Big Stories

BYUtv and the University of Utah teamed up to tell the story of a man whose life was shaped by people who saw past his mistakes. From a mugshot to a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the NFL, his life proves that one act of love can change everything. Host Cleon Wall sits down with director Matt Hodgson and producer Dave Phillips Jr. to dive into the story of former U...

Before ASU lineman Jalen Klemm ever took the field for the Sun Devils, a mysterious medical emergency left him hospitalized and fighting for answers. Host Cleon Wall sits down with BYUtv producer Brandon Crow to explore Jalen's remarkable journey after suffering a stroke, the people who rallied around him, and the faith that fueled his return to football.

Most athletes spend a lifetime searching for the perfect teammate. Former UCF Football standouts Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin found theirs at birth. Born with only one hand, Shaquem made it to the NFL, and his brother was by his side every step of the way. Host Cleon Wall sits down with BYUtv Big Stories producer Brandon Crow and director Zane O’Gwin to explore a story of faith, family, and the un...

Before he was a Notre Dame champion, Chris Zorich was a kid whose entire world fit into a four-block stretch of Chicago’s South Side. Host Cleon Wall sits down with Brandon Crow and Zane O’Gwin to trace Zorich’s journey—from a single mom’s sacrifice to becoming one of college football's most fearsome competitors. Behind the legendary scowl and relentless grit was a heart that defied his tough exte...

Growing up as the only girl in the wrestling room, Alli St. John had to show she belonged — wearing pink shoes, facing doubters, and constantly having to prove herself. That little girl became a two-time national champion, a Team USA wrestler, and an Olympic hopeful whose dream ended in the most painful way imaginable. But wrestling has a funny way of giving back what it takes away. BYUtv’s Brando...

When a tragic car accident left TCU equestrian Sydney Feager with catastrophic injuries, doctors gave her a grim diagnosis: she might never walk again—let alone ride a horse. But Sydney defied every expectation. In this episode, host Cleon Wall sits down with BYUtv producer Brandon Crowe and director Zane O'Gwynn to unpack a story that goes far beyond survival. Discover how faith, relentless deter...

Host Cleon Wall will be back next week with more inspiring and uplifting tales from around the Big 12 conference. But this week, we are featuring one of BYUradio's other great podcasts, Top of Mind with Julie Rose. In this episode, Julie explores whether sports fandom is good for America. The episode takes a closer look at why we become so invested in sports and what that fandom can mean for our r...

What does it take to turn tragedy into purpose? Host Cleon Wall, producer Brandon Crow, and director Zane O'Gwin dive into the inspiring story of former Colorado State offensive lineman Zack Golditch. From surviving the Aurora theater shooting to protecting his community as a firefighter and helping children through his foundation, Golditch has built a life defined by service and resilience. The t...

Before he became a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker, Lance Briggs was the smallest kid on his team—and terrified of contact. In this episode, host Cleon Wall, producer Brandon Crowe, and director Zane O'Gwin trace the former Arizona Wildcat's evolution on and off the field. From his passion for comic books and youth coaching to a graphic novel inspired by his childhood, candid stories from Lance, hi...

Season 4 of The Big Stories Podcast begins with the incredible rise of the Utah Tech pickleball team and how they put people before pickleball. Host Cleon Wall is joined by producer Ben Bagley and director Travis Moore to explore BYUtv's Big Story on the Trailblazer team that transformed from a campus social club into one of the country's most dominant collegiate programs. Beyond the wins, this ep...

In our final installment of the summer BYUTV Big Stories rewind series, host Cleon Wall recaps two more of BYUTV's big stories from season 3. First, former UFC champion Rich Franklin shares how he traded fame and championship belts for something more meaningful — faith and community. Then, NFL veteran Latavius Murray opens up about losing his best friend and how he's turning tragedy into a lasting...

The Big Stories Podcast is back on September 3. In this season preview, host Cleon Wall discusses the podcast's exciting partnership with BYUtv and teases some of the incredible stories featured in season four.

In this episode, host Cleon Wall takes you through two more inspiring stories from Big Stories Season 3 on BYUtv. First, meet Graham Harrell — Texas Tech legend and Ring of Honor inductee. Beyond his record-breaking passing career, Graham's story is one of faith, family, and resilience, from his father's battle with multiple sclerosis to navigating the highs and lows of a coaching career that even...

The Big Stories team is excited to check in again and feature two more stories from BYUTV's Big Stories last fall. From small-town Fruitland, Idaho, Jordan Gross went on to play offensive line at the University of Utah, was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2003, and had a successful NFL career. After retiring, he returned home to coach football at his high school, becoming a beloved mentor to h...

Welcome back to another bi-weekly feature of BYUTV's Big Stories episodes from last fall. First, meet Kevin Pittsnogle, a former Mountaineer basketball star known for his sharpshooting on the court. After stepping away from the game, he earned a master's degree in special education and became a middle school principal, transforming a struggling school and proving that the labels placed on us don't...

Welcome back to another bi-weekly check-in as we prepare to join forces with BYUtv's Big Stories this fall. In the meantime, enjoy an update from a couple of their episodes from last fall. First, meet Lex Gillette — a Paralympic long jump champion who lost his sight at age eight and went on to become one of the most decorated blind athletes in the world. Today, he dedicates his life to helping oth...

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,...

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...

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 point...

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 dow...

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...

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. Ry...

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 foundat...

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 (Jayha...