Connection Accepted

A founder turned teen entrepreneur who sold LED lights via TikTok and made six figures. The creator behind the viral "Red Box" content style and his first-mover wins on LinkedIn. Stories of startup pivots, failed coffee ventures, and gritty outreach tactics that launched a media project. Practical networking moves and a belief that platforms still lack enough viral content.

A creator who transparently admits to investing upwards of $10k a month to fuel his personal brand.A serial entrepreneur with 22 years of experience and 3 exits across 3 different industries.Luke Tobin isn't just posting about business, he's actively buying and building it through the Unusual Group.In this conversation, Luke breaks down the "Eye of the Storm" philosophy: why the founder must be the energy center that drags people into their orbit, and why he lives by the mantra that "new revenue fixes all problems."We discuss the harsh reality of the agency business model (including why the average agency loses 40% of its revenue annually to churn), the rise of the "Anti-Sell" in a world where everyone is pitching, and his honest take on LinkedIn's new "Boost" feature.We also cover why he believes you should "delegate to elevate," how he manages a team of video editors across London and Portugal, and why he wishes he started his personal brand in 2010 instead of waiting until two years ago.If you are an agency owner hitting a glass ceiling, or a founder trying to decide if you should focus on sales or operations, this episode is your blueprint.Connect with Luke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luketobin/Put in your email in connectionaccepted.com to be in know about everything CA (website update coming soon).For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to connectionaccepted@gmail.comJoin Matt & I as we build a $10M Podcast:  Subscribe on YouTubeListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oeHvC5O1oSqIw428DpTHXsi=wy5JJTUvQ96a01xoRqeHGListen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connection-accepted/id1844434065 Our LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/connection-accepted/⁠

An NYU Stern professor who openly defies the "paywall" model of higher education.The "Dean of Valuation" who built a massive following by refusing to monetize a single post.Professor Aswath Damodaran isn't trying to be an influencer. He's just trying to teach the world.In this conversation, Aswath applies "Gresham's Law" to the current state of social media: explaining why bad content (engagement farming, rage bait) inevitably drives out good content, and why his strategy for survival is to strictly avoid "food fights" in the comment sections.We discuss his "implicit arrangement" with NYU that allows him to give away his MBA curriculum for free and his teaching evolution from VHS tapes in the 90s to condensing 80-minute lectures into 12-minute clips (and why he might eventually be on TikTok).We also cover why he believes the most productive thing you can do is nothing and why "incremental consistency" will always beat a New Year's resolution.If you are tired of creators chasing vanity metrics and want to hear from a teacher who cares more about the truth than the algorithm, this episode is for you.Connect with Aswath: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aswathdamodaran/Put in your email in connectionaccepted.com to be in know about everything CA (website update coming soon).For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to connectionaccepted@gmail.comJoin Matt & I as we build a $10M Podcast:  Subscribe on YouTubeListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oeHvC5O1oSqIw428DpTHXsi=wy5JJTUvQ96a01xoRqeHGListen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connection-accepted/id1844434065 Our LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/connection-accepted/⁠

Chasing prestige is a trap that many high achievers fall into, only to realize the destination feels empty.In this special episode, we flip the script.Daniel interviews Matt about his entire life story from a video game-addicted high schooler to working at the world's most prestigious firms.We discuss the "You're a loser IRL" wake-up call that made Matt quit gaming, the toxic "Banker or Bust" mentality that led him to Georgetown, and the brutal reality of working 80-hour weeks in investment banking (including the dreaded "Please Fix" nightmares).We also dive into his transition to BCG, the "Google Honeymoon" phase, and why he ultimately walked away from a dream tech job to bet on himself. This is a raw look at burnout, "Grass is Greener" syndrome, and finding fulfillment outside of a corporate title.If you’re chasing a job just for the status, or feel stuck on the corporate treadmill, this episode is for you.Connect with Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannygreenberg/Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-huang-103299138/Go to connectionaccepted.com and put in your email if you want to be in a future creator help hotline episode.For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to connectionaccepted@gmail.comJoin Matt & I as we build a $10M Podcast:  Subscribe on YouTubeListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oeHvC5O1oSqIw428DpTHXsi=wy5JJTUvQ96a01xoRqeHGListen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connection-accepted/id1844434065 Our LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/connection-accepted/⁠

An MIT-trained scientist who pivoted from academia to media entrepreneurship.A LinkedIn Top Voice who turned a trip to Davos into a 100k+ following.Dr. Juliana Chan isn't your typical social media guru.In this conversation, Juliana breaks down her "Law of Attraction" philosophy: Why viral hits often result in zero revenue, and how to build a content strategy where "likes don't pay the bills," but trust does.We discuss the new rules of survival for LinkedIn in 2026 (including why hashtags are dead and why you need to stop using engagement pods immediately), debate the "nested comment" strategy for external links, and reveal the Pixar Storytelling Arc she uses to convert casual scrollers into high-paying clients without ever doing a sales call.If you want to stop chasing vanity metrics and start building a profitable personal brand that survives the next algorithm update, this episode is your manual.Connect with Juliana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianachanphd/Go to connectionaccepted.com and put in your email if you want to be in a future creator help hotline episode.For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to connectionaccepted@gmail.comJoin Matt & I as we build a $10M Podcast:  Subscribe on YouTubeListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oeHvC5O1oSqIw428DpTHX?si=e6adfe70d5f549b3Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connection-accepted/id1844434065 Our LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/connection-accepted/⁠

There is no single rubric for going viral, and that terrifies high achievers.In this conversation, Matt and Daniel break down why there is no "one size fits all" strategy for LinkedIn growth.We discuss the "Gym Analogy" for content creation, why copying Daniel’s red box style won’t work for you, and why you need to embrace "Cringe Mountain" to find your unique voice.We also dive into the "Spotlight Effect" that stops people from posting, the difference between school/corporate rubrics and the open-ended nature of social media, and why consistency is the only variable you can actually control.If you want to stop obsessing over the perfect strategy and start building a sustainable content habit, this episode is for you. Connect with Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannygreenberg/Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-huang-103299138/Go to connectionaccepted.com and put in your email if you want to be in a future creator help hotline episode.For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to connectionaccepted@gmail.comJoin Matt & I as we build a $10M Podcast:  Subscribe on YouTubeListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oeHvC5O1oSqIw428DpTHXsi=wy5JJTUvQ96a01xoRqeHGListen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connection-accepted/id1844434065 Our LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/connection-accepted/⁠

"Viral posts and client-generating posts are rarely the same thing."“We shoot down people who achieve more than us. It’s called Tall Puppy Syndrome.”Sarah Rav isn't just building a personal brand; she's rewriting the rules of organic growth.In this conversation, Sarah Rav, a Personal Branding Strategist and Content Expert, comes on the show.We discuss the crippling reality of "Tall Puppy Syndrome" for high achievers, the stark differences between building a brand for yourself vs. others, and why she has never spent a single dollar on paid ads to build her business.We also dive into why her initial LinkedIn video strategy was a total flop, the specific differences between US and Australian LinkedIn culture, and why she believes you must detach your self-worth from your impression count to survive.If you want to understand how to detach your ego from the metrics and turn views into actual clients, this episode is for you.Connect with Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-rav/Go to connectionaccepted.com and put in your email if you want to be in a future creator help hotline episode.For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to connectionaccepted@gmail.comJoin Matt & I as we build a $10M Podcast:  Subscribe on YouTubeListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oeHvC5O1oSqIw428DpTHXsi=wy5JJTUvQ96a01xoRqeHGListen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connection-accepted/id1844434065 Our LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/connection-accepted/⁠

Posting on LinkedIn is likened to mental warfare, posing challenges to creators. The discussion highlights loss aversion, where early failures sting more than successes. Status quo bias makes initiating content tough, and identity shifts can trigger imposter syndrome. The podcast contrasts quick, instinctive writing with thoughtful editing, revealing the best methods for crafting engaging content. Listeners are encouraged to experiment with different formats and embrace change as part of the creative journey.

A Stanford engineering grad who is playing for the Denver Nuggets.Angel investing in tech startups between games.Spencer Jones isn't your typical NBA player.In this conversation, Spencer breaks down his "hedge your bets" philosophy:Treating his basketball career like a high-risk startup and using LinkedIn to build an insurance policy for life after the NBA.We discuss the grueling reality of the "two-way contract" (playing an NBA game one night and driving to the G-League the next), debate if athletes should use ghostwriters to maintain authenticity, and reveal why he evaluates startup founders the exact same way he evaluates his teammates on the court.If you want to understand how to leverage your current position to build a massive network for the future, and why even professional athletes should have a backup plan, this episode is your blueprint.Connect with Spencer: www.linkedin.com/in/skj21Go to connectionaccepted.com and put in your email if you want to be in a future creator help hotline episode.For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to connectionaccepted@gmail.comJoin Matt & I as we build a $10M Podcast: Subscribe on YouTubeListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oeHvC5O1oSqIw428DpTHXsi=wy5JJTUvQ96a01xoRqeHGListen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connection-accepted/id1844434065 Our LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/connection-accepted/⁠

Bill Yost, a people analytics partner at Netflix and former Google analyst, shares his journey from corporate audit to vibrant LinkedIn creator. He talks about how a pirate flag emoji became his unexpected brand and how data storytelling helped him catch fraud with a scatterplot. Yost emphasizes the power of humor in content, discusses handling trolls, and reveals why commenting can be a better growth strategy than posting. Plus, he dives into using AI like ChatGPT for editing, and why visuals are more impactful than numbers.