Shows / First Word
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…
Episodes
- First Word
9/21/26: Hours 3 and 4, Reaction from Bengals Win, Locker Room Sound, Overreactions,
Topics include: reaction from the Bengals' 20-6 win over the Houston Texans, sound from the postgame locker room, overreactions, defense, and more…
- First Word
9/21/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Beat Texans and Move to 2-0
Topics include: Cincinnati Bengals beat the Houston Texans 20-6 on Sunday to move to 2-0 on the season, postgame reaction, and more…
- First Word
INTERVIEW: Jay Morrison (SI BengalsTalk) Previews Bengals/Texans
Jay Morrison, Bengals beat writer for SI BengalsTalk, joins First Word in-studio to preview Sunday's game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston…
- First Word
9/18/26: Hours 3 and 4, Bengals/Texans Predictions, Interviews with Jay Morrison and Russ Heltman
Topics include: predictions from the First Word crew for Sunday's Bengals/Texans matchup, interview with Jay Morrison previewing Bengals/Texans, interview with…
- First Word
9/18/26: Hours 1 and 2, Joe Burrow Injury, Concerns for Sunday, Texans Scouting Report
Topics include: Joe Burrow injury update, concerns for Sunday, Texans scouting report, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First…
- First Word
9/17/26: Hours 3 and 4, Brad Evans Interview, Burrow Presser Takeaways, Bengals Locker Room
Topics include: interview with Brad Evans (fantasy football expert) talks Week 2 storylines, Joe Burrow press conference takeaways, Bengals locker room…
- First Word
9/17/26: Hours 1 and 2, Joe Burrow Injury Concern, Texans' Offense, Elly De La Cruz Discussion
Topics include: Joe Burrow injury concern after he was limited in Wednesday's practice, the power of the Texans' offense, the season Elly De La Cruz is having…
- First Word
9/16/26: Hours 3 and 4, Joe Goodberry Interview, Thoughts on the Bengals Defense
Topics include: interview with Joe Goodberry previewing the Bengals/Texas matchup, Contipelli's Countdown, thoughts on the Bengals defense, the opportunity in…
- First Word
9/16/26: Hours 1 and 2, Mike Renner Interview, Opportunity for Amarius Mims, NFL Power Rankings
Topics include: Mike Renner (CBS Sports NFL Draft Analyst) joins in studio to recap the Bengals and Bucs, the opportunity for Amarius Mims down in Houston, NFL…
- First Word
9/15/26: Hours 3 and 4, Interview with Charlie Goldsmith, Elly De La Cruz Discussion, Worst Word
Topics include: Charlie Goldsmith joins the show to give his thoughts on the Bengals after their Week 1 win over the Buccaneers, a discussion about Elly De La…
- First Word
9/15/26: Hours 1 and 2, Richard Skinner Interview, Burrow's Evolution, Running Back Blueprint
Topics include: Richard Skinner (Skinny Podcast) joins the show to recap the Bengals' win over the Bucs, evolution of Joe Burrow, running back blueprint, and…
- First Word
9/14/26: Hours 3 and 4, Bengals Win Recap, Nick Krall Set to Return, Locker Room Reaction
Topics include: Bengals start their season with a win, Reds set to bring back president of baseball operations Nick Krall in 2027, locker room reaction from…
- First Word
9/14/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Win Season Opener, Grades for Bengals Performance, AFC North Roundup
Topics include: Bengals beat the Buccaneers 33-27 in their season opener on Sunday, the First Word crew gives out grades for the Bengals, a roundup of the AFC…
- First Word
9/11/26: Hours 3 and 4, Interviews with Ari Meirov and Jeremy Rauch, College Football Preview, and Bengals Preview
Topics include: interviews with Ari Meirov (NFL Insider) and Jeremy Rauch (Fox19) talking Bengals ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Buccaneers, plus…
- First Word
9/11/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Awards Predictions, Tim May (Ohio State) Interview, DJ Turner Health
Topics include: Bengals awards predictions from the First Word crew, interview with Tim May (veteran Ohio State insider) previewing Ohio State/Texas, DJ Turner…
- First Word
INTERVIEW: Kevin Kugler (Fox Sports Broadcaster) Previews Bucs/Bengals
Kevin Kugler, who will have the play-by-play for Sunday's opener between the Bucaneers and the Bengals, joins First Word to preview the game…
- First Word
INTERVIEW: Jon Ledyard (Buccaneers Reporter) Previews Bengals/Bucs
Jon Ledyard, reporter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joins First Word to preview Sunday's season opener between the Bucs and the Bengals…
- First Word
9/10/26: Hours 3 and 4, Interviews with Kevin Kugler, Mike Petraglia, and Brad Evans, Plus Zac Taylor Comments
Topics include: Kevin Kugler (Fox broadcaster), who has the play-by-play of Sunday's Bengals/Bucs game, joins to preview the game, Mike Petraglia (CLNS Media)…
- First Word
9/10/26: Hours 1 and 2, Jon Ledyard Interview (Bengals/Bucs Preview), James Schedule Prediction,
Topics include: Jon Ledyard (NFL analyst) joins to preview the Bengals/Bucs, James shares his Bengals schedule prediction, the Ringer's QB room rankings, and…
- First Word
INTERVIEW: Jeremy Fowler, ESPN Senior NFL Reporter, on Bengals Expectations
Jeremy Fowler, Senior NFL Reporter for ESPN, joins First Word to discuss expectations for the Cincinnati Bengals, whether Joe Burrow will win the MVP, Zac…
- First Word
INTERVIEW: John Breech, CBS Sports Writer, Gives Bengals Predictions
John Breech, a CBS Sports writer, joins First Word to share his thoughts on the upcoming season for the Cincinnati Bengals, including Chase Brown, Zac Taylor…
- First Word
9/9/26: Hours 3 and 4, Paul Dehner Jr., Jeremy Fowler, and John Breech Interviews, and Cincinnati Wednesday Night Preview
Topics include: interviews with Paul Dehner Jr. (The Athletic), Jeremy Fowler (ESPN), and John Breech (CBS Sports), all talking Bengals and the NFL picture…
- First Word
9/9/26: Hours 1 and 2, Joe Burrow's Quotes, Elly De La Cruz Impresses, Bengals Schedule Prediction
Topics include: reaction to Joe Burrow's quotes about playing for the Bengals, Elly De La Cruz had another stellar game, Marisa gives her schedule prediction…
- First Word
9/8/26: Hours 3 and 4, Trevor Sikkema Interview (Bengals Preview), Joey Votto Future
Topics include: Trevor Sikkema (NFL Host/Analyst) previews the Bengals, thoughts on the future of Joey Votto in the Reds organization, plus NFL season X…
- First Word
9/8/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Select Captains, Reds Potential Sale, Predicting Bengals Schedule
Topics include: the Bengals announced their 2026 captains over the weekend, potential sale of the Cincinnati Reds, Jacob predicts the Bengals schedule, and NFL…
- First Word
9/4/26: Hours 3 and 4, Bengals Projections, Bearcats Football Preview with Russ Heltman
Topics include: projecting Ja'Marr Chase's season totals, Cincinnati Bearcats football preview with Russ Heltman of BearcatsTalk.com, and more…
- First Word
9/4/26: Hours 1 and 2, Miles Robinson Interview, Bengals TE Discussion, Headlines
Topics include: interview with FC Cincinnati's Miles Robinson, discussion around Erick All Jr., and headlines you may have missed…
- First Word
9/3/26: Hours 3 and 4, Brad Evans Interview, NL Rookie of the Year Discussion
Topics include: interview with Brad Evans ahead of the start of the NFL season, NFL Rookie of the Year discussion, and more…
- First Word
9/3/26: Hours 1 and 2, Robert Weintraub Interview (Cincinnati Magazine), Steve Helwagen Interview (Ohio State), Bengals Contracts,
Topics include: interview with Robert Weintraub of Cincinnati Magazine talking Bengals, interview with Steve Helwagen previewing the Ohio State football…
- First Word
9/2/26: Hours 3 and 4, Brooks Austin Interview (College Football Preview), Bengals Offense,
Topics include: Brooks Austin (football film analyst) joins First Word to preview the college football season, a Bengals offense discussion, Elly De La Cruz…
- First Word
9/2/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Beat Padres, ESPN Top 100, Zac Taylor Job Security
Topics include: Reds beat Padres, ESPN Top 100, Zac Taylor's job security after this season, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to…
- First Word
INTERVIEW: Dan Hoard Previews Bearcats Season and Bengals Roster Breakdown
Dan Hoard, the voice of the Cincinnati Bengals and Bearcats, joins the show in-studio to preview the Bearcats football season and share his thoughts on the…
- First Word
9/1/26: Hours 3 and 4, Part 2 of Dan Hoard Interview, ESPN NFL Power Rankings
Topics include: part two of the interview with Dan Hoard (voice of the Bengals and Bearcats), plus a discussion on ESPN's NFL power rankings, a feature on UC's…
- First Word
9/1/26: Hours 1 and 2, Part 1 of Dan Hoard Interview, Reds Lose, Bengals Roster Opinion
Topics include: Reds lose series opener to Padres, James gives a QB roster take, plus part one of an in-studio interview with the voice of the Bengals and…
- First Word
INTERVIEW: Richard Skinner Previews Bengals and Kentucky Football
Richard Skinner, former columnist/editor at Local 12, joins First Word to preview the Cincinnati Bengals as well as the Kentucky Wildcats football season…
- First Word
8/31/26: Hours 3 and 4, Bengals Final Roster Discussion, Reds Monster Night at Wrigley
Topics include: Bengals final roster discussion, Reds swing for the fences in Chicago, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First…
- First Word
8/31/26: Hours 1 and 2, Richard Skinner Interview (UK/Bengals), 53-Man Roster Review, Reds Win
Topics include: Richard Skinner joins to preview Kentucky football and discuss the Bengals, thoughts on the Bengals' 53-man roster, Reds beat the Cubs on…
- First Word
INTERVIEW: Jason Fitz (Yahoo Sports) on the Bengals, Dexter, AFC North, and Maxx Crosby
Jason Fitz of Yahoo Sports joins First Word to discuss the Bengals, Dexter Lawrence, the AFC North, and the Maxx Crosby saga…
- First Word
8/28/26: Hours 3 and 4, Mike Odom Interview, Reds/Cubs Preview, Bengals Preseason Finale Thoughts
Topics include: Mike Odom (new Northern Kentucky AD) joins the show in-studio, Reds/Cubs series preview, Bengals preseason finale thoughts, and more…
- First Word
8/28/26: Hours 1 and 2, Jason Fitz Interview, Bengals Preseason Finale
Topics include: interview with Jason Fitz (Yahoo Sports daily host) talking Bengals and NFL headlines, Bengals preseason finale discussion, Bengals biggest…
- First Word
8/27/26: Hours 3 and 4, Brad Evans Interview (Fantasy Football), Bengals Roster Moves
Topics include: Brad Evans interview on fantasy football, Contipelli's Countdown, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word…
- First Word
8/27/26: Hours 1 and 2, James' Bengals Roster Prediction, Reds Historic Rally Plus Roster Moves
Topics include: Reds historic rally against the Giants on Wednesday, Reds roster moves, James' Bengals roster predictions, reaction to Marvin Lewis' comments…
- First Word
8/26/26: Hours 3 and 4, Avoiding Disaster on Chase's Injury, Bengals Thoughts
Topics include: Contipelli's Countdown, avoiding disaster on Ja'Marr Chase's injury, and more Bengals thoughts --------------------------------------------…
- First Word
8/26/26: Hours 1 and 2, Jon Ledyard Interview, Ja'Marr Chase Injury, Reds Lose to Giants, Bengals Roster
Topics include: interview with Jon Ledyard (NFL analyst), Ja'Marr Chase's injury scare on Tuesday, Reds lose to Giants, Jacob's final Bengals roster prediction…
- First Word
8/25/26: Hours 3 and 4, Headlines from Bengals Camp, Reds/Giants Preview
Topics include: James makes his suggestion for two players the Bengals should sign, headlines from Bengals camp, Reds/Giants preview, and more…
- First Word
8/25/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Shut Out, Marisa's Final Roster
Topics include: Reds shut out in Arizona, Marisa's final 53-man roster, and plenty more from around the area --------------------------------------------…
- First Word
8/24/26: Hours 3 and 4, Mike Watts Interview, Preseason Game 2 Winners
Topics include: Bengals preseason TV play-by-play voice Mike Watts joins to share his thoughts on how the preseason has gone, preseason game two winners, and…
- First Word
8/24/26: Hours 1 and 2, Preseason Game 2 Takeaways, Reds Recap
Topics: Bengals win their second preseason game, JJ Bleday hits for the cycle, Reds recap, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to…
- First Word
8/21/26: Hours 3 and 4, Bengals/Bears Preseason Game Discussion
Topics include: Contipelli's Countdown, Bengals/Bears preseason game expectations, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First…
- First Word
8/21/26: Hours 1 and 2, Joe Goodberry Interview, Joint Practice Winners, Bengals/Bears Preview
Topics include: Joe Goodberry (Bengals on the Brain) joins for an interview, Bengals/Bears preseason game preview, Noelvi Marte sent down again, and more…
- First Word
8/20/26: Hours 3 and 4, James Rapien Interview from Joint Practice, Bengals Buy or Sell
Topics include: James Rapien interview live from Bengals/Bears joint practice, Bengals buy or sell debates, and more…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…