The 7 Hats

• Breaking the Mold: How Larry Namer Built E! and Revolutionized Entertainment

  What does it take to change the entertainment industry forever? Today, we dive deep into the incredible journey of Larry Namer, the visionary entrepreneur who built E! Entertainment Television from the ground up, turning a two-million-dollar startup into a multi-billion-dollar empire. From Brooklyn cable splicer to Hollywood mogul, Larry’s story is about reinvention, resilience, and seeing opportunities where others don’t. If you’ve ever wanted to break the mold, challenge the status quo, and create something truly game-changing, this episode is for you.🎬 Episode SummaryIn this episode, Yuval Selik sits down with media mogul Larry Namer, who transformed the way we consume entertainment. Larry shares his humble beginnings in Brooklyn, how he hustled his way from underground cable work to the boardroom, and how he built E! Entertainment Television with just $2.5 million when the industry standard was $60–100 million.We explore his groundbreaking approach to content, the scrappy tactics he used to get noticed, and his adventures launching media ventures in Russia and China, even working alongside Vladimir Putin. Larry also opens up about the personal moments that shaped his journey, including how cooking became his form of therapy and the life-changing battle his son faced with terminal cancer.From business lessons to personal resilience, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and raw insights from one of media’s most innovative and fearless minds.💡 Key Takeaways & Insights✔ Success comes from seeing what others overlook – Larry turned movie trailers into a TV format when no one else thought it was valuable content.✔ Reinvention is key – Larry follows a 7-year reinvention cycle to stay ahead of the game.✔ Entrepreneurship is about perseverance – It took 3.5 years to secure funding for E!, proving grit beats talent.✔ Being scrappy pays off – From sneaking into the Oscars to making fun of MTV, Larry's guerrilla tactics helped E! break through.✔ Negotiating from a position of strength – Always find an angle that makes even giants wish they had your idea first.✔ Balance is essential – After his son’s battle with cancer, Larry realized that business success is meaningless without personal fulfillment.✔ Media is about entertaining, not just informing – Larry’s "Hollywood should be fun" approach shaped pop culture.🎙 Time-Stamped Highlights📌 [00:02:00] – How Larry went from cable splicer to media mogul📌 [00:10:00] – The “MTV of movies” idea that led to E!📌 [00:23:00] – How E! was launched with just $2.5 million📌 [00:27:00] – Talk Soup & Howard Stern – Making fun of TV worked!📌 [00:30:00] – Sneaking into the Oscars when denied media credentials📌 [00:36:00] – Larry’s surreal experience writing a sitcom in China📌 [00:41:00] – How his son’s cancer battle changed everything📌 [00:52:00] – Biggest business failure? Turning down $7M for Television.com📌 [00:57:00] – Hollywood myths: It’s about work ethic, not just talent📌 [01:00:00] – Larry’s love for cooking & how it became therapy💼 Actionable Advice✅ Don’t follow the crowd – Differentiate yourself in a way that even industry giants wish they had your idea.✅ Be brutally honest with yourself – If an idea isn’t working, move on quickly.✅ Understand your leverage – Always find a way to shift the power dynamic in negotiations.✅ Build a team smarter than you – Surround yourself with people who make you better.✅ Balance business with life – Don’t wait for a crisis to reassess your priorities.💬 Notable Quotes"We didn't take ourselves too seriously. If an idea was bad, we moved on. That saved us years of wasted time.""When my son was diagnosed with cancer, business became the last thing on my mind. That moment changed how I saw success forever.""The moment you have ‘F-you’ money, everything changes. You don’t have to take a project just to pay rent anymore.""We climbed the fence at the Oscars to get coverage. That’s the level of hustle it takes to make it in media."📚 Links & Resources Mentioned🔗 Larry’s Book: Never Follow the Crowd: Recipes for Success (Amazon Link)🎧 Loved this episode?✅ Subscribe to The 7 Hats on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube⭐ Leave a 5-star review – It helps others discover the show!📲 Follow Yuval on LinkedIn & Instagram for exclusive behind-the-scenes content📩 Join the 7 Hats Insider Community – Get bonus content & episode updates!This episode encapsulates the mindset of an entrepreneur who never settled for “normal”—and it’s a must-listen for creators, risk-takers, and anyone looking to break barriers. 🎤🔥

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  1:08:45
• Escape the Founder’s Trap & Scale with Freedom: Jeremy Shapiro

  What if scaling your business meant working less while making more? In this episode, Jeremy Shapiro, entrepreneur and mastermind leader, shares the key to thriving—not just surviving—in business and life. From his early entrepreneurial days to building scalable companies and guiding business owners, Jeremy reveals the mindset, strategies, and frameworks you need to design a business that supports your life, not the other way around.📌 Episode SummaryJeremy Shapiro is no stranger to the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. In this insightful conversation, he walks us through his journey from launching IT consulting businesses in the early 2000s to moving to Europe and embracing a global perspective on business. We explore the power of mastermind groups, the importance of mental resilience, and why most entrepreneurs are unknowingly sabotaging their own scalability.Jeremy shares his hard-earned wisdom on how to build a business that isn’t dependent on you, ensuring that you can step away without everything falling apart. We discuss the "founder’s curse," the power of community, and the mindset shifts needed to turn obstacles into opportunities. Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize your existing business, this episode is packed with actionable insights that will change the way you approach growth and success.💡 Key Takeaways & Insights🚀 The Founder’s Curse – The more essential you are to your business, the less valuable it is. Learn how to step back without losing momentum.🎯 Mastermind Groups Are Game-Changers – The most successful entrepreneurs surround themselves with others who challenge and inspire them.🏆 Scaling = Systems + People – The secret to building a thriving business is creating processes that allow it to function without your constant involvement.🛠️ Overcoming Plateaus – Why every business eventually hits a ceiling and what you need to do to break through to the next level.🔥 Mental Resilience in Business & Life – Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Learn the habits that keep you mentally strong.🏁 Cycling as a Metaphor for Business – Success is about one pedal stroke after another, pushing through when things get tough, and leveraging teamwork to go further.Jeremy Shapiro is a serial entrepreneur, mastermind facilitator, and the founder of Bay Area Mastermind, where he helps business owners scale effectively while reclaiming their time. With decades of experience across multiple industries, Jeremy has built and sold multimillion-dollar businesses and now dedicates his time to helping others escape the founder’s trap. His expertise in systems, strategy, and business psychology has made him a sought-after mentor for high-achieving entrepreneurs.⏳ Time-Stamped Highlights[00:37] – Welcome Jeremy Shapiro to The 7 Hats[02:17] – Jeremy’s early days in Boston and the family influence on his entrepreneurial journey[07:00] – Dropping out of college to scale his first business[10:47] – The rise and transition of his IT consulting business in the early 2000s[12:39] – Moving to Germany and the surprising challenges of entrepreneurship abroad[17:56] – Mastering work-life balance and the key lesson from a pivotal early date with his wife[26:39] – The three traits that define successful entrepreneurs[32:05] – The 30-day challenge: If you left for a month, would your business still thrive?[38:55] – How teamwork in cycling mirrors success in entrepreneurship[45:51] – Why mastermind groups are the most powerful investment for growth[52:41] – Who should (and shouldn’t) join a mastermind group[55:37] – The key shift Jeremy made to free himself from being always available[01:00:54] – How Jeremy successfully took 3 months off for parental leave—and how you can too🛠️ Actionable AdviceAudit Your Business – Could your business survive without you for 30 days? If not, it's time to implement processes and delegation.Join a Mastermind – Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs who challenge and support you.Build for an Exit – Even if you don’t plan to sell your business, designing it to be sellable makes it more scalable and stress-free.Prioritize Mental Resilience – Success requires persistence and the ability to push through discomfort. Find routines and accountability to stay consistent.Think Long-Term – Don’t just react to daily fires. Set clear goals and work towards them systematically.💬 Notable Quotes“Are you building a business that supports your life, or living a life that supports your business?” – Jeremy Shapiro“The more valuable you are to your business, the less valuable your business is.” – Jeremy Shapiro“Business is just like cycling. You push through the hills, pace yourself, and leverage the power of teamwork to go further than you ever could alone.” – Jeremy Shapiro📚 Links & Resources🔗 Jeremy’s Website: Bay Area MastermindEntrepreneurial Freedom and Freedom Interview Stories: https://bayareamastermind.com/freedom/Mastermind Hot Seats: https://bayareamastermind.com/hot-seats/What is a Mastermind: https://bayareamastermind.com/about/what-is-a-mastermind/The Power of the Master Mind: https://bayareamastermind.com/power-master-mind-napoleon-hills-think-grow-rich/ The Three Kinds of Mastermind Groups: https://bayareamastermind.com/mastermind-group-near-me/ Your Three Levers to Scale Revenue: https://bayareamastermind.com/scale-revenue-levers/ Your Freedom Number: Escaping the Rat Race https://bayareamastermind.com/freedom-number/ Upcoming Book Sneak Peek https://bayareamastermind.com/book/Loved this episode? Don’t forget to:✅ Subscribe to The 7 Hats Podcast for more transformational insights!✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—your feedback helps us grow!✅ Follow Yuval Selik on LinkedIn and Instagram✅ Connect with Jeremy Shapiro at Bay Area Mastermind and check out his upcoming book!🎙️ See you in the next episode—keep scaling with purpose! 🚀

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  1:02:15
• Unlocking Introverted Leadership with Stacey Chazin

  Do you ever feel like the world is designed for extroverts? What if embracing your introversion was the key to becoming an exceptional leader? In this episode, we dive deep with Stacey Chazin, an expert in introverted leadership, to uncover how quiet strengths can be a game-changer in business and life.📝 Episode SummaryIn this insightful episode, I sit down with Stacey Chazin, founder of iFactor Leadership, to explore the often-overlooked power of introverts in leadership. Stacey shares her personal journey of self-discovery, from childhood messages reinforcing extroversion as the ideal, to her professional experiences that ultimately led her to embrace and coach introverted professionals.She breaks down the extrovert bias, the unique strengths of introverts, and why traditional leadership models often fail to recognize their full potential. Stacey also offers practical strategies for introverts to thrive in leadership roles, network effectively, prevent burnout, and communicate with impact. Whether you're an introvert looking to harness your strengths or an extrovert seeking to better understand and collaborate with introverted colleagues, this episode is packed with valuable insights.🔥 Key Takeaways & InsightsThe Extrovert Bias: How societal norms shape our perception of leadership and success.Strengths of Introverted Leaders:Deep thinking and reflection lead to better decision-making.High emotional intelligence fosters strong team relationships.A natural ability for calm conflict resolution.Exceptional written communication skills.Managing Energy & Avoiding Burnout:Task batching to minimize context switching.Scheduling breaks between meetings to recharge.Ending meetings 10 minutes early to create breathing room.Networking as an Introvert:Quality over quantity – Focus on a few deep conversations instead of collecting business cards.Research attendees beforehand and prepare specific questions.Presentation & Public Speaking:Introverts excel at public speaking because they prepare deeply and avoid unnecessary small talk.Using storytelling and data to build compelling presentations.Misconceptions About Introverts:They don’t dislike people – they simply prefer meaningful interactions.They can be strong, effective leaders – often outperforming extroverts in strategic roles.They aren’t bad at networking – they just need a different approach.🎤 Guest Bio – Who is Stacey Chazin?Stacey Chazin is the founder of iFactor Leadership, a coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping introverts excel in leadership roles. With a background in public relations, public health, and organizational development, Stacey has spent years studying personality types and leadership frameworks. She is also certified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and works with individuals and organizations to harness the power of introversion in professional success.⏳ Time-Stamped Highlights[01:30] – Stacey’s early experiences with introversion and societal expectations[03:50] – How the extrovert bias starts as early as preschool[09:00] – Stacey’s career in PR and why cold-calling was her worst nightmare[10:06] – Her transition to public health and leadership coaching[12:14] – The life-changing Myers-Briggs revelation[20:07] – Why introverts burn out faster & how to prevent it[24:22] – Networking strategies for introverts that actually work[32:36] – How introverts can excel in high-pressure leadership roles[34:50] – Common myths about introversion debunked[41:22] – The mindset shift that helped Stacey step into her success📌 Actionable Advice✔ Identify your "positive core" – What are your unique strengths as an introvert? Lean into them.✔ Use task batching to improve focus and energy management.✔ Limit back-to-back meetings by implementing buffer times.✔ Prepare for networking events with a set number of targeted connections in mind.✔ Embrace storytelling in presentations – it makes your message more relatable and engaging.✔ Experiment with reflection journaling to identify what drains or energizes you daily.💬 Notable Quotes🗣️ "The world often tells us that extroversion is the ideal. But leadership isn't about who speaks the loudest—it's about who listens and leads with intention." – Stacey Chazin🗣️ "Introverts don’t need to change who they are to be successful. They just need to harness their strengths in a way that works for them." – Stacey Chazin🗣️ "Networking isn't about how many people you meet; it’s about the depth of the connections you build." – Stacey Chazin🗣️ "Leadership isn’t a personality type. It’s about showing up with self-awareness, strategy, and the willingness to grow." – Yuval Selik📚 Links & ResourcesStacey’s Website: iFactorLeadership.comThe Introverts Leadership Formula (Stacey’s digital course)Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): Official MBTI WebsiteConnect with Stacey on LinkedIn🎧 Call to Action (CTA)Loved this episode? Subscribe to The 7 Hats Podcast for more insights on business, leadership, and personal growth! 💡✅ Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it helps us reach more entrepreneurs!✅ Follow Yuval on LinkedIn & Instagram for behind-the-scenes insights.✅ Check out past episodes for more expert conversations on leadership and self-development.📢 Join the conversation! What’s your biggest introvert leadership challenge? DM or tag us on social media!

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  45:59
• Septemics: The Key to Understanding the Human Psyche with Jim Marshall

  In this conversation, Jim Marshall shares his journey from a curious child in New York City to a human development engineer and the creator of Septimics. He discusses the importance of understanding human behavior and relationships, the development of his 35 scales, and how these tools can help individuals clarify their purpose and improve their interactions with others. The conversation emphasizes the significance of motivation and the interrelation of various scales in personal growth and understanding. In this conversation, Jim Marshall discusses the principles of Septimics, a system designed to enhance self-awareness and improve relationships through understanding various scales of human behavior. He emphasizes the importance of insight in personal development and how knowledge can lead to better decision-making in relationships. The discussion also touches on the significance of the number seven, resilience, and the potential impact of widespread adoption of Septimics on society.Show Notes:Key takeawaysJim Marshall's insatiable curiosity has driven his lifelong learning.Understanding human behavior is crucial for personal and professional success.Septimics offers a structured approach to analyzing human interactions.The 35 scales in Septimics provide insights into various aspects of life.Motivation is a key factor in relationships and personal development.Each scale in Septimics has seven levels that help clarify understanding.The application of Septimics can lead to significant personal growth.Insights gained from Septimics can improve decision-making and relationships.The interrelation of scales means growth in one area can influence others.Jim's journey illustrates the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. Understanding the scale of sexuality can enhance relationships.Self-improvement requires insight and willingness to change.Intelligence does not always correlate with emotional insight.Navigating relationships requires awareness of personal scales.The number seven holds significance across various disciplines.Resilience is built through self-awareness and knowledge.Knowledge reduces reliance on belief systems.Healthy relationships are based on mutual understanding and insight.Managing relationships with different perspectives is crucial.Personal transformation is a continuous journey of self-discovery.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jim Marshall and His Work02:59 Jim's Early Life and Education06:04 Family Influence and Early Interests08:56 The Shift to Human Development Engineering11:46 The Birth of Septimics15:06 Understanding the Scales of Septimics18:10 The Application of Septimics in Daily Life21:05 Exploring the 35 Scales of Human Experience23:51 The Impact of Motivation on Relationships26:52 The Structure and Function of Scales30:12 Interrelation of Scales and Personal Growth32:52 Practical Applications of Septimics39:04 Exploring the Scale of Sexuality41:07 Understanding Self-Improvement and Insight43:48 The Intersection of Intelligence and Behavior46:16 Navigating Relationships with Insight49:10 The Significance of the Number Seven50:31 Resilience Through Self-Awareness53:10 The Impact of Knowledge on Relationships56:03 Managing Relationships with Different Perspectives01:00:09 The Importance of Understanding Human Behavior01:05:23 Envisioning a Rational World with Septimics01:10:53 Personal Transformation and SuccessWebsite: https://septemics.com/

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  1:14:25
• The Weight We Carry—Breaking Free from False Narratives with Paul Rivera

  What happens when you realize that the life you thought you lived wasn’t real?In this deeply moving episode of The 7 Hats Podcast, I sit down with Paul Rivera, a former professor turned diplomat turned entrepreneur, who shares his incredible journey of self-discovery, resilience, and breaking free from generational cycles.🔥 In this episode, we discuss:✔ The hidden cost of chasing success over alignment✔ How childhood experiences shape our identities (often without us knowing)✔ The danger of living for others instead of for yourself✔ How Paul went from academia to diplomacy to purpose-driven entrepreneurship✔ The power of listening, self-awareness, and rewriting your own storyPaul’s journey is proof that success means nothing if you’re misaligned with your true purpose. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or felt stuck in a life that doesn’t quite fit—you don’t want to miss this episode.Paul's Website: https://beactchange.com/🚀 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs to hear this! Don’t forget to leave a review and let us know your biggest takeaway.

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  1:04:06

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