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

Oct 14, 2026

10/14/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Report Cards, NFL Top 10 Power Rankings

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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Oct 14, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Oct 13, 2026

10/13/26: Hours 3 and 4, Joe Goodberry and John Breech Interviews, Breaking News on Tanner Hudson

Oct 13, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Topics include: interviews with Joe Goodberry (Locked On Bengals) and John Breech (CBS Sports Writer), as well as breaking news regarding Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson
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Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy
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Listen to First Word LIVE on Mixlr: https://thecrown.mixlr.com/
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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
Follow Marisa on Twitter (X): https://x.com/M_Contipelli
Follow Jacob on Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobTissot

Oct 13, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Oct 13, 2026

10/13/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Stock, Real or Fake, NFL Power Rankings

Oct 13, 2026

1 hr 26 min

Topics include: Bengals stock, real or fake, Give Me the Keys presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, NFL Power Rankings, true or false, 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 13, 2026

1 hr 26 min

Oct 12, 2026

10/12/26: Hours 3 and 4, Takeaways from Bengals/Dolphins, Locker Room Sound, Overreactions

Oct 12, 2026

1 hr 26 min

Topics include: takeaways from Bengals/Dolphins, locker room sound, overreactions on a victory Monday for the Bengals
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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 12, 2026

1 hr 26 min

Oct 12, 2026

10/12/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals beat Dolphins 31-24

Oct 12, 2026

1 hr 27 min

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on Sunday, October 11th.
Full reaction, including thoughts, takeaways, and a lot more.
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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

Oct 12, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Oct 9, 2026

10/9/26: Hours 3 and 4, Mike Petraglia Interview, Over/Under, Keys to the Game (Bengals/Jags) and Predictions

Oct 9, 2026

1 hr 26 min

Topics include: interview with Mike Petraglia of CLNS Cincy, over/unders, Keys to the Game presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, and predictions from the First Word crew for Bengals/Jaguars
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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 9, 2026

1 hr 26 min

Oct 9, 2026

10/9/26: Hours 1 and 2, True or False, Bengals/Dolphins Preview

Oct 9, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Topics include: preview of Sunday's Bengals/Dolphins matchup, a game of True or False, 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 9, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Oct 9, 2026

10/8/26: Hours 3 and 4, Interviews with Dan Hoard and Brad Evans, Give Me the Keys

Oct 9, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Topics include: interviews with Dan Hoard (Bengals) and Brad Evans (fantasy football), plus Give Me the Keys presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family.
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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 9, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Oct 8, 2026

10/8/26: Hours 1 and 2, Players vs. Scheme, Bengals Injury Report, Give Me the Keys

Oct 8, 2026

1 hr 26 min

Topics include: discussing whether the Bengals' problems are more player or scheme focused, the Bengals' injury report, and "Give Me the Keys" presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family
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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 8, 2026

1 hr 26 min

Oct 7, 2026

10/7/26: Hours 3 and 4, Interviews with Joe Goodberry and Ben Baby, Play of Amarius Mims, and Give Me the Keys

Oct 7, 2026

1 hr 26 min

Topics include: interviews with Joe Goodberry (Locked On Bengals) and Ben Baby (ESPN Bengals Reporter) talking Bengals, plus the success of Amarius Mims this season, and Give Me the Keys presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family
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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 7, 2026

1 hr 26 min