under Review - Community input on foam core durability 14:27 Aaron it Out - MLP season kickoff 15:46 Owl Ai line calling, new team, & new structure 19:12 Five questions for Selkirk buying BnB 27:35 Will we see more acquisitions? 31:39 Paddle Babble - Mizuno Acrostrike 32:45 Weight adjustment feature, is it worth it? 40:48 The paddle’s fatal flaw is spin 49:41 Dunlop paddles & bag __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: Growing Happiness Initiative: https://www.instagram.com/growinghappinessinitiative/  Shop Luzz (code PBEFFECT): https://luzzpickleball.com/?sca_ref=9809117.VbWrtANPhw  Shop Enhance (code PBEFFECT): https://enhancepickleball.com/products/the-dink-master-pro?ref=trbmrlzi  Squairz Shoes (discount applied at checkout): https://pickleballcentral.com/sqairz-xrz2-pickleball-court-shoes-men-s-electric-volt/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo&sku=SQA106-0001  Sketchers Shoes (discount applied at checkout): https://pickleballcentral.com/skechers-viper-court-elite-2-0-shoe-women-s-white/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo&sku=SKE282-0001  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Mizuno Acrostrike (code PBEFFECT): https://www.pickleballwarehouse.com/Mizuno_Acrostrike_LX_Pickleball_Paddle/descpage-MPASTLX.html?from=effect  Dunlop Pickleball gear (code PBEFFECT): https://us.dunlopsports.com/dunlop/pickleball.html  👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

    56 min

  8. May 12

    Ryan Dawidjan on Ben Johns’ New Dink + JOOLA Shoe Impressions

    Ryan Dawidjan joins the podcast to break down the subtle changes in Ben Johns’ dink technique and why its better. We also share extended J2CR impressions, NanoGraph grit testing results, first impressions of the new JOOLA shoes and the Mizuno Exceed Tour 7 speed shoe. 👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview & weekly update 14:00 Under Review - Ryan Dawidjan introduction 20:42 How do you help a pro improve 23:12 Breaking down Ben Johns new twoey dink 27:49 James Ignatowich had the twoey dink wrong 31:43 The new meta of kitchen play 42:05 Coach’s paddle rec for beginners  47:09 Aaron it Out - Partners PPA show 51:44 Paddle recon: paddles coming soon 56:17 Paddle Babble - Extended J2CR thoughts 58:23 Reviewers on J2CR vs Power 2 1:02:30 J2CR setup recommendation 1:06:19 Aireo NanoGraph grit test 1:08:03 Spartus P1 Standard is Braydon’s plural wife 1:11:55 JOOLA Rally shoe impressions 1:18:31 Mizuno’s speed shoe impressions __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: New writers’ stuff: https://pickleballeffect.com/the-pickleball-effect-blog/  3g strips Tuning Tape: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/tuning-tape-strips?variant=51309854425312  Ryan Dawidjan IG: https://www.instagram.com/picklebald/  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: J2CR Blue Grit (code PBEFFECT): https://808pickle.com/products/j2cr-crystal-blue-endurance-surface%E2%84%A2-pre-order?variant=51541798945088  11SIX24 Power 2 (code PBEFFECT): https://a8qh.short.gy/p2v Aireo Cyclone (code PBEFFECT): https://www.aireo-sports.com/products/aireo-cyclone-2-0-16mm-pickleball-paddle-nanograph-grit-surface-with-pulsefoam%E2%84%A2-power-core-for-pro-level-performance?sca_ref=11194194.I0xvPiqmTP5Oc&sca_source=yt  Spartus P1 Standard (code PBEFFECT): https://gospartus.com/collections/paddles/products/p1-standard?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=yt  JOOLA Rally shoes (code not applicable): https://pickleballcentral.com/pickleball-shoes/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo&tab=products#/productsFilter:brand:JOOLA  Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 7 (code not applicable): https://www.pickleballwarehouse.com/Mizuno_Mens_Outdoor_Pickleball_Shoes/catpage-MIZPBMSHT.html#MIZPBMSXT?from=effect  Babolat Pickleball Shoe (code PBEFFECT): http://babolat.com/us/jet-mach-pickleball-men/7002-3A0S25B932.html  👉 Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

    1h 25m
See All (131)

4.2
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Join Braydon Unsicker and Aaron Ghena on the Pickleball Effect Podcast for honest, data driven takes on paddles, gear, trends, and the business of pickleball. Real testing, real opinions, and conversations that actually help you play better and understand the game.

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