July 29, 2026
The Hidden Psychology of Flow: Lessons from Hollywood’s Biggest Films
What if the greatest lesson from Hollywood wasn’t about making blockbuster movies—but about living a more focused, creative, and meaningful life?In this episode of One More Thing Before You Go, Michael welcomes Steven Puri, former EVP at DreamWorks and VP at 20th Century Fox, whose career helped shape iconic films including Transformers, Star Trek, Die Hard, and Independence Day. Yet the most compelling story isn’t what happened behind the camera—it’s what happened within.Steven shares an extraordinary journey from television news anchor to software engineer, from Oscar-winning visual effects producer to Hollywood executive, entrepreneur, and founder. Along the way, he opens up about selling his first company at 28, enduring the disappointment of failed startups, and discovering that success without purpose is never enough.Together, Michael and Steven explore why flow—that rare state where focus, creativity, and performance align—may be one of the most valuable skills we can cultivate in an age of constant distraction. They discuss how setbacks reshape identity, why failure often becomes our greatest teacher, and how purpose emerges when we stop chasing achievement and start pursuing what truly matters.Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, leader, or simply searching for greater clarity and fulfillment, this conversation offers practical insights into unlocking your best work—and perhaps your best self.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why flow states unlock peak creativity and performanceThe surprising lessons Hollywood taught about storytelling and human natureHow failure can become the catalyst for reinventionWhy focus is becoming one of the world’s rarest—and most valuable—skillsPractical ways to create the conditions for deeper work, creativity, and fulfillmentSometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t happen on a movie set. They happen within us.Find us on Apple, Spotify or your favorite listening platform; visit us on our YouTube channel Find everything "One More Thing" here: https://taplink.cc/beforeyougopodcastWant to be a guest on One More Thing Before You Go? Send Michael Herst a message on PodMatch, here: PODMATCH Proud member of the Podmatch Network of Top Rated- PodcastsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Also available on Apple Podcasts