Rephonic
Artwork for First Word
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Reds
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati
Bengals
Reds
Dexter Lawrence
Ellie De La Cruz
Houston Texans
FC Cincinnati
NFL
World Cup
Jacksonville Jaguars
Lebron James
Ja'marr Chase
Sal Stewart
Chase Burns
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Miami Dolphins

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 intervie... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes235Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FootballBaseballSports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for First Word

Latest Episodes

Topics include: interviews with John Sheeran (Bengals writer) and Mike Petraglia (CLNS Cincy) ahead of Sunday's Bengals matchup with the Tennessee Titans, plus predictions for the game, Contipelli's Countdown, and Keys to the Game presented by the Je... more

Topics include: looking at Titans/Bengals after the Jeffery Simmons trade, a game of Would You Rather, and more

Topics include: reaction to the breaking news of Tennessee Titans DT Jeffery Simmons being traded to the Chicago Bears, plus interviews with Joe Goodberry (Locked on Bengals), Ari Meirov (NFL Insider for The 33rd Team), and Brad Evans (fantasy footba... more

Topics include: options for the Bengals as the trade deadline approaches, Give Me the Keys presented by the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, and more

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Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

John Breech
CBS Sports analyst covering the NFL
CBS Sports
Episode: 10/27/26: Hours 3 and 4, John Breech Interview, NFL Top 10 Power Rankings, Freezing Cold Takes
Mike Renner
247Sports lead draft analyst
247Sports
Episode: INTERVIEW: Mike Renner (247 Sports) on Bengals
Joe Goodberry
Bengals analyst and host of the Locked On Bengals podcast and Bengals on the Brain YouTube channel
Locked On Bengals
Episode: 10/21/26: Hours 3 and 4, Mike Renner and Joe Goodberry Interviews, NFL Top 10 Power Rankings
Mike Petraglia
Contributor, clnscincy.com and Jungle War Podcast
clnscincy.com, Jungle War Podcast
Episode: 10/9/26: Hours 3 and 4, Mike Petraglia Interview, Over/Under, Keys to the Game (Bengals/Jags) and Predictions
Mike Petraeula
In-studio contributor
First Word
Episode: 10/9/26: Hours 1 and 2, True or False, Bengals/Dolphins Preview
Dan Hoard
Bengals broadcaster, in-studio guest
ESPN/Bengals broadcasts
Episode: 10/8/26: Hours 3 and 4, Interviews with Dan Hoard and Brad Evans, Give Me the Keys
Brad Evans
Fantasy football analyst
Noisy Huevos, Bet MGM Tonight
Episode: 10/8/26: Hours 3 and 4, Interviews with Dan Hoard and Brad Evans, Give Me the Keys
Ben Baby
ESPN Bengals reporter
ESPN
Episode: 10/7/26: Hours 3 and 4, Interviews with Joe Goodberry and Ben Baby, Play of Amarius Mims, and Give Me the Keys
Paul Fritschner
College basketball analyst
Rebound Rundown / First Word contributor
Episode: 10/7/26: Hours 1 and 2, CareSource Invitational Preview, NFL Power Rankings, and Contipelli's Countdown

Hosts

James Rapien
Host of First Word, primary Cincinnati sports host
Marisa Contipelli
Co-host on First Word, journalist with deep Bengals/Reds coverage
Jacob Tissot
Co-host/analyst on First Word, part of in-studio panel

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 62 ratings
  • Cincy needed this

    Finally a regular morning sports show dedicated to the Queen City, one stop shop for my Reds & Bengals news. Breath of fresh air that you ain’t gonna get from national sports coverage. Good rhythm and flow awesome local vibe! Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RedsPhill
    United States5 months ago
  • Breath of fresh air!

    A fresh, much needed media outlet for Cincinnati sports. James and crew are well suited for the challenge. Love it so far. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KY Colonel Reb
    United States5 months ago
  • Just right sized

    Definitely couldn’t fit all James’s ghost pepper takes in only three hours per day

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Uninformed Bengals Fan
    United States5 months ago
  • Amazing

    So needed for Cincinnati

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Char384847
    United States5 months ago
  • Can’t wait

    Let’s geauxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jam504
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests and insiders provide timely, data-informed context that strengthens the analysis.
The energy, chemistry, and banter between hosts drive the show's appeal for morning commuters.
What listeners love is the daily rhythm and local focus that connects with Cincinnati sports fans.
The show is described as essential for Reds and Bengals news with a strong sense of community and local culture.
Listeners praise the breadth across Bengals, Reds, and cross-sport coverage, making it a one-stop local sports briefing.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#235
Italy/Sports/Football

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

10/27/26: Hours 3 and 4, John Breech Interview, NFL Top 10 Power Rankings, Freezing Cold Takes
Q: Where do you stand on a potential Jonathan Taylor trade between now and the deadline?
Breech would consider a deal if the cost were modest, but would not give up a first-round pick. He says the Bengals could also look at more affordable running back options.
10/27/26: Hours 3 and 4, John Breech Interview, NFL Top 10 Power Rankings, Freezing Cold Takes
Q: Did the second half of Sunday's game reaffirm that the Bengals are for real?
John Breech says the second half was more representative of the team, calling the Bengals a top-three roster and pointing to their performance on offense, defense and special teams.
INTERVIEW: Mike Renner (247 Sports) on Bengals
Q: What are some of the biggest changes you think this Bengals offense has to make coming out of the by with a big game in Baltimore?
Renner recommends moving away from under-center plays, using more shotgun or pistol snaps, and finding better ways to create explosive passing plays, potentially with four receivers on the field.
INTERVIEW: Mike Renner (247 Sports) on Bengals
Q: How much do you think going out and getting an outside addition for that room can flip this game and how much of it is just the coaching?
Renner says the scheme is largely the same as last season and that Cincinnati has faced several strong run defenses. He expects the running game to improve as the season progresses.
10/21/26: Hours 3 and 4, Mike Renner and Joe Goodberry Interviews, NFL Top 10 Power Rankings
Q: When it comes to either of those two backs, are one of those guys the Bengals should be going after?
Joe Goodberry says the Bengals could take a low-cost chance on Najee Harris, while a Jonathan Taylor trade depends on the price and whether Cincinnati can use him effectively in its shotgun-heavy offense.

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 First Word

What is First Word about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A fast-paced Cincinnati sports morning show that blends NFL and MLB analysis with cross-sport coverage, including college basketball, tennis, and local teams. Regular segments center on the Bengals, Reds, and FC Cincinnati, with roster battles, injury updates, and depth evaluations driving much of the discourse. Interviews with coaches, reporters, and sport-insiders add insider context, while lively banter and fan engagement keep the tone energetic and local. The show stands out for its daily rhythm, breadth across multiple Cincinnati teams, and willingness to mix hard analysis with entertaining, community-focused content that leans into fan experiences and event previews (including the Cincinnati Open). Potential guests and sponsors can ex... more

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Which podcasts are similar to First Word?

These podcasts share a similar audience with First Word:

1. Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals
2. The Growler
3. Bengals Booth Podcast
4. Cincinnati Bengals Talk
5. Locked On Reds - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Reds

How many episodes of First Word are there?

First Word launched 5 months ago and published 235 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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What guests have appeared on First Word?

Recent guests on First Word include:

1. John Breech
2. Mike Renner
3. Joe Goodberry
4. Mike Petraglia
5. Mike Petraeula
6. Dan Hoard
7. Brad Evans
8. Ben Baby

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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