

Sports Spectrum Podcast
Sports Spectrum
Sports Spectrum is an interview driven podcast hosted by former Chicago Bears Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte.
Each episode, Forte will bring you stories and conversations at the intersection of sports and Jesus.
Each episode, Forte will bring you stories and conversations at the intersection of sports and Jesus.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 4, 2021 • 46min
Singer/Songwriter Mike Donehey on the end of Tenth Avenue North and pivoting to a solo career
Mike Donehey is a singer/songwriter and the former lead man with Tenth Avenue North. In 2019, Donehey released his first book, "Finding God's Life For My Will" and in August 2021, he released his first solo album, "Flourish." Today on the podcast, Mike Donehey shares about pivoting from Tenth Avenue North, releasing his new album, wrestling with jealousy and comparison and his struggle with victimhood and identity. --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Oct 2, 2021 • 44min
Brett Hagler's inspiring story of overcoming cancer and now serving millions with New Story
Brett Hagler is the CEO and Co-Founder of New Story and a cancer survivor. Brett’s been recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2016, named one of the Top 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs by Goldman Sachs, and his company was named among Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies in the World” four different times. Today on the podcast, Brett shares how a high school basketball career was derailed after being diagnosed with cancer at age 18. He also talks about leadership and how his relationship with Christ guides the work that he does in helping others across the world with New Story. --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Oct 1, 2021 • 52min
Pastor Derwin Gray on NFL memories, intercepting Steve Young and the importance of prayer
Today we talk to Dr. Derwin Gray, pastor of Transformation Church near Charlotte, NC and former NFL safety about his pro football career, sacking Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, intercepting passes from Steve Young, playing in the 1995 AFC Championship Game, and how he went from being a player to a pastor. Derwin's new book "GOD, DO YOU HEAR ME?" releases October 5, 2021. --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Sep 30, 2021 • 34min
Filmmaker Andy Erwin on "The Jesus Music" and producing the new Kurt Warner movie
Andy Erwin is a filmmaker and movie producer. He and his brother Jon are part of the filmmaking team known as "The Erwin Brothers." His films include Mom's Night Out, Woodlawn, I Can Only Imagine and I Still Believe. Today on the podcast, we talk to Andy about latest projects, "The Jesus Music" and "American Underdog." The Jesus Music Documentary releases in theaters October 1, 2021. You can learn more at TheJesusMusic.movie. American Underdog releases in theaters December 25, 2021. --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Sep 29, 2021 • 38min
Former MLB Pitcher Jason Standridge on Auburn Football, Adoption and serving with Water Mission
Jason Standridge was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the first round of the 1997 MLB Draft (31st overall). Four years later, he made his MLB debut with Tampa against Texas and would go on to pitch in parts of seven seasons in the Big Leagues appearing in 80 games with Tampa, Texas, Cincinnati and Kansas City. In 2008, Jason made the decision to pith overseas in Japan and was there for the next 10 seasons before retiring after 2017. A big part of Jason's journey has been serving and he's currently involved with Water Mission, a Christian engineering ministry that flights the global water crisis. He and his wife Joy have supported the ministry by taking trips to Haiti and Uganda in several refugee camps where Water Mission is serving. Today on the podcast, Jason shares his story of choosing baseball over football, being recruited by Auburn to play quarterback, his MLB debut, why his faith in Jesus is the most important thing in his life and how playing Japan allowed he and his wife to pursue adoption. --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Sep 27, 2021 • 33min
Former Steelers safety Robert Golden on walking away from the NFL for more purposeful work
Robert Golden played six seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2012-2017. He went undrafted in 2012 after playing his college football at the University of Arizona and signed as a free agent with Pittsburgh. In 2018, he signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs but asked for his release and would retire from the NFL at the age of 27. Today, Golden has pivoted to a more purposeful work as the President and CEO of Golden Charter Academy in his hometown of Fresno, California. The school launched in August 2021 and has a mission to inspire powerful young minds. On the podcast today, we talk to Robert about his strong faith in the Lord and how it guided him from the NFL to wanting to impact the youth in his hometown of Fresno. --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Sep 25, 2021 • 50min
Joe Gibbs Racing President Dave Alpern on "Taking the Lead" and leading like Jesus
Dave Alpern is the President of Joe Gibbs Racing. Back in the early 1990's, Dave started his career as an unpaid intern selling t-shirts for the newly formed Joe Gibbs Racing Team. Now, three decades later, he’s the president of JGR with more than 500 employees Dave's new book “Taking the Lead: Winning Business Principles That Fuel Joe Gibbs Racing” released in June 2021 --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Sep 24, 2021 • 26min
Patriots safety Devin McCourty on the "new Patriots" and trusting in God in the midst of tragedy
Today, Jade McCarthy talks to New England Patriots safety and three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty about the 2021 season, his team’s new QB Mac Jones, playing against his brother Jason in Week 1, overcoming the tragedy of losing a baby and what his growth in God’s Word looks like this season. Our new football show, "Sports Spectrum's Weekly Slant” streams every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET during football season, and features interviews and stories at the intersection of football and faith. You can watch today's episode with Devin McCourty here.

Sep 22, 2021 • 59min
Author Jason Wilson on winning and waging the war within
Jason Wilson is the director of The Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy (CATTA), a program of The Union nonprofit founded in 2003. Jason has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, Today, the Joe Rogan Podcast and CNN. He received the President's Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama for his work with youth in Detroit and was the inspiration for an award-winning episode of the hit TV show This is Us. Wilson is the author of multiple books including "Cry Like a Man" and his latest release, "Battle Cry." Today on the podcast, we talk to Jason about what it means to win the war within each of us, why his faith in Christ is what guides him, his journey growing up without a father, why a clear identify and purpose is so important for athletes and what his perfect sports day would be. --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Sep 20, 2021 • 40min
Tampa Bay Rays Brett Phillips on baseball, Bible studies and FUN
Brett Phillips is currently an outfielder with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was selected by the Houston Astros in the 6th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft. Five years later, he made his MLB debut on June 5, 2017 with the Milwaukee Brewers. After two seasons with the Brewers, he was traded to Kansas City, where he spent three seasons. In August of 2020, he was once again traded to the Rays and found himself in a pennant race that ultimately saw Tampa win the American League championship. In October 2020, on the biggest stage at the World Series, Brett Phillips became a baseball hero. In Game 4 against the Dodgers, Phillips found himself at bat in the bottom of the 9th inning with 2 runners on and his team down 1 run. He would line a single to right field and ultimately both runners would score on the hit, giving the Rays a Game 4 World Series 8-7 win. Today on the podcast, we welcome back Brett Phillips to tell us about his World Series moment, why baseball is fun, how his faith in God leads to the joy that he brings each day on the field and what his MLB All-Star Game correspondent experience was like. --- Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.