In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, and Brandi kick off a new semester of content and introduce this year’s FCA theme at Mississippi State: "What Matters."

Together, they explore the difference between what feels urgent and what is actually important, the challenge of deciding what deserves our time and attention, and how the things we prioritize shape who we are becoming. From the “big rocks” of life to the questions we all have to wrestle with for ourselves, this conversation is about learning to build our lives around what will last.

This semester, we’re asking the questions: What matters most? What matters in life? What matters to God? And what matters when life gets hard? Because formation is always happening. If we don’t intentionally consider what matters, something—or someone else—will decide for us.

Mentioned in this episode: 3D Institute

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Darius, and Brandi sit down with Coach Jeff Terrill, who brings 36 years of football coaching experience and 11 years with FCA, to talk about what he has learned about building teams and leading people.

They hear stories from Coach Terrill's coaching career about quiet and vocal leaders, recruiting for team fit instead of simply recruiting talent, and why consistency is one of the best tools a leader has. They also dive into the harder side of leadership: setting standards, establishing boundaries, holding people accountable, and resisting the urge to rescue people from every difficult experience. 

It's a conversation full of stories, wisdom, and practical insight for coaches, athletes, parents, and anyone who wants to become a better leader.

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, and Darius explore what it takes to move from me to we—both as individuals and as members of a team.

The conversation starts with personality tests, including the Enneagram, DISC, Myers-Briggs, Working Genius, and the Big Five. But instead of simply talking about what personality type we are, they explore what we actually do with that knowledge. How can understanding ourselves and the people around us help us navigate conflict, communicate better, extend grace, and become more self-aware?

Drawing from experiences in athletics, ministry, leadership, marriage, and parenting, Bethany, Justin, and Darius wrestle with what it means to take personal responsibility, stop looking for shortcuts, challenge one another, and make excellence everyone's responsibility.

Resource mentioned in the episode: The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany and Justin sit down with Mississippi State football chaplain Scott Nicholson for a conversation that moves from college football to marriage, team culture, and what it means to build trust and community when life is lived in close quarters.

Together, they explore the challenges athletes face when transitioning to a new team, why talent alone isn't enough to succeed, and how great programs create environments where people can grow. Drawing from experiences in football, baseball, basketball, ministry, and family life, they discuss everything from team cohesion and leadership to grocery-store disagreements and the realities of learning to live alongside other people.

Along the way, they unpack why strong teams are built on trust, accountability, humility, and a shared purpose—and why the best leaders are willing to admit mistakes, uphold a standard, and invest in people beyond the game.

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany and Justin explore why change is often harder than we expect—and why it's still worth embracing. From changing schools, careers, and communities to navigating the transfer portal or stepping into an unfamiliar season, they discuss the emotions, challenges, and growth that come with leaving what's familiar.

Later in the show, they're joined by former Mississippi State soccer standout Maddy Anderson, who shares her remarkable journey from an SEC Championship season to professional soccer in Louisville, France, and now Dallas. Maddy opens up about seasons of waiting, uncertainty, loneliness, injuries, and learning to trust God's plan when the future felt anything but certain.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, student, or simply navigating a new chapter in life, this conversation will encourage you to trust God through the unknown, embrace the process, and remember that even the hardest transitions can become some of the most meaningful seasons of growth.

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Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, and Darius sit down with Mississippi State Strength & Conditioning Coach Chase Brooks to hear his story and explore what it takes to prepare athletes for success—both in their sport and in life.

Together, they discuss what separates elite competitors, why capacity grows through testing, how discipline builds confidence, and why faithfulness in today's assignment prepares us for tomorrow's opportunity. Along the way, they connect these lessons to parenting, leadership, and faith, reminding us that God often does His greatest work in the seasons no one else sees.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, student, or simply navigating a season of waiting, this conversation will encourage you to embrace the process and trust that God never wastes a season of preparation.

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Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast

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Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, hosts Bethany, Justin, and Darius welcome a good friend of FCA, Brad Smith, to discuss the topic of adventure.

After sharing some of Brad's incredible stories in a previous episode, the team wanted to dig deeper—not just into the adventures themselves, but into what it really means to live an adventurous life. Along the way, they make sure to fill in a few details that were left out the first time around and share plenty of laughs.

From Brad's unforgettable mission trip mishap at the Canadian border to conversations about career changes, parenting, ministry, and stepping into the unknown, the group explores how curiosity, courage, and faith work together to shape who we become.

Whether you're naturally adventurous or prefer to play it safe, you're in for a fun conversation filled with laughter, practical wisdom, and encouragement to embrace the adventure God has placed right in front of you.

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Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast

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Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany and Justin continue the topic of the offseason by exploring the hidden habits that shape who we become. They talk about why the things no one sees are eventually what everyone notices, and why success is built long before the spotlight ever arrives.

The conversation also turns to one of the hardest challenges former athletes—and really all of us—face: learning to embrace a new season without comparing ourselves to who we used to be. Whether it's fitness, parenting, leadership, or your walk with God, discipline doesn't always look the same. Sometimes faithfulness is found in taking the next small step instead of trying to recreate your former peak.

Along the way, they also have some fun breaking down the psychology behind World Cup penalty kicks, game theory, emotional control under pressure, and why the smallest daily habits often produce the biggest long-term impact.

Podcast mentioned in today's episode: How to win a penalty shootout (with game theory)

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Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast

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Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org

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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
• Anonymous: Jesus' Hidden Years...And Yours

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Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email [email protected].

Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast

Follow Hailstate FCA on Instagram: @hailstatefca_

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Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org

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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 by Chris Coursey

WFCA Audio File: Interview with Chris Billingsley Jr.

Leave Us a Comment!

Leave Us a Comment!

Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email [email protected].

Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast

Follow Hailstate FCA on Instagram: @hailstatefca_

Follow Hailstate FCA on Facebook: FCA at Mississippi State

Check our website for newsletters, updates, and events: www.msufca.org

Donate to Hailstate FCA