Varsity Catholic Podcast

Finding Christ’s Strength in Weakness | Ian's Story

In this episode of the Varsity Catholic Podcast, Brady and Ry sit down with Ian to talk about one of the hardest lessons in sports and in life: what happens when weakness, injury, and disappointment force you to confront who you really are. Ian shares his journey through repeated injuries, diabetes, football, lacrosse, and the painful process of letting go of an athletic identity that once defined him. But what looked like defeat became the place where Christ met him most deeply. From losing football, to starting a men’s Bible study, to unexpectedly joining a college lacrosse team late in his college career, Ian’s story is a powerful reminder that God works through weakness — not in spite of it. This is a conversation about surrender, identity, suffering, brotherhood, and discovering that Christ’s strength is often revealed exactly where we feel weakest. In this episode: injury and identity • quitting a sport • daily Mass and spiritual renewal • brotherhood in athletics • Christ’s strength in weakness • how God works through setbacks Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/7Kg4GA6GFF0S2tqMBHVxPM?si=Onhm3b1ZRiCGkDtPc9uG7g] Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759]⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759] Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast] CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/] HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=mailto%3Aallin%40focus.org] or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.focus.org]

Texas Softball Star on Faith, Pressure, and Playing for More

In this episode of the Varsity Catholic Podcast, Brady and Ry sit down with Texas softball standout Teagan Kavan to talk about what it really looks like to pursue greatness at the highest level without losing your identity along the way. As a national champion and one of the top players in the country, Teagan shares how her Catholic faith has remained a steady foundation in the middle of pressure, expectations, and success. From building a team Bible study within a Division I program to navigating the challenges of college athletics, Teagan opens up about the role faith plays in her daily life as an athlete. She reflects on learning to stay present, trusting God in both wins and losses, and discovering that performance was never meant to define her. Her perspective offers a refreshing and grounded look at what it means to compete with purpose. This conversation is a reminder that even at the highest level of sport, there is something deeper at play. Your worth is not found in stats, awards, or outcomes, but in who you are and who you belong to. Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/7Kg4GA6GFF0S2tqMBHVxPM?si=Onhm3b1ZRiCGkDtPc9uG7g] Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759]⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759] Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast] CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/] HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=mailto%3Aallin%40focus.org] or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.focus.org]

Do the Next Hard Thing

In this episode of the Varsity Catholic Podcast, Brady and Ry sit down with Savannah Imholte—CrossFit athlete, coach, missionary, and mom of two—to talk about one of the most misunderstood ideas in both sports and the spiritual life: discipline. From college athletics to CrossFit coaching to raising a young family overseas, Savannah shares how her understanding of working out has evolved—from obligation, to competition, to something deeper: a daily choice that shapes freedom. Along the way, they unpack the idea that discipline isn’t restrictive—it’s what actually makes freedom possible, and why doing “the next hard thing” can change everything. If you’ve ever struggled with consistency—in the gym, in prayer, or in life—this episode will challenge you to rethink what discipline is really for. Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/7Kg4GA6GFF0S2tqMBHVxPM?si=Onhm3b1ZRiCGkDtPc9uG7g] Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759]⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759] Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast] CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/] HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=mailto%3Aallin%40focus.org] or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.focus.org]

Seton Hall Runners on Pain, Faith, and Prayer

Live from SEEK 26, Brady sits down with Seton Hall track & cross country athletes Michael Kelton and Steven Beeman for a conversation about the surprising overlap between faith and endurance sports. They share their first-ever SEEK experience (opening Mass, the atmosphere, and why conferences remind you you’re not alone), then get real about what running teaches: perseverance, suffering, community, and becoming present to God. From Bible verses they carry into races, to the behind-the-scenes work most people never see (core training, injury prevention, and the “contact sport” side of cross country), this episode hits the heart of what it means to compete well and keep the faith. You’ll also hear how a simple invitation turned into a team Bible study, why running can become a form of prayer, and what legacy they hope to leave at Seton Hall — in sport, in leadership, and in discipleship. Key moments: SEEK highs • running as prayer • offering up pain • injuries and surrender • building team culture • leaving a legacy of excellence Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/7Kg4GA6GFF0S2tqMBHVxPM?si=Onhm3b1ZRiCGkDtPc9uG7g] Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759]⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759] Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast] CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/] HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=mailto%3Aallin%40focus.org] or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.focus.org]

Faith Isn’t Just for Sundays: Inside MIT Football’s Locker Room Revival

Live from SEEK 26, Brady sits down with MIT football athletes Luke Pelletier and Dominic Hess, plus Varsity Catholic missionary Jakin Miller, for a conversation about what people don’t expect from MIT: a growing Catholic brotherhood inside the locker room. They talk football at a high-academic school, faith in fraternity life, and what it looks like to go from “a couple guys in a room” to Bible studies so big they had to split. You’ll hear real stories of injuries, doubts, and learning to own your faith—plus how prayer changes pressure moments (including the kicker mindset) and how “incarnational” friendship can transform a team’s culture. If you’ve ever wished your team had stronger faith, this episode is proof it can start small—and grow fast. Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/7Kg4GA6GFF0S2tqMBHVxPM?si=Onhm3b1ZRiCGkDtPc9uG7g] Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759]⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759] Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast] CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/] HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=mailto%3Aallin%40focus.org] or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fseekreplay.com] The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠ [https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.focus.org] Topics: SEEK 26 • MIT football • faith & sports • doubt and evidence • injuries and trust • fraternity culture • Bible study growth • leadership and legacy