Relationships matter. Networking for some people, however, sounds about as appealing as a root canal. In today's global, hyperconnected economy, networking should be more than a necessary evil; it has to become a long term, professional habit.

On this week's Protégé Podcast, I discuss seven simple things you can do to network effectively and authentically. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I give props to the millions of students who are part of the #MarchforOurLives movement.

It's time to get your LinkedIN profile together! More and more recruiting agencies are using LinkedIN as a source for candidates, so it's imperative that your profile get set up with the right amount of information. In this episode of Protégé Podcast, I discuss what kind of photo to use, how your professional experience should be listed, and how to use the optional sections like Accomplishments and Recommendations. I also show you an often overlooked setting which can help attract recruiters to your profile, and I make the case for upgrading to LinkedIN Career Premium. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about Freddie Mac's innovative internship program for autistic college students.

This week on Protégé Podcast, it's our third episode in our series "The Transformers," which features conversations with inspirational professionals who are helping to transform the lives of children. This week our Guest Mentor is Rob Lake, one of the few African-American educators who's served as a headmaster of a comprehensive independent school. Rob shares his vision about what schools can and should do to prepare children for the 21st century workforce, and how parents can do their part at home. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about the inspiration, beauty, and lessons from the movie Black Panther.

This week on Protégé Podcast we continue our series "The Transformers," which features amazing professionals who are using their talents to transform the lives of children. Our Guest Mentor this week is Ursula Rochon, a visual artist and the founder of The Color Gallery, a nonprofit art studio which works to decrease community violence and school related crime by providing a creative means of expression for urban youth. Hear how this single mother left her six-figure salary and stepped on faith to follow her career purpose. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I talk about anthropological privilege and why companies need Chief Culture Officers.

This week on Protégé Podcast​ we launch "The Transformers," a series focused on uniquely inspirational leaders who are transforming the lives of children. This week we hear from Dr. Maurice Sholas, Senior Medical Director at Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. Dr. Sholas, a graduate of Southern University, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, talks about his trailblazing career as a pediatric rehabilitation physician. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I break down the career insights from Shonda Rhimes' book, "Year of Yes."

In the second episode in our Protégé Podcast series on navigating corporate culture, I talk with Karen Gray, the head of human resources North America at Christie's, the prestigious art auction house. Karen and I discuss how your intellectual curiosity and your ability to get out of your comfort zone can help you navigate through corporate culture. As part of the Rant, Rave, and Review segment, I emphasize why diversity on corporate boards matters.

This is the first episode in our series on understanding organizational culture. This week we talk with culture change expert Kate Terrell, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Driscoll's, the world's leading berry company, about navigating organizational culture. Kate discusses what questions to ask when you are interviewing, what culture clues to look for as you advance in your job, and how you can impact your organization's culture. In the episode's first segment - "Rants, Raves and Reviews," host Rory Verrett reviews Angela Duckworth's book, "Grit" and the important insights it contains for your career development.