The Christians in Sport Podcast

E69 - Sharing faith over food at university | Student Special

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

'Dialogue dinners' or 'meals with a message', are a brilliant way to discuss and share faith with friends at university, yet it can feel intimidating ...

E68 - 6 ways people are becoming Christians today with Phil Knox from the Evangelical Alliance

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Over 9 million people play sport each week and millions more watch and talk about sport regularly. At the start of one of the biggest sporting summers...

E67 - Mental Health Awareness Week Special with Heather Lewis

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This year's Mental Health Awareness Week is themed around movement, including sport and this week we have a special episode with Heather Lewis, projec...

E66 - Jason Romano, the ESPN sports broadcaster

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Romano is the Director of Media with Sports Spectrum and the host of the popular Sports Spectrum Podcast – probably the most popular sports an...

E65 - Gill Bland, The Marathon Runner

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gill's story as a Christian, mother and marathon runner is inspiring. Taking up marathon running in 2011, Gill progressed to a personal best of 2:53:2...

AskCIS #37 | Should I smoke to have gospel conversations with my teammates?

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On nights out the best opportunity to chat may well be outside in the smoking area, away from the noise and where it’s natural to have a deeper conv...

E64 - Jan Achterberg, Former Long Track Speed Skater

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jan is a former long track and marathon speed skater, now working for Next Move Sports Ministries in the Netherlands. Jan decided to retire from skati...

E63 - John Bostock, Founder of Ballers in God

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Bostock debuted for Crystal Palace at just 15 years old, still their youngest-ever first-team player. He signed for Spurs a year later but his ca...

E62 - Jennifer Tait, The International Volleyball Player

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jenny Tait is an Australian volleyball player, earning 66 caps for the Volleyroos indoor team as well as playing for Campbell University in the NCAA a...

E61 - Alison Nicholas, The Solheim Cup Captain

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alison Nicholas is a British golfer who reached the pinnacle of the sport in a highly successful career as both a player and then later on as the capt...

AskCIS #36 | How can I start well as a Christian in university sport?

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Starting university is a really significant transition in life. It can be daunting, unpredictable and challenging as you move from home and look to jo...

E60 - Garin Jenkins, The Welsh Rugby World Cup Player

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off we revisit a conversation with Garin Jenkins recorded in 2016. Garin is a former Welsh rugby union player capped...

AskCIS #35 | How can I start well as I move from university to the world of work?

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a Christian sportsperson, what should you prioritise as you leave university behind and join the world of work? 0:00 Intro 0:22 Today's question 0...

E59 - Bertie Kennedy, The Cricket Performance Analyst

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bertie Kennedy is a top-level cricket analyst who has worked with numerous clubs and franchises across professional cricket, including conducting the ...

AskCIS #34 | Can god be glorified in violent sport?

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can a Christian really bring glory to God in combat sports like boxing or martial arts? In this episode of AskCIS we look at what the Bible has to say...

E58 - Fanie van der Merwe, The Paralympic Sprinting Champion

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fanie Van De Merwe is a multiple Paralympic Champion in track sprinting, with three Gold medals to his name across a career that saw him make three Pa...

AskCIS #33 | What should I wear to play sport which both enables performance and honours God?

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Issues around what women should wear for sport have been hotly debated in recent times, with plenty of opinions voiced about how much athletes should ...

E57 - Rosie Woodbridge, eating disorders and high performance sport

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eating disorders are disproportionately common in sport, and can be hugely damaging to athletes' physical and mental health. Jonny caught up with Ros...

AskCIS #32 | What do I say to someone who says my child shouldn't compete on a Sunday?

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How can you respond if someone says you shouldn't let your child compete on a Sunday? It's a big question that could come easily from another parent, ...

AskCIS #31 | How can I make the most of my last month at university?

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For many the season is over, and Wednesdays are no longer taken up with BUCS fixtures. Then once exams are over everything can become a bit of a blur....

E56 - Matthew Joseph, the Arsenal Coach

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Joseph is the man 'coaching the coaches' at Arsenal Football Club's Academy. Matthew played as an Arsenal and England youth team player, gaini...

AskCIS #30 | How can I glorify God in my sport?

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to play my sport for God’s glory? We often see people on social media talk about ‘playing for God’s glory’ and ‘all for Hi...

E55 - Anastasia Posner, The team GB rower

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anastasia Chitty (Née Posner) represented Oxford University in five Boat Race crews as well as representing Great Britain at World Cups, World Champi...

AskCIS #29 | Should I use Strava?

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fitness tracking and activity sharing apps have completely changed the landscape of athletic sports in recent years. In this episode of AskCIS we expl...

AskCIS #28 | How can I worship God with my sport when I'm not selected?

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not making the team is a tough scenario for players and athletes, particularly professionals who are under contract and unable to seek any alternative...

E54 - Steve Stenstrom, the NFL quarterback

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Stenstrom is a former NFL quarterback who played six seasons with the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos. Stev...

E53 - Karen Kennedy, former Irish Hockey international

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Kennedy is one of Irish Hockey's most experienced campaigners, with over a hundred international caps including playing in two World Cups. Havin...

AskCIS #27 | What does Philippians 4:13 actually say about sport?

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"I can do all things through the one who gives me strength." Really? Philippians 4:13 is a popular verse in the world of sport, and it's easy to see w...

AskCIS #26 | How can I celebrate the wonder of Christmas when I'm constantly playing through the festive period?

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christmas is a time when most of us stop playing, taking time off work or study and sport to be with family and friends. But what if you're a professi...

E52 - Michael Johnson, England Football Coach

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Johnson is an experienced player and respected coach within English Football. Having played for Birmingham City and Jamaica he moved into coac...

AskCIS #25 | How can a Christian respond to Qatar hosting the world cup?

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The FIFA World Cup is well underway, yet the conversation around the tournament continues to be dominated by controversial issues off the field. So ho...

E51 - Fran Clarkson, England Lionesses' Physio

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fran Clarkson is the Women's Pathway Lead Physiotherapist at the English Football Association, and recently stepped in as the interim Lead Physio for ...

AskCIS #24 | How do I maintain healthy family relationships whilst supporting my child in elite sport?

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Supporting a child in elite sport can be thrilling, but it can easily add strain to family relationships as the time and cost of supporting them becom...

AskCIS #23 | Should I wear rainbow laces?

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the last few years, we have received several similar questions from elite athletes, students and parents of young sportspeople. They can be summari...

E50 - Nick Ferraby, International cricketer turned pastor

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Ferraby is a former professional and international cricketer who represented Jersey in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifiers in 2018. Nick is no...

AskCIS #22 | Should a Christian athlete see a sports psychologist?

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

AskCIS is a new series where we think through the questions you send in to help you live and speak for Jesus in your sports club or team. Today we're ...

AskCIS #21 | How do I handle university sports team initiations?

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

AskCIS is a new series where we think through the questions you send in to help you live and speak for Jesus in your sports club or team. Today we're ...

AskCIS #20 | How can I start well at a new sports club?

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

AskCIS is a new series where we think through the questions you send in to help you live and speak for Jesus in your sports club or team. Today we're...

E49 - Tom Bates, Performance Psychologist: Killing the EGO

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the field of sports psychology, few have gained as much professional experience as Tom Bates. Tom cut his teeth working in professional football at...

AskCIS #19 | Does God care if I win or lose in sport?

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sport is brilliant, but it's not always straightforward, it can be challenging to live as a Christian within the world of sport. AskCIS is a new serie...

AskCIS #18 | Should Christian sportspeople boycott events in controversial places?

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Winter Olympics begin in Beijing on Friday under a mountain of controversy.  Beijing 2022 is not the only event suffering from allegations of hu...

E48 - Jake Peacock: Mixing Muay Thai Boxing with Christian Faith

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At 19 years of age Jake threw in the towel. He gave up competing as a fighter, but this wasn’t the only life change that occurred during his late te...

E47 - Suzanne Ferreira: Coach to paralympians

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Dr Suzanne Ferreira from Stellenbosch, South Africa. She's won 70 plus medals, through the athletes she coaches, at the Paralympic G...

E46 - Anna Tipton: Paralympian goal-ball player

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Danno sits down with Paralympic goal-ball player Anna Tipton (nee Sharkey). She played in eight European Championships, two World Championships and a...

AskCIS #17 | How can I deal with disappointment in my sport? | with Adam Pengilly and Debbie Flood

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all get disappointed in our sport don't we? Whether it's from injury, loss of form or not being renewed for another year, sport is full of lows, pr...

E45 - James Hope-Gill: Skateboard GB and the Olympic Games

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The CEO of Skateboard GB, James Hope-Gill joins us today, on the day Sky Brown won bronze at Tokyo 2020 to become the youngest ever British medallist....

E44 - Ashley Null: Olympic chaplain | Pastoring elite athletes

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Rev’d Canon Dr. Ashley Null is an internationally respected scholar on the grace and gratitude theology of the English Reformation. He teaches r...

AskCIS #16 | What it's like to be an Olympian?

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this re-release from 2016 in Rio, ex-athletes Debbie Flood and Adam Pengilly tell us what it is like to compete at the games. Debbie won silver med...

E43 - Christian Taylor: Olympic triple-jump champion | The man who helped postpone the Olympics

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A brand new series for Tokyo 2020 as we speak to Olympians, chaplains and coaches about what it means to be a Christian in the pinnacle of all sport. ...

E42 - Michael Johnson: England football coach | Football, leadership and race

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Johnson joins our podcast from St George's Park a few days after the Euro 2020 final. Jonno is currently an England U21s coach, having held a...

E41 - Gavin Peacock: From Pitch to Pundit to Pulpit

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We sat down with Gavin Peacock, former professional footballer and pundit and now a pastor to discuss his story as he's just released his autobiograph...

E40 - Andrew Wingfield Digby: The Cricketing Vicar

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we partner with podcast Hit For Six as we listen into their interview with Rev. Andrew Wingfield Digby - our first director, a very good cri...

E39 - Donnie Campbell: Ultra runner

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Donnie Campbell joins us this week. He is a mountain and ultra runner who speaks about: ✅ How he keeps going when he wants to quit ✅ Coping with l...

AskCIS #15 | How do we deal with referees and officials? | with Pete Browne and Graham Daniels

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How on earth does a Christian navigate the hot topic of referees and officials? What does this look like at the top end of sport when everything is on...

E38 - Michael Bennett: Director of Player Welfare at the PFA | The Mask

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week in the UK is Mental Health Awareness Week. Last Autumn we recorded an episode looking at Mental Health in sport as part of our video series...

AskCIS #14 | How do we cope with pressure in sport? | with Alison Nicholas and Debbie Flood

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do we cope with pressure in sport?   In this episode we are joined by Alison Nicholas and Debbie Bruwer. Ali was a British golfer who reached t...

E38 - Ian Lancaster: Enjoying the gift of sport after the pandemic

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amateur sport in the UK is back after 12 months of stop-start seasons.  In this podcast series opener we chat with Ian Lancaster about what we've mi...

AskCIS #13 | What are you top tips for going to university?

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Joe and Rhi join us to tell us all about their experiences of starting university as a Christian who loves sport.

E37 - Stephen Liggins: The Good Sporting Life

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by Stephen Liggins, author of 'The Good Sporting Life.' Sport has the power to captivate the heart, inspire the imagination and even to ...

E36 - Elite sport in lockdown

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Danno sits down with Pete Nicholas from Inspire Saint James in London to talk about identity formation in top level sport.  This podcast includes a ...

E35 - Bruce Dyer and Bobby Hassell: A conversation about racism in professional football

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Danno sits down with Bruce Dyer and Bobby Hassell as we speak about racism in professional football the proactive steps Barnsley Football Club have ta...

E34 - Having good mental fitness: Mental Health Awareness Week

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's Mental Health Awareness Week and so in this episode we ask: Why is the gospel good news for those in sport suffering with mental health concerns...

E33 - Faith on the sidelines as a parent of elite sporting children

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we speak with Gaynor - a whole family of sporty children! Last time she spoke about the time pressures of prioritising church, sport and famil...

AskCIS #12 | How do I deal with pride as a sportsperson?

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former rugby professional Peter Browne and badminton player Lisa Elliott join us to discuss pride as a sportsperson. Listen in as we discuss: The...

E32 - Libby Pigott: University footballer | Fat chillis and gospel chats

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Harris chats with Libby, a university footballer, about why she's made made a habit of making food and inviting her teammates to come and hear ab...

AskCIS #11 | Should a Christian be competitive?

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Can I be competitive and a Christian? Is competition wrong? What about wanting to win? Do you lose your competitive edge as a Christian? We’ve bee...

E31 - Mike Harris and Dave Hampton: How the Bible went viral in their rugby club

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dave and Mike speak about the amazing story of what God did in one rugby club through a series of Bible studies which went viral around the team. In...

E30 - The joy of being a sporty Christian family

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you want an expert in dealing with the ups and downs of having children on elite performance pathways, here's your woman. Graham Daniels sits down ...

AskCIS #10 | Why don’t we put famous sportspeople in the public eye?

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In response to your questions we have our first #AskCIS podcast. You asked “why don’t Christians in Sport put famous sportspeople in the public ey...

AskCIS #9 | Why should I reach the world of sport for Christ?

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Graham Daniels and Jonny Reid look at why Christians in Sport exits, to reach the world of sport for Jesus, and what encouragement Jesus gives as we g...

E29 - A parent's wrestle with Sunday Sport

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We sit down with Gaynor this week, a parent of top-level teenagers to chat about the wrestle she's had with her family on the issue of sport and churc...

AskCIS #8 | Should I play sport on a Sunday?

18 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We sit down with Rev. Pete Nicholas to discuss the question of Sunday sport and church in our latest podcast.  Listen in for discussion around: ...

E28 - Pete Browne: Professional rugby player | The freedom of having an identity in Christ

04 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Browne played professional rugby for 12 years - starting out at Newcastle Falcons and finishing up in Ulster after a career including great succ...

AskCIS #7 | How do I deal with socials and initiations in my sports team?

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we talk about socials. Sport is massively social as we hang out with people and get to know them on and off the pitch.  In this episode we...

AskCIS #6 | What does the Bible say about sport?

07 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Graham Daniels and Jonny Reid look at a very simple question - What does the bible actually have to say about sport? Christians in Sport is a movemen...

E27 - Paul Brush: West Ham footballer | Dealing with on and off field pain in elite sport

17 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“Somewhere God was tapping me on the shoulder saying, hey you aint clever enough to deal with this yourself…just ask me for a bit of help!” ...

E26 - Steve Spooner: Football journeyman and Birmingham City coach

01 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“When I got injured I found a faith and stability in God when times were tough, when I was literally out of work. He was faithful and he brought me ...

E25 - Wayne Jacobs: Bradford City legend | Why being a Christian doesn't make you soft

07 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

When we say we have guests who have seen it all - we meant it - and with Bradford City Legend, Wayne Jacobs, we really do! Wayne Jacobs has played...

E24 - Gavin Peacock: Newcastle and Chelsea midfielder

02 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

“Before I was a Christian football was my god so I was up and down according to how I played. When I came to know Jesus however, everything changed ...

E23 - Debbie Flood: The unexpected pain of retirement

03 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the final episode of the Retirement Question - series four of The Christians in Sport Podcast. The finale sees Danno chatting to former row...

E22 - Chris Jones and Adam Pengilly: Identity in the midst of retirement

06 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 3 sees Danno chatting to former rugby wildman turned youth coach Chris Jones and ex-Winter Olympian Adam Pengilly. The pair enjoyed successful...

E21 - Alison Nicholas: The retirement question

01 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the Retirement Question. We resume with Danno chatting to former professional golfer Alison Nicholas. The highlights of Alison’s 20 ...

E20 - Linvoy Primus: Dealing with retirement as a professional footballer

04 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

For elite athletes, this is singularly the greatest issue. When you stop playing, you have no idea who you are, where you fit into society, what your ...

AskCIS #5 | How do you disciple athletes at the Commonwealth Games?

09 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Danno is in Australia as a chaplain at the Commonwealth Games.  We interviewed him to find out what he's up to and what he's saying to top level ...

E19 - Adam Pengilly: Winter Olympian | The danger of worshipping your sport

05 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

With the Winter Olympics about to start, Danno dives into the adrenaline-filled world of skeleton to meet Adam Pengilly. Hurtling down an icy track ly...

E18 - Debbie Flood: Selfless leadership in an Olympic boat

05 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the Leadership Files. This time, we head into the world of elite rowing as Danno catches up with double Olympic silver medallist and t...

E17 - Alison Nicholas: Sleepless nights as the Solheim Cup captain

01 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the Leadership Files. This time, we return to the world of golf as Danno catches up with former US Open champion and victorious Solhei...

E16 - Chris Jones: Coaching as a Christian at the House of Pain

03 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the Leadership Files - series three of The Christians in Sport Podcast. We kick off with Danno catching up again with former rugby wildman ...

AskCIS #4 | Why should Christian athletes at the top level get stuck into church?

06 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why should Christian athletes at the top level get stuck into church? That’s the question we’re tackling on the latest Christians in Sport Podcast...

AskCIS #3 | Can you be an elite sportsperson and a Christian? | A roundtable with Olympian Debbie Flood and footballer Linvoy Primus

02 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A special roundtable podcast with Graham Daniels interviewing Olympian Debbie Flood and footballer Linvoy Primus about what its like being a Christian...

E15 - Val Gin: American volleyball and softball coach | Mentoring the next generation

05 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We move into the world of coaching for our latest podcast as Danno crosses the Pond to meet Val Gin. A professor of kinesiology at Gordon College, Mas...

E14 - Ann O'Flynn: England women's rugby international

10 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

With the RBS 6 Nations in full flow, we return to the rugby field for this month’s Christians in Sport Podcast with former England international Ann...

E13 - Chris Jones: Welsh rugby hard-man | Banned for life twice

02 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We are marking the return of the Six Nations with a foray into the world of rugby union for the latest Christians in Sport podcast, but this month’s...

E12 - Darren Moore: Premier league footballer and experienced manager | Having a secure identity

06 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We kick off the new year on the Christians in Sport podcast with a trip to the Hawthorns – home of West Bromwich Albion. Here Danno meets former Wes...

E11 - Niel Louw: South African Paralympian | Running amidst adversity

02 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Paralympian Niel Louw has an amazing story. Listen to the podcast as Niel talks about The freak accident that should have killed him (2mins ...

E10 - Jane Powell: England cricket and hockey player | Representing Jesus in four sports

04 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jane Powell is now involved with her fourth different international sport in an illustrious career as a player and now a coach. Listen to as Jane...

E9 - Adriano Medeiros: Brazilian motoracer

07 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Buckle up as the Christians in Sport Podcast visits the high-speed world of motorsport. Seeking career advice from an ex-Formula 1 driver proved a ...

E8 - Life in the Olympic Village w/ Debbie Flood and Adam Pengilly

05 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

As the Rio Olympics get under way, ex-athletes Debbie Flood and Adam Pengilly tell us what it is like to compete at the games. Debbie won silver meda...

AskCIS #2 | What does the Bible say about losing?

07 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

An audio extract of an article written about doping and what the Christian faith has to say about it. To read the full article go to christiansinsport...

E7 - Parys Edwards: South African triathlete and physio

30 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

PARYS Edwards has competed at the top level in two different sports over a 20-year career that is still going strong. Starting off as junior hockey i...