Most professionals think networking means LinkedIn posts, conferences, or handing out business cards.
It doesn’t.
In this episode of Thrive and Achieve, Dr. Matt sits down with Frank Agin — author, networking expert, and host of an 800+ episode podcast — to break down what networking really is, why it works, and how professionals can use it inside their own companies to accelerate their careers.
This is not about being fake, political, or transactional.
It’s about building real professional relationships that compound over time.
If you’re a W-2 professional, leader, or high performer who wants more opportunities without playing games, this episode is for you.
00:00 – The “Cloak of Invincibility” (Why Networking Feels Hard)
00:48 – Introduction to Frank Agin
01:46 – From Law & Accounting to Networking Expert
05:13 – Why Networking Hasn’t Actually Changed
06:54 – Knowing Why Networking Works
07:46 – Why Face-to-Face Still Matters
11:07 – Success, Self-Doubt, and the “Tricycle vs. 18-Wheelers” Effect
14:43 – Differentiation Is the Real Career Skill
15:38 – What Networking Actually Is (Definition)
17:43 – Networking the People You Already Know
19:41 – The Shawshank Redemption Story
24:59 – Why Small Talk Builds Trust
25:26 – How to Walk Into a Room of Strangers
30:19 – The “Cloak of Invincibility” Explained
32:54 – Simple Networking Systems That Work
37:43 – Internal Networking as a Career Superpower
41:31 – What Dr. Matt Would Do Differently
44:05 – Bad Career & Financial Advice People Still Believe
45:42 – The Easiest Way to Get Networked Fast
46:20 – How to Connect with Frank Agin
