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
Laura Lauder: https://www.lauderfamilyfund.org/about/bio/
The Giving Pledge: https://givingpledge.org/
Chuck Feeney: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Feeney
Magna Carta: https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/magna-carta
Frank Carlucci: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Carlucci
Jim Addison Baker III: https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/baker-james-addison
George H. W. Bush: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/george-h-w-bush/
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#
—
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://penname.co
