The CW Pod

5.0 (3)
Business
Updated Weekly

You know Chris Williams from Cyclone Fanatic and Iowa Everywhere, but in this interview-based program Chris brings your favorite sidebar content in a different light. With his guests, Chris will deep dive into his many eclectic passions, including business, leadership, family, small-town soul, sports, and more.

1d ago

CW Pod with Nate Boulton: Can Congress Actually Fix College Sports?

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 introduce bipartisan legislation aimed at reshaping college athletics. Chris and Nate discuss why the NCAA may have finally lost the “student-athlete” argument for good. 💰 Is collective bargaining inevitable? Nate explains why college football and basketball now resemble professional sports development leagues — and why a true collective bargaining agreement may be the only realistic solution moving forward. 🏈 The transfer portal problem Fans don’t seem to mind athletes making money… but they do hate roster instability. The guys debate contracts, transfer limits, player movement, and whether college sports are losing their identity. ⚖️ Could Congress accidentally make things worse? The conversation dives into antitrust exemptions, employee status, NIL regulation, and why trying to legislate college sports could create even more loopholes and unintended consequences. 🥎 What happens to Olympic sports? As football and basketball budgets explode, non-revenue sports face growing pressure. Nate explains why programs like gymnastics, wrestling, soccer, and rowing may be caught in the middle. 🔥 Also included: • Why the NCAA mishandled the NIL era • SEC and Big Ten power consolidation • Why fans are exhausted by constant fundraising • Coaches vs. players power imbalance CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31 min
May 26

CW Pod: 24-Team CFP Debate, Big Ten's View On Pollard & Future of Bowl Games with Scott Dochterman

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 whether the frustration from schools like Iowa State is finally boiling over. 🏈 Could a 24-team playoff actually SAVE college football? Chris enters skeptical — and leaves partially convinced. The guys debate whether expansion would create more meaningful late-season games, save fan interest, and keep programs like Iowa State nationally relevant. 🎟️ Why bowl games don’t work anymore Opt-outs, coaching turnover, fan apathy, and meaningless matchups have changed everything. Chris and Scott discuss why playoff expansion may actually be the only realistic path forward. 🌪️ The future of Iowa State & the Big 12 Would a larger playoff finally level the playing field for leagues outside the SEC and Big Ten? Plus: why Iowa State hosting a playoff game at Jack Trice could instantly become the biggest event in school history. 🎙️ Also included: • SEC vs. Big Ten politics • TV network battles over playoff rights • Why rivalry games still matter • The growing separation between college football’s “tiers” CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

56 min
May 19

CW Pod: Jamie Pollard Fires Back & The Future of Sports Media

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 in real time? A simple YouTube TV subscription review sends Chris down a rabbit hole about streaming, ESPN’s future, Netflix owning NFL games, and why sports media is entering another massive evolution. 🎙️ The death of middle-class sports media? From Pat McAfee and Barstool to local radio and newspapers disappearing, Chris explains why the future may belong to hyper-local creators and niche communities. 🌪️ Also included: • Ted Turner vs. traditional media • Why ESPN still matters • Iowa State’s place in a possible college football split CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55 min
May 12

CW Pod: Aliens, Area 51 & Hulkamania with Scott Siepker

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, Apollo missions, and nuclear sites still fascinate people decades later. 🛸 Could humans actually handle aliens? The guys debate whether extraterrestrial life would unite humanity… or completely break society. 📺 Ted Turner’s impact on sports & media From TBS Braves baseball to WCW wrestling and CNN, the conversation shifts to how Ted Turner transformed entertainment and sports forever. 💪 Breaking down the Hulk Hogan documentary Chris and Scott dive deep into Netflix’s new Hulk Hogan documentary — from Hulkamania and the NWO to the darker parts of Hogan’s life, fame, addiction, family struggles, and legacy. 🎙️ Also discussed: • Why the NWO changed wrestling forever • Hogan’s tragic final years • Why fame can destroy identity CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon, only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 18m
May 5

CW Pod: Is the Big 12 Playing a Rigged Game? John Kurtz Breaks It Down

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 • Brett Yormark’s TV deals and long-term vision • Why Friday night games might actually help • How the league can maximize exposure and relevance 🏀 Basketball vs Football Debate The Big 12 has control over college basketball—but can that actually move the needle financially? Or does everything still come back to football? 💰 NIL, Transfer Portal & The Changing Game • Is player movement hurting fan connection? • Should contracts replace the current system? • Why rebuilding is faster—but loyalty is fading 🚨 Texas Tech QB Drama (Sorsby Situation) A major offseason storyline shakes up the Big 12. What it means for Texas Tech—and the league’s playoff hopes. 🔥 Bigger Questions • Can the Big 12 ever match the SEC/Big Ten financially? • Does college football risk losing its identity? • What actually matters to fans moving forward? CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Only on Iowa Everywhere. Check out Open For Business with John Kurtz: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnKurtzShow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

57 min
Apr 28

CW Pod with Pastor Mike Janes: Control, Anxiety & Finding Your North Star

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? A practical conversation about managing stress without checking out of reality. ❤️ A Powerful Story About Grace A tragic real-life story leads to an incredible act of forgiveness—and a deeper discussion about perspective and peace. 👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting in a Different World How do you raise kids today with technology, fear, and constant information? From iPads to tracking watches, it’s a balance nobody has fully figured out. 📱 The Algorithm Problem Why your phone might be making your anxiety worse. 🎯 Finding Your “North Star” Whether it’s faith, values, or something else—why having a guiding principle matters more than ever. Plus, CW gets Mike's opinions on ghosts and aliens. CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon, only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

51 min
Apr 21

CW Pod with Mackenzie Eddie: NASCAR, Parenting Perspective & The Feeling You Didn’t Expect

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, and the reality of watching them grow up faster than we’re ready for. 🧠 Modern Life & Mental Overload From social media anxiety to information overload, the conversation dives into how today’s world impacts how we think, parent, and live. 🚪 Closed Doors & Life Paths Chris reflects on nearly working in racing—and why not getting that opportunity may have led to something better. 🎙️ Plus: • Mom groups, microplastics & everyday paranoia • Therapy, self-awareness & finding balance • Why slowing down actually matters CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 1m
Apr 14

CW Pod with Scott Siepker: Are We Ready for What’s Coming? AI, Space & The Future of Everything

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 anymore. Purpose vs progress. 🌍 War, Drones & Reality: How modern warfare is changing fast—from cheap drones to space-based tech—and why the next global conflict might look nothing like the last. 🎬 Throwback Movies & Nostalgia: Apollo 13, Top Gun, and why some ‘90s movies still hit… and others don’t. 🎙 Other topics include: • NASCAR trip memories + fatherhood moments • WrestleMania hype and pro wrestling nostalgia • Music rabbit holes (Joe Diffie, Avril Lavigne, and more) • Why humans might actually be the first intelligent life CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon, only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 19m

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5

out of 5

3 Ratings

You know Chris Williams from Cyclone Fanatic and Iowa Everywhere, but in this interview-based program Chris brings your favorite sidebar content in a different light. With his guests, Chris will deep dive into his many eclectic passions, including business, leadership, family, small-town soul, sports, and more.