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Part 1 of 2: đ§ The Lie of Success, the Truth of Happy: Why Hollywood Broke Him, and Philanthropy Rebuilt Him | Peter Samuelson
Manage episode 487543382 series 1540589
What if the very thing you think will make you happy is the thing that's quietly killing you?
Peter Samuelson produced 27 Hollywood films, worked alongside Peter Sellers, Steve McQueen, and Steven Spielberg, and stood at the epicenter of power, fame, and money. But none of itânot the red carpets, not the billion-dollar budgetsâbrought him what he was really after.
.
That only came when he met a dying child with one last wish. That moment shattered his worldâand rebuilt his purpose.
.
In this raw, no-BS episode, Peter Samuelson takes us behind the scenes of his evolution from âsuccessful film producerâ to serial pro-social entrepreneur. From co-founding the Starlight Children's Foundation with Spielberg to launching the worldâs first avatar-based social network for terminally ill teens, his journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.
.
And along the way? Practical jokes with Peter Sellers. Motocross requests from Steve McQueen. A $2.5M surprise donation from Spielberg. And the realization that happiness has nothing to do with success, and everything to do with what youâre willing to sacrifice for others.
.
đ„ What Youâll Discover in Part 1:
The real story behind Starlight and how Spielberg became its first chairman
What Peter learned about trauma, joy, and immune response from a dying boy
How a prank from Peter Sellers nearly sent him to Swiss prison
The emotional cost of producing films for fame vs. purpose
Why Samuelson says the happiest moment of his life didnât happen in Hollywood
How his book Finding Happy became a roadmap for every Gen Z and Millennial drowning in false narratives
đ§ Why This Episode Matters:
This isnât just a Hollywood tell-all. Itâs a mirror. For every high-performer whoâs crushed their goals but still wakes up empty, this is your moment of reckoning.
Because chasing applause is easy. Building legacy? That takes guts.
đŻ Peter Samuelsonâs Unique Genius:
Peter doesnât just build companiesâhe builds movements.
Co-founder of the Starlight Childrenâs Foundation (w/ Spielberg)
Creator of EDAR: patented mobile shelters for the unhoused
Founder of First Star: helping foster youth access college
CEO of PhilmCo Media: storytelling for social change
Author of Finding Happy: part memoir, part guidebook for a life that actually matters
đ Calls to Action:
â Share this episode with someone chasing status and ignoring theirsoul. â Leave a review if Peterâs story made you rethink what really matters. â Pick up a copy of Finding Happy â available wherever books are sold (Target, Amazon, B&N). â Visit: www.samuelson.la to explore his lifeâs work.
.
Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/petersamuelson/ https://x.com/PeterGSamuelson
đ§ Stay Tuned for Part 2:
We go even deeperâinto the neuroscience of happiness, the dangers of Hollywoodâs seduction, and Peterâs raw breakdown of why helping others might be your only true path to peace.
Stay curious. Stay awake. Weâre just getting started.
#PurposeDrivenLeadership #FindingHappy #EmotionalSourceCode #HollywoodUnmasked #LegacyOverFame #GenZVoices #FromSuccessToSignificance #PhilanthropyWithTeeth #DovBaronShow #LeadersWhoServe
1068 episodes
Manage episode 487543382 series 1540589
What if the very thing you think will make you happy is the thing that's quietly killing you?
Peter Samuelson produced 27 Hollywood films, worked alongside Peter Sellers, Steve McQueen, and Steven Spielberg, and stood at the epicenter of power, fame, and money. But none of itânot the red carpets, not the billion-dollar budgetsâbrought him what he was really after.
.
That only came when he met a dying child with one last wish. That moment shattered his worldâand rebuilt his purpose.
.
In this raw, no-BS episode, Peter Samuelson takes us behind the scenes of his evolution from âsuccessful film producerâ to serial pro-social entrepreneur. From co-founding the Starlight Children's Foundation with Spielberg to launching the worldâs first avatar-based social network for terminally ill teens, his journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.
.
And along the way? Practical jokes with Peter Sellers. Motocross requests from Steve McQueen. A $2.5M surprise donation from Spielberg. And the realization that happiness has nothing to do with success, and everything to do with what youâre willing to sacrifice for others.
.
đ„ What Youâll Discover in Part 1:
The real story behind Starlight and how Spielberg became its first chairman
What Peter learned about trauma, joy, and immune response from a dying boy
How a prank from Peter Sellers nearly sent him to Swiss prison
The emotional cost of producing films for fame vs. purpose
Why Samuelson says the happiest moment of his life didnât happen in Hollywood
How his book Finding Happy became a roadmap for every Gen Z and Millennial drowning in false narratives
đ§ Why This Episode Matters:
This isnât just a Hollywood tell-all. Itâs a mirror. For every high-performer whoâs crushed their goals but still wakes up empty, this is your moment of reckoning.
Because chasing applause is easy. Building legacy? That takes guts.
đŻ Peter Samuelsonâs Unique Genius:
Peter doesnât just build companiesâhe builds movements.
Co-founder of the Starlight Childrenâs Foundation (w/ Spielberg)
Creator of EDAR: patented mobile shelters for the unhoused
Founder of First Star: helping foster youth access college
CEO of PhilmCo Media: storytelling for social change
Author of Finding Happy: part memoir, part guidebook for a life that actually matters
đ Calls to Action:
â Share this episode with someone chasing status and ignoring theirsoul. â Leave a review if Peterâs story made you rethink what really matters. â Pick up a copy of Finding Happy â available wherever books are sold (Target, Amazon, B&N). â Visit: www.samuelson.la to explore his lifeâs work.
.
Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/petersamuelson/ https://x.com/PeterGSamuelson
đ§ Stay Tuned for Part 2:
We go even deeperâinto the neuroscience of happiness, the dangers of Hollywoodâs seduction, and Peterâs raw breakdown of why helping others might be your only true path to peace.
Stay curious. Stay awake. Weâre just getting started.
#PurposeDrivenLeadership #FindingHappy #EmotionalSourceCode #HollywoodUnmasked #LegacyOverFame #GenZVoices #FromSuccessToSignificance #PhilanthropyWithTeeth #DovBaronShow #LeadersWhoServe
1068 episodes
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