From ESPN to a Leap of Faith

About

For 17 years Jason Romano had what many American men would consider a dream job: working at ESPN producing shows ranging from College Gameday to Monday Night Football broadcasts. So why did he leave it behind to make less money at a startup podcast? For Jason, it was simple: he realized he was drawing too much of his identity from work and not enough from Christ. 

Now the host and producer of the “Sports Spectrum” podcast, Jason talks with Nate Dewberry this week about that life change, as well as what started him on a path to discipleship that, nearly two decades later, is ongoing. He offers important advice for men struggling to discuss their faith with family members, as well as people in danger of letting their spiritual path be dictated by strangers online. And yes, there’s some sports talk as well—including inspiring examples of discipleship from this year’s World Cup and Jason’s story of how he built a Christ-centered friendship with one of his childhood baseball idols.

Show Notes

Segment chapters

Think about it

Sit with these before you say anything out loud.

When a job became an identity.

(5:13) Has there ever been a time in your life when work was your identity? Did it become your identity because you loved your job that much, or because you had so many responsibilities they took over your life? What were some things that fell by the wayside as you became more work-focused?

Scripture: Colossians 3:23–24; Matthew 6:24

What I realized I was leaving behind:

The career crossroads.

(8:36) Have you ever been presented with a career opportunity that seemed more fun, less stressful, and/or more fulfilling than your existing job, but also paid a lot less? Did you stick with your current job or take the leap of faith? Do you ever wish you’d made a different choice?

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6

The chance I had:

The decision I made:

Talk it out

These are worth saying out loud in a group, with a brother, or with God himself.

The spiritual guide.

(16:37) Who is the single person who had the greatest influence on your decision to turn to faith? Did they talk to you about it directly, like Jason’s younger brother did, or did they influence you less directly, perhaps by presenting an example of discipleship you felt compelled to follow?

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17

The hardest nut to crack.

(20:54) Of the people in your life, with whom do you find it most challenging to have a conversation about faith? Do those challenges stem from their reluctance or stand-offishness, or from your own uncertainty or aversion to bringing up difficult topics?

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 4:2

The journey, not the destination.

(26:15) Some people give their lives to Christ thinking (or hoping) that it’s just a “one-shot deal.” When you began your walk with Christ, was there any part of you that felt similarly? Who helped you understand that spiritual transformation is a lifelong journey? What did they do to help you strengthen that commitment?

Scripture: Philippians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 3:18

Take action

Don’t let this stay in your head. Do something with it.

Making my discipleship real.

(33:08) It can be tempting to look for ways to make discipleship easy and convenient, something we can do in a few minutes of scrolling on social media. Do you face this temptation in your life? What can you do to “re-center” yourself and re-commit to being out in the world, sharing and developing your faith in real community with others?

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24–25

The temptations I face:

How I’m going to live my faith in the real world:

Closing

Jason is a prime example of someone who had a life and career many of us would envy, but sensed that something was still missing—so he made two courageous decisions. The first was to come to faith and commit to following Christ; the second was to make a potentially risky career move to something more faith-centered. He doesn’t regret either one.

You may not be at that kind of turning point in your career or your faith journey, but every day we have little opportunities to exchange earthly satisfaction for godly fulfillment. What’s a worldly pleasure you can detach from this week—and what will you spend that time and energy on instead?

Scripture: Philippians 3:8

“Sports Spectrum” podcast

Jason’s books:

Live to Forgive: Moving Forward When Those We Love Hurt Us

The Uniform of Leadership: Lessons on True Success from My ESPN Life