Welcome to Church Pew Sports Ep 179 - Either/Or: Sports Debates, Loyalty, and Life Lessons

In this lively and thought-provoking episode of Church Pew Sports, hosts Bill Hobson and Pastor Paul Miller welcome a brand-new guest: Pastor Mike Szoradi, a passionate Arizona sports fan and youth pastor with a strong Michigan family connection. What follows is a rapid-fire conversation packed with hot sports takes, irrational fan loyalty, and biblical life insights—all through the lens of sports.

The crew kicks off with a fun introduction to Mike, diving into his long-suffering loyalty to the Arizona Cardinals and his love for the Phoenix Suns. But things heat up as the group launches into a round of “either/or” sports decisions—where bold takes are required, and no one’s allowed to ride the fence.

First up: should the Dallas Mavericks keep their draft lottery pick to select Cooper Flagg or trade it all for the proven greatness of Giannis Antetokounmpo? Mike and Paul both make the case for Giannis, with Bill joining in agreement—highlighting not just Giannis' elite skills, but his calm demeanor and leadership qualities.

Then the trio switches gears to compare playoff atmospheres—NBA vs NHL. While Mike's NBA loyalty is rooted in his Arizona upbringing, Bill gives the edge to the nail-biting overtime thrill of NHL postseason action. Paul, ever the balance-keeper, appreciates both but finds NBA storylines this year especially compelling.

The show dives deeper into current sports controversies, including whether Michael Jordan will thrive as a broadcaster, the impact and perception of Draymond Green’s behavior, and the possibility of Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson entering the MLB Hall of Fame now that their bans have been lifted. Mike urges accountability, while Bill suggests history—with all its blemishes—should still be preserved.

Broadcasters like Rich Eisen and Pat McAfee also enter the discussion, with Mike favoring Eisen’s polished style and Paul highlighting McAfee’s fit with College GameDay. Bill agrees—McAfee may not suit daily sports talk, but he lights up the right setting.

The group wraps with a debate on college football kickoff times (noon vs primetime), critiques of controversial sports media content and owner decisions, and a few standout sports stories—from Shohei Ohtani’s surprise strikeout to heartfelt high school traditions.

As always, the episode closes with a powerful spiritual reflection—this time on Proverbs 19:21—reminding listeners that many are the plans in a person's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Don't miss this high-energy episode filled with opinions, passion, and purpose. Be sure to subscribe at churchpewsports.com and share it with every sports-loving friend in your circle.

This week's CPS Starting Host Lineup:

Bill Hobson

Pastor Paul Miller

Pastor Mike Szoradi

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You can listen to EVERY episode of CPS by visiting Churchpewsports.com/

We would love to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions. Reach out to us at: churchpewsports316@gmail.com

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Welcome to Church Pew Sports Ep 178 - Brains, Baggage & The Big Leagues - Why So Many Young Athletes Flame Out

We welcome Kip Rodgers, founder of BrainCode Corp, for a deep and eye-opening conversation about what really goes on behind the scenes of the NFL Draft—and why so many talented athletes never live up to expectations.

With over a decade of experience assessing NFL draft prospects' mental makeup, Kip shares how she uses neuroscience-based evaluations to help athletes, agents, and teams make better decisions. From entitlement issues to spiritual grounding, Kip dives into the mental, emotional, and spiritual traits that often determine whether a player succeeds or crashes out of the league.

We discuss real stories of players who let pride and poor judgment derail their careers, and why some top talents fall in the draft for reasons beyond the field. Kip also explains the growing trend of college transfers, how money changes everything, and what she asks young players about their family life and faith background during evaluations.

Also: What role does humility play in quarterback success? Why is strong faith a predictor of stability? And how should teams screen for red flags without crossing the line?

It’s a fascinating blend of sports psychology, faith, and football culture—an absolute must-listen for fans who care about what really shapes a player.

This week's CPS Starting Host Lineup:

Bill Hobson

Pastor Paul Miller

Kip Rodgers

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Did you know you can now WATCH Church Pew Sports on our new YOUTUBE Channel?

You can listen to EVERY episode of CPS by visiting Churchpewsports.com/

We would love to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions. Reach out to us at: churchpewsports316@gmail.com

Stay connected to Church Pew Sports on Facebook and Twitter @CPewsSports316

Welcome to Church Pew Sports Ep 177 - Shedeur Sanders - A Cautionary Tale from the NFL Draft

In this episode of Church Pew Sports, we welcome a special guest—Bryce Johnson, host of the Unpackin It podcast and founder of a sports-faith ministry that’s been impacting lives for over a decade. Bryce joins Bill and Paul to talk sports loyalties (yes, he’s a Duke fan), ministry in the locker room, and how fantasy football can actually draw people closer to Christ.

We dive deep into the 2025 NFL Draft, breaking down quarterback drama, the mystery of Shedeur Sanders' draft slide, and why NFL teams still struggle to evaluate talent correctly. Bryce The crew also talks about how NIL deals are changing the hunger levels of incoming NFL talent.

This episode goes beyond Xs and Os—we explore how perception shapes opportunity, and why humility matters more than ever in sports and in faith. Bryce offers insights into living boldly for Christ even when it’s uncomfortable, referencing moments from the draft that highlight how character can make or break an athlete’s future.

Plus: Mel Kiper hot takes, draft-night surprises, NBA replay frustrations, and why Seth Rollins announcing the Bears’ pick was Paul’s favorite moment of the weekend.

Don’t miss this conversation at the intersection of sports, faith, and culture—and hear how Bryce is helping fans unpack both the games they love and the gospel they need.

This week's CPS Starting Host Lineup:

Bill Hobson

Pastor Paul Miller

Bryce Johnson

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Did you know you can now WATCH Church Pew Sports on our new YOUTUBE Channel?

You can listen to EVERY episode of CPS by visiting Churchpewsports.com/

We would love to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions. Reach out to us at: churchpewsports316@gmail.com

Stay connected to Church Pew Sports on Facebook and Twitter @CPewsSports316