Episode summary
The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations Celebrates 10 Years
The David Rubenstein Show
· · 7 min · Hosts: David Rubenstein
Summary
David Rubenstein marks ten years of his Bloomberg TV interview series by revisiting favorite exchanges from the show’s archive. The clips emphasize the range of his guests and the mix of business, policy, and culture that has defined the program over a decade.
The retrospective includes stories about early entrepreneurship, such as a pinball-machine business in Washington, and a discussion of banking, retail credit cards, and interest rates. It also highlights Rubenstein’s own style as an interviewer: asking direct questions, using humor, and drawing out practical lessons rather than polished talking points.
Several moments focus on communication and leadership, including a conversation about emotional self-management, listening as an interview skill, and the value of seeing yourself as a surrogate for the audience. The episode closes with lighter personal recollections about hugging, marriage advice, and Rubenstein’s approach to making guests comfortable on camera.
Key takeaways
- David Rubenstein frames the special as a look back at ten years of conversations with influential leaders across business, finance, politics, and culture.
- The archive clips suggest Rubenstein’s style depends on humor, follow-up questions, and pushing guests past scripted answers.
- One guest’s lesson on emotions is that they are reactions to stimuli and can be used for learning and growth, even if a person remains naturally grumpy.
- Rubenstein treats listening as a core interview skill and says the host should act as a surrogate for the audience.
- The episode also underscores how much of the show’s appeal comes from personal rapport, not just hard news or market analysis.
Notable quotes
“As we celebrate ten years of conversations with some of the world's most interesting and influential leaders, we're looking back at a few of my favorite moments”
“Emotions are misunderstood by almost everybody”
“My skill comes from my listening ability”
“I always saw myself as the surrogate for the audience”
How the episode opens
I'm David Rubenstein. I'm the host of David Rubenstein Peer to peer conversations on Bloomberg TV. As we celebrate ten years of conversations with some of the world's most interesting and influential leaders, we're looking back at a few of my favorite moments.
How did you start your business career in Washington with various pinball machines or golf businesses? Yeah, I always like to have a couple of businesses going in, and the best business we had was the pinball machine business, which was the Wilson Coin Operated Machine company that was named after the high school my partner and I went to. We had our machines in barbershops, and the barbers always wanted to put us in machines with flippers, which were just coming in.
But those machines cost 350 bucks, whereas an old obsolete machine cost 25 bucks. So we always told them we'd take it up with Mr. Wilson, this mythical machine.
Wilson. He was one tough guy, I got to tell you. And you're the head of the Global Consumer Bank.
What is that? Global consumer banking city? So that's, um, that's retail banking.
That's a credit card, which I believe you are a proud owner of a city credit card, David. I don't have enough frequent flyer miles on it, so I'm. I'm trying to.
You tell me I'm not qualified for my frequent flyer miles, but, yeah, you've got the wrong card. Is it? Is this the best credit card you can get?
David, you have the one with our wonderful partner of American Airlines, and they all come out 35 years. Is black like a month ago. How come I don't have this?
Which is better? You've got to ask for it, David. Oh, okay.
All right. Well, I although I suspect you may not be flying quite as much on the commercial airlines.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- podcast anniversary
- peer-to-peer conversations
- business
- finance
- politics
Companies and tickers mentioned
- Bloomberg
Watch the episode
Watch “The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations Celebrates 10 Years” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
More from The David Rubenstein Show
-
Strauss Zelnick on GTA VI, Take-Two's Turnaround and AI | The David Rubenstein Show -
Rubenstein on the Anthropic IPO, Nvidia CEO Scandal, GTA VI -
Bridgewater CEO Nir Bar Dea on AI Investing, Markets and Leadership | The David Rubenstein Show -
David Rubenstein on New Book, “Speaking of America” -
Santander's Ana Botin on US Growth, Debt, AI and the Global Economy | The David Rubenstein Show -
J&J CEO Joaquin Duato on Obesity, Cancer and AI | The David Rubenstein Show
The David Rubenstein Show, this episode and its artwork belong to Bloomberg. Octagon is not affiliated with the show; this page is an independent summary.
