Sports Spectrum Podcast

Anita Howard is the head coach of Georgia Southern's Women's basketball team. She is the first African American female head coach at Georgia Southern and was named to her current position back in April of 2019. Prior to that, she spent three years at Columbus State University where she led her squad to the Elite Eight and two NCAA Division II championship appearances. In college, Howard was a standout basketball player with Fort Valley State, earning SIAC Defensive Player of the Year honors all three seasons. She transferred to Armstrong State for the 2002-03 season and led the club to their first ever NCAA championship appearance. Today on the podcast, we talk to Anita Howard about her role with Georgia Southern, what leading with Christ in front looks like as a coach, being married to a fellow coach, making the faith that she grew up with her own, and balancing being a wife, mother and coach. --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stor

Johnny Agar is an inspiration to so many. He's gained international attention when he walked a mile in his church’s annual 5K. That sounds like an odd reason for fame, except for the reality of Johnny’s severe cerebral palsy. Even with a lifetime of physical therapy before this race, the longest distance he’d ever previously walked was twenty-three steps. Johnny Agar and his mom Becky join the podcast today to share their amazing story and how God has guided them through it all.  --- Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports." 

Today on this "Football Friday" edition of Sports Spectrum podcast, Jade McCarthy talks to former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson about his Super Bowl winning season, the doors that God has opened and closed, living his faith in Jesus out as a head coach and his desire to hopefully coach again in the NFL. --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Jared Butler is a rookie with the Utah Jazz and a 2021 national champion with the Baylor Bears. He was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player and then selected by Utah in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.  Jared is also raising awareness on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)—a complex type of heart disease. You can learn more at CoultItBeHCM.com.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Trenten Merrill is a member of Team USA's Paralympic team who won Bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and also represented the U.S. at the 2016 Summer Paralympics as well. In March of 2005, Trenten had his right foot amputated after a dirt bike accident with a friend.  Trenten is currently a public speaker who uses his Paralympic experience to help inspire others to pursue their dreams and goals. In 2021, the Azusa Pacific University grad also started modeling with SLU Agency.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Trenten Merrill about the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, what the name of Jesus means to him, how his faith was tested after having his foot amputated and why he wants to use his platform to inspire others to follow Christ.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Travis Hearn is the senior pastor at Impact Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is also the team pastor for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, and has served as a chaplain for Major and Minor League Baseball for over a decade. In addition to serving pro athletes in ministry, he has also coached girl’s high school basketball  for Scottsdale Christian Academy.   Today on the podcast, we talk to Travis about pastoring the Phoenix Suns, his role at Transformation Church, his amazing testimony of coming to faith in Christ after being arrested and his desire now to equip athletes and others to being Jesus followers.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Drew Maddux is a basketball coaching legend, having coached high school basketball at Christ Presbyterian Academy for 15 years. His resume has 2 state championships and 10 district titles including an NBA First Round pick.  He played college basketball at Vanderbilt where he was named First-Team All-SEC Academic team and All-SEC Freshman team.  His story was featured on "I AM SECOND."  In 2020, Drew released “Elevated” — a book on being the best version of you. --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Today on this Football Friday we welcome back Molly McManimie to the podcast. The NFL Player Agent shares how she's grown in her faith in 2021 and why pleasing God is more important than anything else in her vocation.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright is an author, speaker, daughter of Anne Graham Lotz and granddaughter of Billy Graham. Her husband Steven is a high school football coach. She teaches a weekly women's Bible Study for University of North Carolina athletes and has shared God's word at numerous events around the country.  Her passion for leading children to Jesus and getting them into God’s Word compelled her to lead monthly missions’ chapels at her children’s school and teach middle school children at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coaches Camp. Her latest book, "Jesus Followers," co-written with her mother Anne, released in October 2021 and is available now.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Rachel-Ruth about growing up the granddaughter of Billy Graham, her life as a coach's wife, her desire to teach God's word to athletes, and the legacy she hopes to pass on to the next generation.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith f

Dallas Jenkins is a filmmaker and the creator and producer of the hit streaming series The Chosen, the first multi-season series about the life of Christ, and the most successful media crowd-fund of all time. Jenkins began his film career in his early 20's and started his own production company at the age of 25. His feature-length directorial debut came in 2006 with a film called Midnight Clear starring Stephen Baldwin. Since then, he has directed numerous other films including The Resurrection of Gavin Stone, starring D.B. Sweeney and wrestling legend Shawn Michaels. In 2018, Jenkins created The Chosen and since it's release has reached over 300,000,000 views on their app. On December 1, 2021, The Chosen will be seen in theaters for the first time with a holiday event called CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHOSEN: THE MESSENGERS. Today on the podcast, Dallas Jenkins shares about The Chosen, why he doesn't pay attention to the numbers, the excitement of having it in theaters, his love for Chicago sports, and his favorite

Today on the podcast, our Sports Spectrum Managing Editor Jon Ackerman joins host Jason Romano to preview the 2021 Winter edition of the Sports Spectrum Magazine.  --- SIGN UP for Sports Spectrum Magazine (1 year $18 or 2 year $30) here.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Today on the podcast, we talk to 3-time Super Bowl Champion Matthew Slater of the New England Patriots. Jade McCarthy talks to Matthew about his 200th career NFL game, gratitude for his time with the Patriots, sharing his faith and his work with Compassion International's FILL THE STADIUM initiative. --- BLACK FRIDAY DEAL!!  For three days only, Nov. 26-28, if you order a Sports Spectrum magazine subscription (1 yr or 2 yr), you will get a copy of our Increase 52-Week Devotional for FREE. Act now as the deal ends Sunday Nov. 28 at 11:59 p.m. ORDER YOUR SUBSCRIPTION HERE. 

Walker Zimmerman is a professional soccer player for the MLS with Nashville FC. He was originally selected in the first round (7th overall) in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas and played five seasons there before landing in Los Angeles for two season and coming to Nashville in its inaugural campaign of 2020. In February of 2020, he scored the first goal in Nashville FC history and was named as the 2020 MLS Defender of the Year. Today on the podcast, we talk to Walker Zimmerman about his current role with Nashville FC, playing for an audience of one, growing up the son of a pastor, becoming a new dad and what it means to represent his country on the United States National Team.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Danny Gokey is a singer/songwriter who finished in third place on the eighth season of American Idol in May 2009. Since then, he has released eight albums including his latest "Jesus People."  Gokey is a 2019 K-LOVE Fan Award winner for "Male Artist of the Year" and GMA Dove Award winner in 2016 for Christmas Album of the Year.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Danny Gokey about his American Idol experience, his love for the Green Bay Packers, the heart behind his new album, recording in a pandemic, handling celebrity and why the heart of all his music is found in his relationship with Christ.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports." is out now and makes a perfect gift. 

Chris Nikic is the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon. Today, Chris and his dad Nik share their inspirational story and why they want to help others achieve their dreams and overcome mental hurdles.  --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Johnny Shelton is in his 9th season as the team chaplain of the Baltimore Ravens. He joins us today to talk about pastoring with the Ravens, what discipleship looks like within the organization and the gratification that comes from seeing a player begin a journey with Jesus. --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."

Lee De Leon is the Deputy Athletic Director with Middle Tennessee State. He's also the President and Co-Founder of ADs4Christ, a non-profit organization that develops current and future collegiate athletic directors through spiritual growth and fellowship. Lee has had previous stops at Louisiana-Lafayette, Abilene Christian, Purdue, New Mexico, Arizona and LSU.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Lee about his role with ADs4Christ and why he felt compelled to start this ministry for people in the role that he's been in.  --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Sydney McLaughlin is a two-time Olympic Gold Medal track and field athlete. In the summer of 2021, Sydney set a world record time of 51:46 seconds in the 400 m hurdles in winning gold. She also was a member of the 4x4000 m relay team that captured gold. In 2016, she qualified for the Rio Olympics before her senior year of high school and became the youngest athlete to make the American Olympic track and field team since 1980. At the age of 17, Sydney was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and was deemed as "one of the most dominant high school athletes ever." She was named the Gatorade National Female Athlete of the Year in 2015-16 and 2016-17. Her father Willie was a semi-finalist in the 400 m in the 1984 Olympic Trials and her mom was also a high school runner. On this episode of the podcast, we talked to Sydney about winning Olympic Gold, getting engaged to her fiancé Andre, how her journey of faith has evolved and why she wants to live only for the approval of Christ. --- Looking for a holiday gift idea?

Quarterback Drew Stanton is our guest today to talk about winning a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers in 2020, keeping the door open if a team called in 2021, and his work with Water Mission, a Christian engineering company that provides access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene solutions in developing countries and disaster areas. You can learn more and donate to Water Mission's cause at their website: WaterMission.org. 

Today on this Football Friday podcast, Jade McCarthy talks to Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor inductee Carson Palmer about his retirement from football, watching NFL games with his kids, how his faith guided him in his career and his role with Compassion International's Fill the Stadium campaign. We are presented today by Compassion International. Check out http://FillTheStadium.com to learn how you can help a child in need --- Looking for a holiday gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."