The CW Pod

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...

Chris Williams is joined by Iowa State great Georges Niang and Iowa Hawkeyes legend Jess Settles to break down the Cyclones and Hawkeyes as they prepare for the Sweet 16. Niang and Settles bring elite insight into what it takes to win in March, analyzing Iowa State’s matchup against Tennessee, the Cyclones’ identity, and how they can continue their run. What does the game look like with the status...

Chris Williams discusses why it’s actually the transfer portal that is killing the little guys in the NCAA Tournament. Plus, a different type of “lifting me up,” all courtesy of Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams welcomes MasterChef Season 13 Champion Grant Gillon to discuss his new partnership with Iowa Everywhere and what's to come. What was it like being in the same kitchen as Gordon Ramsey? CW picks his brain on his love for cooking and more, courtesy of Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of CW Pod, Chris Williams sits down with renowned oncologist Dr. Richard Deming of the MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center for an inspiring and insightful conversation about living a healthy, meaningful life. Dr. Deming shares powerful perspectives on how attitude can shape outcomes, the importance of cancer prevention and early detection, supporting loved ones through difficu...

Chris Williams discusses the changing landscape of sports media as podcasts continue to overtake traditional radio in reach, influence, and audience engagement. On this episode of CW Pod, Chris breaks down why podcasting has become the dominant platform for sports talk and what it means for the future of local and national sports coverage. Plus, a deep dive into North Dakota State’s move to the FB...

Following Iowa State’s win over Houston at Hilton Coliseum, Chris Williams breaks down what “Hilton Magic” really means and why the Cyclones continue to thrive at home under T.J. Otzelberger. Chris also discusses the growing challenges for Kansas State and fired head coach Jerome Tang, and how the Wildcats serve as a cautionary tale in modern college athletics. Plus, reflections from a dad after a...

Chris Williams reflects on a surprisingly emotional night that he had recently at a concert with his family. Courtesy of Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams welcomes longtime Division I coach and ESPN+ analyst Derrin Hansen to The CW Pod for a deep dive into Iowa State basketball. As the Cyclones enter the most challenging stretch of their Big 12 schedule, Hansen breaks down why Iowa State is playing at such a high level, what makes T.J. Otzelberger’s defensive system so effective, and how this team is coming together at the right time....

Chris Williams welcomes Overthinking's Mackenzie Eddie to discuss their thoughts on Landman, how AI is taking over the world, and Dry January. Can Mackenzie domesticate a coyote? All this and more courtesy of Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams analyzes a recent Wall Street Journal article that gave valuations of every FBS football program. Where did Iowa and Iowa State end up, and why? Williams digs deep with the “why” on this week’s CW Pod, courtesy of Steeple Ridge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams sits down with former Iowa State Defensive Coordinator Jon Heacock to discuss his recent retirement, his football philosophy, and highlights from his 43-year coaching career. What's the reasoning behind sunglasses at night? All this and more presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices