Trials Make Champions Podcast

In this episode, Aaron Robinson joins host, Kyle Castlin, and co-host, Matty Ying, to discuss a variety of topics within the topic of singleness and dating while following Christ. The guys discuss the importance of being single and maximizing your time in that season to become the best version of yourself in Christ while preparing for your committed season to a potential future spouse. The dating culture today is a messy one and one where waiting until marriage for sex is not popular and will even get you made fun of. Is waiting until marriage for sex the right thing to do? The answer is quite clear when one looks to scripture. The guys also discuss the importance of not expecting your spouse to be on the same faith level as you when you all first meet, for better or worse, because we all are on our own faith journey and will grow closer to God at different times and through different experiences. Check out the show to hear all the dope insight and content caught in this episode! 

In this episode, Kyle Castlin and Matthew Ying discuss how adversity elevates you to your next level. In life we often can't understand why certain trials and tribulations come our way, but somehow, someway they always seem to better position us for the calling God always had on our life. In the moment, it is easy to feel disappointment and alone, but the truth is God does his best work when we face adverse situations and have no other option than to lean on Him. Thank God for the trials we face that better prepare us for our destiny! 

In this episode, Host Kyle Castlin and Co-Host Matthew Ying join episode 67 of the Trials Make Champions Podcast to discuss what the journey is like following making the decision to follow Jesus. Being precise in your speech, the music and voices that are feeding your ears and mind, and God never forcing you to follow Him are a few of the many topics discussed throughout this episode. IG : @trialsmakechampionsIG : @kylecastlin IG : @matty.ying

In this episode, Host Kyle Castlin and new Co-Host Matthew Ying join episode 66 of the Trials Make Champions Podcast to discuss how the journey through life molds you into being more like Christ. Idolizing the sport of basketball, God humbling Kyle and Matthew through the sport of basketball and true greatness being someone who serves others the way Christ did are a few of the many topics discussed in this episode. IG : @trialsmakechampionsllcIG : @kylecastlinIG : @matty.ying

In this episode, Kyle Castlin discusses how he handles not performing as well as he likes in games and thanking God in advance for the breakthrough that is on the way! Become expectant of the great things God has ahead and watch the blessings that come our way! God bless! 

In this episode, Kyle Castlin discusses the harsh reality of what majority of athletes experience while pursuing professional basketball. IG : @trialsmakechampionsllcIG : @kylecastlin TikTok : @tmchamps YouTube : @tmchamps 

In this episode, Kyle Castlin discusses John 13:7, the importance of trusting God when things seem to not be making sense in life & how one cannot experience eruption in life without disruption. 

In this episode, Kyle Castlin takes time to reflect on some of the current and recent adversities and decisions he has made in life and how he looks to improve and build on those decisions moving forward. 

In this episode, Kyle Castlin discusses the benefits of experiencing discomfort in life which leads to growth and the importance of building your life on the solid foundation of the Lord and your faith. 

In this episode, Kyle Castlin discusses being prepared in the wilderness for all God has for you and your purpose in life. Luke 4:1-3 and Mark 1:11-13 are the main passages of scripture the message focuses on.

In this episode, former Columbia University and University of Michigan Star, Mike Smith, and former Mercer University star, Stephon Jelks, join the show to discuss where they are currently in their professional basketball careers overseas, the climb to making real money in overseas basketball, the importance of mental health and work life balance and how adversity has prepared them for where they are today. 

In this episode, Brandon Rechsteiner joins the show to discuss his commitment to the Virginia Tech Hokies Men's Basketball Program and Head Coach Mike Young. B Roc offers insight on how to make the right decision when choosing your school, his goals for the upcoming season and the experience of blowing up as a priority recruit over the summer. 

In this episode, former Sequoyah HS basketball star and Rollins College incoming freshman, Dylan Wolle, joins the show to discuss his family and the role they have played in his life, the impact of understanding his younger siblings, other kids and people in general are watching what he does at all times and his most memorable moments playing HS basketball at Sequoyah HS. 

In this episode, Tai Bibbs joins the show to discuss his experience playing Division I basketball in the Ivy League at Columbia University vs. playing Division I basketball at an HBCU with Howard University, New York City vs. DC, what it was like growing up playing high school basketball in Chicago & more! 

In this episode, Etowah high school basketball player, Brandon Rechsteiner, joins the show to discuss how he developed his work ethic, his love of the game of basketball, what it is like getting Division 1 college basketball scholarship offers & more! 

In this episode, Kyle Castlin reflects on his journey to how he got to where he is today and the importance of trusting God along the way. Kyle reiterates the fact that we are all right on time on our journey in life. God has us exactly where he wants us to be and we must trust that. Kyle also notes that we all have enough to accomplish all of our dreams right where we are. Whatever we need God will provide. 

In this episode, Mackenzie Engram joins the Trials Make Champions Podcast to discuss growing up playing basketball in Atlanta, Georgia, receiving her first college basketball scholarship offers, her and her brother, Evan Engram, growing up competing with and motivating each other to be the best at whatever task was at hand and the importance of faith and family throughout her journey. 

In this episode, Jeff Coby joins the show to discuss how certain trials in life led him to his passion for meditation and mindfulness and how discovering the two have led to greater opportunity on and off the basketball court. 

Worship Song: I Need Your Glory by James Fortune and FIYABible Verse: Isaiah 43:18-19

Worship Song: Hello Fear by Kirk Franklin Bible Verse: Isaiah 41:13

Worship Song: Greater is Coming by Jekalyn CarrBible Verse: 1 Peter 5:10 

Worship Song: I Trust You by James Fortune and FIYABible Verse: Psalms 32:8 

Worship Song: He'll Take the Pain Away by God's PropertyBible Verse: Romans 2:8

Song: Live Through It by FIYA and James Fortune Bible Verse: Psalm 9:9

Song: He Has His Hands On You by Marvin Sapp Bible Verse: Isaiah 41:10

In this episode, former Division I athlete/football player and current owner of Love and Pray Hard, LLC, Jalen Dampier, joins the show to discuss his journey with football, God leading him to a greater purpose and what it's like being a business owner of a clothing brand. Jalen is graduating from the University of Tennessee this spring and is working hard to continue to be successful following graduation from college. Checking out Jalen's company and personal pages at: Instagram: loveandprayhard_Instagram (personal): jalendampier Company Website: loveandprayhard.com/collections/all

In this episode, former Xavier Musketeer, Malcolm Bernard, discusses his professional basketball experiences, playing at Xavier University and his journey throughout his basketball career. 

In this episode, former Georgetown Hoya and SLC Stars pro basketball player, Rodney Pryor, joins the show to discuss his off the court business ventures and finding his identity away from basketball as a result of Covid-19 putting so many professional athletes out of jobs and opportunities this season.

In this episode, former professional basketball player, author of over 25 books, keynote speaker and CEO of Work On Your Game, Dre Baldwin, joins the show to discuss his unique journey to playing basketball overseas, how his experience with basketball prepared him to dominate in business and creating his own company, Work on Your Game.

In this episode, former UNC Men's basketball player and national champion, Brandon Robinson, joins the show to discuss what it was like to win a national championship at UNC, how he ended up at UNC, the basketball network he experiences because of playing at UNC, what Kobe Bryant meant to him and what life has been like since graduating from UNC and preparing for professional basketball.

In this episode, Utah Jazz forward Jarrell Brantley joins the show to discuss the NBA bubble experience in Orlando, Florida with the Utah Jazz, what it was like to be a part of the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets playoffs series, biggest lessons he learned during his rookie season in the NBA, how he's spent his time since the Jazz season ended & more!

In this episode, former Georgia State Panther and current Salt Lake City Stars player, Malik Benlevi, joins the show to discuss his experience growing up in Savannah, Georgia, why he decided to attend Georgia State and how he ended up playing his first season of professional basketball in the NBA G League for the Salt Lake City Stars.

In this episode, former San Jose State and Xavier basketball player and current Naturopathic & Chiropractic medical student, Ryan Welage joins the show to discuss his outstanding basketball career at San Jose State, playing a 5th year at Xavier University, making the decision to pursue medical school rather than professional basketball though he had multiple options and various health and wellness tips he recommends in order to live the longest and healthiest life possible. Go to @welage_wellness on Instagram, go to the Well Eyes website in Ryan's bio and use the discount code KC15 on any of his glasses products on the site in order to get 15% OFF any product AND free shipping!

In this episode, former Georgetown Hoya & current professional basketball player, Rodney Pryor joins the show to discuss his unique journey to Georgetown from JUCO and Robert Morris University. Rodney's path to professional basketball was not as simple as the path of others, but his particular journey humbled and prepared him to be the man he is today on and off the court and in this episode Rodney discusses the importance of adversity in his becoming. From playing professionally overseas to the NBA G-League to finding his best self off the court, Rodney gives insight to the importance of having no idols in life and learning not to base life on things he cannot control.

In this episode, former Columbia University 2-Time NCAA Fencing Team Champion & NCAA Women's Foil Champion, Iman Blow, joins the show to discuss her journey growing up being exposed to the sport of fencing with other people of color, the hectic schedule fencing has forced her to live while balancing the sport, academia and other career interests and her Fundamentals of Fencing clinic in order to continue to reveal to all kinds of people that YOU are what a fencer looks like!

In this episode, former Columbia Men's Basketball player and current German National Team and FC Bayern Munich guard, Maodo Lô joins the show to discuss his journey to Columbia University from Germany, beginning to play with the German National Team in college, and the experience of playing in Euro League in Germany and winning a few German championships.

In this episode, Coach Travis Steele, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Xavier University, joins the show to discuss his journey to becoming head coach at Xavier, learning from coaches like Kelvin Sampson, Sean Miller, Thad Matta, & Chris Mack, and how Xavier basketball has been built on the shoulders of many former players who played with a chip on their shoulder and helped build an amazing basketball program and history!

In this episode, my former Columbia basketball teammate and current professional basketball player in Germany for Medi Bayreuth, Lukas Meisner joins the show to discuss how a young player from Germany ends up playing college basketball in the United States of America, what his professional basketball experience has been like thus far & how learning from Dennis Schröder and other guys on the German National Team has helped him grow as a player.

In this episode, DJ McCall of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants joins the show to discuss his journey from Concordia Lutheran to IUPUI to the NBA G-League. Get insight on how redshirting in college benefitted DJ academically and athletically, and what his journey to the NBA G-League looked like via attending open tryouts prior to the season.

In this episode, Coach Jeremy Growe goes into detail about his journey from being a manager at Indiana University, a graduate program assistant at Xavier University, to coaching at Xavier and now Furman University. He also discusses what it takes to create a great team, what separates the best players at every level and how adversity propels you to the peaks you always imagined.

In this episode, I am interviewed by Bridgette Tolbert, from the NBA, about my journey to the NBA G-League, my college basketball experience vs. my professional basketball experience, how COVID-19 has impacted my life directly and what I think about the G-League looking to recruit top HS recruits to the league.

In this episode, Trey Scotti and Sam Frayer go into detail about their journeys of getting into coaching at the Division I basketball level, thoughts on the NCAA allowing student-athletes to be compensated for endorsements and promotions and some tips they would give kids who aspire to play basketball at the Division I level.

In this episode, Kenyan Drake, 2-Time National Champion with the Alabama Crimson Tide and current Arizona Cardinals Running Back, joins this show to discuss how playing football at Hillgrove High School helped prepare Kenyan for playing football at Alabama for Coach Nick Saban, in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins & Arizona Cardinals and overcoming all the obstacles he has throughout his journey to achieve the success he has up to this point in his life.

In this episode, BJ Bass of RBA Sports joins the show to discuss how RBA Sports was created, his journey of becoming an NBA agent, the value in truly dissecting the potential of various clients before signing athletes, and the evolution of the NBA G-League & NBA.

In this episode, former Yale guard & current Greensboro Swarm guard (NBA G-League) goes into detail about his unique academic experience from high school to the Ivy League, what it was like playing Division I college basketball at Yale University for Coach James Jones & the difficult, yet fulfilling, journey he experienced in his rookie season of playing professional basketball.

In this episode, Taylor Wayer goes into great detail about growing up playing high school basketball in Indiana, playing college basketball at IU for Coach Tom Crean, and naturally transitioning into becoming a High School Varsity Basketball Coach at Bishop Chatard High School, his alma mater, while also establishing his own basketball training company for ages ranging from young kids to professional athletes (Competitive Greatness Training).

In this episode, Deonte Burton goes into great detail discussing his journey from high school basketball in Compton, California, his legendary career at Nevada, his pre-draft experiences, & the highs and lows he has experienced as a professional basketball athlete. Tune into Deonte's journey and all the knowledge he has gained and experienced up to this point in his professional career.

In this episode, Willie Reed Jr. goes into great detail about his decision to play for a legendary college coach at a mid major university (Saint Louis) over going to schools like Kansas and Missouri, how he ended up getting a shot in the NBA and what it was like playing for the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, LA Clippers and Detroit Pistons.

In this episode, Jarrell "JB" Brantley goes into great detail about his journey to the historical Montrose Christian Academy, the College of Charleston & now the NBA for the Utah Jazz. JB has constantly overcome obstacles and found small instances that can continuously be used as forms of motivation to continue to elevate to the level of basketball he wants to get to. This is the first episode of the Trials Make Champions Podcast where an actual live video of the show is available as well. Tune into YouTube (YouTube Channel: lowkeykyle) to watch the full interaction between JB and I throughout the podcast.

In this episode, my Salt Lake City Stars teammate, Mike Scott, goes into great detail about his route to playing JUCO (junior college) basketball before playing Division 1 at Idaho, his experience playing basketball overseas vs. his first season in America, and what it is like working out with his good friend and NBA-Star Zach Lavine in the offseason.