Celebrity Jobber Podcast with Jeff Zito

Episode: Jake Tapper (Aired November 8, 2025)
Podcast Host: Jeff Zito
Guest: Jake Tapper (CNN Anchor, Author)

Overview

In this episode, Jeff Zito sits down with CNN's lead Washington anchor, Jake Tapper, to discuss Tapper’s unconventional path to a career in journalism, his initial ambitions, the odd jobs he worked along the way, and pivotal moments that shaped his career. Tapper also shares insights into his latest books—one on President Biden and another about a real-life hunt for an Al Qaeda terrorist. True to the podcast’s theme, the conversation dives into how fate, persistence, and openness to new opportunities can shape a celebrity career.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jake Tapper’s Book Projects

• Race Against Terror – Tapper’s latest book took three years to write and allowed him to dive deep into real-world detective work and counterterrorism, topics not often possible on daily news programs.
  • “When I first heard this story, I was like, this is incredible. This is like the best episode of CSI ever.” (Jake Tapper, 04:04)
• Original Sin – His controversial book co-written with Alex Thompson about President Biden came together quickly in a matter of months, creating the illusion that Tapper is constantly producing new books.
  • “It's the illusion of churning out a book every six months. But that's not really what happened.” (Jake Tapper, 03:39)
• Tapper describes book-writing as a labor of love rather than a professional necessity.
  • “I love it. If I didn't love it, I wouldn't do it. I mean, I don't need to do it. It's fun.” (Jake Tapper, 04:23)

2. On Journalism and Early Ambitions

• As a child, Tapper edited a neighborhood and high school newspaper but didn’t see a journalism career until his twenties.
• Tapper majored in history at Dartmouth, originally aiming to be a political cartoonist inspired by Doonesbury’s Gary Trudeau.
  • “I wanted to be a political cartoonist. Yeah, I wanted to be like the next Doonesberry. … And I got close once.” (Jake Tapper, 08:45)
• After his cartooning ambitions faltered, Tapper took a PR job to pay the bills and began freelancing, which reignited his passion for journalism.

3. The “Big Break” Moment

• Tapper’s significant break came through relentless freelancing and a quirky story about a party in a former bordello, which got published in the Washington City Paper.
  • “That probably was a huge break. ... The lesson is, if you're at a party, listen to the stories, because maybe you can. Maybe you can turn it into a book, right?” (Jake Tapper, 11:25)
• He draws parallels between that experience and the origins of some of his book ideas, which also started with party stories and casual conversations.

4. First Job Experience: Baskin Robbins

• Tapper’s first paycheck came from scooping ice cream and making waffles at Baskin Robbins through high school—an experience that required biking three miles each way, even late at night.
  • “I worked at Baskin Robbins starting in 10th grade, scooping ice cream, making waffles ... Rode my bike three miles to the Baskin Robbins and then rode my bike back.” (Jake Tapper, 11:57)
• Tapper reflects on generational differences, marveling at what parents allowed back then compared to today.
  • “I don't think I would ever. My kids do that. Ride my, ride a bike three miles in the dark.” (Jake Tapper, 13:17)

5. National Mood and Optimism

• Tapper expresses concern about current divisiveness in the country but maintains long-term optimism grounded in American ideals.
  • “I'm concerned about a lot of things having to do with the country, but I'm optimistic long term because this is the United States of America... But I am concerned about some of the things going on and I'm very concerned about how divided we all seem.” (Jake Tapper, 14:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On writing:
  • “If I didn't love it, I wouldn't do it. I mean, I don't need to do it. It's fun.” (04:23)
• On the start in journalism:
  • “I didn't decide I wanted to go into journalism until I was in my 20s… I was just doing public relations just to pay the bills, right.” (07:45)
• On big breaks via parties:
  • “The lesson is, if you're at a party, listen to the stories, because maybe you can. Maybe you can turn it into a book, right?” (11:25)
• On changing times and parenting:
  • “I don't think I would ever. My kids do that. Ride my, ride a bike three miles in the dark.” (13:17)
• On American optimism:
  • “I'm concerned about a lot of things having to do with the country, but I'm optimistic long term because this is the United States of America…” (14:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:39 – Jake Tapper discusses writing his books and the time commitment involved
• 04:23 – Why Tapper enjoys writing books
• 07:45 – Tapper’s early interests and accidental entry into journalism
• 08:45 – Original ambition to be a political cartoonist
• 09:55 – Breakthrough moment: The bordello story and parallels to book inspiration
• 11:57 – Jake’s first job at Baskin Robbins, generational commentary
• 14:15 – Perspectives on America’s present and future

Conclusion

This episode pulls back the curtain on Jake Tapper’s early ambitions, formative job experiences, and pivotal moments that shaped his journalistic career. Tapper’s affable, candid tone matches Jeff Zito's friendly curiosity, making for a conversation brimming with insights, relatable nostalgia, and thought-provoking reflections on fate, persistence, and American culture.

Useful for:

• Fans of Jake Tapper and political journalism
• Aspiring journalists or creatives
• Anyone interested in the winding roads that lead to success