On this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast, Bryce Johnson unpacks the NFL players shining during the preseason — and how we can stand out by living a holy and set-apart life. Purchase a copy of The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition TODAY. Visit the Fantasy Football Fellowship website to sign up and participate in our exciting and encouraging ministry. Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports , to find out how you can reach people for Jesus through sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
Aug 12, 2025•38 min
Today, we unpack the movie Rocky and how Rocky's opportunity to be in the ring with Apollo Creed parallels God's invitation to us. Let's UNPACK it! Pastor James Metsger's website Christpoint.com Purchase a copy of The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition TODAY. Visit the Fantasy Football Fellowship website to sign up and participate in our exciting and encouraging ministry. Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports , to find out how you can reach people for Jesus through sports. Hosted on A...
Aug 05, 2025•49 min
Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Chris Ruppe unpack how, in the movie Rudy, Rudy persevered in pursuit of his dream — and how we can be inspired not to quit on our journey. Learn more about Chris Ruppe on his website Purchase a copy of The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition TODAY. Visit the Fantasy Football Fellowship website to sign up and participate in our exciting and encouraging ministry. Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports , to find out how you can reach people for Jesus throug...
Jul 29, 2025•49 min
Today on the show, Bryce is joined by Brian Goins to unpack the sports movie The Boys in the Boat and explore how oneness led the Washington University rowing team to the Gold medal in the 1936 Olympics. The guys also discuss how we can experience oneness in our own lives, the different types of sports movies, and the unique sport of rowing. Purchase a copy of "The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition" TODAY. Visit the Fantasy Football Fellowship website to sign up and participate in our exci...
Jul 22, 2025•49 min
Today Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Brad Lowe unpack the movie Little Giants and explore how it can inspire us to overcome intimidation! Purchase a copy of "The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition" TODAY. Visit the Fantasy Football Fellowship website to sign up and participate in our exciting and encouraging ministry. Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports , to find out how you can reach people for Jesus through sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 15, 2025•48 min
The Fantasy Football Fellowship podcast is BACK! Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith break down the lessons learned from last season as well as established players on new teams and how it affects their fantasy stock! To bring purpose and meaning to your Fantasy league, sign up TODAY to participate in Fantasy Football Fellowship . Purchase a copy of "The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition" TODAY. Be sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Football Fellowship and UNPACKIN' it YouTube channels to stay up-to...
Jul 08, 2025•57 min
The Fantasy Football Fellowship podcast is BACK! Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith break down the lessons learned from last season as well as established players on new teams and how it affects their fantasy stock! Purchase a copy of "The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition" TODAY. To bring purpose and meaning to your Fantasy league, sign up TODAY to participate in Fantasy Football Fellowship . Be sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Football Fellowship and UNPACKIN' it YouTube channels to stay up-to...
Jul 01, 2025•56 min
AJ Howard, a Super Bowl Winner, App State Coach/Player, NFL Scout, and a first-season Defensive Analyst/Assistant Linebackers Coach at USC, joins us on this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast to unpack peace, humility, and working for the Lord. AJ played strong safety at Appalachian State from 2014-2017, where he was a captain, won three bowl games, and two conference championships. He served as the outside linebackers coach at Appalachian State from 2023 to 2024 and was named to the 35 Under 35 Class ...
Jun 24, 2025•32 min
Mike Gminski played four years at Duke from 1976 to 1980, was named the ACC Rookie of the Year, and also won the ACC Player of the Year award. When he left Duke, he was the career leader in points, rebounds, and blocked shots, and his number 43 is retired in his honor. He was drafted in the first round of the 1980 NBA draft, 7th overall, by the New Jersey Nets. Throughout his 14-year NBA career, he also played for the 76ers, Hornets, and Bucks. After playing basketball, he has been a long-time a...
Jun 17, 2025•55 min
In the next episode of our "Summer Interview Series," Bryce Johnson talks with Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Mawae. During the conversation, Kevin unpacks how the NFL has evolved over the past few decades, the steps to becoming a professional in the NFL, the importance of daily Bible reading and growing in faith alongside other believers, and how to involve your spouse in your faith life. For more information about Kevin's upcoming football camp, visit the Louisiana Line Camp website. Purchas...
Jun 03, 2025•42 min
In this episode of our "Summer Interview Series," Bryce Johnson talks with ESPN broadcaster Matt Schick. During the conversation, Matt unpacks his love for college baseball, how sports media coverage is adapting, the importance of preparation in our walk of faith, and being a faithful spiritual leader for your family. Click here to give a gift to support our ministry. Visit the Fantasy Football Fellowship website in order to get signed up to participate in our exciting and encouraging ministry. ...
May 27, 2025•41 min
Today's episode is brought to you by Upward Sports! In the kickoff episode of our "Summer Interview Series," Bryce Johnson talks with Al Mead, gold medal-winning Paralympic champion. Al unpacks how he responded to a traumatic childhood injury that forced him to lose his leg, the resiliency necessary to navigate life, how Upward Sports has been an effective tool in ministry, and life as a husband and "girl dad." Click here to give a gift to support our ministry. Visit the Fantasy Football Fellows...
May 20, 2025•44 min
Bryce Johnson unpacks how NFL teams still have limited depth at certain positions…and how we can add depth to relationships and areas of our lives. Today's Questions: 1. Why is it important that we cultivate deep relationships with other people in our lives? 2. What does it practically look like to have depth in our relationship with God? 3. How does being a deep thinker help you grow in your understanding of who God is and how you can please Him? Click here to give a gift to support our ministr...
May 13, 2025•37 min
Bryce Johnson unpacks the four Game 7s from the NBA and NHL…and how we can be encouraged not to procrastinate but to live with a Game 7 mentality. Today's Questions: 1. What is the practical impact of regularly contemplating the brevity of life? 2. How are our lives impacted by procrastinating and not having a sense of urgency? 3. How is it possible for us to have peace and joy when we are dealing with difficult circumstances? Click here to give a gift to support our ministry. Visit Fantasy Foot...
May 06, 2025•40 min
Bryce Johnson and guest Nate Salley unpack how NFL Draft players are evaluated and viewed by others — and how we deal with the tension of other people's opinions of us. Watch the full podcast on the UNPACKIN' it YouTube channel ! Check out Nate Salley's website ! Click here to give a gift to support our ministry. Visit UNPACKIN' it in order to sign up for our weekly email devotionals. Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports , to find out how you can reach people for Jesus through sports. Hos...
Apr 29, 2025•52 min
Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Ridge Thomas unpack how hope surrounding the NFL Draft disappears once it unfolds…and how we can remain hopeful regardless of our circumstances. Today's Questions: 1. How can we learn to have hope no matter what circumstances we are facing? 2. What is the connection between being grateful and living with hope? 3. What are the potential dangers of anchoring our hope in anything other than Jesus? Watch the full podcast on the UNPACKIN' it YouTube channel ! Click her...
Apr 22, 2025•46 min
Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Evan Albertyn unpack how Rory rode a roller coaster to victory at the Masters…and how we embrace the roller coaster ride of life. Today's Questions: 1. How can we learn to "embrace the process" as we navigate life? 2. What potential traps should you watch out for when life seems to be going well? 3. How does looking to the future help us stay steady in the present? Click here to give a gift to support our ministry. Visit UNPACKIN' it to sign up for our weekly emai...
Apr 15, 2025•44 min
Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Ed Uszynski unpack teams that squandered the lead in the Final Four and National Championship...and how it relates to being able to rally and mount a comeback in life. Ed is an author, speaker, and longtime Athletes in Action/CRU staff member. Today's Questions: 1. How does the grace of God help fuel us to make a comeback when we have sinned? 2. What roles do confession and repentance play in being able to come back from bad moments? 3. How can we ensure that we a...
Apr 08, 2025•44 min
Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Brian Goins unpack the remaining Final Four teams…and how we can remain connected, tough, resilient, and steadfast. Today's Questions: 1. Why is remaining in community ultimately essential to helping us abide in Christ? 2. What does being spiritually tough during tough times look like? 3. How can we learn to be connected and resilient in our relationships? Click here to listen to Brian Goins' podcast Married with Benefits on Spotify! Click here to give a gift to s...
Apr 01, 2025•53 min
Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Trip Smith unpack how our desires influence our bracket choices and the decisions we make in life. Today's Questions: 1. How do we distinguish between godly desires, worldly desires, and fleshly desires? 2. How can we seek after greater desires in a way that is healthy and God-honoring? 3. How should we respond when we know that we are not desiring God the way that we should? Click here to sign up to participate in UNPACKIN' it's "Bracket Challenge" or to give a g...
Mar 18, 2025•53 min
Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Matt Vanderbilt unpack how Duke has everything needed to win a Championship…and how we have everything needed for a victorious life as followers of Jesus. Today's Questions: 1. What does it look like to live a victorious life in Christ? 2. How are we both "complete" and "still in process" at the same time? 3. How do trials help us develop and mature in our faith? Click here to join "The UNPACKIN' it 100" and support our ongoing ministry efforts. Visit UNPACKIN' it...
Mar 11, 2025•41 min
Bryce Johnson unpacks not caring about the NFL combine…and how it parallels our attitude toward certain sins and spiritual practices. Today's Questions: 1. What are the consequences of having an indifferent attitude toward certain sins? 2. How should we view God's commandments in terms of how they impact our lives? 3. Why is it important that we engage in all of the different spiritual disciplines God has given to us? Click here to join the "UNPACKIN' it 100" and support our ongoing ministry eff...
Mar 04, 2025•31 min
Bryce Johnson unpacks how college football and basketball, and the NFL, are looking to expand…and the best ways to experience increase in our lives. Today's Questions: 1. How can we experience growth and expansion in areas that would glorify God? 2. Are there areas of our lives where it wouldn't be wise to look to grow and expand? 3. How can we manage our time wisely so that we end up focusing on the things that matter most? Click here to give a donation to support UNPACKIN' it. Visit UNPACKIN' ...
Feb 25, 2025•30 min
Today, we unpack Alabama and Auburn embracing the "AND" approach…and how we do the same regarding faith and works. Click here to give a donation to support UNPACKIN' it. Visit UNPACKIN' it in order to sign up for our weekly email devotionals. Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports , to find out how you can reach people for Jesus through sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 18, 2025•31 min
Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Trip Smith unpack the Eagles adding the right players to their team…and how important it is to be surrounded by the right people in life. Today's Questions: 1. How can our society and culture shape us to become isolated in an unhealthy way? 2. How can you continue to commit to the community even when things don't appear to be going the way you had hoped? 3. What are the dangers and drawbacks of failing to meaningfully connect in a healthy community? Click here to ...
Feb 11, 2025•46 min
Check out the panel discussion from this year's Super Saturday Man Breakfast, hosted by UNPACKIN' it, that took place in Charlotte on February 1st, 2025. This year's panel included Rob Moore and Jeremy Kelley, who currently work for the Carolina Panthers. They talk about faith, football, and life with Bryce Johnson. It's an authentic, encouraging, and inspiring conversation. Bio: Jeremy Kelley He played professionally in the NFL with the Colts, Broncos, and Bears and also spent time in the Canad...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Bryce Johnson unpacks Luka Doncic being traded to the Lakers and the concerns around his conditioning…and how that parallels the importance of being in good shape spiritually. Today's Questions: 1. How can we assess which things might be weighing us down in our spiritual life? 2. What steps can we take to grow in discipline and self-control? 3. How are we dependent on the Holy Spirit in order to help us grow in self-control? Click here to give a donation to support UNPACKIN' it. Visit UNPACKIN' ...
Feb 04, 2025•32 min
Bryce Johnson unpacks how the Chiefs are looking to three-peat, and the Eagles are returning to the Super Bowl in a rematch…and what in life is worth repeating and returning to. Today's Questions: 1. What are some patterns and behaviors that we need to be in the habit of repeating in our lives? 2. How can we best be prepared to stop repeating sinful behaviors as we follow Christ? 3. What are the benefits of consistently practicing spiritual disciplines? Check out our website in order to register...
Jan 28, 2025•34 min
In today's episode, Bryce Johnson unpacks our doubts about head coaches in the playoffs...and how to respond to our own doubts when life is tough. Visit our Donation Page to give a financial gift to support UNPACKIN' it Ministries. Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports , and discover how to reach people for Jesus through sports. Buy copies of Bryce Johnson's latest 30-day devotional, The Sports Devotional . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 21, 2025•33 min
With the NFL Playoffs having started, Bryce Johnson talks about the teams that have a chance to make a deep run. But what about in our own lives? Do we make consistent deep runs in our spiritual lives, or do we do just enough to only get bounced in the first round when things get tough? Let's UNPACK it! Visit UNPACKIN' it in order to sign up for our weekly email devotionals. Click here to give a year-end donation to support UNPACKIN' it. Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports , to find out ...
Jan 14, 2025•36 min
