Business

On Brand with Donny Deutsch

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.

Latest Episodes:

Brands of the Week: KFC's Comeback, Pokémon Hits $150B, and the Truth About Loofahs Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

What do Mamdani's NYC sweep, a $16.5 million Pikachu card, and your dirty hotel shower dispenser have in common? They're all brands on the move — and Donny Deutsch breaks down who's up and who's down this week.

On this episode of On Brand with Donny Deutsch, Donny dives into the cultural and business stories shaping the zeitgeist:

🔺 Brand Up: KFC's bold "Kentucky Fried Comeback" rebrand as fried chicken sandwiches heat up the fast-food wars
🔺 Brand Up: The HPV vaccine's stunning real-world results — zero cervical cancer deaths in young women in a major UK study
🔺 Brand Up: Adult braces are trending — not for looks, but for heart health and longevity
🔺 Brand Up: Pokémon turns 30 as the most valuable media franchise in history, worth $150 billion
🔻 Brand Down: Loofahs — why dermatologists say your favorite shower accessory is a bacteria magnet
🔻 Brand Down: Hotel shower dispensers — the surprising study on just how contaminated they really are
🔻 Brand Down: New York Democratic politics, as far-left, anti-Israel candidates win big primary races
🔻 Brand Down: Ripping up your boarding pass — the privacy risk hiding in that little barcode

Plus: Mike Myers confirms Austin Powers 4 is happening, adult sleepaway camps are booming, Heinz launches three new dipping sauces, streaming costs are quietly draining your bank account, and a tribute to legendary TV director James Burrows (Cheers, Friends, Will & Grace).

It's pop culture, politics, health, and marketing — all through Donny's signature brand lens.

🎙️ Don't miss Thursday's big interview with former Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissmann.

👉 Subscribe, rate, and review On Brand with Donny Deutsch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you listen.

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Rep. Josh Gottheimer on Antisemitism, Israel, Iran & the Democratic Party's Future Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus and a member of the House Intelligence and Financial Services Committees, joins Donny for a candid conversation on antisemitism, Israel, and the Democratic Party's identity crisis. Gottheimer explains why he calls out double standards on the left toward figures like Hasan Piker while also condemning Nick Fuentes and Candace Owens on the right, breaks down the Iran nuclear deal and Hezbollah's threat to U.S. national security, and weighs in on a controversial Maine Senate primary. The pair also dig into AI policy and national security, the rise of democratic socialism among young voters, the 2026 midterms, early 2028 presidential contenders like Cory Booker and Josh Shapiro, and why bipartisanship has become politically toxic in Washington. A must-listen for anyone following Israel-Iran tensions, antisemitism in American politics, AI regulation, and the future of the Democratic Party.

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Brands of the Week: Knicks Championship Glory, Jalen Brunson's Winning Brand & The Week's Hottest Trends Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

The New York Knicks are NBA Champions — and Donny Deutsch breaks down why Jalen Brunson is the ultimate brand-up story in sports, and why Victor Wembanyama's behavior may have cost him millions in endorsements.

Plus, the week's biggest brand moments: Nike's viral Knicks championship ad, Ariana Grande vs. the White House over unauthorized music use, the FDA's first new sunscreen approval in 25 years, and why Patrick Mahomes' $500M NFL contract is historic.

Also: cannabis doesn't help you sleep (science says it worsens insomnia), donuts are more dehydrating than coffee, protein prices are surging thanks to the GLP-1 boom, Steven Spielberg is back with a blockbuster, and "rustout" is the new burnout hitting remote workers.

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Jill Kargman on Influencers, Odd Mom Out & Upper East Side Satire Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Writer, actress, and bestselling author Jill Kargman joins Donny for a hilarious and razor-sharp conversation about her new film Influenced — a satirical comedy skewering the world of momfluencers, social media obsession, and performative wealth. Now in select theaters and streaming digitally July 10th, Influenced grew out of Jill's viral Instagram character Danielle, a kvetch-queen Upper East Side mom who took off during COVID and amassed half a million followers overnight.

Jill and Donny dive deep into what it's really like growing up on the Upper East Side — from Spence School classmates who were embarrassed by their stretch limos to today's culture of private jet posting and Baby Dior. They unpack the toxic side of influencer culture, momfluencers, and the dark psychology behind aspirational social media content.

They also get candid about parenting in the age of AI and social media, Jewish identity after October 7th, the collapse of the two-party system, and why neither of them can sit through a three-hour movie anymore. Plus: why Jill would rather fly JetBlue with 300 strangers than ride on someone's private jet.

If you love sharp satire, New York City culture, entertainment industry stories, and honest conversations about raising kids in a screen-obsessed world — this episode is for you.

🎬 Influenced is in select theaters now. Stream everywhere July 10th. 🌐 Find tickets and showtimes at influencedmovie.com

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Brands of the Week: $100K College Tuition, Amazon Beats Walmart, Caitlin Clark Backlash, Taylor Swift x Toy Story, Victoria's Secret Comeback & More Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Donny Deutsch breaks down the biggest brand winners and losers shaping culture right now in this week's Brands of the Week episode of On Brand with Donny Deutsch — the podcast where everything is a brand.

This week Donny covers: college tuition hitting $100,000 at Duke, Georgetown, and Wash U — and what it means for the value of a college degree in the age of AI and trade careers. Amazon dethrones Walmart on the Fortune 500 after 13 years, signaling the definitive rise of e-commerce over brick-and-mortar retail. AI kills the cover letter — Wharton research confirms AI-generated applications have made cover letters meaningless for hiring managers. Clint Eastwood retires at 96 — a look back at one of Hollywood's greatest directing and acting legacies. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Papatui cologne launches at Target — is a $40 celebrity fragrance a brand win or a miss? Harry Styles gives away free concert tickets to fans who volunteer through nonprofits on his Love on Tour residency. Acadia National Park tops Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon as America's best national park. Gen Z and pet ownership — why younger generations are spending big on pet care and treating pets as primary emotional relationships. Costco gas stations hit record demand as national gas prices surge past $4 a gallon. Hollywood popcorn buckets become the hottest collectible in pop culture marketing — The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey buckets are selling out and reselling for $250 on eBay. Taylor Swift drops a new song for Toy Story 5 — and breaks Apple Music and Spotify records within 24 hours. Caitlin Clark faces an unfair double standard as media scrutinizes her competitive sideline behavior — the same behavior celebrated in Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Zebra striping — the new drinking trend of alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages driving a 22% surge in NA beverage sales. Victoria's Secret stock surges 44% as CEO Hillary Super leads a brand comeback by leaning back into the brand's identity. And the sleep divorce trend — why 1 in 3 Americans are sleeping in separate beds and what it means for the mattress industry.

On Brand with Donny Deutsch drops new interviews every Thursday and Brands of the Week every week. Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Going Full Jew: Jonah Platt on Hollywood's Silence, Jewish Identity After October 7th, and Standing Up When It Counts Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

Actor, writer, musician, and podcast host Jonah Platt (Wicked, Being the Ricardos) joins host Donny for a candid, courageous conversation about Jewish identity, antisemitism in Hollywood, and what it means to unapologetically embrace who you are.

Jonah opens up about why he launched "Being Jewish with Jonah Platt" — a twice Webby-honored, Wilbur Award-winning podcast — in the wake of October 7th, and why he felt compelled to become one of the few visible voices in the entertainment industry to speak out for the Jewish community.

In this episode:

Why so many Hollywood stars stayed silent after October 7th — and what that silence really reveals
What "Going Full Jew" means and how it can transform your relationship with your Jewish identity
The danger of divisiveness within the Jewish community and why unity matters more than ever
How the word "Zionist" has been co-opted — and what we should do about it
The Democratic Party's shifting relationship with Jewish voters and Israel
How speaking out has actually opened doors in Jonah's entertainment career
The Los Angeles mayoral race, Spencer Pratt, and what 2026 politics looks like

Whether you're Jewish, an ally, or simply someone who cares about truth, identity, and moral courage in public life, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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Brands of the Week: AI Voice Clone Scams, Ferrari's EV Fail, Drake Breaks Records & The Brotox Boom Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

What's hot, what's not, and what's shaping the cultural zeitgeist right now? Donny Deutsch breaks down the biggest brand moments of the week — from alarming AI scams targeting families to surprising luxury real estate data, viral TikTok trends, and a music history milestone.

In this episode: 🔴 Brand DOWN – AI Voice Cloning Scams: The FBI reports over $1 billion lost to AI-related scams. Donny explains the terrifying "voice skinning" technology that lets scammers impersonate your kids — and the one thing every family needs to do right now.

🔴 Brand DOWN – Ferrari's Electric Car (The "Lusso"): Designed with Apple legend Jony Ive, Ferrari's first EV comes with a $640K price tag and fake engine sounds — and the internet is calling it a Honda. Did Ferrari just betray its own brand?

🔴 Brand DOWN – So You Think You Can Dance Cancelled: After 18 seasons and 74 Emmy nominations, Fox pulls the plug. What does this say about reality TV's staying power in 2025?

🔴 Brand DOWN – Disappearing Neighborhood Culture: New data shows only 1 in 4 young adults regularly talk to their neighbors — a drop of nearly 50% in a decade. Is tech killing community?

🟢 Brand UP – The Gap's Comeback: Designer Zac Posen, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, and Demi Moore have made Gap cool again. Ten consecutive positive quarters. The brand revival playbook in action.

🟢 Brand UP – NYC Luxury Real Estate: Despite tax fears and talk of exodus, Manhattan luxury contracts ($10M+) surged over 80%. New York isn't going anywhere.

🟢 Brand UP – Drake Makes History: Drake's "Jani STFU" debuted at #1 — his 14th chart-topper, surpassing Michael Jackson's record. Only the Beatles and Mariah Carey are ahead of him.

🟢 Brand UP – Brotox & Men's Aesthetics: Male cosmetic procedures are up 400% since 2000. Men's beauty spending is growing faster than women's. Is vanity the new masculinity?

🔴 Brand DOWN – Tanmaxxing: The dangerous TikTok tanning trend putting Gen Z's skin at serious risk. Dermatologists are sounding the alarm.

Plus: Donny reveals why he turned down Dancing with the Stars, and a preview of Thursday's big interview with activist and entertainer Jonah Platt.

🎙️ Everything is a brand — your favorite celebrities, athletes, politicians, and products. Tune in every Tuesday for Brands of the Week and every Thursday for in-depth interviews.

Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

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Martha Raddatz on "The Hero Next Door": Military Service, Patriotism & Purpose in a Divided America May 28, 2026

Show notes

ABC News chief global affairs correspondent and co-anchor of This Week, Martha Raddatz, joins Donny to discuss her powerful new book, The Hero Next Door: Stories of Patriotism and Purpose — and why America's post-9/11 generation of veterans deserves to be called the next "Greatest Generation."

From flying 10-hour combat missions in Afghanistan to embedding with troops in Iraq, Martha has spent decades on the front lines building deep relationships with the men and women who serve. In this conversation, she shares unforgettable stories from the book — including Marine Derek Herrera, who was paralyzed in battle and went on to revolutionize medical care for other wounded veterans; Kevin Schaefer and Steve Workman, who survived the Pentagon on 9/11; and Medal of Honor recipient Sal Giunta, whose quiet heroism brought a Korean War veteran to tears at Arlington Cemetery.

Martha and Donny talk about:

Why service members volunteer — and what drives them when they come home
The hidden battle with PTSD after the war ends
The devastating exit from Afghanistan and its toll on veterans
How these heroes can unite a divided country
Why Martha says knowing these people has made her a better journalist — and a better human being

Whether you're a military family, a history buff, or simply someone hungry for stories of real American courage, this episode will restore your faith in humanity.

📚 The Hero Next Door is available now wherever books are sold.

Be sure to check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Brand with Donny Deutsch YouTube page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Brands of the Week: Star Wars Box Office Bomb, World Cup Tourism Miss, James Bond Race & AI Replacing Workers May 26, 2026

Show notes

This week, Donny Deutsch breaks down the biggest brands rising and falling this week — from Hollywood flops to Wall Street trust shifts, political advertising disruption, and the women's sports boom.

This week on Brands of the Week:

Star Wars' worst box office since 2012 — why The Mandalorian & Grogu underperformed despite $102M Memorial Day opening

Gen Z trusts DraftKings & Polymarket more than Disney and Bank of America — what this seismic brand trust shift reveals about the future of institutional brands

AI is replacing "lower value human capital" — a major bank CEO accidentally says the quiet part loud, sparking massive backlash

Spencer Pratt's LA mayoral campaign — why his AI-generated, rap-infused political ads may be the future of political advertising

World Cup 2026 tourism disappointment — 5 million tickets sold but hotel bookings are collapsing, and America's global brand may be to blame

Enhanced Games & Silicon Valley doping — Peter Thiel-backed, Trump Jr.-endorsed: is this the future of sports or a dangerous testosterone marketing funnel?

Christie's $1.1 billion auction night — the most in history, and what it says about the tale of two economies

Women's sports exploding — the Caitlin Clark effect, WNBA surge, and why the 55+ demographic is driving the boom

Operation Epic Fury — is Michael Bay's film about an ongoing war a new low in military propaganda?

Yoko Ono's brand rehabilitation at 92, Jell-O goes natural, James Bond casting frontrunners, and Heart Attack Grill closes after 21 years

Older influencers outperform Gen Z creators — new Adweek research shows the 55+ demo controls 50% of consumer spending but gets almost no ad dollars

Plus: the science of why nighttime sex is bad for your relationship, America's most misspelled words, and a preview of Thursday's big interview with ABC's Martha Raddatz on her new book about war heroes.

In a world where everything is a brand — athletes, celebrities, companies, ideas, movements — Donny Deutsch helps you understand who's winning, who's losing, and why it matters. New episodes every Tuesday (Brands of the Week) and Thursday (long-form interview). Subscribe so you never miss a drop.

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David Ignatius on Trump, China, Ukraine, Iran & the Rise of Antisemitism: Is America a Declining Superpower? May 21, 2026

Show notes

Washington Post foreign affairs columnist and bestselling author David Ignatius joins Donny Deutsch for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation on the biggest geopolitical flashpoints shaping our world right now.

Is America a declining superpower? Donny and David break down Trump's Beijing summit with Xi Jinping — what Trump actually got (and didn't get), why Boeing stock dropped after the "200 planes" announcement, and what it means for U.S.-China relations that Taiwan arms sales are now a bargaining chip. They explore the Thucydides Trap, the G2 power dynamic, and whether decoupling from China was ever realistic.

Then: the Ukraine-Russia war and how battlefield innovation — from AI-powered drone warfare to autonomous defense systems — is permanently changing the future of military conflict. David, who has traveled to Ukraine eight times since the invasion began, explains why survival is victory and what Putin's next move might be.

From there, the conversation shifts to Iran: the nuclear threat, the Strait of Hormuz crisis, the internal power struggle inside the Iranian regime, and why Trump's military strategy may have empowered hardliners rather than weakened the regime.

Finally, Donny and David tackle the alarming rise of antisemitism — why it's a symptom of civilizational decay, the role of social media in accelerating hate, what federal policy could actually help, and what King Charles got right that American political leaders are getting wrong.

We'd like to thank our sponsor Strawberry.me

Go to Strawberry.me/DONNY and start with a coaching trial today.

For our listeners, tell them it was the On Brand with Donny Deutsch Podcast that sent you and get 50% off your first session.

Be sure to check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Brand with Donny Deutsch YouTube page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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