The Good News Project: Recent Episodes
Matt
Matt Jackson, a 40 something High School Teacher, soccer coach, and retired sports broadcaster brings you a weekly, welcome shot of positivity, the unvarnished truth about everything he believes, both secular and sacred. Wearing, his faults, successes, and failures like The Emperor's New Clothes, Matt wants you to relax for 15-20 minutes and leave with a positive nugget to share with a friend.
A quick Christmas Eve message for us all. BE THE LIGHT that Christ calls us all to be!
Merry Christmas
Matt is in Maine ready to start a new professional and personal journey for his family and him. He has a quick scripture to share for people who are faced with difficult personal decisions.
Matt reflects on his last four amazing years at his current school and why he made the decision to change schools. There is a great scripture in the book of Colossians that discusses how we can be acknowledged for a job well done even when no one on Earth recognizes it.
Matt catches up with his former co-host Jeremy Foster to discuss the departure of Carlos Correa, the incredible contract and trade of Deshaun Watson and the ABSURDITY of a MAN winning a WOMAN'S NCAA Championship Sport.
Matt discusses the crossed streams of his 2 career paths, sports broadcasting and coaching as it relates to the fight on Sunday between Michigan Coach Juwan Howard, a former player who Matt covered and interviewed as a member of The Houston Rockets, and The Wisconsin Badgers. What does scripture tell us about dealing with anger and negative emotions?
Matt praises his former colleague Charlie Palillo and discusses why the media might be jaded towards the local football team at present.
This weekend brought out the best and the worst in Matt's ability to father his children.
Matt kicks off 2022 looking back on how he did accomplishing his 2021 resolutions and trying to make a simpler list of change for 2022.
Matt sits down with his 2 sons to discuss their favorite things about Christmas. Clearly Matt failed as a parent, because none of the favorite parts of Christmas rhymed with "Jesus".
Matt discusses one of his favorite Christmas movies, "The Little Drummer Boy" and how its simple message can have an impact on us by allowing the love of Christ to heal all old wounds.
Matt issues a challenge to parents to take advantage of the extra time this upcoming holiday season to have intentional and habitual conversations with your kids about God. Matt discusses how something as simple as UH Cougar Basketball became a driving force to a stronger relationship with his son.
Matt reflects on the tragic events of the past weekend in Houston and his own experience of mistake filled finger pointing and hypocrisy having been a kid at a concert once too 21 years ago. Ultimately when bad things happen to good people we ask ourselves "Where was God? Why did he let this happen?". Listen to what happened to Job in the Old Testament and maybe how it can help our only human self doubt about God always being in control even in our darkest hours.
Matt checks in this week with a Covid update (Spoiler alert, he's got it) and gives his impressions on The Astros quest for a 2nd World Series title as well as the NBA's 75 in 75 list.
Matt's family is going through a rough patch from a health standpoint, but it is a reminder of the amazing woman that his wife Allyson is and a testament to Solomon's description of "A Wife of Noble Character" in the Book of Proverbs.
Sometimes Matt can be guilty of envying others successes and reviling in others setbacks. What can we do to take the focus off of ourselves and celebrate others' wins too? Matt talks about his wins and losses in this area and what scripture tells us about how to celebrate other people's "wins"
Matt has had 3 weeks to digest the news of his Alma Mater UH joining the Big 12. Is he excited about it? How excited should he be?
How do you stay positive when you are in a rut in your routine? What does the Bible say about power of perseverance? Matt dives into the deep end of sometimes ungratifying hard work that isn't always on a timeline that satisfies you.
Matt's positivity is put to the test after a late night reflection on the performance of his beloved TEAM USA men's soccer team. Where should USA soccer go from here? Why does soccer development continue to lag behind other countries in the world? Matt gives you the dirt on what goes on behind the scenes of US Soccer at the Grass Roots Level.
Matt discusses the angst in his household at the start of another school year and gives you a short wishlist for how YOU can help teachers, staff, and students in the coming year.
Matt returns from Summer Vacation to discuss the value and importance of strengthening parent/child relationships and discusses one of his 5 favorite books of all time, the new Roger Bennet auto-biography "Re-born in The USA".
Matt discusses the importance of vacation and why God actually wants us to take a break every now and then.
Matt reflects on the wild 2020-2021 school year and the lessons learned during the pandemic.
Matt tackles the topic of vengeance and turning the other cheek and how we can ask God to help us be good Christians even when we feel we've been wronged by someone else.
Matt and his colleagues from Foster High School Pay Tribute to The Graduating Class of 2021 from Randolph Foster High School.
The end of the school year is upon us and while adults have had plenty of stress dealing with a challenging year, how are kids coping? Matt talks with his 8 year old son Luke about the highs and lows of the school year and what he is most looking forward to this Summer. Matt also discusses intentional conversations of faith with your children and other younger people.
Matt discusses the importance of teachers on Teacher Appreciation week and has a great conversation with High School Football Coach Sergio Gonzalez. Sergio is a founding member of The Texas Hispanic High School Football Coaches Association, a UH grad, and a father who has great advice on being a servant leader, time management, and why all coaches should treat each of their sports as if it was their primary sport. Sergio is a future star in our profession and an authentic humble hard working man and father.
"The Draft". The NFL Draft is this week and Matt discusses the good and the bad of the concept of the draft. What do we do when we feel that our relationship with God needs rebuilding?
Why are we prone to lose our patience even in the best of times? How can we find ways to be more patient in our marriages, with our kids, and on the job?
This episode is PURE FUTBOL! Matt talks pro and amateur soccer in Houston with Dynamo Beat writer Corey Roepka. Corey has been on quite the sports journey over the last few years, from the beat of The University of Tennessee Football to MLS to the NWSL, he's seen it all. What is in store for the Dyanamo in 2021? Will they spend $$$ are they healthy?
How do you find the right balance between supreme confidence and doubt? What does God say to reassure us during trying times?
Matt discusses a day he thought might NEVER come, UH back in a Final Four...and he answers the seemingly obvious question, "Why is the church OPEN on the Holiday of Easter?"
Matt details his recent trip to Las Vegas and discusses how God continues to help us live through fear.
Matt is joined by Kris Gardner of The Houston Roundball Review. Kris is one of the longest tenured and most respected basketball journalists in the state of Texas. During the conversation, Matt and Kris discuss the state of the University of Houston men's program including their tourney changes and Kelvin/Kellen Sampson's future at UH, as well as possible sleepers, and the "Awakening" of high school talent in Houston. Is this a Hoops renaissance in the state of Texas? At the end of the interview, a real opportunity for you to cash in on a great Television streaming deal.
Quick! Check your attic! There could be something of value up there! Matt found a valuable piece of his teenage years in his. Plus, Matt shares a great tool to keep you diligent in reading the word and shares a quick reading from the book of Psalms.
Matt discusses the value of mentor relationships and sharing your burdens with others. How did a chance encounter with an acclaimed author led to a beautiful friendship. Also, a final tribute to his fallen first church pastor.
Matt visits with Brandon Baca ,the CEO of Attack Poverty, a 501c3 focused on breaking the cycles of poverty in Richmond, Rosenberg, and Katy, Texas and beyond. Listen to the amazing work being done to lift our neighbors not just during acute times of need, but on a daily basis. You too can volunteer or financially support this fantastic organization and Matt gives you the opportunity to DOUBLE the value of your donation at https://attackpoverty.org/donate-now/online-giving/ . Matt will match the first $1000 donated to Attack Poverty after this podcast is posted. Just write the words "Good News" in the comments section when you donate. Thank you for your consideration of this wonderful mission.
How are your kids handling this challenging season? God has a blueprint for how we can stay engaged with our kids and help them navigate this difficult school year. Here's a few tips that have worked for me to stay engaged with my sons experiences in 2021. Also, a really long book, and a really short TV show that will keep you entertained during the long, hard winter freeze.
Matt discusses our tendencies to worry about our personal legacy versus what God really wants our legacy to be. Also, Matt reviews Sole Influence ,the historical recount of the Nike vs Adidas basketball shoe wars that played out in the 1980's and 1990's.
Do you remember the FIRST SUPER BOWL at RELIANT Stadium and all the Hoopla that surrounded that week in Houston in 2003? Matt recounts some wild and bizarre stories from Super Week on the 17th anniversary of his professional high and discusses the importance of keeping a promise and not OVER promising things you are not able to deliver.
The Houston Texans have hired a new Head Football Coach, David Culley. Joining Matt to discuss the challenges of starting a program from scratch and why ANY new Head Coach deserves the benefit of the doubt, from critics is Foster High School Football Coach Shaun McDowell.
Seasons change, people change, but God doesn't. How can we take hold of HIS Omnipresence in seasons of change?
Matt recounts the 1st "chance" encounter with his future wife (The Jackson Family Origin Story) and discusses why with God there is no such thing as luck , chance, or serendipity. Later he reviews a riveting true story on gambling addicts, why human beings are susceptible to addiction, and how God shows us through scripture that we have all the power we need to end addiction inside of us.
Due to events beyond his control, Matt is compelled to record a SECOND podcast this week!!! This time he talks with his old radio running mate Jeremy Foster of KTAR radio. They have a few trips down memory lane, try to figure out what a Jack Easterby is and discuss what we should make of the James Harden era.
I screwed up BIG TIME this week and learned a HARD lesson about being PREPARED for life. I have 3 great suggestions for us to encourage and enable God to come in and change our life for the better in 2021. Also a great new book suggestion and a TV show that will entertain you and teach you a thing or 2
Matt tackles the transition and chaos at The University of Texas and how we can use the hard lessons learned by the Longhorns as a blueprint for our own positive outlook in 2021.
40 Something Teacher, Coach, and former sports broadcaster Matt Jackson, performs a burial and an autopsy on The Year 2020 and looks forward with positivity to the year ahead.