Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition

What happens when a two-sport Division I athlete at Harvard with an accomplished career in finance discovers pickleball for the first time and sees an opportunity to completely change the game? Mary Cannon, co-founder of CityPickle, shares the story of how one game sparked an idea that would bring pickleball to some of New York City’s most iconic locations. From launching the first-ever pickleball pop-up at Hudson Yards in October 2022, when many New Yorkers were still just discovering the sport, to winning the bid to operate Wollman Rink in Central Park for the next 20 years and opening a flagship location in the Paramount Building in Times Square, Mary has helped put pickleball on the map in NYC and beyond, with CityPickle expanding into new markets and destinations. She opens up about taking the leap into entrepreneurship, building CityPickle from the ground up with Erica Desai, and why creating opportunities for women has been such an important part of the company’s culture. Listen to find out how CityPickle got started, what it took to bring pickleball to some of the most iconic places in the country, and what new ventures are on the horizon that could be just as groundbreaking.

Scott Brown is now leading one of the top pickleball apparel brands, partnering with the biggest names in the sport and getting their products featured in national television commercials on ESPN and Fox Sports. His path here was anything but ordinary. After spending 20 years at Nike, Scott moved into the software consulting world but missed working with product. Then one day, a random email landed in his inbox that he almost deleted, thinking it was spam. It turned out to be from the investors of Centerline. He decided to respond, and that single decision set him on the path to building one of the most exciting and fast-growing apparel brands in pickleball. If you like what you're listening to, follow this page:)

Three-time Olympian and national champion in freestyle skiing, Tracy Evans, has always been a trailblazer both in sport and in life. After revolutionizing aerial skiing with groundbreaking jumps, she turned her passion toward creating impact off the slopes by founding Kids Play International, a nonprofit promoting gender equality and education through sport in post genocide communities.In this episode, Tracy shares how her program has transformed lives, with 90 percent of children involved going on to pursue higher education. Now she is introducing pickleball to Rwanda and Cambodia, leveraging the sport’s accessibility, inclusivity, and social nature to continue breaking down barriers. Kids Play International is raising funds to build new pickleball courts in Cambodia, expanding opportunities for kids around the world to play, learn, and thrive. Subscribe to our page to stay updated with latest episodes :)

Brian Harper, the visionary behind Pickle & Social, shares how he’s blending pickleball with the wildly successful eatertainment model he helped grow at Topgolf. He explains why combining food, fun, and the fastest-growing sport in America is a winning formula, and how the concept’s adaptability allows it to evolve with market demands. Brian also answers one of the industry’s biggest questions—is it too late to open a pickleball facility?—and lays out the smartest path forward for those looking to enter the space. Be sure to follow to this page!

Singer, songwriter, and pickleball poet David Francis joins the show to debut his country & western comedy song about Anna Leigh Waters, the number one pickleball player in the world. Packed with golden pickles, body bags, ATPs, and punchlines, this song captures the spirit of the game and the legend herself. David also shares plans for a full-blown line dance to go with the tune and hopes to perform it live at tournaments. Plus, we talk about his life near the birthplace of pickleball on Bainbridge Island and how the local scene continues to honor the sport’s roots.A special thank you to our new partner Kineon — their MOVE+ Pro and RELIEF+ products are game changers for recovery and longevity on the court. Use code KAITLIN for 10% off or follow this link: kineon.sjv.io/9LB6E0

Curt Carbaugh, founder of C2 Performance, joins the show to break down how his innovative band system is helping pickleball players train smarter and prevent injuries. After years of training Olympic athletes and top-tier pros, Curt developed C2 bands to target muscle imbalances, improve mobility, and boost performance on and off the court. With mobile kits you can use anywhere from hotel rooms to courtside, C2 is now making waves in the pickleball world. Curt explains what makes his bands different, shares how teams are training with them, and offers tips to stay powerful, pain free, and pickleball ready.Check out his videos and gear at c2equipment.com

We're joined by the woman behind one of the biggest pickleball booms in the country, Emily Akradi. As the founder of the Life Time Foundation and wife of Life Time CEO Bahram Akradi, Emily is the driving force behind bringing pickleball to Life Time clubs nationwide. What started as her personal love for the game has sparked a movement. In over 18 months, Life Time has built over 700 courts across the U.S., setting the gold standard for fitness clubs everywhere. Emily shares how it all began, the sport’s power to connect communities, and how the Life Time Foundation is creating lasting impact through healthier school lunches, youth fitness, and sustainability initiatives.