As host Cleon Wall and the Big Stories podcast team readies for a new season, they kick off a new biweekly check-in series as the podcast joins forces with BYUtv's Big Stories franchise this fall. And during these check-ins, they will also share some of the episodes BYUtv shared last fall.

First, meet Julius Thomas — a Portland State basketball player who walked past the football field every day, decided to try the sport at age 22, and went on to become an NFL Pro Bowler with the Denver Broncos. But his most impressive achievement came after football: Julius earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and now helps retired professional athletes rediscover their purpose and identity after sports.

Then, hear the story of Spencer Jones — a Stanford basketball standout who became the program's all-time leading three-point shooter, went undrafted, refused to quit, and ultimately earned a roster spot with the NBA's Denver Nuggets. His journey is a testament to outworking doubt.

Two athletes. Two paths. One big reminder: your greatest impact often comes not from what you accomplish for yourself, but from how you use those accomplishments to serve others.

Watch the full BYUtv Big Stories episodes at byusn.com.

From faith-filled miracles to moments of unexpected kindness, this season brought some truly incredible stories from real people living extraordinary lives. Thank you to every guest who opened up and shared a piece of their journey, and to every listener who tuned in.

As we close out Season 3, host Cleon Wall reflects on where the show has been — and where it's headed. Season 4 brings Big Stories back to its roots: uplifting, inspiring tales from the Big 12 and beyond, produced in partnership with BYUtv. Expect familiar faces checking back in, brand-new stories from across the Big 12 conference, and a more video-friendly format.

Season 4 drops this fall — and it just might be the best one yet.

Just like that, we have come to the end of another season of the Big Stories Podcast. Join producer/host Cleon Wall and assistant producer Brandon Thorpe as they discuss their favorite moments from season 3. Next week, join us as we reveal what we have planned for season 4. We can't wait to bring you more amazing and inspiring tales from around the Big 12 conference!

Kaitlyn Amos was a competitive soccer player for Baylor University — but an unexpected diagnosis during her freshman year changed everything. What followed was nearly a decade of navigating a serious heart condition, making difficult medical decisions, and figuring out who she was without the sport that had defined her. Along the way, she encountered a series of setbacks and unlikely turning points that ultimately led her to a new career as a cardiovascular genetic counselor, where she now sits on the other side of the table — helping patients face the kind of news she once received herself.

Guests:

Kaitlyn Amos - Cardiovascular Genetic Counselor at UVA Health

Maegan Moore - Kaitlyn's cousin

Scott Springer of the Cincinnati Enquirer joins to assess the state of the Bearcats now that Brendan Sorsby has transferred to Texas Tech — gambling allegations and all. We look at who steps in at quarterback, and whether head coach Scott Satterfield is on the hot seat after two late-season collapses.

Then, we continue our series on new Big 12 quarterbacks. Scott Wright of The Oklahoman breaks down how Drew Mestemaker followed head coach Eric Morris from North Texas to Oklahoma State — and why that partnership could be special. Then, Tyler Carter of the Believe in Iowa State podcast introduces us to Jalen Raynor, the Arkansas State transfer tasked with replacing the beloved Rocco Becht in Ames.

And in storylines, we talk about Texas Tech softball's stunning comeback, erasing an eight-run deficit with two outs in the seventh inning to advance to the Super Regionals.

Taylor Talbot grew up competing in track and field while losing her sight to a degenerative eye condition. After competing in the Paralympics, her path took an unexpected turn during her unique mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, eventually leading her away from the track and into the world of paratriathlon. Now based in Tucson, she’s training with Wesley Johnson, the head coach of the University of Arizona’s women’s triathlon program. In this episode, Taylor and Coach Wes talk about the road that brought them both here and the goals and aspirations they’re working towards in the future.

Guests:

Taylor Talbot - Paratriathlete

Wesley Johnson - University of Arizona Women's Triathlete Head Coach

Collin Klein has come home. The former Kansas State QB and offensive coordinator is now the head coach of the Wildcats. In this podcast, host Cleon Wall talks with 3 Maw Podcast and Open for Business Podcast host John Kurtz about whether there is pressure on Klein in his first season.

Then we take a look at another school involved in the quarterback carousel with the West Virginia Mountaineers. Ryan Decker from the Blue and Gold Nation weighs in on the unknown in Morgantown.

Big Stories host Cleon Wall had to take some time off for the funeral of a family member, so we decided to replay one of our favorite stories from Season 1.

Former Texas Tech tennis coach Tim Siegel's son Luke suffered severe brain damage from a golf cart accident, but Tim's strength and faith in God carried him through years of caring for Luke. He also started Team Luke Hope for Minds — a foundation dedicated to supporting families through the devastating journey of traumatic childhood brain injuries.

Guests:

Tim Siegel - Team Luke Hope For Minds Executive Director

The Big 12 makes history as the first major college athletics conference to approve a private equity deal — but is it really a game-changer? We break down the partnership and what it could mean for the conference's next TV rights negotiation, with John Kurtz from the Open for Business Podcast.

Then, we shift to the quarterback carousel spinning across the Big 12 this spring. Mark Van Sickle (Jayhawker Talker Podcast) previews the three-man QB battle in Lawrence, Kansas, while Richie Bradshaw (Devil's Advocate Podcast) sizes up Cutter Boley as Arizona State's new signal caller under Kenny Dillingham.

Plus, Seth Dowdell (Believe in TCU Podcast) joins us for a full spring update on the Horned Frogs — new QB Jayden Craig, new offensive coordinator Gordon Samis, Andy Avalos's defense, and what a successful 2026 season looks like for Sonny Dykes.

While watching her son’s basketball practice, Stacy McDaniel noticed several kids sitting on the sidelines—not because they didn’t want to play, but because they lacked the proper equipment. What began as a personal response to a problem she couldn’t ignore grew into one of the most impactful youth sports nonprofits in the state: Cleats for Kids. In this episode, Stacy shares powerful moments from helping kids find their place on the court and field, the challenges of building an organization from the ground up, and why she believes access to sports can be life‑changing for a child’s future.

Guests:

Stacy McDaniel - Executive Director and Co-Founder of Cleats For Kids

A. Jaye Johnson -  Vice President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County