Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 401 Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. He is the author of numerous books including the New York Times Bestseller "The Circle Maker" and "Chase the Lion." His latest book is called "Double Blessing" and released October 15, 2019.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Pastor Mark about why he wrote his new book "Double Blessing," his love for sports, getting connected with Ravens coach John Harbaugh, chasing worldly success, and the athletes responsibility on social media.  You can learn more about Mark's books including "Double Blessing" by going to his website MarkBatterson.com.

Episode 400 Demario Davis is a Man of God. He's also a starting linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, a place he's been since signing with the team in March of 2018.  He was selected in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, where he played 5 seasons from 2012-2015 and again in 2017. During the 2016 season, he played with the Cleveland Browns. Demario was fined for wearing a "Man of God" headband early in the 2019 NFL season and after the NFL rescinded the fine, he was able to make these headbands available and raise money for St. Dominic Hospital in his home state of Mississippi. In October of 2019, he became a published author, releasing his first book "The Unsuccessful Champion: Finding True Victory in the Midst of Adversity." On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Demario about his "Man of God" headband, turning a wrong into a right, why he decided to write a book, his pregame pep talks and his thoughts on the new Kanye West album.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 399 Alterraun Verner played eight seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins. He selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft (104th overall) by the Titans and played four seasons in Nashville before departing as a free agent in 2014 to play with Tampa.  The 2013 Pro Bowler announced his retirement from the NFL on March 18, 2019 and signed a one day contract to retire as a Titan on April 16, 2019.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Alterraun about the decision to retire at the age of 30, his story of coming to faith watching a Kirk Cameron movie, his NFL Draft Day memory, lessons from his father and the unique direction he's moving in post-NFL.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com  

Episode 398 Jimmy Dykes is a college basketball analyst for ESPN. A 1985 graduate of the University of Arkansas, Jimmy played college basketball under head coach Eddie Sutton before joining the coaching ranks as an assistant at places like Kentucky and Oklahoma State.  After scouting in the NBA for a few years, Jimmy joined the broadcasting ranks and began his career with ESPN in 1995 where he would remain for 19 years. From 2014 to 2017, Jimmy served as the women's head basketball coach at his alma mater of Arkansas. Upon his departure from coaching, he would return to the broadcasting ranks at ESPN. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jimmy about the upcoming college basketball season, his journey to faith in Christ, using his platform to encourage others, what coaching college basketball taught him, dealing with challenging trials, and seeking God in making life decisions.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 397 Randy Rich is a former NFL player and current Vice President of the Dare to Dream program for K-LOVE/Air1 Radio.  He played his college football at New Mexico and would go on to play three seasons in the NFL with the Lions, Broncos, Raiders and Browns. In 1977, he was a member of the AFC champion Denver Broncos team and would go and play in Super Bowl XII against Dallas.  Randy is the also the author of "Nothing Wasted: Learning to Believe You Are Enough in a World of Labels." On this episode of the podcast, we hear Randy's incredible story of playing in the NFL, working in ministry and his powerful testimony of coming to faith in Christ.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 396 Rapolas Ivanuaskas plays college basketball for Colgate University. Last year, he was named the 2018-19 Patriot League Player of the Year and helped his team to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 23 years.  Born in Kaunas, Lithuania, Rapolas speaks five languages including English, French, Spanish and Russian. Prior to arriving at Colgate, Rapolas spent two seasons at the Big Ten's Northwestern. In high school, he was ranked No. 89 on Rivals.com's Class of 2016 ranking.  In high school, he was named the Mid-Suburban West Conference Player of the Year at Barrington (Ill.) High School and led the Broncos to the tea's first league title since 1977.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rapolas about the upcoming 2019-2020, living up to expectations, coming to faith in Christ in 2017 at Northwestern, why he leaned on his faith during a difficult NCAA Tournament experience, and how he now wants to use his platform to love God and love others.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 395 Garrett Gross is an MMA fighter who's nickname is "Glory to God." He has participated in 20 fights, with eleven victories and was featured in the UFC Contender Series in 2018 as well as fighting with Bellator.  On this episode of the podcast, we explore the journey of an MMA fighter who loves Jesus and the battle the Garrett faces each day in leading his family and pursuing a career of fighting. We also hear how a life of drinking and drugs led Garrett to a place with no hope, until one day, Jesus Christ came in and saved him. This is Garrett's story. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Today we circle back to a conversation with CBS Sports Radio Host Amy Lawrence from Episode 52 back in November of 2017.  Amy came to CBS Sports in 2013 after a nine year stint working with ESPN Radio as their only regular female talk show host.  On this throwback edition, we hear Amy's testimony of faith in Christ as well as how she lives that faith out in the workplace both at ESPN and now at CBS Sports.  You can listen to the entire interview with Amy from Episode 52 here. 

Episode 394 Tad Glibert's story is one that needs to be heard. Tad is a former assistant director of operations for the Northwestern University men's basketball program. Tad attended Indiana Wesleyan, where he played soccer and also served as an intern in the athletic department at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.  In 2018, Tad went on a missions trip to Africa with his wife Karly as part of Circle of Hope International, which has partnered with the Grace Alliance Church in the African country of Malawi to build the Grace Center — a boys and girls orphanage, church, school, feeding program, and soon to be medical clinic and maternal center. During this trip, Tad experienced danger like many of us will never see and witnessed an armed robbery from 15-20 men while staying in Malawi. This experience changed Tad's life forever.  On this episode of the podcast, we hear the incredible story of Tad Glibert, why he went on a missions trip to Malawi, being robbed, how God was present in the midst of that moment, and why he is now making a life-altering move with his wife to live as missionaries in Africa.  For more, log on to http://SportSpectrum.com 

Episode 393 Tony Stockman is the men's basketball coach at Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina. CIU is an NAIA school and a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association.  In high school, Tony was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Ohio in 2000. He would sign with Clemson and play basketball there for two seasons before transferring to Ohio State, where he would finish his collegiate playing career under coach Thad Matta.  After going undrafted in the NBA, Tony took his talents overseas and played pro ball for the next seven years in 7 different countries.  He would enter the coaching world at Ohio Christian University and led his club to back-to-back NCCAA d2 National Championships in 2013 and 2014.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Tony about coaching at CIU, the motto that his team plays for, how his faith became real to him through his son Tayden being born, why he went into coaching and how he has grown in his relationship with God by watching Tayden fight each day.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com