Episodes

  • Game Changers: Common Ground with Pat Griffin

    Game Changers: Common Ground with Pat Griffin
    Jul 3 2025
    Welcome to season 2 of the "Spirit of Sport" podcast from Christian Athlete Circles. CAC is a community for athletes seeking a deeper spiritual life. In the podcast, the athletic community offers reflections on spirituality, faith and leadership. In this episode, we talk with Pat Griffin--trailblazing advocate and educator. Pat shares her journey from coaching as a closeted lesbian in the 1980s to becoming a national leader for LGBTQ inclusion in sports. She reflects on moments of courage, the cost of hiding, and the power of speaking out against injustice--even when it means challenging the status quo. Pat discusses the origins of Common Ground, her experiences building bridges between LGBTQ athletes and people of faith, and the core values that sustain her work: love and compassion. More about the podcast: Season 2 of the "Spirit of Sport" podcast is focused on “Game Changers”--people in the athletic community who have been at the work of weaving mercy and justice for years--offering wisdom on how to lead and how to love through difficult times. Rev. Kelsey Davis and Georgia McKee are Christian Athlete Circles Co-Founders and Co-Directors. They're also hosting season 2, and they've been wrestling with what it means to hold true to their values and make meaning in today’s world. Through candid conversations, they’ll learn from leaders in the athletic community who have been at the work of weaving mercy and justice for years—offering wisdom on how to lead and how to love through difficult times. Whether you’re passionate about sports, social change or everything in between, this season will leave you reflecting on what it truly means to be a game changer--in your team, your community and the world. These short episodes are perfect for a bus ride or a walk to class. Share with your teammates and leave a review! Learn more at ChristianAthleteCircles.org Follow CAC on Instagram & Threads: @christianathletecircles Sign up for the weekly devotional, The Weekly Huddle. Resources: Common Ground ~ https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/4/26/common-ground.aspx Faithful Pride ~ https://goodfaithmedia.org/faithful-pride-initiative/ The Trevor Project ~ https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ Good Faith Media ~ https://goodfaithmedia.org/ Episode release date: July 3, 2025. "Spirit of Sport" is sponsored by The Center for Contemplative Justice, Episcopal Church Foundation of North Carolina, and the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Hosts: Kelsey Davis and Georgia McKee. Producer: James Franklin. Additional support: Cliff Vaughn from Good Faith Media. Music: Jay Ragsdale.
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    26 mins
  • Game Changers: Liberation Lives Locally with Hudson Taylor

    Game Changers: Liberation Lives Locally with Hudson Taylor
    Jun 26 2025
    Welcome to season 2 of the "Spirit of Sport" podcast from Christian Athlete Circles. CAC is a community for athletes seeking a deeper spiritual life. In the podcast, the athletic community offers reflections on spirituality, faith and leadership. In this episode, we talk with Hudson Taylor: former wrestler, contemplative, activist and the founder of Athlete Ally. Hudson shares his journey from a small act of allyship to becoming a nationally recognized advocate for inclusion. He also discusses the challenges, backlash and growth that come with standing up for justice. Hudson reflects on the power of listening, the importance of showing up for others, and the spiritual convictions that keep him grounded. More about the podcast: Season 2 of the "Spirit of Sport" podcast is focused on “Game Changers”--people in the athletic community who have been at the work of weaving mercy and justice for years--offering wisdom on how to lead and how to love through difficult times. Rev. Kelsey Davis and Georgia McKee are Christian Athlete Circles Co-Founders and Co-Directors. They're also hosting season 2, and they've been wrestling with what it means to hold true to their values and make meaning in today’s world. Through candid conversations, they’ll learn from leaders in the athletic community who have been at the work of weaving mercy and justice for years—offering wisdom on how to lead and how to love through difficult times. Whether you’re passionate about sports, social change or everything in between, this season will leave you reflecting on what it truly means to be a game changer--in your team, your community and the world. These short episodes are perfect for a bus ride or a walk to class. Share with your teammates and leave a review! Learn more at ChristianAthleteCircles.org Follow CAC on Instagram & Threads: @christianathletecircles Sign up for the weekly devotional, The Weekly Huddle. Resources: Athlete Ally ~ https://www.athleteally.org/ The Raceless Gospel ~ https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/ The Trevor Project ~ https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ Good Faith Media ~ https://goodfaithmedia.org/ Episode release date: June 26, 2025. "Spirit of Sport" is sponsored by The Center for Contemplative Justice, Episcopal Church Foundation of North Carolina, and the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Hosts: Kelsey Davis and Georgia McKee. Producer: James Franklin. Additional support: Cliff Vaughn from Good Faith Media. Music: Jay Ragsdale.
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    21 mins
  • Game Changers: Trailer

    Game Changers: Trailer
    Jun 18 2025
    In “Spirit of Sport” from Christian Athlete Circles, the athletic community offers reflections on spirituality, faith and leadership. Season 2 is here! Its focus: “Game Changers”--people in the athletic community who have been at the work of weaving mercy and justice for years--offering wisdom on how to lead and how to love through difficult times. Rev. Kelsey Davis and Georgia McKee are Christian Athlete Circles Co-Founders and Co-Directors. They're also hosting season 2, and they've been wrestling with what it means to hold true to their values and make meaning in today’s world. Through candid conversations, they’ll learn from leaders in the athletic community who have been at the work of weaving mercy and justice for years--offering wisdom on how to lead and how to love through difficult times. Whether you’re passionate about sports, social change or everything in between, this season will leave you reflecting on what it truly means to be a game changer--in your team, your community and the world. These short episodes are perfect for a bus ride or a walk to class. Share with your teammates and leave a review! "Spirit of Sport" is brought to you by Christian Athlete Circles, a community for athletes seeking a deeper spiritual life. New episodes drop on Thursdays beginning June 26, 2025. Learn more at ChristianAthleteCircles.org Follow CAC on Instagram & Threads: @christianathletecircles Sign up for the weekly devotional, The Weekly Huddle. "Spirit of Sport" is sponsored by The Center for Contemplative Justice, Episcopal Church Foundation of North Carolina, and the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Hosts: Kelsey Davis and Georgia McKee. Producer: James Franklin. Additional support: Cliff Vaughn from Good Faith Media. Music: Jay Ragsdale.
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    2 mins
  • Endure (S1. E5)

    Endure (S1. E5)
    Jun 27 2024
    Welcome back to the Spirit of Sport podcast, where reflections on faith, spirituality, and leadership come from the athletic community. This season, we’re drawing on the wisdom of early Christian monastics—people who sought to grow in faith by memorizing Scripture, telling stories, and asking their mentors, “Give me a word.” Each episode explores a word that shapes both spiritual and athletic life. In this episode, Kelsey and Shannon’s word is Endure. Often seen as a test of individual strength, endurance is also about community, rest, and lament. They explore what it means to endure in faith, leadership, and sports—not just by pushing through but by showing up, sharing the load, and trusting the process. These 20-minute episodes are perfect for a bus ride or a walk to class. Share with your teammates and leave a review! Spirit of Sport is brought to you by Christian Athlete Circles, a community for athletes seeking a deeper spiritual life. We believe every person is made in the image of God and is worthy of belonging and respect. Learn more at ChristianAthleteCircles.org.📲 Follow us on Instagram & Threads: @christianathletecircles
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    17 mins
  • Compete (S1. E4)

    Compete (S1. E4)
    Jun 27 2024
    Welcome back to the Spirit of Sport Podcast, where reflections on spirituality, faith, and leadership are offered by the athletic community. This season, we’re exploring the wisdom of early Christian monastics—people who sought to grow in faith by memorizing Scripture, telling stories, and asking their mentors, “Give me a word.” Each episode dives into a word that shapes both spiritual and athletic life. In this episode, Kelsey and Shannon’s word is Compete. They explore the Latin roots of the word, Paul’s athletic metaphors, the idea of competition as a way to sharpen and strengthen one another, and how faith shapes the way we celebrate others. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or simply have a competitive edge, this episode offers insights into competing in ways that uplift and transform both ourselves and our communities. These 20-minute episodes are perfect for a bus ride or a walk to class. Share with your teammates and leave a review! Spirit of Sport is brought to you by Christian Athlete Circles, a community for athletes seeking a deeper spiritual life. We believe every person is made in the image of God and is worthy of belonging and respect. Learn more about Christian Athlete Circles at ChristianAthleteCircles.org 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Threads: @christianathletecircles
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    14 mins
  • Turn (S1. E3)

    Turn (S1. E3)
    Jun 27 2024
    Welcome back to the Spirit of Sport Podcast, where reflections on spirituality, faith, and leadership are offered by the athletic community. This season, we’re exploring the wisdom of early Christian monastics—people who sought to grow in faith by memorizing Scripture, telling stories, and asking their mentors, “Give me a word.” Each episode dives into a word that shapes both spiritual and athletic life. Today’s word is Turn—the skill and courage to pivot, both in sports and in life. Whether it’s a quick move on the field or a major shift in our spiritual journey, turning requires awareness, trust, and the willingness to change. We’ll explore themes of repentance, vulnerability, transformation, and the church’s role in fostering true change. These 20-minute episodes are perfect for a bus ride or a walk to class. Share with your teammates and leave a review! Spirit of Sport is brought to you by Christian Athlete Circles, a community for athletes seeking a deeper spiritual life. We believe every person is made in the image of God and is worthy of belonging and respect. Learn more about Christian Athlete Circles at ChristianAthleteCircles.org 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Threads: @christianathletecircles
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    18 mins
  • Practice (S1. E2)

    Practice (S1. E2)
    Jun 27 2024
    Welcome back to the Spirit of Sport Podcast, where reflections on spirituality, faith, and leadership are offered by the athletic community. This season, we’re exploring the wisdom of early Christian monastics—people who sought to grow in faith by memorizing Scripture, telling stories, and asking their mentors, “Give me a word.” Each episode dives into a word that shapes both spiritual and athletic life. Today’s word is Practice—how the way we train, both in sports and in faith, shapes who we become. We’ll reflect on practice as ritual, Jesus’ journey, spiritual disciplines, and how habits shape our responses to life’s challenges. Whether on the field or in prayer, practice forms us. These 20-minute episodes are perfect for a bus ride or a walk to class. Share with your teammates and leave a review! Spirit of Sport is brought to you by Christian Athlete Circles, a community for athletes seeking a deeper spiritual life. We believe every person is made in the image of God and is worthy of belonging and respect. Learn more about Christian Athlete Circles at ChristianAthleteCircles.org 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Threads: @christianathletecircles
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    22 mins
  • Body (S1. E1)

    Body (S1. E1)
    Jun 27 2024
    In this debut episode of Spirit of Sport, hosts Shannon Spencer and Kelsey Davis introduce the podcast and Season 1: Give Me a Word. Inspired by early Christian monastics who sought wisdom by asking their mentors, “Give me a word,” this season explores words that shape both spiritual and athletic life. This episode focuses on Body—how faith, sports, and society shape our understanding of our bodies. The duo reflects on healing, blessing, and recognizing our shared humanity, touching on topics like the Eucharist, training, competition, and the sacredness of the body. These 20-minute episodes are perfect for a bus ride or a walk to class. Share with your teammates and leave a review! Spirit of Sport is brought to you by Christian Athlete Circles, a community for athletes seeking a deeper spiritual life. We believe every person is made in the image of God and is worthy of belonging and respect. Learn more about Christian Athlete Circles at ChristianAthleteCircles.org 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Threads: @christianathletecircles
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    16 mins