Episode Details

Ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about networking? In this revealing preview from Travis Makes Friends, Travis Chappell sits down with behavioral scientist and author Jon Levy to unpack why traditional networking feels gross—and what actually works instead.

Jon breaks down the four psychological triggers that open doors with high-level performers: novelty, access to other influential people, generosity without hidden agendas, and the rare emotional state of awe. He explains why powerful leaders don’t need another coffee meeting, how the brain’s novelty center drives curiosity and memory, and why most influential people spend far more time with assistants and staff than at glamorous events—unless something truly different pulls them out.

You’ll hear the origin story behind Jon’s now-legendary “secret dinner” series: 12 strangers cooking a terrible meal together—without sharing what they do—only to discover they’re sitting next to Olympians, Nobel laureates, Emmy winners, and even Isiah Thomas. What started as a broke experiment funded with credit cards and cheap vodka turned into a global phenomenon, landing Jon on the cover of The New York Times and transforming his career into designing high-impact experiences for major brands.

Travis and Jon also dig into why networking events fail, the psychological reason people feel “dirty” when they network, and why making friends—not collecting business cards—is the real path to opportunity. They explore the mechanics of connection, from shared common ground (what Jon calls “multiplexing relationships”) to proximity, intensity, frequency, and duration—the real forces that determine whether two people bond.

If you’ve ever wondered how to meet influential people without feeling transactional, how to stand out without status or money, or how to create environments where awe and genuine connection happen naturally, this preview gives you a front-row seat to the science—and strategy—behind building relationships that actually matter.

Hit play to learn why the best networkers don’t network at all—and how you can start creating rooms that change your life.
Watch the Full Episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RUrACCORfA

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