Jack Vita Show

Join Jack Vita, sportswriter (jackvita.com), journalist and Valparaiso alum each week for an in-depth recap of the latest news, stories and scores from the world of sports, featuring thoughtful, fun and entertaining analysis, and exclusive conversations with a wide variety of guests, including professional athletes, reality TV personalities, musicians, writers, podcasters, friends and other interesting folks! In addition to his weekly sports recaps, Jack will occasionally discuss a Chex Mix of other topics, such as reality competition shows (such as Survivor, The Challenge and The Amazing Race), television, music, movies, entertainment, food, faith and life. While Jack doesn't strictly "stick to sports", he does steer clear of any and all political conversations. If you're tired of the screaming matches, political partisanship and noise, that are infecting the sports media, this is the show for you!

Episodes

Survivor Historians Jay Fischer, Mario Lanza Break Down the MLB Playoff Race

September 21, 2023 • 145 mins

Cohosts of the Survivor Historians Podcast, Jay Fischer and Mario Lanza, return to the Jack Vita Show to discuss the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners and a tight MLB playoff chase in both the National and American League, with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season. Having grown up in Southern California, Jay is a lifelong Dodgers fan. The Dodgers recently clinched another National League West division tit...

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Could Angels Trade Mike Trout? Texas Rangers’ Collapse; Cody Bellinger, Aaron Nola Price Estimates

September 11, 2023 • 56 mins

Top news breaker and longtime USA Today national baseball writer Bob Nightengale returns to the Jack Vita Show to discuss the latest happenings from around the world of baseball. Bob reported Sunday that the Los Angeles Angels are open to trading Mike Trout, if Trout tells the front office that he wants out. Bob explains and provides further information. Could the Angels possibly lose Trout and Shohei Ohtani this winter? Bo...

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Cody Bellinger for NL MVP? Orestes Destrade on Cubs’ Remarkable Run, Shohei Ohtani’s Future, Wander Franco

September 5, 2023 • 78 mins

Longtime MLB analyst, broadcaster and insider Orestes Destrade returns to the Jack Vita Show, to weigh in on the Chicago Cubs' surprising and incredible run, the Tampa Bay Rays playing without Wander Franco, Shohei Ohtani's future, the best Japanese baseball players coming over to the United States to play in Major League Baseball, and more. Orestes has contributed to the Jack Vita Show for three years now, and is always a ...

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Mario Lanza on the First-Place Seattle Mariners, Shohei Ohtani’s Injury, Texas Rangers’ Collapse

August 29, 2023 • 131 mins

Writer, published author, creator of the Funny 115 and lifelong Seattle sports fan Mario Lanza returns to the Jack Vita Show at the perfect time: the Seattle Mariners are in sole possession of first place in the American League West! Entering July 20, the Mariners were 47-48, 10 games back of the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West. In a little over a month, the M's have not only caught up with the Rangers, but sur...

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Is Cole Hamels a Hall of Famer? Padres’ Playoff Chances, Best Minor League Stories with Tim Hagerty

August 22, 2023 • 77 mins

Tim Hagerty has been the play-by-play voice for the El Paso Chihuahuas, the San Diego Padres' Triple-A affiliate team, since their inaugural season in 2014. He has been calling Triple-A games for the Padres since 2008. Tim visits the Jack Vita Show to discuss the Padres' struggles in 2023, the National League Wild Card race, the Hall of Fame candidacy of recently retired Cole Hamels (who signed a minor league contract with the Pa...

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Why Amanda Clark-Stoner Left Peacock’s ’The Traitors’; How She Overcame Drug Abuse, Found Jesus

August 17, 2023 • 106 mins

Earlier this year, emergency room nurse Amanda Clark-Stoner appeared on the first season of Peacock's reality competition show, The Traitors. Amanda visits the Jack Vita Show to discuss her time competing on The Traitors and share her incredible life story of overcoming drug addiction and depression and turning to Jesus Christ. Amanda placed 12th on The Traitors. Despite having strong relationships with the cast, as a faith...

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The Fall of the Pac-12, Potential Ohtani Free Agent Landing Spots, Los Angeles Angels’ Losing Skid

August 13, 2023 • 66 mins

Rhett Bollinger covers the Los Angeles Angels for MLB.com and is a proud USC alum. He returns to the Jack Vita Show this week to discuss a wide variety of topics, including the Angels' immediate struggles following the trade deadline, and the murky future of the Pac-12 Conference. First, Rhett and Jack talk all things Pac-12. A week ago, it was announced that Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah would all be joining th...

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Miss Indiana USA 2023 Haley Jordan on Sports, Pageants, Overcoming Grief, Finding Hope in Jesus

August 6, 2023 • 35 mins

Last month, 25 year-old sports reporter Haley Jordan was crowned Miss Indiana USA 2023. She will compete in the Miss USA pageant in Reno, Nevada later this fall, which will ultimately feed into the Miss Universe pageant in November. Haley has been a longtime friend of the Jack Vita Show! She first appeared on the podcast back in early 2021, helping Jack break down the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. The following mont...

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Why the Los Angeles Angels Aren’t Trading Shohei Ohtani + Giolito Trade + White Sox’ Plans + MLB Trade Deadline Preview

July 27, 2023 • 45 mins

Top news breaker and longtime USA Today national baseball writer Bob Nightengale returns to the Jack Vita Show, just days before the 2023 MLB trade deadline. Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Angels made a statement, trading five players for Chicago White Sox All-Star starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and bullpen arm Reynaldo Lopez. The Angels have made themselves clear: they are not trading Shohei Ohtani, and have every intent...

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

July 23, 2023 • 125 mins

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 t...

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

June 30, 2023 • 87 mins

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. Whic...

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

June 24, 2023 • 108 mins

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,...

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

June 15, 2023 • 106 mins

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 tel...

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

June 14, 2023 • 72 mins

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 c...

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

June 12, 2023 • 59 mins

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. Man...

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

June 8, 2023 • 73 mins

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 Ame...

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

June 1, 2023 • 118 mins

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'...

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Will the Angels Trade Shohei Ohtani? Could Angels Re-Sign Him?... How to Stop Tanking in Pro Sports

May 26, 2023 • 77 mins

Rhett Bollinger has covered the Los Angeles Angels on MLB.com since 2019. This week, he joins us on the Jack Vita Show to discuss the latest news and stories from around Major League Baseball. Perhaps the best story of the week is the rapid emergence of Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak. In 2016, the Philadelphia Phillies made Moniak the no. 1 overall pick in the MLB Amateur Draft. Moniak made his Major League debut in 2020, ...

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Seattle Mariners’ Play-By-Play Broadcaster Dave Sims Talks Mariners, Astros, AL West, Mob Movies

May 19, 2023 • 58 mins

Longtime play-by-play broadcaster Dave Sims visits the Jack Vita Show for the first time! Since 2007, Dave has served as the Seattle Mariners' lead television play-by-play broadcaster, while also calling some of the team's games on the radio. He contributes to MLB Network as an analyst, and cohosts the Sirius XM radio program Basketball and Beyond with Coach K. Dave has called NFL, college football, NBA and college basketba...

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Survivor’s Danni Boatwright Talks Youth Sports, Baseball and the Transfer Portal

May 15, 2023 • 87 mins

'Survivor: Guatemala' winner Danni Boatwright returns to the Jack Vita Show, two weeks removed from her first appearance.

Last time, Danni answered questions about her time on Survivor: Guatemala and Survivor: Winners at War, discussing her time on reality television and her sports media and hosting career. This time around, Danni and Jack talk sports!

First things first, Danni has some stories from the weekend, as does Jack. Danni...

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Jack Vita Show

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Survivor Historians Jay Fischer, Mario Lanza Break Down the MLB Playoff Race

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Could Angels Trade Mike Trout? Texas Rangers’ Collapse; Cody Bellinger, Aaron Nola Price Estimates

Cody Bellinger for NL MVP? Orestes Destrade on Cubs’ Remarkable Run, Shohei Ohtani’s Future, Wander Franco

Mario Lanza on the First-Place Seattle Mariners, Shohei Ohtani’s Injury, Texas Rangers’ Collapse

Is Cole Hamels a Hall of Famer? Padres’ Playoff Chances, Best Minor League Stories with Tim Hagerty

Why Amanda Clark-Stoner Left Peacock’s ’The Traitors’; How She Overcame Drug Abuse, Found Jesus

The Fall of the Pac-12, Potential Ohtani Free Agent Landing Spots, Los Angeles Angels’ Losing Skid

Miss Indiana USA 2023 Haley Jordan on Sports, Pageants, Overcoming Grief, Finding Hope in Jesus

Why the Los Angeles Angels Aren’t Trading Shohei Ohtani + Giolito Trade + White Sox’ Plans + MLB Trade Deadline Preview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Will the Angels Trade Shohei Ohtani? Could Angels Re-Sign Him?... How to Stop Tanking in Pro Sports

Seattle Mariners’ Play-By-Play Broadcaster Dave Sims Talks Mariners, Astros, AL West, Mob Movies

Survivor’s Danni Boatwright Talks Youth Sports, Baseball and the Transfer Portal

Popular Podcasts

For You.css-1r2bfgw{margin:0 0 -2px 5px;}

Survivor Historians Jay Fischer, Mario Lanza Break Down the MLB Playoff Race

Could Angels Trade Mike Trout? Texas Rangers’ Collapse; Cody Bellinger, Aaron Nola Price Estimates

For You