What if the fastest growing sport in the world had a dirty secret… and one man decided to fix it?

In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with Jeff Pepper, a serial entrepreneur who has already built and scaled companies most people only dream about… including one that went from a basement startup to a NASDAQ-listed business.

But that’s not the story.

This is about what he did after.

Because Jeff saw something most players ignore…

Millions of cracked pickleballs… being thrown straight into landfills.

So he built something different.

The PickleUp Project.

A grassroots movement turning waste into something useful… collecting thousands of balls every single month… and proving that pickleball can grow without leaving a trail behind it.

👉 This isn’t theory.

👉 This is happening right now.

🔥 In this episode, we dive into:

• The unbelievable journey from basement startup to NASDAQ

• Why pickleball addiction happens almost instantly

• The massive environmental problem nobody is talking about

• How the PickleUp Project is solving it… one ball at a time

• What it really takes to build something that actually scales

• Why most recycling systems are broken… and what needs to change

💡 If you care about pickleball… this conversation matters.

Because this isn’t just about the game.

It’s about what we leave behind.

🔗 Connect with Jeff Pepper & PickleUp Project:

🌐 PickleUp Project: https://pickleup.org

🔗 Learn more about the movement: https://pickleup.org/about

📍 Get involved / start a program: https://pickleup.org/contact

🎙️ About Kitchen Conversations

More than dinks, drops and drives…

This is about the people behind the paddle.

Real stories. Real journeys. Real impact.

👉 If this episode made you think, hit Subscribe and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Because if this podcast does one thing…

…it’s getting one more person off the couch and onto the court.

#pickleball

#pickleballlife

#pickleballcommunity

#pickleballaddict

#pickleballislife

#pickleballpodcast

#kitchenconversations

#jeffpepper

#pickleupproject

#sportsinnovation

#sustainability

#recycling

#plasticwaste

#environment

#entrepreneur

#startupstory

#nasdaq

#growthmindset

#behindthepaddle

#pickleballstories

And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations.

If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do.

And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at

https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast

Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast

That’s where these stories really come to life.

You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description.

Until next time…

more than dinks, drops and drives…

these are stories from behind the paddle.

What do Canadian rock, pickleball, and Kingston City Council have in common? Jeff Pearce—and a conversation worth listening to.

In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, Mike Spies sits down with the Moist bassist, journeyman electrician, and candidate for Kingston’s Loyalist-Cataraqui district for a candid conversation about music, community, and what it means to show up for people.

Jeff shares the realities behind life in a Juno Award-winning band: overnight drives, rejection, enduring friendships, and the tough feedback that helped bring “Resurrection” and “Leave It Alone” to life. We explore how decades of making music together taught him to listen, collaborate, and compromise—and why those skills matter at City Hall.

Closer to home, we talk about the concerns he’s hearing on doorsteps, accountability for tax dollars, neighbourhood services, and why a long-awaited park—with pickleball courts and an off-leash dog area—became part of his motivation to run.

And, of course, we get into pickleball: playing across generations, staying active, and the friendships that make the game about much more than the score.

Expect humour, thoughtful questions, behind-the-scenes stories, and a revealing look at the person behind the campaign.

CONNECT WITH JEFF PEARCE

jeff@jeffpearceforcouncil.ca

📺 Campaign videos on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@JeffPearce4council

📘 Follow Jeff’s campaign on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590698314649

🗳️ Jeff is running for District 2 — Loyalist-Cataraqui in Kingston’s municipal election on October 26, 2026.

What matters most to you in your community—and what do you expect from the people elected to represent it? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Enjoyed the conversation? Like, subscribe, and share this episode with a music fan, a pickleball player, or someone who cares about Kingston’s future.

Kitchen Conversations with Mike Spies — great people, good questions, and conversations that go beyond the court.

#KitchenConversations #JeffPearce #KingstonOntario #KingstonCityCouncil #LoyalistCataraqui #KingstonElection2026 #MoistBand #CanadianRock #CanadianMusic #Pickleball #Community #MikeSpies

And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations.

If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do.

And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at

https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast

Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast

That’s where these stories really come to life.

You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description.

Until next time…

more than dinks, drops and drives…

these are stories from behind the paddle.

In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with Scott Mikalachki—one of Canada's most accomplished pickleball coaches—to explore what separates good players from great ones.

Scott's journey has taken him from elite junior tennis and competitive squash to a 32-year career with 3M before finding a new passion helping players unlock their potential on the pickleball court. Today he's one of only a select group of NCCP Level 3 Certified Pickleball Coaches in Canada, and his passion for teaching is unmistakable.

Our conversation goes far beyond technique.

We discuss:

🏓 Why pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in North America.

🎾 How tennis, squash and other racquet sports prepare athletes for success.

🧠 The science behind effective coaching and skill development.

👟 Why proper footwear may matter more than your paddle.

🥽 Why Scott believes every player should wear protective eyewear.

📈 How artificial intelligence could change coaching forever.

🏆 What separates recreational players from athletes who continue to improve.

👨‍👩‍👧 Why youth athletes should play multiple sports before specializing.

❤️ Why community—not competition—is still pickleball's greatest strength.

Whether you've never picked up a paddle or you're chasing your next DUPR milestone, this episode is packed with practical advice, thoughtful insights, and a fresh perspective on becoming a better player,

👇 What's the best coaching advice you've ever received?

Leave your thoughts in the comments—we'd love to hear your story.

🎾 Learn more about SMASH Pickleball

https://smash-pb.com/

⛳ Oaks Golf & Country Club

https://oaksgolf.com/

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, Share, and hit the notification bell. Your support helps us continue sharing conversations with the people growing racquet sports across Canada and beyond.

#KitchenConversations #ScottMikalachki #Pickleball #PickleballCanada #SMASHPickleball #OakesGolfAndCountryClub #NCCP #PickleballCoaching #DUPR #RacquetSports #CanadianSports #SportsPodcast #Coaching #AthleteDevelopment #PickleballLife #GrowTheGame #LondonOntario

And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations.

If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do.

And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at

https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast

Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast

That’s where these stories really come to life.

You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description.

Until next time…

more than dinks, drops and drives…

these are stories from behind the paddle.