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The UNPACKIN' it Podcast With Bryce Johnson
Paul Mills (Wichita State Basketball Coach) Talks Oral Roberts, NIL, and God's Calling
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 the second coach to guide a No. 15 seed to Sweet 16, upsetting Ohio State and Florida in the first two rounds before losing a heartbreaker to Arkansas in the South Regional Semifinal.
He is a husband and father of two daughters and received his Master’s Degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2020.
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How to Build a Winning Culture in College Basketball and Life
48:56|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?Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports, to find out how you can reach people for Jesus through sports.Check out Upward Sports on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, LinkedInClick here to give a year-end donation to support UNPACKIN' it.Sign up to receive our weekly email devotionals by filling out the form on our new website.The Questions We're Asking After Week 10
36:07|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?Purchase copies of "The Sports Devotional" to gift to your friends and loved ones this Christmas.Click here to give a year-end donation to support UNPACKIN' it.Sign up to receive our weekly email devotionals by filling out the form on our new website.Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports.The Running Back Resurgence
34:25|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?Sign up to receive our weekly email devotionals by filling out the form on our new website.Sign up to participate in Fantasy Football Fellowship to bring purpose and meaning to your fantasy league.Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports.What Has Been Revealed in Week 8 of the NFL...and What Has God Revealed in Our Lives
42:27|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?Check out UNPACKIN' it's newly-updated website to get more information about our ministry.Sign up to participate in Fantasy Football Fellowship to bring purpose and meaning to your fantasy league.Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports.Coach Joe Kennedy Talks New Movie "Average Joe," Supreme Court, and Importance of Prayer and Faith
38:37|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.On June 27, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Coach Kennedy and his First Amendment right. On March 8, 2023, Coach Kennedy was officially reinstated as an assistant coach and returned to the field for one game on September 1, 2023, before resigning. Joe and his wife, Denise, are parents of four children and reside in Pensacola. His memoir, Average Joe, is available wherever books are sold, and he currently speaks across the country, promoting freedom of speech.Connect with him online at https://coachjoekennedy.com/.FILM’S WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA:Website: https://averagejoemovie.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AverageJoeMovie/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/averagejoemovie/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@averagejoemovieX (formerly Twitter) - http://www.twitter.com/averagejoe_filmYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AverageJoeTheMovieTo support UNPACKIN' it's upcoming golf tournament, please CLICK HERE.Subscribe to the UNPACKIN' it Podcast, the Fantasy Football Fellowship Podcast, and the UNPACK' it Minute Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports.NFL Teams That Were Overwhelmed, Outmatched, and Defeated, and How to Endure Past Life's L's
33:20|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?To support UNPACKIN' it's upcoming golf tournament, please CLICK HERE.Visit pureHOPE's website to learn more about Josh's ministry work.Sign up to participate in Fantasy Football Fellowship to bring purpose and meaning to your fantasy league.Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports.Why There Are So Many Injuries in the NFL... and How Not to Get Injured by Sin
38:27|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?Click here for more information on Ed Uszyski and his published works.Sign up to participate in Fantasy Football Fellowship to bring purpose and meaning to your fantasy league.Subscribe to UNPACKIN' it's weekly email devotionals by signing up on our website.Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports.Troy Aikman and Tom Brady Found Success, But Did They Find Contentment?
37:46|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, Married With Benefits.Sign up to participate in Fantasy Football Fellowship to bring purpose and meaning to your fantasy league.Subscribe to UNPACKIN' it's weekly email devotionals by signing up on our website.Learn more about our sponsor, Upward Sports.