Big Shot

Danny Meyer grew up in a Jewish family in St. Louis with two competing lessons about business: his father’s entrepreneurial spirit taught him to dream big, while his bankruptcies taught him the risks of growing too fast.
With an early love of food, travel, and hospitality, Danny opened Union Square Cafe at 27. He went on to build Union Square Hospitality Group, behind celebrated restaurants like Gramercy Tavern and The Modern, and founded Shake Shack, turning a project to revitalize Madison Square Park into a global restaurant chain.
In this episode of Big Shot, Harley Finkelstein and David Segal explore how Danny’s upbringing shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, his deliberate expansion, and the stories behind his iconic restaurants. They also discuss the difference between service and hospitality, building enduring teams and cultures, and the optimism that keeps Danny asking, “What could possibly go right?”
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In This Episode We Cover:
(00:00) Intro  
(03:13) Growing up Jewish in St. Louis
(06:33) How Danny's parents got into the tour business
(09:43) Danny's entrepreneurial grandfather, Irving Harris
(12:16) How his father's bankruptcies shaped Danny's approach to risk 
(17:52) Going into the restaurant business 
(21:08) Why Danny credits Union Square Cafe's success to good timing
(23:32) The story of Eleven Madison Park
(28:46) What restaurant stars really mean
(32:15) Gramercy Tavern and the meaning of a tavern 
(39:01) Building strong teams through hiring, training, and culture
(45:43) The difference between service and hospitality, and why both matter
(51:56) Danny's relentless optimism and "what could possibly go right" approach
(56:17) How Shake Shack began as a project to revitalize Madison Square Park
(1:03:46) Building Shake Shack's culture with alumni from Danny's other restaurants
(1:05:44) Taking Shake Shack public
(1:08:11) Key lessons from Setting the Table and What Could Possibly Go Right
(1:12:00) The story behind buying his first restaurant
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Where To Find Danny Meyer:
• X: https://x.com/dhmeyer 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dhmeyer
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dhmeyer
• Website: https://www.ushg.com
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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

Isaac Larian is the founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, the company behind Bratz, L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes, and dozens of other iconic toy brands. But long before he built one of the largest private toy companies in the world, Isaac was a Jewish kid growing up in Tehran, where he faced antisemitism, bullying, and poverty. 
After arriving in America alone at 17 with just $753 in his pocket, Isaac worked the graveyard shift washing dishes while putting himself through college. He later built a successful electronics distribution business, became one of Nintendo's largest distributors, and eventually shifted into toys, where he created some of the most successful doll brands of the last two decades.
In 2026, Isaac was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in recognition of his transformative impact on the industry and his role in creating global brands including Bratz and L.O.L. Surprise!.
In this episode of Big Shot, Harley Finkelstein and David Segal sit down with Isaac to discuss the experiences that shaped his relentless drive, the lessons he learned from failure, and the persistence that helped him build MGA Entertainment. They talk about his years in electronics, how he broke into Nintendo, why getting cut off led him into licensing, the creation of Bratz, the battle with Mattel, and why he believes fortune favors the bold.

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In This Episode We Cover:
(00:00) Intro
(02:43) How Isaac's childhood experiences with antisemitism and poverty in Iran shaped him
(14:27) Arriving in America at 17 with $753 and getting his first job
(19:40) Why the survival instinct never leaves him
(24:44) Why he studied civil engineering 
(27:05) How he got into mail order and shifted to electronics
(36:58) How he learned to be a good storyteller 
(39:50) Becoming a distributor for Nintendo 
(49:53) Why he got cut out of Nintendo and shifted into licensing 
(53:45) Getting into the doll business 
(57:08) The creation of Bratz
(1:02:46) Going all in on Bratz
(1:05:50) The battle with Mattel and the toll it took on Isaac
(1:13:23) How he built lasting business relationships
(1:16:20) The case for crying as a show of strength 
(1:17:01) Why he loves his work and his advice for the next generation

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Where To Find Isaac Larian:
X: https://x.com/realIsaacLarian
Website: https://www.mgae.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

Irwin Winkler has spent more than six decades in Hollywood, producing films that have earned 52 Academy Award nominations and helped define generations of moviegoers. His credits include Rocky, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Right Stuff, and The Irishman, but the path that led to those films was anything but predictable.
In this episode of Big Shot, hosts Harley Finkelstein and David Segal sit down with Irwin to look back on the twists, turns, relationships, and moments of good fortune that shaped his remarkable career. From the William Morris mailroom to launching an agency with Robert Chartoff, from representing Julie Christie to hearing Sylvester Stallone pitch Rocky, Irwin shares the stories behind a life spent at the center of the movie business.
Along the way, he reflects on the people who changed his life, the opportunities he almost missed, and the unexpected chain of events that led from a kid growing up in Brooklyn to one of the most successful producers in Hollywood history.
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In This Episode We Cover:
(00:00) Intro
(03:13) Growing up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn 
(07:11) Moving to the Sea Gate in Coney Island
(08:26) Irwin's first attempt at NYU
(10:22) Why he enlisted in the Army 
(10:55) Back to NYU after the Army
(12:00) How he got interested in working for a talent agency
(14:20) From summer mailroom gig at William Morris to full-time job 
(18:45) Climbing the ranks at William Morris
(23:18) Leaving William Morris to work with Bob Chartoff 
(29:14) How Julie Christie helped launch his producing career
(39:47) Meeting Sylvester Stallone and hearing the Rocky pitch
(48:53) Rocky's reception and the reshoot that saved the film
(51:48) How he started working with Martin Scorsese
(53:54) Managing productions and safeguarding creatives
(57:01) How Rocky II helped get Raging Bull made
(59:45) Funding movies then vs. now 
(1:01:47) Irwin’s thoughts on AI and CGI 
(1:03:14) The role of luck, hard work, and partnerships in his success
(1:07:12) The story of meeting Jack Warner and the Six-Day War
(1:10:21) Irwin's perspective on Jewish success in business and entertainment

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Where To Find Irwin Winkler:
• Website: https://winklerfilms.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

Barry Diller started in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency, but he had no interest in becoming an agent. He didn’t hustle the way others did. Instead, he spent his time in the file room, reading everything he could and learning how the business actually worked. By his own account, he likely would have been fired if not for one thing: his connection to Danny Thomas.
In this episode of Big Shot, Barry sits down with Harley and David to reflect on the path that took him from that mailroom to running studios, building networks, and shaping modern media. He shares how his ambition came later, not as something he chased but something he discovered, and how his career was shaped as much by timing and luck as by intention.
Along the way, Barry walks through the decisions that defined his career, from rising quickly through ABC and becoming chairman of Paramount at 32, to building the Fox network alongside Rupert Murdoch, and later taking control of IAC and acquiring companies like Expedia.
This is a conversation about instinct, timing, and the willingness to walk through the door when it opens.
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In This Episode We Cover:
(00:00) Intro
(03:32) Barry’s early heroes and influences
(05:16) Where his ambition came from
(06:50) Getting his start in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency
(08:53) What he learned from reading client files at William Morris
(12:10) Working as an assistant at William Morris
(14:00) How he got a job at ABC
(16:32) Barry’s thoughts on serendipity
(19:20) Developing The Movie of the Week and miniseries at ABC
(22:32) Becoming chairman of Paramount at 32
(26:44) Working with Charles Bluhdorn
(28:20) Why he still feels like he hasn’t made it
(30:00) Building the Fox network and bringing Rupert Murdoch on board
(34:06) How he took control of IAC
(38:07) The story behind buying Expedia
(40:47) Barry’s leadership philosophy
(41:37) M&A strategy at IAC
(44:43) How Eastern European Jews built Hollywood
(47:36) Barry’s relationship to Jewish culture
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Where To Find Barry Diller:
• Website: https://www.iac.com/leadership/barry-diller
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

Lew Wolff didn’t set out to become a successful developer or a professional sports team owner. He didn’t grow up around business, and by his own account, he stumbled into real estate almost by accident. But over the course of a decades-long career, he would go on to reshape downtown San Jose, partner with 20th Century Fox, and take ownership stakes in teams like the Oakland Athletics and Golden State Warriors.
In this episode of Big Shot, Lew sits down with Harley and David to reflect on the unconventional path that led him there. He shares how the sudden death of his father forced him to grow up quickly, how a chance decision in college set him on a career in real estate, and how one unexpected opportunity led to a role at Fox and a headline that would change everything overnight.
Along the way, Lew explains why he built his career around partnerships, how he thinks about choosing the right people to work with, and why he has always prioritized relationships over short-term profit. He also reflects on his time in professional sports, including the story behind Moneyball, the challenges of public scrutiny, and the behind-the-scenes dynamics that shaped the future of the A’s.
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In This Episode We Cover:
(00:00) Intro
(02:25) Lew’s early years growing up in the Midwest
(05:54) How his father’s death changed his path
(10:28) Growing up Jewish in St. Louis
(11:43) His first job and move to Los Angeles
(14:34) Starting his own firm and selling to Booz Allen
(17:18) His work with 20th Century Fox
(24:39) Balancing the San Jose development with his work at Fox
(27:20) How his studio office helped attract clients
(29:21) How Bud Selig led him to buy a stake in the Oakland A’s
(38:18) Lew’s philosophy on partnerships and how to choose them 
(42:54) Buying and selling his stake in the Golden State Warriors
(45:46) The kind of work he enjoys and what he credits for his success
(50:42) The story behind Moneyball
(54:19) Why he stays focused on the future
(55:20) Why he prioritizes relationships over profit
(58:57) How he handled negative press as owner of the A’s
(1:03:48) How the Giants blocked the A’s from building a new stadium
(1:08:59) How he learned to let things go
(1:12:51) Lew and Bud’s attempt to integrate their fraternity
(1:15:07) His thoughts on Jewish entrepreneurship
(1:18:38) What he’s most proud of
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Where To Find Lew Wolff:
• Website: https://www.wolffurban.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