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.
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Episode 284
Rory MacDonald is Bellator MMA's Welterweight World Champion. On April 27, 2019, he'll defend his title at Bellator 220 against Jon Fitch in a fight that is simultaneously the first round of Bellator's Welterweight Grand Prix.
MacDonald fought in the UFC from 2010-2016 before signing a contract in August 2016 with Bellator. In his 25 total fights, Rory has 20 wins, 7 by knockout, 7 by submission and 5 losses. He's been competing as a professional since he was 16 years old in 2005.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rory about his upcoming fight at Bellator 220, the rigorous training the he puts himself through to prepare for a fight, how Christ got a hold of his life over the past few years after he was headed down a destructive path, and how Easter and Good Friday have taken on new meaning for him.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Ryan Hall is a retired American long-distance runner who holds the U.S. record in the half marathon. With his half marathon record time (59:43), he became the first U.S. runner to break the one-hour barrier in the event. He is also the only American to run a sub-2:05 marathon (2:04:58 at the 2011 Boston marathon) and represented the U.S at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.
Ryan is a husband to Sara and has adopted 4 children from Ethiopia.
On this Throwback Thursday edition of the podcast, we look back at Episode 19 with Ryan and hear how his faith helped him in his pursuit for Olympic greatness.
You can listen to the entire interview with Ryan Hall on Episode 19 here.
Ryan's new book "Run the Mile You're In: Finding God in Every Step" is available now on Amazon and everywhere books are sold.
Episode 283
DeVon Franklin is an award–winning film & TV producer, bestselling author, renowned preacher and spiritual success coach. DeVon is the ultimate multi-hyphenate. With a commitment to uplifting the masses through entertainment, Franklin has quickly become a force in the media as well as a leading authority on faith, spiritual wellness and personal development. Beliefnet has called him one of the "Most Influential Christians Under 40," Variety Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Producers to Watch," Ebony Magazine has distinguished him as one of the "Top 100 Influential African-Americans in America," and even Oprah has called him "a bonafide dynamo...a different kind of spiritual teacher for our times."
Franklin serves as President/CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a dynamic multimedia entertainment company with a first-look film deal at 20th Century Fox. As a filmmaker, Franklin is producing the inspirational true story Breakthrough starring Chrissy Metz in theaters Easter of 2019. Additionally, he produced the hit animated film The Star and the hit film Miracles from Heaven. Along with his work as a producer, Franklin is the author of the upcoming book The Truth About Men, to be published in February 2019, as well as The Hollywood Commandments, New York Times bestseller The Wait (co-written with his wife, award–winning actress Meagan Good) and Produced by Faith.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Devon about his new movie Breakthrough, faith in Hollywood, how Stephen Curry got involved in the movie, faith in Hollywood, why Jesus' message is still appealing to a mass audience in 2019, and the role sports has played in his life.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 282
Carsyn Koch is one of the most accomplished athletes in Cedarville University athletics history and is the first female NCAA All-American at the college in any sport.
She was the 2016 and 2017 NCAA Division II Indoor 800 Meter Champion and was a 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier.
In 2015-16, she was named to the USTFCCCA Division II All-America First Team both indoors and outdoors and in 2016-17 she was the USTFCCCA Division II Midwest Region Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.
Injuries kept her from competing in 2017-18 but she returned here in 2019 earning All-America recognition after placing seventh in the 800 meters at the NCAA Division II Women's Indoor Track & Field Championship in March.
A native of Maine, Carsyn put together a decorated career at Washburn District High School being named all-state in track & field all four years, four-time Class C individual state cross country champion, member of four Class D state championship basketball teams, and part of Class D state title soccer squad as a senior. Winning was her thing in high school as she garnered a combination of 17 team and state championships during prep career and was also named valedictorian of her graduating class.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Carsyn about life as a married lady, where her faith took shape, how God helped her through injury setbacks last year, and why the Lord's timing is more perfect than anything she could put together on her own.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 281
Wayne Simien is a character coach with the Kansas Jayhawks. He played his college ball with KU, where he was a consensus All-America selection and Big 12 Player of the Year in 2005. His success in college led him to become a first-round draft pick in the NBA by the Miami Heat (29th overall).
Simien would play two seasons with the Heat and in his rookie season, earned an NBA championship ring as Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal helped Miami to their first ever championship in the 2006 NBA Finals.
In October 2007, Simien was traded by Miami to Minnesota but never played another game in the NBA. He would play a few more years overseas, before retiring in May of 2009 at the age of 26 to pursue ministry work.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Wayne in Minneapolis at the Final Four about his role as a character coach, his testimony of faith in Christ, the state of faith in basketball, and the biggest spiritual struggle now in college basketball.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 280
Nate Solder is an offensive lineman with the New York Giants. He was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots and played 7 seasons with Tom Brady and Bill Belichik in Foxboro. In March of 2018, he signed a new 4-year contract that made him the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL at the time.
A two-time Super Bowl champion, Nate and his wife Lexi have walked through a difficult season of life with their son Hudson, who is battling cancer. They also share a passion to serve and help others and are involved with Compassion International, in helping end the cycle of poverty with children around the world.
On this episode of the podcast, Nate and Lexi join us to share about what life was like adjusting from the Patriots to the Giants, watching their former team win the Super Bowl, why they have a heart for helping children in need, and how God has sustained them during their son Hunter's battle with cancer.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Adam Wainwright is a starting pitcher for the St Louis Cardinals. He’s been a mainstay with the organization now for 13 seasons. He’s a 2-time World Series Champion (2006, 2011), a 3-time All Star and a 2-time Gold Glove winner.
Adam isn’t just an elite Major League Baseball player, he’s also a man of faith and has taken his love for Jesus into the mission field to start Big League Impact, a non-profit designed to serve and help those in need both in the USA and overseas.
On this Throwback Thursday edition of the podcast, we hear Adam's testimony and how he came to faith in Christ during his pro baseball career at a conference.
You can listen to the entire interview with Adam from Episode 14 back in June of 2017 here.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 279
Judah Smith is the pastor of Churchome and the New York Times Best-Selling author of the book "Jesus Is: Find a New Way to Be Human."
In the sports world, Judah has pastored and counseled many athletes and also serves as the chaplain for the Seattle Seahawks.
Judah, along with his wife Chelsea, have partnered with tech company Seventh Spark to create and launch Churchome Global, a free app-based platform that offers users 24/7/365 access to the Churchome community and programming,
The app delivers community prayer, pastor-led groups, meaningful and topical conversations with other users, growth classes, charity opportunities, interactive church broadcasts, daily inspirational messages, and more. You can download Churchome Global, here.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Judah about why he started the Churchome Global app, how sports played a huge role in his life growing up, what the biggest spiritual struggle is for athletes, how he handles "fame," and how Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady influenced his decision to become a pastor.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 278
Liam Hendriks is a pitcher with the Oakland A's and holds the distinction of being the first Australian born player to ever start an MLB postseason game.
He made his MLB debut on September 6, 2011 with the Twins and then pitched in Toronto, Kansas City before arriving in 2016 with the Athletics.
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Liam about what his experience was pitching in Japan with the A's last month, turning 30 years old, his favorite memory from his MLB debut, and why giving back is a non-negotiable in the Hendriks home.
For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com
Episode 277
Jameis Winston just finished his fourth season as quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was selected number one overall in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Florida State by Tampa after a decorated college career that saw him win the 2013 Heisman Trophy and brought a national title to the Seminoles.
In his first season, Jameis became just the third NFL quarterback to ever throw for over 4,000 yards in his rookie season and was named to the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl as well as the NFL's All-Rookie Team for his 2015 season. In 2016, he became the first QB to ever throw for over 4,000 yards in each of his first two seasons.
An off the field incident caused Jameis to be suspended for the first 3 games of the 2018 season, but he was able to return and start 9 games and throw for almost 3,000 yards and 19 touchdown passes.
On this episode of the podcast, Jameis shares how his faith in Christ has grown and why it is the number one priority for him in his life. He also talks about having a new head coach in Bruce Arians and why this season is so important to him.
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