First Word
First Word with James Rapien is Cincinnati’s ONLY daily morning sports show, delivering the latest news, analysis, and insider insight on the biggest stories in sports.
Rapien is joined by Marisa Contipelli and Jacob Tissot to cover everything happening with the Bengals, Reds, FC Cincinnati, Bearcats, Musketeers and Ohio State Buckeyes.
From breaking news and game reactions to exclusive interviews, roster updates, and expert analysis, First Word gets you caught up on everything you need to know before the day starts. Watch LIVE weekdays from 7-11AM ET on YouTube and the Rock Entertainment Sports Network, or listen on demand anytime.
If you're looking for a Cincinnati sports podcast that keeps you informed every morning, First Word is your go-to show.
Follow the show and start your morning with First Word.
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
1 hr 27 min
Topics: Bengals win their second preseason game, JJ Bleday hits for the cycle, Reds recap, and more
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot
Aug 21, 2026
Aug 21, 2026
1 hr 25 min
Topics include: Contipelli's Countdown, Bengals/Bears preseason game expectations, and more
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot
Aug 21, 2026
Aug 21, 2026
1 hr 27 min
Topics include: Joe Goodberry (Bengals on the Brain) joins for an interview, Bengals/Bears preseason game preview, Noelvi Marte sent down again, and more
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot
Aug 20, 2026
Aug 20, 2026
1 hr 26 min
Topics include: James Rapien interview live from Bengals/Bears joint practice, Bengals buy or sell debates, and more
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot
Aug 20, 2026
Aug 20, 2026
1 hr 30 min
Topics include: setting the expectations for the Bengals/Bears joint practice happening on Thursday, an NL Rookie of the Year conversation, and thoughts on the Reds win over the Cardinals
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot
Aug 19, 2026
Aug 19, 2026
1 hr 26 min
Topics include: Xavier men's basketball head coach Richard Pitino joins the show for an in-studio interview, thoughts on Bengals training camp, an NFL Top 100 snub, and more
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot
Aug 19, 2026
Aug 19, 2026
1 hr 26 min
Topics include: Bengals approach to the Bears this week, Joey Votto for Reds GM, and Reds moves
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot
Aug 18, 2026
Aug 18, 2026
1 hr 26 min
Topics include: in-studio interview with Roger David, the CEO of Gold Star, should the Reds shut down Chase Burns, ESPN's power rankings, and more
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot
Aug 18, 2026
Aug 18, 2026
1 hr 27 min
Topics include: Reds split doubleheader on first day of series with Cardinals, Mike Petraglia of CLNS Cincy joins the show in-studio, and more
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot
Aug 17, 2026
Aug 17, 2026
1 hr 26 min
Topics include: Bengals biggest needs, PFF rankings, Reds/Cardinals series preview
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/
Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
Follow First Word on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstWordCincy
Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
Follow the Crown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecincycrown/
Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot