Strategic networking has always been essential for career growth and business success, but today’s professional landscape is noisier, faster, and crazier than ever.

So how do you form meaningful professional relationships in a world overflowing with information and competing priorities?

In this ScreamingBox Technology and Business Rundown podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson are going to science out how you can use neuroscience insights, and AI tools to build genuine, opportunity‑creating relationships - with Dr. Elizabeth Fried, award‑winning executive coach and author of Strategic Networking: A Practical Playbook.

Elizabeth has spent more than 40 years advising senior leaders, business owners, and professionals who are trying to  navigate complex decisions and career transitions.

Her work distills decades of coaching into clear, actionable strategies that help people build authentic, mutually beneficial connections; not just collecting business cards or “working a room.”

She developed her strategic networking framework while coaching elite military special operators, including Navy SEALs and Marine Raiders; in helping them transition into civilian careers by building trust, communicating value, and forming relationships that open doors.

Today, she applies the same methodology to business leaders and professionals seeking influence, opportunity, and long‑term success.

Elizabeth also focuses on how modern AI research tools can help people prepare more effectively for meetings, understand others more deeply, and create greater value in every interaction.

Summary Timeline:
00:00 Intro
02:40 What drew you to neuroscience for relationship building
10:17 How do people deal with fear in networking
13:58 Is talking about people’s interests a real neuroscience benefit
20:19 How to approach targeted networking
26:25 When does networking behavior become too much
28:29 Is reading social cues part of avoiding “too much”
29:53 How to move toward a business ask without being blunt
34:50 Is oxytocin from mirror neurons similar to skin‑to‑skin contact
37:27 Are special operators’ amygdalas more or less active
50:02 How introverts can become more comfortable networking
52:36 How to nurture a relationship when you have little in common
54:55 What is the future of networking
56:32 Outro

If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here:

Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/

Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/

GUEST: Dr. Elizabeth Fried = https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethfried/

Website = https://executivecoachingfirms.com/