Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged – Will Packer: Producing Life’s Blockbusters and Paying It Forward

Date: July 31, 2025
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Will Packer

Overview

In this inspiring episode of "Mick Unplugged," host Mick Hunt sits down with celebrated Hollywood producer Will Packer to discuss the driving forces behind his blockbuster career, his new leadership book, and the importance of paying it forward. The conversation goes beyond the typical motivational chat, delving deep into the nuanced difference between ‘why’ and ‘because,’ Will Packer’s commitment to legacy and community, the real work of storytelling, healthy arrogance, and actionable leadership. Listeners are treated to a candid look at success, self-belief, and the practical steps required to transform dreams into reality.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding Your ‘Because’ (02:02–05:10)

• Beyond the ‘Why’: Mick introduces the concept of the “because,” which is deeper than one’s “why”—not just who you do it for, but the driving obligation behind it.
• Will’s Perspective:

  “The because is the reason you get to the why. The because is the reason that you keep going beyond the why.” – Will Packer (02:34)

• Will’s ‘Because’:
  • Obligation to his family, community, and those who come after him.
  • Commitment to using his influence and resources for positive impact.

  “If I am not paying it forward… I would be wasting a God given opportunity to go out and then, I hope, create a positive cycle of success.” – Will Packer (03:17)

• Legacy Over Metrics: Will measures fulfillment by the impact on people, not just box office numbers or accolades.

2. Discovering Purpose & Passion (05:58–08:42)

• Parental Influence: Will reflects on his supportive upbringing in St. Petersburg, FL—his parents told him he could be anything, empowering his belief in potential.

  “The only barrier to my own success would be me. Not external people.” – Will Packer (06:51)

• Finding His Voice at FAMU:
  • Connects with Rob Hardy; marries entrepreneurship with filmmaking.
  • Action over waiting:

    “I didn’t wait for my passion to hit me in the face. And I think too many of us do that now.” – Will Packer (08:33)

  • Passion is discovered through doing, not just dreaming.

3. Inside Hollywood: Producer vs. Director (09:23–11:53)

• Producer vs. Director:
  • Producers are project managers: they secure resources, oversee marketing/distribution, and ensure the whole comes together.
  • Directors focus on creative execution on set.
• Life Analogy:

  “To produce your best life, you’ve got to have the right elements… We all have to be incredible project managers.” – Will Packer (11:11)

4. The Power of Storytelling (11:53–17:26)

• Storytelling as Blueprint:
  • Mick credits Will for inspiring his keynote speaking and communication style.
  • Will acknowledges the cycle of influence—iron sharpens iron.
• Strategic Storytelling:

  “Never tell a story without a point and never make a point without a story… The best storyteller in the world that I know is Will Packer.” – Mick Hunt (12:23)

  • The universality of stories in branding, leadership, and self-presentation.

  “You don’t have to be a Hollywood filmmaker to understand the need and the value of telling your own story.” – Will Packer (16:32)

5. Healthy Arrogance: Will’s Book Deep Dive

a. What is "Who Better Than You? The Art of Healthy Arrogance and Dreaming Big" (17:31–22:54)

• Belief in Self:
  • The title encourages daily self-affirmation and confidence.

  “Confidence is a muscle… You have to build it by constantly reminding yourself of those positive attributes that you have. Ask yourself, who better than you?” – Will Packer (19:14)

• Healthy vs. Toxic Arrogance:
  • Healthy arrogance = knowing your value and making the room better for all.
  • Toxic arrogance = dominating at others’ expense.
  • True leadership: getting others to rally around a shared mission.

b. Success is a Bottom Line Business (23:04–26:41)

• First Chapter: "You're Going to Die Tonight"
  • A story about handling unexpected challenges on set (Kevin Hart’s escapade) illustrates how adaptability is crucial.
  • Success ultimately judged by results, not effort or obstacles.

  “At the end of the day, you’re going to be judged by if you deliver or not… Make the main thing the main thing.” – Will Packer (26:08)

c. Chapter 6: "Be a Doer, Not a Talker" (26:41–30:36)

• Move in Silence:
  • Inspired by Mick’s grandfather:

    “When everyone knows what you have, you have nothing. When everyone knows where you’re going, you’ll never get there.” – Mick Hunt (27:07)

• Avoid the Social Media Trap:
  • Don’t seek validation before your “baby” (project/dream) is ready.

  “It’s the work you put in when nobody is watching that makes everybody pay attention later.” – Will Packer (28:18)

  • Long-term success comes from perseverance and actual accomplishment, not just publicizing effort.

6. Paying It Forward & Leadership in Action (31:04–34:11)

• Book Giveaway:
  • Mick offers copies of the book to listeners, reinforcing the theme of community and access.
• Be a Sponge:

  “You need to be somebody that is a sponge that is soaking up what successful people have done, and then you figure out how to make it your own.” – Will Packer (31:49)

• Custom Leadership Initiatives:
  • Mick pledges to integrate the book into his leadership conferences and masterminds.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Your legacy… we are not the things that we do, buy, or accomplish. At the end of the day… what I will be is the people I have influenced and the people I have touched.” – Will Packer (03:48)
• “You don’t have to be a Hollywood filmmaker to understand the need and the value of telling your own story.” – Will Packer (16:32)
• “Healthy arrogance is a feeling that I can make this room better and bring up the folks in this room. And true leadership is understanding a commonality of goals and getting other people to see the commonality of your goals.” – Will Packer (21:33)
• “Success is a bottom line business… You’re going to be judged by if you deliver or not, right?” – Will Packer (26:08)
• “It’s the work you put in when nobody is watching that makes everybody pay attention later.” – Will Packer (28:18)
• “Be a doer, not a talker.” – Will Packer (28:59)

Important Timestamps

• 02:02: Mick introduces the ‘because’ concept; Will defines his “because”
• 05:58: Will discusses family influence and discovering his path at FAMU
• 09:23: Producer vs. Director explained; analogy to life as project management
• 11:53: Mick’s personal story about modeling his speaking on Will’s storytelling
• 17:31: Discussion of Will’s leadership book and philosophy of healthy arrogance
• 23:04: “You’re going to die tonight” chapter—dealing with unexpected challenges in business
• 26:41: The value of doing over talking, especially in the social media era
• 31:04: Book giveaway, mentorship, and continuous learning emphasized
• 33:06: Will pledges to sign books for Mick’s leadership events—a tangible example of paying it forward

Tone & Style

• Uplifting, candid, practical, and approachable.
• Will Packer is open, sometimes humorous, always authentic.
• Mick Hunt is enthusiastic, warm, sometimes reverent, and always focused on actionable leadership.

Key Takeaways

• Legacy matters more than accolades or wealth—impact people, not just metrics.
• Healthy self-belief (“healthy arrogance”) is necessary for leadership and success—know your value and bring others along.
• Storytelling is not just for artists—everyone must learn to author and defend their narrative.
• Be a doer, not a talker—real work happens when no one is looking.
• Pay it forward—true leaders elevate others and create cycles of opportunity.

Complete your own blockbuster life: find your ‘because,’ tell your story, work in silence, and lead by example.