Good morning, friends!

The key to writing a great profile lies in the art of noticing. When I’m reporting a story, I pay close attention to details my brain would normally blur out.

While working on my latest profile of Anthony Scaramucci, I found myself jotting down countless moments of interest. I noted the books and figurines on his shelf, the way he interacted with his employees, and how he handled difficult questions.

At one point, we were in his office discussing vindication. I was pressing him—challenging his answers—on whether he feels the need to be liked, respected, or vindicated after years of public mockery. As he insisted he didn’t, I turned my head and noticed a figurine of himself in a suit, sporting a Bitcoin pin and an orange superhero cape. The inscription at the base read: “We won! Fuck off.”

It’s moments like these that add texture and depth, humanizing a story and bringing it to life. As a reporter, you’re constantly looking for contradictions and paradoxes—because people are imperfect. The way we want to present ourselves doesn’t always align with reality.

And the only way to truly understand someone is to spend time with them.

The best profiles are written when the reporter shadows their subject, capturing who they are in real-world contexts. Anyone can craft a polished narrative while sitting behind a desk, but put them in a different environment, and you start to see whether their words match their actions.

The most skilled profile writers decode a person’s character while remaining keenly aware of the surrounding context.

Take GQ’s Zach Baron, for example. He’s interviewed people in all sorts of places—conference rooms, hotel restaurants, suites, and cars. It only takes a few minutes for a person to become themselves, he says. It’s not just about how they look or whether they cross their arms—it’s about how they move through a space, the things they do. And nothing, he says, can surprise you quite like another human being.

Baron writes:

“One time, I was in the middle of a long conversation with someone when they abruptly stood up and walked out of the room, only to return with a bow and a quiver of arrows strapped to their back… The weird thing is, it doesn’t really matter what they’re doing, I’ve found. It’s just that they’re doing it. In motion, in the world, how you move through it, what you do and how you do it: that’s you.”

A great profile uncovers a person’s quirks, habits, and contradictions. New York Times reporter Caity Weaver once put it this way:

“I read a while ago that the reason we, as humans, enjoy slow motion so much is because it gives your brain enough time to take in all the detail of what’s happening. And that’s soothing and rewarding to us. I think profiles do the same thing—you can dive deep into a person, look at them from a bunch of different angles, and form an opinion about them.”

With Scaramucci, I was acutely aware that he has both admirers and critics. He’s a polarizing figure, and my job wasn’t to take a side—it was to humanize him from my perspective. The reader could decide the rest.

I’m really proud of this one, and it would mean the world to me if you read it. (And if you like it, please share it.) Thank you all—I’m already working on the next one.

Click below to read:

The Immortal Anthony Scaramucci

Polina Pompliano · Feb 4

“What’s your star sign?”

Read full story

PROFILES.

— Wall Street’s most relentless financier [**HIGHLY RECOMMEND**]
— The founder who was stabbed to death
— The sports gamblers who live for the game
— The woman who lives without money
— The company democratizing ski passes

PEOPLE TO KNOW.

Wall Street’s most relentless financier: SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci has never been one to accept defeat. His latest act might be his boldest yet: doubling down on a high-stakes crypto bet that looks to be paying off. If he succeeds, he could cement his status as a financial visionary who saw the potential of digital assets before others. If he fails, he risks not only significant financial losses, but gives his critics yet another chance to say that “the Mooch” is out of moves. Which will it be? (The Profile)

“I’ve seen my dad resurrect himself so many times. We like to joke that he’s a thermonuclear cockroach — you can drop an atomic bomb on his head, try to blow him up, and he doesn’t give a f—.”

The founder who was stabbed to death: Cash App founder Bob Lee’s brutal and horrific death sent shockwaves through the tech world and drew nationwide attention about San Francisco’s crime crisis. But the shocking truth was far more complex—a tangled web of tech-world excess, drug-fueled parties, and a fatal clash between two industry insiders. As the trial of Nima Momeni unfolded, it revealed a story of misplaced vengeance, blurred moral lines, and a culture grappling with its own contradictions. (Esquire; alternate link)

“In a tragic twist, the man who’d spent decades surrounding himself with friends—and leaving his mark on them—had lived out his final moments alone.”

The sports gamblers who live for the game: Every Sunday, millions of Americans tune in for football—but for an increasing number, the thrill goes beyond the game. Legal sports betting has exploded across the country, creating a new kind of fandom where spreadsheets, group chats, and high-stakes wagers shape game day. Bloomberg Businessweek followed five bettors—from the casual gambler to the high roller—to see how this booming industry has reshaped their weekends, friendships, and even finances. Is it a hobby, a community, or just another way to lose money? (Bloomberg; alternate link)

“Guys need an icebreaker for friendship, and sports gambling can be that for them.”

The woman who lives without money: Ten years ago, Jo Nemeth quit her job, closed her bank account, and embraced a moneyless life, relying on community, resourcefulness, and the gift economy to meet her needs. Now, at 56, she says she feels more secure and connected than ever, thriving in a multigenerational home where she trades skills for shelter. Is she a trailblazer for a future of simpler living, or proof that modern society is too reliant on money? (The Guardian)

“I actually feel more secure than I did when I was earning money.”

COMPANIES TO WATCH.

The company democratizing ski passes: Once struggling to stay afloat, Idaho’s Soldier Mountain has defied the odds, surviving ownership changes, financial woes, and even a wildfire the day after it was sold. Its secret weapon? The Indy Pass—a low-cost, multi-mountain ski pass designed to help independent resorts compete with industry giants. By offering skiers access to 234 destinations at a fraction of the price, Indy Pass has funneled new customers and much-needed revenue into small resorts, allowing them to invest in infrastructure and stay in business. (Bloomberg; alternate link)

“Crushing lift lines and lack of service and this sort of stuff is weighing on consumers.”

✨ The rest of this newsletter is only available for premium members of The Profile, whose support makes this work possible. If you’re not already a premium member, consider upgrading your subscription below for access to an additional section of weekly audio + video recommendations. ✨

Get 50% off for 1 year