Flirting at Open Play & Viral Pickleball Anthems | Ellie Santra w/ Pickleball Is Life

 🎤 Zumba. Shimmies. Flirting mid-rally?! This week’s Kitchen Talk kicks off with a wild story from the court—when one player turned open play into open season for single men. Spoiler: he was married. And yes, we name names (sort of). 💅

Then we serve up an interview with Ellie Santra, the viral singer-songwriter behind the “Big Dink Energy” pickleball song that’s blowing up Spotify and TikTok. She shares how a casual game turned into a creative explosion, her favorite pickleball moment, and why she’s never apologizing for being cringe and proud. 💖

🔥 Dink or Destroy: Are subtitles ruining your binge-watching or making you smarter?

🗞️ News You Can Use: Why Gen Z is entering their “Villain Era” and how a group of senior citizens just schooled high schoolers (again) in a heated pickleball tournament.

📈 This episode is packed with:

• Pickleball drama you won’t believe
• Viral song origin stories
• Mental health + community talk
• A little chaos and a lot of laughs

👇 If you’ve ever met a “Bitty Bitty Bum Bum” at your court—or you ARE one—we want your story. Drop it at bdepodcast.com or tag us @bdepodcast.

Transcript

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 Speaker 1 (00:00.716) Well, I mean, the pickleball court could be a place to find your soul mate. But if there's already a ring on it, Beyonce has told you. This is Big Dink Energy, the pickleball podcast that's half insight, half nonsense, and all entertainment. If you love pickleball, don't take yourself too seriously and think a little trash talk makes the game better. Welcome home. This is the place where life and pickleball intersect. We celebrate the chaos, call out the nonsense, and put the fun back in dysfunction. You're either in or you're out. And if you're still listening, you're in. So let's go. Big Dink Energy starts now. The official podcast of Pickleball is here in your ear holes. Welcome, sit down with us, hang out. We're in Kitchen Talk right now where we talk about different things from our day or our life, and we're just going to toss it around. Yeah, so kitchen talk is fueled by the pickleball swag because if you're gonna be in the kitchen you better show up with a cold drink a cool towel and even hotter style for your serve use code big dink energy 15 at that pickleball swag calm and turn your kitchen game into a full-blown vibe Speaker 1 (01:13.1) Yeah, and if you can see our horse in the background, he is wearing a sweat towel. Yes, horse man is here with his sweat towel. Speaking of horseman, no. Thank you. So I'm like, I wanted to talk about an open play I was at where it wasn't really pickleball, but more pick me ball. Was it open player or you just showed up? No, it's open play. What I kind of want to discuss is the pick me energy. You always heard of pick me energy? Okay, so we were playing and I was playing with this guy and this other lady. She looked like Selena, like bitty bitty bum bum Selena. You know who I'm talking about? So bitty bitty bum bum. We'll call her bitty bitty bum bum. Anyways, so she's playing with this other Hispanic guy and we're playing and it's mid game. we are in texas Speaker 2 (02:05.174) And she looks at him before he's about to serve and she holds up her hand and she goes, does your wife play? And he kind of looks at her, because we're on the other side, and he looks at her and he's like, like what? And she's like, does your wife play? I mean, there's no wife around. Okay, so she already knows the answer to that. So he was like, no, she's like, because I need a boyfriend that plays pickleball. And I'm looking up and I'm just like, what is going on? my gosh. that's not, there's more, but I was just like. me get a description of the guy. What's the guy in this? Just a decent looking Hispanic guy. was actually really good, very friendly, very nice. But I was just like... I'm it wasn't like a ginger and like this lady's off her rocker trying to pick a ginger or something like that. my gosh. No offense. Full offense to you gingers. Speaker 2 (02:55.342) She's like warming up like trying to train for attention like what is going on? Okay, who does that? Right? So then the whole game she's just like we gotta win cuz I need me my margaritas and I'm like this is this tone it down like you're at a 10 I need you to to Is she, is it possible she already started with the margarita? it's very possible. Because her outfit was just screaming, I'm here for a date. I'm here for big dink energy. Yeah. And so, okay, so then it's at the end, right? And we walk up to tap paddles. we won, but... job. job. Yes. Humble as much. So we go up and she's... We're all four standing there, you know? And she's like, yeah, so I just got done with two hours of Zumba. And she is just shaking them. Shaking. Shaking them, right? And I was like... Shaking them. Shaking what her mama gave her, Speaker 1 (03:51.256) You say shake an Speaker 1 (03:56.002) Yeah, the bazoomba And so I was like, I was like, well, that's good for you. I didn't know what to say. Like, that's a lot of What what was the point of all of that going on? of it. Speaker 1 (04:09.806) That's a lot of big ta-ta energy. Yeah, like all of it was just so uncalled for. Now Zumba, that's like a of like a, I don't know, like a step class. It's like jazzercise, but a lot of like reggaeton and yeah, you know, mean it's good But what was the point of that? Like why was she having to tell everybody it's like we we don't care One, nobody cares, and two, where are you adding the shimmy? Speaker 2 (04:35.116) there was a shimmy. You're like a shimmy after every point. and now is It was a lot of just, pick me energy. Like, that's what I'm saying. Pick me energy. I'm like, we are not auditioning for The Bachelorette. Now was the shimmy silicone based or was it? Speaker 2 (04:53.326) I didn't pay attention. It was 50 plus base. And so after, you know, she did her whole... Yeah, was after she did her bitty bitty bum bum, the guy literally just walked away. Like ghost boom, just left. was taking over. Speaker 1 (05:04.837) She's doing her own pickleball speed data. Speaker 1 (05:15.822) So it was Dink or I was like, of all, you pointed at your hand so you saw he had a ring on. Yeah. Obviously, she wasn't there because this lady has been playing, like we're all, you know, leaving the courts, coming back on, putting our paddles in. So everybody kind of, you see the wife isn't there. So what is your rhetorical question for? I don't like it. I was like, I did not like it and I didn't like her. Why do need that kind of energy? Speaker 1 (05:41.294) Well, I mean, the pickleball court could be a place to find your soul mate. Not if there's already a ring on it. Beyonce has told you. Well, no, she said if you want it put a ring on it and so he somebody wanted it and already put a ring on And so she should have stepped back. You don't know me like that. Just saying. Bitty, bitty, dumb. Right? forget the lyrics, all right. Speaker 1 (06:06.168) Bitty bitty dum dum. So there's a ranking, So, know, Marines obviously hit the ranking where you're not going to be in a room more than three seconds before you know someone that is a Marine. They'll tell you right away. think they're right below vegans. Vegans are top of the list for that. And then it seems like Zumba is coming at it a close, maybe third or fourth, because I think pickleball players are on that list as There you go. Speaker 2 (06:29.999) I just wanted to be like two hours. Like I could only do 30 minutes of Zoom, but that music just gets to me. You should have asked her where. Like, mm, I think you're lying. I literally just tapped my paddle and I was like, well, that's great for you. I didn't know if she wanted like a gold star or... I don't know what she was... Yeah. But she said only if she won and she didn't. So... We did. Me and Tall Tall Man. I don't know his name. I can't remember. He did tell me though. But she... Oh, also. Also, she was like trying to coach us from the other side. Oh, Oh, good. she wanted a margarita. Speaker 1 (06:50.306) Who beat her? Speaker 1 (07:05.292) Love. I or trot rock. Speaker 1 (07:32.322) from the court on the other side of the court. At that point, I was already like, I don't like you and had made my decision. And then it just continued. the cross coaching and then the... Yes. And so then I told Tall Tall Man, I'm going to need to get some of those because I need to smash them. Like, cause that's how I get my little therapy. build on her own lore. Speaker 1 (07:58.03) I'm nasty Nelson, I'm Bitty Bitty Bum Bum. I was like, I to in here. I need to smash this ball over there because she's on my lap. Yeah. Even ones I didn't even need to. I was like, that was totally going to go out, but it felt good. So. Dismash them. I do, but it feels even better when the person across from you is just annoying. And did you? Speaker 4 (08:14.926) It's because of her. Speaker 1 (08:21.24) Yeah, like, here's a smash, shutty shutty shut up. Shutty, shutty, shut up. Exactly. So, I just want to tell you that story. And if you're out there, Bitty Bitty, it's not cool to try to have that Pick Me energy on a married man. If that's you, Charo out there. Charo. Yeah, see that's, I didn't want to say that because it dates me obviously. yes. Speaker 2 (08:40.044) And the big old eyelashes. Yes. There was so much going on. And it was hot. Like, why are we, you know, to the nines? I'm not complaining. the tarantula. Speaker 4 (08:51.342) Good for margaritas. Again, she's speed dating for one and nobody else is invited except for her and apparently married men. If you're out there, Biddy Biddy, hit us up on bdepodcast.com or go over to our Instagram. You can find us there as well. Or if you know someone like that, you probably have a vision of somebody in your life like that. Send us a picture. We'll make fun of them with you. We'll jump in on that for sure. I should have got a BD podcast.com or over on the Instagram or tick tock to hit us up. me energy. Just Quick pickleball wisdom in and out before you know it, this is just the tip. When you see two paddles crossed on a fence at open play, it's not just decoration. That's code for we wanna play singles. So if you were about to jump in for doubles, pump the brakes. Those paddles are basically saying, thanks, but this is a one-on-one showdown. Don't be that guy, respect the cross. Speaker 4 (09:48.526) I didn't know that. Interesting. Just Speaker 4 (09:54.766) This episode is brought to you by The Pretty Pickleball Company, where fairy tales meet forehands. Their paddles and gear are made just for us girls, blending style, strength, and a whole lot of sass. Whether you're new to the game or already a beast on the court, unleash your inner pickleball princess with confidence. Shop the collection at theprettypickleballcompany.com and use code BIGDINKENERGY15 for 15 % off. It's time for Pickle Pal! Speaker 1 (10:27.17) yeah, the people and places of pickleball today is unhinged in the best way because we're joined by the one and only Ellie Santra, AKA the woman who somehow made the phrase Big Dink Energy musical. She's a pickleball player and artist, vocal coach and walking serotonin booster who somehow found a way to bottle up everything we love about this game and this community and turn it into a whole vibe. This is Big Dink Energy with Ellie Santra. Ellie, thank you so much for being with us today. Thank you so much for having me. Finally, I'm like, I'm with my people, my Big Dink energy people. Absolutely. Yeah, we love the song. Obviously, you know, I keep it on repeat. goes, you know, when I'm in the gym, it goes on the playlist. So if you're okay with it, and for our listeners, I'm just gonna play like maybe 10, 15 seconds of it so they the whole vibe of it and then that'll be a way to start the interview. Yeah. You're looking for fun I know a game made for everyone Age 60 to 10 People come together with their paddles in hand Okay, if you want more of that, go over to Spotify, go over wherever you get music and find Pickleball Song, Big Dink Energy with Ellie and listen to that. Don't do it right now, because we're into the podcast. So you wrote the Pickleball Song and we didn't know we needed it, but we definitely needed it. Where did that come from? Obviously there's some heart in there and some soul in there. Where did that come from for you? Speaker 3 (11:58.902) So it actually came, believe it or not, straight from the pickleball court because I'm a singer-songwriter. I mean, I've been singing for my whole life, writing songs probably the past 10 years, all different genres really. And, you know, it can be hard to figure out like what's gonna hit, you know, what kind of music should I put out there? And I was actually... on the pickleball court, just because I love playing pickleball. It's such a social thing. It's great exercise. I have a community in my court that I love, and I was playing with a friend of mine just on the court, and he was like, you know what would be awesome? Like, you should actually make a pickleball song because this is the fastest growing sport right now in the US, and like, it could go viral. And like, I was just like, I should do that. And that, was as simple as that. And so, I went home and it just like literally flew out of me and it just felt super easy to write. And this is actually the first song, usually I write songs like just on my piano and singing. And this is like the first song that I also just produced myself too, which isn't always like the easiest thing. Like I never so much thought of myself as a producer, but like, I just feel like when you're supposed to make something or you feel inspired sometimes it's just like, comes out and I was just like, can do this. And I just like put the drums and just put it all together. And it was just like a really quick thing. And because I'm so passionate about playing pickleball and the community, it just was aligned and yeah, just put it out there. Did you have any idea like when you started it you're like this is gonna this is gonna take off the way it did. Speaker 3 (13:45.27) I mean, honestly, so, well, just because it was the fastest growing sport, I was like, I'm hoping I'm gonna try to make this take off. I'm gonna do everything in my power that I can. you know, I actually had, I was trying to be strategic behind the marketing behind everything. So I did have a guy who I work with in marketing to just try to get some good content around it. I knew I wanted to make a really funny music video as well with a whole story. And then I actually did have a friend that was sponsored by a paddle company. So he was like a professional player and had said like, I'll try to help you get sponsorship. I was just like trying to think of every. Right. Yeah, you never know when that thing is it's just gonna hit and just take off like fire, you know? So any hilariously awkward moments with the song as far as someone hearing it and being like, that's you or anything like that? I think some people were surprised, like, that I guess just in general, I love pickleball, but I don't announce to the world that I love it all the time. So like random people that have heard my other music, they're just like, what is this? Right. You made a pickleball. Like they were kind of surprised. Like, what are you doing? So I guess that was just a little surprising to people that have heard like my other stuff, you know? So, and you know, that brings up another good question. And we talked about this pre-interview stuff with the therapy side of pickleball. And you you kind of alluded to some of the life stuff you had going on through your life. And I think what I've taken away from that is pickleball has been a real therapy for you as well, just like me. Speaker 3 (15:30.062) my gosh, yeah, 100%. So I, funnily enough, it started because I was playing tennis before. have a line in the song. have a line in the song that says tennis players throwing rackets away and what is it in tennis? Play some rackets away. moving next door, cause they want to play pickleball. And that's my story because I moved to Florida and I'm like, it's so beautiful out here and I want to be active and got into tennis and. I was playing that for a little bit and then, it just like wasn't as social as pickleball. Basically I was playing, my parents were actually the ones that got super into pickleball. I'll give them credit. They got into pickleball and they were like, you need to play. And I was like, no, I like tennis. At first I really, there were a lot of rules in pickleball and I was like, this sport is annoying. I don't want to have to think this much. But then. Once I actually learned, they like forced me to learn because they love it so much. And then once I learned and got the hang of it, and then I went off on my own and started. So I was living alone at the time and I get home from work at night and I'm just like, okay, I don't want to just like sit here, but I also don't really want to like go out to the bars and just drink, you know? So just thinking I am a social person, how can I get that socialization? So then I started. I started going to pickleball and it was amazing because you're like getting exercise. You're making new friends. just, don't know if there's anything else out there where, you know, we literally are just like putting your paddle in and then you're just, you just get to meet all these new people and you're forced to with tennis. It's like, have to almost, you can't just show up and like have someone to play with. So that was just like a huge game changer for me and everybody. that I meet there are just so friendly and so positive. And it's like, it's a community. And there are some people that you know, they love it so much. Like Ron, Ron, shout out to Ron. He's like the king of the court. He knows everyone. He's so encouraging. He's the one that told me to write the Pickleball song in the first place. And he is there every single night. And like, so I know that I'm always gonna have like a friend there no matter when I go. And it's just like, I'm like. Speaker 3 (17:50.796) I don't, there's nothing else like that. So, for me it is a mental health piece of like, just having this community that I can always go to literally whenever and get positive vibes, exercise, also turn off my brain, like focus on one thing. yeah. So that's why I'm so passionate about it really. Yeah, and I know you're a big creative and always thinking entrepreneur and stuff like that. So let me ask you this. There's a lot of people are gonna be listening to this and they're creatives as well. They have an itch inside them that they need to scratch, but they're scared of looking dumb or foolish and not putting themselves out there. What would you say to those people? my gosh. saw a video. It's so funny you mentioned that. I recently saw this video that was this woman, because I'm a millennial and she was like, No, no. was like, Gen Zers have this mental, this cringe mentality and they're like, that's cringe. And why would you do that? That's cringe. And I just loved this video so much because she's like, millennials, we just like. also Speaker 3 (18:57.784) put ourselves out there, there are adults that just like go to Disney World and they're not embarrassed, like they just embrace it. And I'm just like, if you're not, I guess I'm just, once you get over the fear of caring what people think and you just do what you love, it just doesn't matter anymore. And I know that some people, I like embrace it. The music video for this song is, it's very cheesy humor. And I'm just like, whatever. I know it's cheesy. Like I embrace it. I know, you know, some people might be, that's so lame. That's so cheesy, whatever. And I'm just like, you can think that, but as long as I'm having a good time and enjoying it, not everyone is going to like you. So it's really just, I think if you're, if you're in your purpose and you're following your passion and you're enjoying it, you're always going to have haters no matter what. So you definitely can't let that stop you. That's right. Yeah, I'm a Gen Xer and we're always full send on everything. We don't even care. know what I mean? Latchkey kids and all that kind of stuff. But I look at it the same way. And what I say, even in my law enforcement job, I'm going to put love out there. Love's going to come in front of everything that I do. And that's going to come back. There will be some people that don't like it and can't take it, but that's more about them than it is me. I'm going to throw it out into the universe and it's going to be love first and happiness and laughter and all that. Yeah, I think it's, I feel like I come from a place of just wanting to put that love out there, something that can inspire others, and also just like honesty and just being true to yourself and what resonates with you. Cause I've also put stuff out there before because I did it just because I thought that like it was going to be popular or like other people are going to like it. And even if it did well, I just, at the end of the day left feeling unfulfilled. like really just knowing that just, just just finding what's aligned with you and not putting something out there or doing something because it's trendy or whatever. Because at end of the day, you want to just put what is really true and aligned with you. And I think when you do that, it's always gonna come back to you tenfold. Speaker 1 (21:07.266) Yeah, I agree. And that's what you kind of did with this song. You kind of stepped out just a little bit. you play and you know pickleball and all that kind of stuff, but you showed up as your full self, even in the music video. And so I'm sure that just, you know, that had to feel so good to be able to do that. That's awesome. So how can people find you, Ellie? Where can they go to get everything about you, learn more about you and connect with you? Definitely, yeah. Speaker 3 (21:34.888) I mean, obviously everyone Instagram is that's kind of my favorite platform. It's literally just my name at Ellie Sondra E L L I E S A N T R A. And then of course, if you do want to watch the music video, it is pretty funny. That's just on YouTube under the title, Pickleball song, Big Dink Energy. And then as I mentioned, I do have a networking app. And so you can actually find me there and you can call me there. And if you have any questions about like songwriting or the song or anything like that, it's called the OWL app, O-W-W-L-L and use my code music. You'll get $10. This is an app where it's all audio calls and you pay people for their time, but you'll get money so it won't cost you anything. So. You've given back so much to the community and obviously putting the vibes out there on the court. We're so thankful to have you here on the Big Dink Energy podcast. Anything else before we close? Honestly, if you haven't played pickleball yet, if you haven't tried it, just go out there and try it and let us know what you think. Yeah. If you have disposable income and you're looking to get rid of it, please try Pickleball. Thank you so much, Ellie, for being on today. We love having you and we're going to keep bumping that vibe, Pickleball song in our gym and everywhere we go. Speaker 3 (22:47.234) Exactly. Speaker 3 (22:55.512) Thank you. Speaker 1 (23:02.798) This segment brought to you by the Pickle Hood. Merch so slick, you'll look like you mean to be on the court. And listen, you're listening to our podcast. So it's time to be a semi-pro adjacent to dinking professional. This gear screams I've got standards, you should too. ThePickleHood.com, punch in Big Dink Energy 20, snag 20 % off and quit losing points and style. Go to ThePickleHood.com right now, use code Big Dink Energy 20 for 20 % off. Sisterhood, brotherhood. Pickle hood. All right, so I've got something for Dink or Destroy and that's just our segment where we pick a topic we wanna talk about and we're gonna dink it, we're gonna send it over the net or we're going to destroy it, not for us. Thumbs up, thumbs down kind of thing here. We wanna hear your take on it as well. So go over to our bdepodcast.com, jump in there. You can leave us a voicemail over there if that's your thing, if you're that old or you can get on Instagram and leave us a message as well. So here's the Dink or Destroy for me this week. It is. Watching movies with subtitles on is the way to go. Or show. I have two thoughts. So it does come in handy if you want to watch a show at like 3 a.m. on your phone, turned over to the side, so you can kind of watch a show. Like I remember when we had like different schedules and I would always... I would watch How to Get Away with Murder. And so I'd just watch it on subtitles so I didn't wake you up. And I was planning. So I didn't want you to know what was going on. But so I do see it for that. You didn't let me know what you were doing. Speaker 1 (24:34.158) We share the same queue though. And I do see it for like if you're watching a British show or something like that when we used to watch elementary I was like, what did he say? I don't understand it all the time. Yeah Yeah, you're not good with accents of any- And I'm also scrolling on my phone why I'm watching shows, so I don't know. It's either way for me. I don't really have a preference. I don't want to read it like a book. And it kind of spoils it sometimes, I think, like if it jumps ahead. Does that make sense? You know what I'm talking about? Like when it comes up before they actually say it, the punchline or a joke or whatever. I hate it. Speaker 4 (25:15.694) I absolutely cannot stand it. My son and my husband both do this and it drives me nuts. Like if I'm watching a show or a movie, I want to be able to like see the actors and see the scenes, but instead I'm drawn to the words and I'm sitting here reading a stinking book instead of watching the movie. I cannot focus on two things at once. I just want to focus on the movie. Like I'm the kind of person, if I'm watching a show or a movie, no one better be in the background doing the dishes, nothing like that. I don't need any other distractions. I can only focus on that. I have nothing but distractions while I'm watching stuff. hate subtitles. If you know how to juggle. Speaker 2 (25:56.014) But like when I watch TikToks and Instagram, I don't have the sound on and I just read the subtitles. I can't stand that. I turned mine off. Well, how do you know what's going on? Have my sound on. I don't like it. And because when you're scrolling, it's just like music and then change. It's like somebody is a horrible DJ. You know, they just keep switching the music because you're scrolling. Yeah. So it changes and then you hear talking and you don't hear talking and it just aggravates me. Speaker 4 (26:20.151) I'm fine with it. So we, we homeschool. If you ever meet our kids out in the wild, you'll know right away that we homeschooled. They're the ones that are weird. But I, I found that it was great during those periods when they were learning to read, maybe even still now. mean, our son's 15. He barely reads. Our daughter, not sure. Still a little suspect because she's only 12. But no, seriously though, we turn the subtitles on, on shows. And so it kind of helps for reading that way. And I think you're right. If it's a British comedy, We don't put on a lot of those just trying But as an adult, don't need help reading. So for kids, I could see it. That definitely helps with reading. Or like if you're watching a K-drama or something like that where you're trying to learn another language. Well, I mean, I don't think the TV is the Rosetta Stone. Speaker 4 (27:08.992) Will it translate it into English? Yeah. I- I- I- Me either, I don't watch K-Dramas. I've never tried it. We don't watch lot of French romance. Speaker 4 (27:18.944) Personally, I don't like it, but I do see your point stuff because my husband well now his schedule is changing but he Has opposite schedules of me. So he'll turn on his iPad and put in his earbuds and He'll watch a show with the subtitles on on his iPad so that it doesn't bother me, but I cannot stand it personally. I'm not doing it I do it for the late night scrolling. I turn on the closed caption. I think it comes from when I was in high school, my German teacher, the only thing that we ever did was he would put on Harry Potter in German with English subtitles. And that's how we were supposed to learn. Possibly. I also got kicked out of his class, I'm Harry. Speaker 2 (28:02.456) I don't know, I'm a dink because I see the purpose in it. I'm not a destroyer, because I feel like if you destroy it, it's never allowed. No, you destroyed that. destroyed it you can't do it anymore. So I mean, I think I'm a dink because I think it serves a purpose. I'm not doing it on every show and I definitely wouldn't want it in the movie theaters, but I see a purpose. Don't let me catch you. Speaker 1 (28:25.806) Every syllables are in theatre. Theater. Definitely a dish. Wasn't that a thing we had a somebody else that I was saying theater wrong? Where were we when somebody was like, that's not how you say theater. There's so many, like Wolf, that's one of the ones. Speaker 2 (28:41.258) You prop- Say it. Theater. Probably. Theater. theater. It's like you're emphasizing the A. Theater. It's a theater. No, it's not theater. It's not theater. I'm asking. Is it theater or theater? Speaker 1 (29:00.184) theater. There's three different ways you can say that word. Picture show. Would you like to go to the picture? You wanna go to the talkies? They're not the blue snacks that you eat out of a bag. Speaker 2 (29:10.839) Office. Speaker 2 (29:15.19) Okay, so not at the theater. I can't say it the way she says it, but not in the theater. But definitely at home if you, you know, are doing something else. is that we had subtitles right now Speaker 1 (29:25.186) creator Speaker 1 (29:29.75) it and you're a No, I'm a destroy. I don't want it anytime at all. to the couch, husband. It's too much stimulation. David, go out to the couch if you get your close caption. I'm a dink. I like it in the moment whenever it's needed. I'm not gonna do it all the time. Matter of fact, when my son puts it on, I turn it off. I'm a dink on that too. Theater, destroy. Speaker 2 (29:54.882) News you can use. Speaker 1 (29:59.902) Steph, tell me some news I can use. Well, I mean, it might not be, but I just feel... Okay, so everybody and their emotional support water bottle is entering into the villain era. Have y'all seen this on TikTok? So this is where you pretty much just stop saying no to the things you never wanted to do anyway. And like, you know, silencing the group chat, not going to lunch with your friend that you didn't want to go to, go with anyway. Basically just... No. Speaker 2 (30:31.958) saying no and taking care of yourself and putting yourself first, but they're all calling it the villain era. I think because you're being mean on the sake of you, but I don't really think you are. think you just, like, you're not the Joker. Like, you just stopped answering texts from energy vampires. Like, I'm not spending time on you. And maybe I don't notice it because I've always been a villain. And it's like, if I don't want to talk to you, I'm not going to talk to you anyway. Why is it the villain era? Speaker 2 (30:59.5) but it's like this whole movement now called the villain era. I guess it's just depends on how far you take it because in friendships, in all relationships, there's a give and take. So like you give to your friend and then when your friend needs something, you give it to them. And then when you need something, your friend gives to you, whether that be the emotional support or if they just need somebody to talk to that day, there's the give and take. But if you're the one always taking and then you're like, no, I can't be there for you right now because I need my self care, then yeah, that makes you a villain. That just makes you a bad person. Right, I agree. I think this is more about just setting boundaries. And I just, I think you're just evolving. You're not evil. You're just evolving and realizing you don't need toxic people in your life. That's So I don't know why we have to have an era. Yeah, I don't know why it needs to be a smooth No, I mean, everything on TikTok has to have a movement and an era. I think, you know, because if you look at the movie Maleficent, it was, she's a good person. And then there are circumstances that surround her life that turn her into the witch, right? So to speak. And so, I mean, that could be part of it too. And not to mention, one of our sponsors is coming into their villain era soon. We're not gonna say who it is, but you all may be able to figure that out. Speaker 4 (31:56.302) I've never seen that. Speaker 1 (32:17.39) But so I don't know. mean, is it just because TikTok is TikTok and they need something to... to have a hashtag. I also think like, don't get me wrong, I am all for this behavior, 100%. I am all for like, if you don't wanna do something, don't fricking do it. Like don't feel bad that you don't wanna get up on a Saturday morning and go have brunch. Like if you don't want to, don't do it. We've got to be pruning in our lives. We know that. And sometimes, you know, as you evolve, as you grow, your vine, to speak, is growing. Some of that needs to be pruned back and it doesn't fit you anymore. Yeah, and I don't think it's know, paddle princess and myself are best friends. Like if she needed me to do something at 9 a.m. on a Saturday, no matter how much I didn't want to do it or I was tired, I would do it for her. But I think we're talking about like you feeling the obligation, the obligation to buy a present for someone, the obligation to go to lunch or to comment back in the group text. And it's like, I just, want to stay home and take a nap. Like just do it then and just be like, sorry, I can't. That's okay, I don't think it's a villain. I think it should just be... I agree. Taking care of myself era, not being around toxic energy vampire era. Speaker 4 (33:28.546) Yeah, I mean, why do you have to go to brunch with 10 other girls if it eggs? Exhaust. my god. I don't even know ten other people. That's what you think of BDPodcast.com or over on the Insta's. Paddle Prince says you had something too. Some news I could use maybe around the water cooler. I thought that this was really, really cool. So in Mountain City, Tennessee, they just had their fourth annual Battle of the Ages. So it's a Battle of the Ages pickleball games. they have Johnson County high school students play against the Johnson County Senior Center. And so they go out and they have a whole tournament with the seniors versus the high school students. And for the fourth year in a row, by one point, the seniors won again. I thought that that was really cool. That is cool. It's kind of like when you used to go to the senior home, like with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts. I love that. Speaker 4 (34:19.469) Well, and they were saying that like it's a good way because a lot of the seniors, a lot of the high school students are like their grandkids and their great grandkids. So they were saying some took a lot of family frustration out against each other. And then some were able to have like some family bonding time and then get to meet the seniors friends and the seniors got to meet all of the high school students friends while they were all being active and playing pickleball. So I thought that was really fun. Yeah, and I know like we've been to nursing homes and it's like some of those people never get visited. Right. Visited? I'll allow it. And I think, you know, that's a great way for them to get, you know, some interaction and some time to talk to people and. Okay. Speaker 1 (35:01.698) Yeah, and to your point, old age and treachery will win just about every time. There's not a lot of fair play with the oldies because, mean, listen, people who aren't even buying unripened bananas because they don't know tomorrow's coming, they're going to try to win every single time. Right. But I do, I like the community aspect of it, bringing the younger generation, the older generation together. I'm going to look forward to that next year when it happens to me. I'm sure I'm going into a home soon. I bet you it gives the younger generation gives them more respect. Yes. You know, like I know it's always like, oh, boomers and you know, da da da. And it's like, but now they got to play with them and they lost to them. it's like four years in a row. What are you going to say to that? the link. Speaker 1 (35:46.702) You got beat by high schoolers, so you have a little bit of take on that. I'd like to bring that up one time. That's all it takes. I do. Speaker 2 (35:53.846) One time. That's all it takes is only did one tournament. I like that. I like- like it too. I was honestly surprised because when I was reading the article, I was like, this is going to turn out where like the high school students always... And somebody got injured, but it was a really happy story to read. And so I just thought it was really cool how, you know, they do bring other things into senior centers, but incorporating Pickleball just kind of shows how much Pickleball is starting to be incorporated into all of the communities. with Speaker 2 (36:27.246) love that. Yeah, I hope my senior center has pickleball courts, because maybe my kids will come. That's taking you there tomorrow to check it out. We're to go do a walkthrough. I saw a tour on our calendar, I didn't know what that was. Speaker 2 (36:39.23) It's for you. it's the silver Fox You know it is. I gotta wear my socks with the grip on the bottom. You gotta wear grippy socks. Make sure to bring your walker. That's it for this episode, unless you've got something to say. Think we got it wrong? Have a better take, we wanna hear it. Find us at bdepodcast.com or at bdepodcast on the socials. Drop us a message. We might just feature you in the next episode. If you had a good time, well, same z's. If not, maybe try again, we grow on people. So you know the deal, follow the show, tell a friend, and leave us a review. Or just pretend this never happened. Until next time, keep the dink soft and the energy big.