Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci
SALT & Goalhanger
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Oct 22, 2026 • 26min
How to Turn Life's Greatest Challenges Into Your Greatest Strengths - Domenic Ionta
Domenic Ionta, a public servant, advocate, and author, recounts surviving a life-threatening birth injury before building a career in policy, security, human rights, and government. He discusses how adversity shaped his courage, why kindness and authenticity matter, the quiet impact of Washington’s problem-solvers, and how travel, gratitude, and public service transformed survival into purpose.
Oct 20, 2026 • 24min
The Dangerous Mistake Western Leaders Keep Making - Dickie Shearer
Richard Shearer, entrepreneur, writer, and founder of Tintra, draws on decades across the Global South to explore culture, finance, technology, and power. He discusses why Western leaders misread China and emerging nations, how AI and infrastructure could reshape global finance, and the rise of a multipolar world. A provocative look at moving beyond inherited Western assumptions.
6 snips
Oct 15, 2026 • 32min
Baseball Icon Dusty Baker: The Life Lessons Baseball Taught Me
Dusty Baker, former MLB player and manager who won World Series titles with the Dodgers and Astros, reflects on a remarkable life in baseball. He shares stories of Hank Aaron’s mentorship, his father’s protection, and confronting racism. Baker also discusses vulnerability in his memoir, music and leadership, balancing analytics with instinct, and the family milestones that matter most.
31 snips
Oct 13, 2026 • 33min
Why Trump Survives Scandals That Destroy Other Politicians – Stephen Sackur
Stephen Sackur, the British journalist and longtime HARDtalk presenter, explores why Donald Trump survives scandals that ended other politicians’ careers. He revisits Watergate, the dangers faced by investigative reporters such as Daphne Caruana Galizia and Anna Politkovskaya, Navalny’s digital activism, and Hugo Chávez’s persuasive charisma. He also examines journalism’s crisis, the end of HARDtalk, and the fight to keep truth and accountability alive.
7 snips
Oct 6, 2026 • 29min
How Hollywood Sold Out to China — Chris Fenton
Chris Fenton, a media executive, film producer, and author of Feeding the Dragon, takes listeners inside Hollywood’s China deals. He reveals how films like Looper and Iron Man 3 were shaped to please Beijing, and why America’s engagement strategy backfired. They also explore the NBA’s Hong Kong controversy, censorship, national interests, and rebuilding American filmmaking.
16 snips
Sep 29, 2026 • 34min
The Decisions That Changed the Middle East Forever - Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Akbar Shahid Ahmed, award-winning foreign affairs journalist and HuffPost’s senior diplomatic correspondent, explores the decisions that reshaped the Middle East. They discuss warnings before October 7, Netanyahu’s strategy, Biden’s support, Israel’s response in Gaza, Iran and Hamas, hostage diplomacy, and America’s damaged credibility. Ahmed also examines Gaza’s humanitarian devastation and Israel’s contested political future.
Sep 22, 2026 • 35min
Billionaire David Rubenstein: Owning a Sports Team Is Harder Than Anything I've Done Before
David Rubenstein, billionaire investor, philanthropist, author, and Baltimore Orioles owner, joins a candid conversation about life in the owner’s box. They explore the realities of payroll, trades, fan expectations, delegation, and the growing influence of institutional capital in sports. Rubenstein also shares his Baltimore roots, hopes for Camden Yards, and ambition to bring a World Series title home.
41 snips
Sep 15, 2026 • 34min
The Historian Who Explains Why the Middle East Is Messed Up - Simon Sebag Montefiore
Simon Sebag Montefiore, acclaimed British historian and bestselling author, explores the forces that shaped today’s Middle East. They discuss Ibn Saud’s rise, the myths of Sykes-Picot, unrealized maps for the region, Israel and Palestine, and why 1979 transformed Iran and Islamist politics. The conversation also examines Iran’s revolutionary warfare, regional power struggles, and the possibility of peace.
17 snips
Sep 10, 2026 • 40min
How Wall Street’s Billionaires Became Untouchable - William D. Cohan
William D. Cohan, bestselling financial author and Puck’s Wall Street correspondent, explores Leon Black’s rise and Apollo’s money-burning machine. They delve into inherited trauma, founder rivalries, the succession battle, and Black’s $158 million relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The conversation also examines extreme wealth, accountability, Drexel’s collapse, and how private credit is reshaping Wall Street.
7 snips
Sep 8, 2026 • 36min
Harlan Coben Sold 100 Million Books. Here’s His Advice for Aspiring Writers.
Harlan Coben, bestselling suspense novelist and creator of hit screen adaptations, shares the messy reality behind more than 100 million books sold. He explores self-doubt as creative fuel, finding suspense in ordinary New Jersey life, making writing a priority, and moving from novels to streaming series. Coben also unpacks emotionally powerful plot twists and why it’s never too late to begin writing.
