A Surprise, Gardening, and the Journey of Formation (feat. Jeremiah Pierce)

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

FCA Experiences, Engagement Stories, and Marriage Advice - Pt. 2 (feat. Mary Ashley Culpepper)

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, Darius, and Mary Ashley dive into the “stretch time” with a conversation about the best and worst marriage advice they’ve heard over the years. From “never go to bed angry” and “happy wife, happy life” to learning how to communicate for understanding instead of just reacting, the group shares honest stories, hard-earned lessons, and a lot of laughter along the way. The conversation explores what it really looks like to grow together in marriage, how to discern what advice to take (and what to leave behind), and why knowing God’s voice matters more than following every opinion around you. Whether you’re single, dating, engaged, newly married, or years into marriage, this episode offers practical wisdom about relationships, maturity, communication, and becoming who God created you to be. 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

FCA Experiences, Engagement Stories, and Marriage Advice - Pt. 1 (feat. Mary Ashley Culpepper)

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Justin, Bethany, and Darius sit down with MSU FCA intern Mary Ashley Culpepper to hear her FCA story and talk about her upcoming wedding in July. The crew shares engagement stories filled with awkward moments, close calls, stress, surprises, and a lot of laughter — including Disney proposal backup plans, baseball field proposals, fake appreciation dinners, and accidentally walking away while someone is still on one knee. The conversation was so good that it went longer than usual, so this episode ends after the engagement stories and picks back up next week in part two with good and bad marriage advice. 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

Open Mic Moments, Traveler Personality Types, and Vacation Stories

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, the crew takes a more story-driven approach as they reflect on meaningful moments from FCA this semester, the impact of relationships in spiritual growth, and the hilarious — and sometimes chaotic — realities of vacations. From Open Mic testimonies that revealed just how much students have grown this year, to conversations about how transformation is often “caught” through community instead of simply taught through information, this episode explores how formation happens in everyday moments we don’t always recognize while we’re living them. The team also shares unforgettable vacation stories involving international travel mishaps, language barriers, shark cage excursions in South Africa, travel stress, parenting on vacation, ATV wipeouts, drone accidents, and the unpredictability that always seems to come with trips away from home. Through all the laughter and storytelling, the episode highlights how travel often exposes our assumptions, stretches our patience, and creates memories that stay with us for years. This episode is full of humor, honesty, meaningful reflection, and reminders that growth often happens through connection, consistency, humility, and simply showing up. 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