Why do some people rise effortlessly while others go unnoticed? Toby E. Stuart, Leo Helzel Distinguished Professor of Business Administration at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, joins AJ and Johnny to reveal how social status—not just talent—shapes careers, opportunities, and success. Drawing from decades of research on social networks and status dynam ... Show More
Jul 30
The Best Person in the Room Almost Never Gets the Promotion | Social Intelligence Briefing
Most people think promotions go to the person doing the best work. In reality, they often go to the person who looks like they’re already leading the room. AJ and Johnny break down why competence alone can leave high performers overlooked, while confidence, visibility, and strate ... Show More
18m 36s
Jul 27
The Power of Knowing When to Quit | Annie Duke
Most people think success comes from never giving up. But sometimes the smartest decision is knowing when to walk away from the wrong opportunity so you can invest your time, energy, and resources where they matter most. In this episode, Annie Duke explains why quitting isn't the ... Show More
1h 21m
Nov 2025
547. Anointed: How Status Shapes Success
In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Toby Stewart, author of the thought-provoking book, Anointed. Together, they explore the powerful influence of social status and how anointment, being endorsed by someone significant, can dramatically affect s ... Show More
42m 36s
Sep 2025
Why We All Crave Social Status & The Extraordinary Sense That Stops You From Falling
You probably aren’t letting your dishwasher do its job the way it’s designed to — and you may be wasting time (and water) in the process. In this opening segment, we reveal why your dishwasher is smarter than you think, how to make it work harder for you, and the one thing it des ... Show More
49m 36s
Oct 2024
202. Why Social Skills Are the Key to Career Acceleration
<p>In today's episode, we're diving into the often-overlooked factor that directly impacts your career success—social skills. If you've ever felt overlooked, undervalued, or underpaid in your job, despite working hard and delivering results, this episode will show you how improvi ... Show More
19m 19s
Jun 2025
210. First Impression to Lasting Impact: Use Status Strategically
Career success takes a status boost, not a power grab.How do you chart the career course you’ve always imagined? According to Alison Fragale, it’s about gaining influence through status, power, and ultimately, being “a likeable badass.”As a research psychologist, professor, speak ... Show More
25m 10s