Sports Spectrum Podcast

Justin Wren known for his mixed martial arts career in the UFC. Early in his career, he appeared on the Spike TV reality show "The Ultimate Fighter." Growing up, Justin experienced large amounts of bullying, which led to depression and suicidal thoughts during his teen years.  Justin's life began to hit rock bottom when he disappeared for eight weeks without anyone knowing where he was. Drugs, depression, addiction, anger, his life was spiraling out of control.  After a life-changing experience in 2011, Justin founded Fight for the Forgotten, a nonprofit dedicated to securing land, freedom and clean water for the formerly enslaved Mbuti Pygmy tribe in the Ituri rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2015, Water4 helped him expand beyond the DRC to bring clean water and economic security to thousands across the region. On this episode of the podcast, Justin shares his incredible story from brokenness to redemption, how he overcame bullying, drug addiction and depression and is now using his mes

Emily Austen is a former reporter for Fox Sports. She also had stints at the Golf Channel and as a digital reporter with the Boston Celtics.  In 2016, she was fired from her job for making offensive remarks on a Facebook LIVE interview with Barstool Sports. Her firing went viral and her story made national news.  In the immediate aftermath, after apologizing, Emily went to a very dark place. Emily has since rebounded and has been determined to turn her mess into a message of positivity by renewing her faith in Christ and speaking to colleges about the mistake she made and the importance of words and what we say about others.  On this episode of the podcast, Emily shares why her dream was to become a sports reporter, how the incident with Barstool Sports came about, what she learned, how her faith in Christ was renewed and what she is doing now to change the narrative and be a positive light to college students.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com

David Johnson is a running back with the Arizona Cardinals. He was selected in the 3rd round (86th overall) by Arizona in the 2015 NFL Draft. In his first two seasons, he's rushed for over 1,800 yards, 32 total touchdowns, and in 2015 was named 1st-team All-Pro and selected to his first Pro Bowl.  Johnson dislocated his wrist in the 3rd quarter of the first game of the 2017 NFL season. He's expected to be out 2-3 months and possibly return at the end of the year. Spending four seasons at Northern Iowa, Johnson rushed for over 4,600 yards and had 63 total touchdowns setting numerous records including career rushing yards, career rushing touchdowns, and career all-purpose yards.  On this episode of the podcast, David Johnson shares how he's dealing with a broken wrist, whether he questioned God when he was injured, how he came to faith in Christ, becoming a Dad and what his biggest spiritual struggle is right now.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Chris Broussard is former ESPN NBA Insider who now works as a sports commentator at Fox Sports.  Broussard started his broadcast career in 1990 at the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. After stops with the Akron-Beacon Journal, and the New York Times, Chris landed with ESPN in 2004.  In the Fall of 2016, Broussard departed ESPN for a new venture with Fox Sports as a sports analyst. He also co-hosts a Saturday Night radio show on Fox Sports Radio and hosts a weekly NBA podcast called "In the Zone." In 2009, Broussard introduced the idea of the K.I.N.G. Movement to Malik Carey, the youth minister at Bethany Church in West Orange, N.J. They started building and attracting support for the movement, and today it has approximately 150 members nationwide. The name K.I.N.G. is an acronym for Knowledge, Inspiration and Nurture through God. On this episode of the podcast, Chris shares his amazing story of coming to faith in Christ, why he left ESPN for FOX, who he likes in the 2016-17 NBA Finals, and if he regrets what he said i

Tim Fortugno is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and currently a professional scout for the New York Mets. But the story of baseball is just a small part of the incredible life journey that Tim has had. Growing up as a child in a broken home, Tim witnessed physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his step-father. At 15, Tim was ready to end it all, but God intervened and brought Tim to foster family that turned his life around and changed him forever. An unlikely trek to professional baseball started to take place and at the age where most baseball players are giving up their dream of making to the Majors, Tim Fortugno, age 30, gets the call to the show. On this podcast, you’ll hear Tim’s incredible story of overcoming childhood abuse, the moment he wanted to end it all, how he came to faith in Jesus, why baseball was taken away from him and how getting married and having a child at a young age actually opened the door for him to pursue a professional baseball career. For more, log on to http://Spor

Demario Davis is in his 6th year as a linebacker in the NFL. He was selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. After four seasons in New York, he signed with the Browns in the offseason of 2016. On June 1st, Davis was traded back to New York and is now once again starting at linebacker for the Jets at Met Life Stadium. Through 3 games in the 2017 season, Demario is second in the NFL in tackles with 32 and he helped the Jets win their first game of the season in Week 3 over Miami 20-6. But it was what happened prior to that win over the Dolphins that had everyone talking. The comments from President Donald Trump regarding NFL players protesting the National Anthem struck a cord with the league's teams and players. On this episode of the podcast, Demario Davis will talk about standing and locking arms with teammates during the National Anthem on Sunday, what went on in the team meeting the night before, why this has caused such division in our country and what the plans are for him and the J

As the south’s sweetheart of sports, Rachel Baribeau has been dubbed an “SEC-ologist” as she has covered the SEC, and college football, for over ten years. In fall of 2015, she was bestowed a Heisman vote by the Heisman Trust. These days can be heard on SiriusXM's ESPNU Radio. She was the first female host on that platform. She can also be heard on MadDog Sports Radio, in the SiriusXM family of Networks. Her heartfelt, and captivating, storytelling is also featured on www.GridironNow.com Outside of her broadcast work, Baribeau may put down the microphone but chooses to pick up a megaphone and rally others for the causes in her community. In April of 2014, she organized a climb up Kilimanjaro for former NFL, and Alabama, fullback Kevin Turner, who suffers from ALS. The climb was later turned into a movie narrated by Mike Ditka. For more information on how to get involved in finding a cure for ALS, or to see the movie, visitwww.KevinTurnerFoundation.org! Rachel is also an avid speaker at many colleges and churc

In 1987, John O'Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given a 1% chance to live. And live he did.  With the help of a St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame broadcaster, and his love for baseball, John was able to survive and even more than that thrive in life.  John is now a motivational speaker and author, sharing his incredible story. His new book, "ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life" was an instant #1 National Bestseller selling 30,000 copies in the first 3 weeks.  On this episode of the podcast, John shares his story, recalling vivid details of what it was like sitting in a hospital bed moments from death, how he learned to write after losing his fingers, how a baseball hall of fame announcer helped him heal and impacted his life, and taking his mess, his darkest time, and turning into a powerful message of faith, hope and love.    For more, check us out at http://Spo

Craig Terrill played 7 seasons as a defensive tackle in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks from 2004-2010. He was selected in the 6th round by Seattle (189th overall) and was part of four NFC West division championships (2004-2007) and a member of the 2005 Seahawks team that won the NFC and made it all the way to Super Bowl XL.  Dubbed “Dr. Love” for her work on marriage and relationships, Dr. Rachel Terrill is passionate about making marriages work. ​ When Rachel's husband was drafted to Seattle in 2004, Rachel launched what has become a thirteen year journey of investigating love and marriage in the NFL. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication from The University of South Florida. Her research interests include relational communication - what makes people fall in love and what makes people stay in love.  Rachel teaches at Purdue University and Northwest University, writes for the National Football League’s Player Engagement website, and serves as a family advisor for the NFL Players Study at Harvard University. 

Matthew West is a four-time GRAMMY® nominee, a multiple-ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner and Dove Award recipient, and was awarded an American Music Award (2013), a Billboard Music Award (Top Christian Artist, 2014), a K-LOVE Fan Award (2016), and named Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year (2016).  In addition to his own recording career, he has co-hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards three times and has more than 130 songwriting credits to his name, including cuts by Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and Mandisa, among others. Selling more than 1.6 million albums to date (TEA), West’s discography includes acclaimed releases: Live Forever (2015), GRAMMY-nominated Into The Light (2012), The Story of Your Life (2010), Something to Say (2008),  History (2005) and Happy (2003). His latest album All In releases September 22, 2017.  Adding author to his list of accolades, West has written five books to date: Give This Christmas Away, The Story

Scott Hanson hosts the NFL RedZone channel every Sunday during the season.  He is a graduate of Syracuse University and has been working with the NFL Network since 2006.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Scott about what it's like to be LIVE on television, without a bathroom break for 7 straight hours. We also hear his amazing story of how he came to faith in Christ, and why missions and going overseas to share God's love to others, is extremely important to him.  Check us out at http://SportsSpectrum.com and become a member of our family for just $36 a year. You'll get a quarterly magazine and have access to all of our content from the past 30 years. 

Atheist-turned-Christian Lee Strobel is the former award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune and best-selling author of more than twenty books. His classic, The Case for Christ, is a perennial favorite which details his conversion to Christianity. His recent release, The Case for Grace, just won the 2016 Nonfiction Book of the Year from the EPCA.  For the last twenty-five years, his life’s work has been to share the evidence that supports the truth and claims of Christianity and to equip believers to share their faith with the people they know and love. Lee's life story is depicted in the recent release from Pure Flix: "The Case for Christ" and is available now on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Lee about his conversion from atheism to Christianity, his thoughts on his life being portrayed on the big screen, why he'll root for the Cubs until he dies, and the time he had a sit-down discussion on religion with basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabaar.  To be

James Laurinaitis was a 3-time consensus All-American linebacker at the Ohio State University. He was selected 35th overall in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. His Dad, Joe was one half of "The Road Warriors" wrestling duo in the WWE, and WCW.  James is the only player ever to win two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards.  In April of 2017, James announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 30.  On this episode of the podcast, James shares with us why he chose to retire at 30 years old, what it was like growing up with a Dad as a professional wrestler, what the morning after an NFL game feels like from a pain perspective, and what he plans to do following retirement.  You can partner with us for $36 a year (just $3 a month) and become a member of the Sports Spectrum family. Sign up now by clicking the “SUBSCRIBE” link at the top of SportsSpectrum.com and receive our quarterly magazine as well as digital access to over 30 years of content produced by Sports Spectrum.

Ikki Soma is the pastor of Pastor City of Refuge Church in Houston, Texas. He is also one of the team chaplains for the NBA's Houston Rockets. On this episode of the podcast, we talked with Pastor Ikki about the devastation that is occurring in the city of Houston, and how we all can partner together to help those that are in need. To help donate and be part of the recovery process, visit http://CityofRefuge.org and click the donate button at the top of the right hand page and put "Harvey Relief" --- 100% of the proceeds to help those displaced and in need of food, shelter and other necessities. 

Chris Maragos is a safety and special teams ace with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played 3 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, winning a Super Bowl in 2013 before signing a 3-year deal in March of 2014 to come to Philadelphia. In November of 2016, Maragos signed a 3-year $6 million extension, keeping him with the Eagles through 2019. Ted Winsley is in his 17th season as the team chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the senior pastor at "Family Church" in New Jersey and continues to minister to the Eagles players spiritual needs throughout the year.  On this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Maragos and Winsley and talk about Chris' crazy journey to the NFL, why Maragos chose to leave the Seahawks after winning a Super Bowl with them, how members of the team came to the decision to be baptized at the Eagles team facility last October, and why Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz doesn't just help the team on the field, but even more importantly, off the field.  You can partner with us for $36 a year (jus

Anquan Boldin is a former NFL wide receiver, who played 14 seasons. On Sunday August 20, 2017, Boldin announced his retirement from Pro Football, just 13 days after signing a 1-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. “Football has afforded me a platform throughout my career to have a greater impact on my humanitarian work, and at this time, I feel drawn to make the larger fight for human rights a priority,” Boldin said in a statement to ESPN's Jim Trotter. “My life’s purpose is bigger than football.” The 3-time Pro Bowler had a wonderful career, finishing with 1,076 receptions, 13,779 yards and 82 touchdowns. He played in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLVII as a member of the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. His foundation, "Q81" was formed in 2004 to help expand educational and life opportunities for underprivileged children. On this episode of the podcast, in a very real, and raw conversation, we talk to Anquan about his decision to retire, what role faith played in making that decision, his reaction to the recent

Lance Berkman played 15 seasons as a Major League Baseball Player with the Astros, Yankees, Cardinals and Rangers. He was selected to play in 6 MLB All-Star Games and played in two World Series with the Astros in 2005, and the Cardinals in 2011.  He was a key contributor to the St. Louis Cardinals winning the 2011 World Series where he hit .417 with 11 hits, 9 runs scored, and a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to stave off elimination and eventually help the Cards beat the Rangers in Game 6 and eventually win it all.  A husband to Cara, and a Dad to four daughters, Berkman is currently working with former teammate and friend, Andy Pettitte, the longtime Yankees pitcher, where they both coach high school baseball for Second Baptist School in Houston.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Lance Berkman about his experience coaching high school baseball, how he lived out his faith in Christ as an MLB player, what being drafted by the Houston Astros meant, if he ever struggled with identi

Kelli Masters is an NFL Player Agent representing numerous clients throughout Pro Football. She is a former National Champion and Five-time World Champion Baton Twirler who graduated with honors from Law School at the University of Oklahoma. Kelli was also voted Miss Oklahoma in 1997 and competed in the Miss America Pageant that same year.  She has developed a solid reputation and a vast network of professional relationships including coaches, owners, managers, and scouts from all 32 NFL Clubs, as well as the NFLPA. On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Kelli about being a female working in a male dominated field, what her faith in Christ means to her, how she brings her faith into her job everyday, whether she has lost a client due to her gender, and why her identity isn't found in her job as an agent.  You can partner with us for just $36 a year (just $3 a month) and become a member of the Sports Spectrum family. Sign up now at http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Chad Hennings played nine seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. He won 3 Super Bowls and played on 7 playoff teams. Prior to his NFL career, Chad served at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he had a fantastic college career, winning the 1987 Outland Trophy and being named an All-American. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Hennings served four years in the Air Force before his NFL career. He flew dozens of combat and humanitarian missions over Iraq and Turkey in A-10 jets. Chad is the author of three books including his latest, "Forces of Character: Conversations About Building a Life of Impact." His ministry Wingmen gathers men with the purpose of forming transparent, Christ-centered, masculine relationships. At Wingmen, they offer men acceptance, affirmation and accountability. On this episode of the podcast, Chad shares his story of why he entered the United States Air Force, his journey to the NFL, winning 3 Super Bowls with the Cowboys, and his desire to use his platform

Bo Mitchell is the team chaplain and senior advisor for the Colorado Rockies. Prior to his work with the Rockies, Bo served as the team chaplain for the NBA's Denver Nuggets.  Surprised by a baffling criminal charge after helping some friends with a business loan, Bo inexplicably wound up in federal prison. At the same time, his wife was dealing with a sudden brain illness.  On this episode of the podcast, we hear Bo's story of growing up the son of a Major League Baseball player, his journey as an NBA chaplain, inviting Dennis Rodman to chapel, how he ended up in prison and the inspiring story of discovering and trusting God's path to real freedom.