David Rubenstein: We took $5M and turned it into $500B

David Rubenstein joins Sam Parr to discuss building The Carlyle Group from a $5 million startup into a $500 billion investment firm. The conversation covers the scrappy early days of private equity, the importance of honest self-assessment, and a missed opportunity to buy 20% of Amazon that Rubenstein estimates cost $14 billion. He also shares lessons on recruiting high-profile talent, choosing the right partners, and the trade-offs required to reach the top of business and finance.