
The Prosperity Formula: The Man Who Predictedâand Changedâthe Future of Finance, Medicine, Education and Philanthropy | Mike Milken
Big Shot
Navigating High-Stakes Financing in Telecommunications
This chapter delves into the complex negotiations and strategies involved in securing financing for MCI during its early rivalry with AT&T. It highlights the essential role of financial backing in corporate confidence and survival amidst competitive pressures.
In todayâs episode of Big Shot, we sit down with Mike Milkenâlegendary financier, philanthropist, and chairman of the Milken Institute.
Mike has been a driving force in medical research, public health, and education for over five decades. Fortune called him âThe Man Who Changed Medicine,â and Forbes listed him among âVisionaries Reimagining Our Childrenâs Future.â
Mikeâs financial innovations helped launch industries like cable TV, homebuilding, and cellular technology. Beyond finance, he has led major philanthropic efforts, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation, FasterCures, and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, set to open this year. A signatory of the Giving Pledge, he has committed much of his wealth to driving global impact.
In our conversation today, we talk about:
âą The childhood moments that shaped Mikeâs curiosity and deep empathy
âą How Mike mastered mental math through Holocaust survivor, Jakow Trachtenberg's technique
âą How speech and debate sharpened Mikeâs ability to communicate big ideas
âą The impact of the Watts riots on Mikeâs career path
âą How market crashes in 1974 and 1987 provided opportunities for significant gains
âą Mikeâs take on regulations and why he remains relentlessly optimistic about the free market
âą A glimpse into Mikeâs philanthropic work in medicine and education
âą And much more!
If you'd like to apply to be an executive producer, please complete the form here https://shorturl.at/xLQUW
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In This Episode We Cover:
(00:00) Intro
(02:25) Why Mike has been involved in philanthropy from such a young age
(09:57) Early experiences that shaped Mikeâs radical empathy
(19:03) How Mike learned mental math by using the Trachtenberg system
(20:25) Mikeâs journey to Berkeley and interest in the space program
(28:40) How the Watts riots impacted Mike
(33:40) The value of doing research, and what Mike learned about credit
(38:10) Mikeâs first investment bank job
(44:50) How Mike was able to fund MCI at a time when AT&T had a monopoly
(50:22) How the 1974 stock market crash impacted investment banking
(57:50) The culture of outsiders dominating Hollywoodâmany of them Jewish
(1:00:59) The stock market crash of 1987
(1:03:58) Why the best investors are social scientists
(1:06:15) The cultural shift that brought down big tobacco
(1:09:20) Takeaways from Mikeâs interview with Elon Musk
(1:11:00) The JPL Mars Rover landing simulation and how free enterprise drives innovation
(1:14:09) Milken Community School, and Mikeâs emphasis on health and medical research
(1:16:22) How views on nutrition and the microbiome have evolved
(1:19:48) Mikeâs advice: prioritize great people and be flexible
(1:24:30) Private equityâs impact on business and the downside of family businesses
(1:28:40) The Miken Center for Advancing the American Dream
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Where To Find Mike Milken:
âą X: https://x.com/MilkenInstitute
âą Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkeninstitute/
âą Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milkeninstitute/
âą Website: https://www.mikemilken.com/
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âą Harley Finkelstein: â â â â â â â â â â https://twitter.com/harleyfâ â â â â â â â â â
âą David Segal: â â â â â â â â â â https://twitter.com/tea_maverickâ â â â â â â â â â
âą Production and Marketing: â â â â â â â â â â â https://penname.coâ