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First Word

The Crown Network

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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  • 43 episodes
  • daily
  • Avg 1 hr 22 min
  • English

Episodes 43

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  • August 20 · 1 hr 30 min

    8/20/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals/Bears Joint Practice Preview, NL ROY, Reds Win

    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

  • August 19 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/19/26: Hours 3 and 4, Richard Pitino Interview, Bengals Training Camp Thoughts, NFL Top 100 Snub

    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

  • August 19 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/19/26: Hours 1 and 2, Joey Votto for GM? Plus Bengals/Bears Discussion and Reds Moves

    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

  • August 18 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/18/26: Hours 3 and 4, Roger David (Gold Star CEO), Should Reds Shut Down Chase Burns, ESPN Power Rankings

    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

  • August 18 · 1 hr 27 min

    8/18/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Split Doubleheader, Mike Petraglia Interview

    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

  • August 17 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/17/26: Hours 3 and 4, Bengals Biggest Need, Reds/Cardinals Preview

    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

  • August 17 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/17/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals WR Room, Reds Lose Series

    Topics include: Bengals wide receiver room, Bengals biggest concerns, Reds lose series to Marlins, Reds injury updates -------------------------------------------- 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

  • August 14 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/14/26: Hours 3 and 4, Joe Burrow's Performance, Cincinnati Open Preview,

    Topics include: Bengals exhibition game takeaways, Cincinnati Open betting angles, 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

  • August 14 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/14/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Preseason Opener, Reds Win

    Topics include: Bengals win their preseason opener and a lot 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

  • August 13 · 1 hr 27 min

    8/13/26: Hours 3 and 4, Travis Steele Interview, Players to Watch in Preseason Opener

    Topics include: in-studio interview with Miami Redhawks head men's basketball coach Travis Steele, players to watch in the Bengals preseason opener, 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

  • August 13 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/13/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Preseason Opener, O-Line Confidence, Reds Lose

    Topics include: Bengals open their preseason slate against the Detroit Lions, confidence in the Bengals O-Line, and the Reds loss to the White Sox on Wednesday -------------------------------------------- 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

  • August 12 · 1 hr 27 min

    8/12/26: Hours 3 and 4, Rapien's Best Bengals, Contipelli's Countdown, Reds Preview

    Topics include: Rapien's Best Bengals of the 2026 season, Contipelli's Countdown, Reds/White Sox preview, 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

  • August 12 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/12/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Win in Extras, Joe Burrow Career Length

    Topics include: Reds beat the White Sox in extra innings, how long could Joe Burrow's career last, and a handful of other Reds topics -------------------------------------------- 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

  • August 11 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/11/26: Hours 3 and 4, Bengals Starters in Preseason, Should Bengals Consider Terrion Arnold

    Topics include: Contipelli's Countdown, should the Bengals play their starters in the preseason, should the Bengals consider signing Terrion Arnold, 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

  • August 11 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/11/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Starters on Thursday and Roster Discussion

    Topics include: who the Bengals will start in the first preseason exhibition on Thursday, Bengals roster discussion, how much Dexter Lawrence has impacted the team, 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

  • August 10 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/10/26: Hours 3 and 4, Reds Updates, Tight End Rankings, and Contipelli's Countdown

    Topics include: Contipelli's Countdown, tight end rankings, and where the Reds stand now amidst injuries and the series sweep at the hands of the Nationals over the weekend -------------------------------------------- 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

  • August 10 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/10/26: Hours 1 and 2, Mike Renner Interview, Bengals Training Camp, Reds Swept

    Topics include: CBS Sports NFL Draft Analyst Mike Renner joins the show in-studio for an interview, Reds were reverse swept by the Washington Nationals, Bengals training camp updates -------------------------------------------- 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

  • August 7 · 1 hr 28 min

    8/7/26: Contipelli's Countdown, Reds/Nationals Preview, and Bengals ICYMI

    Topics include: Contipelli's Countdown, preview of the Reds/Nationals series, and cleaning up some Bengals discussion -------------------------------------------- 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

  • August 7 · 1 hr 28 min

    8/7/26: Pete Holtermann Interview Previewing Cincinnati Open, Reds Sweep, Bengals Thoughts

    Topics include: Pete Holtermann, President of Holter Media, previews the Cincinnati Open, Reds sweep the Athletics, and Bengals thoughts -------------------------------------------- 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

  • August 6 · 1 hr 26 min

    8/6/26: Hours 3 and 4, Bob Moran Interview, Bengals Training Camp, Reds Discussion

    Topics include: interview with Bob Moran, the Director of the Cincinnati Open, plus thoughts on Bengals training camp, Sal Stewart Rookie of the Year, and Hunter Greene to the IL -------------------------------------------- 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

Showing 21–40 of 43 episodes