The BEMA Podcast

Episode 466: Ethan Bryan — If You Were Brave
Air Date: September 4, 2025
Hosts: Marty Solomon, Brent Billings
Guest: Ethan Bryan (Author, "A Year of Playing Catch"; National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, White House visitor, benchwarmer-extraordinaire)

Overview

This episode features an engaging and heartfelt conversation with Ethan Bryan, author and lifelong baseball enthusiast. Ethan shares his journey of identity, vulnerability, and the unexpected power of playing catch daily for a year. The discussion weaves together themes of family, faith, courage, creativity, and the healing nature of sport. Listeners are left with memorable reflections on bravery and the beauty of ordinary relationships.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Ethan Bryan

• Ethan introduces himself as a son, brother, husband, father, and more, emphasizing relationships as core identity rather than accomplishments.
• Shares his love for guitar, board games (with humorous family Candyland anecdotes), and his fondness for donuts and Dr. Pepper.
• "[It’s] very grounding to define yourself by your relationships." (Ethan, 00:42)

2. Becoming Connected: A Podcast Community Story

• Marty recounts following Ethan on Twitter, inspired by Ethan’s daily catch challenge and the serendipitous personal connection via a mutual acquaintance on a plane.
• Ethan describes multiple, “serendipitous” introductions to the BEMA podcast in various faith-based settings.
• "[It] was just one of those serendipitous moments." (Ethan, 03:22)

3. A Lifelong Love for Baseball

• Ethan’s “mythological” origin story: As a four-year-old, he attended the legendary 16-inning Royals game in May 1979, where George Brett hit for the cycle and won the game with a walk-off homer.
• His deep-rooted loyalty to the Kansas City Royals persists unconditionally.
• "I have loved the Royals. Good, bad. ...It is that childhood first love." (Ethan, 05:29)

4. Donuts & Baseball: The Sweet Connection

• Shares a Krispy Kreme promo at Royals games: a free dozen if the Royals had a dozen hits—until it was too successful and canceled early.
• His lifelong love of donuts marked by stories even before birth ("literally the entirety of my existence").
• "[After Lamaze classes], they would pass a bakery at night that would serve hot, fresh doughnuts. So I have loved donuts literally the entirety of my existence." (Ethan, 07:48)

5. The Year of Playing Catch: More Than a Game

• The challenge began on a frigid January 1, 2018, inspired by a ball gifted from his daughter with "Dad, want to play catch?" written on it.
• Family dialogue (“Dad, what would happen if you played catch every day for a year?”) catalyzed the challenge.
• Encounters began as an antidote to depression and creative anxiety—became both healing and transformative.
• "[My daughters] are the inspiration. They are the ones who almost every night that year... would sit for family dinners, [and ask], 'Dad, tell us the story of who you played catch with today.'" (Ethan, 09:01)
• Catching as healing: Links to "relationship, movement, and stress management"—patterned, rhythmic activity that regulates the brain and opens space for connection.
• "Playing catch is relational stress management." (Ethan, 13:36)

6. Most Memorable Catch Moments

• Playing catch at the “Field of Dreams” movie site with his father—a near-spiritual, joy-filled experience.
• Connecting his daughters with Mary Moore (AAGPBL player, "A League of Their Own") and Perry Barber (pioneering female umpire, Jeopardy! champion)—generational and barrier-breaking stories.
• "It was...like experiencing church out there. ...It was stepping into the mood and getting just a taste of the air quotes magic." (Ethan, 17:19)

7. Family, Relationships, and the Real Meaning of Achievement

• Unexpectedly, Ethan’s highlight stories center on family, not fame: “the people that matter the most to you.”
• The value of proximity, real presence, and roots—moving so children can experience life with their grandparents.

8. Breaking the Ice and Forming Deeper Connections

• Ethan uses baseball as an initial bridge but flexibly pursues connections via “the art of asking questions”—meeting people as humans first.
• "It’s just asking the question...and being genuinely interested and curious about people." (Ethan, 21:18)

9. Faith, Fear, and Bravery

• A candid account: “I have been afraid my entire life,” tracing vulnerability to childhood alopecia and beyond.
• Faith rooted in Proverbs 3:5–6, with a focus on trust amid fear.
• Luke 5: “Don’t be afraid. From now on you’ll be catching people.” (Paraphrased)
• Ethans' role mentoring youth—embodying courage and encouragement through catch and presence.
• "I am catching people, and I’m trying not to be afraid." (Ethan, 26:55)
• Marty: “51 years old, still learning how not to be afraid. I find that inspiring, moving, true about our developing, evolving faith.” (27:08)

10. Fiction That Feels Real: Writing, Family, and Home

• Brent highlights Ethan’s fiction book, The Life Saving Adventure of Gracelyn Gordon and Her Dog, noting its grounded realism and local specificity.
• Ethan outlines how the story is woven from family inside jokes and history, designed as a gift for loved ones.
• "It’s ultimately just a story about family and making new friends." (Ethan, 31:15)

11. Creative Work, Nonprofit Leadership, and Catch as Curriculum

• Ethan supports organizations like Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport and Community Partnership with the Ozarks, integrating play and character development with students.
• Teaching values through catch: courage, attitude, tenacity, community, and learning from failure.
• "We’re really practicing being human." (Ethan, 32:56)
• Leadership program for high schoolers merging play and service.

12. Writing Process and Personal Reflection

• Ethan processes and grows through writing; reads widely to integrate insights into action.
• "I process life best through writing." (Ethan, 37:33)
• Encourages his creative daughters (musician and artist) to embody and pass on creative courage.

13. Bravery as a Daily Practice

• Ethan’s daily mantra: “What would I do if I were brave?” rooted in Joshua 1:9 and a “pretend to be brave” approach.
• "Here I am promised that the one who played all things into being is with me. ...I'm going to go pretend to be brave for a little bit and see what happens." (Ethan, 41:21)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "People are the best part of life." (Ethan, 47:52)
• "'What would happen if you played catch every day for a year?' ...I laughed. ...But I held onto that question for six seconds and then, maybe you should just try it." (Ethan, 09:01)
• "Nothing heals like sport." —Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport (quoted by Ethan, 13:36)
• “I have been afraid my entire life.” (Ethan, 23:33)
• "I'm catching people, and I'm trying not to be afraid." (Ethan, 26:55)
• “What would I do if I was brave?” (Ethan, 41:21)
• “I get so scared so easy. ...And that’s when you ask yourself, ‘Oh, gosh, what would I do if I was brave?’” (Ethan's story about a student, 47:10)
• "Leadership is about service to others, not strength for self." (Ethan, 36:05)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:42: Ethan introduces himself through relationships, not achievements
• 05:29: Childhood origin story of loving the Kansas City Royals
• 09:01: The “year of playing catch” is born from a daughter's question
• 13:36: How playing catch heals—relationship, movement, stress management
• 17:19: Most meaningful catch memories: Field of Dreams, meeting baseball pioneers
• 23:33: Ethan’s honest struggle: lifelong fear and faith as a response
• 26:55: Mentoring kids and "catching people"—living faith through bravery and sport
• 31:15: Writing fiction rooted in lived experience and family love
• 32:56: Using catch as a curriculum to teach character and leadership
• 37:33: Ethan's writing and learning process—passing creativity to his daughters
• 41:21: Daily bravery, Joshua 1:9, and practical courage
• 47:10: Story of a nervous young student finding courage through catch

Where to Find & Connect with Ethan Bryan

• Ethan's website: ethanbryan.com (last updated with his daughter's wedding post, still active)
• Email: wanna.play.catch[at]gmail.com (preferred method, replies come from his classic Hotmail account)
• Social Media: Active on Instagram and Facebook, also on Twitter
• Organizations:
  • Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport
  • Community Partnership with the Ozarks
• Books:
  • "A Year of Playing Catch"
  • "The Life Saving Adventure of Gracelyn Gordon and Her Dog"
  • "America at the Seams" (with artist Nathan Rickert)
• Special Mention: Hearts and Minds Bookstore hosts a particularly engaging review of "Gracelyn Gordon" ([link via show notes])

Episode’s Closing Reflection

The conversation leaves listeners with an invitation toward relational bravery, creativity, and choosing connection over fear. Through simple acts of play and storytelling, Ethan Bryan offers a practical, joyful path to wholeness—reminding us, in his words, that “people are the best part of life,” and prompting the question for us all:

“What would I do if I were brave?”

[End of Summary]