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Rebecca Agostino is an entrepreneur in the world of education, and she’s on a mission to teach the next generation how to build the relationships and durable skills that power career transitions. She has served with Teach for America, helped scale edtech platforms, and at just 25 years old became the founding principal of Freedom Prep High School in Camden, New Jersey. Today, through her company Prentice, she is tackling a gap almost no one is addressing head-on. Networking is one of the most important skills in modern life, and it isn’t taught in school.

In this conversation, Rebecca shares the truth that quietly shapes every career: the best opportunities are almost never found through job boards or career fairs. They come from people — a warm introduction, a follow-up email, a thoughtful question, a hand raised in a room. She walks through how she breaks networking into micro skills for teenagers: how to map the 25 people you already know, how to write the email, how to follow up without nagging, and how to turn a single conversation into a job shadow, a referral, or a mentor.

It is a conversation about agency, self-advocacy, and the quiet truth that most of us got our foot in the door because someone gave us a shot. Rebecca’s work is making sure the next generation knows how to ask for that shot — and how to be ready when it comes.

www.whogotmehere.com

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why teaching networking matters

02:49 – Networking is a skill schools rarely teach

05:07 – The childhood lesson that shaped Rebecca’s mindset

08:33 – Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not

10:05 – The student who changed everything

11:51 – Founding a high school at age 25

14:28 – The mentor who taught her how to lead

17:09 – How networking opened the next chapter of her career

19:07 – Why apprenticeships are so powerful

21:47 – Rethinking how students access opportunity

25:27 – Teaching the hidden language of networking

27:26 – Helping students overcome fear and self-doubt

30:11 – Why most adults actually want to help

34:24 – Rebecca’s advice for young people

Who Got Me Here

A podcast about making connections matter

By Jamie Grenney

His mother didn’t have much in terms of resources, but she was intentional about how she raised him. She created structure where there was chaos. Summers were for learning, not just playing. Dinner was at the table, with conversations about the world. He and his brother dressed with pride, participated in Boy Scouts, and stayed connected to the church and mentors.

At the same time, she understood what they lacked and worked to fill those gaps. She sought out mentors, exposed them to new environments, and made sure they had examples of what they could become.

What stands out is that her approach wasn’t just discipline—it was engaged parenting. She set clear expectations, stayed involved, and consistently reinforced the belief that they could achieve more.

Those patterns—high expectations, structure, involvement, and support—are strongly correlated with success in any environment.

Fred’s life is proof that even in the toughest circumstances, how a child is raised inside the home can outweigh what’s happening outside of it.

In this deeply personal conversation, Fred reflects on the moment he met his father for the first time at age eleven, the mentors who helped him see a bigger future, and the painful lessons that ultimately strengthened his commitment to community and service.

Fred also shares how his work today focuses on identifying and supporting “weavers,” the everyday people quietly rebuilding trust and connection in communities across America.

It is a powerful reminder that none of us gets where we are alone. Our lives are shaped by the people who see us, challenge us, and lift us up along the way.

www.whogotmehere.com

Who Got Me Here

A podcast about making connections matter

By Jamie Grenney

Three Important Takeaways

#1 Tell People When You See Something Special in Them

Fred’s life changed because adults took the time to say, “You’re smart,” “You’re important,” or “You can be somebody.” Those moments shaped his identity and confidence.

Takeaway:
When you see potential in someone, say it out loud. Encourage a young person. Thank a mentor. Tell a colleague they’re doing great work. Recognition costs nothing but can change someone’s path.

#2 Actively Build Your Circle of Mentors and Role Models

Fred didn’t grow up with many obvious mentors, so the people he looked up to were a principal, a pastor, and a Boy Scout leader. They showed him what adulthood and leadership could look like.

Takeaway:
If you want to grow, intentionally surround yourself with people you admire. Seek out mentors, learn from leaders in your community, and pay attention to people who model the values you want to live by.

3. Turn One-Time Volunteering Into Ongoing Relationships

Fred distinguishes between volunteering and “weaving.” Volunteering can be transactional, but weaving happens when people show up repeatedly and build real relationships.

Takeaway:
Instead of doing one service day a year, pick something you can do regularly. Mentor a student, help coach a team, volunteer at the same place each month, or simply get to know your neighbors.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – A Defining Moment: Feeling Seen for the First Time
02:20 – Growing Up with Instability
04:20 – How High Expectations Shape Young Minds
07:00 – Finding Role Models When Few Exist
09:00 – Identity, Confidence, and Being “The Collar Boys”
12:00 – Teachers Who Change Trajectories
15:30 – Purpose Through Service: Building Mentorship Programs
18:00 – Investing in Youth: Why Developing the Next Generation Matters
21:30 – Joining Weave and Building Community Trust
23:30 – The “Weavers” of America
25:00 – Volunteering vs. Weaving: Building Relationships
27:00 – What Thriving Communities Look Like for Young Boys
29:00 – Can Strong Communities Be Built at Scale?
30:30 – How Relationships Are Built in Everyday Life
32:00 – Learning to Be Honest and Kind to Yourself
34:30 – The Power of One Person Reaching Out
36:00 – Advice to His 12-Year-Old Self
37:30 – The Mentors Who Still Shape Him Today
38:30 – Networking as Humanity: Treating Everyone with Equal Dignity
39:30 – Three Simple Actions to Rebuild Community Today

In this deeply personal conversation, Fred reflects on the moment he met his father for the first time at age eleven, the mentors who helped him see a bigger future, and the painful lessons that ultimately strengthened his commitment to community and service.

Fred also shares how his work today focuses on identifying and supporting “weavers,” the everyday people quietly rebuilding trust and connection in communities across America.

It is a powerful reminder that none of us gets where we are alone. Our lives are shaped by the people who see us, challenge us, and lift us up along the way.

www.whogotmehere.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 – A Defining Moment: Feeling Seen for the First Time

02:20 – Growing Up with Instability

04:20 – How High Expectations Shape Young Minds

07:00 – Finding Role Models When Few Exist

09:00 – Identity, Confidence, and Being “The Collar Boys”

12:00 – Teachers Who Change Trajectories

15:30 – Purpose Through Service: Building Mentorship Programs

18:00 – Investing in Youth: Why Developing the Next Generation Matters

21:30 – Joining Weave and Building Community Trust

23:30 – The “Weavers” of America

25:00 – Volunteering vs. Weaving: Building Relationships

27:00 – What Thriving Communities Look Like for Young Boys

29:00 – Can Strong Communities Be Built at Scale?

30:30 – How Relationships Are Built in Everyday Life

32:00 – Learning to Be Honest and Kind to Yourself

34:30 – The Power of One Person Reaching Out

36:00 – Advice to His 12-Year-Old Self

37:30 – The Mentors Who Still Shape Him Today

38:30 – Networking as Humanity: Treating Everyone with Equal Dignity

39:30 – Three Simple Actions to Rebuild Community Today

Who Got Me Here

A podcast about making connections matter

By Jamie Grenney

At the University of Southern California, Garrett says the pace of AI innovation is moving so fast that traditional academic timelines simply do not work. Instead of waiting years for research to settle, universities must stay in constant dialogue with industry leaders who are building the technology in real time.

He also highlights a key debate in AI education: should students start by learning the technical foundations of AI, or by exploring what AI means within their own field, from business and law to the humanities.

The goal is not just AI literacy, but preparing students to lead in a world where the technology is evolving every day.

At the University of Southern California, Garrett believes universities must strike a balance. AI tools like ChatGPT can help students work faster and more productively, but there is a real risk that relying too heavily on AI can weaken deep understanding.

The challenge for educators is clear: teach students how to use AI effectively while still developing their own thinking, perspective, and judgment. Garrett argues that the future of education will focus less on memorizing facts and more on synthesis, creativity, and original insight.

The goal is simple. Use AI to reach the first 85%. The final 15% should come from the student.

USC recently announced a partnership with OpenAI to give more than 85,000 students, faculty, and staff access to ChatGPT and its education platform. But Garrett believes access is just the beginning.

His vision has two parts: first, helping every student become a “super user” of AI, comfortable using powerful tools even if they are not computer scientists. Second, teaching responsible AI leadership. That means asking difficult questions about jobs, sustainability, energy use, and the broader impact AI will have on society.

The message is clear. The real challenge isn’t whether to adopt AI. It’s how future leaders will use it responsibly while harnessing its enormous potential.

The lesson is simple but profound. Leadership is not about titles, strategy decks, or command and control. It is about meeting people where they are physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Real change happens when you win hearts and minds.

Sometimes the most important leadership move is simply being present.

From his unlikely journey growing up in Australia to teaching Rhodes Scholars at Oxford to leading at Yale, UCLA, Wharton, and now USC, Geoff reflects on the mentors, pivotal moments, and leadership lessons that shaped him. Yet the heart of this episode is his vision for the future of higher education.

What does it mean to prepare students for a world of “vertical” technological change? Should admissions prioritize technical fluency? How do universities balance AI productivity with deep learning and responsible leadership? And what does “AI for X” (applying artificial intelligence across every discipline) mean for the next generation of business leaders?

Geoff shares why AI literacy must become an entry condition, why distinctiveness matters more than ever in admissions, and why the real challenge isn’t adopting AI, it’s doing so responsibly.

If you care about the future of business education, leadership, or the role universities will play in shaping the AI era, this conversation is for you.

www.whogotmehere.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 – An Unlikely Beginning

03:00 – Leadership Is a People Business

04:30 – The Pivot from Scholar to Builder

07:00 – Breaking Academic Silos

10:30 – Why Relationships Still Matter (Especially in a Digital World)

13:50 – The Real Power of Business School Networks

17:52 – AI Comes To Campus

18:50 – Responsible AI and the Hard Questions

22:10 – Designing Curriculum at “Vertical” Speed

24:30 – Your Bain on ChatGPT

28:05 – Admissions In The Age of AI

29:40 – Lightning Round

Who Got Me Here

A podcast about making connections matter

By Jamie Grenney

Together, they unpack why meaningful networking isn’t about volume, how to stand out when everyone around you is an A-player, and why imposter syndrome is often a signal, not a weakness. This conversation is a masterclass in being curious, being intentional, and building relationships that compound over decades.

www.whogotmehere.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Drew Sechrist

00:48 - Drew’s Early Career and Salesforce Journey

01:45 - The Power of a Well-Timed Cold Email

05:48 - Navigating Relationships and Networking at Salesforce

08:50 - Mentorship and Early Sales Lessons

16:14 - Building Community Across Geographies

18:55 - Learning from Mistakes and Iterating

20:18 - The Importance of Feedback in Networking

23:16 - Tools for Building and Maintaining Relationships

27:51 - Final Thoughts on Relationship Building

Who Got Me Here

A podcast about making connections matter

By Jamie Grenney

In this clip from Who Got Me Here, Annie sits down with Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice and former President and CEO of Salesforce, to talk about a lesser-known chapter of her journey: being rejected by 14 companies while trying to break into tech.

Sarah reflects on what that period taught her about resilience, creativity, and the power of relationships—why she kept a folder of rejection letters, how she found a different way in when applications weren’t working, and why every job she’s had since has come through human connection rather than a résumé alone.

If you’re navigating a difficult job search or feeling worn down by “no’s,” this is a reminder that the long road is often the one that shapes you most—and that sometimes the breakthrough comes from taking a different door entirely.

www.whogotmehere.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction: Why Relationships Matter

02:04 Defining Fulfillment & Purpose at Work

04:54 From Chemical Engineering to Tech

07:58 Learning to Translate Tech for Business

08:33 How Relationships Actually Create Opportunity

10:00 The 14 Rejections That Changed Everything

14:14 Salesforce: From IC to President

16:01 Leaving, Returning, and Seeing Clearly

17:33 Servant Leadership & Helping Others Rise

19:08 Goal Setting That Works (V2ME Framework)

Who Got Me Here

A podcast about making connections matter

By Jamie Grenney

In this episode, Whitnie traces her non-linear path from Teach for America and nonprofit work into venture capital, sharing how curiosity, bold outreach, and genuine care opened doors she couldn’t have planned for. Along the way, she unpacks the mindset shifts required to navigate career transitions, advocate for yourself, and move forward—even when you don’t fit the traditional mold.

We also dive into the how: practical, creative approaches to networking and mentorship that actually work. From async advice and Loom videos to game nights, curated gatherings, and her FACE framework—Facts, Authenticity, Credibility, and Engagement—Whitnie offers a masterclass in building relationships with intention and generosity.

This conversation is a reminder that community isn’t built overnight. But when it’s built well, it compounds—and becomes one of the most powerful forces in a career.

www.whogotmehere.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Meet Whitnie Narcisse: From Teaching 8th Grade Science to Venture Capital

01:00 – Saying Yes Early: Teach for America, Nonlinear Careers, and Learning by Doing

02:45 – The Trivia Night That Quietly Changed Everything

07:00 – Breaking Into Venture Without a Straight Line (or a Perfect Plan)

09:00 – Networking with Agency: Confidence, Bold Outreach, and Assuming Positive Intent

14:00 – Modern Mentorship: Loom Videos, Async Advice, and Protecting Your Time

16:00 – Building Community at First Round: Why Relationships Compound Over Time

18:30 – What Makes a Great Event: Guest Lists, Small Groups, and Intentional Design

20:30 – Rethinking Networking: Game Nights, Poker, and Making Connection Fun

22:30 – The FACE Framework: How to Be Memorable, Human, and Credible

Who Got Me Here

A podcast about making connections matter

By Jamie Grenney