John Ourand and guest host extraordinaire Julia Alexander debate what the WBD divorce means for TNT and TBS, the next wave of rights negotiations, and whether Zaslav is lying to himself about not needing sports. Then they dig into the slumping NBA Finals ratings—and whether this is indicative of broader league fatigue. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adch...
Jun 13, 2025•31 min
Eriq Gardner joins guest host Julia Alexander to discuss the latest twist in the Baldoni-Lively saga, after a judge tossed most of Baldoni’s claims. Eriq breaks down what the ruling really means, whether Lively’s partial legal win might embolden other stars to take a stand, and how this case could be a harbinger for the next wave of Hollywood lawsuits. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
Jun 12, 2025•30 min
Abby Livingston joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to dig into the G.O.P.’s internal conflict over the Big Beautiful Bill—which Abby deems the thorniest legislation since Obamacare in 2010. Then they discuss the Musk-Trump breakup and highlight which Republicans could actually stand to gain from the feud. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 11, 2025•20 min
In a special early recording of The Powers That Be, Dylan and Bill jump on the mic to discuss the breaking news that Warner Bros. Discovery will split into two companies—a film and streaming division led by David Zaslav, and a cable business run by Gunnar Wiedenfels… loaded up with most of WBD’s debt. They discuss what the separation means for HBO Max, the fear inside CNN, how Wall Street is responding, and why a divorce was inevitable. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices...
Jun 09, 2025•28 min
Jon Kelly and guest host Dylan Byers unpack the fallout from former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre's announcement of her new book, ‘Independent’—and her brow-raising defection from the Democratic Party. Then they chew over the latest developments on Shari Redstone’s fragile Paramount-Skydance deal, which is looking shakier by the day. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Jun 09, 2025•29 min
Eriq Gardner joins guest host Julia Alexander to dissect The New York Times’s intensifying legal battle with OpenAI—and how its surprise A.I. licensing deal with Amazon could strengthen its case. Then Eriq breaks down the litigious drama around Bravo’s Andy Cohen and an alleged smear campaign brought on by former Real Housewife Leah McSweeney. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https:...
Jun 06, 2025•29 min
Bill Cohan joins guest host Julia Alexander to dissect Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest financial headaches—from its debt downgrade into quasi-junk territory to stagnant EBITDA growth. They debate C.E.O. David Zaslav’s stewardship of the company, the timeline for a potential spinoff involving WBD’s linear channels, and whether Zaz is laying the groundwork for a major M&A play. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn mor...
Jun 05, 2025•31 min
Marion Maneker joins guest host Julia Ioffe to dig into Dasha Zhukova’s transition from Moscow and New York “It” girl to a leader in the world of art-centric real estate. Then they turn to the Met’s newly reopened Rockefeller wing, which features African and Oceanic art—and what the relaunch portends for the art market. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adc...
Jun 04, 2025•27 min
Guest host Julia Ioffe welcomes Abby Livingston to chew over the Democrats’ various midterm fantasies—the military pedigrees, the Biden turnoffs, and the lingering age issues hanging over it all. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 03, 2025•26 min
Jon Kelly and Dylan Byers catch up on Business Insider’s brutal decision to lay off 21 percent of its staff and what that means for parentco Axel Springer. Then they discuss the end of TNT’s relationship with the NBA. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 02, 2025•27 min
Eriq Gardner joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to dig into the latest legal challenge to Trump’s attempt to reshape the federal workforce—this time involving the firing of Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights. As Eriq notes, the case could redefine the limits of executive authority, with major implications for the separation of powers, the future of government independence, and even artificial intelligence. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www....
May 30, 2025•22 min
Bill Cohan joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to unpack the so-called “Main Street glitch” in Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill—a SALT provision that could saddle businesses with surprise tax hikes. They also discuss Trump’s growing sway over the markets, as traders bet on policy reversals, and Bill Ackman’s latest salvo against Harvard’s endowment practices. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. V...
May 29, 2025•25 min
Matt Belloni joins guest host Julia Alexander to explain why the Memorial Day box office was just what the doctor ordered for studio executives—and what it portends for the year ahead. They break down how the movies performed, the most significant trends of 2025, and how studios can capitalize on the theatrical moment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adch...
May 28, 2025•38 min
John Ourand joins guest host Julia Alexander to unpack the high-stakes drama behind Disney’s lawsuit against YouTube, following the poaching of top ESPN executive Justin Connolly. Then, they turn to the mounting challenges facing Major League Baseball as its $550 million deal with ESPN nears expiration. Alas, is this just a baseball problem—or a greater issue facing all leagues in this new sports media era? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc....
May 27, 2025•36 min
Jon Kelly joins guest host Dylan Byers to unravel the plot twists in Rob Manfred’s ongoing media rights negotiations for MLB, highlighting their potential deals with NBC and Apple. Then the duo dive into the firestorm ignited by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s new book, ‘Original Sin’—and the fractures it’s revealing within the Democratic Party. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit http...
May 26, 2025•34 min
Julia Ioffe joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to unpack the fallout from Trump’s two-hour call with Putin earlier this week: Trump's growing frustration with the Ukraine conflict, his willingness to hand it off to Europe, and the chilling implications for President Zelensky. Then, they turn to the Oval Office debacle with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in which Julia emphasizes the administration’s promotion of white supremacy theories—and their broader white supremacist agenda. To l...
May 23, 2025•23 min
Abby Livingston joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to break down the challenges facing House Republicans in passing their legislative agenda, particularly Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” They highlight the tensions between the centrists and hardliners, the pressure on individual members, and, of course, the overarching influence of Trump. Then they dig into the race to replace Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly after his unfortunate passing yesterday. To learn more about listener data and our privac...
May 22, 2025•23 min
Eriq Gardner joins Peter to unpack the Swifties’ intensifying racketeering lawsuit against Live Nation, along with two other serious cases the company is facing: a long-running civil suit from fans and an antitrust case from the Justice Department. Then Eriq explains how Taylor Swift got dragged into the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and whether this news could hurt Taylor’s... reputation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audac...
May 21, 2025•20 min
Dylan Byers joins Peter to break down Wendy McMahon’s resignation from CBS News after four years as the network president, which comes as Paramount angles to settle Trump’s $20 million-plus lawsuit against ‘60 Minutes.’ Then they turn to the chatter surrounding Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s "Original Sin," and how the publication has coincided with the grim news that the former president has been diagnosed with cancer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://...
May 20, 2025•32 min
The renaming of HBO Max offers Jon Kelly and Peter a chance to recall some of David Zaslav’s greatest streaming follies during the WBD era. The duo also chew over murmurs of regime change at Politico’s flagship beltway property. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 19, 2025•26 min
Build the life of your dreams and learn from the world’s most successful people. Emma Grede, one of America’s richest self-made women - wants you to make the most of your life. On ‘Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet. Each episode will unpack their habits, philosophy and strategies, covering career advice, well-being, psychology and of course how to win in business. The show offers personal stori...
May 17, 2025•3 min
John Ourand joins Peter to discuss MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s decision to posthumously reinstate Pete Rose and restore “The Hit King’s” Hall of Fame eligibility decades after his lifetime ban. Did Manfred’s recent visit with Donald Trump play any role in the decision? John also breaks down his week at the upfronts in New York, where networks leaned into their sports deals to woo advertisers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-...
May 16, 2025•20 min
Abby Livingston joins Peter to dig into the mounting buzz surrounding “Original Sin,” the new book from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson chronicling, in their words, Joe Biden’s decline inside the White House. Abby also unpacks the latest drama inside the D.N.C. as they move to oust their Gen Z vice chairman David Hogg—and the persistent Republican rift over Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Lea...
May 15, 2025•29 min
In this special edition of The Powers That Be, Leigh Ann Caldwell hosts Republican Senator Jim Banks for a far-reaching conversation about tariffs, the road to the midterms, and how the G.O.P. is aiming to avoid a repeat of 2017’s political misfires. Banks also outlines the party’s strategy to counter China’s rising influence—and insists that under Trump’s leadership, Republicans are more unified than ever. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc....
May 14, 2025•37 min
Bill Cohan joins Peter to unpack Trump’s erratic trade war with China, the ripple effects on the markets, and the chatter on Wall Street about whether MAGA insiders might be profiting from advance knowledge of tariff announcements. Bill also discusses the $400 million jet the Qataris have gifted Trump, as well as the president’s various meme coin and crypto dealings. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ...
May 13, 2025•29 min
Jon Kelly joins Peter to dig into the likelihood that David Zaslav will spin CNN out of Warner Bros. Discovery, and whether both companies would be better off solo. They also explore what’s behind Biden’s media tour, as Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson prepare to publish a book detailing “the cover up of Biden’s decline in the White House.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podc...
May 12, 2025•27 min
Eriq Gardner joins Peter to examine Trump’s increasingly ominous fixation on sports—from launching a federal task force for the 2028 World Cup to a commission aimed at fixing college athletics and a bid to host the NFL Draft in Washington. As Eriq notes, each of these initiatives are fraught with legal and regulatory obstacles—not to mention the threat of a D.E.I. crackdown. Eriq also unpacks Ted Cruz’s recent meeting the Roger Goodell over the league’s anti-trust exemption and the NFL’s continu...
May 09, 2025•22 min
Matt Belloni swings by the pod to break down Trump’s head-spinning announcement that he’s prepared to slap tariffs on overseas film and TV productions. With Hollywood hitting the panic button, Matt explains why the film industry has bypassed Los Angeles as more shoots head to Europe, Canada, and the U.K. But is there actually a political solution to Hollywood’s problems? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about y...
May 08, 2025•25 min
Marion Maneker joins Peter for a deep dive into the art fair circuit as it hits a fever pitch this week. Marion unpacks the explosion of events on the calendar, whether demand can keep up with the pace, and why Endeavor’s Ari Emmanuel just placed a high-stakes bet on Frieze. Then, he draws the line between fairs and auctions—and why the distinction matters. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices...
May 07, 2025•21 min
Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to break down the “big, beautiful bill” that Speaker Johnson is trying to muscle through a fractured Congress on a tight deadline. As Leigh Ann explains, despite Trump’s support, Republicans are growing restless with Johnson and worry he might not deliver in time to sell the bill’s economic and political upside to voters. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
May 06, 2025•21 min
