The UNPACKIN' it Podcast With Bryce Johnson & Trip Smith

UNPACKIN' it
  • 5.0 (50)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

This is the UNPACKIN’ it Podcast, where we relate sports stories to life and faith. Our mission is to challenge, encourage, and inspire you to follow Jesus and become more like Him with sports conversations that truly matter. We also unpack sports, faith, and life with intriguing guests from the sports world. Bryce Johnson is the president of UNPACKIN' it Ministries and is the host. Trip Smith is a pastor and works with Impact Partners. Shows are released most weeks on Tuesdays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 5d ago

    Finding Contentment When Life & Sports Drive You Crazy!

    NFL Week 5 Reactions, Sideline Meltdowns & Finding True Contentment Five weeks into the NFL season, where does your team stand—and how are you feeling about them? In this episode of the UNPACKIN' IT Podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith break down the wild finishes, sideline meltdowns, and bad clock management from college football and the NFL this past weekend. Plus, they draw a powerful parallel between the state of NFL franchises and our own lives: Are you living in contentment or discontentment? Discover how to navigate life's tensions, avoid spiritual complacency, and anchor your ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. 🔗 CONNECT WITH UNPACKIN' ITDonate & Support the Ministry: unpackinit.com/donate Get Involved with Upward Sports: upward.org/unpack Email Bryce: bryce@unpackinit.com Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE Subscribe to our YouTube channel! HERE Click HERE to support UNPACKIN' it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Oct 6

    Staying Locked In On Jesus!

    Are you dialed in to following Jesus, or are you getting caught up in the noise and distractions of life? On Sunday Night Football, Bryce Young was locked in and connected with his top target, Tetairoa McMillan, leading the Carolina Panthers to a massive win over the Lions. In this episode of The UNPACKIN' it Podcast, host Bryce Johnson goes solo to unpack how having single-minded focus on the gridiron parallels our spiritual walk with Christ. Are we truly fixing our eyes on Jesus, or are we letting life's distractions pull us away? Plus, Bryce reacts to Week 4 around the NFL - including Deshaun Watson and the Browns, the surprising Falcons, and the struggling Eagles - and shares a hilarious, awkward story about what happened to him at dinner for his 40th birthday! Links & Resources: Support UNPACKIN' It Ministries: https://unpackinit.com/donate Email Bryce: bryce@unpackinit.com Learn More About Upward Sports: https://upward.org/unpack Listen to the Fantasy Football Fellowship Podcast: Check your favorite podcast platform! Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and leave a comment to help us reach more sports fans with the Gospel! Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE Subscribe to our YouTube channel! HERE Click HERE to support UNPACKIN' it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Sep 29

    NFL Backup Quarterbacks & Staying Ready When God Calls!

    Welcome to the UNPACKIN' it podcast, where we unpack parallels, metaphors, and sports topics that relate to life and faith! In today’s episode, host Bryce Johnson celebrates his 40th birthday by recapping his weekend road trip to Washington, DC, with his dad and brothers to watch the Commanders vs. Seahawks. After a wild Week 3 across the NFL - packed with dramatic finishes, surprising upsets, and a wave of quarterback injuries - Bryce and co-host Pastor Trip Smith tackle the big topic of the week: The Backup Quarterback. When the starting QB goes down, the backup has to step up immediately. How do we stay prepared, alert, and faithful in our own lives when God opens doors or calls us into unexpected opportunities? Plus, Bryce shares his official Top 10 Rules for Sports Fan Wardrobes at games—from jersey etiquette to hat fouls—and Trip gives his honest reaction! Partner Spotlight: Special thanks to our sponsor, Upward Sports! Partner with Upward Sports to bring a winter basketball ministry to your church that points kids and families to Jesus through sports and discipleship. Learn more at upward.org/unpack. Subscribe & Connect with UNPACKIN' it: Website: unpackinit.comFollow on X/Twitter: @unpackinitFollow on Instagram: @unpackinit If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell to stay updated on new weekly episodes! Drop a comment below with your thoughts on Bryce’s 10 wardrobe rules or your favorite backup QB story this season! 👇 Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE Subscribe to our YouTube channel! HERE Click HERE to support UNPACKIN' it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Sep 22

    What NFL Defenses Teach Us About Life and Faith

    NFL defenses put their foot down in Week 2, proving that Week 1's high-scoring offensive explosions weren't here to stay! On this episode of the UNPACKIN' it Podcast, Bryce Johnson and Pastor Trip Smith break down a wild Week 2 across the NFL before connecting the defensive resurgence to a powerful faith lesson about standing firm in our daily lives. 🏈 IN THIS EPISODE: • 2-0 Contenders vs. Pretenders: Are the Seahawks, Niners, Chiefs, and Bengals the real deal? What about the Raiders? • 0-2 Panic Button: Are the Chargers and Texans in deep trouble? • Panthers & Saints Defense: How Carolina forced 5 turnovers, and New Orleans held off the Ravens. • The Injury Cloud: Navigating QB injuries across the league. • Faith Parallel: How NFL defenses standing up to explosive offenses model how followers of Jesus can stand firm and hold the line in their daily walk. 📌 SPONSOR: Special thanks to Upward Sports! Use basketball as a bridge to reach families in your community. Learn more and start a winter ministry at http://upward.org/unpack #NFL #NFLWeek2 #CarolinaPanthers #ChiefsKingdom #Seahawks #FaithAndSports #ChristianPodcast #UNPACKINIt #UpwardSports Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE Subscribe to our YouTube channel! HERE Click HERE to support UNPACKIN' it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Sep 18

    Former NFL Head Coach Steve Wilks: Rising Above Disappointment & Leading with Faith

    In this episode of the UNPACKIN' it Podcast, host Bryce Johnson sits down in-studio with long-time NFL coach and App State Special Assistant to Athletics, Steve Wilks! Steve takes us through his incredible football journey - from playing defensive back at Appalachian State to coaching in three Super Bowls, serving as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, and leading as interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers. More About Steve: Steve Wilks is a Charlotte native, Appalachian State alum, and veteran football coach with more than 30 years of experience, including 17 seasons in the NFL. Wilks played defensive back at App State from 1987–1991, helping the Mountaineers win Southern Conference championships in 1987 and 1991. He later returned to Boone as the program’s defensive backs coach in 2001 and now serves his alma mater as a special assistant to athletics. During his NFL career, Wilks has coached with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets. He served as head coach of the Cardinals in 2018 and went 6–6 as the Panthers’ interim head coach in 2022. He was also part of three Super Bowl teams—as Carolina’s assistant head coach and defensive backs coach during its run to Super Bowl 50, assistant with the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, and as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator during its appearance in Super Bowl LVIII. Beyond the game, Steve opens up about: His new role supporting App State athletics and navigating the modern NIL/revenue-sharing landscape. His thoughts on Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and week-one takeaways in the NFL. Why true identity shouldn’t be tied to a career or title ("You can't chase purpose and identity at the same time"). How God used major disappointments and firings in his career to redirect him toward greater purpose and family presence. The leadership principles behind building authentic relationships with players like Josh Norman and Luke Kuechly. Connect & Support: 3T Foundation: Learn more about Coach Wilks' foundation and its upcoming "Dinner with a Purpose" event on November 13 in Charlotte at https://www.3tfoundation.info UNPACKIN' it: Check out our weekly sports, faith, and Fantasy Football Fellowship podcasts. Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE Subscribe to our YouTube channel! HERE Click HERE to support UNPACKIN' it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Sep 15

    How to Bounce Back From a Loss | NFL Week 1 Reactions & Overcoming Sin

    NFL Week 1 is officially in the books, and 16 teams are sitting at 0-1! In this episode of the UNPACKIN' it Podcast, Bryce Johnson and Pastor Trip Smith react to a wild, high-scoring opening week of football. From surprising wins by the Giants and Vikings to concerning starts for the Chargers and Browns, they break down what week one really means for teams looking to turn things around. Then, they unpack the spiritual parallel: When we mess up or fall into sin, how do we respond? Do we let one mistake snowball into a losing streak, or do we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to reset, confess, and walk forward in grace? In this episode, we unpack: NFL Week 1 Overreactions & Surprises: Giants hype, Chiefs statement, Chargers stumbles, and Panthers defense concerns.The 0-1 Dilemma: Why a single loss doesn't mean your season (or identity) is defined as a failure.Faith & Life Application: Taking sin seriously without wallowing in shame or losing your identity in Christ.Walking by the Spirit: How to preemptively depend on God instead of treating Him like a "spiritual physical therapist." CONNECT & SUPPORT: Learn more about winter sports ministry opportunities at upward.org/unpack Subscribe for weekly sports, faith, and life content! Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE Subscribe to our YouTube channel! HERE Click HERE to support UNPACKIN' it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Sep 8

    How To Be A Great Friend | Special Sermon From Bryce Johnson

    In this message, Bryce Johnson of UNPACKIN' it Ministries breaks down what it takes to experience deep, real, and thriving friendships - both with Jesus and with the people in our lives. Drawing from John 15 and his own experiences in sports media, Bryce challenges us to stop "holding on to the side of the pool" and go deep in our relationships. The 4 I's of Being a Great Friend: Invest: Pay the price of friendship by giving of yourself, avoiding isolation, and choosing wise, Jesus-centered connections.Initiate: Make the first move, embrace vulnerability, and pursue deeper conversations, authenticity, and mutual confession.Inquire: Show genuine care by asking meaningful questions, listening intently, and taking an interest in others' lives.Intentional: Purposefully schedule time, encourage one another, and build lasting relationships instead of settling for surface-level interactions. When our friendship with Jesus serves as our foundation, it transforms how we love, serve, and connect with everyone around us. Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE Subscribe to our YouTube channel! HERE Click HERE to support UNPACKIN' it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Sep 1

    What Do You Need To CUT From Your Life?

    It’s that time of the year in the NFL - teams are trimming their rosters down to 53 players and releasing over 1,100 athletes to prepare for the regular season. In this episode of the UNPACKIN' it Podcast, Bryce Johnson and Pastor Trip Smith unpack the latest NFL roster cuts, break down division predictions, and share their Super Bowl picks. More importantly, they look at the powerful faith parallel: Just as NFL GMs refine and prune their rosters to field the best team, what do we need to release, cut out, or let go of in our own lives? From sin and bad habits to bitterness and envy, true growth often comes through subtraction, not just addition. 🔗 CONNECT & LINKS MENTIONED: • Join our Fantasy League: https://unpackinit.com/fantasy • Partner with Upward Sports: https://upward.org/unpack • Visit the Website: https://unpackinit.com • Email Bryce: Bryce@unpackinit.com 💬 QUESTION OF THE DAY:  Who is your pick to win the Super Bowl this season, and which division winner are you most confident in? Let us know in the comments below! Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this video with a friend! 📌 Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE Subscribe to our YouTube channel! HERE Click HERE to support UNPACKIN' it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About

This is the UNPACKIN’ it Podcast, where we relate sports stories to life and faith. Our mission is to challenge, encourage, and inspire you to follow Jesus and become more like Him with sports conversations that truly matter. We also unpack sports, faith, and life with intriguing guests from the sports world. Bryce Johnson is the president of UNPACKIN' it Ministries and is the host. Trip Smith is a pastor and works with Impact Partners. Shows are released most weeks on Tuesdays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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