New York: Ari Emanuel debuts Rushmore Podcast, co-hosted with Ben Persky and produced by Pat McAfee. New episodes drop every Tuesday on X, featuring celebrity debates on industry Mount Rushmores.
Media and entertainment dealmaker Ari Emanuel is stepping into the podcast arena with a bold new show called Rushmore — and he’s doing it with heavyweight backing: Pat McAfee as producer.
What’s “Rushmore” All About?
Rushmore is a video podcast where Ari Emanuel teams up with Ben Persky (co-founder of Mixed Management) as co-hosts. Their format: invite top names across industries (sports, music, entertainment, tech) to debate their personal “Mount Rushmore” — that is, their picks for the greatest figures in a given field.
The very first episode drops with a heavyweight debate: Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning discuss the “Mount Rushmore of NFL receivers.”
Future guests are already being lined up: Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Stephen A. Smith — and even legends from music like Rick Rubin and Jimmy Iovine.
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Why Pat McAfee Is Involved
You might know Pat McAfee from his eponymous sports talk show and media presence. His production company is now helping shape Rushmore, especially in editing, pacing, and social strategy — particularly given the show’s exclusive launch on X (formerly Twitter).
McAfee himself said the partnership developed organically. Emanuel asked him for feedback on early cuts, McAfee offered notes, and eventually was brought in to help produce and optimize it for X’s format and audience.
McAfee noted that some of the early edits didn’t “feel native” to the X platform, so his team restructured parts — trimming, pacing, making it more conversational.
Distribution, Format & Platform
One key differentiator: Rushmore releases new episodes every Tuesday exclusively on X. Emanuel has said X is more than just a distribution channel — the interactivity (comments, debates, follow-ups) can extend the conversation. Because of that, the show is designed to work smoothly in a “scroll, comment, engage” social media environment.
What Makes It Stand Out
In a crowded podcast market, Rushmore has a few advantages:
- Star Power & Access
With Emanuel’s connections and McAfee’s production experience, getting big names is easier. The guest list is already ambitious. - Hybrid Format (Video + Social Integration)
Because it’s a video and fully integrated with X’s commenting and sharing, it’s built to live beyond the studio. - Debate & Narrative Framing
Rather than just interviews, the Mount Rushmore framing gives each episode a clear structure and tension. There’s a kickoff point (which four figures?), counterarguments, storytelling, and fallout. - Cross-industry Appeal
While the first episode is firmly football-oriented, future episodes will cut across music, media, fashion, gaming, and more. That offers broader appeal.
Early Reception & Next Steps
At the time of launch, Rushmore had modest social traction (just ~1,600 followers on X),, but that’s expected for a brand-new show. Because the show will benefit from cross-promotion — McAfee can promote it on his flagship show, and Emanuel can lean on his network — it has room to grow.
Also intriguing: Elon Musk, owner of X and a friend of Emanuel, is confirmed as a future guest (on an episode about video games).
Rushmore is not just entering the podcast scene — it’s entering it with a built-in content strategy, star power, and social mechanics.
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What Podcast Fans Should Watch For
- Which industries and leaders get featured
- How much input McAfee’s production style shape the flow
- How viewer engagement (comments, polls) influences content
- Whether they lean more into debates or storytelling
- If they spin off companion content (clips, reels, behind the scenes)
If you’re into podcasts that blend culture, industry insight, and debate — plus big names, this one is worth checking out.
