Pickleball podcasts are seemingly all the rage. And for good reason. A podcast is a convenient, on-the-go audio content-consumption option for listeners – ideal for the busy schedules of those of us who are on the courts daily and are commuting fairly long distances to play.
I’ve subscribed to many a pickleball podcasts over the course of the last year and listen to new content whenever it appears in my feed! Some pods are good. Some not-so-much.
What Makes for a Great Pickleball Podcast?
With technology rapidly evolving, creating and hosting a podcast has never been easier. Still, there are several elements that make for an effective pickleball podcast. First, the production value needs to be solid – yet not over-the-top. The host(s) need to be authentic, credible and have a good rapport with the guests and fellow host(s). The content needs to be helpful and applicable for all pickleball skill levels. The frequency of podcasts needs to be consistent. And, finally, the entertainment value needs to be high.
So having said that, I have created a list of the best – actually, my favorite – pickleball podcasts as of January 2023. I have subscribed to all in my Google podcast reader.
My 5 Favorite Pickleball Podcasts
Shown below are my 5 favorite pickleball podcasts (in order):
1. The McGuffin Show
Who would have thought that the McGuffin Show would come in at #1? Admittedly, Tyson McGuffin is not my favorite player to watch on the professional tour – yet, in my opinion, he has the best pickleball podcast out there. With side-kick, Kyle McKenzie, they have a great rapport with each other, provide great instructional insights, and are the cream-of-the-crop in the pickleball podcast landscape. Launched on December 1, 2020, the McGuffin Show, as of January 2023, has 54 archived episodes – with each episode approximately 1 hour in length.
2. It Feels Right with Rob & Stone
The “It Feels Right with Rob & Stone” Podcast is very quickly becoming one of my absolute favorite pods. Launched in August 2022, the podcast has 21 archived episodes as of January 2023 – with each episode approximately 1 hour in length.
Both Adam Stone and Rob Nunnery are professional tour insiders – Stone primarily as a commentator and Nunnery as an active player – and offer keen insight as they pull the curtain back on the professional tours and other players. Good stuff!
3. Inside Major League Pickleball
With Major League Pickleball (MLP) merging with the PPA and having six events scheduled in 2023 – including 2 player drafts and enormous prize money at stake – there’s no shortage of content for Tyson Apostol, Michelle McMahon, and Casey Patterson. For those of you who are fans of the MLP, this is another must-listen-to podcast.
4. The Pickleball Studio Podcast
The Pickleball Studio Podcast is hosted by pickleball amateurs, Chris Olson & Will Chaing. The two have a great rapport between each other. They frequently review paddles and talk about professional pickleball happenings.
5. Dinking Around with Eddie and Webby
Eddie & Webby are the “pioneers” of pickleball podcasting. While they published their final Eddie & Webby podcast on December 23, 2021 – they still do the Dinking Around with Eddie and Webby podcast. Incredible production value. Great interviews. 46 episodes as of January 2023.
Just Outside the Top 5
Here are more pods worth the listen, but just outside my top 5.
Pickleball Fire Podcast
Launched on October 20, 2020, the Pickleball Fire Podcast, hosted by Lynn Cherry, has 199 episodes to date. Each episode is approximately 20-30 minutes in length. This podcast has very informative interviews.
One More Game (of pickleball)
Matt and Abby Brandenberger are a local (For Wayne, IN) husband/wife team who began playing in 2020 and talk strategy, tips and tricks, health, and funny family moments on their podcast. Admittedly, I enjoy this pod primarily because they are local and I know many of the local players and guests that they reference.
Tennis Sucks
While I don’t particularly care for the name of the podcast – nor the frequency of vulgarities used – the Tennis Sucks podcast is a pretty good listen. Professional player and MLP owner, Travis Rettenmaier, talks all things pickleball with his friend and co-host, Graham D’Amico. Tennis Sucks can also be heard on Amazon Audible.
Discontinued or Inconsistent Podcasts
When you get the time, the following podcasts may be worth the listen – although as we all know, the pickleball landscape changes in the blink of an eye. Having said that, the content will not be timely and cutting-edge. However, perhaps there’s a topic that piques your interest.
Eddie & Webby Podcast (Discontinued)
Eddie & Webby were the “pioneers” of pickleball podcasting. They launched their first episode of the Eddie & Webby Podcast on May 31, 2018. 91 episodes later – on December 23, 2021 – they published their final (91st) episode. Sadly, all good things had to come to an end. Luckily, they are still doing the “Dinking Around with Eddie & Webby” podcast (see #5 above).
The Freestyle Boys (Discontinued)
The Freestyle Boys – originally hosted by world’s #1 player, Ben Johns and Rob Nunnery – launched on March 31, 2021. Ben Johns was then replaced by Casey Patterson in 2022. The last episode of the Freestyle Boys was published on June 30, 2022. You can now hear Rob Nunnery on the “It Feels Right with Rob & Stone” podcast (#2 above) and you can hear Casey Patterson on the “Inside Major League Pickleball” podcast (#3 above). The Freestyle Boys was good while it lasted.
Pickleball After Dark (Inconsistent Publishing Schedule)
This podcast is hosted by APP Tour commentator, Lauren McLaughlin, and was launched on January 31, 2022. As you can see by the publish dates, it’s very inconsistent.
A Special Shout Out to a Pioneer Content Creator
Okay. I know it’s not a podcast. But Scott Golden was at the forefront of video/audio content before it became cool in the pickleball space. So without further ado.
Golden Boy Pickleball
Golden Boy Pickleball is a YouTube channel (not quite a podcast) hosted by Scott Golden. Initially known for live-streaming any-and-all pickleball matches that he possibly could, The Golden Boy Pickleball Channel – in addition to live-streaming matches – frequently updates viewers on the happenings in the world of pickleball. Here is an interview conducted by Golden with Anna Bright immediately following her breakout performance at the APP Tournament in Punta Gorda, Florida (2022).
Final Thoughts
While there are several other pickleball podcasts, these are some that I have found to be very helpful and entertaining. Give any of these a listen – and subscribe with your favorite podcast player so that you don’t miss an episode.
Let me know if you enjoy them as much as I do. Okay. Gotta go. I was just notified that a new episode of The McGuffin Show and It Feels Right with Rob & Stone just dropped!
See you on the courts… and under the headphones!
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