Identity Sports Podcast

Newly retired LPGA Tour professional and now mom, Emma Talley, joins the Identity Sports Podcast for a powerful conversation on identity, fulfillment, and faith beyond the scorecard. Emma reflects on the role relationships and mentorship played throughout every stage of her journey—from junior golf and college to life on the LPGA Tour. She opens up about winning the 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur, and...

The Identity Sports Podcast celebrates episode 50 with an exciting and impactful episode with Jordan Brown, a former Fresno State football walk-on whose journey is defined by faith, perseverance, and a deep re-centering of identity. Jordan didn’t arrive at Fresno State as a recruited athlete—he came as a student, quietly training on his own during his first year with the hope of one day earning a...

In this episode, Zach Vogel is joined by guest cohost and Lipscomb University Woman’s golf coach, Shannon O’Brien. The two sit down with Brooke Riley, assistant women’s golf coach at Stanford University, to talk about faith, identity, and competing with freedom. While faith was present early on, God often sat on the back burner, and Brooke’s identity became rooted in being a “Christian athlete” ra...

Gary Bender — legendary sportscaster, former voice of the Phoenix Suns and voice behind countless iconic NFL, NBA, MLB and NCAA games — joins us on th Identity Sports Podcast to reflect on his storied career, faith, and what it truly means to call the game. In this episode, Gary shares: • 📺 His early days broadcasting games from a tractor on his family’s farm in Ulysses, Kansas • 🏀 His time at C...

Have you ever been challenged to stand up and speak the truth? In this episode of the Identity Sports Podcast, former SMU and now professional golfer Lauren Miller joins the show to share about such a time as this in her own life. She opens up about a pivotal moment in her faith and career when she competed and lost against a transgender golfer, confronting her with the challenge of standing up fo...

In this episode of the Identity Sports Podcast, Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Aaron Huglen and his wife Madelynn share their story of getting married during their freshman year of college, growing together through the ups and downs of college and pro sports, and learning to stay rooted in faith and community through it all. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel for more athlete stories of fai...

Raised in a Christian home, Kiara Locklear once lived in two separate worlds: her faith and her soccer career. But through her journey with the Charlotte Eagles, a bold transfer to Lipscomb University, and the leap into professional soccer, she’s learned what it truly means to live out your faith in sport. In this episode, Kiara shares how she keeps her identity grounded amid success, hears God’s...

What happens when both teams pray to win? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Paul Putz — Director of the Faith & Sports Institute at Baylor’s Truett Seminary and author of The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports — joins us to explore some of the most complex questions in sports and faith. We dig into the tension between competition and Christianity: How should ath...

When everyone else says no, God’s yes changes everything. 🎾 In this episode of the Identity Sports Podcast, Head Racquet Sports Professional Michael Munguia shares his journey of faith, tennis, and perseverance. From growing up in a small California town to playing collegiate tennis at Arizona Christian University—and later coaching at Eastern Illinois and ACU—Michael has seen both doors closed a...

🎙️ In this episode of the Identity Sports Podcast, we sit down with Bobbi Stricker — professional golfer, daughter of 12x PGA Tour winner Steve Stricker, and a former standout at the University of Wisconsin. At just 27 years old, Bobbi’s golf journey has been anything but ordinary. From not playing competitive golf until after high school, to competing for the Wisconsin Badgers where she earned mu...

In this episode of the Identity Sports Podcast, longtime MLB shortstop and 2X Gold Glove winner Nick Ahmed opens up about his journey of faith, identity, and life beyond baseball. Nick reflects on his career in the big leagues, his transition into retirement, and the lessons he’s learned about finding purpose that goes deeper than stats or performance. He also shares the heart behind 7Pillar, the...

Today on the Identity Sports Podcast, we sit down with former college golfer Cooper Hayes—a young leader with a powerful story of faith, struggle, and boldness. From accepting Christ in first grade to battling religious OCD during COVID, Cooper’s journey shows how God meets us in the middle of our mess and turns it into growth. Hear how Cooper learned to place his identity in Christ instead of per...

Los Angeles Angels top prospect Caden Dana is climbing fast—but he’s not building his identity on a stat line. In this episode, Caden shares how his faith moved from routine to real, why Christ—not performance—grounds him, and the habits that keep him centered as he rises through pro baseball. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Caden’s rapid journey from New Jersey to the big leagues—and what that...

Cade York was living the dream—national champion at LSU, drafted by the Cleveland Browns, and making kicks in front of millions. But behind the spotlight, Cade was missing something far greater than anything success could offer. In this powerful episode of the Identity Sports Podcast , Cade shares his story of chasing success but finding emptiness… until everything changed in a quiet hotel room in...

Tracy Hanson is a former LPGA Tour pro, a collegiate All-American, and now an author—but her most powerful story isn’t about winning on the course. In this episode, Tracy opens up about the pressure to perform, the hidden trauma she carried throughout her career, and the transformative moment she began to find freedom in Christ. From the heights of professional golf to the depths of personal pain,...

In this episode of the Identity Sports Podcast, we sit down with Toby Bishop—2023 NCAA Men’s Golf National Champion, former Florida Gator, and now a student-athlete at Lipscomb University. Born in England, raised in Dubai, and recruited to play college golf in America on a full scholarship, Toby had everything a young golfer dreams of: big wins, big programs, even flashy NIL offers. But beneath th...

🎙️ New Podcast Episode: Jacksonville Jaguars Kicker Cam Little What does it mean to be where your feet are? In this episode, Jaguars kicker Cam Little talks about learning to be fully present—on the field, in the locker room, and in life. He shares how staying grounded in the moment and intentionally seeking community has helped him grow in his faith, no matter where football has taken him. It’s a...

🎙️ In this episode of the Identity Sports Podcast, Jonathan Nunnally Jr. shares how God called him to surrender the game he loved—baseball—in order to find a deeper identity in Christ. Growing up as the son of a former MLB player, Jonathan seemed destined for the big leagues. But behind the stats and success was a young man wrestling with expectations, pressure, and the question: “Who am I without...

In this episode of the Identity Sports Podcast, we unpack the powerful story behind the viral Jesus Won movement—how a simple message of faith went viral, the powerful testimonies that followed, and how it's now fueling charitable giving and changing lives. We also sit down with Matt Palmer, pro baseball chaplain, to hear his personal testimony of surrendering to Christ, finding a new identity bey...

🚨 Born into the streets and surrounded by gangs, José faced life-or-death moments—including being shot at—before turning his life around. Drafted by both the Dodgers (1995) and Mets (1997), his professional baseball journey was just the beginning. Today, José leads Ministry in the Dirt, a faith-driven sports ministry dedicated to mentoring and training the next generation of athletes. He’s also t...

Billy Horton once slept in a dugout chasing his baseball dream. He never made it to the majors as a player—but God had a bigger plan. From humble beginnings to earning multiple World Series rings as a coach, Billy’s journey is one of grit, faith, and finding identity beyond performance. Now an author, public speaker, and back-to-back Manager of the Year in the Pioneer League (2023–2024), Billy led...

John Daly II joins the Identity Sports Podcast to share his journey from growing up in the world of professional golf to finding his identity in Christ as he forges his path through college golf. In this episode, we dive into:⛳ Growing Up in Golf – Lessons from his father and his early love for the game 🏌️ College Life at U of A – Competing at Arkansas and the challenges of student-athlete life...

March Madness is here! 🏀🔥 Join us on the Identity Sports Podcast as we dive into the madness of college basketball with Chris Elliott, GCU Men’s Basketball Assistant Athletic Trainer. We break down the tournament, the pressure of March Madness, and how faith plays a role in the game. Chris also shares his journey of finding his identity in Christ through basketball and working with GCU men’s bas...

Texas Tech Men’s Golf Coach Greg Sands has built one of the most successful programs in college golf, coaching stars like Ludvig Åberg and Mito Pereira while leading the Red Raiders to multiple NCAA Championship appearances. But beyond the trophies and titles, Coach Sands is driven by a deeper purpose—helping athletes find their true identity in Christ. In this episode of the Identity Sports Podca...

In this episode, San Francisco Giants Pitcher Carson Ragsdale. Carson was just recently added to the Giants 40-man roster and is looking to make a splash in big league camp this spring. Join us as we sit down with Carson and hear his mindset and how his faith is keeping him grounded as continues his journey in professional baseball. In this episode we cover:- Carson's recovery from Tommy John- The...