The UNPACKIN' it Podcast With Bryce Johnson & Trip Smith

In 1980, a team of college kids beat the unbeatable Soviet hockey machine and won Olympic gold. But the real story isn't just about hockey — it's about a coach whose players thought he was crazy...until they realized his plan worked. This week on The UNPACKIN' It Podcast , Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the movie Miracle (2004), starring Kurt Russell as Coach Herb Brooks. They draw a powerful...

Scott Hanson, host of NFL RedZone , returns to the UNPACKIN’ it Podcast for a powerful and fun conversation about football, faith, fantasy, and following Jesus. Scott shares why NFL Sundays are so special, how the “witching hour” became one of the most iconic phrases in sports television, and what makes the NFL regular season feel like a championship event every week. He also gives a behind-the-sc...

Duke legend, former NBA player, and longtime basketball analyst, Mike “G-Man” Gminski, joins Bryce Johnson on The UNPACKIN’ it Podcast for a powerful conversation about basketball, faith, recovery, and identity. Bryce and Mike begin by unpacking the latest NBA storylines, including the Hornets trading LaMelo Ball, Charlotte’s future, the NBA Draft, Duke prospects, NIL, international players, and t...

Today, we unpack Wyndham Clark's win while being booed…and how his battle with identity is similar to the one we face as followers of Jesus. Plus, the guys talk about the NBA Draft and big NBA trades, and Dusty May going to the Mavs. Who are you really? Who does God say you are? In this episode, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the powerful parallels among sports, life, and faith by unpacking W...

The New York Knicks are the NBA Champions! Host Bryce Johnson unpacks how the Knicks' belief-based approach led them to victory… and how belief in Jesus changes everything for us.  After years of disappointment and struggle, a gritty, resilient team has rejuvenated the city with an unbelievable playoff run, featuring some of the biggest comebacks in NBA Finals history. In this episode, Bryce...

This week Bryce and Trip unpack the NBA Finals & the fans in New York and also discuss the tension between current and former World Cup players…and how we can embrace different generations in life.   In our own lives, it's so easy to complain about and criticize younger generations by saying, "I can't believe what kids do these days," or to tune out older generations as if they don't know...

Our summer interview series kicks off with a conversation about the World Cup. How can we approach this huge event with an eternal perspective? What do we need to know about the top teams? Jesse Bradley is a pastor, author, speaker, evangelist, and former professional soccer goalkeeper, as well as the Co-Founder of Just Choose Hope.  A free daily devotion series called 40 days of Victory is o...

We enjoy sports, but is our life filled with enjoyment? What if we experienced life and people with more joy? Are we enjoying the people around us, the blessings God has given us, His calling on our lives, and, most importantly, enjoying God for who He is and the fellowship He invites us to have with Him? Are we passionate about delighting in God, enjoying a deep personal relationship with Je...

On this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast , Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack how the NFL schedule is unfair to some teams...and how to respond when our lives seem unfair. They offer their thoughts on the Spurs-Thunder series and a fan's perspective on greatness and dominance. Plus, they discuss how to get through mistreatment with the right heart posture and mindset, entrusting ourselves to God. Draw...

On this week's podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack what happens when an NHL or NBA team pulls off a series sweep, and how it parallels quick obedience as followers of Jesus. They offer their thoughts on the NBA Playoffs and the Draft Lottery, and discuss what's next for the Lakers and Bucks...and the NCAA Tournament expansion. Plus, the guys break down why we act immediately when we know...

Summary: We unpack the problem of fans selling their tickets to the other team…and how this parallels being okay with a little bit of sin entering in.   This week's conversation centers on a fascinating parallel between sports fandom and faith: Stop Selling Your Tickets . The episode is inspired by a recent story where Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid expressed frustration after Sixers fan...

On this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast, Bryce and Trip unpack how no one really knows the future of the players selected in the NFL Draft…and how we can approach our futures with humility. The NFL Draft is a blast, but before anyone makes judgments or declarative statements about the future, let’s pause with humility and be willing to say, “Who knows”? We also realize we don’t know what God has in st...

As the NFL Draft approaches, GMs are on high alert, scouring scouting reports for "red flags" that could jeopardize a team’s future. But are we applying that same scrutiny to our own lives? In this episode of The UNPACKIN’ it Podcast , Bryce unpacks the high-stakes world of the NFL Draft and explores why identifying warning signs is critical—not just for winning Super Bowls, but for living a life...

Rory McIlroy Wins The Masters... But Has He Arrived? ⛳️ Rory McIlroy has secured another Green Jacket, adding to his "Major Championship" legacy. But in the world of sports—and in our own lives—the journey isn't over. In today's episode, we unpack why Rory is still "pressing on" and how his pursuit on the golf course parallels our spiritual journey. We dive into Philippians 3:12-14 to explore wha...

On The UNPACKIN' it Podcast , we unpack the parallels between sports, life, and faith. Join host Bryce Johnson and co-host Trip Smith as they dive into the National Championship game and a powerful lesson on preparation and living with expectancy. In This Episode: Dusty May’s Final Four Decision We discuss Michigan’s dominant performance and Dusty May’s unique scouting tactics during the UConn-Ill...

This week on The UNPACKIN' it Podcast , Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the emotional rollercoaster of March Madness after Duke’s stunning 19-point lead evaporated into a buzzer-beater loss to UConn. We discuss the reality of being a fan—the sacrifice, the commitment, and the painful moments that put our loyalty to the test. But there’s a deeper parallel. It can be hard being a sports fan, but...

March Madness is in full swing, but as we head into the second weekend, we are missing the mid-major Cinderella story . This week, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the first two rounds of the tournament, highlighting some of the best games and storylines. In This Episode, We Unpack: The Madness So Far: What made Bryce "shriek." UNC & Duke: What happened to UNC, and what is next for them? Wh...

On this episode of the UNPACKIN' it Podcast , Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith dive into the heart of what it means to live with integrity when "Nobody's Watching." Join The UNPACKIN' it Bracket Challenge fundraiser: unpackinit.com/march Using the backdrop of exciting games in front of small crowds during college basketball conference tournaments—where teams play with maximum effort with no one watchi...

The NFL offseason is heating up with quarterback rumors, free agency speculation, trade predictions, and bold roster changes heading into the 2026 season. Just like NFL teams searching for the right quarterback, we all have to ask: What am I looking for? What do I truly need? In this episode we ask: 👉 What quarterback in the right situation could THRIVE? 👉 What NFL team is just one QB away from...

On this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack if sports fans will follow hockey after Team USA won gold…and how this translates to following Jesus. The guys discuss whether the sports fans who rooted so hard for Team USA in this gold medal game will begin following hockey, specifically the NHL, moving forward. They also share their thoughts on the times we experience a “...

On this week's show, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the current state of the NBA and one of the big stories from the Olympics. We also discuss our response when Olympians lose…and how we can be encouraged to embrace empathy, sympathy, and care for those around us. What happens when we actually try to understand what someone else is going through? What does it look like to enter into someone e...

Check out the panel discussion from this year's Super Saturday Man Breakfast, hosted by UNPACKIN' it, that took place in Charlotte the day before the Super Bowl. This year's panel included former NFL players Brentson Buckner and Dwan Edwards. They talk about faith, football, and life with Bryce Johnson. It's an authentic, encouraging, and inspiring conversation. Topics Include: Keep Pounding and B...

On this week's podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack how the Seahawks won the Super Bowl…and what we as followers of Jesus need to stop, cease, and shut down.  Watch the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Purchase a copy of  The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition TODAY! Learn more about our sponsor,  Upward Sports , to discover how you can share the gos...

On this week's show, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the Seahawks and Patriots winning on the road all season…and what it means for followers of Jesus to win away from home. Watch the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Purchase a copy of  The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition TODAY! Learn more about our sponsor,  Upward Sports , to discover how you can share t...

On this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast, Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the Seahawks and Patriots exceeding expectations as they head to the Super Bowl…and how God's power exceeds our expectations. Watch the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Purchase a copy of  The Sports Devotional: Pro Football Edition TODAY! Learn more about our sponsor,  Upward Sports , to discove...