Sports Spectrum Podcast

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.   FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: Ricardo Allen Grace Allen Sports Spectrum  Jason Romano

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. 

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   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 

BONUS EPISODE   Mary Pierce is one of the most decorated female tennis players of the past 30 years. She made her tennis debut in March of 1989 at the age of 14 and would go on to a storied career that saw her win two Grand Slam singles championships, 1995 Australian Open, the 2000 French Open and two Grand Slam doubles titles at the 2000 French Open (Doubles) and 2005 Wimbledon (Mixed Doubles).   In 2019, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame after a career that saw her high ranking reach as high as No. 3 in the world after defeating Conchita Martinez to win the French Open on June 10, 2000. She is the first Frenchwoman in the Open era and the first French player since Yannick Noah in 1983 to win the French Open title.    On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Mary Pierce about the 20th anniversary of her winning the French Open, forgiving her father after strained relationship for many years, the journey to faith in Christ, and her desire to give back and serve in today's generation.    Follow Mary on Twitter - @_MaryPierce   Check out http://SportsSpectrum.com for more stories of sports and faith. 

Episode 505   Known as one of today’s most gifted comedians, Michael Jr. brings laughter and understanding to audiences all over the world. He has spent a significant portion of his career making laughter commonplace in uncommon places such as homeless shelters and prisons, in addition to empowering his audiences with an appearance in Sony Pictures' feature film War Room as well as a starring role in his latest film Selfie Dad, which is available June 19 on Premium Video on Demand.    Michael has performed on some of the biggest media platforms including The Tonight Show, "The Late, Late Show, Oprah, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central, BET, CNN and many others.    On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Michael Jr. about his new movie Selfie Dad, becoming a comedian, why he desired to keep his content clean and for all ages, his powerful testimony of coming to faith in Christ and his love for Detroit sports.    For more stories on sports and faith, check out http://SportsSpectrum.com