In this episode of How You Go There, Scott and Linda continue the conversation on relationships—this time focusing on how to move beyond transactional networking and start building genuine, meaningful connections.

They break down the difference between surface-level interactions and relationships rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, and consistency. Through real stories and practical exercises from the companion guide, you’ll learn how to better understand yourself, show up with intention, and create connections that actually support your personal and professional growth.

Because how you go there isn’t just about the destination—it’s about who you go there with.

Listen to more episodes: https://www.howyougothere.com/podcast Get your free companion guide: https://www.howyougothere.com/hygt-pdf-giveaway

00:00 – Why relationships don’t have to last forever to matter 00:23 – Introduction to the series and relationship deep dive 02:19 – Transactional vs. genuine relationships 03:54 – Why networking often feels performative 04:42 – The “garden” metaphor for building relationships 06:02 – Leading with vulnerability instead of your résumé 07:26 – Rethinking the elevator pitch (“Know Thyself”) 08:31 – Do transactional relationships have an expiration date? 09:25 – How real connections actually start (Scott & Linda’s story) 11:21 – Presence vs. positioning in conversations 13:40 – The “Know Thyself” exercise explained 16:21 – Finding relationships that complement (not mirror) you 18:19 – Preparing for meaningful conversations 20:43 – How to intentionally build deeper connections 22:43 – Why consistency matters in relationships 25:23 – Using the Relationship Action Plan 26:18 – When credentials hurt more than they help 27:48 – It’s okay for relationships to evolve or end 29:02 – Weekly challenge: connect with no agenda

What if everything you’ve been taught about success is backwards?

In this episode of How You Go There, Scott and Linda dive into one of the most overlooked — yet powerful — drivers of personal and professional growth: relationships.

From challenging the idea that success is built on skills alone, to exploring how the right relationships create access, opportunity, and momentum, this conversation reframes how you think about your journey.

You’ll learn why every meaningful milestone in your life likely traces back to a person, how to identify the relationships shaping your path, and what it actually looks like to build intentional, high-impact connections.

Plus, we introduce a practical exercise from the How You Go There workbook: relationship mapping — helping you break down your network into mentors, supporters, challengers, and more.

Whether you're looking to grow your career, strengthen your network, or better understand your path, this episode will challenge you to rethink who’s on your “train” — and why it matters.

• Why “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is more true than you think
• How relationships shape your career and life trajectory
• The difference between relationships and partnerships
• How to map and evaluate your current network
• Why you need both supporters and challengers
• When it’s time to strengthen, repair, or release relationships

If someone mapped you, what role would you play in their life?

00:00 Introduction to the series and focus on relationships 00:52 Why relationships are central to success 01:31 Scott’s UVA story and late-career milestone 03:35 Key takeaway from students: relationships matter most 04:33 “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” explained 05:22 Every milestone is tied to a relationship 06:08 How relationships create opportunity in careers 07:25 Honoring and sustaining relationships over time 08:26 Relationships vs partnerships explained 10:32 Why relationships are often underestimated 12:22 Long-term relationships and trust in action 13:26 Skills vs relationships debate 15:30 How relationships create access and opportunity 16:01 Introduction to relationship mapping exercise 18:03 How to map your network (mentors, supporters, challengers) 20:07 Key realizations from mapping relationships 23:22 Three core takeaways from the episode 25:03 Final reflections on growth and relationships 25:41 Where to connect and follow the podcast

Who you partner with can shape everything—your business, your growth, and your life.

In this episode, Scott and Linda explore the difference between partnerships and relationships, introduce the “Kite vs String” framework, and share practical ways to identify strengths, growth areas, and complementary skill sets.

If you want to build stronger partnerships and become a more effective leader, this episode is for you.

Find more at howyougothere.com