Going The Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast

Ryan is joined by fellow Canadian and die-hard Rocky fan Tyler Morgan for a heartfelt and fun episode of Going the Distance! In this one we focus on one of the most emotional threads in the entire Rocky series: Mickey’s ailing health and what it means for Rocky, the story, and the fans. We also cover plenty of other classic Rocky moments, memories, and discussion points that only true fans will ap...

Ryan and Ruban celebrate this huge milestone by tearing into one of the most awkward and hilarious moments in the entire Rocky saga: Rocky’s failed training sequence in the hotel room from Rocky III. Mickey’s frustration boils over, Rocky can’t help but ham it up for the cameras, and Paulie… well, Paulie does what Paulie does best when it comes to selling stuff. Is this the low point of Rocky’s pr...

Join Ryan and Ruban as they reunite for an electrifying deep dive into Rocky III! Get ready for insights on the tension-filled statue unveiling that sets the stage for chaos, plus Clubber Lang's unforgettable showdown where he throws down the gauntlet—and something extra cheeky aimed at Adrian. Will this spark fly or fizzle? Tune in to hear their takes on these classic moments that keep the Rocky...

Rocky tries to serenade Adrian with a late-night performance of "Take Me Back"… only to end up in one of the craziest charity matches ever against the Mountain of Molten Lust himself — Thunderlips (Hulk Hogan)! In this episode of Going the Distance , we break down the iconic bedroom scene, Adrian’s hilarious singing attempt, and the complete Thunderlips vs Rocky charity fight with tons of laughs,...

Join Ryan, Ruban, and special guest Kyle as we dive into one of the wildest and most chaotic scenes in Rocky III! Season 3 rolls on as we unpack Paulie's drunken night of "fun" that lands him behind bars, followed by his explosive confrontation with Rocky in a gritty parking garage brawl. What the heck is going on with this guy? Is Paulie just comic relief, or is there something deeper beneath the...

Rocky Balboa basks in fame with celebrity hangouts, TV commercials, and lavish gifts like fur coats for Adrian. Meanwhile, the unstoppable Clubber Lang trains with ferocious intensity, boils with rage at everyone around him, and boldly issues a ringside challenge to the champ! This montage is pure 80s cinema gold—stay until the very end for a special twist: David Letterman interviews Mr. T himself...

Join Ryan and Ruban as they kick off Season 3 with a deep dive into Rocky III! We stalk our prey in the night and break down the electrifying opening montage of the film. This iconic sequence is packed with layers—it's so rich that it demands not one, but TWO full episodes to unpack every detail. Get ready for intense analysis, behind-the-scenes insights, and all the heart-pounding energy of the R...

Join Ryan and Ruban on the Going the Distance podcast as they dive into Rocky Balboa vibes, the art of humor, and the real grind of a comedian's life, with veteran stand-up legend Brad Upton dropping wisdom we desperately need! This hilarious episode features Brad, a former fourth-grade teacher and track coach turned comedy powerhouse, who first hit the stage in 1984 and now boasts over 40 years o...

Ryan chats with Scottish actress and Rocky superfan Kirsty Strain (known for Burnistoun and River City) about her lifelong passion for the Rocky franchise, her favorite moments from the series, and her exciting new creative project: writing and starring in a new play while simultaneously producing a documentary on its creation titled "One More Round"—a heartfelt exploration of perseverance, perfor...

Ryan and Ruban sit down with legendary YouTuber, filmmaker, and die-hard Rocky fanatic James Rolfe (the Angry Video Game Nerd from Cinemassacre) for an in-depth conversation exploring his passionate love for the Rocky franchise, including shout-outs to his epic series review, along with behind-the-scenes insights into his iconic career, Cinemassacre productions, personal life, and more, all captur...

Ryan sits down with veteran actress Rutanya Alda for an engaging career-spanning conversation, delving into her iconic roles as Angela in The Deer Hunter, devoted housekeeper Carol Ann in the cult classic Mommie Dearest, and her memorable part in Amityville II: The Possession, alongside behind-the-scenes stories from Rocky II, working with legends like Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Al Pacino, Ro...

Ryan and Ruban mark the triumphant close of Season 2 with an in-depth wrap-up of Rocky II, blending heartfelt reflections on the film's iconic rematch and underdog spirit with lighthearted tangents like Sylvester Stallone's recurring on-screen butt appearances across his career, speculation on upcoming Stallone projects, a candid recap of Season 2's highlights and challenges, and exciting teases f...

Super Fan Mat joins hosts Ryan and Ruban to dive into the highly anticipated rematch between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa in Super Fight II. Despite earlier declarations that there would be no rematch following their epic first bout, the excitement builds as they break down what this unexpected showdown means for both fighters, exploring the stakes, motivations, and potential outcomes in one of b...

Ryan and Ruban lace up for the ultimate deep dive into Rocky II’s legendary training montage: raw eggs flying, chicken chasing, Mickey screaming “Speed, speed!”, kids mobbing the streets of Philly, and that glorious moment when the music swells and our broke, battered champ finally becomes the beast who can go the distance. From dawn sprints to sunset triumph, this is pure 1979 goosebump fuel. Gra...

Ryan and Ruban dive deep into the gut-punch moments of Rocky II: Adrian flatlines, Rocky prays at the hospital chapel, Mickey’s loyalty gets tested, and Paulie spirals harder than ever. From “I just wanna go the distance” to “Win… win!” this is the episode that breaks you before it builds you back up. Tears, raw eggs, and pure Philly heart – come cry with us, champ, because nothing hits harder tha...

Ryan and Ruban break down the legendary press conference where Paulie gets accused of being Al Capone, Rocky’s grocery list becomes a national tragedy, and Mickey roasts our hero so hard he feels like a Kentucky Fried Idiot. Apollo’s pure business, the chat’s popping off, and the boys are getting trained in real time by the best listeners in Philly. Grab your raw eggs, mute your domestic drama, an...

Ryan, Ruban, and Super Fan Kyle go ringside as the Balboa household cracks under money woes, Rocky’s stubborn pride, and one very damaged eye. Adrian’s fed up, Apollo launches an old-school smear campaign (no social media required), and somehow Kyle ends up slapping himself in pure passion. From street fights to bedroom fights, this is Rocky at his absolute lowest – grab your turtle food and brace...

Yo Adrian, we did it again – this time with mega-fan Kyle crashing the mic! Rocky’s broke as hell, selling his beloved car to a frighteningly skinny Paulie while Adrian eyes a gig at the pet shop just to keep the lights on. Times are brutal in Philly, but the heart of a champion still beats. We also dive into that glorious Carl Weathers + Stallone Golden Globes moment and laugh at the ridiculous c...

Ruban and Ryan, joined by Ryan’s wife Becky, dive into Rocky II, exploring Rocky Balboa’s struggle to transition from fame to everyday life after his failed commercial ventures. The discussion captures Rocky’s humbling job search, from his earnest but monotone reading practice with Adrian to his ill-fated office job interviews and eventual work at Shamrock Meats, secured through Paulie’s connectio...

 Ryan and Ruban dive into Rocky II with a mix of humor and nostalgia, dissecting the iconic Beast After Shave commercial scene where Rocky fumbles through cue cards and faces a condescending director, while weaving in tangents about Sylvester Stallone’s career, the 2016 U.S. election shock with Trump’s victory, and a humorous obsession with bear rugs inspired by Burt Reynolds’ infamous photoshoot....

In this knockout follow-up episode, superfan Mat returns to join hosts Ryan and Ruban for another round of Rocky II dissection, diving deeper into Sylvester Stallone’s iconic underdog saga while exploring the champ’s questionable spending habits, from flashy purchases to the financial strain of his post-fight life, alongside a broader celebration of Stallone’s cinematic legacy, including his gritt...

In this lively episode, superfan Mat joins the hosts to dive deeper into Rocky II , bringing his infectious passion for Sylvester Stallone to the table as they unpack iconic moments like Rocky and Adrian's heartfelt wedding and the quirky zoo scene where Rocky’s softer side shines, while also branching out into Stallone’s broader legacy with a spirited discussion of Rambo and its gritty, action-pa...

In the kickoff episode of Season 2, Ryan and Ruban dive straight into the gritty underdog saga of Rocky II, picking up right where the original left off with Sylvester Stallone's iconic boxer facing new rounds of triumph and turmoil, while taking a nostalgic detour through the eclectic films Stallone cranked out in the gap between the two Rocky installments—like the gritty crime drama F.I.S.T. and...