Life Lessons from Pickleball™

How can pickleball help someone reclaim joy, redefine possibility, and prove that community, faith, and determination can carry us through even the hardest chapters of life? In this episode, Twila Adams shares her extraordinary story of resilience, service, and strength. A U.S. Army veteran who served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Twila  reflects on her military years, the medical issues...

What happens when pickleball is introduced inside prison walls? In this episode, Roger BelAir shares his unexpected journey of bringing pickleball to correctional facilities across the United States. Inspired by a 60 Minutes segment, Roger proposed the idea of introducing the sport at Cook County Jail and soon found himself teaching inmates the game. What followed surprised everyone. In facilities...

How does a 94-year-old become a pickleball legend? In this episode, we sit down with Joyce Jones, a remarkable nonagenarian who has dedicated more than four decades to the sport of pickleball. Introduced to the game in 1980 by pickleball co-creator Joel Pritchard, Joyce quickly developed a love for competition that has carried her through countless tournaments and unforgettable moments on the cour...

How can pickleball teach patience, sharpen communication, build resilience, and bring joy even for someone whose daily work is preparing for crisis? In this episode, Lorraine Schneider shares her unique perspective on the life lessons of pickleball through the lens of crisis management, community, and personal growth. Lorraine is the chief operating officer of the Resiliency Initiative, a crisis m...

How can one person’s passion for pickleball help spark a movement across an entire continent and create new opportunities for health, community, and joy? In this episode, Apostle Dr. Kwabena Akufo shares the remarkable story of how pickleball began spreading through Ghana and across Africa. A former ministry leader, author, scientist, and now president of the Ghana Pickleball Association, presiden...

How can pickleball help us discover hidden strength, build confidence, practice grace under pressure, and even inspire stories for children and adults alike? In this episode, Will and Lilly Terry share their joyful pickleball journey and the creative story behind their beloved Pickleball Paul books. Will, a freelance illustrator for more than 30 years and co-founder of the School of Visual Storyte...

How can pickleball help us stay present, build confidence, find joy after loss, and create the kind of friendship that makes us feel safe enough to grow? In this episode, Wenting Nie and Kim Landesberg share their heartfelt and uplifting pickleball journeys, from first picking up a paddle to becoming strong tournament partners and treasured members of their local pickleball community. Wenting, a n...

How can pickleball help us feel like we belong, teach us to encourage others more openly, and remind us that kindness matters just as much as competition? In this episode, Sarah Moore shares her thoughtful and heartfelt pickleball journey, from growing up in tiny Hayward, Wisconsin to building a life in the Pacific Northwest filled with family, work, and a growing love for the game. Sarah talks ab...

What if you discovered a passion you never knew you had, and it changed your life in unexpected ways? Join us as we sit down with Daphna Robon, a retired casualty claims adjuster and real estate agent who found a newfound love for pickleball. Despite never having played a sport, Daphna didn't just pick up a paddle—she embraced the challenge, even facing her initial intimidation of playing wit...

 Join us as we welcome Shannon Burkhalter, who shares her inspiring journey from Tennis to becoming an avid pickleball player. Shannon recounts her early days, the welcoming community she found, and how pickleball has become an essential part of her life. Through lessons, flights, round-robin groups, open play sessions and tournaments, Shannon’s passion for the game shines through, along with her...

How can pickleball transform the life of someone who never saw themselves as athletic and go on to build community, confidence, and connection for hundreds of others? In this episode, beloved coach Madeline Lapke shares her remarkable journey from being a self-described non-athlete to becoming one of the most joyful and influential pickleball leaders in the Pacific Northwest. Madeline talks about...

Meet Shelley Maurer and Sher Emerick, the dynamic duo, who found more than just a sport on the Pickleball court - they discovered how Pickleball was weaving its magic, creating connections, boosting confidence, and sprinkling their lives with amazing joy. Inspired by their own personal transformation and the contagious enthusiasm of their fellow players, they knew this was more than a game. Join t...