Lunch with Jamie

Former Chicago mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel joins the podcast to discuss one of the most dangerous geopolitical questions right now: what happens if the United States goes to war with Iran?

In this conversation, Rahm breaks down why talk of “regime change” is often misunderstood, the risks of military escalation in the Middle East, and why history shows that no country has ever successfully carried out regime change from the air alone.

Rahm also discusses the broader challenges facing the United States — from political instability at home to global leadership abroad — and why he believes these difficult times require serious leadership and national unity.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• What a U.S.–Iran conflict could look like

• Why “regime change from the air” doesn’t work

• The risks of escalation in the Middle East

• American leadership and global strategy

• Why the American dream feels increasingly out of reach

Rahm Emanuel previously served as Mayor of Chicago, White House Chief of Staff, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

Only members of Jamie's List get to join me on zoom to get exclusive access during these conversations. You can apply here - https://www.jamieslist.com/upgrade

Are we still going to be one country in 20 years?

In this episode, Jamie sits down with investor, political strategist, and author Bradley Tusk to unpack the forces reshaping America — from political extremism and wealth inequality to AI-driven job displacement and the future of democracy itself.

Bradley is the founder of Tusk Ventures, creator of the Mobile Voting Project, former Deputy Governor of Illinois, and author of Vote With Your Phone. He’s worked with leaders like Michael Bloomberg, Andrew Yang, and Chuck Schumer — and has spent decades operating at the intersection of politics, technology, and power.

This conversation covers:

From the future of elections to the future of work, this episode asks the uncomfortable question:

Are our institutions serving the public — or themselves?

If you care about democracy reform, wealth inequality, AI policy, UBI, mobile voting, climate solutions, or the future of American governance, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode of Lunch w/ Jamie, Jamie Patricof sits down with Jessica Tarlov, co-host of The Five and Raging Moderates, for a wide-ranging conversation on American politics, media, and the road ahead.

They break down the state of the Democratic Party, the 2026 midterm elections, and early thinking around potential 2028 presidential candidates—including Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Jon Stewart, and emerging political voices. Jessica shares her perspective on why Democrats struggle to communicate economic wins, how tariffs and cost-of-living issues are shaping voter sentiment, and what actually moves undecided voters today.

The discussion also covers the State of the Union’s declining impact, the role of independent media, political polarization, civil discourse, and the challenges of being the lone Democratic voice on Fox News. Plus, Jessica weighs in on protests, political activism, and where real leverage still exists in American democracy.

This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in U.S. politics, media dynamics, elections, and the future of the Democratic Party.

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In this conversation from February 2024, Jamie Patricof sits down with Sharon Brous, author of The Amen Effect, to explore what it truly means to show up for one another in a fractured and polarized world.

They discuss the growing loneliness crisis, the mental and physical toll of isolation, and why community and compassion are essential tools for healing—not just individually, but societally. Sharon Brous shares powerful stories from her book and lived experience about grief, bearing witness, staying present in discomfort, and why “fixing” is often the wrong instinct when someone is hurting.

This conversation also explores:

- Why loneliness threatens both mental health and democracy

- How to support people through grief without trying to solve it

- The importance of staying at the table with those you disagree with

- Faith as compassion, not ideology

- How sacred presence can transform families, friendships, and communities

This episode will challenge how you think about grief, disagreement, community, and what it really means to be human—while offering practical wisdom you can apply immediately in your own relationships.

Only members of Jamie's List get to join me on zoom to get exclusive access during these conversations. You can apply here - https://www.jamieslist.com/upgrade

In this episode of Lunch w/ Jamie, Jamie sits down with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and former Editor-in-Chief of WIRED, for a wide-ranging conversation on journalism, AI, media economics, and the future of truth in a rapidly changing world.

They unpack one of the biggest moments in modern media — SignalGate — including how the White House responded, the legal risks involved, and what it was like inside The Atlantic as the story broke. Nicholas also explains how The Atlantic went from losing money to becoming one of the most profitable and influential publications in the world, sharing insights on subscriptions, paywalls, and why chasing video and podcasts too early nearly sank legacy media.

The conversation goes deep on artificial intelligence: how AI will reshape journalism, healthcare, education, and elections, why Google may be winning the AI arms race, and what skills matter most for young people entering the workforce today. Nicholas also opens up about his book The Running Ground, surviving cancer, post-traumatic growth, and how running has shaped his life, leadership, and mindset.

Topics covered include:

- SignalGate and press freedom in the modern era

- The Atlantic’s business turnaround and media strategy

- AI’s impact on journalism, education, healthcare, and democracy

- Deepfakes, misinformation, and the future of trust

- Career advice for the next generation in an AI-driven world

- Running, resilience, and personal growth

If you’re interested in media, technology, AI, leadership, or the future of information, this episode offers rare, behind-the-scenes insight from one of the most thoughtful voices in modern journalism.

Only members of Jamie's List get to join me on zoom to get exclusive access during these conversations. You can apply here - https://www.jamieslist.com/upgrade

In this episode of Lunch with Jamie, Jamie Patricof sits down with Scott Galloway to break down his powerful “Resist & Unsubscribe” movement—a form of protest designed to hit where it actually hurts: money, attention, and corporate influence.

Scott explains why unsubscribing from products, platforms, streaming services, banks, and brands you no longer align with may be more effective than outrage or performative activism. From the attention economy to corporate accountability, this conversation explores how economic pressure can drive real change.

Jamie and Scott also discuss:

- Why “Resist & Unsubscribe” is one of the smartest protest strategies today

- How consumer dollars shape politics, media, and power

- The challenge of letting go of conveniences we think we can’t live without

- Privilege, responsibility, and doing what you can instead of doing nothing

- Why economic protest may outlast outrage cycles

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure how to take meaningful action, this episode offers a clear, practical framework for reclaiming your agency—one unsubscribe at a time.

👉 Learn more about the movement and take action today - https://www.resistandunsubscribe.com/

Only members of Jamie's List get to join me on zoom to get exclusive access during these conversations. You can apply here - https://www.jamieslist.com/upgrade

Topics: Scott Galloway, Resist and Unsubscribe, economic protest, consumer activism, attention economy, corporate accountability, politics and money, media influence, modern protest strategies, unsubscribing movement, social change.

What happens when the global system that’s kept relative peace for 80 years begins to unravel?

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Richard Haass, one of the most respected voices in American foreign policy, to unpack why the post-World War II world order may be over — and why there’s “zero chance” of going back to the way things were.

They discuss:

- Why Richard Haass believes Trump ended an 80-year era

- The real meaning behind Trump’s comments on Greenland

- Whether Europe could “call Trump’s bluff”

- NATO, alliances, and the collapse of predictability

- Ukraine, Russia, Iran, and rising global instability

- Why trust — once broken — doesn’t reset after elections

- What comes after the U.S.-led world order

This is a clear, sober conversation about power, alliances, democracy, and why the world feels more unstable than it has in decades.

If you’re trying to understand what actually changed — and why it matters — this conversation is essential listening.

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This week we are re-releasing our conversation with Bryan Stevenson from 2020. Bryan Stevenson is the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and one of the most influential voices on justice, race, and moral reckoning in America today.

Stevenson traces his personal journey from growing up in the Jim Crow South to defending individuals on death row, unpacking how America’s legal system has long treated people “better if you’re rich and guilty than if you’re poor and innocent.” He explains why true justice requires more than laws—it requires truth-telling, proximity to suffering, narrative change, hope, and the courage to do uncomfortable things.

This conversation explores:

Stevenson also shares unforgettable personal stories—from confronting racial humiliation in courtrooms to moments of unexpected reconciliation at lynching sites—that illuminate what justice looks like when truth is finally acknowledged.

This is not a conversation about politics.

It’s a conversation about moral responsibility, historical truth, and the future we are choosing to build.

If you care about justice, storytelling, leadership, or the soul of America—this is an essential listen.

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In this episode from December 2025, Jamie Patricof sits down with Anthony Scaramucci for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation about power, politics, and personal reckoning. Scaramucci reflects on his infamous 11-day stint as White House Communications Director under Donald Trump, tracing his journey from Wall Street to the center of American politics — and the lessons learned from ambition, ego, and loyalty.

The discussion explores Scaramucci’s long history within the Republican Party, his role in the 2016 Trump campaign, and why he ultimately broke with Trump publicly. They dive into themes of political identity, Trumpism, media outrage, cancel culture, money in politics, and the growing divide in American democracy. Scaramucci also shares insights on populism, gerrymandering, social media radicalization, and why he believes the U.S. is approaching a critical moment of political reckoning.

Later in the conversation, Scaramucci addresses the crisis facing young men in America, drawing from his work on the Lost Boys podcast, and discusses leadership, accountability, and what meaningful reform could look like heading into 2026 and 2028.

This episode offers a rare insider perspective on the Trump White House, modern American politics, and the personal cost of power — from someone who lived it.

Only members of Jamie's List get to join me on zoom to get exclusive access during these conversations. You can apply here - https://www.jamieslist.com/upgrade

In the wake of the Brown University shooting, Senator Mark Kelly joins the conversation to address the reality of gun violence in America and why these tragedies have become so common.

Drawing from personal experience—including the 2011 shooting of his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords—Senator Kelly explains how mass shootings, school shootings, and everyday gun violence continue to traumatize communities across the United States. He discusses why America stands out globally for gun violence, the long-term psychological impact on young people, and what meaningful gun reform could look like moving forward.

This episode explores why gun violence has become normalized in American life, the policy failures that allow it to persist, and what accountability and action could change the trajectory.

This is not a partisan debate—it’s a conversation about public safety, children’s lives, and whether the United States is willing to confront a crisis that affects everyone.

Only members of Jamie's List get to join me on zoom to get exclusive access during these conversations. You can apply here - https://www.jamieslist.com/membership