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.

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Episodes

Jun 30, 2026

6/30/26: Hours 3 and 4, Bengals Contracts, Reds and Brewers Series Discussion

Jun 30, 2026

1hr 27 min

Topics include: Cincinnati Bengals contract negotiations, Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers series, and Contipelli's Countdown
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Jun 30, 2026

6/30/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Blow Another Lead, Bengals Contracts

Jun 30, 2026

1hr 26 min

Topics include: Cincinnati Reds blow another late lead and lose to the Milwaukee Brewers, plus Cincinnati Bengals contracts
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Follow the Crown on Twitter: https://x.com/TheCincyCrown
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Jun 29, 2026

6/29/26: Hours 3 and 4, Contipelli's Countdown, Reds/Brewers Preview

Jun 29, 2026

1hr 26 min

Topics include: Contipelli's Countdown, a preview of the Cincinnati Reds/Milwaukee Brewers series, Buy or Sell, and more.
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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

Jun 29, 2026

6/29/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Success in Pittsburgh, NFL Top 100 List, DJ Turner Hint?

Jun 29, 2026

1hr 26 min

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien, including a discussion about the Cincinnati Reds winning their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pete Prisco's NFL Top 100 list, and...is DJ Turner hinting at something?
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Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy
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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

Jun 26, 2026

6/26/26: Hours 3 and 4, Paul Fritschner Joins, Reds/Pirates Preview

Jun 26, 2026

1hr 26 min

Paul Fritschner of the Rebound Rundown joins the show, and the crew previews the Reds and Pirates series.
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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

Jun 26, 2026

6/26/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Discussion, WNBA Officiating

Jun 26, 2026

1hr 26 min

Cincinnati Reds discussion and WNBA officiating.
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Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
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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

Jun 25, 2026

6/25/26: Hours 3 and 4, Game of "Real or Ridiculous"

Jun 25, 2026

1hr 27 min

The second half of First Word, including a game of "Real or Ridiculous."
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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
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Jun 25, 2026

6/25/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Season Spiraling, Bengals Embracing Pressure

Jun 25, 2026

1hr 26 min

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien, including a long discussion about the Cincinnati Reds after they were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers.
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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

Jun 24, 2026

6/24/26: Hours 3 and 4, Darrin Horn Interview, Reds/Brewers Preview

Jun 24, 2026

1hr 26 min

The second half of First Word with James Rapien, including an interview with Northern Kentucky head men's basketball coach Darrin Horn.
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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

Jun 24, 2026

6/24/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Lose Series, and Headlines

Jun 24, 2026

1hr 26 min

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien from June 24th, 2026, including discussion about the Cincinnati Reds losing the series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
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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