The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Jason McCourty: From the Locker Room to the State House

What happens when the final whistle blows on a 13-year NFL career, but the passion for your community is just getting started? In this special episode of The Just Life, in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM), host Benjamin Watson sits down with his former New England Patriots teammate, Super Bowl champion, and current CBS/ESPN analyst Jason McCourty. Broadcasting live from the Super Bowl in San Francisco, the former teammates reminisce about the unique brotherhood of the NFL locker room and dive deep into what it truly means to be a voice for justice. From an eye-opening police ride-along in Nashville that exposed the reality of the school-to-prison pipeline, to testifying alongside his identical twin brother, Devin, at the Massachusetts State House for a landmark $1 billion education bill, Jason shares his evolution from an athlete "giving back" to a dedicated advocate for structural reform. They also discuss the power of the Players Coalition, the personal mission behind their Tackle Sickle Cell campaign, the digital divide exposed by COVID-19, and the beautiful, complex chaos of fatherhood. Key Takeaways:  The Locker Room Sanctuary: Why the NFL locker room is a rare space where guys from all walks of life can safely disagree on politics, religion, and social issues, yet maintain a foundation of mutual respect and deep trust. The Catalyst for Activism: How Colin Kaepernick taking a knee in 2016 sparked a wave of awareness that led Jason to ask himself: “What work am I going to do on Monday to back up the fist I put up on Sunday?” Exposing the School-to-Prison Pipeline: Jason shares a sobering story from a local Nashville elementary school ride-along that changed his perspective on how standard policy can criminalize normal childhood behavior. The Power of the Outside Bridge: Why athletes and everyday citizens don’t need to be policy experts to make a difference; instead, they can use their platforms to amplify grassroots experts and facilitate tough, cross-sector conversations. Shining a Light on the Education Gap: The behind-the-scenes story of how a group of newly crowned Super Bowl champions walked into the Massachusetts State House to successfully advocate for a $1 billion education funding bill to raise the baseline for underserved communities. Demystifying Sickle Cell Disease: Jason explains the hereditary history of Sickle Cell, its connection to malaria resistance on the African continent, and why breaking the cultural taboo of silence around the trait is so crucial for Black and African-American families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Sam Acho: From the NFL Gridiron to Eradicating Food Deserts and Modern Slavery

What happens when you trade standard Slack notifications and offseason relaxation for a deep-dive immersion into the front lines of human rights? In this special partnership episode with the International Justice Mission (IJM), Benjamin Watson sits down with nine-year NFL veteran, author, and ESPN analyst Sam Acho. Sam opens up about his unique childhood navigating spaces as the son of Nigerian immigrants, moving between a predominantly Black church, a predominantly white school, and summer medical missions in Nigeria. He shares how these early experiences planted a lifelong hunger for systemic equity, leading him to an NFLPA externship with IJM that altered the course of his philanthropic life. From taking a quiet, eye-opening bus ride through the West Side of Chicago to purchasing a local liquor store to build a community-run food market (Austin Harvest), Sam challenges listeners to move past passive social media activism and use their specific, everyday gifts to execute tangible justice. 1. The Power of Proximity: Sam discusses how a one-week NFLPA externship at IJM's headquarters completely transformed his perspective on human trafficking, moving him from an onlooker who writes checks to an active, lifelong partner. 2. Navigating Identity in the Gray Space: Growing up as a cultural "outcast" who didn't quite fit the traditional frameworks of Black or white America, Sam describes how his Nigerian heritage and unique upbringing allowed him to spot systemic gaps and injustices early in life. 3. Moving Beyond the Timeline: A poignant critique on modern activism—the difference between tweeting "thoughts and prayers" and actually getting on your knees or using your capital to impact real people. 4. The Genesis of Austin Harvest: How a quiet listening session with Chicago youth during the pain of 2020 led a coalition of professional athletes to buy out a local liquor store and convert it into a thriving, youth-operated fresh food mart in a designated food desert. 5. Legacy Through Action: Inspired by his parents' 40-year commitment to medical mission work in Nigeria, Sam breaks down why you don't need a massive platform or political office to act—you simply need to find a community need and fill it. Resources Mentioned International Justice Mission (IJM) [https://www.ijm.org]: A global organization partnering with local authorities to combat human trafficking, modern slavery, and violence against the poor. Austin Harvest: A fresh produce market on Chicago's West Side, transformed from a liquor store by local youth and Chicago athletes. Sam Acho's Books:  Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes Change Starts with You: Following Your Fire to Heal a Broken World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Kirk Cousins: The Prayer That Changed His Life

In this special episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with 14-year NFL veteran, Bart Starr Award winner, and quarterback Kirk Cousins. Partnering with the International Justice Mission (IJM), Benjamin and Kirk explore what it means to live out biblical justice, the reality of spiritual warfare on the front lines, and how a prayer Kirk muttered as a 17-year-old high school student shaped his approach to generosity and advocacy in the NFL. Takeaways: * The Innate Sense of Justice: Kirk discusses how humans are born with an intrinsic understanding of right and wrong, using his young son's natural desire to "referee" the neighborhood as a prime example of how our spirits are created to long for justice. * A 20-Year Journey with IJM: Kirk shares the origin story of his commitment to combating human trafficking, which began at age 17 when he heard IJM founder Gary Haugen speak at a Sunday night church service. * An Answered Prayer: As a teenager, Kirk prayed that God would give him the resources to fund the fight against trafficking. Years later, finding himself playing in Washington DC with an NFL contract exceeding his wildest dreams, he knew it was time to fulfill his end of that prayer. * The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Reflecting on a powerful moment between his pastor father and Gary Haugen, Kirk reminds listeners that combating systemic oppression isn't just a physical battle; it's spiritual warfare that requires preeminent prayer. * The Trap of Distraction: Kirk opens up with vulnerability about the daily distractions of adulthood and how he continuously checks his own heart to ensure personal comfort doesn't cloud his ability to see the desperate needs of others. * Defining "The Just Life": Drawing from Micah 6:8, Kirk shares that a just life is defined by three simple but profound commands: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Resources: International Justice Mission (IJM): Learn more about the global fight against human trafficking and modern slavery at https://www.ijm.orgIJM.org [http://ijm.org]. Team Freedom: Join the growing community of professional athletes and families dedicating their platforms to ending slavery. Subscribe & Review: If you were inspired by this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to The Just Life on your favorite podcast platform! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Dr. Bernice King: The Truth About Nonviolence

What does nonviolence actually demand and who does it require us to become? Benjamin Watson welcomes Dr. Bernice King, CEO of The King Center and a leading global voice for social change, for a conversation that moves beyond legacy and into calling. Though many know her as the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, this exchange reveals a fuller picture an athlete’s drive, a creative spirit shaped by music, and a leader committed to being what she calls a “solutionist” in a fractured world. Dr. King challenges the common view of nonviolence as passive, presenting it instead as a disciplined, strategic force capable of real transformation. She confronts the “myth of scarcity,” expands the imagination for what justice can look like, and calls the church to lead with clarity, anchored not in shifting culture, but in a biblical vision of justice rooted in love. Key Takeaways: - The Person Behind the Podium: Dr. King shares rare stories of her upbringing, her competitive nature in sports, and her family’s deep connection to music and the arts. - Nonviolence 365: An exploration of why nonviolence requires more than just "letting your voice be heard"—it requires strategy, infrastructure, and an understanding of the adversary’s position. - The "World House" Philosophy: Why justice in the Congo or Gaza is inextricably linked to justice in the United States, and why we must shift our loyalties from the "tribal" to the "human." - A New Kind of Capitalism: Challenging the "scarcity mindset" and discussing the potential for compassionate, inclusive economic systems. - Moral Accountability: How to separate "the evil from the person" to maintain a focus on systemic transformation rather than personal destruction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Tony Dungy: What It Costs to Stand for Your Faith

In this episode of The Just Life, host Benjamin Watson sits down with Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl-winning coach, Tony Dungy. They explore the intersection of faith and justice, discussing Dungy’s controversial decision to speak at the March for Life, the legacy of his father, and the ongoing challenges regarding racial representation in NFL leadership. Key Takeaways:  - The Courage of Conviction: Coach Dungy discusses his appearance at the 2023 March for Life. He explains why he viewed the national prayer for DeMar Hamlin as a catalyst for recognizing the sanctity of all life, despite the significant professional pushback he received from NBC and the public. - A Legacy of "Making it Better": Dungy shares the moving story of his father, Wilbur Dungy. Only at his father's funeral did Tony discover he was a Tuskegee Airman. He reflects on his father’s mantra: "If they don't want you to fly, sometimes you have to teach yourself," and how that shaped Tony's approach to coaching and civil rights. - Diversity in the NFL: A look at the 2026 coaching cycle and the systemic hurdles facing African-American coaches. Dungy breaks down why the "quarterback whisperer" prototype often excludes minority talent and how he intentionally built his own coaching tree (including Mike Tomlin and Lovie Smith) by going the extra mile in talent scouting. - The Definition of Justice: Dungy defines justice not as a "skin problem" but a "sin problem," rooted in a standard established by God rather than the fickle trends of man. - The Power of Fatherhood: The conversation concludes with the importance of fatherhood as a justice issue - passing down capital, ideals, and faith to the next generation to fight for those without a voice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]