The Sam Acho Podcast

Join Sam Acho and Clif Marshall as they sit down with ESPN anchor Jay Harris for an honest conversation about career, family, cancer and faith. Jay opens up about his unconventional path to ESPN, the lessons learned facing prostate cancer, and how he's chosen family moments over professional ambition. With stories from the newsroom and reflections on the legacy of Stuart Scott, this episode delive...

In this episode, Sam Acho and co-host Cliff Marshall sit down with Ed Schilling, Pepperdine University's head basketball coach and seasoned mentor. Coach Schilling opens up about building a culture of faith, navigating tough transitions like being let go from prominent coaching roles, and the importance of keeping family at the center. He shares powerful stories from his career, including his time...

In this episode, Sam Acho and Clif Marshall are joined by Kurt Hester, the director of strength and performance for the Houston Cougars football team. Kurt opens up about his remarkable journey growing up in the Louisiana swamps, his award-winning coaching career, and his ongoing battle with stage four cancer. Together, they unpack the power of resilience, the importance of relationships over resu...

In this episode, Sam Acho sits down with University of Texas football standout Michael Taaffe for an honest conversation about faith, adversity, and what it means to pursue purpose on and off the field. Michael shares his journey from walk-on to All-American, the powerful lessons coaches have taught him, and how personal loss has shaped his drive and perspective. Together, they tackle tough subjec...

This week on The Sam Acho Podcast, former NFL Pro Bowler and Buffalo Bills radio voice Eric Wood joins Sam and Clif Marshall for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation. Eric reflects on his unlikely journey from overlooked recruit to first-round draft pick, shares candid insights about sudden career-ending adversity, and opens up about work-life balance, faith, and the transformative powe...

Priscilla Shirer steps into this episode with honesty, humor, and hard-won faith . Sam, Clif, and Priscilla go deep—into stories of calling, what surrender to God really looks like, and how loss can open space for peace and perspective. Priscilla, who calls teaching the Bible her joy, shares how a knack for “talking too much” became a calling once surrendered to God. Together they talk about paren...

In this episode, Sam and Clif sit down with Vincent Rey—a former linebacker who rose from undrafted free agent to team captain, and now serves as the Cincinnati Bengals chaplain. Vincent shares firsthand what it’s like to navigate identity, purpose, and loss when the roar of the crowd quiets and football isn’t the center anymore. Together, they open up about faith that fills the space left when pe...

In this episode, Sam Acho and Clif Marshall welcome Josh Harrison—two-time MLB All-Star, proud Cincinnati native, and a man grounded by faith, family, and relentless joy. Josh breaks down the reality of thirteen seasons in the majors: the grind, the setbacks, the unseen work, and the gratitude for every step. He shares how a rough junior year and the wisdom in 1 Peter 5:6 forged his humility, how...

On this episode of The Sam Acho Podcast, Sam and Clif Marshall are joined by Coach Mack Brown—known for his leadership at Texas, North Carolina, Tulane, and Appalachian State—to talk candidly about recruiting, relationships, and the soul of college football. Brown reflects on recruiting both Sam and his brother Emmanuel, emphasizing the role of family, character, and core GPA in his decision-makin...

In this episode of The Sam Acho Podcast, Sam and Clif are joined by Casey Phillips—Tampa Bay Buccaneers reporter, Mizzou Tiger, and Texas native. Casey shares her journey in sports media, guided by God’s providence and timing, and talks about living with purpose, integrity, and hope even when life hits hard. This conversation embodies what it means to go first, give space, and grow hope—on and off...

On this episode, Sam and Clif sit down with Tim Estes—founder of AngelQ and a pioneer in artificial intelligence—to tackle the real dangers facing kids in the digital age. Tim brings decades of experience fighting online exploitation and shares how that battle became personal once he became a father. For anyone who cares about family and the real impact of technology, this episode brings essential...

On this episode, Sam Acho and Clif Marshall are joined by Thaddeus Bullard—best known to fans as WWE’s Titus O’Neil. Thaddeus lays his story bare, tracing his journey from being labeled “a bad kid” and facing impossible odds to finding hope through the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, believing mentors, and the relentless love of family. He speaks frankly about surviving childhood pain, his unshakab...

What does it mean to win—really win—and not lose yourself along the way? In this episode, Clif Marshall and I sit down with Jeff Friday, a man who’s spent more than three decades coaching the best of the best, including 21 seasons in the NFL and a Super Bowl as head strength coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Jeff brings a level of wisdom you can only get by actually being in the room. He takes us in...

In this episode of The Sam Acho Podcast, Clif Marshall and Sam sit down with Jalen Hood-Schifino—Fino—a pro athlete whose story cuts through the noise. From his roots in a family where both football and basketball were stitched into daily life, to the weight of adversity and the sharp edges of success, Fino opens up about the realities behind the highlight reels. He shares what it means to move ci...

In this episode of The Sam Acho Podcast, we sit down with Bayleigh Wheat, an expert in athlete recovery and regeneration. As the Regeneration Coordinator at Sports Academy in Dallas, Texas, Bayleigh shares her journey from studying kinesiology to working with some of the best athletes in the world, including NFL first-round picks. More than just her role in athlete recovery, Bayleigh dives into he...

In this episode of The Sam Acho Show Podcast featuring Clif Marshall, we welcome former NFL player David Pollack to discuss the intersection of faith, family, football, and resilience. David shares insights from his storied career and personal challenges, including his neck injury and his wife's battle with brain cancer. This heartfelt conversation is packed with wisdom on navigating life's advers...

In this episode of the Sam Acho podcast featuring Clif Marshall, we explore the intersection of basketball and life through the inspiring journey of NBA player Cody Zeller. Cody shares his experiences growing up with his basketball-playing brothers, his challenges in the NBA, and his life off the court—including his spiritual journey and marriage to Christian music artist Leanna Crawford. Tune in...

In this episode of the Sam Acho Podcast featuring Clif Marshall, we sit down with Devin McCourty, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. Devin shares his journey from his early days at Rutgers to his distinguished 13-year NFL career, emphasizing the importance of identity over accolades. The conversation explores Devin’s faith, the significance of relationships over materi...

Welcome to the premiere episode of The Sam Acho Podcast where Sam Acho—an NFL veteran, ESPN analyst, and renowned speaker—joins forces with veteran sports trainer Clif Marshall. Together they discuss the out workings of faith, family, football, and finances, focusing on personal growth and overcoming challenges. Sam and Clif share their unique insights and experiences, promising a blend of inspira...