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The CW Pod

The CW Pod

By: Iowa Everywhere
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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.All rights reserved. Iowa Everywhere & 712 Media. 2025. Economics Social Sciences
Episodes
  • CW Pod: REACTION - Jared Benko Named Iowa State AD! What’s Next for the Cyclones?

    CW Pod: REACTION - Jared Benko Named Iowa State AD! What’s Next for the Cyclones?
    16 Oct 2026
    Iowa State has hired Jared Benko as its next athletic director. Chris Williams is joined by Jake Brend and Levi Stevenson for an in-depth reaction to the hire, the challenges facing Cyclone Athletics, and what Benko’s leadership could mean for the next era in Ames. The crew examines Benko’s background at Auburn and Georgia Southern, his fundraising experience, and the growing importance of NIL, revenue sharing, and financial strategy in college athletics. They also discuss the legacy of Jamie Pollard, the role of Iowa State President David Cook, and why the decisions made now could shape the program for decades. Plus, the guys debate the proposed expansion of the College Football Playoff, including what a larger field could mean for Iowa State and other programs outside the sport’s traditional powerhouses. They also look at the Week 7 college football landscape before wrapping up with some lighter conversation. Watch the CW Pod weekly on Iowa Everywhere. 00:00 Intro 03:40 Benko’s Fundraising Background and NIL Experience 10:10 Replacing Jamie Pollard: The Challenges Facing Iowa State 18:15 Iowa State’s Future, Leadership and Financial Priorities 26:20 What Benko Needs to Do to Connect With Cyclone Fans 35:30 Fundraising, Fan Support and Building Revenue 43:20 College Football Playoff Expansion: Who Benefits? 54:30 Week 7 Matchups and the Big 12’s Playoff Chances 1:04:10 Could a Bigger Playoff Change Iowa State’s Future? 1:12:20 Who Should Decide the Playoff Field? 1:17:30 Closing Conversation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 26 min
  • CW Pod: CEO Reynolds Cramer on How Fareway Stays Different

    CW Pod: CEO Reynolds Cramer on How Fareway Stays Different
    13 Oct 2026
    How has Fareway built a loyal following across Iowa and the Midwest? Fareway CEO Reynolds Cramer joins Chris Williams on the CW Pod to discuss the company’s approach to grocery shopping, food prices, customer service, technology, and community. Cramer shares the story behind Fareway’s growth, what sets the grocery chain apart from its competitors, and why relationships with customers and local communities remain so important. The conversation also covers online grocery shopping, AI, changing consumer attitudes toward food and health, and the challenges facing the grocery industry. Plus, Cramer discusses Fareway’s involvement with NIL, the growth of the Cyclones’ athletic programs, and his outlook as a longtime Minnesota Vikings fan. CW Pod weekly on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 min
  • CW Pod: Iowa State’s NEXT 20 Years & AI Takes Over College Sports

    CW Pod: Iowa State’s NEXT 20 Years & AI Takes Over College Sports
    6 Oct 2026
    Jamie Pollard is retiring as Iowa State’s athletic director after more than 20 years. What comes next for Iowa State Athletics? Chris Williams looks at Pollard’s legacy, the future of the Cyclones, Matt Campbell’s departure, Jimmy Rogers, NIL, revenue, and what Iowa State needs to do to compete in the next 20 years. Then, CW tackles the growing use of AI in college athletics. Washington State Athletics is partnering with FanWord to create sports content and game recaps, raising a bigger question: how much should AI be involved in college sports journalism? What does this mean for journalism students? Where does human storytelling fit in? And can college athletics become so focused on revenue that it loses sight of its fans, students and broader mission? Chris Williams breaks down Iowa State’s future, the changing college sports landscape, and the complicated role AI could play in athletics on the CW Pod from Iowa Everywhere. 00:00 Intro + Jamie Pollard’s Legacy 02:12 The Next 20 Years of Iowa State Athletics 06:20 What Jamie Pollard Got RIGHT 08:00 Who Should Be Iowa State’s Next Athletic Director? 10:00 Iowa State’s Biggest Challenge: Money 13:08 What Happens to Iowa State’s Coaches? 15:00 Matt Campbell, Jimmy Rogers & Iowa State’s Future 17:00 Can Iowa State Compete in the New Era of College Sports? 19:27 Iowa State’s Moneyball Approach 21:25 Washington State Is Using AI for Sports Content 22:35 What Does AI Mean for Journalism Students? 24:20 Where Should AI Fit in College Athletics? 26:48 Who Actually Owns AI-Generated Sports Content? 28:03 Can AI Replace Human Sports Writers? 30:00 The Problem With AI-Generated Content 31:02 Why College Sports Still Needs Human Storytelling 32:36 AI, Athletics & the Future of Journalism 34:35 College Sports Can’t Be ONLY About Money 36:19 Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 min
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