On Brand with Donny Deutsch

Hosted by Donny Deutsch

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416

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Everything is a brand. In today’s world companies, public figures, countries, institutions, and movements are brands with their own unique values, marketing, and influence. Former CEO and Chairman of Deutsch Inc., innovative political analyst and veteran TV personality, Donny Deutsch, mastered the power of branding when he built the multibillion dollar ad agency. Now, in a hyper-saturated, over-marketed world, our media landscape too often presents one-dimensional figures who are globally seen, and yet not truly known. Where the notion “perception is reality” feels truer each day, join Donny as he peels back the layers of the images we see, to understand the depths of the people who are changing our world. You won’t want to miss Donny’s candid conversations with global experts and the biggest names across entertainment, business, media, politics and more to better understand the “brands” of the moment and examine where politics, current events, and pop culture converge.

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60 recent

September 3, 202629 min

Governor Wes Moore: Crime, ICE, Antisemitism, and 2028

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

August 20, 202629 min

Andrew Weissman: Stopping Trump's Lies, DOJ Reform & the Truth in Elections Act

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

August 18, 202615 min

Brands of the Week: Ted Lasso's Soccer Boom, JIF's Big Change, Krispy Kreme x Pokémon & Why No One Can Retire

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

August 14, 202617 min

Brands of the Week: Mood Drinks, Anthony Bourdain's Comeback, Starbucks Banana Bread & Why Bathtubs Are Disappearing

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

August 13, 202626 min

Mike Breen: Inside the Knicks' Title Run and 25 Years Courtside

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

August 6, 202627 min

James Carville UNLOADS on AOC, DSA & the Democratic Socialists Taking Over the Democratic Party

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

August 5, 202619 min

Brands of the Week: Spider-Man Smashes Records, Ozempic Hair Loss & the Great Chicken vs. Beef Wars

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

July 30, 202634 min

Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan: Inside Trump's War Room, the Netanyahu Pitch & 'Regime Change

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

July 29, 202618 min

Brands of the Week: Bowling Alleys Go Broke, Landlines Come Back, and Gen Z Is Ditching Sex

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

July 23, 202627 min

Stephen A. Smith: Knicks Championship Glory, Political Homelessness & Trump's 'Big Lie

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