Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 296 Erwin McManus is the pastor of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles and the author of multiple books including "The Last Arrow," "The Artisan Soul," "Soul Cravings" and his latest "The Way of the Warrior," which released in February 2019. Mosaic is one of America’s most influential and innovative churches, ministering to the hearts of people in Hollywood. Erwin is also a huge sports fan, with allegiances to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Clippers and remains active, playing pickup basketball 5 days a week.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Erwin about his latest book, why inner peace is so important for all of us, why he still plays basketball at age 60, his love for the Los Angeles Clippers, and why the message of Christ is still attractive so many in 2019. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 295 Austin Carr was a former walk-on at Northwestern University where he earned a scholarship and eventually became a starting wide receiver in his junior year. Two years later, he would sign with the New England Patriots after going undrafted in 2017.  After shining in the 2017 preseason with the Patriots, Carr was waived in the final cuts on September 2. A day later, he was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints, where he has remained.  In 2018, he played in 14 games, caught 9 passes and also had his first 2 NFL touchdown receptions against Philadelphia and on Thanksgiving against Atlanta.  In November 2015, after registering with Be The Match two and a half years earlier, Carr was contacted that he may be a potential match to donate peripheral blood stem cells. Through a five hour procedure, he was able to donate his stem cells via a blood transfusion, which ultimately saved the life of the recipient, a retired locomotive engineer for the Union-Pacific railroad who had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  On this episode of the podcast, we hear how Austin made it from walk-on receiver at Northwestern to catching touchdowns from Drew Brees. He also shares how his faith has played a role in his journey, including the life-altering decision he made to donate stem cells and save the life of a retired locomotive engineer. 

On this throwback edition of the podcast, we look back at our September 12, 2017 interview with singer/songwriter Matthew West.  Matthew West is a four-time GRAMMY nominee, a multiple-ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner and Dove Award recipient, and was was awarded an American Music Award (2013), a Billboard Music Award (Top Christian Artist, 2014), a K-LOVE Fan Award (2016), and named Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year (2016). In addition to his own recording career, he has co-hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards three times and has more than 130 songwriting credits to his name, including cuts by Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and Mandisa, among others. Selling more than 1.6 million albums to date (TEA), West’s discography includes acclaimed releases: Live Forever (2015), GRAMMY-nominated Into The Light (2012), The Story of Your Life (2010), Something to Say (2008),  History (2005) and Happy (2003) You can listen to the entire interview from Episode 38 back in September 2017 here. 

Episode 294 Josh Eargle joined the Kansas football staff as a senior analyst for the offense after spending the previous three seasons at Austin Peay. During his time at APSU, Eargle spent time in multiple different roles, including interim head coach, offensive coordinator, run game coordinator and offensive line coach.  Eargle was the head coach at East Texas Baptist and has spent time as an assistant coach with Southern Miss, Nicholls State and LSU.  A 2001 Memphis graduate, Eargle won the inaugural Top Tiger Award, presented to the player who battled back from adversity or overcame difficult circumstances to return to the field. He earned his Master’s in Sports Administration from Southern Miss in 2004. His wife Kristen has spent her career as a TV Sports Reporter on various ABC affiliates and ESPN+. She founded and hosts a national podcast, Coach’s Wife Life. Eargle and his wife Kristen have three children, and their middle child, Landrey, was diagnosed with a rare mutation of the CSNK2B gene. She battles myoclonic epilepsy, intellectual disability, a congenital heart defect, and immunodeficiency. Prior to kickoff of last season's opener at Georgia, a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for Landrey’s medical costs gained massive attention from college football fans across the country who wanted to do their part in raising money for their cause.  Eargle, and his wife founded Ruler of Hope, a non-profit to raise awareness and provide support and research for medically fragile children.  On this episode of the podcast, Josh shares how his new job with Kansas is going thus far, the often difficult life of a traveling college football coach, the powerful story of his daughter Landrey, why he came public with her story and the impact that she has had on his faith, his family and his life.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 293 Sentenced to 65 years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all. He came from a great family, in a home full of God, love, support, and opportunities to reach any dream. He was college quarterback at North Texas University, a natural born leader who appeared to be the all-American kid living out his dreams. But then everything went downhill fast and Damon ended up being sentenced to 65 years for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity for dozens of burglaries he committed while hooked on meth, prison life began with a violent baptism-by-fire. Nothing in his privileged background, working in both Washington politics and at one of the largest Wall Street banks in the world, could have prepared him for the nightmares of a Texas maximum-security prison. It would be the wisdom of an elderly convict, the love of his family, a program of recovery and his faith that guided his path. The only athlete in the history of the NCAA to receive a life sentence and parole out of prison with enough life left to tell the story, Damon West has made the most of his second chance. As an addict in long-term recovery, with a lifetime of parole, this former college quarterback has learned from his own mistakes, and the examples of others, that his program of recovery is paramount to everything else. Since his parole from that Texas maximum-security prison in November of 2015, he has shared his story with audiences ranging from the incarnated to students to the corporate world. His goal in every room is to reach that “one person” and find those who may be struggling with substance abuse or any other life-restricting obstacles. His story is sure to inspire and motivate those who hear it. On this episode of the podcast, Damon shares his incredibly powerful story of having it all, and then losing it all, life in prison, getting sober, how a coffee bean analogy changed his life and how he's turned his mess into a message of caution and hope.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectruim.com 

Episode 292 Donnie Bostwick is the head coach for Oklahoma Wesleyan University's Men's Basketball team. Hired in 2007 by OWU, he led his club to the 2009 NAIA Division 2 National Championship and won a record 39 consecutive games.  In 2011, he would leave and coach at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, where he led his team to a national championship game appearance in 2013. In 2017, he would return to Oklahoma Wesleyan and in March of 2019, saw his team return to the NAIA Division 2 Men's Tournament. The 2-time NCCAA National Coach of the Year is also the founder of Spirit Led Coach, a ministry that empowers coaches with the power of the Holy Spirit, so they can impact and transform the lives of athletes across the world.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Coach Bostwick about overcoming challenges, finding joy in the adversity, his desire to share Christ, and why he founded and developed "Spirit Led Coach." 

Episode 291 Chris Singleton is a former pro baseball player, selected in the 19th round of the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft by the Chicago Cubs. He played his college ball at Charleston Southern University and after playing two seasons professionally, he announced his retirement in April of 2019. He is currently in his new role of Director of Community Outreach for the Charleston RiverDogs. Chris' mother, Sharonda Coleman Singleton, was killed in the June 2015 mass-shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, that also took the lives of 8 other people. A new documentary titled "Emanuel," produced by basketball star Stephen Curry, will take a look back at that horrific day and will be released on the 4 year anniversary of the shooting, June 17, 2019. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Chris about his baseball retirement, why now is the right time to step away, dealing with grief, trusting God when nothing makes sense, and what he's learned about forgiveness. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

David Nelson won 2 National Championships at the University of Florida and caught touchdown passes from Tim Tebow. He was undrafted in 2010 and signed a free agent contract with Buffalo. His NFL career lasted 5 seasons with the Bills, Browns and Jets. On this Throwback Thursday episode of the podcast, we hear David's story from Episode 11 on his former teammate Tim Tebow and the type of guy Tim is away from the field and the spotlight.  You can listen to the entire interview with David here.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Rodney Smith Jr is the owner of Raising Men Lawn Care Service.  Episode 291 Raising Men Lawn Care Service is the union of an ordinary yard maintenance service and the commitment to establish an inspiring program to keep our youth (girls & boys) on a positive path while learning and understanding their value in society. RMLS provides free lawn care to our elders, those who are disabled, single mothers and our veterans, who do not have the time, resources and/or money to manicure their yards. Their mission is to unite the extraordinary community that is present in their local area. They are completely confident in the fact that they can provide a very inspirational program that focuses on channeling the energy that youths have in a positive way as well as helping those who need it the most. They know that sometimes youth want to help the community and sometimes people need it, but it can be hard to know who, why and where. They focus on getting all of this sorted out while also helping people around the area to care for and maintain their lawns. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rodney about the great work he's doing to help others and how his faith in Jesus guides him to want to serve and give back. This podcast is less about sports and more about showing the love of God to others. 

Episode 290 Simon Gühring is a 6-time German national champion baseball player. Simon was just the 3rd German to sign a professional contract in the United States, where he played two years of pro baseball in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Following his time in the U.S, he played one year in the Netherlands and four years in South Africa. He moved back to Germany and has been the German national team captain since 2004. Simon helps coordinate our mission trips to Italy, Germany and South Africa as part of his work with UPI (Unlimited Potential Inc.) Ministries.   On this episode of the podcast, we learn about baseball in Germany and talk to Simon about his pro journey, how he came to faith in Christ, how he lives out that faith as a German baseball player and what Christianity is like in Germany.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com