Across 150 countries, something is happening one conversation at a time. Hosted by SmallCircle Director of Global Relations, Carrie McCoy and guest appearances by founder Steve McCoy, the SmallCircle podcast takes you behind the scenes–into the unscripted moments, unexpected connections, and real stories of disciple-makers doing the work in their own communities, in their own languages, in their own corner of the world.
In this special first episode of the SmallCircle Podcast, Carrie McCoy sits down with her husband and founder of SmallCircle Steve McCoy for a personal, heartfelt conversation about how SmallCircle began.
Steve shares the powerful story that started it all — back in 1982 in Boston, as a young man searching for God, when a pastor named Titus tapped him on the shoulder and invited him to “a table for two.” What followed was an extraordinary season of patient, personal discipleship that changed Steve’s life forever and planted the seed for everything SmallCircle is today.
This is the full, unhurried story behind the simple idea of one-to-one disciple-making — why it matters, how it transforms lives, and how one man’s faithful investment eventually rippled across the world.
Whether you’re just discovering SmallCircle or have been on this journey with us for years, this episode will remind you why “a table for two” is so powerful and why we believe it’s for every follower of Jesus.
Pull up a chair. This is where it all began.
Ep. 1
Listen to a real-talk sit-down conversation between Carrie McCoy and Pastor Marty Ertel — a genuine Ohio pastor, disc golf course builder, and passionate disciple-maker. Marty shares how he’s blending his love for the sport with intentional one-on-one discipleship using SmallCircle tools. Marty opens up about his journey with SmallCircle, how the Xchange process helped him move from good intentions to generational multiplication. From meeting people through lost discs and sharing the gospel on the course, to building a multiplying disciple-making culture in his church. This episode is full of practical encouragement, real-life stories, and fresh vision for everyday believers and pastors who want to get in the game. If you’ve ever wondered how to move from casual coffee conversations to confident, reproducible disciple-making, pull up a chair.
Ep. 8
Listen to this conversation of generational multiplication and the result of the slow motion pacing process of a Table for Two. What happens when discipleship doesn’t end at “graduation,” but creates a chain reaction that turns into a steady movement that keeps rippling forward?
Carrie and Emily recently wrapped up their Xchange journey. Emily shares what it's like to step into her new role for the first time with her friend Taylor, navigating the shift from disciple to disciple-maker role.
From the nervous energy of that very first session to the practical realities of labs, schedules, and building a real friendship that outlasts the "material," this conversation stays grounded in everyday details. You’ll hear how they paired up with each other, what surprised Emily about switching seats, and why some things felt uneasy at first but then a breeze in the end.
If you’ve ever wondered what it actually looks like to step from the role of disciple into the next stage of disciple-maker—without the polished version—this one’s worth your time.
Ep. 7
Join Steve and Carrie McCoy for a fun, honest, and unscripted “his and her” conversation as they share the latest stories from their whirlwind discipleship training trip across Europe.
From London to Lisbon, Berlin to Paris, hear about powerful disciple-making moments: training hungry leaders in Portugal, nine hours with pastors and missionaries from 12 different countries in Berlin, and sharing discipleship with a church plant in Paris.
You’ll laugh at their travel adventures dragging 50-pound suitcases, taking 8 flights in 3 weeks, and hunting for sandwiches for 25 new friends. Be encouraged by the hunger they’re seeing across Europe, and get a real behind-the-scenes look at what God is doing through ordinary people and simple tools.
This episode is full of real stories, real relationships, and real table for two conversations — exactly what SmallCircle is all about.
Ep. 6
Enjoy this heartfelt conversation with professional disc golfer Evan Smith at the Eagles Wings Unchained Conference in Starke, Florida (January, 2026). Evan shares how disc golf became more than a competitive sport—it created natural space for deep friendships and authentic community while traveling the Pro Tour. He opens up about using the SmallCircle Xchange tool in a one-on-one relationship with his mentor Shane, which helped move conversations from surface-level topics to meaningful discussions about faith, theology, Scripture, and personal growth.
SmallCircle Tools provided structure and opened up the space to ask hard questions. Evan shares how blending competitive disc golf with disciple-making can turn long walks on the course and practice rounds into something so much more!
This episode highlights the power of intentional one-to-one disciple making, the beauty of building transparent, deeper, Christ-centered relationships on and off the course. Perfect for anyone interested in sports ministry, ways to incorporate disciple-making tools, or how God turns everyday activities into disciple-making journeys.
Eagles Wings Disc Golf is a Christian ministry and division of Push the Rock that integrates faith with the sport of disc golf.
Instagram @eagleswingsdiscgolf
https://pushtherock.org/ Push the Rock : where sports is their language and Jesus is their message.
Paul McBeth Foundation - changing lives and transforming communities by making disc golf more accessible around the world.
The Paul McBeth Foundation (PMF) Paulmcbethfoundation.org
Ep. 5
In this fun husband-and-wife episode, Carrie McCoy sits down with SmallCircle founder Steve McCoy to explore the unique power of one-to-one disciple-making. They explore how one-to-one discipleship is like a specialized spoon or fork — different from groups, yet complementary — and why trying to make groups do everything creates a “spork problem.”
Drawing from Jesus’ ministry (crowds, the Twelve, and His deep “Jesus and John” relationship), they show how personalized discipleship complements groups and creates the relational depth that larger settings often can’t deliver and equips everyday people to multiply disciples.
Get started at smallcircle.com.
Ep. 4
In this powerful second half of our conversation from the 2025 Senegal SmallCircle Summit, we sit down with Middle East Director Yazan Melkonian and Egypt Director Pastor Khalaf Barakat to explore the transformative impact of one-to-one discipleship in the Arab world. Yazan shares how the SmallCircle tools rekindled Khalaf’s passion for personal discipleship—something he experienced decades ago but found missing in many Egyptian churches despite strong large-group ministries and small groups. With a fresh vision, Pastor Khalaf quickly began implementing SmallCircle training, starting in his own church before expanding to seminary students and other denominations. Yazan and Khalaf paint a mutual vision of bringing SmallCircle discipleship to every church in Egypt—not limited to one denomination—and then extending that momentum across North Africa, while Jordan continues to strengthen its regional partnerships and eyes opportunities in Iraq and Lebanon.
This episode highlights the strategic importance of Egypt as a gateway for gospel influence throughout the Middle East and North Africa, where what Egypt adopts often sets the tone for the broader Arab world.
Don’t miss this update on what God is doing in Egypt and the bold dream to see SmallCircle active in every country across the region.
Ep. 3
The support of every partner helps carry these tools around the world—would you consider joining us on this mission?
