Rushmore Podcast

Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky
  • 2.7 (21)
  • Leisure
  • Updated Weekly

Legends sit down with Ari and Ben to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore.

  1. May 13

    Lou Adler Builds the Mount Rushmore of 1970s Bands and Artists

    Welcome to the Rushmore Podcast, where legends join Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore of any topic.Music pioneer Lou Adler, film and record producer and co-owner of the Roxy Theatre, joins the Rushmore podcast to tackle an impossible task: building the Mount Rushmore of the greatest bands and artists from the 1970s. With hosts Ben and Ari, Lou makes his case for Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Carole King, and David Bowie. The debate that follows is chaotic, passionate, and hilarious—featuring Wings, Queen, ABBA, Bruce Springsteen, Black Sabbath, the Sex Pistols, and the Ramones. After intense deliberation, the final four are locked in.Special thanks to Lou Adler for joining our Bands of the 70s episode.

    42 min

  2. May 13

    Anna Wintour & Andrew Bolton Build the Mount Rushmore of Fashion Designers

    Welcome to the Rushmore Podcast, where legends join Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore of any topic.Two of the most influential figures in fashion, Anna Wintour and Andrew Bolton, sit down to build the Mount Rushmore of the greatest fashion designers. The result is a masterclass in style, history, and artistic vision. Andrew champions the pioneers who changed construction and silhouette. Anna counters with the rule‑breakers who redefined what a designer could be. Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky add their own picks, and the debate turns to legacy, influence, and cultural impact. Who deserves the final four spots?Special thanks to Andrew Bolton & Anna Wintour for joining our designers episode.

    48 min

  3. May 13

    Dana White & Max Kellerman Build the Rushmore of Middleweight Boxers

    Welcome to the Rushmore Podcast, where legends join Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore of any topic.Two of the most passionate minds in combat sports, UFC president and CEO, Dana White, and boxing analyst, Max Kellerman, sit down to build the Mount Rushmore of middleweight boxing. From the mythical Harry Greb who fought 250 times before age 32, much of it with one eye to the sublime Sugar Ray Robinson, from the warrior Marvin Hagler to the unbeaten champion Carlos Monzon, this debate covers a century of fighting greatness. Dana champions the modern legends he grew up on. Max argues for the forgotten giants of the 1910s and 1920s. The hosts weigh in with their own lists. The result is a furious, informed, and deeply respectful argument about who truly rules the 160‑pound division.Special thanks to Dana White & Max Kellerman for joining our Middleweight Boxing episode

    27 min

  4. May 13

    Shaquille O'Neal & Reggie Miller Debate The Mount Rushmore of NBA Point Guards

    Welcome to the Rushmore Podcast, where legends join Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore of any topic.Reggie Miller and Shaquille O'Neal, two Hall of Fame legends with four championship rings between them, sit down to settle the ultimate playground debate: who are the four greatest point guards of all time? Stephen Curry, Isiah Thomas, Allen Iverson, Kyrie Irving, John Stockton, Tony Parker, Jason "White Chocolate" Williams, and even Bob Cousy all enter the conversation. The arguments get heated, the criteria get tossed around, and Shaq even threatens to eat a Tide Pod. From championships to handles to cultural impact, this is a point guard battle for the ages. Four lists. One winner. Final Rushmore revealed.Special thanks to Reggie Miller and Shaquille O'Neal for joining our greatest point guards episode.

    36 min

  5. May 13

    Ken Burns & Walter Isaacson Build The Mount Rushmore of US Non-Presidents

    Welcome to the Rushmore Podcast, where legends join Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore of any topic.Two of America's greatest historians, Ken Burns and Walter Isaacson, sit down to build the Mount Rushmore of U.S. non‑presidents from 1900 - present. The result is a breathtaking conversation about the inventors, artists, activists, and innovators who truly shaped modern America. Walter champions the giants of science and technology: Louis Armstrong, Philo Farnsworth, John Mauchly, and Steve Jobs. Ken counters with moral and cultural titans: Louis Armstrong, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., and Henrietta Lacks. From the improvisational genius of jazz to the immortal HeLa cells, from the Marshall Plan to the iPhone, this debate explores who actually changed the way we live, think, and see ourselves. Four brilliant lists. One unforgettable Rushmore.Special thanks to KenBurns & Walter Isaacson for joining our Non‑Presidents (1900s‑Present) episode.

    46 min

  6. Apr 10

    Matthew Stafford & Troy Aikman Build the Rushmore of Most Feared NFL Players

    Welcome to the Rushmore Podcast, where legends join Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore of any topic.Two Super Bowl champion quarterbacks. One terrifying debate. Matthew Stafford and Troy Aikman sit down to build the Mount Rushmore of most feared players, and the hits keep coming.Lawrence Taylor changed the game. Reggie White forklifted offensive linemen. Ray Lewis flew across the field. Ronnie Lott amputated his own finger rather than miss a game. The stories are legendary, the respect is mutual, and the fear is real. Hear Matthew on practicing against Aaron Donald, Troy on the 49ers loophole that brought Deion Sanders to Dallas, and both on why today's quarterbacks have it easier than they did.Special thanks to Matthew Stafford and Troy Aikman for joining our most feared NFL players episode.

    45 min

  7. Mar 30

    Edward Enninful & Inez van Lamsweerde Build the Rushmore of Modeling

    Welcome to the Rushmore Podcast, where legends join Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore of any topic.Two legends of fashion. One iconic debate. Edward Enninful and Inez van Lamsweerde sit down to build the Mount Rushmore of models, and the conversation is as captivating as the images they've created.From Linda Evangelista's transformative preparation to Naomi Campbell's legendary walk, from Kate Moss redefining beauty standards to Gisele Bündchen's one-woman supermodel army—the picks are passionate, the stories are revelatory, and the criteria run deep. Hear why Penelope Tree's face still haunts Inez, why Edward calls Linda "the Garbo of modeling," and what truly separates the greats from the rest.Special thanks to Edward Enninful & Inez van Lamsweerde for joining our Models episode.

    37 min

  8. Mar 20

    Wolfgang Puck & José Andrés Build the Rushmore of American Restaurants

    Welcome to the Rushmore Podcast, where legends join Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore of any topic.Two legendary chefs. One impossible task. Wolfgang Puck and José Andrés sit down to build the Mount Rushmore of American restaurants, and the debate gets heated immediately.Chez Panisse, Le Bernardin, Charlie Trotter's, K-Paul's, The Four Seasons, The Inn at Little Washington are among the names are debated, the stories are revelatory, and the arguments run deep. Hear José's emotional tribute to Jean-Louis Palladin, Wolfgang's memories of the original Four Seasons, and the moment Ben nominates McDonald's and sparks chaos.

    51 min
See All (14)

2.7
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Legends sit down with Ari and Ben to debate the ultimate Mount Rushmore.

Information

  • Creator
    Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky
  • Show Website
    Rushmore Podcast

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