Rephonic
Artwork for 1st and Now
BC Lions
Nathan Rourke
CFL
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders
Football
Montreal Alouettes
Canadian Football League
Toronto Argonauts
Grey Cup
Buck Pierce
World Vision Canada
World Vision
Kamloops
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Edmonton Elks
Vernon Adams Jr.
CFL Draft
NFL
Josh Woods

Step inside the office of a professional football team and get an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes. Players, coaches & other special guests will join Matt Baker & Nik Kowalski in studio for a unique look at BC Lions football and other stories in the world of sports.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes227Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsFootball

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Artwork for 1st and Now

Latest Episodes

It’s our premiere 2026 regular season episode of 1st and Now! Bob “the Moj” Marjanovich joins Matt and Nik for another season of weekly shows. The fellas preview Saturday’s big opener in Saskatchewan with TSN’s Glen Suitor. We also recap what was a v... more

In our latest Kamloops edition of 1st and Now, Matt & Nik are giving you all the latest Lion storylines! Neil McEvoy has been coming to training camp since 1998 and seen many different parts of the province. The club’s VP of Football Ops. gives his t... more

For the final time in 2026 Training Camp, Moj & Giulio bring you all of the latest with the Lions and a look ahead to Saturday's pre-season game in Langford. Hear from wide receiver Keon Hatcher Sr. and linebackers coach Mark Washington.

A star-studded Thursday show from Kamloops features Nathan Rourke, Michael Couture and newly-signed defensive lineman Casey Sayles as the squad continues with the Training Camp grind.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Neil McEvoy
Lions VP of Football Operations
BC Lions
Episode: Training Camp Week 3 With Neil McEvoy
Mark Washington
Lions linebackers coach
BC Lions
Episode: Live From Kamloops with MOJ & Giulio | May 22
Michael Couture
Starting center
BC Lions
Episode: Live From Kamloops with Moj & Giulio | May 21
Justin McInnis
Lions receiver
BC Lions
Episode: Live From Kamloops With Moj & Giulio | May 20
Mike Benevides
Lions defensive coordinator
BC Lions
Episode: Live From Kamloops With Moj & Giulio | May 20
Ralen Goforth
Linebacker
BC Lions
Episode: Live From Kamloops With Moj & Giulio | May 20
Nathan Rourke
BC Lions quarterback, reigning MOP and Most Outstanding Canadian
BC Lions
Episode: Nathan Rourke Training Camp Edition
Darnell Sankey
Middle linebacker
BC Lions
Episode: Live From Kamloops With MOJ & Giulio | May 18
Tanner Care
BC Lions Director of Player Performance
BC Lions
Episode: Training Camp Week 1 + Player Performance Talk With Tanner Care

Hosts

Matt Baker
Co-host of 1st and Now; main in-studio voice and key show driver
Nik Kowalski
Co-host of First and Now; in-studio analyst and segment lead

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 65 ratings
  • Best in the bizz

    A must listen for every BC Lions fa!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kabaddiraider
    Canadaa year ago
  • Fun and professional podcast

    I am an American and big NFL fan. My wife and I will be in Vancouver in October and plan on watching the Lions play Calvary. While trying to find info about the BC Lions I came across this podcast. Very information. Looking forward to hearing more of the podcast as the season starts. Can’t wait to attend my first CFL game.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pooh-1
    United States2 years ago
  • Horrible sound

    I try to listen to this podcast every week but halfway through I turn it off. You can barely hear the host specifically Nick… and yes I have turned up the volume.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Danno6565
    Canada3 years ago
  • Episode 24

    Matt, step aside. That was cringeworthy trying to spar with Reilly.

    He obviously enjoys it but the whole act doesn’t support the Lion’s brand.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Chum from Van.
    Canada6 years ago
  • Gonna miss this podcast!!!

    Now that The Leo’s canned my guy Sweet jimmy C. Gonna miss this podcast!! It was simply great!! Another bonehead decision as me Braley has held on to this franchise too long. Time to sell oldtimer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Agassiz Chad
    Canada7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some episodes suffer from uneven audio quality; improvements suggested for host mic levels.
Appreciation for guest variety, from players to analysts.
Listeners praise deep football knowledge and candid team discussions.
Guests are consistently credible, offering useful CFL insights.
Community-focused discussions and guest lineups are seen as a strong point.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#122
Canada/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#226
China/Sports/Football

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chase Brice & Stanley Berryhill Interviews + Lions Defence Preview
Q: How is Chase Brice approaching the QB2 role this year, given the competition in Kamloops and the system familiarity?
Brice emphasizes staying grounded, building on last year's progress, maintaining pre-season habits, and being ready to contribute if called upon, while relying on his relationship with Nate Rourke and Buck Pierce.
Live From Kamloops With MOj & Giulio | May 19
Q: What are the two big areas the GM says they need to improve to be better next season?
He cites capitalizing on big moments and solidifying the offensive line as the two biggest areas to focus on, with emphasis on keeping the line cohesive and versatile to adapt to ratio flexibility.
CFL Combine Season Loading + Assistant GM Rob Ralph Interview
Q: What is a typical day in the life for you during draft season?
Rob describes traveling to pro days, evaluating tape, meeting with coaches, and vetting players' personalities and toughness as part of a comprehensive scouting process.
Live From Kamloops With Moj & Giulio | May 20
Q: How does the team handle rookies and young players during camp?
Coaches emphasize mentorship and evaluating players on film and in practice, while also stressing the need to perform under game conditions; younger players are pushed to learn quickly but must show consistency and improve discipline.
Live From Kamloops With Moj & Giulio | May 20
Q: What stood out about the defense in camp so far?
The defense is ahead of last year, with multiple All-Stars added, strong communication, leadership, and the ability to disguise and present multiple looks, which should help them start faster in games.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About 1st and Now

What is 1st and Now about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sports-focused show centered on BC Lions football, hosted by Matt Baker and Nik Kowalski. Episodes frequently feature in-depth team analysis, interviews with players and staff, and CFL context, including roster moves, game strategy, and season outlook. A standout aspect is regular guest appearances from players, coaches, and prominent CFL media, offering insider perspectives and community engagement through events and charity initiatives. The tone is energetic and conversational, with practical insights for fans, potential sponsors, and guests aiming to reach a dedicated football-audience audience.

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How many subscribers and views does 1st and Now have?

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Which podcasts are similar to 1st and Now?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 1st and Now:

1. The BCLionsDen Pawdcast
2. Donnie and Dhali - The Team
3. Halford & Brough in the Morning
4. Canucks Talk
5. Sekeres & Price Show

How many episodes of 1st and Now are there?

1st and Now launched 7 years ago and published 227 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for 1st and Now?

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What guests have appeared on 1st and Now?

Recent guests on 1st and Now include:

1. Neil McEvoy
2. Mark Washington
3. Michael Couture
4. Justin McInnis
5. Mike Benevides
6. Ralen Goforth
7. Nathan Rourke
8. Darnell Sankey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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