Run The Race

You know the holiday classic Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Story" - with Scrooge at the center. A longtime evangelist and Columbus GA native has been playing that role for a decade now in "The Ebeneezer Experience." Pastor Joe Phillips took a break from the shows and sermons to join me on the podcast to also talk about using comedy to spread the Gospel...how his rough childhood and God whispers and basketball led him into ministry...what it's like being a traveling evangelist...hiking hundreds of miles on the Appalachian Trail and up a mountain out West, for his nonprofit ministry...and more.

(2:20) Joe Phillips talks about the fast-pace show where he plays Ebeneezer Scrooge, then building a bridge from that character/story to the Gospel. The production has been seen by 52,000 people in more than 50 cities in a dozen states -  with more than 19,000 making decisions for Christ. More than a "church play," it's a quality production they'll be performing this Sunday December 7 in Zebulon GA then several more places in Georgia and Alabama before Christmas. More on "Ebeneezer Experience" and going to it for free: https://www.joephillipsministries.com/the-ebenezer-experience

(16:03) We talk a little about churches using production or entertainment and comedy to reach people. Joe has long been part of a Christian comedy duo with Lee McBride.

(23:32) Given up at age 3 by his mentally ill biological mom, Pastor Joe opens up about his childhood, hearing the Holy Spirit (like a ghost in the Scrooge story) in a GA night club, getting a bank loan to fulfill dream of college, playing basketball, and being called into ministry while with his team. God uses sports too!

(34:55) To keep his non-profit Joe Phillips Ministries (JLM) afloat, he walked 100 miles on the Appalachian Trail to raise money for the ministry. He added more miles each year, then he discusses another fitness challenge recently: climbing 12,000 foot high Mt. Adams in Seattle with am ice axe and a friend. The hiking helped him learn a valuable lesson about negative vs positive self-talk.

(43:08) After being a youth pastor for 15 years, what's it like as an evangelist? It's about grace. Joe also just wrote his 5th book "Irrevocable" - hoping to turn it into a stage show they can do year-round. He's also done a film called "Aren't You Somebody?" about human trafficking. (56:00) Joe closes our episode out in prayer...then leaves us with a laugh, a story that involves a bathroom break and wrong turn on the Appalachian Trail. 

Thanks so much for listening to the "Run the Race" podcast, focused on faith and fitness. Subscribe and tell others about it!

A popular singer shares a lot about faith, his songs, and their current Grace & Glory Tour on our “Run The Race” podcast. Nationally known Contemporary Christian artist David Crowder aka CROWDER joined me via Zoom. He will be in concert this Sunday night 7pm at the Columbus (GA) Civic Center, along with more big names Zach Williams and Matt Maher on stage. They call it country grit meets front-porch gospel, with roof-raising praise!

(4:29) David Crowder (solo artist name "Crowder") is up walking again after breaking his leg months ago, but he talks about a collaboration with fellow injured Christian artist Forrest Frank on "The Rock." How will the injury impact him on this tour? And he describes his genre of music as "sweet tea and gasoline."

(10:35) As for the origins of his music career, it started where he grew up in Texas and went to school at Baylor, being on stage for a church start there. Now, they've lived in Atlanta for more than a decade. 

(14:09) Crowder gives insight on what songs are hitting on this tour and his favorite part, right before going on stage, as he hopes the audience feels that grace is available and God is pursuing them. How does he come up with the lyrics for these songs? Part of it is being broken.

(18:30) And with his big success as a singer, what keeps him grounded is his wife and a normal life back home, including rooting on the Georgia Dawgs. Crowder also answers why Christian music is growing in popularity, the authenticity of it, what listeners are looking for. And there's all ages in the diverse audience for his concerts, including one again this Sunday in Columbus GA. Tickets are still available: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E0062B48C7F1A4F

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

This week’s podcast guest is the all-time leader in interceptions in arena football – 117 of them by the former player nicknamed “Night Hawk.” Columbus GA native Damian Daniels is now the head coach of the Columbus Lions, the same team he won 4 championships with! We talk on “Run the Race” about football, fitness, changes coming for his Lions, and more.

(5:51) We start with how he got that NIGHT HAWK name, also the differences between exciting arena football and NFL/college football setup and rules and fans. (10:00) Damian Daniels started playing the game at age 7. How did he get from there to almost the CFL and a long, successful career in arena football – mostly as a corner.

(17:46) Coach Damian and I dive into fitness and strength and speed (or quickness) related to football, training players’ bodies for different roles. And he opens up about the brotherhood in this sport, plus what it was like to bring arena football trophies to his hometown, while also winning five Defense Player of the Year awards. Now, with a second chance, how is it different for him as a head coach for the arena football team he played for until retiring in 2016?

(35:03) The Columbus Lions have some changes coming, leaving the NAL and now in the American Arena League (AAL), but why the move? It has to do with travel and having more true arena football rules. Next up, is the announcement of a new team owner – not revealed yet, but Damian is excited about the local ties. We’ll find out Thursday November 13 in a 1:30pm news conference at the Columbus (GA) Civic Center. He also touches on helping coach the Pacelli HS football team, the differences there…being a personal trainer (45:36) and the importance of family support for athletes/coaches. Damian Daniels loves being a father figure for young men, helping on and off the field. And the next season for his Columbus Lions may start in April 2026. (50:48) And as always, closing out the episode in prayer.

It is now again the biggest marathon in the WORLD with more than 59,000 finishing the New York City Marathon this past Sunday! Wow. It was my first time running this race, my 40th marathon overall and in state #37. For this mega race recap, I got help from my college friend Michael Rodgers who just ran his 12th NYC Marathon and worked for almost a decade for the New York Road Runners that are in charge of this epic event.

(00:28) We break down the amazing numbers of the NYC Marathon, like the average finish time - which I was a little slower than and Michael was faster. In previous years, he's also paced pro athletes and celebrities like Kevin Hart at this event. (9:20) Our connection goes back 30 years ago, when we attended Elon College together - where he was on the XC team. (12:40) The two of us talk about our food, sleep, fitness, prep on race week leading up to this world major - some advice for you. It involves sushi, an earlier bedtime, NYC pizza, and the cause I ran for.

(17:50) Getting TO the start of the NYC marathon...is a marathon challenge in itself! Learn about the bus then ferry to Staten Island then bus again...then waiting for several hours before being at the start line. Michael started his 26.2 miles a few hours before me.

(25:29) And the crowds were incredible while running through all 5 burroughs of New York City! It's a wall of sound at times. We also discuss some of the best signs we saw from spectators. But I did not follow Michael's pre-race advice to not high five people and use up energy. I got caught up in the moment - because I wanted to enjoy my first in NYC - and I paid for it later. Learn how my last 10 miles were slower than those first 16. 

(40:00) And now you get the Michael Rodgers school of the NYC Marathon, as he breaks down - mile by mile - the course! There are hills and bridges and turns and 60+ blocks straight...from Brooklyn to Queens to Harlem to the Bronx to Manhattan into the "victory lap" of Central Park - where God helped me finally connect with a younger charity teammate and run the last couple miles together for a stronger finish!

(51:10) How do I get in to the New York City Marathon? There are lots of ways that Michael discusses, but one of the best (which I did) is to be a charity runner! It unlocks the power of running even more...helping causes we care about. (59:15) And we close out our race recap and chat with some hot seat questions for my friend - bathroom stops during the NYC Marathon, favorite burrough to run through, drink/food post-marathon, the medal, and recovery.

(1:08:35) After giving some shoutouts, I give some numbers on elite runners in this 2025 edition of NYC and celebrity runners, including the Amazing Race host that I met the day before he ran his first ever marathon. I also cover quick highlights of my time before/after the race, with an amazing Michael Jackson Broadway show...and a Knicks game...closing out the episode in prayer.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which I hope you'll subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

I'm in the hot seat for this one, as I play for you Raven Fairbanks' interview of me on her "Raven In Real Life" lifestyle show/podcast. Before that...a quick recap of my first time running the ATH Half Marathon through Athens GA and the University of Georgia campus with my son, who's a senior at UGA.

(6:25) This is a chance for you to get to know more about your "Run the Race" host. Raven asks me about my now 27-year TV news career...how it started, telling important stories, weaving my faith walk through my career as an anchor/reporter...entertaining as a broadcaster...famous people like Presidents I've interviewed...going through Army basic training, etc.

(17:00) We also discuss the origins of this podcast I've been producing/hosting the last 6 years. (20:13) And yes, Raven wanted to know why and how I run so much, the start of that fitness journey to now trying to run marathons in all 50 states. It's partly because of my love for food and being healthy!

(26:22) We close out with how my amazing wife has saved my life...and a few life lessons I shared with "Raven in Real Life" including advice about running shoes and training.

Check out her show at https://www.facebook.com/rirlllc/ or search Raven Fairbanks on Facebook and other social media. 

After a nearly 14 year Army career, being a leader most of that, this combat vet is leading in a new way - as an associate pastor and leadership coach in Columbus GA. We talk about what he learned in the Afghanistan War...why health concerns ended his time in the military...getting the call from God...what football taught him about being a leader...and co-hosting a podcast based in the Bible.

(2:30) Jekiel (Jay) Bishop dives into why he joined the Army, mentoring younger soldiers, and seeing gruesome things in combat in the Middle East.

The paratrooper-turned pastor (10:27) also discusses on the podcast what serving his country taught him about faith and himself, telling us "God used the Army to prepare me for ministry." How did chaplains help him get through what he saw in combat? 6 blood clots, some after COVID vaccines, led to God showing him it was time to end his Army career. In some of his last months in uniform, this Infantryman also gave his life to the Lord, then came the Call into ministry. Jay Bishop has now been an Associate Pastor at Church on the Trail in Columbus GA. He talks about the different between being a faith leader and Army leader.

(24:50) We talk about his leadership lessons from coaching youth football - as a teen when he was also playing, eventually taking the field in junior college football. (28:25) As the founder of Shepherd's Way Leadership, he points to Jesus and a lot of people in the Bible as examples of servant leaders! We also chat about listening...and the differences between leading tough and caring for the people you lead.

(37:17) He now co-hosts the "Black White and the Red Letters" podcast with Pastor Ed Grifenhagan: https://www.facebook.com/blackwhiteandtheredletterspodcast. We talk about what's next for him and what he teaches through the Shepherd's Way business: https://www.shepherdswayleadership.com/

(47:57) And Pastor Jay closes our episode in prayer. Make sure to subscribe to "Run The Race," tell others about it, rate and review it on Apple and Spotify. Thanks for listening!

He's taken on diabetes almost his entire life, and now this 21-year-old college student is running his first marathon for a cause related to his disease, and not just any race but the New York City Marathon a month from now! We talk in this episode about his daily health challenges, having Type 1 Diabetes...the benefits of exercise for diabetics and misconceptions...preparing for 26.2 miles and what he'll have to do during that for his blood sugar...the hope to inspire others...and how faith in God has been part of his journey.

(3:00) Chase Stewart, who attends Columbus State University in West Georgia, opens up about the struggles, sleep, fitness, food and more when it comes to his Type 1 diabetes. What's it feel like when his blood sugar level is too low? There are limitations and mental burnout and blessings too. And staying active means he doesn't need as much insulin.

(15:09) Part of his bucket list...he's running the NYC Marathon in early November, alongside 55K others. He applied to do that through the charity "Beyond Type 1" and was picked for the team of 50+ runners. Excited and nervous, Chase discusses how he'll use his insulin pump during the epic race. You can learn more about this important cause and help him raise money for it, meet his goal at this link: https://beyondtyperun.funraise.org/fundraiser/chase-stewart?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1VbdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE2VUVHMkdLaUZuV0Rvb1pQAR5jWB7t1jd2hFeTXFOqHV_BQ2SyrPDIrlOiehRuzOo8wtwgkgCWDH0tXn3W6w_aem_zlq-XKEOXROStKdGzAYoJA

(27:27) And he hopes to inspire others through his marathon run, fellow diabetics including the kids he is camp counselor for. Chase also dives into some misconceptions about diabetes, which he declares doesn't hold people back! He's also got a tattoo on his wrist about his disease, (35:58) and another tattoo related to his Christian faith, explaining what "I am second" means to him.

I close the episode with my co-worker WTVM sports director Tony Reese's diabetes journey and a prayer.

She's an Uptown girl (in Columbus GA) and the founder, leader of an online magazine and platform called "Electric City Life" for more than a decade. Through it, she promotes positive things happening in the community - local events, music, films, more. Jacy Jenkins is also on a new journey of sobriety and faith.

(2:29) Jacy says she's not an alcoholic but has done plenty of social drinking, but now she's been sober, no alcohol for more than 7 months now. Why did she make that choice? She explains what it has to do with clarity, God, joy, family loss, and today's culture.

(17:49) After graduating from UGA, Jacy felt called to inner city Los Angeles where she helped at The Dream Center, the umbrella for 200 ministries and an opportunity to meet a lot of celebrities. There are 2 big lessons she learned there. Then, from Compton back to Columbus GA, she saw rapid revitalization in the Fountain City and a new culture, with whitewater rafting as the catalyst.

(27:18) Feeling the tug to promote the positive parts of  her hometown, Jacy created "Electric City Life" to be a cheerleader, uplift, help with synergy, giving people a place in the culture, being part of solutions: https://www.facebook.com/electriccitylife/.

The name itself, she says, has a spiritual meaning too, as she talks about the electricity of God and us and authenticity. Their newest endeavior is telling inspiring raw stories on video called "Hope Dealers."

(39:12) Jacy also gets vulnerable in talking about being turned off by the church because of politics and polarization, but giving it a chance again. She's back in church, still asking a lot of questions, but very recently losing a friend to drugs has been a wakeup call. All this while she continues operating her platform to bring people together and create community.

She's the national director of the world's largest Christian humanitarian organization that's been helping people in poverty for 75 years, across 100 different countries. And later this week, this mom and recent cancer survivor is running the Berlin Marathon for the cause...while I'm training now to run the NYC Marathon this fall for Team World Vision too!

(3:20) Lyndsey Dean Ratchford aka "LDR" leads Team World Vision. During her more than a dozen years with the organization, she's personally raised $250,000 to help bring clean water to more than 4,000 people. We start with her journey to running and TWV that started back in college, with she and a friend healing from failed relationships. 6 years ago, she took on the national dir role for the largest non-governmental supplier of water in the world, all in the name of Jesus.

(9:23) LDR also saw the struggle for herself, walking with two moms in North Kenya, an 8 hour and 11 mile roundtrip - that journey featured in a new documentary "Long Walk For Water" being shown soon at film festivals. (19:40) She also touches on the Biblical principals of the nonprofit...how generosity is the currency of the Kingdom of God...and how Jesus showed us the power of relationships. TWV has showed her how everyday people can do extraordinary things through the power of God, including hard things - like running a marathon.

(25:55) She's about to run her 5th full marathon for this charity, her first being Los Angeles in 2014. She talked about her favorites that include the NYC Marathon (she's got some tips) which I will be running this November 2 with Team World Vision. Here's how you can support me and the cause with a child sponsorship: https://www.teamworldvision.org/participants/423982.

(32:09) We also discuss the differences in spiritual fundraising...what sponsoring a child for $39/month really does...how our Christian values play into this giving...how TWV spends money you donate, including the strategic plans of how to solve the global clean water crisis. Here's more on the organization: https://www.teamworldvision.org/home

(44:50) Last year at age 42, LDR also battled breast cancer and has a God story about her cancer doctor who ran the same London Marathon she/husband did in 2024. Now cancer free, she's grateful for things that got her through a horrendous year: faith, family, and fitness. And you can still support LDR, almost at her fundraising goal for the Berlin Marathon: https://www.teamworldvision.org/participants/Lyndsey-DeaneRatchford-2024

(51:33) We wrap the podcast episode up with how fitness intertwines with her/our faith walk. Can we hear God better when we're moving? LDR also closes us out in prayer.

After a recap of my 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb - going up 2200 stairs alongside first responders and others in memory of the firefighters that died in the September 11 attacks - we talk another very pivotal event for our nation: the Vietnam War and special events this week and beyond in Columbus GA on the heels of the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.

(7:55) But first, military historian and Columbus State University professor Dr. Dave Kieran talked with me about his fitness habits outside the classroom and away from the studies of history. He's run 4 full Ironmans and 24 full marathons. Why does he and his wife get up 5am most mornings to exercise? What are his favorite races so far? And this history junkie also has found running through a big city is the best way to see it.

(24:03) Dr. Kieran's passion for teaching and military and history was prompted, in part, by one of the greatest track coaches of all-time, also his HS english teacher Hal Croft in PA, who was also a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran. He shares stories about this demanding mentor and also how that conflict resonates with his generation too.

(35:35) This professor and author of several books - like "Signature Wounds" about soldiers mental health amidst Middle East wars - also describes how history gives us an important perspective.

(45:18) With April 2025 marking 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, his school CSU is hosting 6 free events over the next 8 months to help deepen the understanding of that war's impact, starting with a lecture from an expert on Thursday evening September 11: https://events.columbusstate.edu/#events/tag/Hallock.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.