Professional pickleball player Callie Jo Smith on faith, family and the Lord's hand in her life

<p><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2024/03/04/rootstech-pickleball-recipes-sports-food-traditions-family-history/">Callie Jo Smith</a> is a former collegiate tennis player, an 11-time <a href="https://www.ppatour.com/athlete/callie-smith/">Professional Pickleball Association</a> Tour champion and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As <a href="https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/report-pickleball-participation-surges-to-nearly-20-million-in-2024/#:~:text=For%20the%20fourth%20consecutive%20year,that%20could%20impede%20future%20growth">pickleball is the fastest-growing sport</a> several years in a row, she is <a href="https://calliesmithpb.com/">using her influence to share</a> not only <a href="https://www.topcourt.com/p/callie-jo-smith">tips for the court</a>, but her love for the sport, her family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Callie Jo Smith joins <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/authors/mary-richards/">Church News reporter Mary Richards</a> on this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss her athletic journey, the power of prayer and how <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng">wholesome recreational activities</a> bring her family closer together.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">The Church News Podcast</a> is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> across the globe. Hosts <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/authors/ryan-jensen/">Jon Ryan Jensen</a>, editor of the <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/">Church News</a>, and <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/authors/mary-richards/">Church News reporter Mary Richards</a> share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, &ldquo;What do I know now?&rdquo; because of the experience. Produced by <a href="https://kellieannhalvo.com/">KellieAnn Halvorsen</a>.</p>