Big Shot Big Shot

In this episode of Big Shot, we sit down with another legendary real estate developer, Larry Silverstein. Best known for the 99-year lease he signed for the World Trade Center, just six weeks before 9/11, Larry’s story is one of persistence and strategic partnerships—and a whole lot of chutzpah. He shares with us today how he leveraged partnerships, refurbished properties on a shoestring budget and built a business that today is valued at over $10 billion. As with many successful Jewish entrepreneurs, family is at the center of it all, and Larry speaks with extreme gratitude about his children and wife Klara. You won’t want to miss hearing about how Larry very narrowly missed being at ground zero during 9/11, and how his wife supported his efforts in rebuilding the World Trade Center. 



In This Episode We Cover: 

(03:19) How Larry got established in real estate with no money

(09:59) Why Larry turned down a 100k profit on his first contract 

(12:51) How Larry leveraged investors to land million-dollar properties

(14:22) The low-budget, resourceful way Larry’s team refurbished buildings

(16:31) How Larry collaborated with competitors in purchasing 711 Fifth Avenue

(24:42) Coca-Cola’s purchase of 711 Fifth Avenue

(26:43) Why Larry worked with partners

(27:33) The beginning of Larry’s journey toward buying the World Trade Center

(35:22) How Silverstein Properties built their own electric plant 

(45:28) The drama of signing Salomon Brothers 

(52:44) Larry’s accident and acquiring the World Trade Center

(58:45) Why Larry was absent from the building on 9/11 

(1:00:20) How Larry decided to rebuild the World Trade Center

(1:04:21) When Larry knew he made it

(1:06:28) Larry’s philanthropic efforts paying the tuition of medical school students



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Referenced: 

Harry Helmsley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Helmsley

711 Fifth Avenue Purchased from Columbia Pictures: https://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/23/archives/realty-news-fifth-avenue-third-avenue-executives-named.html

George Kaufman’s obituary: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/obituaries/george-s-kaufman-who-revived-astoria-studios-dies-at-89.html

Peter Feinberg obituary: https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/15/obituaries/peter-i-feinberg-79-real-estate-developer.html

Port Authority to lease World Trade Center to Silverstein Properties: https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/press-room/press-release-archives/2001_press_releases/port_authority_toleaseworldtradecentertosilversteinpropertiesinc.html

World Trade Center history: https://www.911memorial.org/learn/resources/digital-exhibitions/world-trade-center-history

Ed Koch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Koch

Salomon Brothers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salomon_Brothers

Mortimer Zuckerman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortimer_Zuckerman

Salomon Will Move to the World Trade Center: https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/29/nyregion/salomon-will-move-to-trade-center.html

The Collapse of Drexel Burnham Lambert: https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/14/business/the-collapse-of-drexel-burnham-lambert-key-events-for-drexel-burnham-lambert.html

NYU School of Medicine Offers Full-Tuition Scholarships to All New & Current Medical Students: https://nyulangone.org/news/nyu-school-medicine-offers-full-tuition-scholarships-all-new-current-medical-students



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Where to find Larry Silverstein: 

Silverstein Properties: https://www.silversteinproperties.com/

The Rising: The Twenty-Year Battle to Rebuild the World Trade Center: https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Twenty-Year-Battle-Rebuild-Center/dp/0525658963



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://pe

In this episode of Big Shot, we're honored to host business mogul Peter May. But his path to managing more than $7 billion is not what you might expect. What started as a career as an accountant at the prestigious KPMG quickly became something much different once Peter crossed paths with Nelson Peltz, igniting a dynamic partnership that spanned decades. Together, they founded Triarc Companies and pioneered innovative funding strategies, revitalizing numerous struggling businesses. They eventually sold the company and founded Trian Partners, a multi-billion dollar investment firm. Peter's commitment to philanthropy extends beyond financial contributions, as he invests his time and expertise. Notably, his impactful work with Mount Sinai Health Systems and Operation Exodus showcases his dedication to making a difference. Join us as Peter generously imparts invaluable insights and practical wisdom applicable to all aspects of life.



In This Episode We Cover:

(07:28) What it was like growing up during the Cold War in Long Island

(12:12) How his father was a great role model

(14:33) Peter’s time at The University of Chicago

(16:25) How Peter was inspired by his father’s saying, “Do more than what’s expected of you”

(22:24) The Jewish value of education

(24:53) How Peter was able to avoid being drafted to Vietnam

(30:59) Getting started as an accountant at KPMG

(32:40) How Peter met Nelson Peltz

(34:24) The importance of adding value

(36:11) The origins of Home Depot

(38:16) How Peter and Nelson Peltz went into business together

(41:00) When Peter and Nelson took their company public

(44:25) What happened after Peter and Nelson sold Flagstaff foods

(49:20) Peter and Nelson’s funding strategy emerges

(50:42) How MPM group consulting got its start

(51:57) What constructive capitalism is

(54:10) How Peter and Nelson bought Triangle Industries

(1:00:29) How Peter and Nelson transformed Triangle and made it profitable

(1:03:18) The purchase of America Can and National Can

(1:17:03) The meaning of Nelson’s phrase “I’d rather be rich than right”

(1:18:53) Why Peter doesn’t look back much

(1:20:14) Why chutzpah is so quintessential to the Jewish entrepreneurial experience

(1:22:23) Why Peter doesn’t feel like he’s made it still

(1:23:30) About “engaged philanthropy” and how Peter helped turn around Mount Sinai Health

(1:30:15) Peter’s advice to the next generation

(1:33:26) About Operation Exodus

(1:36:33) Peter’s legacy—



Referenced:

Green tea benefits: https://www.firebellytea.com/blogs/all/green-tea-benefits

Firebelly Tea: https://www.firebellytea.com/

The University of Chicago: https://www.uchicago.edu/en

Pogroms: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/pogroms

Nelson Peltz: https://www.forbes.com/profile/nelson-peltz/

Arthur Anderson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Andersen

KPMG: https://kpmg.com/

Emerson Radio: https://www.emersonradio.com/

Bernard Marcus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Marcus

Mike Milken: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Milken

Saul Steinberg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Steinberg

Victor Posner: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Posner

Alcoa: https://www.alcoa.com/global/en/home/

Mount Sinai Health System: https://www.mountsinai.org/

Engaged philanthropy: https://engagedgiving.org/philosophy

Operation Exodus: https://operationexodususa.org/



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Where to find Peter May:

Mount Sinai Health: https://www.mountsinai.org/about/board-leadership/peter-may

Wendy’s: https://www.wendys.com/who-we-are/board-directors/peter-may



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: ⁠⁠

In this episode of Big Shot, we're thrilled to welcome the incredible David Rubenstein! As a co-founder of The Carlyle Group, one of the globe's top private equity firms, David's journey from a Baltimore kid with big dreams to a presidential advisor and business mogul is truly inspiring. Join us, as David reveals how he overcame rejection after President Carter lost his re-election and pivoted into private equity. Learn why he's dedicated to giving back through initiatives like the Giving Pledge, and get ready for some thought-provoking insights, including why hiring geniuses might not be the best idea and tips on avoiding spoiling your kids.



In This Episode We Cover: 

(03:40) Welcome David Rubenstein 

(04:50) Why David and Harley both maintain their bar memberships

(05:37) Why education is important to the Jewish people

(07:30) David’s upbringing in Baltimore

(10:00) The difficulties that come with raising children when you’re wealthy

(11:30)  David’s relatively laid-back parents

(13:34) The Jewish youth group that fueled David’s drive for more

(14:15) David’s first job out of law school

(15:25) How David became an advisor to President Jimmy Carter 

(16:42) The years of struggle after Jimmy Carter failed to get re-elected

(20:41) How the Carlyle Group got their start

(24:36) Carlyle’s “bear hug” on Chichi’s

(27:22) David’s growth strategy for Carlyle focusing on diversification and globalization

(31:30) David’s mom’s philanthropy 

(34:14) What the Giving Pledge is 

(36:43) David’s philosophy on philanthropy 

(39:33) An explanation of the Magna Carta, its failure, and the anti-semitism of the day

(42:22) David’s focus on patriotic philanthropy 

(46:47) How David became the fundraiser for Carlyle 

(47:56) How Carlyle was able to build a lasting company

(49:27) Why reasonably intelligent people make better employees than geniuses

(50:04) The cultural values that make Jewish people successful and want to give back

(54:10) Antisemitism in the US and Europe

(54:28) Why David still doesn’t think he’s made it

(55:33) Tips on raising kids and the three ways to influence people as a leader



—

Referenced: 

David Rubenstein on Patriotic Philanthropy: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions/david-rubenstein-on-patriotic-philanthropy

Shelley v. Kraemer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelley_v._Kraemer

Virtual Jewish World: Baltimore, Maryland: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/baltimore-jewish-history-tour#google_vignette

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP: https://www.paulweiss.com/

Ted Sorensen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Sorensen

William Simon: https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/hall-of-fame/william-simon/

G. William Miller: https://home.treasury.gov/about/history/prior-secretaries/g-william-miller-1979-1981

Edward J. Mathias: https://www.carlyle.com/corporate-overview/operating-executives-advisors/edward-j-mathias

T. Rowe Price: https://www.troweprice.com/

The Mellon family: https://www.forbes.com/profile/mellon/?sh=21c04b3f6c8b

Greenmailing: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/greenmail.

Mike Milken: https://milkeninstitute.org/staff/mike-milken

Frank Carlucci: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Carlucci

John Major: https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Major

Why are there so many Jewish Nobel winners?: https://www.thejc.com/lets-talk/why-are-there-so-many-jewish-nobel-winners-ctycke48#



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Where to find David Rubenstein

X: https://twitter.com/DM_Rubenstein

Website: https://davidrubenstein.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://pen

We’re back with Season 2 of Big Shot! In this episode of Big Shot, we're joined by Fran Weissler, a seven-time Tony award-winning producer and one-half of the dynamic duo behind Chicago, the longest-running American musical. Fran's journey epitomizes Jewish chutzpah, marked by bold choices—from leaving her first marriage to making decisive moves in her Broadway career. Today, Fran shares with us stories from her journey, including breaking into Broadway at the age of 50 and producing Othello with a star-studded cast featuring James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer. We also talk about her successful marriage and business partnership of 55 years, how Fran navigated challenges working with chauvinists and demanding actors, and how she finally started to slow down a little bit at the age of 90. 



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In This Episode We Cover: 

(02:35) Fran’s childhood and life before Broadway

(07:04) Why Fran decided to end her first marriage

(08:59) How Fran met Barry and got started in theater

(15:02) The early days of NAMCO producing plays for Catholic schools

(19:00) Fran’s first Broadway show, Othello, with James Earl Jones

(21:52) How Fran got Christopher Plummer to play Iago

(31:34) What it was like to win a Tony for Othello

(33:33) How firing Peter Coe accelerated Fran’s career as a producer 

(45:30) Fran’s chutzpah

(48:20) How Fran and Barry balance each other out as a team 

(51:14) How Fran handled working with the chauvinist Anthony Quinn 

(1:00:15) A compromise made with Kathleen Turner

(1:03:26) The Queen of Broadway: Fran’s identity separate from Barry

(1:05:28) Fran and Barry’s rare, beautiful marriage

(1:09:32) How Fran and Barry revived Chicago and made the longest-running American show

(1:19:11) Fran’s advice for aspiring producers



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Referenced: 

NAMCO: https://www.namcousa.com/

Othello at the Winter Garden Theater (1982): https://playbill.com/productions/othellobroadway-winter-garden-theatre-1982

James Earl Jones: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000469/

Christopher Plummer: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001626/

Lucy Kroll: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Kroll

Stratford Festival: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/

Lou Pitt: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1018725/

Zoe Caldwell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0129807/

Robert Whitehead: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0925723/

Medea 1982 playbill: https://playbill.com/production/medea-cort-theatre-vault-0000003496

Chicago: https://chicagothemusical.com/

Phantom of the Opera: https://us.thephantomoftheopera.com/

When Kathleen Turner Brought Maggie the Cat Back to Broadway: https://playbill.com/article/when-kathleen-turner-brought-maggie-the-cat-back-to-broadway

Zorba the Greek 1983 playbill with Anthony Quinn: https://playbill.com/production/zorba-broadway-theatre-vault-0000012262

Encores: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encores

The economics of Broadway shows: https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-broadway-shows/

—



Where to find Fran Weissler: 

Website: https://www.namcousa.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

When you sit down with iconic entrepreneurs for two to three hours, it's hard to include every story in an episode. But that doesn't mean every story isn't worth telling. On this episode of Big Shot shorts, you'll hear some wild tales that didn't make it into individual episodes of season 1. You'll learn how Ed Sonshine anticipated the 2008 crash, what Aldo Bensadoun did to break into America when so many others failed, how Charles Bronfman shaped Canadian pride, and Jonathan Wener's wild story about acquiring a massive art collection. These are the stories that, once you hear them, you'll want to retell to others.



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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:20) Harley and David have an epiphany about their Canadian upbringing

(01:50) Every Canadian retailer fails, except for one

(02:10) Why this bonus episode was necessary

(03:10) Jonathan Wener's family collection of 140 paintings

(05:55) How Ed Sonshine anticipated the 2008 housing crash

(10:00) How passing up on a round of golf was one of Ed Sonshine's best decisions

(17:45) How Charles Bronfman was behind Drake's start

(18:30) Why Charles Bronfman created Heritage Minutes

(22:25) How Aldo Bensadoun succeed in America when so many others failed

(28:25)The only lawsuit Jonathan Wener faced in 52 years



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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

One of the hardest parts of being an entrepreneur is the stress and anxiety of never having enough time. When ambition flows through your veins, it’s difficult to balance your desire to build something great with your love for your family, friends, and other interests. Being an entrepreneur requires sacrifice — but how do you do that without giving up what matters most? On this episode of Big Shot Shorts, Issy Sharp, Charles Bronfman, and Ed Sonshine reveal their regrets, rules, and recommendations for creating happiness and harmony in work and life. 



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In This Episode, We Cover:

(01:00) Work-life balance is not a 50-50 equation

(02:00) Why entrepreneurs struggle so much with finding time for everything

(02:48) How consistency can help reduce stress and anxiety

(03:30) David Segal’s family ritual

(06:00) The most important source of support for entrepreneurs

(08:00) Issy Sharp’s lessons from decades of a happy marriage

(09:25) Issy Sharp’s regrets about building the Four Seasons

(13:05) Charles Bronfman’s lessons on raising a family with ambition and purpose

(19:00) Why it’s important to “never look back”

(22:00) Ed Sonshine’s 3 rules for family happiness 



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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