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.

Liam Darmody, Founder of Liam’s Brandstand and a LinkedIn Creator Accelerator alum, shares insights on personal branding and AI tactics. He argues that 4,000 targeted connections outperform 40,000 followers in terms of value. Liam delves into LinkedIn’s algorithms, discussing the significance of genuine personality amidst a rising tide of AI content. He emphasizes the importance of thoughtful commenting and long-term relationship-building over quick hacks, giving listeners a roadmap to leverage LinkedIn effectively.

Do more stuff. That’s how you write an infinite number of LinkedIn posts.If you want to understand how to come up with ideas on LinkedIn, this episode is for you. Connect with Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannygreenberg/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/⁠

Jake Karls, the co-founder of Midday Squares, shares his unconventional journey from a condo kitchen to selling millions of bars. He discusses the importance of authentic storytelling in marketing and warns against 'safe' corporate content, which he believes stifles creativity. Jake opens up about founder burnout and the necessity of patience in scaling operations. He emphasizes the power of using LinkedIn for genuine connection and community building, while also reflecting on the fun and messy process of entrepreneurship.

The LinkedIn algorithm doesn’t ignore your external links: it ignores lazy content.240,000+ followers and 10 years as Editor-in-Chief.Jason Feifer is the EIC of Entrepreneur Magazine, but he didn't get there by just doing what he was told.After realizing that "Opportunity Set A" (doing your job) only leads to slow growth, Jason mastered "Opportunity Set B," the art of hunting down opportunities nobody asked you to do.In this conversation, Jason shares insider insights from his conversations with LinkedIn’s leadership (including Dan Roth) about how the algorithm actually works. He debunks the "link in comments" myth, explains why you need to be willing to be bad to get good, and breaks down his formula for content: the perfect mix of "Predictability and Surprise."We discuss how to escape the "Moat of Low Status," why he treats his LinkedIn profile like a media company, and his specific wish list for future platform features.If you want to build authority without waiting for permission or understand the mechanics of high-performing content, this episode is for you.Connect with Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfeifer/Subscribe to Jason’s newsletter: https://www.jasonfeifer.com/newsletter/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/