99% Pickleball

Episod

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  Ngoc Nguyen: The Strategist Shaping Pickleball in Entertainment & Philanthropy 23.07.2026 1j 20min

  What does it take for pickleball to become a truly mainstream sport? This week, Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado are joined by entertainment publicist, producer, and strategist Ngoc Nguyen, whose work spans Hollywood, philanthropy, and the Global Pickleball Federation. Together, they discuss how media, celebrity involvement, grassroots community, and international growth are shaping the future of the sport. Ngoc also shares a behind-the-scenes look at The Dink, the new pickleball comedy premi...
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  Sydney Steinaker: Reimagining the Pickleball Experience 16.07.2026 1j 17min

  What if pickleball could be more than just open play and tournaments? This week, Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado are joined by Sydney Steinaker, founder of Bassline Sports, to discuss how she's blending music, entertainment, and community to create an entirely new kind of pickleball experience. Sydney shares her journey from law to social media to event production, the story behind the first pickleball rave, and why she's focused on creating spaces where beginners, experienced players, and e...
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  Darrin Klinger: Raising a Champion Without Losing Perspective 09.07.2026 1j 11min

  What does it take to raise one of the top young players in professional pickleball? This week, Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado are joined by Darrin Klinger, coach, mentor, and father of professional pickleball player CJ Klinger, for one of the most thoughtful conversations we've had on 99% Pickleball. Darrin shares his philosophy on parenting, coaching, and building an environment where competition, character, and joy can all coexist. The conversation explores everything from CJ's journey th...
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  Inside Pro Pickleball Through Two Different Lenses 02.07.2026 57min

  There's never a dull moment in professional pickleball. This week, Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado break down one of the craziest weekends in professional pickleball from two very different perspectives. As a recently traded MLP player, Mari shares what it's like competing inside the league, while Nikki reflects on the same weekend through the eyes of a commentator, creator, and fan. Mari also shares what it was like navigating the trade process firsthand, while Nikki and Mari discuss the st...
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  Adam Behnke: Growing the Game From the Ground Up 25.06.2026 1j 20min

  What does it actually take to grow a sport? This week, Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado are joined by Adam Behnke, COO of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, to discuss the work happening beyond the professional level to help grow pickleball in meaningful and lasting ways. The conversation covers everything from Major League Pickleball and fan engagement to junior development, minor league competition, school partnerships, and the programs helping introduce new players to the game. Adam also shares...
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  Zane Navratil & Nico the Lefty: The Rise of Pickleball Content 18.06.2026 1j 22min

  If you've spent any time on pickleball social media, you've probably come across Zane Navratil and Nico the Lefty. In one of the funniest conversations we've had so far on 99% Pickleball, Zane and Nico join Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado to discuss how content creation has evolved alongside the sport, what it takes to build genuine connections with players, and why authenticity matters more than ever in a rapidly growing community. The conversation explores everything from gear review...
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  Sarah Ansboury: Growing Pickleball Without Losing What Makes It Special 11.06.2026 1j 16min

  Sarah Ansboury has spent years helping shape pickleball both on and off the court. In this week's episode of 99% Pickleball, Sarah joins Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado to discuss the sport's rapid growth, her work building coaching education programs, and the opportunities and challenges that come with pickleball's expanding global reach. The conversation covers everything from international development and youth participation to sportsmanship, court culture, and the growing problem of toxi...
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  How Two Completely Different Players Fell Into Pickleball 04.06.2026 56min

  Why does pickleball feel so different now than it did a few years ago? In the first episode of 99% Pickleball, hosts Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado break down how they found the sport, what pulled them into it, and why they felt the pickleball world needed a different kind of conversation. From Mari's journey from Brazil to professional pickleball to Nikki's perspective as a creator deeply connected to the everyday player experience, the two talk about the culture surrounding the sport, the...