Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 539 Rashawn Copeland is an author and speaker who desires to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone and anyone. His new book "Start Where You Are" releases everywhere September 1, 2020 and shares how God can begin restoration within all of us at whatever place we are in our journey.  Born in Lawton, OK on a military base, Copeland grew up idolizing the game of football and would eventually play in college at the University of Kansas and eventually graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma.  Rashawn has recently started an Online Church Ministry. "I'm So Blessed Daily," where he reaches nearly five million people on a daily basis. He was raised in a military family by his parents, Rodney, a former coastguard, and Renea, a business owner.  On today's podcast, Rashawn shares the powerful story of coming to faith in Christ, his near-death experience, killing the idol of football in his life and why he finds success in making God known.  Follow Rashawn on Instagram: @HypeSir Follow Sports

Episode 538 D.J. Shockley is a current football analyst with the SEC Network. He was a standout quarterback in high school growing up in Georgia. After being one of the top high school players in the country, Shockley chose to play his college football in his hometown state with the Georgia Bulldogs. Under head coach Mark Richt, Shockley would have to overcome obstacles that led him to a standout senior season where he finished third in the AP Player of the Year honors and led the Bulldogs to a 10-3 record and an SEC championship.  Following college, he was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Once again, Shockley was playing football for his hometown state. He played five seasons with the Falcons from 2006-2010 before his pro football career came to an end.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to D.J. about being recruited as a high school QB, what he learned from Georgia coach Mark Richt, coming to the NFL, being Michael Vick's backup and making the transition to l

David Chadwick is presently the pastor of Moments of Hope Church in Charlotte, N.C.  He has been a pastor for almost 40 years.  He played basketball under the legendary coach, Dean Smith, at the University of North Carolina and was a member of the Final Four 1969 team.  David is the author of nine books and hosts a weekly talk show on faith and values on WBT in Charlotte, North Carolina. His latest book "Moving Beyond Anxiety" released in April 2020.  Today on the podcast, we talk to David about how to move beyond anxiety during the pandemic, his college basketball career at North Carolina and the lessons he learned on race in the 1960's from head coach Dean Smith. For more stories on sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 539 Jon Tyson is a pastor and church planter in New York City. Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Jon moved to the United States over two decades ago with a passion to seek and cultivate renewal in the Western Church. He currently pastors Church of the City in Manhattan and is the author of many books including his latest "Beautiful Resistance" which released in July 2020.  On today's episode, Jon shares how he's pastored a church during the pandemic, his personal battle with Covid-19, his love for the sport of boxing and UFC, choosing conviction of compromise and the intentional choice he has made to mentor his son and daughter.  Follow Jon on Instagram: @JonTyson Follow Jason on Instagram: @JasonRomano

Episode 537 James Brown is the host of CBS Sports' THE NFL TODAY pre-game show. His storied broadcasting career has spanned over thirty years and seen him work on the most prestigious sports events including the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals and March Madness. Today on the podcast, we talk to JB about 2020, the pandemic, race relations, the role sports plays and why he believes that God is still in control.    Follow JB on Instagram: @JBSportscaster Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectum

Episode 536 Sherman Smith is a former NFL player and coach that has been a part of two Super Bowl teams.  He was selected in the 2nd round of the 1976 NFL Drafty by the Seahawks. He played six seasons in Seattle as a running back and retired after the 1983 season. He began his coaching career in 1985 in high school and after spending 10 years coaching high school and college, he would return to the NFL as the running backs coach with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans.  His NFL coaching journey took him from Houston to Tennessee to Washington D.C. and back to Seattle. From 2010-2017, he was the Seahawks running backs coach and helped his team to a Super Bowl championship in 2013 and an NFC championship in 2014.  This podcast will share with you Sherman's journey to the NFL as a player and coach. But the story of Sherman Smith and his son Deland McCullough is one of the craziest you'll ever hear and shows you how God can move in the tiny details when you least expect it.  This is one powerful story.   Follow

One of the most decorated Paralympic swimmers in history, Jessica Long is a 13-time Gold Medal winning Paralympic swimmer. Born in Siberia and adopted by an American family at 13 months old, Jessica had both of her legs amputated at 18 months old. In 2004 at the age of 12, Jessica became the youngest Paralympian to ever win a Gold Medal. Two years later, at the age of 14, she was named the U.S. Olympic Committee Paralympian of the Year. In 2007, 2012, and 2013, she was the recipient of the ESPN Best Female Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award.  Jessica documented her story in the 2018 book "Unsinkable: From Russian Orphan to Paralympic Swimming World Champion." She was also featured in an "I AM SECOND" video where she told her powerful story.  On today's podcast, Jessica shares how she's adjusted to training for the 2021 Paralympics during the pandemic, when swimming became a passion of hers, how her faith in Jesus came to be, and the incredible story of meeting her birth parents in Siberia.    Follow Jessica

Episode 535 Scott Sauls is the Senior Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Previously, he was a lead and preaching pastor for Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, where he worked alongside Dr. Timothy Keller. He has also planted and pastored churches in Kansas City and St. Louis, and is a frequent speaker at conferences, leadership retreats, and to university students. Sauls is also a successful writer and a powerful voice in the faith space. His books include "Jesus Outside the Lines" "Befriend" and his latest release "A Gentle Answer."  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Scott about his new release, how important it is to have a gentle response in the climate of our country right now, his desire to play college basketball and his love for the North Carolina Tar Heels.    Follow Scott on Twitter: @ScottSauls Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 534 Freddie Coleman is a sports commentator and host for ESPN's radio network. He is currently the co-host of the weeknight ESPN Radio show Freddie and Fitzsimmons, alongside Ian Fitzsimmons. Prior to that, he hosted the Freddie Coleman Show, weeknights from 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. ET and Sundays from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. Coleman joined ESPN Radio in June 2004, as a co-host of the then-nightly, prime-time program GameNight. Prior to joining ESPN Radio, Coleman was a weekday afternoon co-host on FoxSportsRadio 980-AM in Albany, N.Y.  as well as a sportscaster for the local news in Wappingers Falls, NY and an analyst for Marist Basketball. Coleman is a 1987 graduate of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor of arts degree in mass communication. On this episode of the podcast, Freddie Coleman and Jason Romano share ESPN memories, what it has been like doing live radio during Covid-19, signing a new contract extension, Stuart Scott memories, and how returning to church in Poughkeepsie, NY helped him on

Episode 533 Todd Durkin, MA, CSCS, is an internationally recognized strength, speed and conditioning coach, personal trainer, body worker, motivational speaker, and author who motivates, educates, and inspires people worldwide. He is the founder of Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego, CA, a world-class facility that provides personal training, strength and conditioning, therapeutic massage and bodywork, Pilates, yoga, nutrition, chiropractic and physical therapy programs. Todd works with a high-profile clientele of elite professional athletes including NFL MVPs, Super Bowl Champions and MVPs, Heisman Trophy Winner, Olympic and X-Game Gold Medalists, and many other champion athletes. He is a 2 Time Personal Trainer of the Year (IDEA & ACE) and has received numerous industry accolades. Greatist has named Todd one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Health & Fitness for the past four years. His latest book "Get Your Mind Right" released June 2, 2020.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Todd about

BONUS EPISODE (parental discretion is advised)  Stephen Arterburn is the founder and chairman of New Life Ministries and host of the syndicated Christian counseling talk show 'New Life Live!,' heard and watched by over 2 million people each week on nearly 200 radio stations nationwide, on XM and Sirius Satellite radio and on NRB Network. He is most known for authoring the book "Every Man's Battle" in 2000 with Fred Stoeker and this year, they've re-released the 20th anniversary of the book with a special study guide.  On today's episode of the podcast, we talk to Stephen about why he wrote "Every Man's Battle," the war on pornography, why men struggle, and Stephen shares his own personal struggle that helped turn his life around.    Follow us on Twitter - @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 532 Bryce Johnson is the founder and president of "UNPACKIN it" ministries, which lives to glorify God by serving sports fans who love Jesus. His broadcasting experience began at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina where he earned a degree in Communication/Electronic Media Broadcasting and created a nationally-recognized radio show called SPORTS YAPP®. With a passion to see sports fans everywhere following  Jesus, Bryce officially started UNPACKIN’ it Ministries in 2014.  Through media, resources, and events, Bryce challenges, inspires and encourages sports fans to follow Jesus and become more like Him. Bryce is also the author of The Fantasy Football Fellowship Playbook and hosts the UNPACKIN it podcast. On this episode of the podcast, Bryce shares how he left the secular radio world to start a sports ministry and why he has it made it his life calling to reach sports fans for Jesus.  Follow Bryce on Instagram: @Unpackinit Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 531 Bart Millard is the lead singer of the legendary Christian rock band MercyMe. The band, founded in 1994, has released eight studio albums and had 13 consecutive top five singles on the Billboard Christian Songs chart.  Millard's life was depicted in the movie "I Can Only Imagine," where actor Dennis Quaid starred as his father who struggled with addiction and violence before coming to faith before his death from cancer.  On today's episode of the podcast, we talk to Bart about pressing pause on touring during the pandemic, having his life depicted in a movie, his love for sports, having athletes be fans of his music and cherishing time with his family during Covid-19.   Follow Bart on Instagram: @BartMillard Follow Sports_Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 530 Sam Collier is a pastor, speaker, writer, and host of the A Greater Story with Sam Collier TV show and radio podcast that currently airs in 100 Million Homes. He also communicates nationally and internationally as a speaker and contributor regularly at North Point Ministries (Founded by Andy Stanley), the ReThink Group (Founded by Reggie Joiner), Orange Network, Orange Tour, Alpha International Leadership Conference, Global Leadership Summit, and more. ​He has also been interviewed on numerous TV shows, podcasts, and radio programs. His new book "A Greater Story" released August 4th .  On today's episode of the podcast, we talk to Sam about being born into poverty, his love for basketball, why he wrote his book, appearing on the Steve Harvey show and why when your story connects to God's story it becomes a greater story.    Follow Sam on Instagram: @SamCollier Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Sarah Jackson is the founder and executive director of Casa de Paz, a hospitality home in Denver, Colorado. Casa’s family of more than 2,000 volunteers ministers to immigrants and families separated by detention with visits, meals, shelter and transportation and emotional support through the arduous process of reunification. Sarah’s mission is to help end the isolating experience of immigrant detention one simple act of love at a time.  On the podcast today, we talk to Sarah about her journey in serving others, why she wrote her new book "The House that Love Built" and how volleyball has helped her find her true purpose.  Learn more about Sarah's work at casadepazcolorado.org

Episode 529 Roy Helu Jr is a former NFL running back. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by Washington and played four seasons in D.C. In college, Helu was a standout running back with Nebraska rushing for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons. By the time he graduated in 2011, he was fourth on the Huskers all-time rushing list, and broke Nebraska's single-game rushing record by rushing for 307 yards and scoring three touchdowns vs. Missouri on October 30, 2010. After coming to the NFL, Helu was named to the Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America all-rookie team, rushing for 640 yards, along with 49 receptions for another 379 yards and three total touchdowns. Upon retirement in 2016, Roy is now in seminary to become a pastor and helped plant a church in Nebraska. On today's podcast, we talk to Roy about what led him to planting a church, his testimony of coming to faith in college, working through depression and anxiety and what that transition

Episode 528 Drew Boe is the founder and president of Managers on a Mission (MOAM). Drew has spent time in sports management both in the college and pro levels, working for the University of Minnesota, Virginia Tech, the Arizona Cardinals and the San Diego Chargers.  MOAM's desire is is to walk alongside every future leader of sport in order to properly prepare and equip these individuals for the unique challenges, pressures and temptations of the sports industry. Their ultimate goal is to challenge young people to pursue a life of true significance and purpose through an improved understanding of their salvation through Jesus Christ. On today's podcast, Drew shares his heart behind MOAM, why he started it, and how a mission trip to Rwanda opened his eyes to what God's true calling on his life was.  Follow Managers on a Mission on Instagram: @managers_on_a_mission Follow us on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 527 Thomas Morstead is entering his 12th season as the punter for the New Orleans Saints. He is a Super Bowl champion and a Pro Bowler.  He is the author of the new book "The Middle School Rules of Thomas Morstead" that he wrote with Sean Jensen.  On today's podcast, we talk to Thomas about why he wanted to write his new book, his maturity during his college years at SMU, going from being the young guy to the veteran teacher in the NFL and why it has been on his heart to give back to sick children through his "What Will Give Will Grow" foundation.    Follow Thomas on Instagram: @ThomasMorstead Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 526 Dylan Thompson is entering his third season with the Detroit Lions as the team's character coach. In his current role, Thompson is responsible for a variety of programs within team development, where he assists athletes with their transition into the NFL, as well as providing off-the-field support both during and following their careers. Thompson played college football at the University of South Carolina under coach Steve Spurrier. In his senior season, he threw for 3,564 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in leading the Gamecocks to an Independence Bowl victory over the Miami Hurricanes.  On this podcast, we talk to Dylan about faith, football, his role with the Lions, playing for Steve Spurrier in college and the importance of mentors in our lives.    Follow Dylan on Twitter: @DylanPThompson Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum

Episode 525 Dean Inserra is the founding and lead pastor of City Church in Tallahassee, Florida, where he leads the vision and preaching. Dean was called to start a church in his hometown of Tallahassee when he was the Student Body President at Leon High School.  Dean graduated from Liberty University and attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He holds a MA in Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is pursuing a D.Min from Southern Seminary.    Dean is an advisory member of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission's Leadership Council with the Southern Baptist Convention. He is also a member of Baptist 21.  His latest book, The Unsaved Christian, released in March of 2019 and explores those who say they are Christian but don't have a relationship with Christ.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Dean about what an "Unsaved Christian" is, his journey to planting and starting his own church, and his passion for sports including a love affair wit