The Rubin Report: Dave Rubin on Resetting, Grief, and Building a Mission-Driven Show

**SPEAKER_1** (0:01)
So, let's talk about this really unique Rubin Report episode where the tables get turned. Dave Rubin actually gets interviewed by his own executive producer, Phoenix. She's asking him about August, the season break, what's changed heading into season 14
It's fascinating because it's part workplace snapshot, part personal life check-in. And what makes it even more interesting is how long Phoenix has been around. She started as Dave's intern back in 2020, and now she's running the entire day-to-day operation.
Dave actually praises her growth and jokes. I've taught you how to do an intro.

**Phoenix** (0:40)
There's this great story about Ron DeSantis meeting her and saying, producer, what are you talking about? He's your intern.

**SPEAKER_1** (0:48)
That moment really becomes a window into how their team grew through trust, risk, and loyalty.
Right. And then the conversation shifts to something Dave calls August Off The Grid. This yearly reset he created when he realized his phone, especially Twitter, had completely taken over his mind. He says, I wanted to see if I could put it all down and take a month off.

**Phoenix** (1:12)
What's compelling is how he describes the break creating the space in my brain to just be present.

**SPEAKER_1** (1:18)
Even small moments, like noticing a cashier as a human being, became significant. There are lighter memories, too, like running into Frankie Valley at Gelson's on his birthday.
Dave jokes that he tried to hire Frankie for way more money than he could afford, only to hear the singer casually respond, Yeah, yeah, that's great, kid. Those moments help clear out the noise and remind him life is full of odd welcome surprises.

**Phoenix** (1:48)
But the episode carries real weight, too.
Dave reflects on the killing of Charlie Kirk, saying plainly, Charlie was killed. He describes the grief of losing a friend and the shock of watching public reactions.

**SPEAKER_1** (2:03)
It connects that period to Jordan Peterson's illness and Dennis Prager's injury, saying those losses made the whole year feel unstable. Clearly changed him. His goal now is making the show a place where people can learn, laugh, and leave entertained, because he doesn't want to make people angry.

**Phoenix** (2:22)
Instead of trying to convert anyone, he says, if you like me, great. If not, I'll be okay.
And turning 50 sharpened that focus. It was the first birthday that truly meant something, and forced him to think differently about family, business, and legacy.

**SPEAKER_1** (2:41)
He sums it up perfectly. You can either let your past own you, or you can blaze a difficult trail by slaying those dragons.
He ties that to his stand-up days, sleeping on a cot, scraping by, believing he could make it.

**Phoenix** (2:57)
The episode closes on mission and culture.
Dave says passion comes first when deciding who to bet on, along with honesty and alignment. He calls the company Work Hard, Play Hard.

**SPEAKER_1** (3:11)
And his final message is classic. Work a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.