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Sports Spectrum Podcast

Launched in 2017 and now with over 5 million downloads, Sports Spectrum's podcast features stories on the intersection of sports and faith. Hosted by former ESPN Senior Producer Jason Romano, new conversations drop multiple times each week.
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Now displaying: January, 2021
Jan 31, 2021

Eric Wood played nine seasons in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills from 2009-2017. He was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft by Buffalo and would become a staple on the offensive line, starting all 120 games that he participated in. 

The former Louisville alum was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015 and was a part of the Bills team in 2017 that won nine games and ended an 18-year playoff drought.

After retiring because of an injury in 2018, Wood moved into the broadcasting arena and is currently a football analyst with the ACC Network and part of the Buffalo Bills radio team. He also is the host of the "What's Next with Eric Wood" podcast. 

Today on the show, Eric shares his love for Bills Mafia, the adjustment into retirement, being a broadcaster, giving his life to Christ in 2012 and the difficulty of playing the Center position in the NFL. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Vernon, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Lorenzo Alexander - Former NFL Linebacker

Troy Vincent, NFL VP of Football Operations

Jan 30, 2021

New York Giants offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Nate Solder joins Brock Huard to talk about stepping away from football in 2020, the health of his son Hudson and his desire to serve God and others through Compassion International. 

You can watch the entire Sports Spectrum Football Special with Tony Dungy, Brock Huard and Nate Solder: https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2021/01/05/watch-sports-spectrum-football-special-3/ 

You can learn more about joining Compassion and Pro Athletes in releasing children from poverty: http://FilltheStadium.com 

You can order Football Sunday 2021 for your church by visiting http://FootballSunday.com

Jan 29, 2021

Annie F. Downs is a bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and successful podcast host based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Annie is the host of the popular "That Sounds Fun" podcast and has written multiple  bestselling books including: 100 Days to Brave and Remember God. Her latest book, "That Sounds Fun" releases February 2, 2021. 

On today's episode, we talk to Annie about her new book, the most nervous she's ever been for an interview, her love for Georgia Football, her friendship with former Titans linebacker Tim Shaw and the importance of discernment and saying no when necessary. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Annie, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Molly McManamie - NFL Player Agent

Kelli Masters - NFL Player Agent

Jan 28, 2021

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are NFC champions and preparing to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on February 7. 

Tampa's punter Bradley Pinion joins us on the podcast today to talk about beating the Packers to go to the Super Bowl, the peace he's felt from the Lord all season, preparing for the biggest game of his life, and how he stayed connected to God during this season. 

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If you liked this episode with Bradley, you'll love these conversations as well:

Bradley Pinion from August 2019

Ryan Succop from June 2019

Jan 27, 2021

Ben Higgins is best known from season 20 of ABC's his series, "The Bachelor." The show led to an enhanced social media platform that he now uses to share what he is most passionate about with others -- his faith, his hope for humanity, and his love of sports. 

In 2017 Ben co-founded Generous International, a for-purpose company dedicated to contributing profits to social issues around the world. In February 2021, Higgins released his first book "Alone in Plain Sight: Searching for Connection When You're Seen but not Known."

On today's podcast, we talk to Ben Higgins about growing up in Indiana and his love for basketball, his favorite sports memory at IU with the Hoosiers, releasing his first book, how he handled fame and celebrity, and the importance of staying grounded in his faith. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Ben, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Episode 20 - Louie Giglio (Pastor/Author)

Episode 480 - Tom Allen (Indiana Head Football Coach)

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Jan 25, 2021

Today on the podcast, we talk to former NFL running back Warrick Dunn about playing for Tony Dungy and Bobby Bowden, how coach Bowden helped Warrick cope with the death of his mother, his battle with mental illness and how his faith helps fuel him to give back and establish his HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS program. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Warrick, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Episode 336 - Matt Forte and Justin Forsett

Episode 132 - Maria Taylor

Jan 23, 2021

Dr. Armando Gonzalez is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Known as "Dr. Mondo," he is also a speaker and founder of Cheat Code, a service that provides concierge mental wellness coaching to current MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS and Team USA Olympic athletes. 

Cheat Code was created to rewrite the narrative around mental health and end the stigma about receiving support and providing access to strategic, effective, mental health services to at risk and underserved communities. 

On today's podcast, we talk to Dr. Mondo about mental health, the need for athletes to take care of themselves spiritually and mentally and not just physically, how his faith guides him in his work, and the importance of finding your identity in Jesus Christ. 

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If you enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Mondo, you'll love these previous podcast episodes:

Darlene Santore - Life Coach/Motivational Speaker

Inky Johnson, former Tennessee defensive back, motivational speaker

 

Jan 22, 2021

Jerheme Urban is the current head football coach at his alma mater, Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Urban played nine seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver with the Seahawks, Cardinals and Chiefs and was a member of the 2008 NFC Championship Arizona team that played in Super Bowl XLIII against Pittsburgh.

During his time in college at Division III Trinity, Urban set school records for touchdowns and kickoff return yards and led the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns his senior year. In 2019, he was inducted into the Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame. 

He was named the head coach at Trinity in November 2013 and has a 38-22 career record in his six seasons. 

On today's podcast, we talk to Jerheme about his journey from Division III football player to the NFL, the impact teammates like Matt Hasselbeck, Trent Dilfer and Kurt Warner had on his faith, finding joy in a 2020 that saw his football season postponed, and his experience playing in Super Bowl XLIII with Arizona. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Vernon, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Dave Pasch - ESPN Play by Play Announcer

Rapper Andy Mineo and Super Bowl Champion Trey Burton 

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Jan 21, 2021

Olivia Ancil is a former tennis player at Cedarville University in Ohio.  She graduated from Cedarville's School of Nursing in 2019. She was serving as a float nurse at Holland Hospital in Holland, Michigan. 

On May 28, 2020, Olivia and her boyfriend Alex Arent were struck by a speeding vehicle going over 70 mph in a 35 mph lane while they were on a walk. 

Olivia sustained numerous injuries including a traumatic brain injury, bone fractures, crania nerve III palsy affecting eye movement and vision and a lung contusion. She's fortunate to be alive. 

Today on this special episode of the podcast, Olivia shares the details of the accident that almost killed her, the grueling recovery and rehab and how her faith in Jesus has carried her through. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Olivia, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Patrick Estepp - Cedarville Men's Basketball Coach

The Incredible Story of Katie Lentz 

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Jan 20, 2021

Amy Lawrence is the host of “After Hours with Amy Lawrence” on the CBS Sports Radio Network. The show can be heard weekdays from 2:00-6:00 AM, ET.

Amy is a pioneer in sports radio, and one of the only females hosting a daily talk show on a national radio network.

Prior to joining CBS in January 2013, Lawrence spent nine years at ESPN Radio where she was the only regular female host. Local radio stops include Providence, RI; Lebanon, NH; Rochester, NY; and Oklahoma City, OK, where she was the first female in state history to pilot her own sports radio talk show.

She graduated from Messiah College with bachelor’s degrees in Communications & Accounting, before earning her master’s degree in TV & Radio from Syracuse University. Lawrence was recently honored as one of The 100 Most Important Sports Talk Radio Hosts in America by Talkers Magazine for 2015, and was the only female personality to make the list.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Amy about the difficulties of 2020, broadcasting in a pandemic, growing in her faith and what God has shown her during quarantine. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Amy, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Amy Lawrence Podcast Conversation from 2017

Dave Pasch - ESPN Play by Play Announcer

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Jan 18, 2021

Ted Barrett has been a Major League Baseball umpire since 1994. He became a full-time MLB umpire in 1999 and is the only umpire to ever be behind the plate for TWO perfect games. (David Cone in 1999 and Matt Cain in 2012)

He has umpired in four World Series including the Red Sox Championship in 2007 and 2018, the Cardinals title in 2011 and the Giants beating the Royals to win it all in 2014. 

He is the co-founder of CALLING FOR CHRIST, a ministry serving professional baseball umpires and earned his Doctorate in theology from Trinity in 2013. 

On this episode of the podcast, Ted takes us into life as an MLB umpire during the 2020 shortened pandemic season. He also shares what it was like to umpire for 18 innings behind the plate in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, umpiring the 2018 All-Star Game, the dissertation he wrote in 2013 on faith and umpiring and the rhythms he abides by as a follower of Christ. 

You can learn more about Ted’s ministry by going to callingforchrist.com

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If you enjoyed this episode with Ted, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Ted Barrett 2017 Interview

Chris Guccione - MLB Umpire

Francis Chan and Adam Wainwright

Jan 16, 2021

Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and NBC Sports Analyst Tony Dungy joins Brock Huard to talk football faith, Super Bowl memories and his role as a co-host for Football Sunday 2021.

You can watch the entire Sports Spectrum Football Special with Tony Dungy, Brock Huard and Nate Solder: https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2021/01/05/watch-sports-spectrum-football-special-3/ 

You can learn more about joining Compassion and Pro Athletes in releasing children from poverty: http://FilltheStadium.com 

You can order Football Sunday 2021 for your church by visiting http://FootballSunday.com

Jan 15, 2021

Brad Larsen is currently an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL. He began his pro hockey career as a player when he was selected 87th overall by Colorado in 1997 and made his NHL debut that same season. 

His NHL career would span eight seasons where he would appear in 294 games with Colorado and the Atlanta Thrashers (now Winnipeg Jets). After retiring, Larsen went into coaching and was the head coach of the Springfield Falcons in the AHL from 2012-2014. In June of 2014, he was named as an assistant coach with the Blue Jackets, where he remains today.

On this episode of the podcast, Brad Larsen shares stories from the day he made his NHL debut, coaching a 5-OT game in the 2020 NHL playoffs bubble, overcoming cancer twice, coming to faith in Christ and being baptized at the age of 34 and why he coaches now for a greater purpose. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Brad, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Josh Manson - Anaheim Ducks Defenseman
Brad Frost – University of Minnesota Women’s Hockey Coach
Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick – NBC Hockey Play-By-Play Voice

Jan 14, 2021

Don Christensen and Reed Crosson are our guests today from Ronald Blue Trust as we look back at the lessons we learned from 2020 and how we can be better prepared to steward our wealth properly in 2021. 

Ronald Blue Trust uses biblical wisdom and technical expertise with their clients to make wise financial decisions to experience clarity and confidence and leave a lasting legacy. Learn more at http://RonBlue.com.

Order a copy of "Your Money Made Simple: The Key to Financial Freedom" -- https://www.amazon.com/Your-Money-Made-Simple-Financial/dp/0736976949 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Don and Reed, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Don Christensen's Financial Advice During the Coronavirus

Francis Chan and Adam Wainwright

Darryl Strawberry, Nick Ahmed and Pastor Rod Hairston on Biblical Manhood

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Jan 13, 2021

His parents were killed 3 months apart when he was 19. He was homeless, he wasn’t supposed to make it. But for Andy Andrews, not only did he make it, he persevered and is now impacting lives through his books and his talks.

Hailed by a New York Times reporter as “someone who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America,” Andy Andrews is a best-selling novelist, speaker and consultant for the world’s largest corporations, most successful sports teams and fastest-growing organizations.

He has spoken at the request of four different United States presidents and is called "the best speaker I have ever seen," by Zig Ziglar. Andy's latest book "Just Jones" is out now. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Andy about his new book, what God has shown him during 2020, the Bible verse that has resonated with him recently and what he's most encouraged by moving ahead to 2021. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Andy, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Episode 180 - Tony Bennett

Episode 117 - Jon Gordon

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Jan 11, 2021

Paige Dimakos is the Chief Operating Officer of "The Draft Network," a media brand providing comprehensive coverage of College Football, NFL and the NFL Draft.  Her diverse media background has seen stops at the Big 10 Network, ESPN Phoenix and CBS Sports. She has hosted five NFL Draft shows and covered some of sports biggest events including the Final Four, College Football's National Championship Game and the Super Bowl.

A University of Nebraska graduate, Paige is also the host of the TDN Fantasy Podcast, a show she started in college and had over 7 million downloads in 2019. 

On today's podcast, we talk to Paige about her media journey, being a female in a male dominated industry, how her faith has grown over the years and her favorite sporting event to cover. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Paige, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Molly McManamie - NFL Player Agent

Kelli Masters - NFL Player Agent

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Jan 9, 2021

Former NFL tight end Benjamin Watson joins Brock Huard to talk faith, family, retirement and his role as a co-host for Football Sunday 2021.

You can watch the entire Sports Spectrum Football Special: https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2021/01/05/watch-sports-spectrum-football-special-3/ 

You can learn more about joining Compassion and Pro Athletes in releasing children from poverty athttp://FilltheStadium.com 

You can order Football Sunday 2021 for your church by visiting http://FootballSunday.com

Jan 8, 2021

Darryl Strawberry is a former MLB player and the number one overall selection in the 1980 MLB Amateur Draft by the New York Mets. He made his MLB debut in May 1983 and became a seven-time All-Star for the Mets from 1984-1990. A member of the 1986 World Championship team, Strawberry’s 252 career home runs remain at the top of the Mets’ all-time list.

In 1991, Strawberry signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A short stint with the Giants followed, and then Strawberry returned to New York and helped the Yankees win three World Series titles in 1996, ’98 and ’99.

After many years of struggling with substance abuse and addiction, Strawberry has been sober for more than a decade now and spreads the Good News of Jesus across the country as a traveling evangelist. His new book "Turn Your Season Around" released in January 2021. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Darryl about discipleship, his new book, how his faith deepened in 2020 and the importance of leaving a legacy that points to Jesus. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Darryl, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Biblical Manhood Discussion with Nick Ahmed and Darryl Strawberry (2019)

Matt Forte and Justin Forsett on Life after Football 

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Jan 6, 2021

Dave Buehring is a pastor and author. For more than 40 years, he has discipled believers who lead in their workplaces and those in ministry to live godly lives. 

David is the author of "The Great Opportunity: Making Disciples of Jesus in Every Vocation" and leads a ministry called LIONSHARE, through which he shapes leaders in the ways go For and makes disciple makers worldwide. 

Today on the podcast, we talk to Dave about what discipleship looks like in your vocation, the difference between information and revelation, his love for the Minnesota Vikings and the experience of attending one of the most famous NFL games 45 years ago. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Drew, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Episode 96 - Kirk Cousins

Episode 126 - Mark Schlereth 

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Jan 4, 2021

David Tyree is a Super Bowl champion and former wide receiver with the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens. He was selected in the 6th round of the 2003 NFL Draft (211 overall) by the Giants. He would spend six seasons with the Giants from 2003-2008 and finish his NFL career in 2009 with the Ravens.

Tyree is known for making one of the greatest catches in NFL history with his famous 32 yard "helmet catch" against Patriots safety Rodney Harrison that kept the final drive alive and helped the Giants upset New England 17-14 to win Super Bowl XLII in February 2008.

Today on the podcast, we talk to David Tyree about being a Super Bowl champion, remembering the helmet catch 13 years later, how God played a big role in that 2007 Super Bowl season and his amazing story of encountering Christ in a hotel room on his 30th birthday.

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If you enjoyed this episode with David, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Episode 336 - Matt Forte and Justin Forsett

Episode 280 - Nate and Lexi Solder

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Jan 2, 2021

Brandon Carr has played 13 NFL seasons with Kansas City, Dallas and Baltimore. 

He was selected in the 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Chiefs and played four seasons in KC from 2008-2011. In 2012, he signed a contract with the Cowboys and played five seasons in Dallas from 2012-2016. From 2017-2019, he was a member of the Ravens and in 2020, returned to Dallas and played three games with his former team until being released. 

In his first 12 seasons, Brandon never missed a game and played and started 192 straight games. 

Brandon also co-hosts the Iron Horse Podcast with David Walker. 

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If you enjoyed this episode with Vernon, we know you'll love these conversations as well:

Episode 536 - Darren Woodson

Episode 155 - Tyler Clutts

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