Created to Be

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, un...

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 els...

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 Ca...

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 does...

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 th...

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 b...

In this special summer mini-series episode of Created to Be podcast, Bethany introduces an interview conducted by Jason Crowder of WFCA Radio with Mississippi State Baseball player Blake Bevis.

Blake shares how a mission trip to the Dominican Republic became a turning point in his faith journey, opening his eyes to the joy, gratitude, and perspective that can be found through serving others. He reflects on the impact of FCA, the influence of strong Christian community, and how seeing people with very little yet abundant joy challenged the way he views life, baseball, and success.

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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 e...

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...

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 w...

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 pi...

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 unforgettabl...

In this episode of Created To Be Podcast, former MSU All-American softball player Madisyn Farmer joins Bethany, Justin, and Brandi for an honest conversation about the transitions we all face in life.

Madi shares her deeply personal journey of stepping away from college athletics and the unexpected grief that came with it. From discovering she played her final season on a broken foot to navigating the loss of structure, community, and identity, she opens up about the often-unspoken realities of life after sports.

Brandi reflects on leaving a 17-year community and what it looks like...

In this episode of the Created to Be Podcast, Bethany, Justin, Doc, and special guest Jeremiah Pierce explore a powerful connection between gardening and formation.

What begins as a fun and light-hearted conversation about planting, growth, and tending to a garden quickly becomes a deeper reflection on how life itself is formed. Jeremiah shares how plants and children both reveal a humbling truth—we don’t give life, but we do get to steward, cultivate, and create environments where growth can flourish.

The conversation also turns toward leadership, submission, and trust—what it means to grow w...

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, and Darius welcome special guest—MSU strength and conditioning assistant Jay Zbieszkowski—to talk about becoming secure.

But before diving into the main topic, the conversation takes a fun detour into Arbor Day—trees, childhood memories, and plenty of laughs about planting trees (and occasionally forgetting where they ended up). What starts as lighthearted nostalgia quickly shifts into a deeper reflection on identity, pressure, and what it means to be truly secure.

Together, they explore how security isn’t rooted in performance, approval, or circumst...

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, and Darius are back together after a short break—Bethany’s recovery and a sound equipment upgrade included—and it feels good to be back.

They kick things off with plenty of laughs, including Darius admitting he has no idea what pickleball is, before jumping into some of the biggest moments they missed during their time away—from the Olympics to March Madness—and even sharing a few fun facts about the winningest teams in the NCAA tournament through the year and Blue Bloods.

The episod...

In this episode of the Created to Be Podcast, we’re going to the vault—but with fresh perspective. Bethany reintroduces a powerful conversation on honesty and vulnerability, beginning with a current update from former Mississippi State soccer goalkeeper Maddy Anderson, now playing professionally in France.

Maddy reflects on how vulnerability—with God and with others—has shaped her, deepened her relationships, and prepared her for life beyond college athletics. 

If you’ve ever felt the tension between wanting to be known and being afraid to open up, this conversation will encourage you to just dive in.

In this episode of the Created to Be Podcast, Bethany and Brandi are joined by Mississippi State softball player Taylor Troutman for a powerful and honest conversation about becoming free—on the field and in life.

From lighthearted moments about Mahjong and softball cheering culture to deeper reflections on fear, injury, identity, and trust, Taylor shares her story of walking through sickness, a torn ACL, and learning how to play—and live—without fear. Together, we explore how freedom in Christ isn’t the absence of struggle, but the courage to trust God in the middle of it.

In this episode of the Created to Be Podcast, the team explores the question: Who or what is shaping you? Through honest stories of failure, disappointment, people-pleasing, loss of platform, and unmet expectations, the conversation unpacks how the process of formation in the life of the believer reveals what’s already inside us. Rather than avoiding discomfort, they discuss how God uses it to bring awareness, refine posture, and form us into who He’s already shaped us to be. This episode invites athletes and leaders alike to stop striving, start noticing, and trust the God who is faithful to co...

In this episode of the Created To Be Podcast, the gang is back kicking off a new semester of FCA by catching up and diving into the cultural conversation around “2026 is the new 2016.” As student-athletes and leaders navigate a fast, filtered, always-on world, Bethany, Justin, Darius, and Brandi, reflect on what life looked like before algorithms, constant connectivity, and performance-driven pressure.

Through stories, laughter, and nostalgia, they talk about early social media, landlines, built-in boundaries, and why those limitations may have actually helped shape healthier relationships and deeper identity. From an FCA perspective, this conversation points us towa...

In this episode of the Created To Be Podcast, the gang is back kicking off a new semester of FCA by catching up and diving into the cultural conversation around “2026 is the new 2016.” As student-athletes and leaders navigate a fast, filtered, always-on world, Bethany, Justin, Darius, and Brandi, reflect on what life looked like before algorithms, constant connectivity, and performance-driven pressure.

Through stories, laughter, and nostalgia, they talk about early social media, landlines, built-in boundaries, and why those limitations may have actually helped shape healthier relationships and deeper identity. From an FCA perspective, this conversation points us towa...

In this episode of the Created To Be Podcast, Bethany and Justin sit down with Mississippi State radio voice Jason Crowder for a wide-ranging conversation about their friendship, stories, and sports broadcasting.

The episode opens with Bethany, Justin, and Jason sharing how they met and how their stories have intertwined over the past 20+ years, then shifts into a timely discussion on postseason formats across college football, the NFL, March Madness, and college baseball.

Jason shares his personal journey—from growing up in French Camp to covering Mississippi State athletics for more than 27 years. He reflects on...

In this episode of the Created To Be Podcast, Bethany takes time to reflect on the journey of the podcast, the stories shared so far, and what’s ahead as we step into 2026. Whether you’re brand new or have been listening all along, this episode serves as a reintroduction to the heart behind the podcast—sharing what God is doing through FCA at Mississippi State and creating meaningful conversation around faith, sports, and life as athletes and coaches.

Bethany highlights key themes from the fall semester, including focus, relationships, learning to win, rivalries, traditions, and navigating major...

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany and Justin wrap up the year by leaning into one of sports fans' favorite formats—top 10 lists. From iconic ESPN countdowns to unforgettable sports moments, they talk about why highlights matter and how they shape the way fans remember a season.

Then, the conversation shifts to what really made this year special: memorable MSU FCA moments. From spiritual growth and powerful testimonies to game nights, staff milestones, team connections, and the fulfillment of a long-held vision to serve every team on campus, this episode is a celebration of...

In this episode of the Created To Be podcast, Bethany and Brandi sit down with Mississippi State athletic trainer Taylor Pitts for a meaningful conversation about hometowns, career paths, and discerning life’s big decisions. Taylor reflects on growing up in inner-city Detroit, navigating different cultures, and finding her way into Division I SEC athletics—along with the courage it takes to take risks and pivot when life doesn’t unfold as planned.

Throughout the episode, they explore faith, discernment, and the value of living with a learner’s mindset, making this an honest, thoughtful, and unexpectedly fun conv...

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, Brandi, and Darius move from lighthearted holiday traditions to deeper conversations about character and identity. They talk about Santa Claus and family expectations, what it really looks like to respond well after a tough sports loss, and why handling defeat with maturity matters far beyond the scoreboard. The conversation closes with a thoughtful discussion on hometowns—what makes a place feel like home, why leaving can be complicated, and how community, identity, and belonging shape who we become. 

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In this episode of the Created to Be Podcast, we’re talking all things traditions—how they start, why they matter, and the funny ways they become “our thing.” We recap an encouraging open mic night, celebrate the ways God is moving through community, and share some end-of-semester highlights.

MSU Track & Field athlete Anje Nel also jumps in with stories from growing up in South Africa, cultural surprises in the U.S., and her family’s Christmas traditions (including a few we may borrow!). It’s a fun, uplifting convo about faith, family, and finding rhythms that shape who we...

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Justin, Bethany, and Darius dive into where rivalries come from and what truly defines them. From childhood memories to the storied histories of college football programs, they unpack every angle—including the messy and heated moments. As you listen, see if you can guess some of the rivalry highlights featured in this week’s conversation!

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany and Justin fly duo and shift from relationships to the idea of finishing well and learning how to win. They start with some fun FCA updates then dive into some of the wildest finishes in sports they can remember. From there, the conversation turns to what a winner’s mentality actually looks like: playing to your standard, not just the scoreboard; treating losing as data, not discouragement; and learning to face failure instead of hiding from it. Justin shares stories from his own pitching career, including painful outings, pressure mo...

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Justin shares his top 5 list of the most iconic coach sound bites that are memorable to him, then everyone chimes in about how leadership identity is shaped. The episode concludes with conversation about the differences in dating norms among the different generations.

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, Darius, and Brandi share where they’re seeing FCA grow at Mississippi State and the lives being impacted through it. The conversation takes a fun turn as they try to decode popular Gen Z emojis—nailing some and getting completely stumped by others. They wrap up with a thoughtful discussion on seasons of isolation, the value of singleness, and the importance of setting healthy boundaries in relationships. 

References in the episode: 

Brandi's reference of another podcast can be found here.

Bethany's reference of a b...

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, Darius, and Brandi find out why Darius is called Doc, discuss if it's worth it to stay up and watch history when it comes to games that go into extra time, and how they have failed and succeeded in relationships and what they've learned along the way.

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Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email mississippistatefca@gmail.com.

Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast

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In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, Bethany, Justin, Darius, and Brandi kick off season three with a new show format featuring updates about FCA at Mississippi State, trends in FCA and college athletics, a new segment called "The Stretch," and conversation around the topic of focus and distractions.

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Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email mississippistatefca@gmail.com.

Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast

Follow Hailstate FCA on Instagram: @hailstatefca_

In this episode of the Created to Be podcast, MSU soccer player Maddy Anderson joins host Bethany Pigott to discuss the podcast’s themes of vulnerability and connection. Maddy shares her journey at MSU and explains how these concepts have played a crucial role in her development as a student-athlete.

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Send us your comments! Either use the comment link above or email mississippistatefca@gmail.com.

Follow the Created to Be podcast on Instagram: @createdtobepodcast

Follow Hailstate FCA on Instagram: @hailstatefca_

Fol...