The Profile

Evan Mawarire is the pastor behind #ThisFlag, a grassroots movement that used Zimbabwe's flag as a symbol of resistance against government corruption, economic mismanagement, and human rights abuses. The movement sparked peaceful protests, stay-at-home demonstrations, and international attention, directly challenging Mugabe's regime. In response, Mawarire was arrested multiple times and eventually forced into exile.--Stay up to date by subscribing to The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies.Sign up here: https://www.readtheprofile.com/--

Vienna Pharaon is a popular relationship therapist and the author of the book The Origins of You. In this conversation, we discuss the power of conflict, repair, and connection. -- Stay up to date by subscribing to The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://www.readtheprofile.com/

In this conversation, behavioral scientist Jason Halbert explores the complexities of the human mind, the commonalities between serial killers and startup founders, and the fine line between ambition and delusion. -- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com/ -- TIME STAMPS: 00:00 - 'Darkness retreat' experience 05:35 - Jason's career trajectory 08:34 - What it takes to build a psychological profile on someone 10:34 - Optimal interview environment 12:56 - Speaking in absolutes 13:58 - Conducting an interview with a serial killer 15:46 - How serial killers differ from other criminals 19:09 - Is there a killer gene? 20:32 - How to use empathy in an interrogation 24:18 - Has Jason's definition of good and evil changed? 26:13 - Why it's hard to be a whistleblower 27:33 - The line between ambition and delusion 30:22 - Elon Musk: Ambitious AND delusional? 33:23 - Jason's work with founders and VCs 37:01 - Identifying and mitigating blind spots 39:11 - How to become more persuasive 42:26 - How to profile a potential candidate 46:21 - The role of chemistry 51:16 - The formula for identity 55:29 - The difference between your real self and your ideal self 58:20 - How to deeply understand the people in our lives 1:02:46 - The value of over-explaining 1:03:43 - How Jason defines success

How did a brand notoriously known for its uncool “dad shoe” become a fashion craze largely popular with young women? In this conversation, New Balance CEO Joe Preston discusses his journey to CEO, how he has helped evolve the “dad shoe,” and why the $10 billion revenue goal is so significant. -- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com/

In his new book, author Rob Henderson recounts growing up in foster care, attending elite universities, and pioneering the concept of “luxury beliefs.” In this conversation, Henderson discusses the events of his early life, the prevalence of victimhood in today's society, and whether it's possible to opt out of the status game. -- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com/

Graham Weaver is the founder and managing partner of Alpine Investors. He started Alpine out of his dorm room at Stanford and started buying companies with his credit card. Over the last 22 years, he built a private equity firm with $16 billion in assets under management. In this conversation, Weaver unpacks his unique investment strategy, what daily habits have transformed his life, and why he believes we should all strive to live an asymmetric life. -- Stay up to date by subscribing to The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

Laura Dekker holds the world record for being the youngest person to sail solo around the world. She began her journey in August 2010 when she was 14 years old and finished in January 2012 when she was 16. In this conversation, we talk about what prompted her to take on a voyage this challenging, how she navigated (and eventually won) her fight with the Dutch government, and how she plans to use the lessons she learned as a young sailor to parent her own kids. -- Stay up to date by subscribing to The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

JJ Watt is one of the one of the NFL's most well-respected defensive stars. In this conversation, he reveals if he owns Bitcoin, his most interesting startup investments, and of course, what he thinks about the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce romance.

Ron Shaich is the founder of iconic brands like Au Bon Pain and Panera Bread, investor in food brands such as Cava and Tatte, and now author of the book ‘Know What Matters.' In this conversation, Shaich and I discuss how to build iconic brands, why ubiquity can breed contempt, and what founder should consider before taking their company public. It was a conversation filled with practical takeaways you can apply to your life today. I hope you enjoy. -- Stay up to date by subscribing to The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

In this interview, John Salley shares his experience playing with the basketball greats and learning important lessons about a life of endless learning. --- Stay up to date by subscribing to The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

Alpha CEO Savannah Jordan shares how she developed a tough mental framework, adapted to marketing's constant evolution, and grew a personal and professional brand worth millions. -- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

In this wide-ranging conversation, Heather Wilson discusses developing mental resilience, making decisions in times of crisis, and some of the biggest lessons she's learned after decades in leadership. --- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

Chad Mumm had a front row seat to one of pro golf's most controversial years to date.  As the executive producer behind Netflix's hit series “Full Swing,” Mumm discusses the inception of the docu-series, the LIV Golf controversy, and his creative process for creating hit TV shows.  --- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

Martin Webb is behind some of the most captivating docu-series, but you've probably never heard his name. He has directed Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Break Point, and Life and Death Row: Execution. In his first in-depth interview, Webb breaks down the art of building intimacy with his subjects, taking on difficult projects, and telling captivating human stories through film. -- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

Francis Ngannou is the heavyweight champion of the world. In mixed martial arts circles, he's known as “the baddest man on the planet,” and that's for good reason. Ngannou has a long history of developing strength — both physical and emotional. In this interview, you will hear the mind-blowing story of how Ngannou signed with the UFC, moved to the United States, and became the world heavyweight champion in a sport he didn't even know existed just several years prior.

War photographer Lynsey Addario has covered every major conflict and humanitarian crisis on the planet. As she sees the destruction and the pain through the lens of her camera, her images translate that intense emotion to people across the globe. In this interview, Addario explains how she assesses risk in a war zone, how she's dealing with the mental scars that result from her work, and why she doesn't believe you have to be an activist to enact change. -- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

Earlier this year, Mark Bertolini was named co-CEO of Bridgewater Associates, the largest hedge fund in the world. With $150 billion under management, Bridgewater is known for its unusual culture around “radical transparency.” In this conversation, we talk about the two life-altering wake-up calls that forced him to change his leadership style, why he's inspired by Eastern philosophy, and what he hopes to achieve at Bridgewater in the coming years. -- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

Robert Hoge was born with a tumor in the middle of his face and two severely mangled legs. In the 50 years since his birth, Hoge has re-claimed and re-framed the word he had been called his entire life: "ugly." In this conversation, Hoge reflects on overcoming the challenges of growing up different, rejecting the labels of society, and building a remarkably beautiful life. --- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://theprofile.substack.com/

Union Square Cafe. Gramercy Tavern. Shake Shack. Danny Meyer doesn't open restaurants. He opens institutions. In this conversation, the legendary restaurateur shares what he's learned about leading in crisis, how he developed his 'hospitality quotient' philosophy, and why he believes in cultivating a culture of experimentation and risk-taking.

Known as the "lord of luxury" and "the Pope of fashion," LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault is the world's richest man with a recent net worth of $199 billion. In this deep dive, Polina analyzes his life and career and breaks down what we can learn from Arnault's massively successful creative empire. --- Stay up to date by signing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Jeff Immelt succeeded Jack Welch as the CEO of General Electric, a great American company. When Immelt took over in 2001, he didn't know that he would have a long, turbulent road ahead. The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks would be the first of many crises that Immelt had to grapple with in his time as CEO. He was at the helm of the company through the bursting of the dot com bubble, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the fall of Enron, and the 2008-09 financial crisis. Shareholders blamed Immelt for his inability to turn the company around and for allowing GE to lose $150 billion of market value under his watch. In this conversation, Immelt shares what he's learned about leading in crisis, how he's taken responsibility for the consequences of his decisions, and why he believes the next generation of founders and CEOs need to be masters of chaos. --- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Dubbed “The Queen of Pain,” Amelia Boone is a corporate attorney at Apple by day and an obstacle endurance racer by night. She signed up for her first Tough Mudder race at age 28 when she realized she couldn't do a single pull-up. Since that day, she became obsessed with getting stronger and went on to become a 4-time world champion and one of the most decorated obstacle racers in history — all while working full-time at Apple. Here's how Boone learned to conquer the mental aspect of racing, how she confronted a years-long challenge with an eating disorder, and why she believes that your profession doesn't have to be your passion. --- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Chris C. Miller, a company commander with the 5th Special Forces Group, helped direct the first, covert invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. A number of Green Berets from the 5th Group were sent to invade Afghanistan and defeat the Taliban — some of them on horseback — in a secret and dangerous mission, which was portrayed in the film '12 Strong.' In this conversation, Miller explains what training for the Afghanistan mission entailed, how he used his experiences in the field to transition from a tactical position into a strategic one, the challenges of his role as the acting secretary of defense, and the leadership lessons he's learned along the way. TIME STAMPS: 00:00 - September 11, 2001 05:36 - The military's reaction 13:28 - The invasion of Afghanistan 21:08 - Mental training for times of uncertainty 27:09 - What makes a great team 32:51 - Coming home from the Afghanistan mission 35:01 - Conventional tactics versus unconventional warfare 41:09 - Planning his military career 42:46 - Transition from a tactical position into a strategic one 46:21 - Becoming the Acting Secretary of Defense 54:18 - Miller's response to the storming of the Capitol 58:19 - How to develop independent thought 1:04:15 - Balancing his personal relationships with his professional aspirations 1:08:18 - The mental toll of going to war 01:03:31 - Miller's next act -- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

By the time Ana Lorena Fabrega was 15 years old, she had already attended 10 different schools in seven different countries. After five years as a teacher, Fabrega left the traditional school system in pursuit of alternative methods that sparked students' curiosity and love for learning. Today, Fabrega is the Chief Evangelist at Synthesis, an online enrichment club where kids learn through games and simulations. Here's how she thinks the role of education is changing and how school can promote independent thought, boost curiosity, and better prepare kids for the future. -- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Rickey Gates is a writer and adventurer who traversed the width of America in 2017 — from South Carolina to San Francisco. He ran a total of 3,700 miles through trails, roads, rivers, and snowy mountains. His journey painted a portrait of America, one that captures the spirit of the country and makes us realize we're not as divided as we think. -- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Lauren Johnson is a mental performance coach who most recently worked with the New York Yankees, where she helped develop strategies for athletes and sports professionals to help them cultivate mental resilience. In this conversation, Lauren and I deconstruct the strategies and tactics of 7 mentally tough people and how they learned to perform under pressure. -- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

It's been four years of The Profile. That means that since February of 2017, you've received 208 Sunday emails, 50 Profile Dossiers, and thousands of longform profiles. Every Sunday, we come together to study the most curious, innovative, and successful people in the world. Want to join the club? Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

James Clear, the author of New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits, has been writing on his website JamesClear.com since 2012. In this interview, Clear explains his writing and idea-generating process and offers practical strategies to help us form better habits in the new year. -- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Even though Square transformed the world of payments, it was anything but a smooth ride. Co-founder Jim McKelvey woke up one day to discover that Amazon had copied their hardware, undercut them on price by 30%, and was offering live customer support. The bitter battle between Square and Amazon lasted more than a year. But McKelvey and Dorsey ultimately did the impossible: Through persistence, determination, and constant innovation, they had defeated the most terrifying company on the planet. -- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Humans of New York has touched millions of readers over the years and turned into one of the best places on the internet. HONY creator Brandon Stanton sat down for an hour-long interview with The Profile, in which he explains how he develops intimacy with strangers, why his conversations are so transformative, and why it's natural for us to empathize with other people's pain. --- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

One moment of anxiety changed the entire course of Foursquare's trajectory and founder Dennis Crowley's career. Over the next two years, he would find his own successor, step down as CEO, and move to an executive chairman role. In this conversation, Crowley gives an honest account of what happened when he realized that he was no longer the right person to lead the company he founded. --- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Noah Galloway was three months into his second deployment in Iraq when his vehicle ran over a tripwire that detonated a roadside bomb. He lost his left arm, left leg, and entire military career. Here's how Galloway turned his mindset — and life — around. --- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Growing up in Pakistan, the first time Sidra Qasim learned about the internet was in 2006 and she couldn't fathom how people could by things over the web. Today, she runs one of the hottest direct-to-consumer startups in Silicon Valley. She and her partner Waqas Ali co-founded Atoms, a sleek shoe company, that has raised more than $8 million in venture funding. I interviewed Sidra about her mind-blowing journey to entrepreneurship. It details how she designed the life she wanted to live, how refused to give up time and time again, and why, after all these years of struggle, it's all been worth it. -- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com

Kara Lynn Joyce is a three-time Olympian-turned-entrepreneur. In this conversation, Joyce explains that self-confidence and mental resilience are the keys to succeeding in sports, business, and life. Here's how she was able to pair her Olympic experience with the adrenaline-filled journey of starting a company. -- Stay up to date by singing up for The Profile, our weekly newsletter that brings you the best profiles of successful people and companies. Sign up here: https://readtheprofile.com