Sustained Podcast

Entering The Arena By Faith (Feat Matt Vezza)

What does it look like to live out your faith boldly when you're leading one of the most high-pressure positions in college sports? Rico and Luke sit down with Matt, QB1 at the University of New Hampshire, for a raw and inspiring conversation about faith, leadership, and what it really means to be a Christian in the locker room. As a starting quarterback, Matt knows what it's like to have all eyes on you - both on the field and in how you live out your beliefs. In this episode, he opens up about his personal testimony, the challenges of maintaining spiritual disciplines during grueling seasons, and why boldness in faith isn't optional for athletes who want to make a real impact. In This Episode, You'll Hear: * Matt's powerful testimony and how he came to faith * Practical strategies for reading your Bible when your schedule is packed * The reality of being a Christian in college locker room culture * Why community outside your sport is essential (not just nice to have) * How to be bold in your faith without being preachy or performative * What it means to lead as a Christian when your teammates are watching * Navigating the tension between fitting in and standing out for your values Matt doesn't sugarcoat the challenges - he gets real about the awkward moments, the pressure to compromise, and the loneliness that can come with taking a stand. But he also shares how his faith has become his greatest source of strength, both on and off the field. Rico and Luke bring their own experiences as former athletes navigating faith in competitive environments, creating a conversation that's both honest and encouraging. This isn't about being perfect - it's about being authentic and courageous in your walk with Christ, even when it's uncomfortable. Whether you're a college athlete trying to balance faith and sports, someone looking for community beyond your main circle, or anyone who's ever struggled with being bold about what you believe, this episode will challenge and inspire you to live with greater conviction. Perfect for: College athletes navigating faith and competition, Christians struggling to be bold in secular environments, leaders looking for authentic community, and anyone who wants practical guidance on maintaining spiritual disciplines during busy seasons. Get ready for a conversation that's equal parts vulnerable testimony, practical wisdom, and bold encouragement to live out your faith without apology.

The Stillness Faith Provides: Finding Peace in a Chaotic World

In a world of endless content, constant opinions, and information overload, what we consume is literally shaping who we become. Rico and Luke dive deep into one of the most overlooked aspects of spiritual health: the direct connection between what we feed our minds and the strength of our faith. This isn't just another "limit your screen time" conversation. The guys explore the ancient Greek concept of Ataraxia - a state of serene calmness - and why this 2,000-year-old idea might be exactly what modern Christians need to hear. In This Episode, You'll Discover: * Why what we consume daily is either strengthening or weakening our faith * The surprising root cause behind most sin struggles (and it's not what you think) * How to achieve Ataraxia in an age of constant noise and anxiety * Whether science can actually justify faith - or if we're asking the wrong question * Practical steps to audit what's influencing your mind and spirit * Why ancient wisdom offers solutions to modern spiritual problems Rico and Luke get honest about their own struggles with information overload, social media consumption, and the challenge of maintaining spiritual focus in a distracted world. They tackle tough questions about faith and science while offering practical wisdom for finding peace and clarity. This conversation challenges the idea that more information automatically leads to stronger faith. Sometimes, the path to spiritual growth requires less consumption, not more. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by conflicting voices, struggling to find peace in chaos, or questioning how faith fits with modern scientific thinking, this episode offers both ancient wisdom and practical tools for the journey. Perfect for: Anyone feeling overwhelmed by information overload, Christians wrestling with faith and science questions, people seeking deeper spiritual peace, and those wanting to understand how daily consumption habits affect their relationship with God.

Success Does Not Sustain: Handling Victory as an Athlete (ft. Joey Larson)

What happens when you achieve the dream you've been chasing your entire life? Off his recent signing with the New York Islanders, hockey player Joey Larson joins Rico and Luke for an incredibly honest conversation about faith, success, and the responsibility that comes with making it to the highest level of professional hockey. Joey opens up about his journey as a professing Christian navigating the intense world of professional sports. This isn't your typical "God blessed me with talent" conversation it's a raw discussion about what happens when success arrives and why achieving your biggest goals doesn't automatically sustain you. In This Episode, You'll Hear: * Joey's faith background and how it shaped his approach to hockey * The reality of handling success when you've worked your whole life for one moment * How to have hard conversations as a leader in competitive environments * Practical ways to handle conflict in team settings while maintaining your values * What it means to impact team culture as a Christian athlete * Why success can actually create new spiritual and emotional challenges * The difference between achieving your dreams and finding lasting fulfillment Joey gets vulnerable about the unexpected struggles that come with reaching the top level, while Rico and Luke share their own experiences with the complex emotions of athletic success. Together, they explore how faith provides the foundation that performance and achievement simply can't. Whether you're chasing your own athletic dreams, leading a team, or trying to figure out how to handle success in any area of life, this conversation will challenge you to think deeper about what truly sustains us when the victories aren't enough. Perfect for: Current and former athletes, anyone in leadership positions, people navigating success and its challenges, and those wanting to understand how faith intersects with professional achievement. This is more than a sports interview it's a masterclass in leadership, faith, and finding purpose beyond performance. Joey's Instagram- joeylarsn

Reclining in Christ: Putting God In The Drivers Seat. (ft. Pastor Jeremy McKeen)

What does it actually mean to let Jesus take control of your life? In this powerful conversation, Rico and Luke sit down with Pastor Jeremy McKeen to explore what it looks like to move from the driver's seat to the passenger seat in your walk with faith. Pastor Jeremy brings both theological depth and practical wisdom as the trio digs into the messy reality of surrendering control, especially for athletes who are used to grinding, performing, and making things happen through sheer will. They tackle the tension between working hard and trusting God, and why "letting go and letting God" is often easier said than done. Perfect For: Athletes learning to trust God's plan, anyone struggling with control and surrender, people wanting deeper theological understanding of what it means to follow Christ, and those navigating big emotions in their faith journey. Get ready for a conversation that's both theologically rich and practically applicable - exactly what you need to start reclining in Christ. * Jeremy’s Church Plant- https://gospelcityfellowship.org [https://gospelcityfellowship.org] * Jeremy’s bible reading plan-

God Isn't Keeping Score: Prayer, Doubt, and Real Relationship

In this honest conversation, Rico and Luke dive deep into the messy, beautiful reality of faith beyond the scoreboard. If you've ever felt like your relationship with God resembles more of a coach and player dynamic than an authentic relationship, this episode is for you. The guys get vulnerable about their own prayer lives, sharing how they've had to unlearn the "performance Christianity" mindset that many athletes fall into. Luke opens up about seasons when his prayers felt more like game plans than genuine conversations, while Rico discusses how his biggest spiritual breakthroughs often came during periods of intense doubt.