37. What It Really Takes To Make It In Hollywood with Steven Puri

In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien sit down with Steven Puri – former Hollywood executive, tech founder, and daily yogi; to unpack the decisions that truly change everything. From selling his first company at 28 and working with studios like Fox, DreamWorks and Sony, to facing a cancer diagnosis and impending fatherhood, Steven shares how life’s biggest shocks forced him to rewrite his definition of success, legacy, and what actually matters.If you’ve ever felt trapped in distraction, overwhelmed by decision fatigue, or unsure how to prioritise what really counts, this conversation blends neuroscience, flow states, storytelling, parenthood, and mortality into one powerful blueprint for living with intention.In this episode, we explore:How Steven went from Hollywood visual effects and studio exec roles to founding The Sukha CompanyWhy impending fatherhood and a cancer diagnosis reframed his idea of success and legacyThe biological reality of decision fatigue and how distraction saps our brain’s limited energyWhat flow state actually feels like, and why protecting it changes everythingThe myth of multitasking and the true cognitive cost of constant context switchingHow mindfulness and attention training can rebuild focus in a distracted worldThe role of mentors, humility, and listening in high-stakes decision-makingWhy storytelling in film and media shapes how we see our own lives and choicesWho this episode is for:Leaders, founders, creatives, parents, knowledge workers, and anyone navigating big life decisions while juggling cognitive overload, productivity pressures, and the pull of “success”.If you’re asking, “What am I really building my life around?” – this is your episode.Chapters00:00 Introduction09:11 The Impact of Decision Fatigue15:58 Multitasking vs. Monotasking20:30 Understanding Flow States29:09 The Value of Listening to Advice33:10 Pain as a Catalyst for Change38:00 The Journey to Naming a Company42:00 Understanding Value Beyond Price45:02 The Intersection of Productivity and Decision Making48:02 Podcasts and Personal Growth53:03 The Magic of Storytelling in Film58:59 Life Lessons from Mortality and FatherhoodIf this episode sparks something for you, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s standing at a major crossroads.Because your decisions shape more than your to-do list-they shape your life, your legacy, and the world you impact.🎧 Listen & Subscribe:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📱 Follow us on Social Media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If this episode helped you see your leadership differently, subscribe, like, and share it with someone navigating big decisions. Drop your biggest insight or question in the comments—we read and reply.Connect with Steven PuriLearn more about Steven’s work on focus, flow and meaningful decision-making:LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/The Sukha Company:https://www.thesukha.co/media#DecisionsThatCount #DecisionFatigue #Neuroscience #FlowState #Productivity #Success #Legacy #ParenthoodKey topics and keywords:Decision fatigue, cognitive overload, decision making, neuroscience, flow state, focus, productivity, Hollywood, storytelling, success, legacy, mentorship, ADHD, mindfulness, parenthood, biohacking, brain optimisation, stress management, The Sukha Company, Steven Puri