House of Bricks

In this episode, Elena Siekas, Concordia University soccer player shares how community, church involvement, and mentorship deeply shaped her walk with Christ. Though she grew up in a Christian home, the gospel truly penetrated her heart just four weeks before leaving for college. She was baptized two weeks before moving in as a freshman in 2023 — stepping into a new season still feeling the pull o...

In this week’s episode, former Minnesota Gopher wrestler Tim Stapleton shares his testimony of transformation through faith in Christ. For years, Tim lived with “one foot in and one foot out” of his walk with Jesus—caught between the pull of the world and the call of God. It wasn’t until he fully surrendered his life to the Lord that he experienced true freedom and lasting change. Tim unpacks how...

In this episode, Benny Burke — former military service member and elite snowboarder — joins the podcast to share his remarkable journey of encountering God’s saving grace and protection. Driven by a desire to die with honor, Benny enlisted in the military, believing that losing his life in service for his country would be a good way to go out. But God had a different plan. While serving in Afghani...

In today's, episode, Santi Gutierrez, former pitcher at St. Thomas, shares his journey of transformation through Christ. He opens up about the emptiness he experienced chasing worldly fulfillment through partying, dating, and success, and how that pursuit ultimately led him to the Lord. Santi unpacks the importance of discipleship and the call to use whatever platform God has given us — no matter...

Joining the pod this week is St. Thomas University Junior forward, Jake Braccini. Jake comes on to talk about his journey coming to Jesus, highlighting the impact of discipleship groups, and being on a team with some other strong believers. He shares about his hesitancy of letting go of his worldly desires, but now the freedom that Christ has given him in fully surrendering to Him. He also talks a...

Joining the pod this week is Nick Terry, a pit crew member of Kevin Harvick’s 2007 Daytona 500 championship-winning team and now NASCAR chaplain. Nick joins to talk about giving his life to Christ in 2004 and the Lord calling him to ministry the day after winning the Daytona 500. He shares about learning what it looked like to follow Jesus and the behind-the-scenes of being a chaplain. He also tou...

Adam, Jacob, and Alex hit “record” to talk about the true goodness of God and share insights into their lives following Jesus. The three talk about what it means to humbly submit to the Lord and truly live in a relationship with the Father. In today's world, there is a common misunderstanding of who Jesus is and what it means to be a Christian. The dudes talk further on this topic and about the ge...

Adam and Travis link back up to cap off the first season of the House of Bricks podcast. This time, the roles are reversed as Travis takes on the role of the host. Adam shares how the Lord transformed his life and heart and how the Lord has been working recently. He shares behind the scenes how he ended up at Bethel University and the impact it has had on his faith. He dives into how different thi...

This week on the House of Bricks pod, Adam is joined by Jacob Hall, a golfer at Bethel University. Jacob is going into his senior year on the golf team at Bethel, looking to defend a MIAC championship this next weekend. Jacob is studying Biology at Bethel with a newly undetermined future. Jacob comes on the pod to talk about how the Lord has transformed his heart and how he has experienced freedom...

Adam is joined by Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Defensive Tackle, Logan Lee. Logan played five years at the University of Iowa before cracking the Steelers 53-man roster recently. The two dive into what it means to follow Jesus by taking up your cross daily. Logan talks about his faith walk and what that has looked like with the platform he has been blessed with. He also shares of influential things...

Adam is joined by recent Bethel University grad, Aaron Loe. Aaron was a two-sport athlete at Bethel, playing both Football and Basketball. Aaron is also newly married and just moved from Minneapolis to Phoenix, Arizona. Aaron shares of the process of learning to follow Jesus and the bumps along the road. Aaron shares the perspective of having an accountability partner to walk in the faith with. He...

This week on the pod, Adam is joined by Kyle Nordling, a South Dakota State Track & Field / Cross Country athlete. However, Kyle recently decided to step away from the sport. Adam and Kyle dive into how Kyle's faith journey began and the Ultimate Training Camp's impact. Kyle shares the freedom the Lord has given him, letting go of what others think about him. Kyle also talks about lead...

Adam is joined by Carlo Mallari, a former swimmer at the University of St. Thomas and a current Physical Therapy student at the University of Minnesota. In this episode, Adam and Carlo answer the question of "What do you love the most?". Beyond that, Carlo shares what it looks like to have a variety of passions; from swimming, photography, videography, music, physical therapy, and faith....

Adam is joined by Minnesota Gophers women's Basketball players Annika Stewart and Mara Braun. Annika is coming off of four years at the University of Nebraska and taking her fifth year with the Gophers. Mara is entering her junior year with the Gophers. Both Annika and Mara share about their heart transformation through Jesus and the joy He has filled their lives with. Annika shares the leaps...

Adam Bricker, host of the “House of Bricks” podcast and Kellen Fife, host of the “All the Way In” podcast come together for a SPECIAL episode this week. This episode features Jake Bracewell, Athletes in Action staff member with UCLA, and Breezy Burnett, a Junior outfielder with the Minnesota Gophers Softball team. Live from the Ultimate Training Camp, Jake and Breezy talk about their pre SPECIAL t...

Adam is joined by Nick Parsons who is a full-time Athletes in Action staff member with SMU in Texas. Nick shares about his coming to surrender his life to Jesus Christ and the complete transformation in his heart and life. He shares about his faith journey within his marriage, community, and CrossFit leading to being called into vocational ministry with Athletes in Action. Nick and Adam discuss th...

Joining Adam this week is Open Door Fellowship Lead Pastor, Caleb Lynch. Caleb was born and raised in Phoenix and took over the former role of his father as Lead Pastor. Before his current role, Caleb was a track coach at Arizona Christian University and ran track at Azusa Pacific before that. Caleb shares about his time as a dominant track runner and what it looks like to honor the Lord while des...

Aaron Shackelford, a draft pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019, joins Adam this week on the pod. Aaron earned himself a spot in AAA last year with the Indianapolis Indians, playing 113 games, before asking for his release this previous month. He is currently a free agent working out in Arizona. Shack shares the role that the Master's University and going away for a summer to Alaska played i...

On this week's episode, Adam is joined by Bethel University Campus Pastor and Golf Coach, Nick Cocalis. Nick shares his life growing up and the life-changing interaction he had in his senior year of college, which was a pivotal step in going all in on his faith. He talks about what he is excited about in his new role as Campus Pastor and opening up the golf culture within the team to anyone to...

St. Cloud St. Forwards Addi Scribner and Katie Kaufman join Adam this week on the pod. Following capping off their final year of college hockey, Addi and Katie share about their college careers and insight into bringing Jesus out onto the ice with them. The two emphasize the importance of setting an example as a follower of Christ and the fulfillment we will always have by knowing that we can alwa...

In part 2, Ryan and Adam dive into what it means to have your identity lie in Jesus and the gift of the Spirit we receive through professing faith. Adam shares the freedom he experiences in his life, being reminded of the Lord's truths about him. Ryan shares his journey of being a baseball player, and what it means to pursue excellence as a Christian athlete and love our opponents how we are c...

Adam is joined by his brother Ryan, a retired college baseball player, now father and husband. In part 1, Adam and Ryan talk about Ryan's influential impact on Adam's coming to know Jesus and sharing the Gospel. The two reflect on that process, as well as where Ryan's faith walk began. Ryan dives into the moments that were most impactful in his faith journey through high school and col...

Adam and Annie jump into Annie's sport-filled childhood and into the depths of where her faith began. Adam shares the freedom the Lord gave him from shame and lies from the enemy in being reminded of the Lord's truths. Adam is joined by Annie Hinnenkamp, who is in her 6th year as the Athletic Trainer for the Bethel University Men's Hockey Team, Men's Soccer Team, and Men's Golf team. Annie shares...

Adam is joined by Preston Schmeidel, a junior at Bethel University, a retired collegiate swimmer, and now club hockey player. Preston talks about his challenging experience at the University of South Dakota before coming to Bethel University and the role that the Ultimate Training Camp has had on his walk with Jesus. The two give a little glimpse at the touching experience that UTC brings and Adam...

Adam and Izzy dive into episode 2 full of laughs and vulnerability with how the Lord has changed their lives. Adam shares more about his path to Jesus and his experience in junior hockey. Adam is joined by Izzy Smith, a Senior at Bethel University, who just finished up her 4th year as the goaltender of the women's Soccer team. Izzy opens up about the life she had growing up with her father bei...