On Brand with Donny Deutsch

Episodi

• 
  Harlan Coben on Writing, Writer's Block & His Father's Last Words 08.10.2026 35min

  Bestselling thriller author Harlan Coben reveals his writing process, how to beat writer's block, and the heartbreaking story behind his father's last words. With more than 100 million books sold and hit Netflix series like Fool Me Once, Harlan Coben is one of the world's most popular mystery writers. Donny Deutsch talks with his longtime friend about his new memoir, Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft, which is part memoir and part writing guide. Harlan explains why he always knows the ending before he starts (his "GPS theory"), why rewriting matters more than writing, and why he believes "plot is character." He talks about imposter syndrome and creative self-doubt, why boredom is good for creativity, and why he needs to leave the house to write. He also shares how losing both parents young led him to write about missing people, and tells the story of a hotel key found in his father's pocket. There are lighter moments too: his childhood Nerf basketball league, the "scary" children's book Are You My Mother?, being named a Jewish All-American at Amherst, his view on AI and books, and "The Boys," the friend group that includes Michael J. Fox and George Stephanopoulos. If you're an aspiring writer, a Harlan Coben fan, or love stories about creativity, friendship, and grief, this conversation is for you. 📖 Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft by Harlan Coben is available now wherever books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Brands of the Week: Malls Are Back, Everyone's Exhausted, and Taco Bell Wants You to Check In 02.10.2026 17min

  This week Donny Deutsch and Lou Pellegrino run through who's up and who's down in American culture. They start with a CDC report finding that most U.S. adults are running on empty, then compare notes on five o'clock naps and why sleep has become a $100 billion industry. From there it's senior TikTok creators talking openly about sex and intimacy, the University of Chicago banning AI and laptops from its core courses, and the dictionary's newest additions, including "parasocial," "cuffing season," and "Sunday scaries." A new Gallup finding that adults under 35 are now the loneliest Americans leads into one of the week's most surprising brand ups: the comeback of the American mall. Donny and Lou trade Queens Center and Roosevelt Field memories along the way. They also check in on Taco Bell's new branded hotel in Palm Springs, question some of Ad Age's picks for 2026's hottest brands, and look at pickleball's fourth straight year as America's fastest-growing sport. Rounding out the list are the fitness shift from weight loss to strength and longevity, "DivorceTok" as a content category, social saunas as Gen Z's new third place, and the milestone of fewer than half of married women taking their husband's name. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Anthony Scaramucci: The 3 Catastrophic Decisions That Gave Us Trump 01.10.2026 33min

  Anthony Scaramucci joins Donny Deutsch to break down his new book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump, a sharp and surprisingly self-critical look at how America got here. The SkyBridge founder and co-host of The Rest Is Politics: US walks through the three turning points he believes set the stage for MAGA: letting China into the WTO without checking its rise, the post-9/11 wars funded by tax cuts that blew up the deficit, and a 2008 bailout that rescued the banks but left Main Street behind. As Scaramucci puts it, Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party "had a baby, and they named it baby MAGA." Donny and Anthony also get into the fixes: restoring pay-as-you-go budgeting, ending Citizens United, and open primaries to break the two-party duopoly. They discuss Trump's fight with Canada and why Scaramucci predicts a deal is coming, the odds of a blue wave in the midterms, whether the Democrats can win back the center, and the Shapiro vs. Ossoff vs. Newsom debate. Plus, what happens to the Republican Party after Trump, why MAGA may not survive him, and whether "The Mooch" would ever run for office himself. 🎙️ Subscribe to On Brand with Donny Deutsch for more unfiltered conversations on politics, media, marketing, and culture with the biggest names shaping the national conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Dana Bash on Elections That Changed History, MAGA Without Trump, and Why the Center Isn't Dead 24.09.2026 33min

  CNN's Dana Bash joins Donny to talk about her new bestseller, The Elections That Changed the World: 15 Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live — from Hitler's rise through a democratic vote to the small-town election that launched Martin Luther King Jr. into the civil rights movement. Dana shares her own sixth-grade run for school president and how it shaped her instinct for fairness and truth-telling. Then she and Donny dig into the moment we're in now: the midterms, gerrymandering and the vanishing swing district, whether the Democratic Party's future runs through its left flank, if MAGA can survive without Trump, dark-horse 2028 contenders on both sides, and the unsettling question of AI outpacing human control. Be sure to check out the ⁠⁠⁠On Brand with Donny Deutsch YouTube page⁠⁠⁠. 🎙️ Subscribe to On Brand with Donny Deutsch for more unfiltered conversations on politics, media, marketing, and culture with the biggest names shaping the national conversation. ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Jessica Tarlov: Winning Arguments, Losing Friends & the Five's Secret Sauce 17.09.2026 33min

  Disclaimer: This episode was recorded on September 10, 2026. Donny sits down with Jessica Tarlov — co-host of Fox News's The Five and Scott Galloway's Raging Moderates — for her first-ever appearance on the show. They dig into her new book, I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends, and what it actually takes to debate someone without torching the relationship. Jessica opens up about the real dynamic behind her on-air chemistry with Greg Gutfeld and Scott Galloway, why conservatives are often more willing to move past politics than liberals are, and how she uses polling and data to hold her own in front of a hostile audience. She and Donny also get into her cheesesteak-fueled college thesis on Philly culture, the pop-culture characters (Tracy Flick, Elle Woods) who shaped how she thinks about being underestimated, and advice from Roger Ailes that changed how she sees her own voice. The conversation turns personal and political as they discuss the widening rift between the Democratic Party and Israel, Donny's on-air clash with Joe Scarborough, and — a day before the 25th anniversary of 9/11 — Jessica's reflection on losing her father to complications from the attacks, and what she hopes the anniversary will mean under a new mayor. Plus: a Thanksgiving-table survival guide, straight from the book. Be sure to check out the ⁠⁠On Brand with Donny Deutsch YouTube page⁠⁠. 🎙️ Subscribe to On Brand with Donny Deutsch for more unfiltered conversations on politics, media, marketing, and culture with the biggest names shaping the national conversation. ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Brands of the Week: Judge Judy Retires, Howard Stern Goes HBO, and a $499 Toothbrush with a Camera 15.09.2026 20min

  This week's brands up and down: Judge Judy hands the gavel to her son after 30 years, Howard Stern moves to a once-a-week HBO slot, and Dyson launches a $499 toothbrush with a built-in camera. Plus: the NFL's CTE crisis, Gen Z "dropping in and out" of college, out-of-control youth sports costs, Costco's new Medicare plans, quilts making a comeback, the case for baby-talking your pets, why hangover cures don't work, and Travis Kelce's new gig as Tommy Hilfiger's global brand ambassador. Rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Rep. Dan Goldman: Getting Banned from a Coffee Shop, the Democratic Party's Israel Problem, and Life After Losing 10.09.2026 29min

  Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joins the show for a candid conversation about the price of being a pro-Israel Democrat in 2025. Goldman shares the surreal story of being publicly banned from a coffee shop hours after a kind, anonymous interaction with the barista — once the owner realized who he was. He breaks down why he believes the discourse around Israel, Zionism, and "genocide" has become unmoored from history and nuance, defends his record of opposing both Netanyahu's government and the DSA's more radical planks, and explains why he thinks the Democratic Party's path back to power runs through unity, not litmus tests. The conversation also covers his legislative wins — from 9/11 health funding to his "Robin Hood Act" targeting billionaire tax avoidance — and his blunt scorecard for Mayor Mamdani's first eight months in office. Be sure to check out the ⁠On Brand with Donny Deutsch YouTube page⁠. ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Governor Wes Moore: Crime, ICE, Antisemitism, and 2028 03.09.2026 29min

  Donny sits down with Maryland Governor Wes Moore — reelection candidate, National Governors Association chairman, and one of the most closely watched figures in the Democratic Party — for a wide-ranging conversation. Moore breaks down how Maryland cut violent crime by nearly 60%, why he's pushing back on the current ICE approach while still working with federal partners, and the $10 million anti-hate initiative he launched to protect Jewish communities and other targeted groups. He gets candid on the state of the Democratic Party, the DSA, and what it takes to win back independents like Donny himself. As a veteran, he doesn't hold back on the USS Lincoln situation, Secretary Hegseth, and the muddled rationale behind escalating tensions with Iran. He also reflects on being only the third Black governor in U.S. history — and closes with his answer (or non-answer) on 2028. 🎙️ Subscribe to On Brand with Donny Deutsch for more unfiltered conversations on politics, media, marketing, and culture with the biggest names shaping the national conversation. Be sure to check out the On Brand with Donny Deutsch YouTube page. ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Andrew Weissman: Stopping Trump's Lies, DOJ Reform & the Truth in Elections Act 20.08.2026 29min

  NYT Bestselling author and former Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissman joins Donny to break down his explosive new book Liar's Kingdom: How to Stop Trump's Deceit and Save America — and the bold legal reforms he says could protect American democracy for generations. Andrew Weissman — former lead prosecutor on the Mueller Special Counsel investigation, ex-General Counsel of the FBI, and 15-year federal prosecutor — pulls no punches on the weaponization of the Justice Department, political lies, and what real structural reform looks like. In this episode: Why Weissman's original publisher dropped his book after Trump's executive order — and why that backfired His proposal to raise the grand jury indictment standard to stop retributive, politically motivated prosecutions The Truth in Elections Act — how countries like Germany, France, and Brazil criminalize deliberate election lies, and why the U.S. should too The First Amendment argument against regulating political speech — and why Weissman says it doesn't hold up What a German court's Holocaust denial ruling reveals about protecting democracy from dangerous lies Whether Trumpism survives Trump — and the structural reforms needed before the next authoritarian playbook is run Whether you're a political junkie, legal nerd, or just a concerned American, this conversation is essential listening. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode | ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 📖 Liar's Kingdom is available now wherever books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Brands of the Week: Ted Lasso's Soccer Boom, JIF's Big Change, Krispy Kreme x Pokémon & Why No One Can Retire 18.08.2026 15min

  Donny Deutsch and Lou Pellegrino break down the brands, trends, and cultural moments defining the zeitgeist this week on Brands of the Week. Ted Lasso's Apple TV+ season four premiere is fueling a real-world youth soccer boom, JIF is reformulating its peanut butter for the first time in 30 years, and Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Pokémon for a 30th-anniversary donut collab. Plus: Frankie Valli retires at 92, a new survey shows nearly half of Americans doubt they'll ever retire, saunas vs. cold plunge science gets a reality check, Merriam-Webster adds "fridge cigarette" to the dictionary, sorority rush coaches and dorm decor spending hit new extremes, pickle-flavored snacks are exploding 70%, and why basal cell carcinoma is more common than you think. It's the fast-paced weekly rundown of what's up, what's down, and what's shaping culture right now. Subscribe to On Brand with Donny Deutsch for new episodes every week — Thursdays for in-depth interviews and Brands of the Week breakdowns on trending brands, pop culture, marketing, and consumer behavior. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Brands of the Week: Mood Drinks, Anthony Bourdain's Comeback, Starbucks Banana Bread & Why Bathtubs Are Disappearing 14.08.2026 17min

  This week on Brands of the Week, Donny Deutsch and Lou Pellegrino break down the brands, trends, and cultural shifts shaping the marketplace right now — from functional beverages to nostalgia economics. Topics include: the explosive rise of mood drinks and non-alcoholic, THC-free botanical beverages; why 50-year-old song catalogs (Queen, Springsteen, Dylan) are outselling contemporary music as investment assets; the return of communal live TV watching through sports and events like the World Cup and Love Island; Anthony Bourdain's posthumous resurgence in food and travel culture ahead of the new biopic "Tony"; luxury car buyers trading down to mainstream brands as tech gaps close; Arizona State's new bachelor's degree in content creation and influencer marketing; Starbucks' banana bread latte replacing pumpkin spice as its next big seasonal flavor; the decline of the bathtub in modern home renovation; United Airlines' frequent flyer program being worth more than the airline itself; the death of paper checks in the age of Venmo and Zelle; and the rise of JOMO (the joy of missing out) culture. Plus, ICE approval ratings drop among independents, and why America is having fewer twins. Subscribe and rate the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you listen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Mike Breen: Inside the Knicks' Title Run and 25 Years Courtside 13.08.2026 26min

  Legendary ABC/ESPN and MSG Network play-by-play voice Mike Breen joins the show to relive the New York Knicks' first NBA championship in 53 years — from the emotional final buzzer to the alumni who finally got their ring. Breen opens up about Jalen Brunson's transformation from a doubted free-agent signing into the franchise's heart and soul, what it was like watching Patrick Ewing and the Knicks' old guard experience the title firsthand, and the behind-the-scenes chemistry that makes a broadcast booth work — including his 25-plus-year partnership with Walt "Clyde" Frazier. The conversation also digs into the wide-open Eastern Conference heading into next season: LeBron James' surprise move, the Boston Celtics' cap-driven Jaylen Brown trade, sleeper teams like Detroit and Toronto, and why repeating as champion is one of the hardest things to do in sports. Whether you're a die-hard Knicks fan, an NBA junkie, or just love hearing how a Hall of Fame broadcaster prepares for game night, this episode has it all. In this episode: Reliving the Knicks' historic championship win Jalen Brunson's journey from Dallas backup to franchise leader Patrick Ewing, Bernard King and the Knicks alumni's emotional return Mike Breen's broadcast chemistry with Clyde Frazier, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson LeBron James joining Philadelphia and the stacked Eastern Conference Predictions for the Knicks, Celtics, Pistons and more next season 🎙️ Subscribe to On Brand with Donny Deutsch for more unfiltered conversations on politics, media, marketing, and culture with the biggest names shaping the national conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  James Carville UNLOADS on AOC, DSA & the Democratic Socialists Taking Over the Democratic Party 06.08.2026 27min

  Legendary Democratic strategist James Carville joins Donny Deutsch for a no-holds-barred conversation on where the Democratic Party is headed — and who's driving it off a cliff. Carville and Deutsch dig into the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the growing rift with progressive candidates like AOC and Zohran Mamdani, and why he believes the far-left wing of the party is losing touch with Black voters, Latino voters, and the working class. The two also break down the 2028 presidential race, Bernie Sanders' legacy, potential Democratic frontrunners like Josh Shapiro, and what a post-Trump Republican Party could look like. Carville doesn't hold back on Trump's approval numbers, the state of the U.S. economy, and his predictions heading into the 2026 midterms. Plus: a candid discussion on Israel, Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu, antisemitism, and why he thinks Israel is "losing the messaging war" — and New York City's new tax and political climate under Mayor Mamdani. A must-listen for anyone following American politics, Democratic Party strategy, progressive vs. moderate Democrats, the 2026 midterm elections, and the road to the 2028 presidential election. 🎙️ Subscribe to On Brand with Donny Deutsch for more unfiltered conversations on politics, media, marketing, and culture with the biggest names shaping the national conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Brands of the Week: Spider-Man Smashes Records, Ozempic Hair Loss & the Great Chicken vs. Beef Wars 05.08.2026 19min

  On Brand with Donny Deutsch — Brands of the Week: Spider-Man's Record Opening, Vincent Pastore Tribute, Chicken Crushes Beef & AI Rental Scams Donny Deutsch and Lou Pellegrino break down the brands shaping the zeitgeist this week. Spider-Man: Brand New Day starring Tom Holland and Zendaya smashes the all-time domestic opening weekend record with a $360M debut. The team pays tribute to Vincent Pastore ("Big Pussy" from The Sopranos), who passed away at 80, with Lou sharing behind-the-scenes stories from Sirius XM's Wiseguy Show. Plus: Pepsi teams up with beauty brand Glamnetic for a body care collab; chicken prices overtake beef as grilling-season inflation hits consumers (Chick-fil-A, Wingstop, Raising Cane's win; McDonald's and Burger King struggle); Reebok relaunches in basketball with Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson; a viral rescue monkey named Punch the Monkey; Ozempic and Mounjaro linked to hair loss in a new BMJ study; the protein-maxing backlash and mTOR aging research; record back-to-school spending; a Barbie 2 contract standoff with Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Greta Gerwig; AI-powered rental scams on the rise; state fair food trends going viral on TikTok; and William Shatner, 95, headlining a heavy metal band at Riot Fest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan: Inside Trump's War Room, the Netanyahu Pitch & 'Regime Change 30.07.2026 34min

  Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan of the New York Times join Donny to discuss their bestselling book Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump. They reveal how they landed remarkable access to sources still serving inside the administration, and walk through two of the book's most stunning scenes: the bizarre Oval Office moment when Trump had an aide read out a list ranking him among history's most powerful figures (alongside Napoleon, Hitler, and Genghis Khan), and the extraordinary Situation Room meeting where Netanyahu personally pitched Trump on an Iran regime-change operation — only for the CIA director to call the plan "farcical" the next day. They dig into how a gut-driven decision led to the U.S. bombing Iran, why Trump's inner circle now trusts his instincts over expert warnings, the administration's evolving stance on AI regulation, and rapid-fire one-line verdicts on JD Vance, Scott Bessent, Howard Lutnick, Susie Wiles, Pete Hegseth, and Stephen Miller. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. Be sure to check out the On Brand with Donny Deutsch YouTube page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Brands of the Week: Bowling Alleys Go Broke, Landlines Come Back, and Gen Z Is Ditching Sex 29.07.2026 18min

  Donny and Lou run through the brands shaping the week — from private equity turning bowling night into a $284 splurge, to nostalgic parents buying their kids Wi-Fi landlines to dodge spam calls and screen time. They dig into a new survey showing one in four millennials admit to shoplifting (blaming inflation), debate whether baseball needs a salary cap as a work stoppage looms, and question a Mountain Dew Baja Blast hand sanitizer that might be the next Tide Pod challenge waiting to happen. Plus: Viagra's surprising potential cancer-fighting powers, Tom Holland doing his own Fred Astaire-style dancing for an upcoming biopic, shark cage diving becoming the world's fastest-growing bucket list experience, and a genuinely good stat to end on — U.S. homicide rates hitting an all-time low. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Stephen A. Smith: Knicks Championship Glory, Political Homelessness & Trump's 'Big Lie 23.07.2026 27min

  Stephen A. Smith joins Donny to relive the New York Knicks' first championship since 1973 — the heartbreak of Ewing, Starks, and Reggie Miller's eight points in nine seconds, finally exorcised 39 days ago. From there, the conversation turns to politics: Stephen A. explains why he won't run for president, calls out the Democratic Party's socialist drift, and names his picks for 2028 (Josh Shapiro, Wes Moore, Marco Rubio) while explaining his distrust of JD Vance. He also digs into Netanyahu's role in fueling antisemitism, the complicated politics around Caitlin Clark and the WNBA, and closes with a blunt take on why Trump still won't let go of the "big lie." 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. Be sure to check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Brand with Donny Deutsch YouTube page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Brands of the Week: Wingstop, Fake Diamonds & Olive Garden's Pasta Pass 21.07.2026 18min

  Wingstop just crushed the fast-food race with 382 new locations, De Beers is getting gutted by lab-grown diamonds, and Olive Garden's $100 Never-Ending Pasta Pass is back after a six-year hiatus. Donny Deutsch and his Executive producer Lou Pellegrino run through this week's biggest movers: a booming box office (Odyssey, the MJ biopic, Toy Story 5), Hasbro turning Monopoly into a movie, the Mickey Mouse Club reboot, a surprise CD sales boom, solo dining's 52% surge, Starbucks swapping "grande" for "medium," and Pringles' controversial hot dog buns in a can. Plus, the debut of a new segment: Grand Brand of the Week. Tune in Thursday for Donny's big sit-down with Stephen A. Smith. Rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Batya Ungar-Sargon on Antisemitism, the DSA's Working-Class Lie & Why the Left Turned on Israel 16.07.2026 31min

  Batya Ungar-Sargon — News Nation host of "Batya," Free Press writer, and author of The Jews and the Left — joins Donny for a wide-ranging conversation on why the Democratic Socialists of America keep losing working-class voters despite their "working class" branding, and why Israel has become a central distraction in progressive politics. Batya breaks down the real data on antisemitism (left vs. right) and how mainstream outlets manipulate the statistics, plus Trump's economic populism, immigration and wages, the Graham Platner controversy, and the historical break between Jews and the Democratic Party going back to the 1967 Six-Day War. Topics covered: the DSA and working-class politics, antisemitism on the left vs. the right, Israel and American Jewish identity, Trump's economic agenda, immigration policy, and the future of the Democratic Party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• 
  Brands of the Week: Twinkies Take an L, GLP-1s Fight Eating Disorders, and Sly Stallone Turns 80 14.07.2026 19min

  Donny Deutsch and his Executive Producer Lou Pellegrino run through this week's brand winners and losers — Hostess Twinkies' rough quarter, Reese's first new flavor in a decade, Kylie Jenner's Dunkin' collab, and a promising new use for GLP-1 drugs in treating eating disorders. Plus: a $8,000 Paris procedure to permanently change your eye color gets a hard pass, a new study pours cold water on fish oil's brain benefits, ESPN Jeopardy! is coming to Hulu with Joe Buck and John Hamm, and Michael J. Fox notches another Emmy nomination. They also dig into a startling stat on the number of young adults still living at home, debate whether Matt Damon's "The Odyssey" can justify a three-hour runtime, and celebrate Sylvester Stallone's 80th birthday and his one-of-a-kind decades-spanning box office run. All that, plus a heated take on a Stanley Cup name-plate snub and the priciest piece of Knicks memorabilia ever sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices