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Robert ”Bam” Nieves Talks Peacock’s ’The Traitors’, Syracuse Football Career, NBA, NFL, Life, Faith

35 year-old sales executive and licensed NBA agent Robert "Bam" Nieves recently competed on Peacock's Emmy Award-nominated reality competition show, The Traitors. Four years ago, he appeared on the Netflix dating show, Dating Around. Prior to his time on reality television, he played running back for the Syracuse Orangemen football team from 2006 through 2010. Now, Bam visits the Jack Vita Show for the first time to discuss his time on The Traitors, his football career, his love for sports, his life and his Christian faith.
 
Bam suffered an unfortunate fate on The Traitors, as he was the second contestant murdered from the castle and the third player eliminated, in Episode 3. Bam had a close bond with Christian de la Torre, who proved to be a traitor, in every sense of the word. Christian played a critical role in the murder of Bam. Bam tells his side of the story on the Jack Vita Show. What was his plan, what went wrong for him, and what might have he done differently, if given a do-over?
 
What were Bam's thoughts on the celebrities and reality television veterans that he competed alongside, such as Rachel Reilly Villegas, Brandi Glanville, Kyle Cooke, Ryan Lochte, Arie Ludendyk Jr., Cody Calafiore and Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick? What about his fellow newbies? Who did Bam click with, and who has he since developed good friendships with, since competing on The Traitors, in Scotland? Bam provides a peak behind the curtain, and shares some information about what didn't make the air. Find out why Bam was convinced early on that Cody was a traitor. Bam shares his casting story and tells all on The Traitors.
 
Word on the street is that The Traitors Season 2 will be all celebrities. What are Bam's thoughts on the potential format? And what athletes would Bam like to see compete on Season 2?
 
Later on, Bam and Jack talk some sports. Bam reflects on his football career and time playing at Syracuse University, where he was teammates with future Super Bowl champion and two-time All Pro defensive end Chandler Jones. Bam has a great story of the first time he met two-time All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy, in high school! Bam and Jack discuss how the NFL and NBA have changed over the last 20 years. Jack details why his interest in both leagues has waned, as he has shifted more of his focus to college football and college basketball. Meanwhile, Bam defends the current state of the NBA. After all, he is a licensed NBA agent! Bam also discusses his work as an agent, and how he has helped bring talented athletes over from Africa, to the United States. Along the way, Jack and Bam debate the legacy of players that switch teams, and rehash the old Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady conversation. They also weigh in on what they believe Shohei Ohtani's future holds, as the MLB trade deadline quickly approaches, with Ohtani in the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
 
Lastly, Bam discusses his Christian faith and how he made attending church each Sunday a part of his weekly routine, and the impact it has since had on his life!
 
You can follow Bam on Instagram (@robert_bam_nieves)!
 
The Traitors (0:00 - 1:13:15)
Bam's football career, LeSean McCoy story, NBA, NFL and MLB talk (1:13:15 - 1:43:30)
Bam's sports agency, philanthropy and Christian faith (1:43:30 - END)

Who Should Start the 2023 MLB All-Star Game with Diamondbacks Beat Writer Jesse Friedman

PHNX Arizona Diamondbacks beat writer Jesse Friedman visits the Jack Vita Show to talk 2023 MLB All-Star Game starters.
Thursday evening, Major League Baseball announced the 18 starting position players for this year's All-Star Game in Seattle, scheduled to be played July 11 at T-Mobile Park. Voted on by the fans, Jesse and Jack run through this year's All-Star starters and share their thoughts on the fans did with the voting. Which selections did Jack and Jesse agree with, and who would they have had start instead? Who got snubbed? Jack and Jesse take you through their selections for each American League and National League position. They also take a look at the National League through the season's first half, discussing the most pleasant and disappointing surprises from teams in the season's first three months.

How Michael Davidson Survived the Double-Murder of His Parents, Stayed Alive on Peacock’s The Traitors

Earlier this year, Michael Davidson of Oneida, Kentucky, made his reality television debut, appearing on season one of Peacock's The Traitors. Michael visits the Jack Vita Show to discuss his time on The Traitors, along with his Survivor and Big Brother fandom, and share his incredible life story of overcoming terrible childhood trauma and going from an atheist to a born-again Christian.
 
Michael's parents were drug dealers, and when he was a small child, both of his parents were murdered in the middle of the night. Michael was raised by his grandmother, and due to her own health difficulties, Michael had to grow up quickly from a young age, so that he could help take care of her. Michael spent most of his childhood and early adult years feeling angry, and with good reason. He had been forced to overcome challenges at a young age that most Americans will never face. Unhappy, angry, and turned-off by the church caused by negative interactions with so-called "Christians", Michael was an atheist for much of his life. Then, in 2011, he visited a church with a friend, which led to an encounter with Jesus Christ that forever changed his life. Michael experienced a transformation of heart, as he went from an atheist to a born-again Christian. His newfound faith brought purpose, meaning, direction, peace and joy to his life.
 
From an early age, Michael was a big fan of reality television, particularly competition shows such as Survivor and Big Brother. His love for these shows was a temporary escape from his difficult circumstances. In fact, he even found inspiration from CBS icons Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Cirie Fields and Rachel Reilly — all of whom he would compete with and against on The Traitors. Michael discusses his Survivor and Big Brother fandom. How did Michael start watching, and who were some of his favorite Survivor contestants? What were some of his favorite seasons? What did he think of Stephenie and Cirie when he watched them from afar as a viewer, and did his view of either of them change in any way when he met them on The Traitors? What was it like meeting them for the first time? Find out how Cirie inspired Michael to apply for reality television. Hear about his in-game relationship with Stephenie, Cirie and Rachel. Would he have ever turned on any of them? Where did Michael's loyalties in the castle lie?
 
After growing up watching reality television, what was it like for Michael to finally get a chance to compete on a show, now as a full-grown adult and father in his mid-30s? Michael shares his casting story, and discusses his time on The Traitors. Michael gives his take on how the game played out while he was still in contention, and after. Michael was banished from the castle in the fourth episode, making him the sixth person eliminated from the show. He also shares some fun stories that didn't make the air, one of which involves U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte. Michael answers questions about the show's production, such as, Did the contestants actually live in the castle?
 
After appearing on The Traitors, Michael competed on an episode of Let's Make a Deal in April.
 
The first hour of today's show focuses on Michael's reality TV fandom and firsthand experiences on The Traitors. Later on, Michael tells his incredible life and faith story (1:03:50 - END). Hear about how Jesus Christ changed Michael's life, and how he survived childhood trauma.

Brooke Struck Stephens Talks Survivor: Guatemala, Pre-Jury Trip, Crocodiles, Christian Faith

18 years ago, Brooke Stephens — then Brooke Struck — embarked on a journey of a lifetime, when she traveled to the jungles of Guatemala to compete on the 11th season of Survivor, Survivor: Guatemala.
 
At the time, Brooke was a law student at Pepperdine University. Now, she practices family law in the Sacramento area and is a mother of three.
 
We catch up with Brooke and chat about her life since appearing on reality television in 2005. Brooke has not done very many interviews in recent years, so we were very thankful that she made time for the Jack Vita Show!
 
Brooke discusses her time on Survivor, her casting story, her take on her own season as a viewer, her thoughts on playing against returning players Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick and Bobby Jon Drinkard, stories from the Mayan Empire and more! Who was calling the shots on the original Nakum tribe? What would have happened, had there been no tribe swap? Who would have been voted out at the next Nakum tribal council, and how would the rest of the game have played out? What was Brooke's pre-jury trip like? But before Brooke answers these questions, she and Jack have a visit from a special, surprise guest.
 
Later on, Brooke talks about life after the show, her career in law and what it is like being a pastor's wife. Brooke opens up about her Christian faith, which helped guide her family through the loss of her father when she was just 11 years-old. Brooke shares her testimony and discusses why Jesus Christ is at the center of her life (1:21:00 - END). Along the way, there is plenty of Survivor discussion, fun and laughs, including the story of when Brooke and Jack met up in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this year! It's an episode you will not want to miss.
 
If you need a lawyer in the state of California, check out Brooke's law firm, Merus Law.

Golf Pro Garrett Powell (The Bachelorette) Talks LIV + PGA Tour Merger, 2023 US Open, Netflix’s ’Full Swing’

Senior golf correspondent (and former Bachelorette contestant) Garrett Powell returns to the Jack Vita Show to break down the recent merger between the LIV Tour and the PGA Tour, preview the 2023 US Open, and talk golf.
 
Garrett appeared on Hannah Brown's season of The Bachelorette, The Bachelorette Season 15, in 2019. He is a golf pro based in Birmingham, Alabama that first appeared on the Jack Vita Show two years ago. We check in with Garrett for the first time in over a year, as he makes his seventh appearance on the Jack Vita Show.
 
Last week, the PGA Tour announced its merger with the LIV Tour, a decision that sent shockwaves throughout the sport of golf. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan spent the last two years reminding golf fans of the LIV Tour's controversial ties to Saudi Arabia. It is a Saudi-backed Tour. So, what changed? How and why did Monahan arrive at the decision to merge the LIV Tour with the PGA Tour, and what does this mean for the future of professional golf? Garrett breaks it all down and shares his take.
 
The 2023 US Open (for golf) begins Thursday at the Los Angeles Country Club. Garrett previews the US Open, and shares his winner pick. Along the way, he and Jack discuss golf equipment, the importance of getting fitted clubs, Netflix's new golf series 'Full Swing' and its brilliant marketing strategy for the sport of golf, the growth of golf in recent years, and much more!
 
You can follow Garrett on Instagram (@rgarrettp) and visit Pebblehurst.com for fittings and lessons.

How Baseball Writer Manny Randhawa Went from Atheist to Born-Again Christian

MLB.com writer Manny Randhawa recently visited the Jack Vita Show to discuss a plethora of topics, including the Colorado Rockies' lingering struggles, Kris Bryant's performance in the second year of his seven-year contract with the team, and the surging Arizona Diamondbacks, who now have a 3.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
 
Among topics discussed was Manny's incredible faith story. Manny grew up with an abusive father that is a malignant narcissist. From a young age, he was taught by his father that there is no God. Manny grew up an atheist, despite attending church and a Christian school. His parents placed him in a Christian school, believing that it would keep him from being involved with the wrong crowd and getting into trouble.
 
Manny says that he has had two heart surgeries: the first, a physical one when he was a young child. The second was a spiritual one, where God replaced Manny's heart of stone and gave him a heart of flesh.
 
In this episode of the Jack Vita Show, we focus solely on Manny's incredible testimony and faith story. How does one go from being an atheist to a born-again Christian? Logically, how does one go from believing there is no God to not only believing in God, but dedicating his life to serving Jesus Christ? Manny shares his amazing story with Jack, as they discuss faith, apologetics, what attracts people to atheism, and much more along the way. It's an episode you won't want to miss!
 
Follow Manny on Twitter (@MannyOnMLB) and buy his book, The Blake Street Bombers, on Amazon. The Blake Street Bombers chronicles the Colorado Rockies' lineups of the mid 1990s, which featured sluggers Dante Bichette, Ellis Burks, Vinny Castilla, Andres Galarraga and Larry Walker.

Best MLB Draft Prospects to Watch in the 2023 College World Series, Latest Top 100 with Jim Callis

Senior writer for MLB Pipeline and MLB.com Jim Callis visits the Jack Vita Show, just in time for the Sweet 16 stage of the 2023 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.
 
Since 1988, Jim has covered college baseball and minor league prospects. He has become the go-to guy as it relates to MLB Draft and prospect analysis. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, he began working for Baseball America, where he eventually became the executive editor. Jim also worked for STATS, Inc., and in 2013, he joined MLB.com. In addition to working for MLB.com, Jim also contributes to MLB Network and Marquee Sports Network's Road to Wrigley show. Jim has served as color commentator on college baseball games that have aired on MLB Network. Next month, he will be an on-air analyst for MLB Network's presentation of the 2023 MLB Draft. Jim discusses his career and shares wisdom for young people that want to break into the sports media industry (0:00 - 18:55).
 
Jack and Jim discuss the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, and Jim weighs in on who the top players to watch for the remainder of the Tournament will be. Plus, who would Jim take with the no. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft: LSU outfielder Dylan Crews, LSU pitcher Paul Skenes, Tennessee pitcher Chase Dollander, or someone else? Which pitcher in this draft class does Jim think might be the greatest pitching prospect of all-time (18:55 - 39:30)?
 
With the MLB Draft Combine coming up soon, Jim shares his thoughts on the new combine. What kind of impact does it have on the Draft? Can it help players move up, or hurt them? What benefits do the Combine provide to players and teams alike? Then, Jim weighs in on the new MLB Draft Lottery (39:30 - 53:05).
 
Lastly, Jim and the rest of his team at MLB Pipeline recently completed their updated Top 100 MLB prospects rankings, pertaining to minor league players. Jim talks the updated rankings, and which prospects have impressed him and disappointed him the most in recent years (53:05 - END).
 
You can follow Jim on Twitter (@JimCallisMLB), check out his work at MLB Pipeline, and catch him on Marquee Sports Network's Road to Wrigley, along with Elise Menaker and Lance Brozdowski.

MLB.com Writer Manny Randhawa Talks Colorado Rockies, Kris Bryant, Faith Journey from Atheist to Born Again Christian

MLB.com reporter Manny Randhawa visits the Jack Vita Show for a lively discussion about the Colorado Rockies, the latest news from around Major League Baseball, and his Christian faith.
 
Manny has written for MLB.com as a national baseball writer and Colorado Rockies beat reporter since 2016. In his first visit to the Jack Vita Show, he weighs in on the Rockies' 2023 season and general direction. What exactly is the Rockies' plan, and where are they going? Why have they found themselves in last place in the National League West, just a few years removed from possessing a strong infield nucleus of Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMahieu and Trevor Story?
 
Just over a year ago, the Rockies signed former National League MVP and four-time All-Star Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract. Through his first 50 games in his second season with his new team, Bryant is slashing .263/.346/.719 with five home runs and 17 RBI. It's early, but Bryant hasn't played up to what many expected him to, especially with Coors Field as his home park. Manny weighs in on the Bryant signing, his contract and early struggles. Plus, shortstop Dansby Swanson signed virtually the same seven-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, that Bryant signed with the Rockies. If you were the Cubs, which contract would you rather have? Jack poses this question.
 
Manny and Jack take a close look at the National League West, which the Arizona Diamondbacks now lead, as they are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Can the D-Backs win the division? Back in 2018, the Diamondbacks and Rockies were both competing for an NL West division title in the final month of the season. Five years later, one team finds itself in first place, while the other is in last place. Manny and Jack break down the division and discuss the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres as well (0:00 - 1:03:00).
 
Later on, Manny opens up about his faith journey, in which he transformed from an atheist to a born again Christian. What led Manny on his path to Jesus Christ, and how has his life changed in the time since he first became a Christian? He also discusses growing up with an abusive father, undergoing heart surgery, and much more (1:03:00 - END)!
 
Follow Manny on Twitter (@MannyOnMLB) and buy his book, The Blake Street Bombers, on Amazon. The Blake Street Bombers chronicles the Colorado Rockies' lineups of the mid 1990s, which featured sluggers Dante Bichette, Ellis Burks, Vinny Castilla, Andres Galarraga and Larry Walker.