The CW Pod

Is college football losing what made it great? Chris Williams and Levi Stevenson dive deep into Chuck Klosterman’s new book Football and what it says about the past, present, and future of the sport. Levi joins the CW Pod for a wide-ranging conversation about NCAA Football video games, football’s place in American culture, declining youth participation, the changing college football fan experience...

Chris Williams breaks down how The Athletic’s football payroll report could bring Iowa and Iowa State together in the push for state support, and why sports gambling revenue belongs in the conversation. Also, Chris explores what small businesses are missing about AI, and how to use it to do better work without sacrificing authenticity.  The common thread: You don’t have to love how things are...

Chris Williams welcomes Jeff Woody back to the CW Pod to break down Iowa State's 16-13 Cy-Hawk loss to Iowa and what the Cyclones showed in the rivalry game. Woody explains why Iowa State's defense could be one of the Big 12's best, including the aggressive scheme, defensive line, Beni Ngoyi, and the Cyclones' ability to hold Iowa under 100 rushing yards. They also dive into Jalen Raynor's perform...

Cy-Hawk Week is finally here, and Chris Williams is joined by Jeff Woody and Chad Leistikow to break down the biggest questions surrounding Iowa vs. Iowa State! Jeff Woody takes an in-depth look at Iowa State's first game under Jimmy Rogers, including the new defensive scheme, the Cyclones' aggressive defensive line, Jaylen Raynor, the wide receivers and tight ends, and the biggest concern on offe...

The Jimmy Rogers era at Iowa State is finally here, but before the Cyclones kick off a new chapter, Chris Williams takes you inside one of the most emotional nights of his journalism career. CW opens up about the night Matt Campbell announced he was leaving Iowa State after the most successful decade in program history. He explains why he became emotional, the relationships he had developed throug...

Chris Williams reveals his six best college football bets for the 2026 season. With Week Zero finally here, Williams breaks down his favorite futures and win-total bets. Williams explains why he believes Texas Tech is the best team in the Big 12, why Miami is the clear favorite in the ACC, and why SMU's schedule and returning quarterback make the Mustangs one of his favorite plays. He also breaks...

Back-to-school season is here, and parents everywhere are experiencing the same mix of excitement, guilt, and anxiety. Chris Williams and Mackenzie Eddie have an honest conversation about sending their kids back to school, the emotional challenge of watching children grow up, and the very real feeling of being ready for a break after spending the entire summer together. They discuss the anxiety so...

Chris Williams is joined by Scott Siepker for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of college football, why so many fans are feeling disconnected from the sport, and whether the business of college athletics has finally gone too far. The two debate conference realignment, NIL, the transfer portal, promotion and relegation, and whether football should become its own separate entity from uni...

Chris Williams is joined by Scott Dochterman of The Athletic to break down the proposed Protect College Sports Act and what it could mean for Iowa, Iowa State, the Big Ten, the Big 12, NIL, roster spending, College Football Playoff expansion, and the future of college athletics. The two discuss why Congress may finally provide stability to college sports, whether spending caps can slow the growing...

Scott Siepker joins Chris Williams to discuss how his World Cup videos reached soccer fans around the globe, and what the experience revealed about social media algorithms, viral content and human connection. Chris and Scott also explore the cultural impact of the World Cup, lessons content creators can take from Scott’s success and some thought-provoking conversations Chris recently had with frie...

Chris Williams sits down with Iowa Events Center General Manager Chris Connolly for an in-depth conversation about the future of Casey's Center, hosting NCAA Tournament games, bringing major concerts to Des Moines, Iowa basketball's return to downtown, and the continued growth of Iowa's premier entertainment venue. 🏀 NCAA Tournament & Casey's Center Chris Connolly discusses: • Missing out on the...

Chris Williams, Chris Hassel, and Jake Brend react to Jamie Pollard announcing his retirement from Iowa State in June 2027. The CW Pod is presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon and the Lonely Oak Distillery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams is in Frisco, Texas, for a reaction from Day 1 of Big 12 Football Media Days. He breaks down Brett Yormark's press conference, explains why the commissioner missed an opportunity to address the Brendan Sorsby situation, reacts to the conference's new Monster Energy partnership, and shares why Texas Tech needs to be careful not to become the next "Texas" of the Big 12. Plus, thoughts...

Chris Williams welcomes fireworks expert Tony Wenck to discuss Iowa's growing fireworks culture, Fourth of July traditions, and how to safely build the perfect backyard fireworks show. Then, Chris is joined by his daughters for a Father's Day conversation about experiencing the Rocky movies for the first time and why Rocky IV still resonates decades later. 🎆 Tony Winks Has Your Boom Boom Chris si...

Chris Williams welcomes Mackenzie Eddie back to the CW Pod for a wide-ranging conversation covering dance recitals, youth sports parents, marriage debates over clutter, and the UFC's controversial event at the White House. The two compare notes on life as sports and dance parents, discuss why travel sports can bring out the worst in adults, and revisit an ongoing argument that has been raging thro...

Chris Williams takes a deep dive into the WNBA, Caitlin Clark, media narratives, and why he believes the league's biggest challenge has nothing to do with basketball. Along the way, he shares a personal coaching story from Bondurant Little League and reflects on one of the most fascinating business stories in sports. 🥎 Little League Lessons Chris opens the show with a story about coaching his dau...

Chris Williams welcomes attorney Nate Boulton for a deep dive into the future of college athletics as Congress prepares to debate major NCAA legislation on Capitol Hill. From NIL and collective bargaining to transfer portal chaos and Olympic sports funding, the guys unpack why college sports may be approaching a total reset. 🏛️ Congress enters the college sports fight Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell i...

Chris Williams welcomes Scott Dochterman to break down the Big Ten's reaction to Jamie Pollard’s viral comments, the future of the College Football Playoff, and why the bowl system needs to be changed. 🔥 How the Big Ten reacted to Jamie Pollard Dochterman was at the Big Ten meetings when Pollard’s comments exploded nationally. The guys discuss how Big Ten officials interpreted the comments and wh...

Chris Williams delivers a solo deep dive into the future of college sports, media, streaming, and why the current system may be headed for a complete shakeup. 🔥 Jamie Pollard fires back Williams reacts to Jamie Pollard openly challenging the SEC and Big Ten, arguing that maybe the Big 12 and ACC should stop waiting around and let the power conferences break away completely. 📺 Is cable TV dying i...

Chris Williams is joined by Scott Siepker to dive into the government’s latest UFO report, conspiracy theories, Area 51, Hulk Hogan’s complicated legacy, Ted Turner’s media empire, and why nostalgia hits harder than ever. 👽 The UFO report finally drops Chris and Scott react to the government’s latest alien/UFO disclosure, debate whether we’re getting the full truth, and discuss why Area 51, Apoll...

Chris Williams is joined by John Kurtz (Open for Business) for a deep dive into the future of the Big 12—and whether the league can truly compete in today’s college sports landscape. 🏈 Is the System Rigged? With massive revenue gaps between the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12, the guys debate whether the league can realistically catch up—or if the game is already decided. 📺 Big 12 Survival Strategy • B...

Chris Williams sits down with Pastor Mike Janes for a thoughtful conversation covering anxiety, control, parenting, and how to actually find peace in 2026. 🧠 Why We’re More Anxious Than Ever From social media algorithms to constant bad news cycles, the guys break down why modern life keeps people on edge. ⚖️ Control vs Letting Go What can you actually control? And where do you need to step back?...

Chris Williams is joined by Mackenzie Eddie for a different kind of CW Pod—less sports, more life. 🏁 NASCAR Weekend Reflections Chris shares a special weekend with his daughter at the track—and the unexpected feeling of dread that hits when those perfect moments come to an end. ❤️ Parenting, Perspective & Guilt Why great parenting moments can feel heavy, how kids teach us more than we teach them,...

Chris Williams is joined by Scott Siepker for one of the most all-over-the-place episodes of the CW Pod. 🚀 Space, AI & The Future: From rocket launches to space debris fears, the guys go deep on where technology is headed—and whether humans are actually ready for it. 🤖 Are We Replacing Ourselves? A wild but real conversation about AI, automation, and what happens when humans don’t need to work a...

Chris Williams sits down with new UNI Panthers men's basketball head coach Kyle Green for a quick-hitting conversation during one of the busiest weeks of his career. 🏀 The Opportunity of a Lifetime: Green talks about how quickly everything came together—and why UNI was the only job that could pull him away from T. J. Otzelberger’s staff at Iowa State. 🔥 Building a Program in 2026: From NIL to th...