Hot off an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League, Washington Nationals pitching prospect Dj Herz visits the Jack Vita Show for a lively conversation about life in the minor leagues, his time in the Arizona Fall League, how he felt when he got traded by the Chicago Cubs, his love for fishing, his Christian faith, and much more!

The Cubs selected Herz out of Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Herz wasted no time, finding immediate success while pitching in the Cubs' farm system. In his first full professional season, Herz posted a 3.31 ERA across 20 starts between High-A South Bend and Low-A Myrtle Beach. He was named the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

Herz spent the 2023 season pitching at Double-A Tennessee. In the late summer, he was anticipating a promotion to Triple-A Iowa. When his phone rang on the day of the trade deadline, he had just awoken from a nap, and he thought his time had come. He was blindsided when he was informed that he had been traded along with shortstop prospect Kevin Made to the Washington Nationals, in exchange for third baseman Jeimer Candelario.

Herz pitched the remainder of the season for the Nationals' Double-A affiliate, Harrisburg, where he logged a 2.55 ERA over eight starts. Upon the conclusion of the minor league season, Herz received the opportunity to pitch in the Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions. Herz made five starts in the AFL, posting a 3.71 ERA while competing amongst some of baseball's best prospects. He was named a Fall Star, appearing in the Arizona Fall Stars Game.

Herz just turned 23 and is set to report to spring training in a matter of weeks. He hopes that 2024 is the year that he makes his big league debut. He is the no. 16 prospect in the Nationals' farm system, per MLB Pipeline.

Herz chats with Jack about his time pitching in the Fall League and living in Arizona. How did he enjoy the AFL and playing with and against prospects from other teams? Who did he become close with?

Herz reflects on his time in the Cubs organization. He discusses which prospects in the Cubs' farm system he was most impressed by, and which ones he has the highest hopes for, when they enter the big leagues.

Herz is a close friend of Jackson Ferris. Ferris was also a top pitching prospect in the Cubs' farm system, who recently was surprisingly traded. Herz discusses what wisdom and advice he shared with Ferris, after Ferris was dealt two weeks ago along with Zyhir Hope to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte. Herz tells the story of when he got traded and how he reacted. Does he have a chip on his shoulder?

Herz talks about the minor league life, and what it's like competing with teammates for promotions, as each player tries to reach the next level.

Herz discusses life off-the-field, his love for fishing and golf, his puppies, CBS' Survivor and MTV's The Challenge. He also talks about his Christian faith and what role God plays in his life. Herz talks some NFL playoff football, and looks ahead to the coming year, which he hopes is the first of a long Major League career.

You can follow Dj on Twitter (@DavidjohnHerz) and Instagram (@dj_herz).

In our final exit interview for Deal or No Deal Island Season 1, DONDI winner Jordan Fowler visits the Jack Vita Show for the first time!

Jordan played a masterful, under-the-radar game that had her reach the Final Four without ever having to face the banker, with her name hardly ever coming up by her competitors as a potential target. While two clear factions formed (the "Rob Mob" and the "Night Owls"), Jordan played the middle, maintaining strong relationships with both parties and never finding herself in the crosshairs of either group. Jordan explains how she looked to Survivor great and The Traitors winner Cirie Fields for inspiration.

Jordan completed the Final Four excursion first, securing her spot in the Final Two. Jordan defeated Amy McCoy in the final excursion, making her the first winner in the history of Deal or No Deal Island. Jordan became the banker's final opponent, allowing her to play the banker at the final temple. Jordan accepted a deal for $1.23 million, a cash prize that will certainly change her life. Jordan and her husband had struggled to conceive and start their family. Through IVF treatment, Jordan is now pregnant, excited to start the next chapter of her life as a mother.

Jordan takes us through her time on Deal or No Deal Island. Despite being the show's winner, she received very little screentime, particularly in the first half of the season. Jordan explains what she was doing and saying in the early days of DONDI, providing a detailed look to what did not make the air. Was Jordan surprised at how the show kept her win hidden for as long as it did? How did Jordan feel about playing against Survivor legend Boston Rob Mariano? Who would Jordan have taken out, had she played and beaten the banker early in the season? How much reality competition television had Jordan watched before appearing on DONDI? And who from the cast did Jordan enter the show having mutual friends with? All this, and so much more, in an exciting episode with the first ever winner of Deal or No Deal Island!

You can follow Jordan on Twitter (@itsmejofo) and Instagram (@itsmejofo).

As part of our Deal or No Deal Island coverage, each member of the Final Four is visiting the Jack Vita Show for their exit interview! Today, Jack is joined by runner-up Amy McCoy!

Amy took a commanding lead in the Final Four excursion, becoming the first contestant to complete the puzzle. Amy got a head start in the maze, which prompted Boston Rob Mariano to sneak a peak at her puzzle, resulting in a time penalty for the Survivor icon. Amy relives the moment that paused the game. How long was the stoppage, and did it disadvantage her as she was already in the maze? Amy shares her thoughts on Rob's time penalty.

Despite getting lost in the maze, Amy was able to emerge from the maze before Rob, putting an end to Rob's time on the Banker's Island. Stephanie's case contained the lowest amount, placing her in third, advancing Amy and Jordan to the final two. Jordan bested Amy in a final excursion that last just a few minutes, eliminating Amy from contention. Amy shares her thoughts on the final excursion. Was she expecting something a bit more epic, that may have tested other skills?

Amy reflects on the season. She discusses her edit, the Night Owls alliance, why she picked Rob to face the banker earlier in the season, how the game would have played out differently had Rob lost, and so much more! Amy also discusses which women from reality television she has drawn inspiration from, and what she takes away from this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

You can follow Amy on Twitter (@OKCAmy_McCoy) and Instagram (@okcamy_mccoy).

As part of Deal or No Deal Island finale week, the Jack Vita Show is bringing you exit interviews with each of the show's Final Four contestants! Days after we spoke with Survivor great Boston Rob Mariano, we check in with his DONDI arch nemesis, Stephanie Mitchell!

Stephanie last visited the Jack Vita Show on Deal or No Deal Island Insiders, upon the conclusion of the show's seventh episode. Now, she joins Jack for a full hour, for a special, longform exit interview! Stephanie holds little back, now that she is able to speak freely about her time on DONDI, without fear of spoiling any future events.

Stephanie played hard all season long, reaching the final 3. She was the second contestant to emerge from the maze in the Final Four excursion, but was eliminated when she opened her case and discovered that it held the lowest total among the the three remaining competitors, ending her time on the Banker's Island. How did Stephanie feel about having her entire game left to chance? What did Stephanie think of the finale, and the final challenge that followed the Final Four excursion? And how did Stephanie feel about Rob's time penalty in the excursion? Stephanie shares her take on everything from the finale.

Stephanie gives an inside look to her experience on the Banker's Island, diving deep into her gameplay over the course of the season. She shares a story about how she and the Night Owls were able to fool Rob and use his "buddy system" strategy against him. Stephanie discusses her love for reality competition shows, how she was nearly cast for Big Brother 24, her thoughts on her DONDI edit, and so much more!

You can follow Stephanie on Twitter (@doctor_midwife), Instagram (@doctor_midwife) and TikTok (@doctor_midwife).

All season long, Survivor: Guatemala contestant Brooke Struck and Jack Vita have been breaking down each week's episode of NBC's Deal or No Deal Island on the Jack Vita Show, and this week is no different!

Season 1 of Deal or No Deal Island has reached its conclusion, and Jordan Fowler is the show's first winner! Jordan defeated the banker and took home a $1.23 million check.

Boston Rob was eliminated from contention after he was the last one to emerge from the maze. Stephanie Mitchell was eliminated moments later when it was revealed that her case had the lowest total, placing her in third place. This left Jordan and Amy McCoy as the show's final 2! In a matter of minutes, Jordan defeated Amy in the final excursion, making her the banker's ultimate opponent. It is soon after revealed that Howie Mandel is the banker! Howie plays the role of antagonist at the temple, but in the end, Jordan wins a life-changing sum of money that she hopes will help her start her family and the next chapter of her life with her husband. Jordan is also met by the other 13 members of the cast who were eliminated, who watch and cheer her on as she plays Deal or No Deal. In the end, the cast celebrates Jordan's win.

Brooke and Jack share their thoughts on the finale, Rob's exit, Stephanie's gameplay, the final challenge, Amy, Jordan and so much more! You will NOT want to miss our finale coverage!

All season long, Jack has been interviewing the latest contestants eliminated from NBC's new hit reality competition show, Deal or No Deal Island! This week, the legend himself, Boston Rob Mariano visits the show to discuss his time on DONDI!

This conversation is twice as long as a regular exit interview. Unlike other exit interviews, and Jack is joined by seven other reporters as Rob faces the press, fielding questions from the media in a rare press conference.

Along the way, Rob discusses his time on DONDI, why he decided to accept the invitation to compete on the show's first season, how it compared to Survivor, whether or not he would compete on Peacock's The Traitors in the near future, and much more!

Rob also discusses a creative idea he had to help himself after receiving a time penalty for looking at Amy's answer. Rob wanted to shout the answer to Stephanie and Jordan as they were attempting to solve the puzzle, allowing them to move forward, and lessen the penalty time he would receive. He asked production if he was allowed to do it, and was told no. He wishes that he hadn't asked and just done it.

Rob shares how large of a gap there was between him and Amy. Was he really that close to passing her in the maze? And did his case have a total high enough to keep him in the game, had he not emerged from the maze last? Rob shares his thoughts on the finale, and so much more! It's an episode you will NOT want to miss!

This week on Deal or No Deal Island Insiders, Miranda Rose Harrison and Jack Vita are joined by reality television icon and former Deal or No Deal model Claudia Jordan for a very fun conversation on the Jack Vita Show!

Over the years, Claudia has appeared in dozens of shows and movies, including Deal or No Deal, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Celebrity Apprentice and most recently, Deal or No Deal Island. Claudia got to face the banker and play Deal or No Deal for the first time, in episode 3. Unfortunately for Claudia, she secured a bad deal, and was eliminated much earlier than expected. We get Claudia's thoughts on the season and how everything has played out since she was eliminated.

Claudia discusses differences she's noticed between the original Deal or No Deal show, and the franchise's new installment, Deal or No Deal Island. Is there anything that surprised Claudia about the experience or the way that contestants have played? She also spills the tea on her elimination. What led to her decision to volunteer her case, for Stephanie to steal? Claudia shares a secret about that day. Claudia and Miranda reflect on stories from their time on DONDI together.

Later, Claudia reflects on her reality television and entertainment career. She talks about what it was like competing on The Celebrity Apprentice and how she used to have a good friendship with former US President Donald Trump. Claudia tells stories from before Trump's presidency and what led to their falling out.

You can follow Claudia on Twitter (@claudiajordan) and Instagram (@claudiajordan). You can follow Miranda on Twitter (@ItsMirandaRose) and Instagram (@mirandaroseharrison).

Survivor great Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick returns to the Jack Vita Show, this time, to talk Deal or No Deal Island! Stephenie joins her former Survivor: Guatemala tribemate Brooke Struck and Jack for a fun conversation about Deal or No Deal Island's penultimate episode, E11 "Are You Tenacious?". With only one week remaining, Stephenie previews what looks to be an epic finale!

Episode 11 ended on a dramatic cliffhanger. The four remaining competitors were tasked with a challenge that required them to complete a puzzle and run through a maze and collect a briefcase. The last contestant out of the maze would be immediately eliminated and the contestant holding the lowest-total briefcase among the the three remaining competitors would also be eliminated. Boston Rob Mariano got caught cheating off of Amy McCoy's puzzle. As a result, he was assessed a three-minute time penalty. He had to wait until the other three contestants had all completed their puzzle, and then he had to wait three extra minutes, before he could take off for his case. Jordan Fowler and Stephanie Mitchell are shown exiting the maze and locking in their case totals. It appears that Rob is closing the gap on Amy, but the episode concludes. We ask the question, "What happens next? Will Boston Rob live to see another day, or is his goose cooked?".

Stephenie is one of the biggest fan favorites in the history of Survivor. After debuting on Survivor: Palau, she placed second on Survivor: Guatemala and appeared on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. She recently came out of retirement, competing on USA's Snake in the Grass and season 1 of NBC's hit show The Traitors. Stephenie was a huge fan of Rob before she ever appeared on Survivor, and his inspiration is one of the reasons she applied in the first place! She has known Rob for nearly 20 years, and has very much enjoyed watching him play on Deal or No Deal Island.

Stephenie shares her thoughts on Rob's breach of the rules. Was it deliberate? Was the penalty fair? And will Rob survive to see another day? Brooke and Jack also weigh in, as the three of them share their thoughts on the episode as a whole. Brooke and Steph also share some memories from Survivor: Guatemala, including an unbelievable Jamie Newton story!

You can follow Stephenie on Instagram (@steph_lagrossa_kendrick) and Twitter (@StephLaGrossa38).