Catching Up, The World Cup, and The Offseason

Catching Up, The World Cup, and The Offseason

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, and Brandi catch up on summer adventures, the excitement surrounding the World Cup, and what they've observed from athletes during the offseason before diving into a conversation about why the work no one sees often matters the most. Drawing from their own experiences as athletes, coaches, and ministry leaders, they discuss what the offseason is really for—building endurance, refining skills, embracing discipline, and allowing God to shape us in the hidden seasons before public opportunities arrive. Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, or simply walking through a season that feels quiet, this conversation is a reminder that preparation is never wasted and that today's unseen faithfulness often becomes tomorrow's greatest strength. Reflection Question: What are you doing today that your future self will thank you for? Books Mentioned in the Episode: * Aisle 29: Where Heaven Met My Hurry [https://www.amazon.com/Aisle-29-Where-Heaven-Hurry/dp/B0GFCW2XBC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2G7SI26PUTGPZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xSkagtryjNJbWf5ke4_BcGDsHNuAqj9AN4PzQQmQtBimSHqEe5tf-v8OTpsu5moRthq6O2EpwiBC85D_Pl7Ha_JVfureiOeM8QLalffKwH1FcIXu6J4vFWoqzjDNk5n2.B3Z8jbmxF-2Gz2C5OAz4BV-tJnLZ25fTbJL5aftxOLE&dib_tag=se&keywords=aisle+29&qid=1782780268&sprefix=aisle+29%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1] * Anonymous: Jesus' Hidden Years...And Yours [https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-hidden-years-yours/dp/0785298398/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OU9JY6S5IZTG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J74hdjLd65OJ8mNDF9NZ2adzIIJO_5iseo0e53gz87OBcrFhc10xyn3usvAea3sbNu0HxZGXj4-0LTLCvl99yB8eIxJ-oiB_QAwsyrH_DItv2RVEKvzk5Kok-rMt5hTIs4FouXkKxki80RLO1UBR7xWXErzF9uFGNMDoLqdEilKCbswyfW3-RbxSm8QHuvVdjI6vDRoix6HQVhmEI3v9p-5hnxJHnJ-tTq6_S1lddZo.So6nFFZwtqHbbX32RIDCCeksLwfSwuzQI6pZ3_w7zM0&dib_tag=se&keywords=anonymous+book&qid=1782780326&sprefix=anon%2Caps%2C266&sr=8-1] Leave Us a Comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2245393/fan_mail/new] Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email mississippistatefca@gmail.com. Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/createdtobepodcast?igsh=cW9mNXh6bGd6OHU5&utm_source=qr] Follow Hailstate FCA on Instagram: @hailstatefca_ [https://www.instagram.com/hailstatefca_/] Follow Hailstate FCA on Facebook: FCA at Mississippi State [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564648685084] Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org [https://msufca.org/] Donate  [https://msufca.org/donate]to Hailstate FCA

When Someone Believes in You (feat. interview with Chris Billingsley Jr.)

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany reflects on the powerful role encouragement and prayer play in shaping our lives before sharing an interview originally recorded by Jason Crowder with 2026 Mississippi State Baseball pitcher Chris Billingsley Jr.  Chris opens up about his journey from junior college baseball to the SEC, how coaches and mentors helped build his confidence, and why prayer has become a central part of both his faith and his performance. He shares how spending time in God's Word transformed his perspective, how prayer sustains him through the ups and downs of baseball, and why he strives to be a light for Christ wherever he goes. This conversation is a reminder that becoming who we're created to be is rarely a solo journey. God often uses faithful people, encouraging words, and persistent prayers to shape our lives in ways we may never fully see. Reflection Question: Who believed in you when you needed it most? And who might God be calling you to encourage, pray for, and believe in today? Book Mentioned: The Joy Switch [https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Switch-Circuit-Relationships-Activate/dp/0802421717/ref=asc_df_0802421717?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80883033960707&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=78030&hvtargid=pla-4584482511310891&psc=1&msclkid=e5d7d442483714574c49be63abfa292c] by Chris Coursey WFCA Audio File: Interview with Chris Billingsley Jr. [https://wfca.fm/storage/app/media/Audio%20files/fca-show-chris-billingsley-jrr-msu-baseball-player-4-1-26.mp3] Leave Us a Comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2245393/fan_mail/new] Leave Us a Comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2245393/fan_mail/new] Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email mississippistatefca@gmail.com. Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/createdtobepodcast?igsh=cW9mNXh6bGd6OHU5&utm_source=qr] Follow Hailstate FCA on Instagram: @hailstatefca_ [https://www.instagram.com/hailstatefca_/] Follow Hailstate FCA on Facebook: FCA at Mississippi State [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564648685084] Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org [https://msufca.org/] Donate  [https://msufca.org/donate]to Hailstate FCA

When Service Changes Your Perspective (feat. interview with Blake Bevis)

In this special summer mini-series episode of Created to Be podcast, Bethany introduces an interview conducted by Jason Crowder of WFCA Radio with Mississippi State Baseball player Blake Bevis. Blake shares how a mission trip to the Dominican Republic became a turning point in his faith journey, opening his eyes to the joy, gratitude, and perspective that can be found through serving others. He reflects on the impact of FCA, the influence of strong Christian community, and how seeing people with very little yet abundant joy challenged the way he views life, baseball, and success. Before the interview, Bethany explores a powerful idea from The Joy Switch: service changes what we see. When we step into someone else's story, our priorities shift, our perspective changes, and joy often follows. This episode is a reminder that serving others doesn't just impact those being served—it transforms us, too. Reflection Question: Who do I need to give my attention and listening ears to today? Book Mentioned: The Joy Switch [https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Switch-Circuit-Relationships-Activate/dp/0802421717/ref=asc_df_0802421717?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80883033960707&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=78030&hvtargid=pla-4584482511310891&psc=1&msclkid=e5d7d442483714574c49be63abfa292c] by Chris Coursey WFCA Audio File: Interview with Blake Bevis [http://wfca.fm/storage/app/media/Audio files/fca-show-blake-beavis-msu-baseball-4-23-26.mp3 ] Leave Us a Comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2245393/fan_mail/new] Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email mississippistatefca@gmail.com. Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/createdtobepodcast?igsh=cW9mNXh6bGd6OHU5&utm_source=qr] Follow Hailstate FCA on Instagram: @hailstatefca_ [https://www.instagram.com/hailstatefca_/] Follow Hailstate FCA on Facebook: FCA at Mississippi State [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564648685084] Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org [https://msufca.org/] Donate  [https://msufca.org/donate]to Hailstate FCA

Living Free from Expectations (feat. interview with Jack Bauer)

In this special summer mini-series episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany introduces an interview with Mississippi State Baseball pitcher Jack Bauer, conducted by Jason Crowder of WFCA radio for the FCA Radio Show. As one of the most highly regarded young pitchers in college baseball, Jack shares what it has been like to navigate expectations, accolades, pressure, and faith while pursuing excellence on and off the field. One statement in particular stands out: "I've just had to learn not to live up to anyone else's expectations." Following the interview, Bethany reflects on how easily our identity can become tied to performance, approval, and achievement. Drawing insights from The Joy Switch, she explores how joy begins to fade when we live in constant evaluation mode and how Jesus invites us to find our worth in relationship with God rather than in the opinions of others. Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, student, or leader, this episode offers an important reminder: your value is not determined by your performance. True joy is found in becoming who God created you to be. Reflection Question: What expectation am I carrying right now that God never asked me to carry? Book Mentioned: The Joy Switch [https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Switch-Circuit-Relationships-Activate/dp/0802421717/ref=asc_df_0802421717?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80883033960707&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=78030&hvtargid=pla-4584482511310891&psc=1&msclkid=e5d7d442483714574c49be63abfa292c] by Chris Coursey WFCA Audio File: Interview with Jack Bauer [https://wfca.fm/storage/app/media/Audio%20files/fca-show-jack-bauer-msu-baseball-player-4-9-26.mp3] Leave Us a Comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2245393/fan_mail/new] Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email mississippistatefca@gmail.com. Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/createdtobepodcast?igsh=cW9mNXh6bGd6OHU5&utm_source=qr] Follow Hailstate FCA on Instagram: @hailstatefca_ [https://www.instagram.com/hailstatefca_/] Follow Hailstate FCA on Facebook: FCA at Mississippi State [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564648685084] Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org [https://msufca.org/] Donate  [https://msufca.org/donate]to Hailstate FCA

The Comments Episode

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, and Darius take a lighthearted detour into the unexpected adventures that make life memorable. Sparked by listener comments from Brad Smith, the conversation winds through sports trivia, spontaneous road trips, mission trip stories, mountain summits, international travel mishaps, and the moments that leave you laughing long after they're over. Along the way, the hosts share stories of pushing past their limits, getting themselves into situations they never planned for, and discovering that some of life's best memories happen when you're willing to say "why not?" Whether it's a last-minute trip, a surprise opportunity, or an unexpected challenge, this episode celebrates the joy of embracing adventure, finding humor in the chaos, and making the most of the moments you never saw coming. If you've ever laughed at a travel disaster, taken a spontaneous detour, or found yourself with a story that gets better every time you tell it, this episode is for you. Leave Us a Comment! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2245393/fan_mail/new] Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email mississippistatefca@gmail.com. Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/createdtobepodcast?igsh=cW9mNXh6bGd6OHU5&utm_source=qr] Follow Hailstate FCA on Instagram: @hailstatefca_ [https://www.instagram.com/hailstatefca_/] Follow Hailstate FCA on Facebook: FCA at Mississippi State [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564648685084] Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org [https://msufca.org/] Donate  [https://msufca.org/donate]to Hailstate FCA