Big Stories

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

New coaches, big questions, and conference milestones — it's all happening in the Big 12.

We break down the five biggest storylines, including Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's NCAA gambling investigation.

Then, we dive into our query of the week: how will new coaches fare in new places? Locked On Oklahoma State's Cody Stovall previews the Eric Morris era in Stillwater, and Ben Hutchins of the Quad City Times looks at what Jimmy Rogers is building in Ames after Matt Campbell's departure to Penn State.

Finally, we head to Boulder for a spring football check-in with the Colorado Buffaloes. Brian Howell of the Boulder Daily Camera breaks down what Coach Prime is working with in Year 4, from a high-volume transfer class to a new offensive system and a last-minute defensive coordinator change.

Kim Dobbs has been a Bearcat longer than she can remember — and after 30 years as an elementary school teacher, she found a new way to invest in the next generation. She now funds multiple scholarships for UC student athletes, walking alongside them as a mentor, attending their games, and hosting them for dinners. In this episode, Kim reflects on her deep roots at Cincinnati, the legacy she's building in honor of her late husband, and why giving back and investing in the University of Cincinnati is what it means to be "Boldly Bearcat."

Guests:

Kim Dobbs - Philanthropist and Cincinnati Graduate

Brooke Atwood - UC student and member of the dance team

Reid Ryan - UC student and member of the cheer squad

Picture Credit: The UC Foundation

Spring sports are dominating the Big 12, but Big Stories is locked in on spring football. Host Cleon Wall debuts a new format that brings together short, insightful clips from podcasters and reporters across the conference, breaking down the biggest storylines shaping the football landscape.

In storylines, we discuss two schools with brand-new head coaches: Utah and Kansas State. Alex Markham from the Ute Nation Podcast explains why it was the right time for Morgan Scalley to take over at Utah, and Drew Galloway of K-State Online talks about why Colin Klein wants to get back to the basics.

Then, it’s story time in central Texas. Zach Smith of the Waco Tribune joins the show to discuss Baylor football’s evolving identity, spotlighting fresh faces at quarterback and a revamped defensive look heading into the fall.

When Anthony Weatherspoon suited up for the Colorado Buffaloes, he wasn't just a fullback — he was the kind of teammate people never forgot. So when leukemia threatened his life, his former brothers in black and gold refused to stand on the sidelines. What started as a rallying cry for one of their own became something much bigger: Buffs4Life, a foundation built on the belief that being a Colorado Buffalo doesn't end when your playing days do. In this episode, we explore how that spirit of loyalty has carried families through illness, loss, financial hardship, and grief — and why, more than 20 years later, the Buffs are still showing up for each other, shoulder to shoulder.

Guests:

Lance Carl - President of the Buffs4Life Foundation

Debra Spivey

College basketball's offseason is officially here, and it's chaotic — but is that a bad thing? Host Cleon Wall breaks down the biggest storylines of the week, starting with the transfer portal frenzy reshaping rosters across the Big 12.

Then, the NBA Draft picture comes into focus as ESPN finally reshuffles their top 100 — and BYU's AJ Dybantsa edges out Kansas' Darren Peterson for the top spot. What does that mean for both players heading into their professional careers?

Plus, All Sports Tucson's Steve Rivera joins to wrap up Arizona's remarkable season — a record-setting run that fell just short of playing in the national title game. What made this Wildcats team so special, why Tommy Lloyd chose to stay in Tucson over the lure of North Carolina, and who will be the hardest player to replace?