Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci

Hosted by SALT & Goalhanger

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286

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

You may think you know Anthony Scaramucci: a Harvard Law School graduate who cut his teeth at Goldman Sachs, went on to build two successful businesses and had an 11-day stint in the White House. What people don’t know is he’s an avid reader, endlessly curious, history buff with a restless mind. On Open Book, listeners will hear and get to know the real Anthony: the proud son of immigrant parents, a long-suffering New York Mets fan, and a father of five. Each week, he’ll invite you into an intimate and open conversation with some of the brightest minds out there, from business, politics, entertainment, and more. Together, they’ll go deep into a piece of work - whether it's a highly anticipated book, an in-depth feature story, or an opinion piece – to dig into why it matters to you, what we can learn from the past, and how their work is shaping our future. Along the way, you’ll learn more about The Mooch – beyond the headlines – where he came from and how he got here. He’ll turn the pages on his own life lessons from his blue-collar upbringing and career on Wall Street to getting his teeth kicked in the White House and then, coming back stronger. He’ll offer his perspective as a self-made entrepreneur and “open book” with a lot of experience, both good and bad. Tune in every week to hear fascinating conversations you won’t get anywhere else.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 3, 202633 min

Bestselling Author: AI Is Going to DESTROY Human Creativity - Bonnie Garmus

Can artificial intelligence destroy human creativity, and are the billionaires behind it putting profits ahead of our future? This week on Open Book, I'm joined by Lessons in Chemistry bestselling author Bonnie Garmus to discuss her new novel Peck & Peck, her extraordinary journey to success, and why she believes AI threatens our ability to think, create, and remain truly human. Bonnie Garmus is a coffee-dependent American novelist. Her debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, was a Good Morning America Book Club Pick, a Goodreads Choice Best Book of the Year, spent nearly two years on the New York Times bestseller list and was named by Times readers as one of the top 100 books of the 21st century, sold 10 million copies, and was translated into over forty languages. Lessons in Chemistry earned sixteen international literary awards and was adapted into an Apple TV limited series. Get a copy of her spectacular new book, Peck & Peck: A Novel 📚Books mentioned in this episode Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Goodbye Gordon Gekko by Anthony Scaramucci Enshittification by Cory Doctorow Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and the founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 29, 202634 min

The Terrifying Similarities Between 1937 and America Today — Catherine Grace Katz

Are we repeating the mistakes of the 1930s without realizing it, and are the warning signs of history unfolding right before our eyes? This week on Open Book, I'm joined by historian and bestselling author Catherine Grace Katz to uncover the untold story of the Hindenburg disaster, how Hitler's Nazi regime manipulated public opinion, and the chilling parallels between 1937 and America today. Catherine Grace Katz is a writer and historian from Winnetka, IL, and the author of the acclaimed history, The Daughters of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts, and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War. She received degrees in History from Harvard and Christ’s College, University of Cambridge, and a JD from Harvard Law School. Alongside her work as an historian, Catherine is an associate at an international law firm in Washington, D.C. Get a copy of her wonderful new book, Shadow Before the Flame: The Hindenburg Disaster and the Prelude to War here: https://link.amazon/B03l9X9XL Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 27, 202625 min

CNN's Dana Bash Reveals Why Trump Is Unlike ANY President in History

What can Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, and Nelson Mandela teach us about today's political chaos? This week on Open Book, I'm joined by CNN's Dana Bash to explore the elections that changed history, the dangers of unchecked power, and why Donald Trump may be unlike any political figure we've ever seen. Dana Bash is CNN’s Chief Political Correspondent and the anchor and co-host of Sunday morning’s State of the Union. She regularly serves as a moderator for CNN''s political town hall specials and debates, including the 2024 presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. She has conducted sit-down interviews with major political figures, including Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Bernie Sanders, and more. Get a copy of her wonderful new book with David Fisher, The Elections That Changed the World: Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 22, 202625 min

How to Turn Life's Greatest Challenges Into Your Greatest Strengths - Domenic Ionta

Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow: https://www.upwork.com/ What does it take to overcome extraordinary odds and turn a fight for survival into a life dedicated to serving others? Today on Open Book, I'm joined by Domenic Ionta, author of "From Children's to the Capital", to discuss his remarkable journey from a life-threatening birth injury to the halls of Washington, and the powerful lessons he's learned about resilience, gratitude, and why kindness may be our greatest superpower. Domenic Ionta is a public servant and advocate whose career has been shaped by personal resilience and a commitment to making a meaningful impact. With a deep belief in service, he has worked across industries and governments, contributing to global policy, security, and human rights. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, and his insights offer hope to anyone who feels their beginning might define their end. Get a copy of his book, From Children’s To The Capital: A Journey of Resilience, Survival, and Service today! Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump here: ⁠https://www.scaramucci.net/allthewrongmoves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 20, 202624 min

The Dangerous Mistake Western Leaders Keep Making - Dickie Shearer

Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow: https://www.upwork.com/ For more than a century, America and the West have dominated the global order, but as new powers emerge, are our leaders still trying to govern a world that no longer exists? Today on Open Book, I'm joined by Richard Shearer, founder of Tintra, to discuss the rise of the Global South, the shifting balance of power between America and China, and why the West may need to fundamentally rethink how it engages with the rest of the world. *Note: We had to cut this episode short due to a technical issue, but I thought the conversation was too good not to release. Hope you enjoy it! Dickie Shearer has spent much of his life moving through the Global South, studying how culture, belief, and lived experience shape the systems people build. Today he is building AI-native financial and cultural infrastructure through Tintra. His writing blurs disciplines, from ancient architecture and modern finance to myth and politics, and from classical thought and blockchain to consciousness and economics. Learn more about Dickie here: https://www.dickieshearer.com/ Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump here: ⁠https://www.scaramucci.net/allthewrongmoves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 15, 202631 min

Baseball Icon Dusty Baker: The Life Lessons Baseball Taught Me

Johnnie B. “Dusty” Baker Jr. is the former manager of the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, and Houston Astros. Baker was drafted by the Atlanta Braves after graduating high school in California in 1967 and went on to win the World Series in 1981 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Baker retired as a player in 1987 and has since become one of the most celebrated managers in MLB history, winning another World Series in 2022 as manager of the Houston Astros. Get a copy of his brilliant memoir, Crossroads: A Memoir in Baseball and Life Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump, out now: ⁠https://www.scaramucci.net/allthewrongmoves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 13, 202633 min

Why Trump Survives Scandals That Destroy Other Politicians – Stephen Sackur

Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow: https://www.upwork.com/ What happens to democracy when the truth no longer matters, politicians are rewarded for lying, and the institutions meant to hold them accountable are losing their power? This week, I sit down with legendary BBC journalist Stephen Sackur to discuss the investigations that shook the world, why Donald Trump has survived scandals that would have destroyed other presidents, and whether investigative journalism can still hold the powerful accountable. Stephen Sackur joined the BBC as a graduate trainee and spent many years as a foreign correspondent, covering the 1989 revolutions, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the First Gulf War. He was based in Cairo from 1992 to 1995, and in Jerusalem from 1995 to 1997. He then moved to Washington, where he covered the 2000 election. He presented HARDtalk from 2005 to the final episode in March 2025. In June 2025, Stephen joined Times Radio as a regular presenter of The Times at One. Pick up your copy of Stephen's wonderful new book Hard Truth: Investigations That Shook The World – And Why They Matter Now today. 📚 Books mentioned in the episode: The Powers That Be by David Halberstam Patriot by Alexei Navalny Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 6, 202629 min

How Hollywood Sold Out to China — Chris Fenton

Hollywood thought China represented the biggest growth opportunity in the world, but somewhere along the way, we started changing our movies, compromising our values, and teaching them how to compete with us. Chris Fenton was in the room when those deals were being made, and today he’s sounding the alarm about what America got wrong and what we need to do before it’s too late. Chris Fenton served as president of DMG Entertainment Motion Picture Group and GM of DMG North America, internationally orchestrating the creative and business activities of DMG- a multi-billion-dollar global media company headquartered in Beijing. He has produced or supervised twenty-one films, grossing $2 billion at the worldwide box office. Get a copy of his book Feeding the Dragon: Inside the Trillion Dollar Dilemma Facing Hollywood, the NBA, & American Business here: https://amzn.to/4xYdPlt Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump here: ⁠https://www.scaramucci.net/allthewrongmoves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

September 29, 202633 min

The Decisions That Changed the Middle East Forever - Akbar Shahid Ahmed

My guest today is Akbar Shahid Ahmed, an award-winning foreign affairs journalist whose new book Crossing the Red Line takes us inside the Biden administration’s handling of Israel and the war in Gaza. We get into what Washington knew before October 7th, the warnings that were missed, and how the decisions that followed reshaped America’s relationship with Israel and the Middle East. These are the conversations we have to have in the world today. Akbar Shahid Ahmed is the Senior Diplomatic Correspondent for HuffPost, based in Washington, D.C. A native Pakistani, Akbar has reported from around the globe. Akbar won the 2025 Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Writing and a 2025 New York Press Club Award. Read his wonderful new book, Crossing the Red Line: Biden, His Advisors, and Israel's War in Gaza Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump, out now: ⁠https://www.scaramucci.net/allthewrongmoves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

September 22, 202634 min

Billionaire David Rubenstein: Owning a Sports Team Is Harder Than Anything I've Done Before

I am honored to be joined by my friend and repeat guest on Open Book, David Rubenstein. He has built one of the most successful careers in private equity, but he’ll be the first to tell you that owning a baseball team may be even harder. We talk about what he’s learned inside the owner’s box, why the best leaders know when to get out of the way, and his mission to bring a World Series championship back to his hometown of Baltimore. David M. Rubenstein is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Invest, How to Lead, The American Experiment, The American Story, The Highest Calling, and Inside the Owner’s Box. He is Co-founder and Co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest and most successful private investment firms. An original signer of The Giving Pledge and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Mr. Rubenstein chairs the Boards of the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Gallery of Art, the Economic Club of Washington, and the University of Chicago. Rubenstein is the Chairman, CEO, and principal owner of Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles. He hosts The David Rubenstein Show on Bloomberg TV and PBS, and Bloomberg Wealth with David Rubenstein on Bloomberg TV. David is brilliant, and this book provides amazing insights into the life of a sports owner: Inside the Owner's Box: Conversations on Power and Leadership in Sports. Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. Order my next book, All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump, out on the 17th of September in the UK and the 22nd of September in the US: ⁠https://www.scaramucci.net/allthewrongmoves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices