Smashing Plastic Podcast
Welcome to the Smashing Plastic Podcast, your ultimate guide to the world of pickleball where we explore how this simple game of smashing a plastic ball can revolutionize your life! Join us as we uncover the incredible fitness benefits, the inclusive nature of the sport, and the vibrant community it fosters. From the health advantages to the sheer joy of gameplay, discover why pickleball is more than just a game—it’s a lifestyle. So grab your paddle, tune in, and let’s start smashing plastic together!
Episodes
Discover how pickleball can build a stronger mindset, better leadership skills, and a more grateful life. Coach Tommy sits down with keynote speaker, business owner, author, and 4.0 pickleball player Jeff Joiner to explore why pickleball is uniquely fun, social, competitive, and powerful for personal growth.
Jeff shares lessons from playing pickleball across the country, including the sport’s welco...
Pickleball legend Lee Whitwell joins Smashing Plastic for a bold, hilarious, and brutally honest conversation about where pickleball is headed — from coaching problems and pro pickleball tension to the recreational community that keeps the sport alive. Coach Tommy and Lee dig into why process-based coaching beats results-based coaching, how players can handle pressure at 9-9, and why the future of pickleball dep...
Smashing Plastic hits Episode 50 with returning guest Jennings Smith from the very first guest on the podcast, for a powerful conversation about pickleball growth, drilling, strategy, mindset, and the business lessons that show up on and off the court. Coach Tommy and Jennings break down how players move past the 3.5–4.0 level, why third shot drops and dinking matter, and how smarter decision-making can cha...
Kenzie Welch joins Smashing Plastic for a powerful conversation about pickleball community, pageant preparation, music, competition, and handling pressure before the big moment. Filmed at PickleRage in North Charleston, South Carolina, this episode blends pickleball culture with Kenzie’s journey as Miss Lowcountry Teen and her mission to reduce stress through music.
Coach Tommy sits down with Kenzi...
Meet Mackonner Dy, a 16-year-old junior pickleball player from Vancouver, BC, and one of Canada’s rising young talents in the sport. Already a Canadian National Champion and PPA Tour competitor, Mackonner is balancing homeschool, daily training, tournament travel, and a serious dream of going pro. In this Smashing Plastic Pickleball episode, Coach Tommy digs into Mackonner’s competitive mindset, pickleball drills, menta...
DUPR ratings are one of the hottest topics in pickleball, and this Smashing Plastic episode goes straight at the big question: how accurate is your DUPR rating, really? Tommy Welch sits down with Katie Nimitz of My Journey Pickleball and DUPR Coach to break down coach-assigned ratings, player development, DUPR reliability, club programming, and why your pickleball identity should never be wrapped up in a decimal point...
Coach Tommy brings bold Smashing Plastic energy to a powerful conversation with Chris Singleton on pickleball, baseball, faith, coaching, adversity, and leadership. This episode dives into sports culture, mental toughness, team chemistry, positive self-talk, and how athletes can respond to failure with resilience and purpose.
Chris shares his journey from Goose Creek High School to Charleston Southern ba...
Jack Munro joins the Smashing Plastic Podcast to talk about his rise in pro pickleball, what it takes to compete at the highest level, and where the sport is headed next. From becoming one of pickleball’s earliest young standouts to building Longhorn Pickleball at UT Austin and competing as one of the top players on the APP Tour, Jack shares his journey, mindset, and vision for the future of the game.
What separates good pickleball players from great ones? In this episode of Smashing Plastic, Coach Tommy sits down with Jill Martin (Pickleball Yogi) to break down the mental side of winning—confidence, partner communication, mixed doubles dynamics, and how to build your game around your true pickleball superpower.
Jill shares powerful insights from her work with Dayne Gingrich, their book Pickleba...
Coach Tommy goes live with PPA pro Juan Benitez from the airport en route to the Palm Springs Masters—fresh off a men’s doubles win at the Punta Gorda Challenger with Camden Chaffin. Juan breaks down the daily habit that separates players who level up, what to drill if you only have 30 minutes, why most intermediates get the 3rd-shot drop footwork wrong, and the #1 underrated skill holding amateurs back (s...
Halina Slowinski is back! One of our favorite fan-favorite guests returns with a real-time tour check-in from California at the PPA Masters. Halina shares what it’s like competing as a 10-year-old junior pickleball player, how she balances homeschooling + travel, what she’s training at The Pickler & Montclair Pickleball, and the specific skills she’s focused on right now (including backhand flicks, overheads, ...
In this episode 41 of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with Sarah Ansboury—one of the earliest professional pickleball players, a current PPA Tour competitor, and the Vice President of the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), the world’s largest coach registry.
Sarah breaks down what’s coming in 2026 for PPR and global pickleball growth, why the sport can’t lose sight of grassroots deve...
Kitchen-first pickleball is getting exposed. In this episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with Dayne Gingrich — senior pro player, top-level coach, and co-author of Pickleball Mindset — to talk about where the game is really being played (hint: transition zone), why MLP is a different sport, and how the next generation will change everything.
00:00 Intro + who is Dayne Gingrich
06:50 Why MLP re...
In this engaging conversation, Coach Tommy interviews Travis Rettenmaier, a professional pickleball player, about his journey in the sport, the future of pickleball, and the importance of community and coaching. They discuss the dynamics of professional leagues like MLP and PPA, the rise of youth pickleball, and the significance of integrity in sports. Travis shares insights on improving one's game and the exciting new pickleball f...
From Marriott points and a dream to coaching celebrities, calling the biggest pro events, and shaping the future of our sport—Matt "Pickleball Mcnasty" Manasse (“the pickleball coach to the stars”) sits down with Coach Tommy for a deep dive into all things pickleball.
We talk about:
How pickleball completely changed Matt’s life in just 5 years
What it’s really like broadcasting for Pickleball TV & ...
DUPR stressing you out?
In this episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with DUPR CEO Tito Machado to break down exactly how pickleball ratings really work, why your number isn’t your identity, and what’s coming next for the sport — from 9 million games of data to high school & college pickleball and the youth explosion that’s just getting started.
Tito talks about leaving Charlest...
16-year-old pickleball prodigy Julian Slive drops absolute gems in this episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast — revealing the mindset, grind, and game-breaking shots that are turning heads in the pro scene.
From developing his two-hand roll and winning clutch points at 10-10, to his unshakable “play your game” mentality, Julian shares how he’s learning to win under pressure, chasing the dream through the A...
Join Coach Tommy live from the farm for an epic conversation with Chris Rodriguez of Concrete Charleston! From building top-notch pickleball courts to navigating the world of small business with integrity, these two share their experiences, insights, and a few laughs along the way.
If you’re a pickleball fan, a small business owner, or just love authentic, real-life stories, this episode is packed with insight and entertainme...
In Episode 34 of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with one of the true pioneers of the sport — Scott Mannetta, founder of PickleStrong and one of the earliest ambassadors for pickleball in Charleston, SC.
Scott shares his journey from helping grow pickleball in South Carolina to now teaching and mentoring players in Florida. He opens up about the challenges of bringing public co...
You know him as Charleston’s beloved weatherman, but did you know Rob Fowler is also a passionate pickleball player and podcaster?
In Episode 33 of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Rob joins us to share how he went from forecasting storms to forecasting the future of pickleball in Charleston.
We dive into:
- Rob’s journey into pickleball and why he launched the “Rob Lob” podcast
- Why rally scoring helps beginn...
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