Cowboys not Eggheads

Send us Fan Mail In observance of September 11, Cowboys Not Eggheads revisits Fred Rogers’ enduring advice during times of tragedy: “Look for the helpers.” Sam Fischer is joined by three remarkable helpers—Bri Siegert, Jillian Watts and Brandi (Muhle) Preston—for a deeply personal conversation about service, sacrifice and the lasting impact one person can have on others. They remember where they w...

Send us Fan Mail Killer Kane — Chapter 12: Respect and Curiosity Forty years later, Sam Fischer is left with two feelings about Coach Jim “Killer” Kane: respect and curiosity. In the final chapter of Killer Kane , Sam looks back at the coach who demanded discipline, toughness and loyalty—and at the questions Kane never answered. Why did he rely so heavily on his starting eleven? Where did Sam actu...

Send us Fan Mail Chapter 11: The Trident What does it mean to finish something difficult when nobody hands you a trophy for it? In Chapter 11 of Killer Kane , Sam Fischer connects his eleven years of CrossFit training with the lessons that survived three football seasons under Coach Jim “Killer” Kane at Mount Michael. The connection isn’t about hearing Kane’s voice in the gym or pretending high sc...

Send us Fan Mail Killer Kane Audio Memoir — Chapter 10: Don’t Be a Victim For years, I carried the easiest version of the story: Jim “Killer” Kane told me he would find me a place to play, he didn’t, and I was the one who suffered the consequences. Then, nearly forty years later, I stood at his grave intending to curse him out. Instead, I apologized. In Chapter 10 of the Killer Kane Audio Memoir ,...

Send us Fan Mail Chapter 9: Seeking Affirmation From That Guy Decades after their final football season, Sam Fischer and Tom Lewis sit down to talk about Jim “Killer” Kane—and discover they may still be trying to prove something to him. Neither was a star. Neither played much. Yet Tom’s ultramarathons, Sam’s CrossFit, and their willingness to keep choosing difficult things raise an uncomfortable q...

Send us Fan Mail Chapter 8: The Man Who Never Faded The final game ends, but Jim “Killer” Kane never really goes away. Years pass. Kane’s coaching career comes to an end, his health declines, and his place in Nebraska sports history becomes secure. But for the players who lived under his demanding standards, the real legacy is far more personal. His voice, his expectations—and even his disapproval...

Send us Fan Mail Chapter 7: The Final Three Plays With the 1985 season nearly over, Sam Fischer finally gets one last chance against Elkhorn. Three plays. A tackle for loss. His name over the stadium speakers. And a few words from a teammate that mean more than anyone could have known. After a season spent waiting, quitting inside, and going through the motions, Sam’s high school football career c...

Send us Fan Mail Killer Kane, Chapter Six: Going Through the Motions In Chapter Six of Killer Kane , a twelve-part audio memoir from Cowboys Not Eggheads , Sam Fischer returns to the field after the disappointment at Bennington—but something has changed. He doesn’t quit. He still practices, still prepares, and still does what is asked of him. But at seventeen, convinced his opportunity has passed,...

Send us Fan Mail Chapter 5: Halftime  After a summer of hard work and Coach Jim Kane’s promise that he would “find a place” for him to play, Sam enters his senior season believing he has finally earned an opportunity. But during the opening game against Bennington, he remains on the sideline while the first half passes without his name being called. At halftime, something inside him changes. Feeli...

Send us Fan Mail Chapter Four: We’ll Find You a Place By the summer before his senior year, Sam Fischer is no longer trying merely to survive Jim “Killer” Kane’s football program. After long days working in the hayfield and months of strength training alongside his younger brother, Will, he returns to Mount Michael heavier, stronger and convinced that he is finally ready to contribute. Moved from...

Send us Fan Mail Chapter Three: Inside Kane’s Program There was no gradual introduction to Jim “Killer” Kane’s football program. You entered it, and the program began measuring you. In Chapter Three of Killer Kane , Sam Fischer steps inside a system built on discipline, repetition, physical force and unquestioned authority. Kane teaches every assignment, demonstrates every block and demands that h...

Send us Fan Mail Chapter Two: Before Kane Jim “Killer” Kane did not create toughness in Sam Fischer from nothing. Long before Sam arrived at Mount Michael, life on his family’s ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills had already taught him the basic rules: finish the job, keep your word and do not stop simply because you are tired or uncomfortable. His parents—especially his father—poured the foundation....

Send us Fan Mail Chapter One: The Library Nearly forty years after his final football season, Sam Fischer stands alone at the grave of legendary Mount Michael coach Jim “Killer” Kane. He has come prepared to confront the man who promised to find him a place to play—and never did. But the confrontation does not unfold as expected. Instead of leaving with an accusation, Sam finds himself examining t...

Send us Fan Mail This interview with our first cowboy, John Ravenscroft, explores the history, values, and realities of being a cowboy in the American Sandhills. From family legacy and land stewardship to modern ranching techniques and cowboy ethics, discover what truly defines a cowboy today. Topics Discussed:  Family history in the Sandhills Land stewardship and ranching evolution Cowboy ethics...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging interview, Sam Fischer hosts a lively discussion with Jillian Watts, Brandi Preston (Muhle), and Bri Siegert, exploring themes of mindset, authenticity, hope, manifestation, and personal growth. The conversation offers practical insights and personal stories that inspire listeners to reflect on their own journeys and embrace change. Support the show Thanks for lis...

Send us Fan Mail In this candid interview, a former contractor shares insights on Middle East security, drone attacks, U.S. foreign policy, and the importance of perspective and critical thinking in understanding global conflicts.   Topics discussed: U.S. embassy in Iraq and security measures Drone attack incident and implications Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East The role of intelligence a...

Send us Fan Mail The Truman Show (Re-Release) — Fear, Truth, and the World We Think We’re Living In What if the world you’re living in… isn’t as real as you think? In this re-release of one of the most thought-provoking conversations we’ve had on Cowboys Not Eggheads , we use The Truman Show as a jumping-off point to wrestle with something much bigger: fear, truth, media, and the uncomfortable que...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Brandon Day shares his transformative journey from a championship athlete to a high-performance coach specializing in applied neuroscience and flow state training. Discover how understanding pain, the nervous system, and flow can unlock new levels of physical and mental performance. Support the show Thanks for listening!  SUBSCRIBE, Review, Rate, and Share.  Conta...

Send us Fan Mail This special repeat episode from 2023 is about resilience, faith, and an unbelievable medical battle that turned a mother's life upside down.  One of our longest and most popular episodes, you won't want to miss it!  Sam sits down with Tiffani Zeleni, a fellow gym member whose story sounds almost impossible—except she lived every minute of it. What started as what seemed...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, we explore imposter syndrome, its impact on capable individuals, and strategies to overcome self-doubt. Guests share personal stories, insights on humility, and practical advice for embracing authenticity and growth. Support the show Thanks for listening!  SUBSCRIBE, Review, Rate, and Share.  Contact us: cowboysnoteggheads@gmail.com     Let us know if you want a...

Send us Fan Mail In 2012, before he did CrossFit and long before this podcast existed, Sam Fischer walked into a gym weighing 282 pounds looking for direction. The trainer who approached him that day, Scott Anderson, helped lay the foundation for a journey that would change Sam’s life. In this episode of Cowboys Not Eggheads , Sam sits down with Scott to revisit those early days at the gym, the ro...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling interview, Jeremy Stalnecker, a former Marine and Iraq combat veteran, shares profound insights on leadership, resilience, faith, and the true meaning of courage. Discover how military principles translate into everyday life and how to keep moving forward despite life's challenges.   Topics:  Leadership, Resilience, Faith, Military, Veterans, Courage, Perso...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging interview, former Nebraska state senator and author Colby Coash shares his journey from small-town roots in Bassett, Nebraska, to political leadership and authorship. Discover insights on family legacy, rural life, leadership, and the transformative power of storytelling and travel. Support the show Thanks for listening!  SUBSCRIBE, Review, Rate, and Share.  Conta...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sam welcomes Josiah Keane, a seasoned Creative and Messaging Director with extensive experience in political campaigns. The conversation delves into the high-pressure environment of political work, the importance of deadlines, and how Josiah thrives under pressure. They discuss the challenges of client expectations, the impact of long hours on personal life, and t...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Tanner Spencer shares his inspiring journey of transformation, detailing his weight loss of 100 pounds in 10 months and his rise as a CrossFit athlete. He discusses the importance of faith, community, and resilience in overcoming challenges, as well as his aspirations to create a legacy for his family. Tanner emphasizes the mental shift required for lasting c...