GUEST RECORDING GUIDE 2026

BE A GUEST ON BIG DINK ENERGY

We keep it fun, real, and conversational — but we still need clean audio and a professional setup so our guests sound great and our sound engineer doesn't hate us.

Book Your Recording Time

Your Host & Interviewer Guy Beveridge

Step 1

BEFORE YOU BOOK

A few things to know going in so there are no surprises.

Interviews are usually 15–30 minutes — we keep it tight and punchy.
Booking or participating in an interview does not guarantee a final slot on the podcast.
Episodes are typically released 2–5 weeks after the interview is recorded.
A guest media kit will be provided if your episode is selected for release.
If you don't provide a headshot or promo photo, we may use public social media photos.

Step 2

TECH REQUIREMENTS

This is the stuff that actually makes or breaks your audio. Please don't skip it.

Headphones are required. No exceptions — they prevent echo and feedback on the recording.
Use an external mic, earbuds with a built-in mic, or a good USB mic. Any of these work great.
Do not use your laptop's built-in mic. It makes you sound like you're recording from inside a fishbowl.
Laptop or desktop only. No phones or tablets — the audio quality isn't there.
Strong Wi-Fi or plug in with ethernet if possible. Dropped audio mid-story is nobody's favorite.

Note: These requirements are not us being dramatic. They help you sound professional and they are required by our sound engineer for clean production.

Step 3

RECORDING ENVIRONMENT

Your room matters more than your mic. A quiet space will do more for your audio than any gear upgrade.

Choose a quiet room — a bedroom, closet, or office with soft surfaces works well.
No background noise: no pets, people, TV, music, or dishwasher mid-cycle.
Turn off AC, heat, fans, or loud machines right before we hit record.
Pre-cool or pre-heat the room first so you stay comfortable without needing to run anything during the recording.
Avoid desk tapping, typing, keyboard clicks, or fidget noises. The mic picks up everything.

Step 4

VIDEO SETUP

You don't need a studio. You just need decent light and a frame that doesn't make you look like a witness in a true crime doc.

Face a window or a lamp. Natural light from the front is the easiest win.
Keep your eyes near the top third of the screen — it reads naturally on video and keeps the framing clean.
Use a tidy-ish background — or just own the chaos. We're a real-life podcast. It fits.

Step 5

WHAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT

Here's what Guy typically digs into — based on who you are. No prep required, but knowing what's coming helps.

Track A

Pickleball Personalities

Who you are and how you got into pickleball
Your funniest or wildest court story
What pickleball needs more of — or less of
How pickleball changed your life, business, or community
Favorite gear, dream doubles partner, post-game snack, and rapid-fire questions

Track B

Venues & Courts

Who you are and where your courts are located
What people notice first when they walk in
The vibe of your players and community
What makes your courts worth the drive
Events, tournaments, food, drinks, local favorites, and how to book

The Secret

STORIES BEAT PERFECT ANSWERS

People remember stories, not stiff sales pitches. Bring a funny moment, an unexpected win, an embarrassing fail, a court character, or something that shows your real personality. The more specific it is, the more it lands.

❌ Instead of this "Pickleball is a fun social sport."

✓ Try this "I thought I'd dominate because I played tennis for 20 years. Then a 70-year-old smoked me, taught me how to dink, and bought me a drink after. That was it. I was hooked."

🎙️

We've Got You

We'll chat first before we ever hit record. We'll help you get comfortable, do a quick sound check, and remind you to turn off the noisy stuff. You don't need to be perfect — you just need to show up as yourself.

Let's Do This

READY TO RECORD?

Pick a time that works for you. We'll take it from there.