Blazing Paddles - A Pickleball Podcast

Can you imagine transforming your pickleball game from a 3-5 to a 4-0 rating while having a blast? Join us for an engaging conversation with Graham Mann at Preston Playhouse, where we discuss their retro-themed facility that offers both competitive play and fun date nights. Our Operations Director, Sean Edwards, delves into his rich background in tennis and padel, highlighting the rise of the Dallas Flash team and their community's enthusiastic support. From thrilling events to the aspirations of their head pro, Tam, there's a lot to unpack on how this vibrant hub is shaking things up.
What are the secrets to running a top-notch pickleball facility? Our insights from the Twisted Pickle networking event reveal the crucial balance of pricing membership fees and diversifying programming to keep players engaged. We talk about unique events like glow-in-the-dark pickleball with DJs and the power of strategic partnerships with brands like EULA and Casamigos. We also offer tips on choosing the right pickleball paddles, emphasizing how equipment can significantly enhance your game. This segment is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their pickleball experience.
Finally, we tackle common issues like cracked balls in colder temps and the challenges of promoting pickleball in a tennis-centric community. With insights from pros Zack Mroue and Trevor Vaccaro, we explore the benefits of an indoor facility and the exciting potential partnership with the Dallas Flash. We celebrate the passion of players who've fallen in love with pickleball, sharing heartwarming stories from our own journey during the pandemic to launching a clothing line. Tune in for a delightful blend of tips, stories, and the vibrant community spirit that makes pickleball so special.

Want to find out for yourself? Download the Aim7 app today. Use our url to get a 25% discount and try the app for a free trial before committing. https://www.aim7.com/?via=blazing-paddles

Special thanks to Crown Pickleball for their support and sponsorship! Don't waste money on balls that break, Crown pickleballs rarely crack, are more visible and have a higher spin rate than the competitors.
Use our link to receive a discount on your next purchase! https://crownpickleball.store/blazingpaddles

Have a suggestion for a guest or topic you'd like to see us address?
Hit me up at [email protected] or shout out on social:
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Sometimes an episode names itself. Meet Carol Bowser, J.D., owner and founder of Conflict Management Strategies. Carol, after practicing Employment Law for several years, decided that lawsuits don't often create the level of resolution and satisfaction for the participants. Not only do the employer and employee often become adversarial, the legal representation for both parties are often equally at odds. Working relationships are damaged, sometime irreparably, and the process becomes less about creating a solution and more about zero-sum wins and losses.

In this episode we discuss what truly defines active listening and where we oftentimes fail in the process, eventually falling into (here it is) "the sucking vortex of pissed-off." Like I said, some episodes just name themselves.

One feature of a great interview is when you find immediate tactics you can put into play and Carol comes through shining in that area. Conflict is almost always a result of poor communication, unaddressed issues, and in a workplace - the disconnect between supervisor and direct report in defining and prioritizing expectations.

What are YOU listening for? What are your rules? What are your guidelines? What is bad juju?

Put your ears on and actively listen to this episode of HR Hardball.

*You can even sign up for a "Conflict Tip of The Day" to continually reinforce this new superpower you are cultivating.

Contact Carol at [email protected], visit her Facebook Page, and connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Want to find out for yourself? Download the Aim7 app today. Use our url to get a 25% discount and try the app for a free trial before committing. https://www.aim7.com/?via=blazing-paddles

Special thanks to Crown Pickleball for their support and sponsorship! Don't waste money on balls that break, Crown pickleballs rarely crack, are more visible and have a higher spin rate than the competitors.
Use our link to receive a discount on your next purchase! https://crownpickleball.store/blazingpaddles

Have a suggestion for a guest or topic you'd like to see us address?
Hit me up at [email protected] or shout out on social:
Instagram
Twitter
Tik Tok

Okay Hardballers, this pushed me to the ends of my editorial bandwidth, but with the help of our eldest son Jack, I think we have put together a fun end-of-year recap episode for your enjoyment. Fresh off the news that our little pod made the top 50% of all podcasts via Buzzsprout, we wanted to offer our current listeners a quick trip down memory lane. And for you future listeners, this should give you the overall vibe of the show.

Two newsworthy items this year for HR Hardball: I added a new co-host and we identified a new flagship sponsor. Full transparency, I'm sleeping with the co-host, but that seems acceptable after 23 years of marriage. The move developed organically as Karen joined me for a few episodes and the chemistry makes for a better show. You'll notice the new trend in our interviews - everyone just loves Karen and her "great questions." I'm becoming 2nd banana on my own show! Our new sponsor, dink.pro, founded just last year, is the first dedicated pickleball apparel company born and bred in the great state of Texas - btw, if you're not on the pickleball train yet, what in the hell are you waiting for?
#bestof #recap #2022

Want to find out for yourself? Download the Aim7 app today. Use our url to get a 25% discount and try the app for a free trial before committing. https://www.aim7.com/?via=blazing-paddles

Special thanks to Crown Pickleball for their support and sponsorship! Don't waste money on balls that break, Crown pickleballs rarely crack, are more visible and have a higher spin rate than the competitors.
Use our link to receive a discount on your next purchase! https://crownpickleball.store/blazingpaddles

Have a suggestion for a guest or topic you'd like to see us address?
Hit me up at [email protected] or shout out on social:
Instagram
Twitter
Tik Tok

Tired, aren't you? Would it make you feel better to know you're not alone?
Just a year ago we talked to Sarah Moe, Founder and CEO of Sleep Health Specialists about sleep deprivation and the toll it is taking on all of us. At the time we discovered the weird dichotomy of having more time at home (remote work, lockdowns, furloughs) with a decreasing amount of sleep. Somehow we keep getting worse at one of the three pillars of good health (diet and exercise being the other two) even though we're wearing pajamas and sweatpants more than ever in human history.
Tara Haelle describes the new normal as "depleted." Not necessarily exhausted or depressed, just tapped out of reserves as we deal with the uncertainty of the times. Pauline Boss, PhD. describes this as a result of dealing with "ambiguous loss", trying to cope with a problem that has no clear foreseeable solution. It's a loss, says Haelle, of our "surge capacity." Dr. Michael Maddaus refers to this as our "Resilience Bank Account" - and it appears we are significantly NSF in that regard.
Now, after yet another year of uncertainty a lot of people feel pretty crappy. Luckily for all of us there are simple things we can do to stop that slide into the abyss.
Put your ears on and listen to a fun-filled hour of conversation and education as we discuss ambiguous loss, surge capacity, morning wood and K-Complexes.
#Sleep #Wellness #SurgeCapacity #AmbiguousLoss #Resilience

Want to find out for yourself? Download the Aim7 app today. Use our url to get a 25% discount and try the app for a free trial before committing. https://www.aim7.com/?via=blazing-paddles

Special thanks to Crown Pickleball for their support and sponsorship! Don't waste money on balls that break, Crown pickleballs rarely crack, are more visible and have a higher spin rate than the competitors.
Use our link to receive a discount on your next purchase! https://crownpickleball.store/blazingpaddles

Have a suggestion for a guest or topic you'd like to see us address?
Hit me up at [email protected] or shout out on social:
Instagram
Twitter
Tik Tok

Unpack the secrets of staying injury-free in the fast-paced world of pickleball with the exceptional insights of Chrissy Hintz from Southlake Paddle Club. In a sport where the thrill of victory is only surpassed by the agony of defeat—and potential injury—we're bringing you a game-changer with Chrissy's innovative PickleTrain program. She's not just a player and instructor; she's transforming how we approach the game, from the perfect paddle search to volley techniques that borrow from tennis without causing confusion on the court.
Gear up for an honest exchange about the harsh reality of sports injuries, where I reveal my own battle with knee pain and how the tank M4 sled has flipped my rehab routine on its head. We dissect the myths of flexibility, dive into the dreaded pickleball elbow, and layout why proper technique can't be an afterthought. Our chat isn't just about overcoming pain; it's about rethinking fitness with a personalized touch and how we plan to extend that philosophy to our listeners through an upcoming virtual platform designed to bolster your game and protect your body.
Lastly, we’re dishing out the playbook to elevate your skills and strategy on the court, analyzing everything from reaction times to outmaneuvering the notorious 'bangers.' But it's not all about the sweat and swing; we reflect on passion's role in pickleball and tennis, from aspiring pros to those in it for the long haul. It's a tale of community, friendship, and sportsmanship with a side of strategic prowess—all the ingredients you need to not only play better but to enjoy every moment on the court. Join us, and find out just how sweet the pickleball life can be when you're playing pain-free and at the top of your game.

Want to find out for yourself? Download the Aim7 app today. Use our url to get a 25% discount and try the app for a free trial before committing. https://www.aim7.com/?via=blazing-paddles

Special thanks to Crown Pickleball for their support and sponsorship! Don't waste money on balls that break, Crown pickleballs rarely crack, are more visible and have a higher spin rate than the competitors.
Use our link to receive a discount on your next purchase! https://crownpickleball.store/blazingpaddles

Have a suggestion for a guest or topic you'd like to see us address?
Hit me up at [email protected] or shout out on social:
Instagram
Twitter
Tik Tok