The UNPACKIN' it Podcast With Bryce Johnson

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?

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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!

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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?

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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?

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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...

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!

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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Today, we unpack Alabama and Auburn embracing the "AND" approach…and how we do the same regarding faith and works.

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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?

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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 Canadian League and the Arena League. He played for 10 teams in four leagues over six seasons! He...

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?

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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?

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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.

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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!

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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!

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Bryce Johnson unpacks how so many NFL teams are still hopeful about making the playoffs...and how we remain hopeful in life.

Today's Questions:

1. What is the difference between hope and optimism?

2. How is it possible to have true hope even in the midst of difficult seasons of life?

3. What role do God's promises have in our experience of hope?

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Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Matt Vanderbilt unpack how fans are complaining and questioning the College Football Playoff committee…and how it parallels getting upset when things don’t go how we think they should.

Today's Questions:

1. How can we learn to respond more trustingly when something unexpected happens in our lives?

2. Why and how should we turn to God when we feel frustrated about how things are going? 

3. How can we get to a place where we embrace and love that we are not in control?

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Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Tucker Furr unpack what sports fans are full of...and what our lives are full of right now.

Today's Questions:

1. In what ways do the things that we fill ourselves with end up shaping the person we become? 

2. Why is one of the best ways to transform our lives simply by being still and enjoying our union with God?

3. Why is it essential that we empty ourselves first so that we can be filled?

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Bryce Johnson unpacks the difference between teams that win with wisdom and those who lose because of foolish mistakes…and how we can live wisely.

Today's Questions:

1. Where can we go to find true wisdom in our lives?

2. How does having a proper fear of the Lord help lead us to wisdom?

3. How is wisdom different from simply having knowledge?

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Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Charlie Hagley unpack how new coaches in college basketball build a winning culture…and how we can do the same as followers of Jesus.

Today's Questions:

1. What values does Jesus prioritize in His kingdom, and how can we live those out in our lives?

2. In what ways does winning as a believer differ from the world's view on winning?

3. What type of impact can embracing Jesus' "winning culture" have on those around us?

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Bryce Johnson unpacks the questions being asked about NFL teams…and what to do with the questions we have in our own lives.

Today's Questions:

1. What should our mindset be when we come to God in prayer?

2. Can we truly be confident that God will always give us the wisdom we need during difficult or confusing times?

3. How does spending time in fellowship with God help to change the desires of our hearts?

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Bryce Johnson unpacks how running backs have experienced a resurgence…and considers what needs to be valued and made prominent in our lives.

Today's Questions:

1. What are some areas of our lives that we may have potentially devalued, causing us to need a resurgence?

2. How does a willingness to be corrected directly connect with our ability to make meaningful changes?

3. What things do we need to "hand off" to God in order for us to experience a true resurgence?

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Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Brian Saylor unpack what NFL teams revealed in week 8…and consider what our lives reveal.

Today's Questions:

1. Why should we avoid the temptation to view the way that God feels about us through the lens of our experiences?

2. What are some of the best ways that we can assess what is truly going on in our hearts?

3. How should we respond when God reveals areas of sin in our lives?

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Bryce interviews current Wichita State men's basketball coach Paul Mills. They unpack Coach Mills' second season with the Shockers, handling pressure as a basketball coach, the state of college basketball, the importance of reading Scripture, and how to steward our calling.

Mills spent 14 years as a Baylor assistant under Scott Drew, and then took his first head coaching job at Oral Roberts, turning the Golden Eagles from Summit League bottom-dwellers to undefeated champions over a six-year span (2017-23) with NCAA tournament bids in two of the last three years.

In 2021, Mills became t...

In this special episode, Bryce Johnson interviews Coach Joe Kennedy, whose movie, Average Joe, was recently released and inspired by his real life.

Coach Joe Kennedy, an eighteen-year Marine veteran, was an assistant coach for the Bremerton High School (BHS) varsity football team. Before he even coached his first game, the Marine-turned-football coach committed to God that he would give thanks after each game for what the players had accomplished and the opportunity to be part of their lives through football. This was met with disapproval from his school district and became a lengthy court battle.<...

Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Josh Livingston unpack yesterday's blowouts and lopsided defeats in the NFL...and discuss how we can be encouraged when we feel overwhelmed and outmatched in life.

Today's Questions:

1. What biblical truths can help you find strength and encouragement in hardships?

2. How can self-reliance lead you to experience more feelings of defeat as you follow Jesus?

3. How can you overcome your sins and mistakes to walk forward in God's grace?

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Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Ed Uszynski unpack the rash of injuries across the NFL and consider why they are happening…and how the situation parallels our struggles with temptation and sin.

Today's Questions:

1. What can we do to avoid specific life challenges and difficulties?

2. Why do we experience the trials and tribulations that we do?

3. Can we turn to Jesus for grace after we have sinned in a big way or for a long time?

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Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Brian Goins unpack Troy Aikman's enduring competitiveness and how it relates to finding contentment as we follow Jesus.

Today's Questions:

1. How can the traits that bring us success also be the same traits that lead us to a lack of contentment?

2. How do we balance giving our best in all things with being content no matter how things turn out?

3. What are some of the underlying roots that can lead us to discontentment?

Learn more about Brian Goins and his podcast, Ma...

Bryce Johnson unpacks how six 0-2 teams got a spark to win their first game of the year…and how we can experience a spiritual spark when we need one.

Today's Questions:

1. What practical steps can we take to get replenished in our faith life?

2. How could our need for a spiritual spark be caused by idolatry?

3. How is gratitude an essential component of experiencing a spiritual spark?

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Bryce Johnson unpacks how sports envy and jealousy affect sports fans…and how and why we must fight against envy in all areas of our lives.

Today's Questions:

1. What is often at the root of the envy and jealousy that we experience?

2. What other sins do we often fall into when dealing with unresolved envy?

3. How do we practically eliminate the envy and jealousy we experience as we follow Jesus?

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Bryce Johnson unpacks the patience needed for many of the teams that lost in the NFL…and how we must exercise patience in our lives.

Today's Questions:

1. How could the impatience we experience be a result of unreasonable expectations?

2. Does being patient with others mean that we can never wisely distance ourselves from others? 

3. How do we practically go about developing patience in our lives?

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This week's special episode includes Bryce Johnson’s recent sermon, “Let’s Go,” at The Pointe Church in Belmont, NC. Bryce unpacks why we serve others, what it means to be on a team, and how God has designed us with unique gifts. He gives a different perspective on the story of David and Goliath, shares a story about his first time on the radio, and uses the sports parallel of being in the tunnel before taking the field. 

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Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Bob Schindler unpack the Harbaugh brothers' approach to football…and how we must emphasize the fundamentals of the Gospel in our approach to a Christ-centered life.

Today's Questions:

1. Why is it important for believers to regularly preach the gospel to themselves?

2. What benefits come from us taking time to meditate on how sinful we truly are?

3. How can embracing simplicity actually help us better live for Jesus?

Check out Bob Schindler's ministry by visiting the website for CEDE Sports

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Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Pastor Ray Hardee unpack who is heading into the NFL season on the hot seat…and how we relate to being on the hot seat in life.

Today's Questions:

1. How do thankfulness and meditating on God's past faithfulness help us to better navigate difficult seasons of life?

2. Could our stress and anxiety actually be caused by the fact that we are depending on ourselves?

3. What is the ultimate security that we need as followers of Jesus?

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In this special interview, Bryce talks with actor and producer Cameron Arnett. He is one of the stars of the new movie The Forge, which hits theaters on August 23rd. He also starred in the No. 1 family movie of 2019, Overcomer. Earlier in his career, he appeared on Miami Vice, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Doogie Howser, MD. He has won the Actor of the Year award from ICFF and other acting awards and nominations. Cameron founded "Christ Over Career," a global movement calling the church back to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He also played college football at Miami...

Bryce Johnson has an update for all listeners regarding UNPACKIN' it and Fantasy Football Fellowship!

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Bryce Johnson and guest co-host Ridge Thomas unpack how Aaron Rodgers is pushing his teammates to get better…and how this relates to the mutual encouragement and building up of fellow followers of Jesus.

Chapters