Called to Make the Call with Mike Estelle explores the intersection of faith, sports, and service through the lens of a high school sports official. Drawing from over 16 years of officiating experience, Mike shares stories, scripture, and lessons about answering God’s call — both on and off the field. Each episode reminds listeners that every decision, every whistle, and every moment can reflect the One who called us to serve.
In Episode 6 of Season Two of Called to Make the Call, Mike Estelle reflects on the often-overlooked role of rest in sustaining a long-term calling. Drawing from a recent three-week break between basketball and baseball seasons, Mike shares how intentional rest leads not just to recovery, but to renewed focus, energy, and perspective.
Through officiating experiences and Scripture, this episodeexplores how overcommitment and fatigue can quietly impact performance, decision-making, and leadership—both on the field and in everyday life. Listeners are encouraged to see rest not as stepping away from responsibility,but as an essential part of preparation and stewardship.
Because in the long run, the ability to serve well isn’tbuilt on constant activity—it’s sustained through intentional rest.
16 Mar 2026
When Confidence Gets Shaken
In Episode 5 of Season Two of Called to Make the Call, Mike Estelle reflects on a reality every official eventually faces — the moment when confidence gets shaken. Whether it comes from a difficult play, a challenging game, or the quiet replay of decisions after the final whistle, those moments can linger longer than expected.
Drawing from a personal officiating experience and grounded in Scripture, Mike explores how officials can respond when doubt begins to creep in. Rather than allowing a single moment to define their calling, this episode encourages listeners to reflect honestly, learn from experience, and step back onto the field with renewed purpose. Because in the long run, confidence isn’t built by avoiding difficult moments — it’s rebuilt through perseverance, preparation, and faithfulness over time.
9 Mar 2026
Guarding the Heart
In Episode 4 of Season Two of Called to Make the Call,Mike reflects on the importance of guarding the heart in officiating, leadership, and everyday life. While rules, knowledge, mechanics, and discipline are essential on the field, the condition of the heart ultimately shapes how an official leads and serves. Drawing from years of officiating experience as well as personal seasons of caregiving and responsibility, Mike explores how frustration, fatigue, pride, and criticism can quietly influence our perspective if we’re not attentive. Grounded in Scripture and practical reflection, this episode encourages listeners to remain vigilant about their motives, to return regularly to humility and gratitude, and to protect the integrity of their calling. Because in the long run, steady leadership begins with a guarded heart.
2 Mar 2026
Knowing When to Speak and When to Be Silent
In Episode 3 of Season Two of Called to Make the Call, Mike Estelle explores the discipline of discernment — learning when to speak with courage and when to remain silent with restraint. Drawing from real officiating experiences on the baseball field and football sideline, Mike reflects on how timing, tone, and wisdom shape leadership far more than volume does.
Grounded in Scripture and lived experience, this episodeexamines the tension between silence and avoidance, correction and escalation, presence and pride. Whether on the field, in caregiving, or in everyday conversations, true leadership requires measured words and a steady spirit. Because wisdom isn’t just knowing what to say — It’s knowing when.
23 Feb 2026
Faithful in the Small Things
In Episode 2 of Season Two of Called to Make the Call,Mike Estelle explores how lasting faithfulness is built through small, consistent acts of obedience. Drawing on real officiating experiences — from routine plays to disciplined pre-games — and personal reflections from a season of caregiving, Mike shows how character is formed not in dramatic moments but in repetition.
Grounded in Scripture and practical experience, this episodereminds listeners that preparation, patience, and steady presence shape the long run of a calling. Whether on the baseball field or in everyday life, small faithfulness builds durable character — and durable character sustains the call.
16 Feb 2026
Beginning Again
In the opening episode of Season Two of Called to Make the Call, Mike Estelle reflects on what it means to begin again — both in life and in service. After stepping away to care for his elderly parents and address personal health challenges, Mike shares how seasons of adjustment and responsibility can reshape, but not erase, a calling.
Using the upcoming baseball season as a metaphor for renewal and preparation, this episode explores the importance of humility, intentional reset, and daily recommitment. Grounded in Scripture and lived experience, “Beginning Again” reminds listeners that faithfulness isn’t about dramatic moments — it’s about showing up prepared, steady, and willing.
Season Two begins not with pressure, but with purpose.
5 Jan 2026
Carrying the Call Forward
In the Season 1 finale of Called to Make the Call, Mike Estelle reflects on what it means to live out a calling beyond the field and beyond the podcast. Drawing on faith, experience, and scripture, Mike reminds listeners that a calling is not a destination, but a way of life shaped by integrity, humility, and faithful service.
This episode serves as a commissioning, encouraginglisteners to carry the lessons of the season forward into everyday moments — especially the quiet, unseen ones where faithfulness matters most. Carrying the Call Forward closes Season 1 with gratitude, purpose, and a reminder that the call continues wherever God places us.
29 Dec 2025
The Brotherhood of Officiating
In Episode 9 of Called to Make the Call, Mike Estelle reflects on the importance of community and shared responsibility within officiating and in life. Through personal experience working as part of a crew, Mike highlights how trust, communication, and mutual accountability strengthen both performance and character.
This episode emphasizes that while officiating can feel solitary at times, no one is meant to carry the calling alone. Grounded in faith and Scripture, The Brotherhood of Officiating encourages listeners to value mentorship, offer encouragement, and walk together through the challenges and rewards of service.
22 Dec 2025
Grace Under Fire
In Episode 8 of Called to Make the Call, Mike reflects on the importance of responding with composure, patience, and faith when pressure rises. Drawing from a real-life junior varsity basketball experience and everyday situations beyond the field, Mike explores how grace is not weakness, but strength under control.
This episode challenges listeners to pause before reacting, to choose words that build rather than divide, and to remember that grace protects not only the moment, but the heart as well. Grounded in Scripture and lived experience, Grace Under Fire reminds us that how we respond under pressure can become a powerful witness of Christ in action.
15 Dec 2025
The Weight of the Whistle
In Episode 7 of Called to Make the Call, Mike Estelle reflects on the responsibility that comes with leadership and decision-making, both on the field and in everyday life. Drawing from real officiating experiences, Mike explores how integrity, composure, and faith shape the way we carry responsibility under pressure.
This episode challenges listeners to see responsibility not as a burden, but as a form of service and trust. Through thoughtful reflection and Scripture, Mike reminds us that while the weight of leadership can feel heavy, we are never meant to carry it alone. When we lead with humility and trust God with the outcome, our calling becomes not just manageable, butmeaningful.
8 Dec 2025
The Power of Preparation
In this episode, Mike Estelle explores how true readiness — both on the field and in faith — shapes how we respond when the moment comes. Through real officiating experiences, like handling a storm-delayed rivalry game and learning from overlooked details, Mike shares how preparation builds confidence, focus, and peace. Rooted in Scripture, this episode reminds us that while preparation is our responsibility, victory always belongs to the Lord.
1 Dec 2025
Dealing With Disappointment
In this heartfelt episode, Mike Estelle opens up about the moments every official faces but few discuss — the sting of mistakes, the heartbreak of missed opportunities, and the challenge of not advancing when you’ve given your all. From a tough on-field decision as a Referee to the quiet struggle ofpostseason disappointment, Mike shares how faith turns setbacks into spiritual strength. Through honest reflection and Scripture, he reminds us that disappointment doesn’t define us — it refines us.
24 Nov 2025
Servant Leadership
In this episode, Mike Estelle reflects on what it truly means to lead like Christ — with humility, patience, and a servant’s heart. Drawing on his experience as a crew chief, Mike shares that real leadership isn’t about authority but about lifting up others, encouraging teammates, and leading by example. Through Scripture and experience, he reminds us that true greatness comes from serving well, both on the field and in faith.
17 Nov 2025
Integrity Under Pressure
In this episode, Mike Estelle reflects on the importance of doing what’s right — even when no one’s watching. Throughhonest stories from the field and Scripture, Mike shows how integrity defines both great officials and faithful followers of Christ, reminding us that the right call is always the one that honors God.
10 Nov 2025
Calm in the Chaos
In this episode, Mike shares real-life moments from the field — including an inadvertent whistle that tested his composure — to explore how faith helps us stay grounded when life gets loud. Through Scripture and experience, Mike reminds us that true peace isn’t the absence of chaos, but the presence of Christ.
3 Nov 2025
Called To Serve
In this debut episode, host Mike Estelle shares how his journey into sports officiating began back in 1980 — and how it has grown into a true calling from God. Through personal stories, scripture, and reflection, Mike reveals how officiating became more than enforcing rules — it became a ministry of integrity, patience, and service.
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