Episode 19 kicks off our “From Service to Serve” veteran series with a powerful story from Marine Corps veteran, Alicia.
After facing a divorce and job loss, Alicia found herself at a crossroads… and now she’s serving herself with grace, resilience, and chose the court instead of the spiral. Join us for a raw conversation full of courage, laughter, and the reminder that community can save us when we need it most. This was our first time meeting Alisha, and it turned into such an honest, uplifting conversation. We’re grateful she trusted us with her story. 💙
In the final episode of our Dinking Through the Darkness series, we’re wrapping up October with honesty, laughter, and a few ridiculous costumes. Ritchey opens up about some of his toughest chapters — navigating marriage struggles and a difficult child custody battle — while we dig into the messy world of dating and what it really means to keep moving forward.
It’s raw, real, and a little ridiculous — the perfect mix to close out a month dedicated to mental health, growth, and finding light even in the dark. 👻🏓
After almost two months, it’s just Destiny and Ritchey back behind the mics again and somehow, it turned into our longest episode yet. In true form, we jumped from topic to topic: mental health, dating red flags, and the mindset shifts that help you push through hard things. Ritchey shares more about his childhood trauma and Destiny shares why the pickleball community means so much to her. It’s raw, real, and full of the usual laughs and honesty you’ve come to expect from Skinny Singles. If you’ve missed the chaos and real talk, this one’s for you!
In this episode of Skinny Singles, part of our October Mental Health Series “Dinking Through the Darkness,” we sit down with Dr. Emily Bullock, a PhD clinical psychologist, to talk about mental health, the benefits of pickleball, and how the sport supports positive well-being.
Dr. Bullock shares her professional insights on the mind-body connection, while we open up about our own personal experiences with mental health challenges and how pickleball became a key part of our healing journey.
🎧 Honest, heartfelt, and hopeful — this episode reminds us that sometimes the best therapy happens one dink at a time.
We’re dedicating the entire month of October to mental health awareness — because sometimes the toughest battles aren’t on the pickleball court. In this episode, we open up about our own struggles and what’s helped us find a little more balance both in life and in the game.
Throughout this series, we just might share more of our individual stories — the highs, the lows, and everything in between — in hopes of sparking honest conversations about mental health and growth. It’s spooky season, but the real ghosts we’re facing are the ones in our own heads. 👻🏓
In the final episode of our series "Into The Kitchen", we welcome back two familiar faces from The Kitchen, Kristi and Tim and we’re talking all things junior pickleball! From how the Junior Academy at The Kitchen was born, to what it really means for our youth (lessons, clinics, leagues, and more), to their shared passion for growing the game at the high school level, this episode is packed with insight. Whether you’re a parent, a player, or just curious where the next generation of pickleball is headed, this episode is for you!
This week on the podcast, we wrap up our Kitchen franchise owner interviews with Tanner Evans and Mike Kelley from the brand-new Mountain Green, UT location. Their doors have only been open a couple of months, but they’re already making a big impact! They’re wrapping up their first leagues, are currently brainstorming fun things to bring to the players, and love showing up at open plays to connect with their community. Much like last week’s guests, Tanner and Mike’s story started in the workplace, grew into a friendship, and eventually led to a shared passion for pickleball. In this conversation, they share how Mike’s love for the sport convinced Tanner to jump in, what it’s been like starting fresh with a new facility, and how they’re shaping a space where players of all levels feel welcome and supported. It’s clear these two aren’t just about running a business, they’re about people first and then pickleball.
In this episode, we catch up with Tom Shiner and Clint Romney, the duo behind Roy Kitchen. They've been on the scene long enough to turn casual games into full-on leagues and tournaments, all the while keeping the local pickleball crowd buzzing about TEAM DRAFT LEAGUE!. From the highs of growing a community hub to the curveballs that come with running a franchise, Tom and Clint share what it's really like to build a place where dinks, drama, and downright good times all come together.
In this episode, we sit down with Carson and Tanaya, the couple behind the Pleasant View Kitchen. From opening their doors just months ago to already running leagues and tournaments, they share what it’s like to bring a franchise to life, the unique flavor Pleasant View adds to the pickleball scene, and the highs and lows of growing a new community hub.
What happens when a passion for pickleball collides with an entrepreneurial dream? You get The Kitchen. We chat with owners Britton and Jamie Black about building their facility from the ground up, bringing leagues and tournaments to life, and what it’s really like working together as a team on and off the court.
Special Guests: Tim & Jess
In this episode, we dive into one of the most underrated weapons in pickleball—the reset shot. We break down how slowing the game down, dropping the ball into the kitchen, and frustrating your opponents can actually put you back in control of the point. But it’s not just about the court—sometimes life smashes balls at your face too, and that’s when a mental reset comes in clutch. We get real about how taking a step back, breathing, and resetting your mindset can help you push through rough patches, bounce back from struggles, and keep moving forward.
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build. In this episode, we get real about our mental health journeys, the role Pickleball has played in shaping our confidence, and the habits that make a difference on and off the court. Destiny shares how the 75 Hard Challenge taught her mental toughness, and how reading "How to Be Your Own Best Friend" changed the way she talks to herself, proving that self-kindness can rewire the way we see ourselves. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, this episode is a reminder that confidence is built one choice, one rally, and one kind word at a time.
We dive into our personal rituals and quirky prep routines that get us ready for tournaments (except Rob...cause he's lame)—plus the mental battles that hit before, during, and after the games. Expect a mix of questionable advice, oversharing we might regret later, and plenty of adult humor. Oh, and we take a few scenic detours into completely unrelated but wildly funny stories, because self-control isn’t our strong suit.
In this episode, Ritchey does his best to wrangle Destiny as she jumps from one tangent to the next (bless his heart). But somewhere between the chaos and laughter, we actually manage to dive into the juicy history of Pickleball… where it started, how it got its quirky name, and a conflicting story behind the infamous "Pickles the dog" theory. SPOILER: There's a third origin story that might just change everything you thought you knew. If you ever wondered who named this sport and why it wasn't called paddleball or something more boring, this episode's for you!
We start by defining the pickleball skill levels and then we unpack the changes to the DUPR system… what it means for your game, and why it's a rating system and not a ranking system. You'll hear our opinions on whether these changes will have players cringing or celebrating! Find out if we're fans of the new algorithm ("algo" for short). We'll close things out with a quick "pickleball" search in Urban Dictionary proving once again that we can't stay on topic to save our lives!
In this episode of Skinny Singles, we’re talking court fits, you’ll hear our opinions on everything from head to toe, and a whole lot of unfiltered commentary.
We also get a little deep dive into why Ritchey started Casual Dinker Pickleball Company.
Ritchey comes in hot with his take that yoga leggings are too revealing (maybe for men but for women?!) and from there things spiral as they tend to do when you listen to Skinny Singles. We cover court gear, knee braces, stylish shades, questionable sock choices, and somehow end up talking about Foot Finder, hair plugs, lose skin, and other things we probably shouldn’t admit out loud.
Let’s just say… this might not be the episode to listen to with your kids in the car.
Whether you’re here for fashion tips or just to laugh at the chaos, this episode has it all! Plus a few things you can’t unhear.
Apologies in advance!
We’ve all played with that person… the one who poaches every ball, mutters under their breath, or turns every missed shot into a guilt trip. In this episode, we air out our biggest pickleball pet peeves, awkward doubles dynamics, and the unspoken tension that can turn a fun match into a silent breakup. But it’s not just about pickleball, we also unpack how poor communication and bad attitudes show up in real life and relationships. From passive-aggressive partners to full-blown meltdowns, we share our cringiest match stories (yes, names were changed), and give practical tips for resetting your mindset, staying positive, and finding the humor in the chaos, on and off the court. Now, grab your paddle and let's get into it!
We talk about all things draft league and our experiences playing on teams while also being Team Captains. Our special guests Kristy & Maliya share their experiences with Utah's Best Pickleball League at The Kitchen Indoor Pickleball.
Welcome to the first ever episode of Skinny Singles, the pickleball podcast for amateur players who take the game (and life) just seriously enough. In this debut, we introduce ourselves, how we met, unpack how we each fell into the amazing world of pickleball, and share our very amateur origin stories. No pros here, just two people who love the game, laugh at ourselves (and each other), and believe mental health and court time go hand-in-hand.
Whether you’re a seasoned dinker or just learning what a kitchen violation is, you’re in good company.
Now, grab your paddle and lets get into it!