6 Pickleball Podcasts Every Rec Player Should Be Listening To
From pro tips to rec laughs, plug in and level up
Pickleball is addictive enough on its own, but sometimes you want to take the game off the court and into your ears, like when you’re driving to the courts. The right podcast can give you fresh ideas for drills, let you peek behind the scenes of the pro tour, or simply keep you entertained while folding laundry. For players hovering around the 3.5 level and dreaming of leveling up, or anyone who’s as addicted to pickleball as we are, these six shows hit the sweet spot of useful, entertaining, and easy to digest.
1. 4.0 to Pro – A Pocket-Sized Pickleball Podcast (Michael O’Neal & Mircea Morariu)
If you’ve only got 20–30 minutes, this is your podcast. Each episode takes one part of the game, a third-shot drop, court positioning, or mental focus, and breaks it down into simple takeaways. It’s laser-focused on helping ambitious rec players climb the ladder without feeling overwhelming. And despite the name, I find almost everything applies to the 3.0 to 3.5 player as well.
2. Pickleball Cheat Code (Tanner Tomasi & Brodie Smith)
This is another podcast with a focus on improving your game. Anyone 3.0 and above (low intermediate) can benefit from their tips. Their pod is bit rougher around the edges than 4.0 to Pro, but it’s still a good listen.
3. Pickleball Studio Podcast (Chris Olson & Will Chaing)
Think of this as the NPR of pickleball gear. Chris and Will aren’t pros, but they know paddles, equipment, and technique inside and out. Their reviews and discussions are refreshingly no-nonsense, and their steady approach makes this a great listen if you want clear, actionable advice. If you geek out on the latest paddle release, this pods for you!
4. PicklePod (Zane Navratil & Thomas Shields)
This one feels like hanging out with two buddies who just happen to be plugged into everything happening in pro pickleball. Zane and Thomas mix tour gossip, with occasional dabbles into paddle debates, and strategy talk in a way that’s equal parts smart and funny. If you want to know what’s trending on the pro scene, PicklePod is your pod.
5. Dinks on Tap (Casie Caldwell & Lauren Vosbein)
This pod has a different perspective as the hosts are neither coaches nor pros, just regular rec players (like us). Their podcast is quite diverse, with a lot of interviews. Recent guests include the founder of Pickleball Trips to mental performance coach Dr. Joy Macci.
6. Pickleball Coaches Podcast (Mark Renneson)
This pod gets an asterisk, as it’s relatively new, and focused on coaching. But here’s why I listen, it’s still a perspective on pickleball so it holds my interest. It can also help you be a better student so if you are taking lessons and getting coaching, you can maximize your experience. One episode covered coaches pet peeves, so avoiding these is going to help you get the most bang for your buck next time you are getting coached.
The Bottom Line
For rec players serious about improving, there’s no shortage of podcasts that can sharpen your game and keep you plugged into the culture of pickleball. Start with 4.0 to Pro for quick, skill-focused lessons, then mix in Dinks on Tap for a mellower take on the sport. Or PicklePod if you want to dive into the pro scene.
Because who says your game can’t get better while you’re stuck in traffic?
