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
Oct 20, 2026
Oct 20, 2026
1 hr 25 min
Topics include: what to do to make the Bengals better, takeaways from Week 6 of the NFL season, college football Week 8 AP Poll, Give Me the Keys presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, and more
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Follow James on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JamesRapien
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Oct 19, 2026
Oct 19, 2026
1 hr 26 min
Topics include: a recap of a wild college football weekend, Chris Ballard fired as GM of the Indianapolis Colts, Bengals concerns, Contipelli's Countdown, 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
Oct 19, 2026
Oct 19, 2026
1 hr 25 min
Topics include: headlines from around the NFL, winning the bye week, true or false, Give Me the Keys presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, 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
Oct 16, 2026
Oct 16, 2026
1 hr 26 min
Topics include: interview with FOX19's Jeremy Rauch, a preview of Ohio State vs. Indiana, buy or sell, plus a special surprise for Jacob's birthday
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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
Oct 16, 2026
Oct 16, 2026
1 hr 27 min
Topics include: discussion about the Bengals defense, Give Me the Keys presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family about College Football Playoff expansion, and a preview of Hell is Real (FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew)
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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
Oct 15, 2026
Oct 15, 2026
1 hr 27 min
Topics include: Paul Fritschner joins the show to discuss the ongoing eligibility lawsuits across college basketball, Brad Evans joins for his weekly fantasy football conversation, plus a look at Thursday in sports 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
Oct 15, 2026
Oct 15, 2026
1 hr 26 min
Topics include: Steve Helwagen of Bucknuts joins the show to preview Ohio State vs. Indiana, plus QB rankings, the impact of Tanner Hudson's injury, and plenty 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
Oct 14, 2026
Oct 14, 2026
30 min
Bengals tight end Erick All Jr. joined the First Word crew for an in-person interview on Wednesday.
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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
Oct 14, 2026
Oct 14, 2026
1 hr 26 min
Topics include: Erick All Jr. joins the show in-studio, the First Word crew gives out grades for the Bengals, plus Give Me the Keys presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family 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
Oct 14, 2026
Oct 14, 2026
1 hr 27 min
Topics include: report cards for the Bengals from the First Word crew, reaction to the NFL Top 10 power rankings, and much 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