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
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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 --------------------------------------------…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
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…
- First Word
8/6/26: Hours 1 and 2, Paul Dehner Jr. Interview, Hunter Greene to IL, Reds Win Another Series
Topics include: The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. joins the First Word crew in-studio, Hunter Greene heads to IL with another elbow injury, Reds win series…
- First Word
8/5/26: Hours 3 and 4, Ben Baby Interview, Reds/Athletics Preview
Topics include: in-studio interview with ESPN Bengals reporter Ben Baby, Reds/Athletics preview, and more --------------------------------------------…
- First Word
8/5/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Beat Athletics, Bengals Training Camp Reactions
Topics include: Reds beat the Athletics in the series opener on Tuesday night at GABP, Bengals training camp reaction, and more…
- First Word
8/4/26 - Hours 3 and 4, Training Camp Takeaways, NFL Top 100 Lists, Reds & FCC Preview
Observations from the Bengals' first day of full pads at training camps. Analyzing the NFL Top 100 list. Plus, previews of the upcoming Reds and FC Cincinnati…
- First Word
Bengals Training Camp Reaction with Mike Petraglia
Mike "Trags" Petraglia of CLNS Cincy joins First Word to discuss how the Bengals have looked so far in training camp…
- First Word
8/3/26 - Hours 3 and 4, Rapien's Top 10 Bengals, Seeing Red at the Deadline?
Rapien's Top 10 Bengals. The desk's keys to a successful Reds trade deadline. Watching the Reds at the deadline. --------------------------------------------…
- First Word
8/3/26 - Hours 1 and 2, Reds Trade Deadline & Eyes on Bengals Training Camp
It's deadline day in MLB. The Bengals put the pads on. FC Cincinnati earn thrilling win. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word…
- First Word
7/31/26: Hours 3 and 4, Joe Danneman Interview, Reds/Pirates
Topics include: FOX19 Sports Director Joe Danneman joins for an in-studio interview, Reds/Pirates discussion, and more…
- First Word
7/31/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Training Camp Day 2, Reds Win
Topics include: Bengals training camp discussion, Reds walk-off Pirates, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on…
- First Word
7/30/26: Hours 3 and 4, Field Yates Interview, Trade Deadline, Reds/Pirates
Topics include: interview with ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates, MLB trade deadline, Reds/Pirates preview -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to…
- First Word
7/30/26: Hours 1 and 2, Training Camp Day 1, Ohio Cup
Topics include: Recap from day one of Bengals training camp, the Guardians take the Ohio Cup, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe…
- First Word
7/29/26: Hours 3 and 4, Evaluating Bengals Offense, Reds/Guardians
Topics include: Evaluating the Bengals offense after Dan Pitcher's media availability, Reds/Guardians game three preview, and more…
- First Word
7/29/26: Hours 1 and 2, Top 10 Bengals, Headlines
Topics include: Jacob Tissot's top 10 Bengals and other headlines to know -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube…
- First Word
7/28/26: Hours 3 and 4, Chase Burns Innings Limit, Reds/Guardians Preview
Topics include: Chase Burns innings limit, preview of the Reds/Guardians series, audio from Duke Tobin's press conference, Contipelli's Countdown, and more…
- First Word
7/28/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Media Day Recap, NFL Headlines, Ohio Cup
Topics include: Bengals media day (Mock Turtle Soup) recap, NFL headlines, Ohio Cup feature, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to…
- First Word
7/27/26: Hours 3 and 4, Pressure on Zac Taylor, Reds/Guardians Preview
Topics include: Pressure on Zac Taylor to win this year, NL Rookie of the Year race, Contipelli's Countdown, Reds/Guardians preview, and more…
- First Word
7/27/26: Hours 1 and 2, Training Camp, Reds Trade Deadline
Topics include: Bengals training camp begins this week, Reds trade deadline discussion, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to…
- First Word
7/24/26: Hours 3 and 4, Landon Robinson Interview, and Reds/Cardinals Preview
Topics include: Bengals draft pick Landon Robinson joins for an in-studio interview, Reds/Cardinals series preview, and more…
- First Word
7/24/26: Hours 1 and 2, NFL WR2 Rankings, Reds Trade Talk
Topics include: NFL Wide Receiver 2 rankings, Reds trade talk as the deadline approaches, Contipelli's Countdown, and more…
- First Word
7/23/26: Hours 3 and 4, Anthony Munoz Interview, Reds Trade Candidates
Topics include: Bengals legend Anthony Munoz joins the crew for an in-studio interview, trade candidates for the Cincinnati Reds, and more…
- First Word
7/23/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Win Series vs. Mariners
Topics: Reds win series against the Mariners and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube…
- First Word
7/22/26: Hours 3 and 4, Reds/Mariners Preview, NCAA Eligibility Court Case
Topics include: the court case surrounding NCAA eligibility, a preview of Wednesday's Reds/Mariners game, and more --------------------------------------------…
- First Word
7/22/26: Hours 1 and 2, Steve Helwagen Interview, Reds Win
Topics include: Steve Helwagen joins to preview the Ohio State football season, the Cincinnati Reds beat the Seattle Mariners, and more…
- First Word
7/21/26: Hours 3 and 4, Carter Chapley FC Cincinnati Interview, Contipelli's Countdown
Topics include: Carter Chapley from FC Cincinnati to discuss second half, Contipelli's Countdown, and more --------------------------------------------…
- First Word
7/21/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Lose, ESPN Top 10 Safeties
Topics include: Reds lose series opener to the Mariners, ESPN top 10 safeties, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on…
- First Word
7/20/26: Hours 3 and 4, Reds/Mariners Preview, Contipelli's Countdown
Topics include: preview of the Reds/Mariners series, Contipelli's Countdown, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on…
- First Word
7/20/26: Hours 1 and 2, Jay Morrison Interview
Topics include: Reds win series vs. Rockies, Bengals positions of need, plus an in-studio interview with SI Bengals writer Jay Morrison…
- First Word
7/17/26: Hours 3 and 4, Reds Second Half, NFL Rankings Debate
Topics include: Reds second half over/unders, NFL Rankings Debate -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube…
- First Word
7/17/26: Hours 1 and 2, Chase Burns Extended
It was reported Thursday that Reds pitcher Chase Burns has agreed to a contract extension. The First Word crew discusses the extension and more…
- First Word
7/16/26: Hours 3 and 4, Jeremy Rauch Interview
Topics include: Fox19's Jeremy Rauch in-studio for an interview talking Bengals and Reds, plus a quick hit on game themes for the Bengals this year…
- First Word
7/16/26: Hours 1 and 2, Off to Greener Pastures?
Topics include: should the Reds trade Hunter Greene, Joe Flacco on "Quarterback," and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word…
- First Word
7/15/26: Hours 3 and 4, NBA Free Agency, MLB Salary Cap, NFL Offensive Trios
Topics include: NBA free agency, MLB salary cap, NFL offensive trios, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube…
- First Word
7/15/26: Sal Stewart ASG, Mike Petraglia Interview
Topics include: MLB All-Star Game, Sal Stewart's performance in the ASG, Stewart's comments about a potential salary cap, plus an in-studio interview with Mike…
- First Word
7/14/26: Hours 3 and 4, Burns Sitting ASG, Edge Rusher Rankings
Topics include: Chase Burns sitting out for the All-Star Game, NFL edge rusher rankings, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to…
- First Word
7/14/26: Hours 1 and 2, NFL Top 100, QB Rankings, Home Run Derby
Topics include: Home Run Derby delivered in a big way Monday night, NFL Top 100 has Lamar Jackson ranked 69th, and Joe Burrow QB ranking discussion…
- First Word
7/13/26: Hours 3 and 4, Home Run Derby Preview, Joe Burrow QB Rankings
Topics include: Contipelli's Countdown, a preview of the Home Run Derby, and PFF's QB rankings -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First…
- First Word
7/13/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Kralling into All-Star Break
Topics include: Recapping the disaster of a first half for the Cincinnati Reds, weekend recap, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe…
- First Word
7/10/26: Hours 3 and 4, Cubs/Reds, Bengals Player Rankings
Topics: Chicago Cubs visiting the Cincinnati Reds this weekend, Bengals player rankings, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to…
- First Word
7/10/26: Hours 1 and 2, Clay Snowden Interview
Topics include: Reds loss to Phillies on Thursday night, plus an interview with Clay Snowden discussing his article about the Reds needing a change in the…
- First Word
Bengals Eyeing Super Bowl After Major Offseason Upgrades | Dan Hoard Interview
Cincinnati Bengals radio voice Dan Hoard stops by the show to discuss Joe Burrow, Dexter Lawrence, their offseason moves and why the Bengals are Super Bowl…
- First Word
7/9/26: Hours 3 and 4, College Basketball Exhibition at Cincinnati Open
Host of the Rebound Rundown, Paul Fritschner, joins the show to discuss the upcoming exhibition at the home of the Cincinnati Open…
- First Word
7/9/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Win, Dan Hoard Interview
Topics include: Sal Stewart, Reds big night in win vs. Phillies, plus Dan Hoard in-studio -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word…
- First Word
7/8/26: Hours 3 and 4, Top 10 Running Backs, Bengals, Reds/Phillies
Topics include: ESPN's Top 10 running backs in 2026, more about the Bengals, and Reds/Phillies on Wednesday night --------------------------------------------…
- First Word
7/8/26: Hours 1 and 2, Kyle Schwarber Punishes Reds
Topics include: Philadelphia Phillies beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-1, Kyle Schwarber hits home run -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to…
- First Word
7/7/26: Hours 3 and 4, Reds Trade Opportunities, Reds/Phillies Preview
Topics: Reds trade opportunities, Reds/Phillies preview -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube…
- First Word
7/7/26: Hours 1 and 2, USMNT Loses, Reds Stock Report
Topics include: USMNT loses to Belgium in the Round of 16 of the World Cup, and taking stock of individual Reds --------------------------------------------…
- First Word
7/6/26: Hours 3 and 4, Contipelli's Countdown, Reds Confidence Check
Topics include: Contipelli's Countdown, a confidence check on the Cincinnati Reds, and more -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First…
- First Word
7/6/26: Hours 1 and 2, Tom Gelehrter Interview, Reds Salvage Win
Topics include: Cincinnati Reds salvage a win in last game of series vs. Baltimore Orioles, plus an in-studio interview with the voice of FC Cincinnati, Tom…
- First Word
7/2/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Lose Again to Brewers, USMNT Wins
Topics include: Cincinnati Reds lose again in Milwaukee, USMNT beats Bosnia and Herzegovina -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First…