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 the field.

Key Highlights:
• Casey’s path began in Texas high school and included early internships, leading her to roles as a team reporter for major organizations like the Wizards, Rams, and Buccaneers. She attributes her career progression to a sense of calling, expressing surprise and gratitude for the opportunities she’s received.
• Casey is intentional about making her faith visible in her work environment. She supports players by being present, helps new arrivals connect with local churches, and strives to ensure her actions reflect her beliefs, so her faith is consistent with how she conducts herself.
• Handling every story and interview with care and honor. Casey ensures her actions line up with her beliefs, especially when she invites players to church.
• Facing adversity head on: Casey’s season of battling autoimmune disease and tearing her ACL, and why she believes. She lives out the truth in James 1:2 and Romans 5:3, seeing trials shape endurance and hope.
• She offers candid advice for those experiencing hardship, reminding them that difficult moments are not the end and that better days are ahead.
• Casey celebrates the growing presence of girls’ flag football and initiatives like the She Is Football Scholarship. Her message to young women is to remain true to themselves and not compromise their identity for their ambitions.

References :
• “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young – Sam’s devotional gift to teammates, a lifeline for both Sam and Casey in hard seasons: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-Enjoying-Peace-Presence/dp/1591451884
• Ephesians 3:20 – “Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”
• James 1:2; Romans 5:3 – “Consider it pure joy…perseverance…hope…”
• Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (Casey is the upcoming Tampa patient honoree at this fall’s gala): https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/

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 perspective on how parents can take an active role, make wise choices, and keep their kids safe online.

Key highlights
• Tim Estes recounts his 20-year journey confronting the darkest parts of the internet with AI—working with groups like Thorn and facing the reality of child exploitation before and after having kids of his own.
• The story that changed everything for Tim: the heartbreaking loss of a child to algorithm-driven danger, and the conviction that led to creating AngelQ to keep kids safe as they explore and learn online.
• The AngelQ approach: “AI that cares” with a mission “to improve and protect a child’s wellness... partner with parents to make sure their child is protected and enriched... never sell or exploit that knowledge.”
• A clear warning about today’s mainstream apps—how attention-based business models and “dark patterns” like autoplay and endless scroll drive kids deeper into addiction, especially impacting neurodiverse children.
• What makes AngelQ different. No advertising. No sharing or exploiting what your child learns or asks. Parents get real transparency and understanding through Angel Insights so they can guide, support, and connect in meaningful moments.
• Honest stories from the front lines—how AngelQ is giving families an edge in both safety and connection, and a challenge to parents to stand strong and put children’s well-being first, despite cultural trends pushing in the opposite direction.

References
• AngelQ: https://www.angelq.ai/
• Thorn: https://www.thorn.org/
• The Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224

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 unshakable faith, and how his commitment to lifting up others reshaped not only his path but the lives of those around him. Thaddeus opens up about adopting his daughter Leah, holding to uncompromising family standards, and building a legacy that goes far beyond the ring. He also shares a behind-the-scenes look at “Queen’s Court,” his new reality series premiering July 13 on Bravo and streaming on Peacock, and delivers a timely message on why believing you’re “enough” can change everything.

Key highlights
• Real faith, real talk: Thaddeus challenges the difference between simply believing and actually living by faith—and how faith shapes every move as a father, athlete, and leader.
• Breaking generational curses: Honest accounts of growing up as the son of a 12-year-old mother, surviving abuse, and the word of one mentor that started a brand-new legacy.
• Leah’s story: The pivotal conversation and radical acceptance behind adopting his daughter Leah—and how his only non-negotiable is that his kids become great human beings, first and always.
• Lasting change over “feel-good” acts: Why Thaddeus rejects transactional charity and insists on transformation—from rebuilding schools, to guiding kids from the toughest backgrounds, to helping turn hope into something real and sustainable.
• The journey to WWE and “Queen’s Court”: How a chance encounter and encouragement from Dave Bautista led to wrestling stardom—and how Thaddeus approaches his new chapter on reality TV.
• “You are enough”: Thaddeus delivers a clear message at the heart of the episode, calling out the lies that limit us and describing the battle to safeguard your family’s future and legacy.
• Family standards and wisdom: Thaddeus breaks down the rules guiding his household—loving and respecting everyone, refusing to use the word “can’t,” and giving your best every day.

References
• Queen’s Court featuring Thaddeus Bullard, Tyson Beckford, and Carlos Boozer—hosted by Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete (debuts July 13 on Bravo and streaming on Peacock): https://www.bravotv.com/queens-court
• WWE Hall of Fame – Warrior Award: https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame
• Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches: https://www.youthranches.org/