Going The Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast

Ryan Rebalkin
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Step into the ring with *Going The Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast*, the ultimate celebration of Sylvester Stallone's iconic underdog saga. Hosted by passionate Rocky superfan Ryan Rebalkin, this dedicated feed dives deep into every punch, montage, and heartfelt moment of the *Rocky* franchise—one film at a time, in glorious chronological order. Whether you're reliving the gritty streets of Philadelphia in the original *Rocky* or breaking down the epic family legacy in *Rocky Balboa*, Ryan brings the energy of a champion. Joined by his brother Ruban, fellow superfans, amateur boxers and even musicians behind the films' anthems (shoutout to Robert Tepper's "No Easy Way Out"), each episode unpacks scenes with infectious enthusiasm, behind-the-scenes trivia, and personal stories that capture why *Rocky* still inspires millions to "go the distance." From dissecting the legendary training montages and rematches, this podcast isn't just analysis—it's a knockout conversation that honors the heart, humor, and hustle of the Italian Stallion. It's perfect for die-hard fans, casual viewers, and anyone chasing their own eye-of-the-tiger moment. Tune in for laughs, insights, and motivation that hits harder than Apollo Creed's left hook. Lace up your boots—it's time to go the distance!

  1. Aug 31

    Rocky V (Episode 15) - The Street Fight That Ends It All

    Ryan and Ruban finally reunite to close out Rocky V and Season 5 of Going the Distance. After the press conference, Tommy is still boiling about living in Rocky’s shadow. Duke fans the flames and pushes the challenge that leads straight to the street. What follows is the chaotic bare-knuckle brawl outside the gym — wild haymakers, CNC Music Factory crashing into Bill Conti’s score, Rocky Jr yelling “he took my room,” Adrian trying to stop it, and Rocky finally putting Tommy down for good. Then comes the iconic “Sue me” moment as Rocky drops Duke onto a car hood. The episode wraps with Father Carmine’s blessing, the quiet jog up the museum steps with Robert, the Rocky Marciano cufflink passed from father to son, and the bittersweet final lines before Elton John’s “The Measure of a Man” plays over the closing montage. Ryan and Ruban also read listener mail, talk about the Rocky Steps, and officially close the book on Rocky V. If you enjoy these Rocky deep-dives, check out their other show, The Worst of the Best Podcast. Follow Ryan at @RyanRebalkin and the Rocky feed at @GTDRockyPodcast. 00:00 – Ryan & Ruben reunion, Worst of the Best plug, and Jolt Cola tangent  04:40 – Listener mail (Greg Arnold + Burt Young paintings story)  10:00 – Post-press conference: Tommy still in Rocky’s shadow  17:00 – Duke pushes the challenge and the fight is set  25:00 – Build-up and the street fight begins  35:00 – Haymakers, “he took my room,” and Rocky takes control  48:00 – Rocky finishes Tommy and drops Duke (“Sue me”)  58:00 – Father Carmine, the steps, the cufflink, and the final lines  1:03:30 – Elton John montage and Season 5 wrap-up

  2. Aug 30

    Rocky V (Episode 14) - Home Team: Rocky and Robert Make Peace

    Ryan flies solo for this installment of Going the Distance as he continues the Rocky V breakdown. After the emotional street conversation with Adrian, Rocky tracks down his son outside a hoagie shop where Robert is smoking with Chicky and the crew. What follows is one of the film’s most important father-son scenes: an olive branch, a talk about deceptions and mistakes, the cigarette thrown to the ground, and the simple, powerful “home team” moment that brings them back together. The episode then jumps to the Union Kane vs. Tommy Gunn title fight. Rocky watches from the basement, still calling out advice as if he’s in the corner. Tommy wins by knockout, thanks George Washington Duke instead of the man who got him there, and the crowd makes its feelings clear. Robert’s quiet drawing and Paulie’s offer of a drink close out a stretch that is equal parts reconnection and quiet heartbreak. Ryan also opens the Skype lines live (with mixed results), plugs The Worst of the Best Podcast, and shares some thoughts on Joker (2019) as a contrast in filmmaking craft. If you enjoy these Rocky deep-dives, check out The Worst of the Best Podcast. Follow Ryan at @RyanRebalkin and the Rocky feed at @GTDRockyPodcast.

  3. Aug 29

    Rocky V (Episode 13) - Robert and Rocky Finally Hash It Out

    Ryan is joined by special guest host Adrian Wallet (Arcade Attack Retro Gaming Podcast) for one of the most emotionally charged stretches of Rocky V. Robert and Rocky finally sit down and hash out their issues after the Christmas blow-up. Adrian reaches her limit — she calls out Tommy and makes an urgent plea to Rocky to put their family first before everything falls apart. At the same time, Rocky makes one last desperate attempt to keep Tommy from crossing over to George Washington Duke’s side, begging him not to go to the “dark side.” Ryan and Adrian break down the father-son reconciliation attempt, Adrian’s powerful stand for the family, and Rocky’s heartbreaking realization that he may be losing both his son and his fighter in the same breath. Adrian Wallet hosts the Arcade Attack Retro Gaming Podcast — check it out at arcadeattack.co.uk, like them on Facebook, and follow @ArcadeAttackUK and @arcade_adriano on Twitter/X. If you enjoy these Rocky deep-dives, also check out Ryan’s other show, The Worst of the Best Podcast. Follow Ryan at @RyanRebalkin and the Rocky feed at @GTDRockyPodcast.

  4. Aug 28

    Rocky V (Episode 12) - Christmas Chaos: Robert Unloads on Rocky

    Ryan and guest host Kyle continue their Rocky V breakdown with one of the most emotionally charged stretches of the film. It’s Christmas at the Balboa house. Adrian does her best to decorate and hold things together. Paulie is drunk and loud. Robert has finally had enough of watching his father pour everything into Tommy Gunn and unloads on Rocky in a raw, painful confrontation. At the same time, George Washington Duke makes his move and starts hustling Tommy away from Rocky’s corner. Ryan and Kyle dig into the family blow-up, Robert’s long-building resentment, Paulie’s holiday antics, Adrian’s quiet efforts to keep the peace, and the exact moment Tommy begins slipping into Duke’s orbit. Classic Going the Distance mix of scene detail, character talk, and honest reactions to how messy (and effective) this sequence is. Kyle is back in the guest chair. If you enjoy these Rocky deep-dives, also check out Ryan’s other show, The Worst of the Best Podcast. Follow Ryan at @RyanRebalkin and the Rocky feed at @GTDRockyPodcast.

  5. Aug 27

    Rocky V (Episode 11) - From Protégé to Problem: Tommy Gunn’s Turning Point

    Ryan and guest host Kyle dig into one of the most frustrating stretches of Rocky V: the slow-motion collapse of Tommy Gunn. What started as a hungry street fighter looking for guidance turns into something else once the wins start piling up and George Washington Duke begins circling. Ryan and Kyle break down the shift in Tommy’s attitude, the warning signs Rocky either misses or chooses to ignore, the growing distance between mentor and fighter, and how the “sinking ship” starts taking on water long before the final street fight. Expect the usual Going the Distance mix of scene details, character analysis, continuity notes, and honest talk about whether Tommy was ever really built to last under Rocky’s wing. Kyle is back in the guest chair. If you enjoy these Rocky deep-dives, also check out Ryan’s other show, The Worst of the Best Podcast. Follow Ryan at @RyanRebalkin and the Rocky feed at @GTDRockyPodcast.

  6. Aug 26

    Rocky V (Episode 10) - Coat Reclaimed – Rocky Jr Lays Out Chicky

    Ryan and guest host Kyle continue their Rocky V breakdown with one of the most satisfying moments in the film: Robert finally stands up to his bully. After getting pushed around, losing his coat, and watching his dad pour everything into Tommy Gunn, Rocky Jr has had enough. In the schoolyard he confronts Chicky, lays him out, and takes his coat back. Ryan and Kyle dig into the fight itself, how the earlier training montage quietly set this moment up, what it means for Robert’s character, and why this small victory feels so earned. Classic Going the Distance mix of scene details, continuity notes, and honest talk about the father-son tension running underneath it all. Kyle is back in the guest-host chair. If you enjoy these scene-by-scene Rocky talks, also check out Ryan’s other show, The Worst of the Best Podcast. Follow Ryan at @RyanRebalkin and the Rocky feed at @GTDRockyPodcast.

  7. Aug 25

    Rocky V (Episode 9) - Heart, Fire, and Headlines: “Balboa’s Boy” Takes Over

    Ryan Rebalkin and guest host Kyle continue their Rocky V breakdown with one of the film’s longest stretches: Rocky and Tommy visit Father Carmine for a blessing, then launch into Tommy’s rise-through-the-ranks montage. They cover the church scene and the “angel on your shoulder” talk, Tommy’s first pro fight in the same gym Rocky fought Spider Rico, the over-the-top newspaper headlines that keep calling him Rocky’s boy/clone/robot, and the parallel story of Robert training on his own with Jimmy (Mike) and Paulie while his dad is busy with the new kid. Plenty of talk about Rocky living vicariously through Tommy, time jumps, writing choices, and whether those headlines would ever actually get printed. Kyle is back in the guest chair. If you enjoy this kind of scene-by-scene Rocky talk, also check out Ryan’s other show, The Worst of the Best Podcast (every major app, YouTube, Facebook, and X). Follow Ryan at @RyanRebalkin and the Rocky feed at @GTDRockyPodcast. 00:00 – Intro from Quebec, Ruben update, Worst of the Best plug, and the Patreon rant  07:02 – Quick Stallone news: thoughts on the female Cliffhanger remake  08:22 – Rocky and Tommy visit Father Carmine for the blessing  11:34 – “Angel on your shoulder” and forcing Tommy through Rocky’s journey  14:54 – Training/fighting montage begins (church gym callback to Rocky 1)  19:45 – Rocky’s pep talk: fear is a fire, heart and fire  26:09 – First knockout and the start of Tommy’s winning streak  29:57 – Robert watching, split lip from Chicky, feeling replaced  32:39 – Blue Horizon, speed bag struggles, and “Balboa’s pupil” headlines  39:27 – Rising venues, “Rocky’s clone” and “Rocky’s robot” headlines  45:38 – Rocky running with Tommy, Adrian calling from the pet shop  51:02 – One-arm push-ups and playful father-son time in the ring  55:31 – Rocky gives Tommy Apollo’s stars-and-stripes trunks  57:17 – Madison Square Garden, crowd chanting Tommy’s name  1:00:11 – The stairs scene and Tommy’s cartwheel  1:02:11 – Wrap-up and what’s coming next (Chicky rematch incoming)

  8. Aug 24

    Rocky V (Episode 8) - Chickie Comes Back for Seconds: Robert Gets Laid Out Again

    Ryan Rebalkin welcomes first-time guest host Craig from SlyCast – The Sylvester Stallone Fan Podcast as they continue their scene-by-scene Rocky V breakdown. The Balboas are settling (uneasily) back into the old neighborhood, and Rocky Jr’s problems at school aren’t over. Chickie and his crew come back around, and this time they lay Robert out again. The guys also dig into one of the more quietly awkward family moments: does Robert still wet the bed? That question, the second schoolyard confrontation, and how Rocky tries to be both father and trainer all get unpacked with the usual mix of trivia, continuity notes, and honest talk about what this chapter of the saga is actually trying to do. Craig makes his Going the Distance debut and brings the SlyCast energy. If you enjoy Stallone deep dives, check out SlyCast as well. Ryan’s other show, The Worst of the Best Podcast, is available on every major podcast app, YouTube, Facebook, and X. Follow Ryan at @RyanRebalkin and the Rocky feed at @GTDRockyPodcast.

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About

Step into the ring with *Going The Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast*, the ultimate celebration of Sylvester Stallone's iconic underdog saga. Hosted by passionate Rocky superfan Ryan Rebalkin, this dedicated feed dives deep into every punch, montage, and heartfelt moment of the *Rocky* franchise—one film at a time, in glorious chronological order. Whether you're reliving the gritty streets of Philadelphia in the original *Rocky* or breaking down the epic family legacy in *Rocky Balboa*, Ryan brings the energy of a champion. Joined by his brother Ruban, fellow superfans, amateur boxers and even musicians behind the films' anthems (shoutout to Robert Tepper's "No Easy Way Out"), each episode unpacks scenes with infectious enthusiasm, behind-the-scenes trivia, and personal stories that capture why *Rocky* still inspires millions to "go the distance." From dissecting the legendary training montages and rematches, this podcast isn't just analysis—it's a knockout conversation that honors the heart, humor, and hustle of the Italian Stallion. It's perfect for die-hard fans, casual viewers, and anyone chasing their own eye-of-the-tiger moment. Tune in for laughs, insights, and motivation that hits harder than Apollo Creed's left hook. Lace up your boots—it's time to go the distance!

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Rebalkin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ryan Rebalkin