Joseph Schaefer arrived in Canada from Poland in the 1930s and built his career in Montreal’s garment district at a time when the industry ran on instinct, relationships, and trust. He had an eye for fashion, a gift for reading people, and a way of doing business that set him apart early.

In this episode of Big Shot, Joseph joins hosts Harley and David to reflect on how he found his way into the garment trade and helped shape what Chabanel would become. He shares how he built partnerships that lasted decades, why he never lost a partner, and how he gave others ownership long before equity was common practice.

This is a story about a different era of entrepreneurship—one where deals were built on reputation, capital came through relationships, and success depended on understanding both the product and the people behind it. Joseph also reflects on what’s changed, why that kind of success is harder to replicate today, and the role his values and faith played in how he built his life and business.

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(01:06) Early days after immigrating to Canada

(03:10) How Joseph got his start in entrepreneurship

(07:38) Learning the craft with help from his sister

(09:55) When he brought on salespeople

(11:27) How he built Chabanel

(14:20) Joseph’s approach to capital and equity

(18:16) How Joseph won over banks

(22:24) Why Joseph’s success wouldn’t be repeatable in today’s market

(25:45) How Joseph managed partnerships

(29:00) Joseph’s legacy

(31:52) Joseph’s advice for young entrepreneurs

(32:50) His relationship with the Bronfmans

(35:20) The role of faith in his life

—

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Jeffrey Katzenberg was one of the youngest studio heads in Hollywood when he was named president of Paramount Pictures at just 31. Over the decades that followed, he would help shape modern animation and co-found DreamWorks alongside Steven Spielberg and David Geffen.

In this episode of Big Shot, Harley and David sit down with Jeffrey to explore the experiences that shaped his career and leadership approach. He reflects on lessons from his father, whose generosity left a lasting impression, and on a moment with Kirk Douglas that reinforced the idea that you have not truly learned how to live until you have learned how to give.

Jeffrey traces his path through Hollywood, from working with Barry Diller to helping lead Disney during a pivotal era for animation, and how being fired from Disney led him to build DreamWorks. 

Along the way, Jeffrey reflects on failure, success, and the mindset that has guided him through decades in Hollywood, and shares why he never rests on past success, keeping his eyes on what’s next.

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(02:40) Lessons from his father and Kirk Douglas

(12:01) Volunteering for NYC mayor John Lindsay

(12:40) Growing up with dyslexia

(16:44) The philosophy of exceeding expectations

(25:24) Jeffrey’s role in revitalizing Disney animation

(33:32) Storytelling lessons from Walt Disney

(37:16) Building DreamWorks as its own brand

(43:29) Getting fired from Disney and forming the Dreamworks team

(57:04) Movie studio economics 

(59:32) Venture capital vs. filmmaking 

(1:05:26) A story about Jeffrey’s father and the drive of Jewish parents

(1:09:29) Dealing with failure

—

Where To Find Jeffrey Katzenberg:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-katzenberg-4b3b47123

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.katzenberg

• Website: https://www.wndrco.com 

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Lloyd Blankfein never chased a master plan. He focused on whatever was right in front of him, and those small decisions carried him from a Brooklyn housing project to leading Goldman Sachs through the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

In this episode of Big Shot, Harley and David sit down with Lloyd to explore how that path unfolded. He talks about growing up in public housing and sharing a room with his grandmother, then suddenly finding himself at Harvard at 16, arriving in a suit because he had no idea what college culture looked like. He reflects on the dislocation of moving between the projects and the Ivy League and how he learned to navigate both worlds without ever feeling fully at home in either.

Lloyd traces his shift from law to commodities, what he absorbed inside J. Aron, and how a crisis inside Goldman in the 1980s reshaped the firm and opened unexpected doors. He also shares what it was like to lead Goldman Sachs through 2008, why Warren Buffett’s support mattered at a defining moment, and what it took to keep the firm intact while the global financial system was breaking apart.

It is a conversation about chance, focus, resilience, and the surprising places a life can go when you simply take the next step.

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(05:15) Lloyd’s early days

(07:05) How Lloyd graduated early 

(08:53) How Lloyd ended up at Harvard at 16 

(10:56) A glimpse at just how humble his beginnings truly were

(13:42) What it was like arriving at Harvard with no roadmap

(19:37) Why top public-university talent can match (and sometimes surpass) the Ivies

(20:27) What it was like moving between worlds 

(25:05) Why it took a long time to adjust to the burden of great wealth 

(27:11) What led Lloyd to law school

(28:48) Lloyd’s approach of thinking one step ahead

(30:35) Why Lloyd quit practicing law 

(35:16) Lloyd’s pivot to finance and initial rejection from Goldman Sachs

(41:00) The J. Aron role that pulled Lloyd into Goldman 

(49:30) Inside the meritocracy of Goldman Sachs 

(53:08) How Lloyd ended up making partner at Goldman Sachs unexpectedly

(1:02:30) Building trust across cultures 

(1:06:52) What changed after making partner 

(1:10:10) What sparked Lloyd’s retirement and renewed focus on learning

(1:14:42) How the 1994 crisis set the stage for Lloyd to become CEO

(1:22:00) Steering the firm through the 2008 financial crisis

(1:28:22) The deal with Warren Buffett 

(1:37:58) Risk-taking vs. risk management 

(1:39:04) How anxiety fuels Lloyd’s risk management style 

(1:42:00) Lloyd’s biggest accomplishment at Goldman Sachs 

(1:46:21) A case for self-acceptance

—

Where To Find Lloyd Blankfein: 

• X: https://x.com/lloydblankfein

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Before OPI, nail color was just another product on the shelf. Suzi Weiss-Fischmann gave it personality and built a global brand in the process.

Suzi believed nail color could be personal, playful, and expressive. She pushed the entire industry forward with smarter formulas, bold branding, and shade names that became pop culture, from “I’m Not Really a Waitress” to “Lincoln Park After Dark.” In just six years after its founding, OPI became the number one professional nail brand in America.

In this episode of Big Shot, Harley and David sit down with Suzi to explore the instincts that fueled that rise. She talks about welcoming competition, using storytelling to make an emotional connection with customers, and expanding from salons into Walmart without losing trust or quality. Suzi also shares how her Jewish upbringing influenced her approach to business, from the drive that comes from starting with very little to the values of community and responsibility that guided every big decision.

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(03:23) Growing up in communist Hungary with two Holocaust-survivor parents

(05:54) How honoring faith brought Suzi’s mom back to Auschwitz

(07:32) Why Suzi’s family fled Hungary 

(12:40) Suzi’s family’s transitional time in Israel 

(15:50) Where Suzi’s work ethic came from 

(18:53) Suzi’s adolescence in New York

(23:27) Suzi’s move to Los Angeles 

(24:52) How a dental-supply store ended up experimenting with acrylic nails

(29:37) OPI’s first trade show 

(32:36) Why competition is good

(33:58) How Starbucks inspired Suzi to personalize nail polish 

(36:44) Why OPI named polishes after food and places and how the naming process worked

(42:46) The time Suzi presented to Barbara Broccoli 

(45:27) The perks and bonuses OPI gave to their employees

(48:19) How OPI fixed its lipstick mistake

(52:43) How success affected Suzi

(55:04) Entering Walmart and growing beyond the professional market

(58:15) How Suzi’s divorce impacted the family business 

(1:01:33) The emotional impact of selling OPI

(1:10:47) The Jewish work ethic

(1:14:25) How to raise resilient, hardworking children

—

Where to find Suzi Weiss-Fischmann: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1stladyofcolors

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1stladyofcolors

• Website: https://1stladyofcolors.com

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Every dealmaker in Hollywood has a story. Michael Ovitz has all of them.

From Ghostbusters to Goodfellas, he packaged the films, brokered the talent, and rewrote the rules of power. What started as a rebellion inside William Morris became a $2 billion empire called CAA, and a playbook Silicon Valley still follows.

In this episode of Big Shot, Harley and David sit down with Michael Ovitz, the legendary founder of Creative Artists Agency and the man who redefined power in Hollywood.

From a working-class childhood to representing the world's biggest stars, Michael’s story is one of obsession, reinvention, and relentless ambition. He helped shape more than 300 films, including Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters, Tootsie, Stand by Me, and Goodfellas, while transforming how deals, talent, and ideas move through the entertainment industry.

This episode is brought to you by Firebelly Tea. Use code bigshot15 for 15% off your order https://www.firebellytea.com/

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(01:39) Michael’s early years 

(02:53) How Jewish mothers blend boundless belief with practical ambition

(06:15) Michael’s advice to a failed businessman

(15:44) How Marc Andreessen pulled Michael into Silicon Valley

(21:00) How early anti-semitism made Eisner’s betrayal cut deeper

(25:37) The Yahoo deal Eisner blocked 

(30:25) The story behind the Jurassic Park pitch and Spielberg’s involvement

(34:11) The hit-to-miss ratio in Hollywood, and how Michael’s movies were almost always hits

(36:15) How stagnation at William Morris drove Michael to build something new

(43:58) Lessons from William Morris’s shortcomings that shaped CAA’s DNA

(48:25) How Michael signed every member of Saturday Night Live 

(50:45) The story of Michael’s first client and first big stars

(59:55) The story behind Janklow and Nesbit and what Michael likes about Silicon Valley

(1:02:28) Michael’s true talent 

(1:06:40) How Michael and Andy Grove envisioned streaming before Hollywood was ready

(1:10:20) The ripple effects of streaming across entertainment

(1:17:02) Michael’s thesis about the success of Jews and Catholics

—

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

In this episode of Big Shot, Harley and David sit down with Stephen Ross—real estate titan, Miami Dolphins owner, and the visionary behind Hudson Yards, CityPlace, and more—for a rare look inside his extraordinary life.

From growing up in a two-family house in Detroit to transforming New York’s Hudson Yards and Miami’s CityPlace, Stephen’s story is deeply shaped by the Jewish entrepreneurial legacy. Inspired by his grandfather, a Russian immigrant who built the largest independent oil refinery in the Midwest, and his uncle Max Fisher, a renowned businessman and philanthropist, Stephen saw early what was possible through grit, vision, and belief.

He shares how getting fired set him on the path to starting his own business, why he’s now building infrastructure in Palm Beach County to create South Florida’s next “Silicon Valley,” and the stories behind owning the Miami Dolphins and bringing Formula 1 racing to Miami.

We discuss the following: 

• How his grandfather built the largest independent oil refinery in the Midwest

• Why getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to him

• Why he believes New York is still the best place to start anything

• Why he held onto CityPlace through years of losses—and how it finally paid off

• His $1.5B asset sale before the 2008 crash

• The infrastructure he’s bringing to Palm Beach County to build a new “Silicon Valley”

• Why he sold 1.5 billion worth of assets before the financial crisis of 2008

• The story behind purchasing the Miami Dolphins

• Why he turned down a $10B offer for the Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, and F1

• How daily school drop-offs helped Stephen build a lasting bond with his daughters

• His perspective on Jewish excellence in entrepreneurship and philanthropy

• His advice for young entrepreneurs 

• And much more!

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(02:47) Stephen’s childhood in Detroit 

(05:15) Lessons and inspiration from his grandfather and uncle 

(17:00) Stephen’s rocky start in Florida and struggles in school

(22:35) How Stephen got into the University of Michigan and became a good student 

(27:13) How getting fired sparked his first business

(34:40) Early business goals and the fundraising hurdles that led to bootstrapping

(41:10) Stephen’s diversification strategy 

(44:01) How Stephen found great people to work with 

(47:30) What Stephen loves about the real estate business 

(49:12) Why the 90s market wasn’t ready for CityPlace 

(54:12) The story behind Hudson Yards and the Olympic stadium that fell through 

(57:50) Why Stephen says his latest project will be the most impactful 

(1:04:15) How to maintain momentum while building large projects 

(1:08:32) What it was like buying the Miami Dolphins 

(1:17:05) Why he brought F1 to Miami 

(1:19:25) Stephen’s philanthropy and why giving back is important

(1:23:40) What drives Jewish excellence in business and giving

(1:26:00) How he built and maintained a relationship with his daughters

(1:34:00) How he survived a tough time in the 90s 

(1:35:37) AI's impact on the future

(1:37:10) Advice for young entrepreneurs and how he values relationships

—

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

What kind of man looks at 800 acres of mosquito-infested swampland and sees high-end apartments, a golf course, and a luxury shopping mall? 

In 1967, Don Soffer made the biggest bet of his life: transforming undeveloped wetlands into what would become Aventura, one of Florida’s most iconic and extravagant communities. In this episode of Big Shot, Harley and David sit down with the 92-year-old visionary to hear how it all happened—straight from the source.

From convincing the Florida governor to back his development plan (after a well-timed flight to Tallahassee) to bringing in golf legend Robert Trent Jones to design a course, Don sold a dream that turned into a $4 billion reality. He built Turnberry resort, launched Aventura Mall, and packed them with celebrities—from Elton John to Madonna and John McEnroe.

Decades before “influencer marketing” was a thing, Don was using star power to shape a city.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The environmental pushback Don faced after buying swampland—and how he got the green light from the governor of Florida after chartering a jet and flying to Tallahassee

• Don’s celebrity-packed playbook: how he used influencers before we even had a word for it

• Don’s take on why Jewish people have become such successful entrepreneurs

• Don’s definition of common sense—and approach to solving complex problems with simplicity

• Why he says it’s a privilege to have a hard problem to solve

• His advice for the next generation of Jewish entrepreneurs

• And much more!

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(02:07) How Don accidentally swallowed his dad’s glass eye

(03:03) Don’s early work building shopping malls with his father

(05:01) Why Don trusted his intuition and took a chance on developing swampland in Florida

(09:04) How Don got the governor of Florida on board to green light his project

(11:00) Early influencers: How Don leveraged the power of celebrities 

(14:25) Building Aventura Mall

(19:27) Don’s common-sense approach 

(21:52) Don’s relationship with his father 

(24:00) Why Don says it’s terrible to run a family business

(25:11) Don’s current roles and how he set his kids up 

(27:01) Don’s explanation for the success of the Jewish people 

(29:37) A dinner with Frank Sinatra 

(31:44) Advice for young Jewish entrepreneurs 

(33:37) Where Don got his confidence and conviction 

(35:06) How Don saved the Pittsburgh Mall after the excavator destroyed private property 

(37:50) Don’s thoughts on when to sell and when not to

(40:05) Don’s friendship with Tony Bennett 

(41:21) How to cultivate strong business relationships

(43:49) Don’s advice to future generations of Soffers 

(45:52) Why Don still thinks Florida is a good place to develop 

(46:42) Closing

—

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Bobby Kotick built a $69 billion empire from scratch—and the story is even crazier than it sounds.

In this episode of The Big Shot, we sit down with gaming’s ultimate entrepreneur. Bobby takes us from hustling snacks at baseball games to building one of the most iconic tech companies in the world: Activision Blizzard. Hear how he cold-called Nintendo, got investment from Steve Wynn on a private jet, took over a bankrupt video game company, and turned it into an empire that Microsoft bought for $69 billion.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Bobby’s early hustles: selling ashtrays, snacks, and party access in NYC

• Dropping out of college after Steve Jobs told him to

• Starting a dorm room company with Howard Marks

• Convincing Steve Wynn to invest $300K after a chance meeting

• Reviving Activision from bankruptcy using old IP and grit

• Why Pitfall and River Raid were billion-dollar blueprints

• How Activision became the first American Nintendo licensee

• The Apple boardroom showdown with John Sculley

• Turning Activision into a media empire: Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and Guitar Hero

• What it felt like selling the company to Microsoft for $69 billion

• His philosophy on leadership, loyalty, and building an enduring business

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(03:19) Selling ashtrays at playdates: Bobby’s first hustles

(06:39) Shadowing NYC real estate legends like Larry Silverstein

(09:59) Dorm room hardware startup with Howard Marks

(13:18) Inventing a typewriter-printer hack and launching via Byte magazine

(16:38) Meeting Steve Jobs

(19:58) Why Steve Jobs tells Bobby to drop out of school

(23:17) Getting featured in Forbes and making his parents panic

(26:37) The wild story of meeting Steve Wynn at a Texas cowboy gala

(29:57) The legendary $300K check in the basement of a casino

(33:16) Trying to sell to Apple (and the cigar moment with Sculley)

(36:36) Licensing games for EA and learning to be scrappy

(39:56) Black Monday, the Amiga, and a failed bid for Commodore

(43:15) Buying 20% of Nintendo’s U.S. licensing agent

(46:35) Discovering Activision buried inside a bankrupt company

(49:55) Why Bobby wanted to bring Pitfall and River Raid back to life

(53:14) The $400K move that changed gaming history

(56:34) A childhood connection saves the Activision bankruptcy deal

(59:54) Turning a bankrupt company into a profitable one in months

(01:03:13) Raising $40M and going on an acquisition spree

(01:06:33) How Bobby became the longest-serving tech CEO

(01:09:53) The Toy Story game meeting that cemented Bobby’s role

(01:13:12) Why Bobby never wanted to run a business that lost money

(01:15:32) Reflecting on the Microsoft acquisition and legacy

—

Where To Find Bobby Kotick:

• X: https://x.com/bobbykotick 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbykotick/

—

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

In today’s episode of Big Shot, we sit down with Mike Milken—legendary financier, philanthropist, and chairman of the Milken Institute.

Mike has been a driving force in medical research, public health, and education for over five decades. Fortune called him “The Man Who Changed Medicine,” and Forbes listed him among “Visionaries Reimagining Our Children’s Future.” 

Mike’s financial innovations helped launch industries like cable TV, homebuilding, and cellular technology. Beyond finance, he has led major philanthropic efforts, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation, FasterCures, and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, set to open this year. A signatory of the Giving Pledge, he has committed much of his wealth to driving global impact.

In our conversation today, we talk about: 

• The childhood moments that shaped Mike’s curiosity and deep empathy

• How Mike mastered mental math through Holocaust survivor, Jakow Trachtenberg's technique

• How speech and debate sharpened Mike’s ability to communicate big ideas

• The impact of the Watts riots on Mike’s career path 

• How market crashes in 1974 and 1987 provided opportunities for significant gains

• Mike’s take on regulations and why he remains relentlessly optimistic about the free market

• A glimpse into Mike’s philanthropic work in medicine and education

• And much more!

If you'd like to apply to be an executive producer, please complete the form here https://shorturl.at/xLQUW

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(02:25) Why Mike has been involved in philanthropy from such a young age

(09:57) Early experiences that shaped Mike’s radical empathy 

(19:03) How Mike learned mental math by using the Trachtenberg system 

(20:25) Mike’s journey to Berkeley and interest in the space program

(28:40) How the Watts riots impacted Mike

(33:40) The value of doing research, and what Mike learned about credit

(38:10) Mike’s first investment bank job 

(44:50) How Mike was able to fund MCI at a time when AT&T had a monopoly 

(50:22) How the 1974 stock market crash impacted investment banking 

(57:50) The culture of outsiders dominating Hollywood—many of them Jewish

(1:00:59) The stock market crash of 1987

(1:03:58) Why the best investors are social scientists

(1:06:15) The cultural shift that brought down big tobacco 

(1:09:20) Takeaways from Mike’s interview with Elon Musk

(1:11:00) The JPL Mars Rover landing simulation and how free enterprise drives innovation

(1:14:09) Milken Community School, and Mike’s emphasis on health and medical research

(1:16:22) How views on nutrition and the microbiome have evolved

(1:19:48) Mike’s advice: prioritize great people and be flexible 

(1:24:30) Private equity’s impact on business and the downside of family businesses

(1:28:40) The Miken Center for Advancing the American Dream

—

Where To Find Mike Milken:

• X: https://x.com/MilkenInstitute

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkeninstitute/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milkeninstitute/

• Website: https://www.mikemilken.com/

—

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

In this episode of Big Shot, we’re thrilled to welcome the legendary marketing visionary Lynda Resnick. As the co-owner of The Wonderful Company, Lynda has shaped iconic brands like POM Wonderful, Wonderful Pistachios, and FIJI Water into household names.

With her husband, Stewart, Lynda also turned The Franklin Mint into a cultural sensation and brought fresh ideas to the floral industry with Teleflora’s innovative, long-lasting gifts.

Join us as Lynda takes us on a journey through her extraordinary life—from her early days as a child actor to her recent retirement and her hands-on efforts to make communities healthier and stronger through impactful philanthropic initiatives.

• How Lynda built a successful business at the age of 19

• Turning The Franklin Mint into a cultural icon and making millions with a deluxe Monopoly game

• The incredible story of branding POM Wonderful and FIJI Water

• How she sold $150 million worth of Monopoly 

• Lynda’s commitment to quality 

• Why she’s never raised any outside capital 

• The childhood experience that shaped Lynda’s decision to always self-fund her philanthropy

• A life-changing epiphany inspired by philosopher Michael Sandel

• Lynda’s philanthropic work building healthier, safer communities for her workers

• The role Judaism plays in her life, her marriage, and advice for young people

• And more!

—

In This Episode We Cover:

(00:00) Intro

(02:35) Lynda’s early years in Pennsylvania

(05:14) Lynda Limited, the company Lynda founded at the age of 19

(08:37) Lynda’s activism and her involvement with the Pentagon Papers

(13:06) Thinking inside the box

(15:35) How Lynda reinvented the floral business with Teleflora

(19:00) Taking The Franklin Mint beyond coins 

(24:00) The story of buying Jackie O’s pearls and making reproductions

(25:30) Why Lynda and her husband Stewart bought land in the Joaquin Valley

(28:58) How Lynda discovered the benefits of pomegranate 

(30:20) Building the Pom Wonderful brand, including the packaging

(32:18) Early obstacles Pom Wonderful faced, including the court battle 

(34:00) Why Lynda insisted on 100% pure pomegranate juice

(35:25) How Lynda was able to build brands around commodities

(39:11) The story about acquiring Fiji 

(43:27) Lynda’s philanthropic philosophy 

(45:10) Lynda’s epiphany inspired by Michael Sandel

(49:10) Lynda’s philanthropic work building better communities for her workers 

(52:50) Lynda’s experiences with antisemitism, including rejection from The Campfire Girls

(54:43) The role Jewish culture plays in Lynda’s life 

(56:07) Lynda’s time as a child actor—and an early lesson on always being prepared

(58:23) Lynda’s advice on staying true to your values

(59:10) How Lynda and Stewart have maintained their strong marriage and partnership

(1:02:40) Lynda’s thoughts on building lasting brands

(1:03:55) AI’s answer to what Lynda’s superpower is

(1:06:00) How “America’s Favorite Mom” got overshadowed by a golf game

(1:09:04) Why Lynda doesn’t have regrets

—

Where To Find Lynda Resnick:

• Website: https://www.wonderful.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-resnick-04103a101/

—

Where To Find Big Shot: 

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

• Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

• David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠