Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 475 * Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak. Chris Cauley is a music director, vocalist, and sports fanatic from Atlanta, GA. Drawing from over 18 years’ experience in live event production, including touring as an artist, being a part of NBC’s The Voice, and working with A-list artists & producers, Chris has a unique perspective into what makes production excellent and what drives a great live experience. Chris puts his production expertise to work for clients all over the country helping them create event wins for their people as owner of Four Carsons Entertainment. His clients include Dave Ramsey, Chick-fil-A, Delta, Microsoft UK, and The Atlanta Braves, just to name a few.” On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Chris about his experience on The Voice, his love for Atlanta sports, growing up a Braves fan, playing music for Jesus and what true success is. * Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak.

Episode 474 * Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak. Matthew Barnett is the co-founder of the Dream Center in Los Angeles, a 400,000 square-foot hospital-like building that sits next to the Hollywood freeway in Los Angeles, where it houses and helps homeless families, veterans, kids who have aged out of the foster care system and need a place to live, victims of human trafficking, and people who have addictions, all free of charge. Matt is also a pastor and the author of the new book "One Small Step: The Life-Changing Adventure of Following God's Nudges." On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Matthew about his new book, his experience running 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents, hearing God's nudge and voice, the importance of forgiveness and how Kobe Bryant's death has brought more people back to church in Los Angeles.  For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website - http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 473 Darryl Strawberry is an 8-time MLB All-Star who played 17 seasons in the big leagues with the Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Yankees. He is a four-time World Series champion, the New York Mets all-time leader in career home runs (252) and was inducted to the team’s hall of fame in 2010.   Nick Ahmed is a two-time Gold Glove winning shortstop with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft, and he was traded after the 2012 season to Arizona in a seven-player deal. He made his MLB debut on June 29, 2014 and has been with Arizona ever since.   Rod Hairston is pastor Messiah Community Church in Maryland and served as  chaplain and life-coach for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens for more than twelve seasons. He is the author of Cover Her, released in 2013 and Cover Him, released in 2019.    On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Darryl, Nick and Pastor Rod about manhood. What does it look like to be a man of God?  Darryl shares his testimo

BONUS EPISODE Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac joined us LIVE on Facebook on Thursday March 26th to talk about how his recovery to a knee injury is coming, the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA season being suspended, becoming an ordained minister and living a life that glorifies Jesus. You can watch the interview on Facebook here and read more stories of sports and faith on our website - http://SportsSpectrum.com. 

Episode 472 Robert Morris is the founding lead senior pastor of Gateway Church, a multicampus church based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Since it began in 2000, the church has grown to more than 71,000 active attendees.  His television program is aired in over 190 countries, and his radio program, Worship & the Word with Pastor Robert, airs in more than 1,800 radio markets across America. He serves as chancellor of The King’s University and is the bestselling author of numerous books, including The Blessed Life, Frequency, Beyond Blessed, and his latest book Take the Day Off. Robert and his wife, Debbie, have been married 39 years and are blessed with one married daughter, two married sons, and nine grandchildren. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Robert Morris about playing golf with Jack Nicklaus, pastor Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, how he stays connected to God and his awesome story of the great underwear crisis of 2004. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International, the m

BONUS EPISODE Korey Harris is currently an assistant basketball coach for the Chinese Basketball Association's Beijing Royal Fighters under their head coach, former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury. He came to China in August of 2018 and was hired by Marbury to coach with the Royal Fighters in September of 2019.  Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Korey has been in quarantine and isolation in his China hotel room since January.  On this episode of the podcast, Korey Harris joins us from China to talk about what the last few months have been like since the Chinese Basketball Association postponed their games in late January. We also hear how Korey has dealt with social distancing, why staying in China instead of returning to America was something he felt led to do and a great word of encouragement for all of us here in America.  For more stories on sports and faith, check out our website http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 471 Katie Engleson is a reporter covering sports for FOX Sports Southwest. She is a sideline reporter for the WNBA's Dallas Wings, covers the Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Texas Rangers. The 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide graduate was a baton twirler in college and served as an Alabama Crimsonette during football games. She is also a part of the Best Buddies Texas Junior Advisory Board.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Katie about her role with FOX Sports Southwest, covering the craziness that is high school football in Texas, her testimony of faith, why 1 Peter 4:10 is so important to her, and what it was like on a Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Alabama during the Fall.  This episode is sponsored by Compassion International, the most trusted child development ministry in the world. Check out http://Compassion.com/SportsSpectrum and pray about sponsoring a child and releasing them from poverty in Jesus' name. For more stories of sports and faith, check out our website: http://Sp

BONUS EPISODE Aaron Craft is currently playing professional basketball in Italy for Aquila Basket Trento, and lives in Trento, Italy, with his wife and son. Trento is in northern Italy, a little less than three hours from what Craft described as the “epicenter” of the Coronavirus outbreak. Know for his tenacious defense during his time in college at Ohio State, Aaron was named the 2014 NABC Defensive Player of the Year, the 2013 Big Ten Tournament MVP, and a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Aaron about what it is like being in Italy right now during the Coronavirus outbreak and how his faith is helping him and his family stay calm in the midst of a very big storm.

Episode 470 Shane Doan is a former NHL player who played 21 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets/Arizona Coyotes franchise. He was selected in the first round of the 1995 NHL Draft (seventh overall) by the Winnipeg Jets. He was the Jets' final first round pick as the team would relocate to Phoenix the following season.  In 1996, Doan would begin a stretch of 20 straight seasons playing for the Coyotes in a career that saw him make two All-Star teams and in 2012, the winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award.  In 2017, Doan retired from the NHL as the franchise record holder in career points (972), career goals (402) and games played (1540). In February of 2019, he had his number 19 retired and today he's working with the NHL as a Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Shane about faith in the NHL, the lessons he's learned from playing hockey, why Jesus is truth, having his number 19 retired and his welcome to the NHL moment with Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky. This episode

*Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak* Episode 469 Anthony Sherman is a fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Sherman would play two seasons with the Cardinals before being traded in 2013 to the Chiefs.  In 2019, Sherman helped his Kansas City Chiefs team to an NFL championship, beating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV.  In college, Sherman was a standout blocker at the University of Connecticut and served as a team captain for two seasons.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Anthony Sherman about his Super Bowl experience, winning the title, the crazy story from the Super Bowl parade, how his faith took shape and why he felt compelled to attend a missions trip with Compassion International.  For more stories on sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 468 Craig Denison is the author of First15, a daily devotional guiding over a million believers into a fresh experience with God’s presence. He writes, speaks, and he and his wife, Rachel lead worship to help believers establish a more tangible, meaningful connection with God. Craig graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and a minor in Music. He also spent a year in Nashville and San Diego working with award-winning producer Pete Kipley (MercyMe, Phil Wickham, Shane and Shane). If you're looking for a guide to a daily, meaningful time alone with God, go to First15.org, and sign up to receive his daily devotional guide for free.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Craig about First15, why he started it, how a ski trip accident changed his life, the importance of getting in God's word each day and the struggle that so many have in staying connected each day with Jesus.  For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com  *

BONUS EPISODE Dave Pasch was getting ready to call an ESPN NBA game between the Kings and Pelicans on Wednesday March 11. A few minutes before the start of the game, officials announced the game had been postponed. And since then, the sports world has been shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Dave Pasch about that March 11th telecast, being on air but never calling the game due to the coronavirus, where he stands right now in waiting mode with his job, and the opportunity that we have right now as believers to serve and help others in a tangible way. You can listen to Dave's testimony of faith in Jesus from our July 2018 interview here. 

Episode 467 * Interview recorded prior to coronavirus outbreak. Brad Frost is the head coach of the University of Minnesota's women's ice hockey team. He has led the Lady Golden Gophers to four NCAA championships, seven Frozen Four appearances, and coming into the 2019-2020 season, he had a career coaching record of 373 wins to just 65 losses with 31 ties. Raised in Burlington, Ontario, Brad played forward on the Bethel University hockey team and served as team captain for two years. After graduation, he was an assistant coach for the Eagan (Minnesota) High School girls' team and then for the Bethel University men's team. In June 2001, he joined the coaching staff at the University of Minnesota as an assistant to Laura Halldorson. While working as an assistant coach, Minnesota won the NCAA Championships in 2004 and 2005. In 2007, he became the head coach for Minnesota and won NCAA titles in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. That title in 2012-13 featured a team that went undefeated, 41-0-0 and a winning streak of 62

Episode 466 Trevor Rosenthal is a pitcher with the Kansas City Royals. He was selected in the 21st round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, and made his MLB debut in July 2012. The next season, he pitched in the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. A few years later, Rosenthal cemented himself as the Cardinals’ closer with 45 saves in 2014, and a club-record 48 saves in 2015. He was rewarded by being named an All-Star in 2015, when he also helped St. Louis to a division title. He is the third-youngest pitcher in MLB history to record back-to-back 40-save seasons. After a few down years, Rosenthal was released by the Cardinals following the 2017 season. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018, and returned to the major leagues in 2019 with stints on three different teams. In December 2019, Rosenthal signed a minor-league deal to pitch with the Royals and reunite with his former manager from St. Louis, Mike Matheny. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rosenthal about overcoming adversi

Episode 465 Sydney Romero played four seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners softball team from 2016-2019. Her storied career at OU featured two Women's College World Seres championships and four consecutive Women's College World Series appearances. In 2019, she was the Big 12 Player of the Year and was named National Fastpitch Coaches Association First-Team All-American in helping the Sooners to within one game of another championship before losing to UCLA in the WCWS finals.  She also won the Big 12 Triple Crown hitting .427 with 20 HR’s and 56 RBI’s.  She led the nation in total bases with 176. Following her OU journey, Romero was selected third overall in the National Pro Fastpitch League by the USSSA Pride and played her first professional season in the summer of 2019. In the spring of 2020, Romero returned to Oklahoma as a student assistant with the softball team. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Sydney about her incredible softball career, where the softball journey began, what her coach Patty Gas

BONUS EPISODE Demario Davis is a linebacker with the New Orleans Saints. He was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, where he played from 2012-2015 and again in 2017. During the 2016 season, he played with the Cleveland Browns. In 2018, Demario signed a free agent deal with the Saints and in 2019, was named to the AP All-Pro First Team despite not making the Pro Bowl. Early in the 2019 season, Davis was fined for wearing a “Man of God” headband. But after the NFL rescinded the fine, he was able to make the headbands available to the public and raise money for St. Dominic Hospital in his home state of Mississippi. In October 2019, he became a published author, releasing his first book, “The Unsuccessful Champion: Finding True Victory in the Midst of Adversity.” On this episode of the podcast, Demario looks back at the 2019 season, what he learned from God, being an unsuccessful champion and finding joy and peace in Jesus when things don't go his way on the field. For more sto

Episode 464 Tony Graffanino played 13 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1996-2009. He was selected in the 10th round of the 1990 MLB Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Braves and made his MLB debut six years later in April of 1996.  He would go on to play for seven different teams in his 13 years including stints with the Rays, White Sox, Royals, Red Sox, Brewers and Indians.  Upon retirement, Tony entered into ministry and is currently working with Unlimited Potential Incorporated (UPI) as well as serving with the White Sox as their Spring Training chaplain. Tony leads a variety of small groups for players and their wives in the Phoenix area throughout the year and has helped serve missionaries in over 8 different countries around the world.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Tony about his baseball career, coming to faith in Christ, being a Christian in the big leagues, and why he felt called into baseball ministry.  For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com   

Episode 463 Chase Anderson is a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was traded to Toronto from Milwaukee in November 2019 after pitching for three seasons with the Brewers. In 2017, he went 12-4 with a 2.74 ERA in 25 starts. In 2018 and 2019, he won a combined 17 games and started 57 games in helping Milwaukee to the playoffs.  Originally selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth round of the 2009 MLB Draft after pitching collegiately at the University of Oklahoma, Chase would make his MLB debut in May of 2014. After two seasons with the Diamondbacks, Chase was traded to Milwaukee in January of 2016 to the Brewers.  On this episode of the podcast, we welcome back Chase to talk about being traded to Toronto, preparing to pitch in the AL East, the lessons he learned during his time in Milwaukee and how he's staying connected to God in such an uncertain lifestyle that is a Major League Baseball player.  For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com

Episode 462 Joe Gibbs is a legend in two sports. He's a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach who has won three Super Bowl championships with the Washington Redskins. He's also a five-time NASCAR Cup Series champion as the owner of Joe Gibbs Racing.  He began his NFL coaching career in 1973 as an assistant with the Cardinals before moving to the Buccaneers and Chargers where he would grow as an assistant coach until his first and only head coaching job with the Washington Redskins in 1981. He would coach the Redskins for 12 seasons until his retirement in 1992.  After stepping away from the NFL, Gibbs focused on NASCAR, creating Joe Gibbs Racing in 1992. He currently still has four drivers but in 2004, Gibbs felt called back to football and back to the Redskins for a second stint as their head coach from 2004 to 2007. He was able to lead Washington to the playoffs twice before retiring for good in January of 2008. In 1996, Gibbs was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2020, he was inducted into the NASC

Episode 461 Anthony Rendon is the new third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels. He signed a seven year deal with the Angels in December 2019 and will begin the 2020 season in the middle of a lineup that includes Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.  Rendon was selected in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals (6th overall) and two years later would make his MLB debut on April 21, 2013. For the next 6 years, Anthony would be a key player in leading the Nationals to three NL East division titles (2014, 2016, and 2017) and a World Series championship in 2019.  In that 2019 season, Rendon had a career year, hitting .319 with 34 home runs and an MLB-leading 126 runs batted in. He finished third in the NL MVP voting and hit .276 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI in the 2019 World Series victory over Houston.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rendon about winning a World Series, the decision to sign with the Angels, how his faith gives him peace and keeps him grounded and why an injury that h