Going The Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast

 Ryan has an engaging interview with Felice Cantatore, author of Rocky Spirit: The Rocky Balboa Connection to Success, a book praised by Burt Young as a masterpiece. Despite audio issues affecting Ryan’s voice, Cantatore’s responses shine through, detailing his lifelong passion for the Rocky franchise, sparked by seeing the original film in 1977 at age 11. He shares vivid memories of the electric...

Hosts Ruban and Ryan interview Robin Schomberg-Nicholls, daughter of A. Thomas Schomberg, the sculptor of the iconic Rocky statue. Despite a humorous scheduling mix-up, Robin graciously shares her experiences growing up around the statue’s creation, including Sylvester Stallone modeling for her father and undergoing a plaster life mask. She discusses her role in revitalizing the family business, p...

In this episode of the "Going the Distance" podcast, hosts Ruban and Ryan kick off with a lively discussion about Guns N' Roses' song "Get in the Ring," reflecting on Axl Rose's fiery attitude and its relevance to their Rocky-themed podcast. The episode transitions into an interview with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael Vitez, who shares his journey of co-authoring Rocky Stories, a book c...

Hosts Ruban and Ryan engage in humorous banter about their studio setup, perform a comedic ad read for a pet shop that goes hilariously awry due to mispronunciations, and delve into tangents on topics like hair, toupees, celebrities such as Donald Trump and Burt Reynolds, and Wayne's World. The main highlight is an insightful interview with Broadway actor Andy Karl, who discusses his role as Rocky...

In this heartfelt and humorous episode of the "Going the Distance" podcast, brothers Ryan and Ruban welcome Mike Kunda, a passionate Rocky Balboa impersonator and tour guide, to discuss his lifelong connection to the Rocky franchise. The episode dives into Mike’s inspiring journey from a childhood shaped by Rocky’s underdog spirit to his career leading Rocky film location tours in Philadelphia, hi...

Ryan and Ruban celebrate the wrap-up of their Rocky (1976) discussion with a lively mix of humor, trivia, and reflections on the film’s enduring legacy. Kicking off with a playful nod to Suicidal Tendencies’ “Church of Suicidal” and its guitarist Rocky George, they dive into personal anecdotes, including meeting the band and a near-death camping story, before sharing fascinating Rocky trivia, such...

 Ryan, Ruban, and guest Kyle Peterson break down the climactic fight scene of Rocky (1976), focusing on Apollo Creed’s theatrical entrance, the brutal 15-round battle, and Rocky’s emotional journey to prove he’s not “just another bum.” The hosts mix insightful analysis with humor, personal stories, and pop culture references, celebrating the film’s authenticity and lasting impact.

Hosts Ryan and Ruban, joined by guest Kyle Peterson, dive into the iconic training montage of Rocky, analyzing its gritty authenticity, from running with bricks in an industrial Philadelphia to the triumphant stairs scene. They share personal anecdotes, like Kyle’s visit to the Rocky Steps, and discuss the emotional weight of Rocky’s introspective moment with Adrian the night before the fight, whe...

In this episode, hosts Ryan and Ruban dive into the iconic Rocky movie, blending casual banter with in-depth analysis of key scenes like the Philadelphia stairs run, the meat-punching training montage, and emotional confrontations involving characters Rocky, Adrian, and Paulie. They explore personal anecdotes, such as Ruban's honeymoon visit to the actual Rocky steps and his wife's evolving apprec...

Brothers Ryan and Ruban dive into the pivotal moments of the original Rocky film following Rocky's tender first date with Adrian, blending nostalgic analysis with personal anecdotes, brotherly banter, and tangents on everything from Ringo Starr's underrated Beatles contributions and the awkwardness of podcasting for a small audience to Stallone's masterful screenwriting in scenes like the street b...

In episode three of "Going the Distance," hosts Ryan and Ruban dive into Act 2 of the classic film Rocky, blending nostalgic banter with sharp analysis as they introduce Paulie (Burt Young) through a memorable bar bathroom scene, explore Rocky's salt-of-the-earth character during a heartfelt talk with young Marie about avoiding bad influences, and dissect the iconic ice-skating first date with Adr...

In episode two of Going the Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast, brothers Ryan and Ruban Rebalkin continue their three-act dissection of the 1976 original, delving into Act 2's escalating underdog grit as Rocky navigates loan-sharking failures, gym exile, and budding romance amid Philly's raw underbelly. Ruban spotlights Rocky's heart-of-gold ineptitude as Gazzo's thumb-breaking enforcer—chasing de...

In the debut episode of Going the Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast, brothers Ryan and Ruban Rebalkin launch an enthusiastic three-act breakdown of the Rocky franchise, kicking off with Act 1 of the original 1976 underdog masterpiece as a passion project born from Ryan's lifelong fandom and Ruban's reluctant-but-genuine appreciation (equating it to multiple viewings of Better Off Dead). Tangentin...

In this introductory trailer for the re-released Going the Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast feed, host Ryan Rebalkin warmly invites listeners into the origins of his podcasting journey, reflecting on the raw, cringe-worthy early episodes (1-100) where audio quality and delivery evolve amid patient brotherly banter breaking down the Rocky films from the original 1976 classic through Creed III. Ac...