Stay ConnectedSports Spectrum brings you stories and conversations at the intersection of sports and Jesus.
On Tuesday, former Chicago Bears pro bowl running back Matt Forte hosts TUEDAY MORNING RB.
On Friday, we feature a guest from the world of sports to share their Jesus story.
Copyright: © Sports Spectrum
Episode 512
Christian Taylor is a U.S. track and field athlete. He is the two-time reigning Olympic champion in the triple jump, winning gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and the 2016 Rio Olympics. He is also the current world champion in the event, taking gold at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
At the age of 17, Taylor became the triple jump champion and long jump bronze medalist at the 2007 World Youth Championships, and then established himself as a top-level triple jumper at the University of Florida. He won back-to-back NCAA indoor titles and consecutive NCAA outdoor championships in 2010 and 2011.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Taylor about the 2020 Summer Olympics being postponed, what training looks like during a pandemic, and why it was important for him to walk the walk and not just talk the talk when it came to being a follower of Christ.
Follow Christian on Instagram: @Taylored2Jump
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
BONUS EPISODE
Jon Gordon is an author and speaker who has written more than 20 books including "The Energy Bus," "The Power of Positive Leadership" and "The Carpenter."
His latest book is called "The Garden: A Spiritual Fable About Ways to Overcome Fear, Anxiety, and Stress and releases everywhere June 30, 2020.
Gordon and his leadership principles have been featured on the Today Show, CNN, CNBC, the Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Falcons, L.A. Clippers, Miami Heat, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Rams and Clemson football program.
On this episode of the podcast we talk to Jon about his faith fueling him to write his new book "The Garden," the 5 D's that can sabotage us, the audibles Jon has had to call during this pandemic and why it's important for us to not take the "bait of hate."
Follow Jon on Instagram: @JonGordon11
Follow Sports Spectrum on Instagram: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 511
Paula Faris is a longtime journalist and current television correspondent for ABC News. She's also the host of the ABC podcast Journeys of Faith. From 2014 to 2018, Faris was co-anchor of Good Morning America Weekend. She also was co-host of The View for seasons 19-21.
Her new book "Called Out" released in April of 2020 and tells the story of Paula climbing the fast track of journalists and working all the way up to anchor on Good Morning America until she decided she needed to pursue her true calling and walk away from her dream jobs.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Paula about why she left two dream jobs, what it means to pursue her true calling, her incredible love for Michigan football, the unique bond she had with her father over sports and how she lives out her faith at a large corporation like ABC News.
Follow Paula on Twitter: @PaulaFaris
Follow Sports Spectrum on Twitter: @Sports_Spectrum
Episode 510
Avery Johnson is an NBA champion who played 16 years in the NBA from 1988-2004. In college, he was a two-time SWAC player of the Year at Southern but would go undrafted in 1988. He would make his NBA debut in 1988 with Seattle but truly made his mark as a player when he came to San Antonio in 1995 where he would average a career-high 13.4 points per game and help the Spurs to playoff berths in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
In 1999, he helped the Spurs to an NBA championship and in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Johnson hit the game-winning shot in giving San Antonio a 78-77 win and the franchise's first world title.
After retiring following the 2003-04 season, Avery would become an assistant coach with Dallas and a year later, he was named the head coach of the Mavericks. In his first year as an NBA coach, he led his club to the Western Conference championship and a trip to the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. That yea he was named 2006 NBA Coach of the Year. One season later, he led the Mavericks to a club record 67 regular season victories.
Avery would have two other coaching stops with the Nets in the NBA from 2011-2013 and in college at the University of Alabama from 2015-2019. His number 6 is retired by the Spurs and in February of 2009, he was inducted into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Avery about his journey of faith in Christ, how he lived out that faith as an NBA player, his favorite Michael Jordan story, the teachable moments from ESPN's Chicago Bulls documentary "The Last Dance," and how he's been coping with life during the pandemic.
Follow Avery on Twitter @CoachAvery6
For more stories, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 509
Ricardo Allen is a defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2014 NFL Draft (pick 147) by Atlanta in 2014 out of Purdue. He quickly became a starter and helped the Falcons to the NFC Championship and a berth in the Super Bowl in 2016.
In August of 2018, Allen signed a three-year contract extension with Atlanta and after suffering an achilles injury in 2018, he returned in 2019 to have a productive season and was named as the Falcons' 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
In April of 2015, Ricardo and his wife Grace were married and together, they have three children and host their own podcast - "All in with the Allens."
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Ricardo and Grace about their journey of faith, their NFL draft experience, how a difficult loss in Super LI actually helped shape Ricardo in a positive way, and the importance in investing in their marriage.
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Episode 508
Todd Gongwer is an author, speaker, entrepreneur and former college coach who is passionate about helping others discover their purpose in leadership and life. He is the author of the best-selling book "Lead ... for God's Sake!"
His expertise in the area of leadership and team dynamics come from over twenty-five years of a wide range of experiences spanning the world of business and athletics. He’s held senior positions in companies ranging from entrepreneurial start-up to public entity while also serving as an assistant college basketball coach for one of the winningest small College programs in the country during the 1990’s.
Todd's message has been featured in numerous publications such as ESPN the Magazine, ESPN.com, YahooSports, and Grantland. In addition, his powerful messages are impacting leaders from Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, major universities, professional sports teams, school districts, and churches throughout the country.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Todd about leadership, lessons on turning 50, pivoting during a pandemic, why we should all strive to be Joe the Janitor, and the importance of aligning our pursuits with God.
For more stories of sports and faith, check us out at http://SportsSpectrum.com
BONUS EPISODE
On June 17, 2015, nine people were murdered in a race motivated mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Sharonda Coleman Singleton was one of those people who were killed.
Her son, Chris Singleton joins us today to remember that horrific day, the conversations he was having on race 5 years ago and why they continue to be important conversations to have today. Chris shares why his faith in Christ has helped fuel him to continue sharing his mother's memory and why forgiveness has truly given him freedom to not hold on to bitterness and anger.
BONUS EPISODE
Matt Holliday played 15 MLB seasons with the Rockies, A's, Cardinals and Yankees. The 7-time All-Star won a World Series with St. Louis in 2011 and won two National League pennants in 2007 with the Rockies and 2013 with the Cardinals.
The 2007 NLCS MVP last played with the Rockies in 2018 and is now coaching baseball at Oklahoma State.
Matt and his wife Leslee join us today to talk about their marriage, starting a new podcast together, adjusting to life after baseball and why Matt says he doesn't like the word "retire."
The new podcast "Table Forty" by Matt and Leslee is part of the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network and available to download and listen to for free everywhere podcasts are found.
Episode 507
Jim Schlossnagle is the baseball coach for Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas He arrived at TCU in 2004 and has compiled an impressive resume that includes 770 career victories and five NCAA Super Regional Appearances and four straight College World Series appearances.
In 2015 he was named Big 12 Coach of the Year and Baseball America's National Coach of the Year in 2016. His 2020 club was 11-4 until Covid-19 cancelled the rest of their season.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jim Schlossnagle about his journey of faith, how he's handling the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA baseball season, what he's learned from his children as they battle a retinal disease, how Micah Ahern has impacted his life and the importance of relationships.
For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 506
Jim Morris is a former MLB player, who's life was portrayed in the Disney movie "The Rookie" back in 2002. His rise to professional baseball's pinnacle was one of the most improbable stories you'll ever see.
Originally selected fourth overall in the 1983 amateur draft (January Secondary) by the Milwaukee Brewers, Jim would suffer arm injuries during his brief four year minor league career that saw him only reach the Single A level.
Morris would retire, move to Big Lake, Texas and become a teacher and high school baseball coach. In the spring of 1999, Morris made a promise to his high school team that he would try out for an MLB team if his club won the District Championship. His team would win and Morris kept his promise to attend a Tampa Bay Devil Rays tryout. That tryout turned into an incredible story that saw Jim make his MLB debut at the age of 35 on September 18, 1999 against the Texas Rangers in his hometown state.
Jim would retire after pitching two seasons in the Majors and write his autobiography "The Oldest Rookie." That book would turn into a Disney movie and Jim Morris' life would be portrayed on the big screen by actor Dennis Quaid. In June 2020, Jim would release his new book "Dream Makers: Surround Yourself with the Best to be the Best" and continues to speak and share his story with audiences across the country.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Jim Morris about his new book, being portrayed in the movie "The Rookie," what he learned about forgiveness in the relationship with his father, overcoming health issues and using his story to bring glory to God.
For more stories of sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com
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