What does it look like to carry the lessons of football into life beyond the field?

Former Georgia Bulldog, NFL offensive lineman and longtime college football analyst Matt Stinchcomb joins Mike Leazer on FCA’s Beyond the Game to talk football, faith, family and the experiences that have shaped him along the way.

From his playing days at Georgia and in the NFL to life after football, Matt shares stories, plenty of laughs and perspective on what really matters when the game is over.

Beyond the Game is where faith meets sports.

Subscribe for more conversations with athletes, coaches and sports leaders about the stories and faith behind the game.

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Youth sports have changed, but is it for the better?

In this episode of Beyond the Game, Mike Leazer sits down with Britt Lee and Brad Williams from Pure Athlete to discuss the current state of youth sports and how families, coaches, and athletes can navigate an increasingly competitive culture. From early specialization and pressure to perform to the influence of travel ball and social media, this conversation explores what it looks like to keep sports in the right perspective while developing character, resilience, and faith.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode offers practical encouragement for building a healthier youth sports culture, one that values people over performance.

In this episode:

• The biggest challenges facing youth sports today

• How parents can support without adding pressure

• Why character matters more than championships

• Creating healthier team cultures

• Keeping faith and purpose at the center of competition

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with a coach, parent, or athlete who wants to make a positive impact on the next generation.

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In Episode 7 of Beyond the Game, we sit down with sports broadcaster Kristen Ledlow for an inspiring conversation about faith, identity, and finding purpose beyond your career.

Kristen shares her journey through the world of sports media, the challenges of staying grounded in a high-profile industry, and how her relationship with Christ has shaped every step along the way. Whether you're an athlete, coach, sports fan, or simply looking to grow in your faith, this conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom for living with purpose.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Living out your faith in a competitive career
• Finding your identity beyond success and performance
• Trusting God's plan through unexpected seasons
• Encouragement for athletes, coaches, and young leaders

🎙️ Beyond the Game is the official podcast of Atlanta FCA, where we explore the stories of athletes, coaches, and leaders whose faith shapes the way they compete and live.

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that go beyond the game.

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Former college football star and ESPN analyst David Pollack joins host Niki Noto Palmer on this episode of FCA Atlanta: Beyond the Game for a conversation that goes deeper than football.

David shares about life beyond the field, the role faith has played through different seasons, and why identity matters when success, sports, and expectations constantly compete for our attention. Together, David and Niki discuss lessons learned through challenges, leadership, family, and what it looks like to live with purpose beyond achievements.

No matter your season of life, this conversation is a reminder that who you are matters more than what you do.

Subscribe for more conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders sharing stories of faith, purpose, and impact.

🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.
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In Episode 5 of Beyond the Game, we sit down with MLB Hall of Famer and broadcaster John Smoltz to talk about life beyond baseball.

From competing at the highest level to navigating identity, pressure, and purpose, John shares how his faith has shaped every season of his life, on and off the field. He opens up about the challenges athletes face, the importance of staying grounded, and what it really means to find your worth beyond performance.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or fan, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to live with purpose beyond the game.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

What does it look like to turn a childhood dream into a calling?

In Episode 3 of Beyond the Game, we sit down with Atlanta Braves Lead TV Play-by-Play Announcer and the voice of EA Sports’ Madden NFL, Brandon Gaudin, to talk about the journey from a small college in Indianapolis to some of the biggest stages in sports.

Brandon shares:
⚾ The surreal moment of calling his alma mater, Butler, to the Final Four
🎙️ What it’s like behind the mic for the Atlanta Braves
🎮 Becoming the voice of the Madden NFL franchise
🙌 The responsibility of using your platform for a greater purpose
🏆 The games and calls that changed his life

This episode is about more than broadcasting — it’s about faith, perseverance, identity, and the moments that remind you why you started.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, sports fan, or someone chasing a dream, this conversation will inspire you to look beyond the game.

What’s it really like to be a Division I athlete at one of the nation’s most demanding academic schools?In this episode of FCA Beyond the Game, we sit down with two Georgia Tech seniors, Isabella and Liv, to talk about pressure, identity, injury, and how their faith in Jesus transformed the way they compete and live.Isabella shares how she didn’t grow up in a Christian home, searched for fulfillment in new age spirituality, and encountered Christ through FCA — even asking to be baptized at Encounter. Now pursuing a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, she opens up about finding true purpose beyond performance.Liv opens up about growing up in a hyper-competitive family, developing toxic habits in pursuit of success, and how injury forced her to slow down and trust God in new ways. Through FCA community and Encounter, she discovered a faith that reshaped her identity and gave her peace in the middle of fear and anxiety.Together, they talk honestly about:• The pressures of being a D1 athlete at a high-academic school• Battling fear, anxiety, and comparison• Encounter Conference and spiritual turning points• Learning to follow Jesus through setbacks• Their heart for discipling younger female athletes• What they wish every young athlete knew about faith and identityIf you’re an athlete, coach, or student trying to follow Jesus in competitive spaces, this conversation is for you.Subscribe for more stories of faith in sports through FCA Beyond the Game.

In Episode 2 of Beyond the Game, host Mike Leazer, FCA Atlanta Director, sits down with Caleb Downs, standout safety for Ohio State University, and his father, Gary Downs, former NFL player and longtime coach.

Together, they share a powerful father-son conversation about faith, identity, and navigating the pressures of elite football. From Caleb’s journey as one of the nation’s top defensive players to Gary’s perspective as both a coach and a dad, this episode explores what it looks like to keep Jesus at the center when expectations are high and the spotlight is bright.

This episode is a reminder that while the game may change, faith, family, and purpose remain the foundation, on and off the field.

Welcome to Episode 1 of FCA’s Beyond the Game Podcast!
In our premiere episode, host Mike Leazer sits down with Kaden Elliss, linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, to talk about what truly defines him—his faith in Jesus.

Kaden opens up about:
• How faith shapes his identity beyond the football field
• Lessons on leadership, humility, and purpose
• What it means to live boldly for Christ in a high-pressure environment
• His heart for discipleship and serving others

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or someone seeking encouragement, this conversation is filled with wisdom, authenticity, and hope.

👉 Subscribe for more faith-driven conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders.
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