STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — When Nick Durst launched the “You Know I’m Right” podcast from his Prince’s Bay home in 2020, his intention was to produce entertaining content, uncovering the origin stories of some of the biggest names in sports, media, entertainment, and pop culture.
His hook — used to capture the audience’s attention and compel them to keep listening — was to ask about his guests’ “you know I’m right” moment, the “I told you so” event that pushed them to pursue their goals despite any roadblocks or discouragement.
The tell-all concept was a hit, and Durst soon teamed up with Great Kills resident Joe Calabrese as co-host. When the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shuttered the world shortly after the podcast’s debut, Durst said the show immediately gained momentum. All kinds of prominent celebrity guests — from broadcasters, entrepreneurs and journalists to reality television stars and Olympic gold medalists — were suddenly more accessible while working from home. Durst’s podcast was the perfect outlet.
Durst and Joseph Calabrese, second and third from left, pose with cast members of “Big Brother” and “The Amazing Race.”(Courtesy of Nick Durst)
Now six years after the initial launch, Durst said the show’s numbers have grown significantly.
“We reached 275,000 YouTube views this week,” the media professional noted during a recent interview. “We also surpassed 700 subscribers this month on YouTube. A huge accomplishment considering maybe the first hundred episodes were audio only. In mid-December 2024 we had 500 subscribers, so 2025 saw tremendous growth.”
For Durst, who has enjoyed previous media stints with the Brooklyn Cyclones, Bleacher Report, MLB Network, DAZN, Daymond John’s The Shark Group, PDF Sports Network and the College of Staten Island, CUNY, the experience has been a dream come true.
“I have been able to meet so many great people through hosting this podcast, and I am always amazed when someone I never met before lets me know that they listen to and enjoy the show,” noted Durst, Prince’s Bay resident and host of the “You Know I’m Right” podcast.(Courtesy of Nick Durst)
“I have been able to meet so many great people through hosting this podcast, and I am always amazed when someone I never met before lets me know that they listen to and enjoy the show,” he said.
Some prominent guests in the show’s early phase included NFL star Shawne Merriman, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN, Marc Malusis from WFAN, comedian Mike Marino, reality star Joe Gorga, and singers William Hung and Constantine Maroulis.
Over the past year, Durst has added ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter to his roster of guests, as well as several Olympians and popular sports figures. Danny Casper, a member of the USA Olympic curling team, is scheduled to be on an upcoming show.
Calabrese and Durst, hosts of the “You Know I’m Right” podcast pose with Jenn Fessler from the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” during an event at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford.(Courtesy of Nick Durst)
“I’m a go-getter, enabling me to pitch potential guests effectively,” Durst said. “My preparedness and thorough research make guests appreciate our interviews.”
The podcast has also had some major growth in the reality TV genre, with Durst and Calabrese regularly attending events and interviewing houseguests from “Big Brother” and contestants on “The Amazing Race.” Durst said that members of the “Real Housewives” series and MTV’s “The Jersey Shore” are among his favorite and most memorable guests.
“We recently broadcast live from ‘Over the Edge’ celebrity weekend in Orlando, which was packed with hundreds of stars,” Durst said. “And we also enjoy a great relationship with American Dream Mall in East Rutherford [New Jersey] which has a lot of big events.”
And Durst said he has plans to build a local segment of the podcast, interviewing area business owners and highlighting new restaurants.
“This is where we live and work,” Durst said. “So it’s important to cover what’s going on in our community.”
In the future, Durst said he hopes to join a media network where he can continue covering sports and entertainment for a larger audience. Maybe even spin the podcast into its own media entity.
“We’re growing at an excellent rate without any marketing,” Durst said. “I don’t know of any other independent podcast that puts together weekly episodes with this kind of guest list. I honestly can’t wait to see what the future brings.”