Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Thursday Rewrite

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Description: A dynamic trio comprising Don La Greca, ESPN New York’s Alan Hahn, and WWE personality Peter Rosenberg, discussing New York sports, hip-hop, and more.
• Episode: Hour 2: Thursday Rewrite
• Release Date: August 7, 2025

1. Privacy in Messaging Apps

Timestamp: [00:01] – [00:30]

The episode opens with Peter Rosenberg discussing the privacy features of WhatsApp. He emphasizes that personal messages, including voice calls and password sharing, remain confidential and are visible only to the sender and recipients.

Peter Rosenberg [00:01]: "Your personal messages stay between you, your friends, and your family. No one else, not even us."

2. Balancing Personal Life with Football

Timestamp: [00:45] – [02:38]

The hosts delve into the intersection of personal relationships and football, using a hypothetical scenario where a dream partner interrupts a game, seeking action.

Don Hahn [00:51]: "If that person were to show up in the middle of a football game and say, 'I want action,' what would you do?"

Peter Rosenberg humorously references how different personalities might react, mentioning John Winthrop’s delayed response to prioritize the game draft.

3. Workplace Priorities and Intern Dynamics

Timestamp: [02:03] – [05:01]

Discussion transitions to workplace dynamics, focusing on interns' priorities and the varying expectations between interns and senior staff.

Don Hahn [02:03]: "People have different priorities. Listen, the interns, their priority was get out of Dodge."

Peter Rosenberg shares his "hall pass" philosophy, indicating his flexibility despite personal commitments, such as watching the Jets versus being available for family needs.

4. Dress Codes and Workplace Culture

Timestamp: [02:38] – [04:12]

The conversation shifts to office dress codes, where Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg debate the appropriateness of wearing shorts versus polos and slacks. The hosts humorously critique Jake’s new look, suggesting he appears more relaxed, akin to someone heading to a hotel bar.

Don Hahn [02:52]: "Everyone here wears, like, a polo shirt and slacks. And today he's looking like he's rolling up to the hotel bar with, like, a daiquiri in his hand."

5. Birthday Oversights and Host Tensions

Timestamp: [04:24] – [19:25]

A significant portion of the episode centers around a missed birthday, leading to tension between Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg. Don expresses regret over forgetting a colleague's birthday, while Peter critiques him for his oversight, labeling him a "snowflake."

Peter Rosenberg [10:35]: "Snowflake at your core. And I'm not saying this disrespectfully. It's respectfully."

The conversation escalates with callers like Anthony and Ty Butler chiming in, further intensifying the banter. Anthony accuses Ty of attempting to start a "coup" on the show, referring to behind-the-scenes manipulations.

Anthony [07:13]: "Connor. Absolute weasel."

Despite the friction, the hosts work through the misunderstanding, emphasizing accountability and camaraderie.

Don Hahn [11:17]: "No, no, but they're personal bias because he has freakish gigantic legs."

6. Handling Criticism and Accountability

Timestamp: [09:15] – [19:25]

The hosts navigate through critiques about missed acknowledgments and personal accountability. Peter urges Don to admit his mistake openly, fostering a discussion on maintaining authenticity on air.

Peter Rosenberg [09:50]: "I just want to let you know. Yeah, accountability. Fantastic. That's the great way to go. Take accountability."

Don Hahn struggles initially but eventually agrees, leading to a moment of reflection on their professional relationship and the importance of mutual respect.

7. The Thursday Rewrite: Hypothetical NFL Season Analysis

Timestamp: [28:07] – [40:40]

The highlight of the episode is the “Thursday Rewrite” segment, where the hosts collaboratively reimagine the New York Jets' 2023 NFL season under the condition that Aaron Rodgers remains healthy.

Imagining a Healthier Season

Peter Rosenberg sets the stage by recalling their previous discussions and posing the central question:

Peter Rosenberg [28:28]: "What happens if Aaron Rodgers does not tear his Achilles... what happens for the New York Jets that season and beyond."

Don Hahn and Ty Butler engage in a detailed breakdown, projecting the Jets' performance from a 7-10 record to potentially making the playoffs with an 11-6 or even 12-5 tally.

Don Hahn [30:15]: "You think they go at 10 and 7, 11 and 6. I think that's fair."

They analyze pivotal games, including victories against the Patriots and the controversial Black Friday game against the Dolphins. Ty Butler contributes by assessing how these hypothetical wins impact the Jets' playoff prospects.

Playoff Prospects and Team Development

The discussion extends to the Jets' potential playoff journey, considering matchups against teams like Buffalo and Kansas City. Don Hahn expresses skepticism about a Super Bowl run but acknowledges the team's progress.

Don Hahn [36:33]: "So we're not giving them the Super Bowl."

Peter Rosenberg counters by highlighting improvements in the Jets' defense and offense, arguing that under Rodgers' leadership, the team could sustain postseason success.

Peter Rosenberg [37:59]: "If you're a Jet fan, you can talk yourself into momentum."

8. WWE and ESPN Partnership Insights

Timestamp: [42:00] – [52:55]

The hosts shift focus to the recent WWE and ESPN partnership, analyzing its impact on both brands. Don Hahn elaborates on the strategic move, anticipating that major events like WrestleMania will draw massive viewership by being accessible through the ESPN app.

Don Hahn [44:56]: "WrestleMania is crushing the number of Sunday night baseball."

Peter Rosenberg acknowledges the resurgence of wrestling's popularity, attributing it to strategic business moves and the involvement of high-profile personalities.

Peter Rosenberg [47:54]: "I'm not very bright."

The hosts discuss the evolution of WWE’s audience, noting the cross-over appeal with sports fans and the integration of wrestling content into mainstream sports broadcasting.

9. Golf and Other Sports Updates

Timestamp: [52:55] – [54:19]

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts briefly touch upon current golf tournaments, providing leaderboard updates and humorous commentary on lesser-known players.

Don Hahn [52:55]: "That's your leaderboard update."

10. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [54:19] – [46:00]

The episode concludes with the hosts sharing light-hearted moments and teasing future topics, maintaining their characteristic blend of humor and insightful sports commentary.

Don Hahn [54:06]: "Catch the show on demand whenever you want."

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg [00:01]: "Your personal messages stay between you, your friends, and your family. No one else, not even us."
• Don Hahn [10:24]: "Are you willing to admit you were a bad guy?"
• Peter Rosenberg [19:04]: "Jesus came so that we may have life and life more abundantly."
• Don Hahn [44:56]: "WrestleMania is crushing the number of Sunday night baseball."
• Peter Rosenberg [37:59]: "If you're a Jet fan, you can talk yourself into momentum."

Insights and Conclusions:

• Authenticity and Accountability: The episode underscores the importance of owning up to mistakes and maintaining genuine relationships within a professional setting.

• Impact of Leadership in Sports: The hypothetical scenario involving a healthy Aaron Rodgers illustrates how pivotal leadership can transform a team's season, potentially altering its trajectory towards playoff success.

• Cross-Industry Collaborations: The WWE and ESPN partnership exemplifies how strategic alliances can revitalize brands and expand their audience reach, blending entertainment with traditional sports broadcasting.

• Evolving Workplace Culture: Discussions around interns and dress codes highlight changing workplace dynamics and the need for adaptable and inclusive environments.

• Resurgence of Wrestling Popularity: The hosts attribute the renewed interest in WWE to effective business strategies and cultural shifts, positioning wrestling as a significant player in the broader sports and entertainment landscape.

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the "Hour 2: Thursday Rewrite" episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, offering a comprehensive overview of the key discussions, dynamic interactions, and insightful conclusions drawn by the hosts and their guests.