Going The Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast

Jim Toscano joins the Rocky Series Podcast to discuss his feature documentary The Pretender about Mike Kunda — the ultimate Rocky Balboa impersonator and Philadelphia tour guide. Jim shares how he met Mike on the Rocky Balboa set, the 5-year journey turning a 5-minute idea into a 55-minute film, family interviews, Detroit screening reactions, and the heart behind capturing one man's dedication to...

Ryan and Ruban celebrate on Ruban's couch with a special milestone episode wrapping up Rocky IV season. They read heartfelt listener emails, share fan stories (meeting Stallone, childhood memories, Rocky pajamas), recap favorite interviews, debate Creed II moments, Dolph Lundgren in Aquaman, and look ahead to Rocky V. Full of laughs, appreciation, and that classic "keep punching" spirit.

We went the distance with Rocky IV! We watch the epic final fight in Moscow as Rocky Balboa faces Ivan Drago on Christmas Day. Packed with play-by-play commentary, laughs over Paulie’s heartfelt moment, the robot Sicco, crowd flips, brutal punches, Tony’s corner wisdom, and that unforgettable “If I Can Change” speech. Plus Vancouver filming trivia, 80s nostalgia, and full credits discussion. 00:00...

Deep dive into Rocky IV’s training sequences in Episode 14 of Going The Distance! Guest Kyle joins to break down Paulie roasting marshmallows to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Tony Duke’s heartfelt talk with Rocky about training alone, the epic side-by-side montages (Rocky’s raw nature training vs Drago’s high-tech steroid-fueled sessions), and Adrian’s surprise return with “No Matter What” support lead...

Join us for a fun deep dive into Rocky IV as we break down the scenes right after the "No Easy Way Out" montage! Big Gun Doug from the Rocky Minute podcast joins to discuss Paulie’s nagging robot, Rocky’s heartfelt bedroom talk with his son, the epic Survivor "Burning Heart" training arrival in Russia, Tumi luggage trivia, and Paulie’s hilarious complaints in the snow. Packed with movie analysis,...

In this special live episode of Going the Distance – The Rocky Series Podcast , Ryan and Ruban break down Apollo Creed's funeral and the explosive press conference that follows in Rocky IV . They discuss Rocky's emotional (and short) eulogy, leaving the championship belt on the casket, the media frenzy, protests, Drago's team trash-talking, Ludmilla's fears, and Rocky's decision to fight in Russia...

In this episode of Going the Distance – The Rocky Series Podcast , Ryan is joined by special guest host Big Gun Doug Greenberg from the Rocky Minute podcast for a deep, scene-by-scene breakdown of the brutal exhibition fight between Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago. From Apollo's showmanship and "born again" foreshadowing, the intense size disparity and Drago's devastating power, referee Lou Filippo's...

Welcome to The Rocky Series Podcast: Going the Distance — Episode 9 of our Rocky IV coverage! Ryan and Ruban break down the iconic exhibition fight entrance between Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago — the dramatic ring reveal, James Brown’s legendary “Living in America” performance, the over-the-top Las Vegas dancers, Drago’s stunned reaction, and Apollo’s show-stopping entrance. We discuss the symbolis...

Welcome to The Rocky Series Podcast: Going the Distance — Episode 8 of our Rocky IV coverage! Ryan and Ruban dive into the tense press conference scene between Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago, plus the emotional locker room moment with Rocky and Apollo. We break down Apollo’s over-the-top bravado, Drago’s intimidating silence, the building tension, and Rocky’s growing concern for his friend’s safety....

Special Creed II Trailer Breakdown episode! Ryan is joined by frequent guest Kyle for an emergency hot-take on the brand-new Creed II trailer. We go scene-by-scene through the entire trailer — training montages in the desert and Philly, the two fights, Drago Jr.’s intense training in Russia, Rocky’s tough love conversation with Adonis, Bianca’s pregnancy, the weigh-in stare-down, and that epic rin...

Welcome back to The Rocky Series Podcast: Going the Distance — Episode 6 of our Rocky IV coverage! Ryan and Ruban break down one of the most emotional and pivotal scenes in the entire franchise: Apollo and Rocky watching old footage of their Rocky II fight and having a raw heart-to-heart about legacy, identity, change, and what it means to be a warrior. We dive deep into Apollo’s motivation to fig...

Ryan is joined by our good friend Kyle Pederson, who steps in to help with hosting duties on this episode of Going The Distance. In Rocky IV Episode 5, the guys discuss the simple setup that somehow takes the entire episode to break down — full of laughs, deep dives, and classic Rocky vibes.

How amazing is this episode? After a 4-month hiatus, Ryan and Ruban are finally back on The Rocky Series Podcast! In this return episode, the brothers break down the **Creed II Trailer**, share an incredible piece of Rocky II clarification/trivia, and actually source Sylvester Stallone in the process — all thanks to their good friend and Rocky documentarian **Derek Wayne Johnson** (director of “40...

Join Ryan and Ruben as they continue dissecting Rocky IV in this fun and lively episode of The Rocky Series Podcast! In this part of the journey, the brothers break down: - Ivan Drago’s terrifying punching power and what makes him such a beast - The further idiocy and hilarious moments of SICO the Robot - Plus plenty of laughs, fan comments, and classic 80s Rocky vibes

Ryan and Ruban are back with another fun and lively episode of The Rocky Series Podcast as they continue their journey through Rocky IV! In this episode, the brothers dive into some of the most memorable (and hilarious) moments early in the film: - Apollo Creed swimming with his 3 hairy dogs in the pool - Apollo’s insanely advanced giant TV (way ahead of its time — and yes, they compare it to SICO...

Join Ryan and Ruban as they kick off the epic journey through Rocky IV!  In this live-recorded episode, the brothers break down the explosive opening scenes of Rocky IV — from Apollo Creed’s tragic fight against Ivan Drago, James Brown’s unforgettable performance, to the intense Cold War vibes that set the tone for the entire film. They also dive into what Sylvester Stallone was up to between Rock...

In this fun and fascinating episode of The Rocky Series Podcast, host Ryan sits down with actress, singer, psychic medium, and Rocky III dancer Patty Negri! Patty shares her unforgettable experience working on Rocky III (1982) — from being a “Rocky Girl,” getting personally picked by Sylvester Stallone to sing backup with Frank Stallone on the song “Take It Back,” earning her SAG card, and how she...

Join Ryan (@RyanRebalkin) as he sits down with Derek Wayne Johnson (@derekwaynejohnson), the director and producer of the acclaimed documentary John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs ! In this incredible interview, Derek shares his passion for bringing the story of John G. Avildsen — the Oscar-winning visionary behind Rocky , The Karate Kid , and so many inspiring underdog tales — to life. We div...

Join Ryan (@RyanRebalkin) and special guest host Kyle Pederson as we bring the Rocky III journey to an epic close! Tonight, we wrap up the entire film — diving into the high-stakes rematch tension, the raw evolution of Rocky, the unbreakable bonds formed along the way, and why this ending delivers such massive emotional payoff. We tease the glory, the heart, and the ultimate triumph without giving...

Join Ryan (@ryan.rebalkin) and Ruban (@rebalkin) live for Episode 59 of the podcast — and tonight we finally reach one of the most uplifting and beloved sequences in the entire Rocky saga: the Rocky III training montage ! Rocky and Apollo are having the time of their lives — running on the beach, laughing together, embracing, grooving to the music, and rebuilding that fire in a way that feels genu...

Join Ryan and Ruban as they take a close and heartfelt look at one of the most beloved and emotionally raw scenes in the entire Rocky franchise: the famous Rocky & Adrian beach scene in Rocky III . After struggling to fully commit to Apollo’s high-energy training, Rocky finally sits down with Adrian on the beach and tells her the real reason he hasn’t been training properly. Fear, doubt, press...

Join Ryan and Ruban as they continue their journey through Rocky III — and this one gets complicated fast. Rocky truly cannot sing, cannot dance… but Apollo Creed is determined to transform him into something flashy and new, training him with all the showmanship and swagger he’s got. Meanwhile, Paulie keeps throwing curveballs that make it very hard to root for him — and even harder to defend him...

Join Ryan and special guest host Kyle as they dive into the early moments of Rocky III — specifically the beginning of Apollo Creed’s bold attempt to retrain Rocky Balboa in his own flashy, high-energy style. We explore how Apollo starts reshaping Rocky, the cultural clash, the 80s showmanship, and the electric dynamic between the two fighters. But things take a darker turn when Paulie lets his tr...

Join Ryan and Ruban as they tackle one of the most talked-about and eyebrow-raising moments in the entire Rocky series: the scene where Apollo Creed propositions Rocky ! Yes, you read that right. Things get flirty, things get bold, and yes — we all get curious. Ryan and Ruban break down the context, the tone, the 80s energy, the subtext (or lack thereof?), and why this scene still sparks so much c...

Ryan is once again joined by fellow Canadian and passionate Rocky fan Tyler Morgan for this emotional continuation. This episode dives into two of the heaviest moments in Rocky III : Mickey’s heartbreaking death and what it truly means for Rocky Rocky’s devastating loss in the ring at the hands of Clubber Lang We close the episode with the incredibly moving cast tribute to Burgess Meredith featuri...