What do Mexico, tennis, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Daniel Alfredsson, and the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world have in common?

The answer is PADEL.

In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with Jorge Villa, Director of Padel at Padel & Friends Ottawa and a Director with the Padel Association of Canada, for an inspiring conversation about one of the world's fastest-growing sports.

From growing up on the tennis courts of Mexico under the guidance of his father, to coaching Canada's national padel team and helping shape the future of the sport in this country, Jorge shares an incredible story of passion, family, leadership, and community.

We discuss:

🎾 How padel was invented in Mexico—and why it's exploding worldwide.

🏆 What makes padel different from tennis, pickleball and squash.

🇨🇦 How Canada is developing elite players, coaches and a national pathway.

👨‍👦 The remarkable family legacy behind Jorge's coaching career.

🏟️ Why Padel & Friends Ottawa is focused on building community—not just courts.

🌎 The future of padel in Canada and why this sport may only be getting started.

Whether you're a tennis player, pickleball player, squash player—or you've never picked up a racquet—this conversation will give you a fascinating look at a sport that is changing the racquet sports landscape around the world.

👇 Have you tried padel yet?

If so, tell us where you played and what surprised you most!

🎾 Learn more about Padel & Friends Ottawa

https://padelandfriends.com/

🇨🇦 Padel Association of Canada

https://padelcanada.ca/

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, Comment and Share. Your support helps us continue bringing conversations with the people shaping racquet sports across Canada and beyond.

#Padel #PadelCanada #PadelAndFriends #PadelAssociationOfCanada #JorgeVilla #KitchenConversations #RacquetSports #Tennis #Pickleball #Squash #SportsCommunity #Ottawa #Canada #SportsPodcast #GrowingTheGame #PlayPadel #PadelLife #CanadianSports

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.

Hear from ​Kingston Rotary member, Peter Burrell about the 5th Annual Pickleball Tournament, happening Sunday, November 8th at the Kingston Pickleball Club.

Registration is now open at https://kingstonrotary.ca/events/5th-annual-rotary-pickleball-tournament/

Enter either as a recreational player, or a competitive player, but the day is designed as a fun fundraising event with a silent auction, corn hole games and more!

Hope to see you there!

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.

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.

PICKLEBALL, PERMACULTURE & THE POWER OF COMMUNITY 🥒🏓🌱

What happens when a nuclear engineer, permaculture enthusiast, father, athlete, and pickleball club owner sit down for a conversation about the future of our communities?

You get one of the most fascinating conversations yet on Kitchen Conversations.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Keith St. Jean, co-owner of The Dink Den in Cobourg, Ontario, to explore a story that goes far beyond pickleball.

Keith shares how a high-school physics teacher helped shape his path into nuclear engineering and sustainability, why he became deeply fascinated with permaculture, and what it really means to build a society that thinks beyond the next 30 days—or even the next 30 years.

Then we get into the game that brought us together: pickleball.

Keith tells the hilarious story of how his wife, Trish, essentially forced him onto a pickleball court after he initially dismissed the sport as “lawn bowling.” What happened next became a passion that would eventually lead to the creation of The Dink Den, a state-of-the-art indoor pickleball facility designed not simply as a place to play, but as a community hub.

We talk about:

🏓 How Keith went from reluctant beginner to pickleball fanatic

🌱 What permaculture actually means—and why it goes far beyond gardening

🌎 Sustainability, food systems and thinking seven generations ahead

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 How pickleball brings multiple generations together

🤝 Why the social side of pickleball may be even more important than the sport itself

🏢 The philosophy and design behind The Dink Den

💡 How the world's best pickleball facilities inspired its creation

❤️ Pickleball's ability to combat loneliness and build meaningful relationships

🌳 The surprising connection between permaculture and community-building

🔥 Why strong communities may be one of our most important resources for the future

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is simple:

Pickleball isn't just about hitting a ball over a net.

It's about people.

It's about friendships, families, competition, health, connection, belonging—and creating places where people actually want to spend time together.

And perhaps most importantly, Keith makes a compelling case that building stronger communities today may be one of the most sustainable things we can do for tomorrow.

Whether you're a dedicated pickleball player, someone curious about permaculture, interested in sustainability, or simply someone who believes communities matter, there's something here for you.

Connect with Keith and the team at Dink Den

Website: https://dinkdenpickleballclub.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61577539997025

Canadian Permaculture Legacy YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfz0O9f_Ysivwz1CzEn4Wdw

🎧 Welcome to Kitchen Conversations.

If you enjoyed this episode, LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔, and SHARE it with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

And tell us in the comments:

What brought YOU to pickleball—and what has the game given you beyond the court?

#KitchenConversations #Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #TheDinkDen #Permaculture #Sustainability #Community #PickleballCommunity #PickleballLife #PickleballCanada #OntarioPickleball #Cobourg #KingstonOntario #HealthyCommunities #CommunityBuilding #SustainableLiving #FutureGenerations #MentalWellness #ActiveAging #Family #Friendship #IndoorPickleball #PickleballAddiction

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 two million cookbooks, a life-changing wellness mission, and a pickleball dating app have in common? One remarkable woman: Jill Steinbeck.

In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, Jill shares how a painful moment during college became the catalyst for an extraordinary career helping others live healthier lives. We explore her success as a bestselling cookbook author, her work with Shape Up US, her mission to get children moving—and how she became completely addicted to pickleball.

Then we get to the love story: Jill’s creation of Pickleball Dating, an app designed to help players find everything from a compatible playing partner to a genuine soulmate.

It’s a candid and inspiring conversation about adversity, reinvention, healthy living, human connection—and the incredible power of one little plastic ball to change lives.

Watch now. You never know: pickleball might improve your health, expand your world—or even introduce you to the love of your life.

Connect with Jyl

Shape Up Us

https://shapeupus.org/

Homeopathic Helper

https://homeopathichelper.com/about/

America's Healthiest Mom

https://americashealthiestmom.com/

#KitchenConversations #JillSteinbeck #PickleballDating #Pickleball #PickleballLife #PickleballCommunity #HealthAndWellness #HealthyLiving #ActiveLifestyle #ShapeUpUS #CookbookAuthor #HumanConnection #FindYourTribe #LoveAndPickleball #PickleballPodcast

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.

From wooden paddles at the YMCA to helping lead Canadian pickleball toward the world stage—Ryan Hanes has experienced the sport’s extraordinary evolution from almost every possible angle.

Ryan is a Canadian national champion, elite coach, certified referee, tournament director and the Director of Competition for Pickleball Canada. In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, he shares how one seemingly ordinary visit to the Kingston YMCA ultimately transformed his life—and helped make him one of the most influential figures in Canadian pickleball.

Ryan takes us back to a time when Kingston players competed on taped gym floors, dragged mats across RMC and played around walls, pillars and badminton lines. He also reflects on the people who built the local game, the friendships he developed across Canada and the remarkable journey from those grassroots beginnings to today’s dedicated facilities and national competitions.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore:

🏓 Why pickleball is more accessible than virtually any other racquet sport

🏓 The early days of pickleball in Kingston

🏓 Ryan’s rise from new player to national champion

🏓 The unforgettable experience of playing at the US Open

🏓 How he became one of Canada’s leading coaches and tournament directors

🏓 Why some tournaments are struggling despite pickleball’s continued growth

🏓 His new role as Director of Competition for Pickleball Canada

🏓 The creation of Canada’s high-performance program and Team Canada

🏓 Whether pickleball is genuinely heading toward the Olympic Games

🏓 His candid perspective on DUPR and privately controlled player data

🏓 His friendship and future plans with Canadian legend Steve Deakin

🏓 The story of Ryan’s long-haired days as an au pair in the Netherlands

🏓 Why hearing “O Canada” still carries such powerful meaning for him

Ryan doesn’t simply understand where Canadian pickleball is today—he helped build the pathway that brought it here. His perspective on where the sport is heading, and what must happen next, makes this an essential conversation for anyone who cares about the future of pickleball in Canada.

Whether you’re a recreational player, tournament competitor, coach, official or someone considering picking up a paddle for the first time, this episode offers an extraordinary look at how one sport can reshape a life—and how one person can help reshape a sport.

CONNECT WITH THE KINGSTON PICKLEBALL CLUB:

🌐 Official website:

https://kingstonpickleballclub.com/

👍 Official Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/kingstonpickleballclub/

👥 Kingston Pickleball Club Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/367714510043537/

Pickleball Canada

https://pickleballcanada.org

👍 Like this episode

💬 Tell us how pickleball first entered your life

🔔 Subscribe to Kitchen Conversations for more honest conversations with the people building, leading and shaping the game

#Pickleball #CanadianPickleball #RyanHanes #KitchenConversations #KingstonPickleballClub #PickleballCanada #PickleballPodcast #PickleballOntario #TeamCanada #PickleballCoach #PickleballTournament #DUPR #SteveDeakin #OlympicPickleball #PickleballCommunity

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.

How do you actually pronounce JOOLA—and does spending $400 on a paddle really make you a better pickleball player?

In this special edition of Kitchen Conversations, Mike welcomes the podcast’s first-ever co-host, Jody Allen, co-owner of SMASH Courts in Peterborough, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation with JOOLA Canada’s Michael Cannon.

Michael brings decades of experience from inside the Canadian sporting-goods industry—including senior roles with National Sports, Pro Hockey Life, Bauer Hockey and other major brands. Today, he is helping shape JOOLA’s rapidly expanding presence in Canadian pickleball.

And yes, he finally settles the debate: JOOLA is pronounced “YO-la.”

But this conversation goes far beyond the name.

Michael and Jody take us behind the curtain of the pickleball equipment business to explore:

🏓 Why the most expensive paddle is not necessarily the best paddle for you

🏓 What swing weight, twist weight, dwell time and paddle construction actually mean

🏓 How professional paddles differ from what recreational players buy

🏓 Why lessons may improve your game more than another equipment upgrade

🏓 The controversy surrounding paddle testing and certification

🏓 Whether increasingly powerful paddles are changing—or potentially damaging—the game

🏓 How paddle design can affect vibration, tendonitis and other injuries

🏓 The equipment gaps facing older adults, women and junior players

🏓 How JOOLA develops products for everyone from beginners to Ben Johns

🏓 The challenges retailers face when technology evolves faster than inventory can move

🏓 Why reliable participation data remains surprisingly difficult to find

🏓 Where pickleball equipment—and the sport itself—may be heading next

It’s an honest conversation about technology, performance, accessibility, business and the constant tension between innovation and protecting the game that millions of people have fallen in love with.

Whether you are shopping for your first paddle, considering a major upgrade or simply curious about what separates a $70 paddle from a $400 one, this episode will help you make a smarter decision.

And remember: a new paddle might complement your game—but it cannot replace practice.

Connect with Joola Canada

https://joola.ca/

Connect with Jody Allen at SMASH COURTS

https://www.smashcourts1.com/

👍 Like the episode

💬 Tell us which paddle you play with—and why you chose it

🔔 Subscribe to Kitchen Conversations for more thoughtful discussions with the people shaping pickleball

#Pickleball #JOOLA #JOOLAPickleball #MichaelCannon #KitchenConversations #PickleballPodcast #JodyAllen #SmashCourts #CanadianPickleball #PickleballCanada #PickleballPaddles #PaddleTechnology #PickleballEquipment #BenJohns #PickleballTips #PickleballCommunity #PickleballInjuries #SeniorPickleball #JuniorPickleball #PickleballInnovation

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.

How many people can say they’ve played pickleball on Saddam Hussein’s helicopter pad?

Chuck Gaudette can.

In this unforgettable episode of Kitchen Conversations, Mike sits down with brothers Chuck and David Gaudette—two passionate players, certified coaches and longtime advocates who have built an extraordinary life around pickleball.

Chuck shares the remarkable story of taking pickleball equipment into Baghdad during a six-month NATO deployment. What began with a portable net, 10 paddles and 100 balls quickly became a multinational phenomenon—with soldiers lining up to play on Saddam Hussein’s former helicopter pad.

But that’s only part of the story.

Chuck and David also discuss:

🏓 Discovering pickleball aboard a cruise ship

🏓 Playing year-round in Cobourg and Arizona

🏓 Building a private indoor court known as “The Moose”

🏓 Coaching players of all ages and abilities

🏓 Their Pickleball Brothers YouTube channel for senior players

🏓 The explosive growth of indoor pickleball facilities

🏓 The rising cost of professional pickleball

🏓 Whether the sport risks growing too quickly

🏓 Why pickleball’s social connection may be its greatest strength

This is a conversation about brotherhood, military service, coaching, community and one man’s determination to make sure that even a deployment to Iraq wouldn’t keep him away from the game he loved.

It’s funny, candid and unlike any pickleball story you’ve heard before.

Connect with David and Chuck on their YouTube Channel:

www.youtube.com/@PickleballBrothers-no3cv

PB Canadagoes global part 1

youtu.be/YVB97IsqFuQ?list=PLqHB_-u66WdlzBVzgE9hgDAjBaN3tmiYJ

PB Canada goes global part 2

youtu.be/YVB97IsqFuQ

Subscribe to Kitchen Conversations for more honest conversations with the players, coaches, builders and personalities shaping the game.

👍 Like the episode

💬 Tell us the most unusual place you’ve ever played pickleball

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a conversation

#Pickleball #KitchenConversations #PickleballPodcast #PickleballBrothers #ChuckGaudette #DavidGaudette #PickleballCanada #CobourgPickleball #CanadianPickleball #MilitaryStories #NATO #Baghdad #Iraq #PickleballLife #PickleballCommunity #PickleballCoaching #SeniorPickleball #ArizonaPickleball #SelkirkSport #PickleballPlayers #PickleballJourney

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.

🔥 From Somali Pirates to Pickleball: Kyle Trenga's Incredible Journey | Between the Rallies & Kitchen Conversations

What do Somali pirates, the U.S. Navy, offshore oil rigs, professional pickleball, and podcasting have in common?

Kyle Trenga.

In one of the most remarkable conversations we've had on Kitchen Conversations, Kyle shares a story that goes far beyond pickleball. Raised in a challenging environment, Kyle found purpose through the U.S. Navy, took part in a real-life anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia, worked on offshore oil rigs around the world, became one of Idaho's top pickleball ambassadors, qualified for the USA Pickleball National Championships, and built one of the fastest-growing podcasts in the sport.

Along the way, we dive into:

🏴‍☠️ The real story behind boarding a pirate ship
⚓ Life aboard the USS Kidd and Navy special operations training
🛢️ Working 100 feet above the ocean on offshore drilling rigs
🏓 Discovering pickleball—and becoming obsessed
🏆 Winning a Golden Ticket to Nationals
🎙️ Building the hugely popular Between the Rallies podcast from scratch
❤️ Why pickleball changes lives far beyond the scoreboard

This episode is about resilience, second chances, community, and finding purpose through sport.

If you love inspiring stories, leadership, personal growth, or pickleball, this conversation is for you.

🎙️ Subscribe to Between the Rallies with Kyle Trenga:
👉

https://youtube.com/@dinksmashmedia?si=4_3Gu16am87THzCL

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation:

• Like the video
• Leave a comment with your favourite part of Kyle's story
• Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the game of pickleball

#KitchenConversations #BetweenTheRallies #KyleTrenga #Pickleball #USNavy #SomaliPirates #Veteran #Leadership #Resilience #Inspiration #GoldenTicket #USAPickleball #NationalChampionships #PickleballPodcast #Podcast #SportsPodcast #LifeLessons #Success #Community #NeverGiveUp #DinkSmash #PickleballLife #AthleteStory #Motivation #IdahoPickleball

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.