Best Unpackin It Podcasts (2025)

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Players on NEW Teams | Fantasy Football Fellowship Preview | 2025 56:01

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3h ago56:01

56:01

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 t…

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AJ Howard | Superbowl Champion, App State Alum, & USC Coach | Full Interview 32:08

7d ago32:08

32:08

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 t…

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Duke Legend and Broadcaster, Mike Gminski Talks NBA Finals, Sobriety, and Community 55:23

15d ago55:23

55:23

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…

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Hall of Famer Kevin Mawae Talks Football and the Importance of Growing with Others 41:34

29d ago41:34

41:34

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 ho…

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Preparation and Priorities with ESPN's Matt Schick 41:12

1M ago41:12

41:12

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 s…

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Overcoming Unexpected Setbacks with Gold Medal Paralympic Champion, Al Mead - Full Interview 43:38

1M ago43:38

43:38

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 e…

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NFL Post Draft Roster Holes & is the NBA Draft Lottery Rigged? 37:22

2M ago37:22

37:22

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 do…

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Game 7 Drama from the NHL & NBA Playoffs 39:39

2M ago39:39

39:39

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 possibl…

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2025 NFL Draft Recap: How Shedeur Sanders' Perception Made Him Slide in the NFL Draft 52:26

2M ago52:26

52:26

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 u…

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Where Will Shedeur, Hunter, and Jeanty Land? | 2025 NFL Draft Predictions 45:40

2M ago45:40

45:40

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. Wha…

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Rory McIlroy Wins the Masters in Dramatic Fashion 44:28

3M ago44:28

44:28

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 …

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Houston Squandered Their Lead and Florida Rallied to Win the Tournament | NCAA National Championship Recap 43:53

3M ago43:53

43:53

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 com…

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Why Duke, Houston, Auburn, and Florida are in the Final Four 53:18

3M ago53:18

53:18

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 conne…

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March Madness Bracket Predictions and Desires 53:02

4M ago53:02

53:02

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 …

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Duke Has Everything They Need to Win the Tournament 41:06

4M ago41:06

41:06

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 …

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Do YOU Care About the NFL Combine? 30:36

4M ago30:36

30:36

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 en…

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Is Expansion a Good or Bad Thing for the CFP, NCAA, NBA, and NFL? 30:02

4M ago30:02

30:02

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 man…

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Auburn vs. Alabama Basketball and NBA All-Star Weekend Recap 30:34

4M ago30:34

30:34

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.…

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The Eagles Had the Right People - Super Bowl LIX Recap 45:36

5M ago45:36

45:36

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 app…

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Super Saturday IX 1:10:20

5M ago1:10:20

1:10:20

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, …

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Luka Doncic Traded Because He's Out of Shape? 32:11

5M ago32:11

32:11

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…

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Repeat, Return, Rematch - Superbowl LIX Matchup & Championship Weekend Recap 34:00

5M ago34:00

34:00

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 sinfu…

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The Coaches We Doubted 32:50

5M ago32:50

32:50

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 …

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Going Deep into the Playoffs 36:24

6M ago36:24

36:24

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 ou…

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2024 Christmas Special | UNPACKIN' it & Fantasy Football Fellowship 52:46

6M ago52:46

52:46

MERRY CHRISTMAS to the UNPACKIN' it Community of sports fans! On our Christmas Special Podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith go through some of their favorite Christmas movies, quotes, and songs…and have fun comparing NFL Fantasy players to some of the greatest Christmas movies! Visit UNPACKIN' it in order to sign up for our weekly email devotional…