Varsity Catholic Podcast

FOCUS Catholic
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Where Athletes Become Leaders. Discover that sport is more than a performance - it's a place to grow in purpose, inspire teammates, and shape culture that lasts beyond the game. Listen to our hosts and amazing guests, to find out how you can make an impact longer than the season.

  1. 2d ago

    Sport as Survival: How Faith Redeemed an Athlete's Story of Trauma: Dylan LaNoue

    What happens when sports are the only thing keeping you sane? For Dylan Lanoue — a record-breaking triple jumper and four-time NEC gold medalist at Mount St. Mary's University — athletics were more than a passion. Growing up in a home marked by his father's drug addiction, domestic tension, and constant instability, sport was his escape and his survival. But no amount of wins or PRs could fill the deeper void he was carrying.In this episode, Brady sits down with Dylan to hear his full story: from shooting hoops alone in the backyard just to avoid going inside, to becoming a three-time NCAA qualifier, to his life-changing conversion to the Catholic Church in 2021. Dylan opens up about the role of a trusted friend, the moment he realized his athletic identity wasn't enough, and how Christ gave him what sport never could — love, belonging, and a reason to compete.Dylan also shares his vision for using AAU basketball to build up young men from broken homes, helping them become the fathers and husbands they never had as examples. Follow Us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/Find us Online: https://focus.org/what-we-do/varsity-catholicEmail us at: varsitycatholic@focus.org

    58 min

  2. May 18

    Finding Christ’s Strength in Weakness | Ian's Story

    In this episode of the Varsity Catholic Podcast, Brady and Ry sit down with Ian to talk about one of the hardest lessons in sports and in life: what happens when weakness, injury, and disappointment force you to confront who you really are. Ian shares his journey through repeated injuries, diabetes, football, lacrosse, and the painful process of letting go of an athletic identity that once defined him. But what looked like defeat became the place where Christ met him most deeply. From losing football, to starting a men’s Bible study, to unexpectedly joining a college lacrosse team late in his college career, Ian’s story is a powerful reminder that God works through weakness — not in spite of it. This is a conversation about surrender, identity, suffering, brotherhood, and discovering that Christ’s strength is often revealed exactly where we feel weakest. In this episode: injury and identity • quitting a sport • daily Mass and spiritual renewal • brotherhood in athletics • Christ’s strength in weakness • how God works through setbacks Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠⁠ Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

    59 min

  3. May 4

    Texas Softball Star on Faith, Pressure, and Playing for More

    In this episode of the Varsity Catholic Podcast, Brady and Ry sit down with Texas softball standout Teagan Kavan to talk about what it really looks like to pursue greatness at the highest level without losing your identity along the way. As a national champion and one of the top players in the country, Teagan shares how her Catholic faith has remained a steady foundation in the middle of pressure, expectations, and success. From building a team Bible study within a Division I program to navigating the challenges of college athletics, Teagan opens up about the role faith plays in her daily life as an athlete. She reflects on learning to stay present, trusting God in both wins and losses, and discovering that performance was never meant to define her. Her perspective offers a refreshing and grounded look at what it means to compete with purpose. This conversation is a reminder that even at the highest level of sport, there is something deeper at play. Your worth is not found in stats, awards, or outcomes, but in who you are and who you belong to. Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠⁠ Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

    40 min

  4. Apr 20

    Do the Next Hard Thing

    In this episode of the Varsity Catholic Podcast, Brady and Ry sit down with Savannah Imholte—CrossFit athlete, coach, missionary, and mom of two—to talk about one of the most misunderstood ideas in both sports and the spiritual life: discipline. From college athletics to CrossFit coaching to raising a young family overseas, Savannah shares how her understanding of working out has evolved—from obligation, to competition, to something deeper: a daily choice that shapes freedom. Along the way, they unpack the idea that discipline isn’t restrictive—it’s what actually makes freedom possible, and why doing “the next hard thing” can change everything. If you’ve ever struggled with consistency—in the gym, in prayer, or in life—this episode will challenge you to rethink what discipline is really for. Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠⁠ Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠⁠

    40 min

  5. Apr 6

    Seton Hall Runners on Pain, Faith, and Prayer

    Live from SEEK 26, Brady sits down with Seton Hall track & cross country athletes Michael Kelton and Steven Beeman for a conversation about the surprising overlap between faith and endurance sports. They share their first-ever SEEK experience (opening Mass, the atmosphere, and why conferences remind you you’re not alone), then get real about what running teaches: perseverance, suffering, community, and becoming present to God. From Bible verses they carry into races, to the behind-the-scenes work most people never see (core training, injury prevention, and the “contact sport” side of cross country), this episode hits the heart of what it means to compete well and keep the faith. You’ll also hear how a simple invitation turned into a team Bible study, why running can become a form of prayer, and what legacy they hope to leave at Seton Hall — in sport, in leadership, and in discipleship. Key moments: SEEK highs • running as prayer • offering up pain • injuries and surrender • building team culture • leaving a legacy of excellence Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠ Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠

    59 min

  6. Mar 23

    Faith Isn’t Just for Sundays: Inside MIT Football’s Locker Room Revival

    Live from SEEK 26, Brady sits down with MIT football athletes Luke Pelletier and Dominic Hess, plus Varsity Catholic missionary Jakin Miller, for a conversation about what people don’t expect from MIT: a growing Catholic brotherhood inside the locker room. They talk football at a high-academic school, faith in fraternity life, and what it looks like to go from “a couple guys in a room” to Bible studies so big they had to split. You’ll hear real stories of injuries, doubts, and learning to own your faith—plus how prayer changes pressure moments (including the kicker mindset) and how “incarnational” friendship can transform a team’s culture. If you’ve ever wished your team had stronger faith, this episode is proof it can start small—and grow fast. Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠⁠ Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠⁠ Topics: SEEK 26 • MIT football • faith & sports • doubt and evidence • injuries and trust • fraternity culture • Bible study growth • leadership and legacy

    59 min

  7. Mar 9

    “I’d Never Been to Church”: How a Big Ten Thrower Found Jesus (and the Catholic Church)

    Track & field is a grind—months of work for inches and seconds. 🏋️‍♂️🎯In this episode, we sit down with Cade Moran, a D1 Big Ten thrower, to talk about how that same drive for excellence led him to something bigger than sport. ✝️ Cade shares how chasing the “college life” left him emptier, why transferring to Nebraska became a turning point, and how a simple invite to Mass started a journey that ended with baptism, confirmation, and first Communion—all in one day. 🙏🔥 We talk about:🏟️ D1 pressure, goals, and identity📉 The crash after the “high” fades⛪ First Mass, OCIA, and why Catholicism made sense🧠 Why faith made competing easier—but practice harder🗓️ How to build a real prayer life as a busy athlete🎙️ Deny yourself, take up your cross—daily (Luke 9:23) If you’ve ever felt like success wasn’t satisfying… this one’s for you. Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠ Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠

    45 min

  8. Feb 23

    Faith in the Dugout: Brotherhood, Injury, and a Bigger Purpose

    In this episode, we sit down with college baseball player Cade Bernardo to talk about what happens when your plans fall apart—and God starts building something better. ⚾️🙏 Cade shares how a major injury just before college forced him to wrestle with identity, purpose, and trust. What started as a season on the sidelines became an unexpected opportunity to invest in teammates, grow in faith, and help shape a new team culture built on brotherhood. 💪 We talk about:⚾ Playing through injury and disappointment🙏 Finding identity beyond performance🤝 Building real brotherhood in a locker room🔥 Starting Bible study and prayer on a college team🏆 Leaving a legacy that matters more than stats This conversation is for athletes who feel the pressure to perform, leaders who want to change team culture, and anyone learning how to say yes when the plan breaks. Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode! LISTEN & FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE: Listen on Spotify →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4vnHBKphp6xEBUsJNerBdT?si=59poYSVvQVOzj8TOIaHPaQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Apple Podcasts →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/varsity-catholic-podcast/id1855639759⁠ Listen on YouTube→⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VarsityCatholicPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH FOCUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram →⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/varsitycatholic/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HAVE A QUESTION OR GUEST SUGGESTION? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠varsitycatholic@focus.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave a comment! Join Our Email List → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more original content and early releases, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seekreplay.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Varsity Catholic Podcast is a production of FOCUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.focus.org⁠

    50 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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Where Athletes Become Leaders. Discover that sport is more than a performance - it's a place to grow in purpose, inspire teammates, and shape culture that lasts beyond the game. Listen to our hosts and amazing guests, to find out how you can make an impact longer than the season.

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