In this weekly series, Chris Lea (WRAL-TV) and Dennis Cox (99.9 The Fan) interview famed sports figures, entertainers and pop-culture icons about their love of and contributions to the North Carolina sports culture and the state's large, sometimes over-looked, impact on the national sports scene. Culture State instills pride in natives, residents and fans in what’s produced or influenced by our state, while also generating intriguing continuing fan conversations and water-cooler moment laughs. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @CultureStatePod @ChrisLeaTV (Chris Lea) @TheFanRookie (Dennis Cox)
Latest episodes
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24 min
People were hating on the Carolina Hurricanes for their moves at the trade deadline, but it worked out for the…
The Carolina Hurricanes are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a 2-1 overtime win over the New York Islanders. Remember when fans weren't happy over th…
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14 min
Bryce Young officially introduced as a Carolina Panthers
Yesterday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers held their introductory press conference at Bank of America Stadium for the first overall pick, Bryce Young. Some of the topics he addres…
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24 min
Trading in that sweet home Alabama for some sweet home Carolina
Bryce Young was the number one guy for the Carolina Panthers with their first overall pick. In honor of Bryce's birthday year which is 2001, Chris and Dennis recap the Panthers' dr…
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23 min
Canes move past the Islanders and are heading to the 2nd round; Bryce Young is officially the guy
Paul Stastny's overtime goal gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 victory in game six over the New York Islanders and the Canes are now moving on to the second round of the Stanley C…
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28 min
Kenan Stadium set to host international "football"
History will be made at the Kenan Memorial Stadium on July 19th, as the home of North Carolina's football team will host a different kind of football. Wrexham AFC will meet Chelsea…
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20 min
Do the Canes have the Islanders right where they want them?
After the Carolina Hurricanes' 5-1 loss to the New York Islanders in Game 3, do the Canes actually have the Islanders in a position they want them to be in? They can win Game 4 tom…
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23 min
Canes... What happened?!
Everything was looking good for the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of their Game 3 matchup against the New York Islanders in their first road trip of the playoffs. In Game 1, the Hurric…
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20 min
What Graham missed in 1997
Graham Hill, producer of Culture State was born in the year 1998 and that has Dennis and Chris feeling old. So, they decided to take a trip down memory lane and discuss all the thi…
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23 min
Dennis had a terrible Saturday last week..
Last weekend was very eventful for show host Dennis Cox to say the least... On the way to do play-by-play commentary for the ECU women's Lacrosse game, he was in a wreck on US-264…
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22 min
So Bryce Young is the dude now?
As we get closer and closer to the NFL Draft have the Carolina Panthers already decided who their guy is? Apparently Bryce Young is the current betting favorite to be taken as the…
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21 min
Canes win and Islander fans are already salty
The stage is now set... After winning the Metropolitan Division for a third straight season, the Carolina Hurricanes will now face the New York Islanders in the first round of the…
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13 min
What should be our real expectations for the Carolina Panthers this season?
It feels like it's a new era for the Carolina Panthers getting ready to begin in Charlotte with the hiring of Frank Reich who brought in a new coaching staff with him, they've made…
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23 min
How badly does Duke need Kyle Filipowski to return for next season?
The big news coming out of yesterday was that former North Carolina Guard Caleb Love would be transferring to Michigan. The Tar Heels have only grabbed one player out of the transf…
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23 min
The merging of UFC and WWE will be good for consumers and casual fans
This past Wednesday it was announced that the endeavor group which owns the UFC is merging UFC and WWE to be sold as a stock together. Now that they're under the same parent group,…
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23 min
Caleb Love is heading to Michigan
Yesterday, North Carolina Guard Caleb Love announced that he will be transferring to Michigan. Love averaged 16.7 points as a junior, but shot just 29% from 3-point range for the T…
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20 min
So, we're really concerned about prohibiting participation trophies?
Earlier this week, Senate Bill 430 was introduced by the North Carolina General Assembly. The bill will prohibit awards in youth recreational activities of local government based s…
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23 min
Could Anthony Richardson's looks be deceiving for the Carolina Panthers?
As if the Carolina Panthers needed to look at any more quarterbacks in this year's draft class, they decided to attend Anthony Richardson's pro day last week. Dennis believes this…
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22 min
Where should guys go that are in the transfer portal?
Regarding the transfer portal and the number of players in it currently from North Carolina's basketball team, what other programs would work out best for them? Chris gives a full…
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20 min
Caitlin Clark is an honorary North Carolinian today
Happy April fool's day folks... Be careful with what headlines you read today, Chris Lea already got GOT this morning. Speaking of Chris, he's upset because Dreamville is taking pl…
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25 min
Evaluating NC State, North Carolina, and Duke for next season
Out of our three triangle teams, which program has the early advantage heading into college basketball next season? NC State is looking at two Kinston natives in Dontrez Styles, an…