Run The Race

WTVM

On your journeys of fitness and faith, we are helping you stay motivated to be stronger physically and spiritually on the new RUN THE RACE podcast. Host Jason Dennis - veteran WTVM news anchor, marathon runner and missionary, will talk to experts and people with inspiring stories as we dig deeper into the mind, body and soul.

  1. #284: Easter and Jesus and Us - Perspectives From A Mix Of Faith Leaders

    2D AGO

    #284: Easter and Jesus and Us - Perspectives From A Mix Of Faith Leaders

    This episode comes out on GOOD FRIDAY, as we mark the death of Jesus, sacrificing himself on the Cross. And on Easter, we celebrate God's Son rising from the grave, conquering death as a Savior for our sin. I asked a diversity of faith leaders across Georgia (many in Columbus) and Alabama - who have been previous podcast guests over the 5+ years of "Run The Race" - to share about the significance and power of Easter...and how/why we celebrate what Jesus did for us. They have some fantastic insight that will inspire and tech you, heading into this holiday weekend. (5:40) Bishop Michael Grant Jr, Faith Worship Center International Sr. Pastor (7:27) Pastor Paul Thomas, Evangel Church Lead Pastor in Columbus GA (10:01) Chaplain Neil Richardson, Safehouse Ministries Executive Director (12:23) Elias Klaif, Associate Pastor & Block Huggers Movement founder (15:16) Pastor Grant Collins, Fountain City Church (18:35) Sheriff Greg Countryman, Muscogee County (21:32) MAJ (Ret) Jeff Struecker, Two Cities Church Pastor and Army Ranger Vet (22:50) Stephen Kendrick, author & faith-based movie producer for The Kendrick Brothers (27:51) Pastor Curtis Doleman, Praise Ministry Tabernacle Sr. Pastor (28:53) Richard Moore, "Sermons On The Side" podcast co-host & Solid Rock Church leader (31:13) Pastor Brad Lacy, North Highland Church (33:33) Nathan Dewberry, Redeemed Men's Ministry in Columbus GA (35:50) Pastor Bud Rupel, Evangel Church (38:09) Pastor Lee McBride, Hidden Hook Ministries Evangelist & comedian (40:43) Chris Cloud, Abel Ministries (and home church) Pastor (42:31) Lynn Alderson, Kingdom Authority Ministries and Pray Georgia Founder (45:10) Closing Prayer by Lynn

    47 min
  2. #283: Famous Army Ranger & Chaplain Answers How Killing Impacts "Warrior's Soul" In New Video Series

    MAR 25

    #283: Famous Army Ranger & Chaplain Answers How Killing Impacts "Warrior's Soul" In New Video Series

    What happens to a warrior's soul when he/she takes a life? In a new video series, world renown Army combat vet and chaplain MAJ (Ret) Jeff Struecker answers that question and more, about military service members and law enforcement pulling the trigger and killing someone, to protect others. The Pastor at 2 Cities Church in Columbus and US Army Ranger Hall of Famer - who had 17 war deployments, including the brutal battle in Somalia depicted in the movie "Black Hawk Down" - is the latest guest on the RUN THE RACE podcast. We talk about digging deep into the ethics of killing in the line of duty...transition from a soldier with a gun to a chaplain in war then to a pastor not in the military...plus how extreme fitness challenges and running far helps him get closer to God and push his physical limits. (2:15) He gets the question thousands of times at national speaking events: How can you be both a man of faith and use lethal force on the battlefield? It leaves scars on families and leads many former soldiers to suicide. He hopes the 6-part video series (episode 1 out now) - available for anyone to watch for free - can bring clarity about the ethics of killing, save lives, and prepare before the carnage: https://www.jeffstrueckerministries.com/the-warrior-s-soul.  (23:55) Jeff talks about the call from God that came during his 23 year Army career, which closed with a decade as a chaplain in a unique position to help those in combat...then serving at churches, but deciding to stay and live next to Fort Benning. (37:03) We also talk about him winning the famous Best Ranger Competition three decades ago, what that very difficult 60 hour battle was like. Jeff also has enjoyed running most of his life, explaining how it helps the body and soul. He's got one almost impossible race that's on his bucket list, while he tries to create another event. (49:07) Closing out the chat with gifts we can find hidden in desperation and our limits. Jeff closes us out in prayer. Thanks for listening. Subscribe and follow this pod on Spotify, Apple. Share with others!

    56 min

  3. MAR 18

    #282: March Madness With Military Basketball Association (MBA) Founder/Coach & Star Player

    “March Madness” is here! My favorite sporting event is the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. And on this week’s podcast, we’re talking basketball and staying fit in March with a coach and player, a pair of Army veterans. One of them created a league that’s helping to save service members’ lives. We dig into the MBA (not the NBA), how sports help the military, and how my TV station WTVM is involved with their upcoming championship game. (3:10) Columbus GA native Cedarius Brantley served 9 years in the Army. How does he stay fit post-military? It involves 5am practices as a player for the Fort Benning Yellow Jackets in the Military Basketball Association. His coach, Retired 1st Sgt. Angel "Ace" Acevedo, co-founded the MBA nearly a decade ago, a league that supports nearly a thousand players, both veteran and active duty serving our nation. (9:40) “Ace” talks about how and why they started the basketball league, after he was a coach for much of his time in the military. Cedarius or “CB” also talks about how sports help with the stress of service. (18:06) In his 25 year Army career, Acevedo had 6 year-long combat deployments. Part of the mission of their MBA is using sports to rebuild camraderie and community - providing an outlet for trauma and combat-related PTSD, to ultimately help prevent suicides. Players see the court as a safe space.(29:20) What’s it like for him to coach other veterans and soldiers, seeing them develop on and off the court? The non-profit MBA runs a global league featuring more than 50 teams from all military branches. (36:44) Later this month, WTVM will broadcast the Military Basketball Association Playoffs Eastern Conference championship being played at Columbus State University with the Fort Benning Yellow Jackets, on a 10-game win streak now, hoping to be there. That big game Sunday March 29 at 3 p-m, free to attend. You can also watch the entire game on our Peachtree Sports Network 9.3 or WTVM live streaming on our Roku, Amazon Fire, AppleTV, and news app. I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening! Subscribe and follow “Run The Race” and share it with others!

    58 min
  4. #281: Playing Card/Board GAMES For Fun, Discipleship and Competition (New Event)

    MAR 11

    #281: Playing Card/Board GAMES For Fun, Discipleship and Competition (New Event)

    Enjoy playing games with family and friends? This week's podcast guest loves it and has some insight on some card and board games you may or may not know. This pastor in West Georgia and his wife also created a website "One Board Family" a decade ago dedicated to their passion for tabletop gaming, hosting a special event THIS weekend! He talks about that, how playing games create opportunities for witnessing and discipleship, and leading a missional community or home church. (2:00) Our friend Ryan Gutowski is excited about how the game table is fun but also opens people up to conversation, sometimes about Christ and serious issues. (13:21) Video games is how he got started but tabletop gaming is personal interaction and a break from today's technology. It builds community, is good for your health, helps you practice teamwork and how to lose/win the right way. (21:05) For the first time in Columbus GA, they're hosting ONE BOARD DAY on Saturday, March 14 where you can play any of 200 games provided between 8am-8pm at "The Refinery" building on Evangel Church's campus. Entry is only $10 per person and all attendees get a free copy of the popular card game Flip 7. More info: https://oneboardfamily.com/one-board-day/. He also breaks down the games at "hot tables" and tournaments they'll have like Binho tabletop soccer. At least 3K board games are released each year, but only certain ones hit store shelves. Ryan's tried to create a few of his own. (31:12) When he's not working his day job or playing games (its own ministry), Ryan has been the lead pastor for a dozen years at their home-based Awaken Community Church. He is a certified minister through the Assemblies of God. How are churches changing? How does their Tuesday services look different than a traditional church? We dig into loving our neighbors well, being an authentic Christian, finding a church where you can be challenged and grow. (42:05) Gaming also helps his marriage to Erin. He explains how. They do a YouTube show together: https://www.youtube.com/oneboardfamily. And Ryan stays busy with passions, which include podcasting longer than I have, including his "Will It Game?": https://open.spotify.com/show/7cfVjanPR7Vsdh0TxzCnEU. (50:23) Ryan closes us out in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Subscribe/follow for more inspiring and interesting conversations about faith and/or fitness.

    53 min
  5. #280: Nutritionist & Running Coach Helps You With Food & Training For Your Next Race

    MAR 5

    #280: Nutritionist & Running Coach Helps You With Food & Training For Your Next Race

    It can be a delicate balance between exercise - like long distance running - and nutrition. Are you eating enough? A lot of endurance athletes do not. This week's "Run The Race" guest has some sound advice to help you with food and training plans for your next race, whatever distance it is. (2:44) Registered dietician nutritionist (RDN) and personal trainer and certified ultramarathon running coach Todd Reinkemeyer of Georgia helps us dig into proper fueling for your performance goals before and during races. We start with what to eat during training, the timing of it, and pre-race nutrition for half marathons vs. 26.2 miles and ultras. You can get 1-on-1 help from him too: https://www.offtrailcoaching.com/ (13:26) How much should you take in DURING that long race? He's got some numbers to help prevent "bonking." We also talk specific foods that can be fun or forced during longer distances (Todd loves burritos, breakfast sandwich, mashed potatoes in those ultra marathons).  (25:41) A lot of runners are chronically UNDERFUELING. Keeping your weight down to be faster can have negative affects, he says, but we should focus on everyday healthy eating habits. How do we know the right amount of calories to eat? Todd has some answers. (38:05) Todd may have been undertrained for his first full marathon, but he's learned and wants to help others with training plans to succeed. We discuss advantages to hiring a coach for nutrition and running - which includes accountability and adaptability. (48:18) And like me, he's trying to complete marathons in 50 states, his next one being BOSTON. Todd is also the keynote speaker the night before the Bootlegger 100 race (with lower distance races too) in Flovilla GA on March 28: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=103737. (59:15) I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening! Follow or subscribe to this podcast and tell others about it. Happy running and eating!

    1h 3m
  6. #279: Police Officer Turned Minister Helps Us "Reach One Heart At A Time"

    FEB 27

    #279: Police Officer Turned Minister Helps Us "Reach One Heart At A Time"

    He was a police officer in East Alabama, where he grew up, then Mack Ballard got a new call from God. Now, for more than four decades, he's been a minister and missionary and chaplain for the Opelika Police Department. And he just wrote his first book - helping us better be able to witness to others - called "One Heart At A Time: Simplifying Outreach For the Body of Christ." https://www.amazon.com/One-Heart-Time-Simplifying-Outreach/dp/1257028081. (3:30) Chaplain Mack is open about his chaotic and troubled childhood...seeing difficult things as a policeman...God saving him and being on fire for the Lord. (19:04) Along with his calling to write multiple books, we dive into his journey from law enforcement to chaplain for those in the dangerous jobs. (28:02) His book focuses on BEING Witnesses, as it says in the Bible, not doing witnessing...and praying for God to open doors for that...and advice for others who may not think they can talk to strangers about the Lord. Mack has stories! (35:02) He also did ministry in places like Russia, India, Mexico where their spiritual lives are much different...places where he learned a lot about outreach. (45:15) God has also told Chaplain Mack to REFIRE not Retire. At any age, we can learn from his tidbits on telling others about Jesus and not focusing on meeting so-called church standards. (49:14) And my guest closes us out in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Tell others about it, listen to past episodes on faith and fitness, leave a review on Apple.

    54 min
  7. #278: Marathon In The Snow As I Turn 50 Years Old; Birthday & Race Recap

    FEB 20

    #278: Marathon In The Snow As I Turn 50 Years Old; Birthday & Race Recap

    I am now 50 years old, proud of it! And I just ran marathon in state #38, which was Michigan - in the snow! I talk about both those monumental moments in this shorter personal and solo episode of the "Run The Race" podcast. I give my thoughts on these markers in my life, from God's faithfulness and celebrating the past/future on this landmark birthday...to the extra clothes/food for the 26.2 miles in the really cold Groundhog race - which was also where one members of MI state police finished his 50 state, 50 marathon, 50 month journey. Fits in the 50 theme for what I'm talking about.

    28 min

  8. FEB 12

    #277: Father's Faith After Human Trafficking Of Daughter Keeps Giving Hope & Healing

    Being a parent is difficult, at times, but imagine if your 19-year-old daughter was a victim of sex crimes. That's what faced this week's podcast guest, a father who talks about how crucial his faith in God was in this disturbing situation, theirs being the 1st human trafficking case prosecuted in Georgia/USA involving an adult survivor. I will be moderating a special panel discussion on Thursday, February 26 in Columbus GA with Keith Cooper, his daughter/survivor Rachel Thomas, and the detectives who also advocated for her, the Micah's Promise "Luncheon Celebrating the Promise of Hope and Healing": https://www.micahspromise.org/events/5th-annual-luncheon-celebrating-the-promise-of-hope-and-healing. (4:04) Now 70-yr-old Keith Cooper talks about what happened to his daughter and what the Lord revealed to him about unconditional love, with timing that prevented her suicide. He is vulnerable about how his Christian faith was tested and how God is using his daughter now to help trafficking survivors all over the nation. There are also details in the book they co-authored "Rachel's 5 Miracles": https://www.amazon.com/Rachels-Miracles-Fathers-Daughter-Trafficking/dp/B0CXQWRCRM. (16:41) He has advice for other parents going through traumatic times, choosing the Lord instead of evil temptations, Bible verses that were instrumental in their situation, and the relationships of fathers/daughters. (33:10) Keith and I dive into those words HOPE and HEALING, in the title of our event later this month...what he hopes people get from our panel discussion...also getting past bitterness/anger to blessedness quick...also the importance of being open about the messy things in life to prevent crimes, save lives. (50:50) We close out our chat with his focus on physical health, eating well, walking daily - which is spiritual for him. (54:30) And Keith closes our episode out in prayer. Thanks for listening. Subscribe to the podcast and share #RunTheRace with others.

    58 min
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4.9
out of 5
72 Ratings

About

On your journeys of fitness and faith, we are helping you stay motivated to be stronger physically and spiritually on the new RUN THE RACE podcast. Host Jason Dennis - veteran WTVM news anchor, marathon runner and missionary, will talk to experts and people with inspiring stories as we dig deeper into the mind, body and soul.

Information

  • Creator
    WTVM
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    284
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Run The Race

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