The Jesse Watters You Don't See on TV | Sage Steele Show | EP 88

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Sage Steele Show
Episode: The Jesse Watters You Don't See on TV | EP 88
Release Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Sage Steele
Guest: Jesse Watters

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Overview

This episode features an engaging and often humorous conversation between Sage Steele and Jesse Watters, co-host of Fox News’ “The Five” and “Jesse Watters Primetime.” They go beyond Watters’ on-air persona to reveal more about his backstory, personal life, career journey, and philosophies on family, work, and navigating public scrutiny. The episode is marked by candid banter, reflective moments about blending families and personal growth, and behind-the-scenes insights into the cable news world.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Candid Banter and Chemistry

• The episode opens with playful banter, setting a lighthearted tone.
  • "Wait, you get undressed in your podcast lately?" – Sage [00:00]
  • "You don’t know me." – Jesse [00:03]
• The chemistry is friendly and teasing throughout, with both poking fun at gender roles, parenthood, and even podcasting formats.

2. Behind the Scenes at Fox News: The Workload

• Jesse outlines the demanding schedule for Fox commentators, referencing how challenging it can be compared to earlier eras.
  • "O’Reilly and Tucker didn’t have multiple shows… U.S. cable news hosts, no one has it rougher.” – Jesse [02:08]
• The “Full Ginsburg” is humorously defined as working every major Fox show in one day, especially while "selling a book." [02:43]
• Candid acknowledgment of on-air personalities' relationships:
  • "Your show… you guys just crack me up on The Five." – Sage [03:15]
  • Details about joking with Jessica Tarlov and gift-exchange pranks (like a “Trump 2028” hat) [05:52, 06:00].

3. Family, Fatherhood, and Blended Families

• Jesse discusses his family dynamics: remarriage, teenagers, and young kids.
  • “I’m so in love with Emma. There was no hesitation.” [00:53, 20:34]
  • Sage and Jesse bond over the challenges and blessings of merging families after divorce.
• Sincere commentary on the transition:
  • “The twins really took to Emma immediately… She bought a dog [Rookie] before they even met. That was brilliant strategy.” – Jesse [21:46]
  • “We’re a team, and we're really positive… just creating good energy in the house.” [25:07]
• On parenting approaches:
  • “We don’t fight, so they’re not witnessing any fighting, which is very important. And just love and respect, both sides.” [25:07]

4. Humor Around Gender Roles and Fatherhood

• A memorable, comedic exchange about vasectomies, fatherly responsibilities, and men’s vs. women’s challenges in parenthood.
  • “I considered [a vasectomy]. I went to the appointment, and then I got back … I said, 'Babe, this is not happening.'” – Jesse [14:03]
  • “You have nothing that you have to deal with. What do you have to deal with? Physically?” – Sage [16:03]
• They riff on “hunting and gathering” and the term “chest feeders.” [04:31, 14:54]

5. Reflections on Personal and Professional Growth

• Jesse shares his early career struggles and breakthrough moment with Bill O’Reilly.
  • “O'Reilly… he came out in a commercial... and he goes, 'What's your father do?' And he just stopped talking... I go, 'Bill, I just read your latest book.' All of a sudden, he perks up. 'You seem like a smart kid. You start Monday.'” [30:26]
  • On the pressure to succeed at Fox:
    • “Jesse, Bill does not think you’re articulate enough to be in television. You have two weeks to turn it around or you’re fired.” – Jesse recalls his producer’s words [31:21]
  • That pressure led to exhaustive preparation and confidence:
    • “Eventually, [O'Reilly] started sending me out to confront these bad judges… It teaches you how to really focus and get it right… nail it on your only opportunity.” [32:21]
• Sage observes:
  • “People think you just appear there… they don’t know the story of you in the backwoods trying to get shots set and the pressure…” [37:24]

6. On-Air Persona vs. Real Life

• Jesse addresses his sometimes “condescending” or dismissive on-screen persona, especially with liberal co-host Jessica Tarlov, but insists he’s working on being less interrupting and more polite.
  • “I shouldn't be yelling at women… When a man yells at a woman, he kind of loses a little masculinity.” [04:38]
  • “Jessica and I are friendly. We don’t hang out on the weekends, but we’re good.” [05:21]

7. Sports Fandom & Family Rituals

• Jesse discusses instilling Philadelphia Eagles fandom in his kids and some playful team rivalries at home.
  • “When my son wants to mess with me, he goes, 'I love the Cowboys.'” [25:41]
  • Brief, light football talk as Sage and Jesse riff on Eagles/Cowboys, Dak Prescott, and Jalen Hurts. [26:22–28:49]

8. Philosophy on Influence and Career Goals

• Reflective on public influence and the pace of cable news:
  • “I try not to get too into having all this influence, I just try to go in, prepare the show, and tell it to them straight... I just want to be honest with the American people and try to tell it to them straight and kind of ride the wave.” – Jesse [35:56]
• Current challenges and privilege of covering significant political eras (Trump and Biden presidencies).
  • “Trump… is such a different phenomenon that I’m just so privileged to be able to cover the first term and the second term…” [36:53]

9. Authenticity and Unscripted Moments

• Both reflect on the unpredictability and authenticity of their conversations:
  • “What I love about Sage is you are different than most of our guests… I have no idea what you’re gonna say.” – Jesse [38:05]
  • “Even if I have a plan… it never goes that way.” – Sage [38:35]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Family and Love:
  • “I’m so in love with Emma. There was no hesitation. I always knew that was the right thing. So I just did what was in my heart.” – Jesse [20:34]
• On Professional Criticism:
  • “Bill [O’Reilly] does not think you’re articulate enough to be in television. You have two weeks to turn it around or you’re fired.” – Jesse [31:21]
• On Parenting:
  • “We don’t fight, so they’re not witnessing any fighting, which is very important. And just love and respect both sides… just creating good energy in the house that’s infectious.” – Jesse [25:07]
• On Blending Families:
  • “She had a little trick. Before they even met, she bought a dog… that was strategic, beautiful strategy.” – Jesse [21:46]
• On Personal Growth:
  • “All of this, this whole process, has made me… a better parent, a better partner.” – Sage [24:01]
• On Candidness On-Air:
  • “I have come to this conclusion that I shouldn’t be yelling at women. When a man yells at a woman, he kind of loses a little masculinity.” – Jesse [04:38]
• On Early Career:
  • “I just got a job in politics…my mom knew someone at Fox…I was working in the basement newsroom…my job was literally to take a tape and a Sharpie and then write what was on the tape and then hand it to somebody.” – Jesse [30:09]
• On Storytelling and Influence:
  • “I just want to be honest with the American people and try to tell it to them straight and kind of ride the wave.” – Jesse [35:56]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lighthearted Opening & Banter – [00:00]
• Fox News Workload & Inside Baseball – [02:04]
• Dynamics With Co-Hosts, On-Air Persona – [03:19] – [06:08]
• Family & Blended Parenting – [07:13] – [10:00]
• Quaker School & Formative Experiences – [08:28] – [09:54]
• On Vasectomy/Fatherhood Riff – [14:03] – [16:22]
• Reflections on Blended Families & Second Marriages – [19:40] – [23:26]
• Parenting Philosophy & Family Rituals – [25:07] – [26:22]
• Eagles/Football Fandom & Sports Banter – [26:22] – [28:44]
• Early Career, O’Reilly, Growth in TV – [30:09] – [33:18]
• Gathering With Cable News Figures, Industry Legacy – [33:37] – [35:14]
• Jesse’s Take on Influence, Storytelling, Honesty – [35:56] – [37:22]
• Authenticity in Media & Personal Development – [38:05] – [39:18]

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Final Thoughts

The episode successfully reveals the "Jesse Watters you don’t see on TV": a reflective, funny, sometimes self-deprecating dad, co-parent, and son—grounded by his family and formative challenges as much as by his on-air presence. Sage Steele’s warmth and curiosity draw out candid stories, making the episode engaging whether you’re a fan of cable news, interested in work-life balance, or just looking for an honest, unscripted conversation.

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Transcript

[A]

Wait, you get undressed in your podcast lately?

[B]

You don't know me.

[A]

I should have worn underwear.

[B]

I remember watching you at the beginning.

[A]

I think so.

[B]

And I thought, where does he get that confidence to go out on the street and do what you did? Was this always the goal? Like, is this kind of what you envisioned? No.

[A]

I didn't start out thinking, I want to be a TV host. He hired me, and then he almost.

[B]

Fired me and really changed so much in our country because of the way you broadcast.

[A]

She wanted me to get. I'm not doing that. You know, I'm not doing that. I'm not doing that. We have to do the hunting and gathering, babe.

[B]

When's the last time you went hunting?

[A]

Did my wife put you up to this? We don't have to talk about what they want us to talk about. I'm not sticking to the topic.

[B]

Divorce is tough. Was there a time where you hesitated to pull the trigger again?

[A]

No. I'm so in love with Emma. There was no hesitation. I just did what was in my heart. Isn't it funny how if you have a great home life that kind of comes across on television, sometimes there's anger or anxiety that bleeds into the tv and the audience can see that and the co host can see that, and it's probably happened with me.

[B]

We all have.

[A]

We all grow up, and now it's good. Wait, you get undressed in your podcast?

[B]

Completely. You don't know me.

[A]

Oh, man, I should have worn underwear.

[B]

I mean, my husband's in the room. It's fine.

[A]

It's all good.

[B]

Totally fine. Yeah. So next time. Can there be a next time?

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Like when we're.

[A]

Well, we'll see how this goes. Sedge.

[B]

How many shows have you done already today? Because you're fully TV ready?

[A]

Yeah, we just did one show. We did the Christmas pre tape. So we give each other gifts, and. And it's done. And so that's one down. And we got yours. And then I have the five and the eight.

[B]

So it's a lot.

[A]

We got a couple shows.

[B]

I feel like that's not how it used to be.

[A]

Well, I don't know if you know this, but O'Reilly and Tucker didn't have multiple shows. Bill never had to do the five. Tucker never had to do the five. I'm just saying. Just saying.

[B]

I did notice Outnumbered in the Morning. I mean, there's people. I saw Kennedy earlier today. Like, sometimes you guys are doing three, four, five shows in a day. Dana. Like, I'm blown away by the workload, honestly.

[A]

Yeah. U.S. cable news hosts, no one has it rougher. When we were. When I was younger, like, you remember the full Ginsburg when you do every Sunday show?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, the full Ginsburg at Fox is you do Fox and Friends, then you do Outnumbered, and then you do the five, and then you do the eight. So when you're selling a book, that's the full Ginsburg at Fox.

[B]

Okay. It's true.

[A]

We sell books at Fox. I don't know if you've heard.

[B]

Yeah, I have heard about that as well. Okay. I didn't used to watch the Five. I don't know why. Just because, like, I was focusing on the later shows. Your show. I mean, when Tucker was like, all of it just. That's when I was home. Right. That's when making dinner, whatever. And you guys just crack me up on the Five.

[A]

It's a fun show.

[B]

Can I tell you my favorite part?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm sure you hear this all the time, but it's not just that you egg on and fight and mock Jessica Tarlov. It's that you refuse to make eye contact with her when you're doing it.

[A]

Yeah. Well, so on the Five, you have this table like this, and the cameras are here. And then you got another camera here, and she's right next to me. So when I turn, it doesn't look right. The camera can't take the two shot usually. So I just kind of. Do I look dismissive?

[B]

Completely.

[A]

Is that what you're getting at?

[B]

I mean, it is. You look so condescending. Like, it is so funny.

[A]

I do come off condescending. I'm working on that.

[B]

No, you're not.

[A]

Actually told me said Jesse. You have to stop interrupting Jessica so much because the audience does need to hear the other side.

[B]

No, they don't. I'm kidding.

[A]

I've been trying to be more polite. You're not even taking me seriously. You think I'm bad. Greg's the worst.

[B]

He's bad.

[A]

Greg's bad. Like, Greg yells at her. I try not to yell.

[B]

I know, I know. No, you don't. You just do. You're like, stop talking, Jessica. I know you're not making sense.

[A]

I've come to this conclusion that I shouldn't be yelling at women.

[B]

You realize this one, When a man.

[A]

Yells at a woman, he kind of loses a little masculinity. And that's what the women want. They want to fight. They want to tear into each other.

[B]

The women. That's what the women want. Keep going.

[A]

So I Like to just calmly, as much as I can, just say my thing and interrupt her less. You're not even listening, are you? You don't believe this. I'm trying to be a better person.

[B]

You can't even make eye contact with me as you are saying this about what you're allegedly trying to do.

[A]

You sit next to Jessica. It's not easy.

[B]

Are you friends?

[A]

Yes. Jessica's great.

[B]

Really?

[A]

We used to go home together. Not in that way. That didn't sound right. We used to go on Handity together. He used to have Jess versus Jessica, and we used to do it at 9:00 and then we used to take the subway downtown after the show because we both live downtown and I live in the suburbs now. And we're fine. Jessica and I are friendly. We don't hang out on the weekends, but we're good.

[B]

Is she who you asked to give a Christmas gift to?

[A]

I was assigned that at random.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

And so I gave her a Trump 2028 hat and I made her wear it.

[B]

Is there video photo evidence of this?

[A]

On the Christmas special, you'll have to say.

[B]

Oh, my gosh, that's amazing. She's got good hair, though. You don't want to jack up her hair. You did that on purpose.

[A]

I did that on purpose. Very passive aggressive. I also gave her the Sydney Sweeney.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Is it soap? Is it bath water? Is that what she has now? She's everything. Now. She has the Sydney Sweeney soap. And I don't even remember what else I got her.

[B]

That's awesome. That's actually cool.

[A]

Oh, I got her a spa treatment.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, you did?

[A]

Yeah. Cause she puts up with a lot of abuse, so she's gonna relax.

[B]

So I initially thought it would be like Kris Kringle, like, you know, joke gifts. No, these are legit. I mean, hey, you're getting that Fox money. You better buy each other nice gifts.

[A]

Yeah, the massage and the facial weren't cheap.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

It was a his and hers massage. So I'll be getting the massage with her.

[B]

With her.

[A]

No, that's not true. But the. I mean, the 2028 hat is not a gag gift, Sage. It's a real hat. And they're flying off the shelves.

[B]

And I'm sure she was thrilled to put it on. She was thrilled? Yes. Okay, dad. Jesse, that's what I really care about. Because you have such. I mean, the balancing act between teenagers and babies, basically.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Yes. Well, now, the good thing is the twins, who are 14, the girls are babysitters yeah.

[B]

So they have no choice.

[A]

And we don't have to pay them.

[B]

I was gonna say.

[A]

But the cutest thing is that when they come over, they just play with the little ones, you know, Jesse Junior's four and a half, Gigi's two and a half. And sometimes they're like, hi, dad. They hug me, and then they just go play with the little ones. And that's really sweet. It's a great melded family.

[B]

Are they identical?

[A]

No, fraternal. They're fraternal.

[B]

Big difference between them other than physical.

[A]

A little bit. You know, they get along well. One's a little bit more into politics, one's a little more into sports. But they're both good athletes, both good students. We just got their report cards. They're getting straight A's. I never got straight A's.

[B]

So you say. You sound shocked.

[A]

I am. I mean, they're very smart, but they're mine.

[B]

I mean, half yours, they're half mine.

[A]

It's straight A's. It's a big accomplishment. I'm very proud. Yeah, they're freshmen.

[B]

Oh, wow.

[A]

Yeah. So these grades count.

[B]

Yeah, they do count. Exactly. That's a big deal. Freshmen. Like, was that hard for you? The official high school, beginning with the.

[A]

Girls, they had gone from Catholic into this independent school they're at now. It's a Quaker school. It's where I went to school. You don't even know what a Quaker is?

[B]

No, I don't.

[A]

It's Christian, don't worry. SAGE SLURS FLIPPING so the Quakers are like a sect of Christianity prevalent in Pennsylvania. William Penn was a Quaker.

[B]

Oh, yeah, that kind of Quaker.

[A]

And they're non violent. Many of them believed. Even In World War II, they refused to serve because they just don't believe in violence. But they do believe that there's a peace of God in all of us. Like, if God's the Son, there's like a little candle and a flame in all of our souls. And so instead of going to church, what they do is go to Quaker meeting. And Quaker meeting is for 45 minutes. You all sit in silence together. And then when you are moved by the spirit of God to say something, you stand up in front of all these people and you say whatever you want, whatever you're feeling moved to say. And so they are at a Quaker school, and you're looking at me like I'm crazy.

[B]

And you went to school.

[A]

And that's where I went. I went to a Quaker school in Philadelphia and in Long island. And they're at a Quaker school.

[B]

How do you end up there?

[A]

It's a very good school.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It's a very good school. And that's where they are now. And they're getting straight A's.

[B]

That's awesome.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

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[A]

Well, it takes you know what to stand up and speak in Front of a lot of people. When you're a freshman. When you're a girl in high school. At a new high school.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So they haven't popped up yet, but eventually they will. I never spoke. I never had the courage to stand up and say anything. And I wasn't moved by God. So I went through four years in high school never saying anything at friends meeting. I probably just wasn't as.

[B]

Were you.

[A]

Shy, Inspirational as you were. I wouldn't say shy.

[B]

Oh, yeah. I'm trying. See, I cannot take anything you're saying seriously with this smile. Like, help me. I'm like, how much of this is he being serious about?

[A]

I don't even know.

[B]

So not shy, Just not willing to speak up about.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, that's kind of a formal atmosphere.

[B]

It is. You know, for teenagers.

[A]

That's for teenagers, right? Yeah. I mean, I was mostly just goofing around and laughing and falling asleep.

[B]

Do you realize. I know you probably heard this a million times. You realize how fast this is gonna go with those girls?

[A]

Yes. It's already gone fast.

[B]

Hard.

[A]

When they were little ones.

[B]

Yeah, it sucks.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it's awesome at the same time. Mine are 19, 21, 23.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah. Like, one graduated from college in May and has a job. Like, it's weird and awesome and heartbreaking and, like, all at the same time. So part of me is envious of you, and the other part is like, good luck and two more on the way.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You went back to the well?

[A]

Yeah, I did. Well. I got remarried and went back to the well, and so we have now three girls and one little boy, and we're done.

[B]

Are you sure?

[A]

I mean, not physically sure, but, you know, she wanted me to get a vasectomy. I'm not doing that.

[B]

Okay. I'm not doing that. I never. Why?

[A]

I would never do it because I would never even consider it. Because I considered it. And I went to the appointment, and then I got back from the appointment. I said, babe, this is not happening. I'm sorry. I tried. Can't do it.

[B]

You have an aunt. I've asked three times. Why?

[A]

I mean, there's just something about operating down there and just not. It's not my thing. A lot of guys do it, and if you want to do it, do it. I'm not anti it.

[B]

I. This cracks me up when men say this.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The fear of that. It takes no time. And then what do you guys. No, no. You know what's scary? Pushing a human bowling ball out from between. Yeah, I know. And you're not chest feeders. You can't do that either. There's a lot of things you guys cannot do.

[A]

Did you say chest feeders?

[B]

Because that's what men are now, right? If you want to. It's part of this whole. That whole. Right. Crazy. No, it's like these people who think that men can have babies. And you haven't heard of the chest feeders.

[A]

What's a chest feeder? You put on, like, a fake.

[B]

Yes. No, they're trying to say that men. Well, because if you can't define a woman, which. This has happened all across the board. Right. Well, can. Can only women have babies? Well, certain people can. Well, not only women can. But then they said, like. Then you're, you know, like, chopping other people out of the conversation. And we can't say women or man. We can't say. You have to use pronouns. All the. All the crap. But no, now there's the part where men can nurse their babies.

[A]

Wait, we can lactate. No, we can't.

[B]

Exactly. Exactly. This is part of the whole facade. All the lies that these people tell. The same people told us to follow the science, by the way. Right?

[A]

I get a vasectomy when I start lactating. Deal.

[B]

The visual I have of you lactating right now is terrible.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. It's never going to happen.

[B]

Here's all I'm going to say is this. You guys get away with mer. Like, you have nothing that you have to deal with. What do you have to deal with? Physically? Physically.

[A]

Excuse me. We have to do the hunting and gathering.

[B]

Babe, when's the last time you went hunting? It's an analogy somewhere.

[A]

Besides Whole Foods, we're competing in the marketplace, and we're accumulating resources so we can have this beautiful, successful family and provide all of these opportunities for our children and our wives.

[B]

And I love you for that. And when you chicken out by being afraid of a couple little snip snips. And you know what most normal guys do? They schedule their vasectomy around, like, Masters weekend or the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. And then you sit there moaning and groaning about how difficult it is with a bag of frozen peas on your balls. And then you. You are so. You're so afraid of. Oh, my God. Look, your wife takes care of you while you're watching golf. You schedule it. And it's a. It's a long weekend. And in the meantime, like, hi, we've had periods since we were 15. All of the things that I can't. I Cannot with this.

[A]

Did my wife put you up to this?

[B]

No.

[A]

I mean, come in here. We're doing this Sage Steele interview, and she's trying to make me get a vasectomy.

[B]

What is this? I'm a team, Emma. I want it. No, I'm just saying. Listen, you have beautiful babies. I think you should keep procreating. I think you guys should keep going.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

But he's like four and done.

[A]

We can keep trying. I don't know if you procreate.

[B]

I am happy for you. And I don't know you well enough to say this, but to have a boy along with the three beautiful girls, how much. I mean, was. Was it something that you really longed for? Because everybody says, yes, I want a healthy baby. Great.

[A]

Yeah. No, that. The coolest part was, you have the girls already. We have two girls already. And then when she was on the phone with the doctor and she found out the gender, and then she looked at me and she said, it's a boy. And I was like, it's just the best feeling. You love girls. I've had girls. All guys want a boy. And now I have a boy. I have girls. It's perfect.

[B]

How old is the boy?

[A]

Four and a half.

[B]

He's four and a half. So he's the older of the two.

[A]

Of the two little ones?

[B]

Yeah, the two little ones, yeah. Do you have your guy time?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, we. We try to do bagels on Saturday mornings. You know, we try to play catch, do fires. We do some reading, watch some tv, do walks, do some hikes.

[B]

So cool. Yeah, so cool. And then, of course, the never ending girls days trips, weekends, spa days, mani pedis with.

[A]

We're not doing that yet.

[B]

No, not yet. But it. But that's like, we always automatically have that. I feel like, oh, mother, daughter, you get to go do this. But I love. I love that. My husband just took his son camping in Nashville, Tennessee, Monday night, 2830 degrees, because his son wanted to go camping. So what do you do? You go camping like those are. We're not gonna intrude on those spaces.

[A]

Yeah, I'm not ready for the camping yet.

[B]

That would be glamping for Jesse.

[A]

No, I was sent to a lot of really hardcore camping camps when I was younger, and now I'm just done. And so we're not going to go back to that. I've had some really traumatic experiences, so we don't want to relive those. But being outside is good. I just don't want to spend the night.

[B]

I get it. I Get it? Especially not when it's.

[A]

Not. When it's like, you know, 30 below.

[B]

Yes. I actually, I hope it's okay if I ask you this. If not, we can.

[A]

Well, I mean, you've already asked me about a vasectomy, so.

[B]

I swear I didn't plan that. Obviously, we. Obviously. Marriage number two for us and the blending of families. We've been married for three months, so congrats. I know.

[A]

Three months.

[B]

I know it's been rough. No. And you know this. Like, my goodness, nobody goes into any marriage thinking, planning ahead for divorce. Of course, that's not the goal. Never is the goal. Especially when you have children. Right. So then to have a second opportunity for us is just the biggest blessing, you know, later in life. We're a lot older than you. Later in life, was there ever a time where you thought, okay, divorce is tough. Sucks. Right? Like, was there a time where you hesitated to pull the trigger again?

[A]

No. I'm so in love with Emma. There was no hesitation. I always wanted to. I always knew that was the right thing. So I just did what was in my heart.

[B]

And I have found that no matter how tough things are in the past, like, you wouldn't be with Emma today if not for that journey. I wouldn't be with Dave right now if not for the journey. The ups, the downs, the good, the bad, the ugly. I now feel like I'm a better. I hope you would agree. Putting you on the spot, but that I'm a better partner. Right, because you learn from the past. How do you feel this time?

[A]

I'm also older than my wife, Emma, and so with age comes wisdom. But I've also had more experience, as you've said. So you bring that to the table when you get remarried, and that helps the marriage by knowing what can happen, what needs to happen. It's a good thing. And she's really happy, and I'm really happy. And we're just really proud that it worked out.

[B]

And the blending of families.

[A]

Yeah, we are really lucky. Sometimes these things don't work out. But the twins really took to Emma immediately. She had a little trick. Before they even met, she bought a dog. And so she bought this mini poodle, Rookie. And so when they met Emma for the first time, they kind of had Rookie there. And it was this kind of. That was strategic, beautiful strategy that ended up working out really well.

[B]

That's brilliant.

[A]

Yeah, it was really smart. She's really smart.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Sorry.

[A]

I never would have thought of that on that one. Yeah. That's just A little trick.

[B]

Just like puppies and candy and puppies. Suck them in.

[A]

Yeah, exactly.

[B]

Yeah. I do think that it. Yeah. Like you said, it can go any different way. It can be a disaster. But I so much have found, like, the approach that we take as parents. Right. And leading the way and hey, we're not trying to replace your mom or your dad. We're not. This is an additional. Was it a smooth transition for you on that? Like, that part of it?

[A]

Yes, for me it was. You'd have to talk to the twins, but I think they handled it gracefully. They were six and so they're young. They were young. And you look at things now and things are terrific. And you just kind of have to say, we did a really good job. And that was hard, but we did a really good job and we put the effort in and it worked out.

[B]

Huge blessing. Yeah. And now, like I said, mine are 23, 21, 19, and his are 19, 17. And being with older kids, that can be tough sometimes, you know, pros and cons to both. Young, old, whatever. But they're old enough to know. They're old enough to be able to read and feel and. And share their opinion. Even though I'm like, shut up. You don't get one. You know? And I think it has made me a better parent during this time. And we're. This has happened quick.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

This has been a really. I mean, when you're in your 50s, you gotta go, you gotta go.

[A]

There's no time to waste.

[B]

Yeah. But no, I feel like all of this, this whole process has made me. Yeah. A better parent, a better partner. And therefore, if you have the home front taking care of this stuff, like when you go into those studios, there's a piece.

[A]

Isn't it funny how if you have a great home life that kind of comes across on television, a lot of people have problems at home, and sometimes there's anger or anxiety that bleeds into the tv and the audience can see that and the co host can see that. And it's probably happened with me during some tumultuous times.

[B]

We all have them.

[A]

We all have it, but we all grow up and now it's good.

[B]

What do you hope that your marriage with Emma. And my gosh, when you said that, like, the first thing you said was like, I love her so much. We all hope our kids are able to experience that too someday, obviously. But what do you hope they witness all four of your kids with your marriage?

[A]

Well, we don't fight, so they're not witnessing any Fighting, which is very important. And just love and respect both sides. She respects me, I respect her. We're a team, and we're also really positive. And so we like to do things. We like to have activities and be outside and make jokes. So it's just creating good energy in the house that's infectious. And models what a relationship should be.

[B]

Are they sports fans?

[A]

Yeah, we have the whole team now. Eagles. And when my son wants to mess with me, he goes, I love the Cowboys. What?

[B]

And then at 4 years old, he learned quickly.

[A]

Yeah, he kind of pushes my buttons, and my. My younger daughter does that, too, just to mess around. But, yeah, all Eagles fans, we got.

[B]

Them dialed in as if they have a choice right now.

[A]

No, they don't have a choice.

[B]

But then later they'll get smart and they'll kind of figure things out.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, they're in New Jersey growing up, so maybe they migrate over to the Giants. Definitely not the jets, but maybe the Giants. Who knows? Who knows? But definitely growing up as an Eagles fan.

[B]

Three straight losses. Is that what we're on right now?

[A]

Listen, we're gonna make the playoffs.

[B]

You are. Cause your division is.

[A]

We're gonna make the playoffs. I don't know what's wrong. I don't like to talk about it.

[B]

The most uncomfortable part of this conversation is talking about the Eagles.

[A]

I think Jalen needs to get it together, but, you know, we have the talent. She's not clicking.

[B]

You know what? You guys are so spoiled. Like, you sound. You're 8 and 5. It's not the end of the world. Like, you have the three straight. That. That hurts.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

From 8 and 2 to 8 and 5. I'm just saying, you've been in the Super Bowl a couple of times over the last few years, and I believe you've brought some hardware home. Like, it was a long time before 2017, and now you're like, they gotta get it together.

[A]

Well, it's like you get spoiled.

[B]

You do.

[A]

You know, if you're like the Patriots fans back in the day, I mean, you just like, it's super bowl or nothing. It's like a bad season when you don't win the Super Bowl.

[B]

It is.

[A]

So that's where we are right now. We have very high expectations, and, you know, this team's getting paid a lot of money, and they've done well, so why not, you know, expect. Bring home the trophy.

[B]

Bring it home. Jalen. What would your advice to Jalen be right now?

[A]

I'd like him to get the ball out of his hand faster, you know, drop back.

[B]

Didn't he have three picks the other day? Yeah, sorry. I was just confused.

[A]

I mean, are you a Cowboys fan?

[B]

I'm a Dak fan.

[A]

You're a Dak fan?

[B]

For sure. Here's where I am now. And I might have told you this before on your show once, maybe not, I think, because I was in it so much. I mean, for 30 straight years and stats and just all the things. I'm not a fan of the team anymore. I'm a fan of the guys. An athlete, a coach, I guess an organization. Listen, I went to Indiana, so all of a sudden we have a football program.

[A]

Yeah, you guys look good.

[B]

Yeah. But I love Dak the human being. I never met Jaylen. I feel I hear great things about him.

[A]

Yeah, they're both good gentlemen.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Strong leaders. They've Christian faith, good family. Dax playing a little bit better last couple games, but, I mean, he's been.

[B]

Crushed over the last several years for. Yeah, for not.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, he really needs to win, and he needs to win now. But I just want to see Jalen get the ball out quicker and stop holding it because he's not getting a lot of protection. So just, you know, guys are open, make the read, make the throw.

[B]

It's simple.

[A]

And if. And you know what? And if you don't have it, tuck it and run.

[B]

And he can.

[A]

And he can. So let's do it.

[B]

That's what's weird, because we've seen him do it quite well. There's not. I mean, the league has changed. We see more and more quarterbacks who are able to do that, who have an arm and who can be mobile as well. I'm like, dude, you know what you're doing? What's the. It is interesting.

[A]

Yeah. I don't know. Maybe just give it to Barkley more early in the game.

[B]

Love him. Talk about a human being.

[A]

Yeah, he's a great guy.

[B]

Good character, I still say. And you're kind of a New Yorker, I guess. I know you'll never fully acknowledge that just because you work here, but you do pay taxes.

[A]

Yes, I do.

[B]

But when they let him go, Saquon, I was like, what are you doing? Just from a human leadership perspective, like a good guy. That's the kind of guy you want on your team.

[A]

Yeah, he's a locker room guy.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

And we'll take him.

[B]

Full circle. And maybe you've discussed this before, but I remember watching you at the beginning, I guess, when you first came to Fox, and I Thought, my goodness, like, where does he get that confidence from? To go out on the street and do what you did? But then you go back to school, your Quaker school, and maybe that's where that it takes, you know what? To go out there and do what you did and start your career at Fox the way that you did. And to get to this point, was this always the goal? Like, is this kind of what you envisioned?

[A]

No, I didn't start out thinking, I want to be a TV host. I just got a job in politics. And then the campaign ended, and I said, I need another job. And my mom knew someone at Fox, and I got an interview at Fox, and I was working in. I think it was the basement newsroom, and I was making minimum wage. I was working, like, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2pm to midnight. I sat next to a girl named Candy who dotted her I with a heart. And my job was literally to take a tape and a Sharpie and then write what was on the tape and then hand it to somebody. And then I heard there was an opening on the O'Reilly Factor, and I was like, I love that show. So I got an interview, and I went up, and he was doing his radio show, and he came out in a commercial, and he sat down, and I give him my resume, and he goes, what's your father do? And I told him what my dad did, and then he just stopped talking. And I think he forgot I was there. And it was like 30 seconds of silence. And then I go, bill, I just read your latest book. It was amazing. And all of a sudden, he perks up, and he goes, you seem like a smart kid. You start Monday. So he hired me, and then he almost fired me. We had these pitch meetings in the newsroom where, like, everybody circles around him, and you have to pitch what story you think would make good television. And we were pitching and pitching, and he was just like, no, no, no, you're an idiot. And then I pitch. Apparently, I bomb. And my executive producer brings me up to his office afterwards, and he says, jesse, Bill does not think you're articulate enough to be in television. You have two weeks to turn it around or you're fired. I mean, it's like telling Jordan he can't dunk. Not articulate enough. And so I did turn it around. And, you know, eventually he started sending me out to confront these bad judges, these judges that were giving these soft sentences to these sex offenders. So I would have one take, and, you know, one take.

[B]

Pressure.

[A]

That's a lot of pressure. And I'm chasing after judges in, like, the woods, in, like, Missouri. And I have to nail it. I have to say, judge, you know, you did this, you did that, and I have to get my body in position. I have to get the camera in position. And it was. It teaches you how to really focus and get it right and just nail it on your only opportunity. And that's what kind of gave me the confidence to go forward.

[B]

So was it, do you think that was a huge turning point when he said you weren't articulate enough and ticked you off? And it was like.

[A]

I mean, I prepared after that, I would go in hours of preparation, practicing my pitch to O'Reilly, just try to nail the inflection, not forget a word, not stumble, not stutter. And it was important to me because people were watching and there was pressure.

[B]

Are you guys friends?

[A]

He mows my lawn. Bill's great. He. I'll ask him for advice once in a while, and he'll give me some good advice.

[B]

He's doing well, I think. I saw a picture of you. Was it at Charlie's? The medal at the White House?

[A]

Yes. The Medal of Freedom for Erica.

[B]

Yes. And all you guys, former and current VOX people.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Were lined up.

[A]

Yeah. That was a cool moment. I went over to Tucker and I said, tucker, Bill's over here. I'm here. We've all been at 8 o'. Clock. We got to get a picture. We're never gonna be together. So then I. I go over to Bill and I said, bill, Tucker's right there. Let's get a picture. And he goes, tell Tucker to come to me.

[B]

Of course he did.

[A]

So I go to Tucker, I said, bill wants you to come over. Yeah. We go over to Bill and we got a shot. It was funny.

[B]

That's really cool, though.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The full appreciation. You know, all of us had someone who came before us, who paved the way, et cetera. But in that moment, or even when you look back or think back on that picture, in that moment, that's amazing. And all three of you, all of you that were in the picture, Laura's there, have accomplished so much and really changed so much in our country because of the way you've broadcast. I hope that moment wasn't lost on you.

[A]

Well, no, that's a very kind thing for you to say.

[B]

True.

[A]

You know, that's very flattering. You know, those guys are so successful and have done such a great job. We had. Glenn Beck was there, Megyn Kelly was there. It was a real special gathering of all of These great people in the media to go there and honor Charlie. And I was just really grateful to be a part of that and. And. And be able to talk to everybody, you know, not in the building or, you know, just did a nice afternoon.

[B]

Yeah. Honoring, you know, an incredible young man. So awesome to have everybody together. And I guess it's kind of like that old saying, we're weddings and funerals, you know, and so to not take those moments for granted, which I. Which I know you don't like. What are your goals now? I don't mean, like, specific jobs or. But the influence that you're having on so many people of all ages, like, the demographic, your demographic that you're hitting is massive. You know, what is your goal? Like, if it ends tomorrow, please don't.

[A]

Have an end tomorrow.

[B]

I mean, ends as if you say, okay, I don't want to do this anymore, you know?

[A]

Well, I try not to think about it, you know, it's a job. I know it's an important job for the country and for the American people. I try not to get too into having all this influence, and I just try to go in, I prepare for the show, I do the five, I prepare for the eight. We write the eight, we do the eight, and I go home. And these shows, there's so many of them and these deadlines are back, that when you're in this business, it's like, it goes so fast, and I just want to be honest with the American people and try to tell it to them straight and kind of ride the wave. Right now, Trump is president. It's not like covering Biden. Biden was tough because you really had to look for the news. He didn't make news. There wasn't a lot of action.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Trump really is such a different phenomenon that I'm just so privileged to be able to cover the first term and the second term that, you know, you just tell the audience what's happening, tell it like a story. The Democrats have their story. Trump has his story. And, you know, we just try to make it entertaining, but also informative and, And, And. And interesting.

[B]

Your timing is impeccable.

[A]

Oh, thank you.

[B]

To be there for 45, experience that in many different, unique ways, and then the four years of Biden, and it's just like the roller coaster we've all been on, and you've really led us throughout it. It's really cool. And I hope. And maybe someday we can go deeper, but I hope. I just think your story is. People think that you just appear there. You Know what I mean? And they don't know the story of you in the backwoods trying to get shot set. And the pressure, like people's stories and their journey really matters. And now you're in this moment where you're able to influence. And hopefully, just like you make me think. That's the thing when I'm on with you. And I never know exactly what you're.

[A]

Gonna ask me, so I never know what I'm gonna ask you either. And what I love about Sage is you are different than most of our guests. And I mean this as a compliment. I have no idea what you're gonna say. No matter what the topic is. I don't know how you're gonna start. I don't know how you're gonna finish. I don't either. But it's. You don't either. I feel like when you come on, it's super raw and authentic.

[B]

Sometimes too much so. Right. But I feel like that's something. It's 3:44. I'm watching. I feel like it's something that I. Like, I've had to accept about myself, too. Like, even if I have a plan, like, this is what I want to say about anything in life, it never goes that way. So you get to the point, and that's obviously where you are as the host of this massive show, to trust, where you're gonna go with it. Coming off that monologue, which is in depth and highly produced, and sound bites and in and out. And then you just gotta trust what you're gonna say to people. Like, it is part of having a conversation. I think that is where the experience kicks in. And you're like, I don't know what I'm gonna say, but it'll be something good.

[A]

Well, this is different than my show because you only come on for about four minutes max.

[B]

I know. Here's the thing. I know I'm gonna get a total of two questions.

[A]

Yeah, Two questions, one way or another. Yep. And. And you roll with it. And then this is like, we've been here for 45 minutes. This is totally different. I never do podcasts.

[B]

You don't?

[A]

I never do podcasts. This is like a marathon. I'm a sprinter. I'm like the shoot the gun.

[B]

Boom. And this is going to be my world record shortest podcast.

[A]

Really? This is my longest and your shortest.

[B]

Okay. That means so much to me. Really? I didn't know that. Thank you for saying yes and taking the time. Thank you. I mean it. It is awesome. And I admire not just what you're doing, but how you're doing it. And as a dad, because at the end of the day, I didn't know Jesse. I didn't know how much my kids watched everything, even from a younger age on. And the ESPN days, certainly, because it was easy, right? It was fun. And my daughters. Oh, all the boys think your mom's cool. So all of a sudden, I'm cool, and then I'm not when I get canceled, you know, Ye. But they watch us. How we handle adversity, how we handle success, how we handle our spouses.

[A]

And they hear everything.

[B]

Everything. Even the whispers, even the stuff I try to not let them or when I cuss them out under my breath, I thought, yeah, you're in a beautiful time with those babies, most importantly. So enjoy.

[A]

We will. Thank you very much.

[B]

Thank you. So now I know the next time I go on, he has no clue what he's gonna say either. I love it.

[A]

I love it, too. Thank you so much. Thank the best. Appreciate it.