"A win is a lose-lose": Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host Brian Malarkey talks about fighting among couples

Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host Brian Malarkey
Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host Brian Malarkey | Image Source: Instagram/ @brianmalarkey

Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host Brian Malarkey shared his thoughts on couples fighting and blaming each other. The latest podcast episode from Brian and Danielle Harley featured a discussion about couples having issues with their partners, and more.

The Harley-Malarkey Podcast's latest episode, titled What to Do When You Can't Stand Your Partner on Vacation aired on July 29, 2025. They shared their thoughts on various situations involving couples fighting, blaming each other, and more.

Talking about how sometimes even after a "win," the situation involving a fight feels "lose-lose," Brian said:

"In fights, sometimes a win is a lose-lose. Like, Hey, I f*cked up, you f*cked up. How many fights continue after both sides say, Yeah, I f*cked up and I'm sorry. I...that defuses everything. Most fights are constantly pointing fingers at each other, going, No, no, no. You did this. But I know I did this, but you did this. Yours...your wrong was bigger than my wrong."

Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host Brian Malarkey and Danielle Harley open up about fights among couples

In the latest episode of the Harley and Malarkey Podcast, Brian and Danielle opened up about fights, arguments, blaming, and more among couples. The two shared their thoughts on how fights could be resolved.

Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host Brian talked about win-win situations in various scenarios:

"Most of the times in life, I love win-wins. If you're in a business situation, you're talking to a landlord, an investor, a business partner, you're like, Let's just make this a win-win. One of us doesn't have to win a whole bunch and one not win very much. Let's just both win. I don't need everything. I just need a solid win."

He added that while fighting, there are "lose-lose" situations. He questioned whether fights continue after one of the individuals apologizes.

Brian also noted that most fights involve pointing fingers at each other.

"I may have done a wrong, but it was "the wrongs." So, they never balance out. So we did that on and off for the last two weeks now," he said.

Listening to Brian, Danielle agreed and said that it was exhausting. Referring to their latest trip together, she recalled how she felt that it should be a "very happy" time in their life.

She talked about Brian stressing out over his business, which he would always have. However, she mentioned that she didn't want to spend time feeling stressed out.

"I don't want to spend it feeling stressed out for literally no reason. None of these fights are anything significant or important. And at the end of the day, we both know that we love each other and that we want to build a life together."

Further in the podcast, Danielle talked about therapy sessions and more with Brian. The Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host also shared his thoughts on additional things, including apologizing and taking responsibility, in the podcast.


Fans can stream Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out Season 1 episodes featuring Brian Malarkey on Food Network.

Edited by Gira Rathod