The CW Pod

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

Chris Williams has a lot of problems with society...and now you're gonna hear about it. Hear all of CW's grievances with college football, halftime shows, the tipping problem, and more. Courtesy of Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams makes his picks for the 2025 College Football Playoff, courtesy of Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams welcomes Ben Bruns to discuss everything that has happened in this transitional period between Matt Campbell and Jimmy Rogers at Iowa State. What's next for the Cyclones? All of their thoughts and more presented by Steeple Ridge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams is joined and interviewed by his longtime mentor, Keith Murphy, regarding the release of his new book: “Fanatic: Stories from 20 Years Inside Iowa State.” The two discuss the process of writing and researching the book, what Chris hopes the audience gets from it, highlights from the last 20 years, and more. Presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Chris Williams dissects Kenny Dillingham's comments about local communities. Does he have a point? YouTube TV pushed back against ESPN and came out on top - while also looking out for the fans. Celebrating the death of the BCS and more. Presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams reacts and delivers his thoughts on Iowa's last-second loss to Oregon. Can Iowa get to the next level? Iowa State finally gets back in the win column. Touching on hoops and more presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams breaks down the big dispute between Disney and Google regarding ESPN and YouTubeTV. It’s another example of how only the fans get screwed. Also, did Nebraska really need to increase Matt Rhule’s contract buyout to $71 million last week? A lot of sports business this week on the CW Pod, courtesy of Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams welcomes Overthinking's Mackenzie Eddie to talk about the paranormal. There's no way everything is a coincidence, right? Diving into Halloween, life, and more. Presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams takes a deep dive into the Big Ten’s reported interest in acquiring money from a private investment firm. Not everyone is on the same page. What’s it mean for the future? Chris peels off layers of what he believes to be coded language form the Michigan Board of Regents. A lot to dissect today, courtesy of Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

Chris Williams dives into college football this week to discuss the James Franklin firing and what it means for the rest of college football. Will anyone catch Texas Tech in the Big 12? Touching on what Iowa State needs to do moving forward and more. Presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris sits down with his old friend, Drake head coach Eric Henderson, to look ahead at his debut season leading the Bulldog program. Presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams welcomes back Scott Siepker to discuss the return of Iowa Nice Guy and what's to come. Remember the good ol' days of football? Diving into the Dallas Cowboys documentary, CW's new book, and more. Presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams discusses why Jimmy Kimmel and WWE hold the cards now - not the networks - before diving into Mike Gundy and Dabo Swinney's similar tailspins. Jeff Woody joins the show to preview Arizona and more. Presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Williams touches on how ridiculous conference realignment is and who is paying for it before diving into Brian Kelly's response to a reporter and his Big 12 power rankings heading into Week 4. Presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices