Jack Vita Show: Sports | MLB | Baseball | NFL | College Football | NCAA Basketball | NBA | Faith
Join published journalist and sports reporter Jack Vita each week for an in-depth breakdown of the latest news from the world of sports, featuring thoughtful analysis and exclusive interviews with athletes, coaches, executives and media members. Jack interviews athletes that provide a peak behind the curtain and a look at the daily life of a professional athlete. They also discuss life off-the-field and other various topics, including faith. Prominent guests include Brian Urlacher, Bob Nightengale, Jim Callis and Dan O’Dowd. This is the podcast feed for all sports content on the Jack Vita Show. For Jack’s entertainment and reality TV coverage, subscribe to Jack Vita Show: Entertainment, available wherever podcasts are found.
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Episodes
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Dr. Sean Kenniff is a neurologist and was a castaway on the first season of Survivor, Survivor: Borneo, on which he finished in fifth place.
On the latest episode of the Jack Vita Show, Sean joins Jack to discuss his time on reality television and share what he has been up to in the 22 years since he appeared on Survivor's first season.
The first season of Survivor, which aired in the summer of 2000, was a national phenomenon. 53 million people tuned in to the show's season finale, where Richard Hatch was awarded the million dollar prize. The show was such a huge success, it laid the groundwork for the franchise to create 42 more seasons, and counting, as Survivor has been on the air for over 22.5 years. Cast members from the first season became household names overnight, rubbing elbows with A-list celebrities at red carpet events. Sean shares about his experiences after the show, and how Survivor launched him to a career as a medical reporter at CBS. He also discusses what led him to applying for Survivor, what he hoped to get out of the experience, and how the cameras shaped his on-camera persona and strategy.
Sean dishes on his alphabet voting strategy. Why did he vote alphabetically? Sean explains the genius of the alphabet strategy. Sean also spills secrets about the first season of Survivor. Did production play a factor in the exit of Stacey Stillman? Sean shares his take and his experiences, pertaining to the Stacey Stillman lawsuit. Why didn't anybody outside of the 'Tagi 4' form an alliance? Has Sean been asked to return to Survivor?
Along the way, Sean and Jack talk life, and Sean shares how he became a Christian and why his relationship with Jesus is important to his life.
Sean recently created a new product, 'The Jerk at Work' doll. Sean shares about the creation and invention of his new product that he is rolling out this holiday season. Get your own in time for the holidays: https://thejerkatwork.com
Thursday Nov 17, 2022
Thursday Nov 17, 2022
Last week, Jack and Omaha World-Herald reporter Andrew Stem gave a short preview of the 2022-2023 college basketball season, sharing their National Championship picks, along with some major storylines to keep an eye on this season. This week, Andrew and Jack are joined by Ryan Pacatte for an in-depth preview of all things college hoops!
In the latest episode of the Jack Vita Show, Andrew, Ryan and Jack take a look at every major conference, providing a detailed, in-depth preview. Which conference will be the best this season, the Big 12 or the Big Ten? And which conference is the next strongest, after those two? They take a look at the ACC, American Athletic Conference, SEC, Big East, Pac-12, Missouri Valley and highlight some of the best mid-major programs to keep an eye on in 2022-23. It's an episode you will not want to miss!
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Andrew Stem returns to the Jack Vita Show for the first time in too long, to recap and discuss the World Series, talk some NFL Week 9 news and games, preview the 2022-2023 college basketball season and share some thoughts on the latest from the College Football Playoff picture.
First, Jack congratulates Andrew on his Detroit Lions' 15-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers and discuss some story lines from the weekend, as well as the first half of the NFL season, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers' struggles, Tom Brady's potential turning point drive Sunday, and Geno Smith's 6-3 NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks (0:00 - 17:40).
Then, Andrew and Jack break down the final two games of the World Series, and discuss Rob Thomson's decision to pull Zack Wheeler in the sixth inning of the Philadelphia Phillies' Game 6 loss Saturday night at 70 pitches. Andrew and Jack have some thoughts on managers taking their starting pitchers out early from games, a modern baseball trend. Andrew and Jack break all things down and discuss how the Astros won their second World Series in franchise history (17:40 - 53:20).
Later, Andrew and Jack share some thoughts on the week's college football games, news and stories, and dissect the College Football Playoff picture. Do the College Football Playoff committee's rankings really mean anything, this early (53:20 - 1:02:00)?
Finally, Andrew and Jack preview the 2022-2023 college basketball season, beginning Monday. What are some early storylines to be on the look out for, and who are each of them picking to win the NCAA Tournament next March (1:02:00 - END)?
You can follow Andrew (@astem00) on Twitter, and check out his work at the Omaha World Herald!
Friday Nov 04, 2022
Friday Nov 04, 2022
Former 9-Year Major League Baseball outfielder (Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays) Michael Huff visits the Jack Vita Show to break down the first five games of the 2022 World Series.
The Houston Astros took a 3-2 series lead with their 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park. The Astros are in the driver's seat, with the series heading back to Houston for game six and game seven Saturday and Sunday. Mike and Jack discuss the Phillies' remarkable run and the impact manager Rob Thomson has had on his club since taking over for Joe Girardi midway through the season. They also discuss the Astros' pitching depth and outstanding ability to draft and develop talent. What changes might Jack and Mike make to the postseason in the future? Should Major League Baseball do away with the 2-3-2 playoff format? Should the American League and National League Division Series be a best-of-seven series, instead of a best-of-five, moving forward? Mike and Jack break down the World Series and preview the season's final two games of baseball.
Earlier this week, the Chicago White Sox named Kansas City Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol their new manager. Mike and Jack assess the hire, and discuss plenty of other baseball topics along the way!
Thursday Oct 27, 2022
Thursday Oct 27, 2022
2008 World Series champion Kyle Kendrick visits the Jack Vita Show to discuss the 2022 American League Championship Series and National League Championship Series, preview the World Series, reflect on the Philadelphia Phillies' 2008 World Series run, Kyle's 10-year Major League Baseball career and much more!
Kyle made his big league debut with the Phillies in 2007. He was a member of the Phillies for all five of their National League East division titles between 2007 and 2011, as a key member of the Phillies' excellent pitching rotation. In 2008, Kyle's Phillies won the World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays; it was the Phillies' second World Series title in franchise history. Kyle reflects on some memories with the Phillies and shares how the 2022 Phillies stack up against his squads from over a decade ago. The Phillies will be appearing in the franchise's first World Series since 2009, beginning Friday.
Kyle and Jack analyze the Phillies' 2022 playoff run, and preview their World Series matchup against the Astros.
Kyle discusses the art of pitching and shares interesting stories from his playing career. Find out about the time that he took matters into his own hands and threw at a player on an opposing team, for showing up one of his teammates. Hear Kyle rank some of the great pitchers that he played with, including Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez, Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. When did pitchers start getting pulled at 100 pitches? Kyle discusses how the game of baseball has changed.
Kyle's wife is Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, three-time Survivor star and fan favorite (Survivor: Palau, Survivor: Guatemala, and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains), and recent competitor on USA Network's Snake in the Grass. Stephenie has appeared on the Jack Vita Show four times before. Kyle shares how he met Stephenie and what it has been like going out in public with her over the past 15 years. All this, and much more!
Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
Former MLB All-Star and member of the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies National League Pennant team Mickey Morandini returns to the Jack Vita Show, to discuss the latest from the Major League Baseball playoffs.
The American League Division Series and the National League Division Series are over. Mick and Jack provide a recap of the action, breaking down all four series from the past week. What, if anything, would Mick and Jack change about the MLB's new postseason format, and why did the top two seeds in the National League go down so quickly?
Later, they preview the ALCS and the NLCS. What will the New York Yankees need to do in order to finally get past the Houston Astros? What should fans expect from the NLCS between the Phillies and the San Diego Padres? Mick and Jack share their picks!
Follow Mickey on Instagram, @mickeymorandini12!
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
CBS Survivor legend (Survivor: Palau, Survivor: Guatemala, and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains) and baseball wife Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick returns to the Jack Vita Show to talk some baseball!
Stephenie's husband, Kyle Kendrick, won a World Series as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, and was a member of the Phillies throughout their golden era of baseball, when they won five straight National League East division titles between 2007 and 2011. Over the weekend, the Phillies closed out game four of the National League Division Series, defeating the Atlanta Braves 8-3 at Citizens Bank Park, clinching their first trip to the National League Championship Series since 2010.
Stephenie shares about her weekend in Philly with Kyle and their kids, and watching Saturday's historic game from a suite with other former Phillies players and their wives. She also reflects on fun memories from the Phillies' run over a decade ago, her favorite ballparks to visit, and discusses the 2022 Phillies, and her optimism for the team entering the NLCS, beginning Tuesday night, against the San Diego Padres.
Follow Stephenie on Instagram (@steph_lagrossa_kendrick) and on Twitter (@stephlagrossa38) for more from the Survivor great!
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Jason Romano, director of media at Sports Spectrum and the host of the Sports Spectrum Podcast visits the Jack Vita Show to recap the first weekend of Major League Baseball playoff action and preview this week's American League and National League Division Series matchups.
Jason is a lifelong New York Mets fan. He shares his take on what happened to the Mets down the stretch of the season, why they didn't win the National League East, and why they will not be playing in the NLDS.
The Mets fell to the San Diego Padres 6-0 in game three of the National League Wild Card Series. The Padres picked up their first playoff series victory in front of fans since 1998. They advance to the NLDS and will play the number-one seeded Los Angeles Dodgers. It will be one of four Division Series that are interdivision matchups, as the Philadelphia Phillies will play the Atlanta Braves and the Seattle Mariners will play the Houston Astros. The Cleveland Guardians will take on the New York Yankees in the other ALDS series.
The Seattle Mariners swept the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto over the weekend to win their first playoff series since 2001. How will they fare against their division rival? The Phillies swept the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend in St. Louis, winning their first postseason series since 2010. Do the fighting Phils have a fighting chance against the Braves?
How will a series between the team with baseball's third-highest payroll — the Yankees — and baseball's team with the third-lowest payroll — the Guardians — shake out? The Guardians walked off the Tampa Bay Rays in the 15th inning Saturday.
Jason and Jack break it all down!