The Profile | Polina Pompliano | Substack

Kevin O'Leary Is Happy Playing the Villain

How did a Canadian entrepreneur become the face of America's ruthless capitalism? It may be the role of a lifetime.

LATEST

·

2:11

The world's most extraordinary people in your in your inbox every Sunday.

Original Profiles

2:11

Kevin O'Leary Is Happy Playing the Villain

How did a Canadian entrepreneur become the face of America's ruthless capitalism? It may be the role of a lifetime.

Jul 20 • Polina Pompliano

Will Jake and Logan Paul’s Haters Make Them Billionaires?

The Paul brothers built an attention empire that rewards behavior everyone claims to hate — and are now deploying the same playbook in hopes of becoming…

May 4 • Polina Pompliano

5:34

New York's Most Powerful Woman Is Retiring. But Don’t Call This Her Last Act.

After 43 years at the Partnership for New York City, Kathryn Wylde is stepping down as CEO — just as a Democratic Socialist mayor assumes office.

Dec 17, 2025 • Polina Pompliano

4:10

Ryan Serhant Won’t Stop Until He’s No. 1

The New York real estate mogul is driven by a fierce need to prove everyone wrong.

Dec 2, 2025 • Polina Pompliano

4:43

Saquon Barkley Is Playing for Equity

The NFL star running back is building a portfolio of startups and redefining what it means to be a modern athlete.

Sep 3, 2025 • Polina Pompliano

1:07

Interviews

47:03

Zus Health CEO Jonathan Bush on Getting Targeted by Wall Street’s Most Feared Activist Investor

“Failure is good for you, but it’s not fun.”

Apr 8, 2025 • Polina Pompliano

5:34

Will Jake and Logan Paul’s Haters Make Them Billionaires?

The Paul brothers built an attention empire that rewards behavior everyone claims to hate — and are now deploying the same playbook in hopes of becoming…

May 4 • Polina Pompliano

Ezra, the Cancer Screening Startup, Is Bringing Bryan Johnson’s Longevity Secrets to the Public

Ezra founder Emi Gal shares his insights on how full-body MRI scans could transform early cancer detection & how Bryan Johnson helped spark the…

Mar 13, 2025 • Polina Pompliano

How CAVA’s Founders Built a $15-Billion Fast-Casual Empire

CAVA co-founder Ted Xenohristos shares his insights on constant iteration, building a brand people love, and knowing when to step aside to let an expert…

Feb 19, 2025 • Polina Pompliano

53:06

Meet Evan Mawarire, the Pastor Who Stood Up to a Dictator

Mawarire reflects on the power of ordinary people to drive change, the sacrifices of speaking truth to power, and the courage it takes to challenge…

Feb 12, 2025 • Polina Pompliano

Sign up to get the best profiles in your inbox every Sunday morning

The Profile Dossier

The Profile Dossier: James Cameron, the Director Behind Hollywood’s Most Expensive Films

“If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success.”

Oct 18, 2023 • Polina Pompliano

The Profile Dossier: David Sedaris, the Writer Fusing Humor with Pain

“Everything’s funny eventually.”

Oct 4, 2023 • Polina Pompliano

The Profile Dossier: Josh Waitzkin, the Man Who Can Master Any Craft

“Great ones are willing to get burned time and again as they sharpen their swords in the fire.”

Sep 20, 2023 • Polina Pompliano

The Profile Dossier: Daniel Amen, the Psychiatrist Offering Practical Tools for a Healthier Brain

“Don’t believe everything you hear — even in your own mind.”

Sep 6, 2023 • Polina Pompliano

The Profile Dossier: Ms. Rachel, the YouTube star that toddlers love

She has been described as “the Beyoncé for kids.”

Aug 2, 2023 • Polina Pompliano

The Profile Dossier: Stephen King, the Master of Suspense

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

Jul 26, 2023 • Polina Pompliano

The Profile Dossier: Brian Grazer, the Producer Leading a Curious Life

"Life isn’t about finding the answers, it’s about asking the questions.”

Jul 19, 2023 • Polina Pompliano and Alexis Derickson

The Profile Dossier: Nicholas Sparks, the Master of Tragic Love Stories

“By definition, all love stories have to end in tragedy."

Jul 12, 2023 • Polina Pompliano

Learning Guides

9 Techniques to Help You Become a ‘Master of Disaster’ in Any Crisis

This is a deeply-reported, practical guide to conquer any crisis — in career and in life

Nov 7, 2024 • Polina Pompliano

How to Become a Master Negotiator Using These 7 Practical Negotiation Techniques

This is the most practical guide to everyday negotiation.

Jul 3, 2024 • Polina Pompliano

How to Become More Likable Using 9 Techniques From the World’s Most Charismatic People

Learn how to command attention by becoming the most charismatic person in the room.

May 29, 2024 • Polina Pompliano

11 Public Speaking Techniques from the World’s Greatest Speakers

This is a deeply-reported, practical guide on public speaking techniques from the world's greatest speakers.

May 8, 2024 • Polina Pompliano

10 Interview Techniques From the World’s Best Interviewers

This is the most comprehensive and practical guide on interviewing techniques from the world's very best conversationalists.

Apr 17, 2024 • Polina Pompliano

10 Practical Pieces of Advice for First-Time Parents

"Parenting is the most important job we’ll ever do and the one for which we are least prepared."

Jan 14, 2022 • Polina Pompliano

100 Couples Share Their Secrets to a Successful Relationship

“Love is not just an emotion; it is a skill. It has to be worked on; sharpened regularly.”

Jul 16, 2020 • Polina Pompliano

Sign up to get the best profiles in your inbox every Sunday morning

Subscribe

I profile extraordinary people to understand the decisions they make, what success cost them, and how power actually works. O’Leary. Serhant. Scaramucci. Saquon. Jake + Logan Paul.

About Archive Recommendations Sitemap

The Profile

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts