Why I Never Burn Bridges: A $10M Networking Secret | Noah Kara DSH #935

Summary

Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour Episode: Why I Never Burn Bridges: A $10M Networking Secret | Noah Kara DSH #935
Release Date: November 30, 2024
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Noah Kara

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Introduction to Noah Kara and His Podcast

In episode #935 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly welcomes Noah Kara, the dynamic force behind the podcast 60 for 60 with Noah. Noah shares his journey over the past three years, highlighting his ambition to "go big or go home" (00:35) and his commitment to building a network despite having a modest following of 2,500 Instagram followers and 180 YouTube subscribers (01:16).

Starting Strong: Securing High-Profile Guests Early On

Noah emphasizes the importance of making a powerful start in the podcasting world. He successfully secured guests like Dana White and Ryan Garcia early in his podcasting career, despite his relatively small audience (00:24-00:35). When asked about this achievement, Noah attributes his success to "a lot of hard work" and "grinding behind the scenes that people don't see" (01:24).

Overcoming Challenges: Persistence and Creativity in Networking

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the challenges Noah faces in networking and securing guests. He underscores the necessity of persistence and innovative thinking. Noah explains, "you just got to think outside the box... connecting certain situations to certain situations" (02:54-03:00), illustrating his approach to overcoming industry gatekeeping. He shares an upcoming interview with a UFC fighter where he plans to "train with him as I'm interviewing" (03:30), showcasing his creative methods to make his podcast stand out.

Navigating Industry Hurdles: Ghosting and Blackballing

Noah candidly discusses the obstacles of being ghosted and blackballed in the podcasting industry. He shares his resilience in the face of rejection, stating, "I've been ghosted so many times. Blackballed so many times" (04:23). Despite setbacks, Noah remains undeterred, maintaining that one must "keep going" and "push through all that" (04:24-04:39).

The Philosophy of Not Burning Bridges

A central theme of the episode is Noah's steadfast philosophy of never burning bridges. He reflects, "life is very long and like, never burn a bridge because you never know how things are gonna circle back" (00:00-00:24; reiterated at 05:37-05:56). Noah elaborates that maintaining positive relationships is crucial for long-term success, especially in an industry where connections can resurface unexpectedly.

Growing Your Podcast: Engagement Over Followers

Sean and Noah delve into strategies for growing a podcast audience. Noah advocates for prioritizing engagement over sheer follower counts, emphasizing that "what impresses me more than followers is... engagement" (08:06). He discusses the pitfalls of buying followers through strategies like those employed by high-profile celebrities, noting that "those are irrelevant because you want views and you want real fans" (08:06-08:01).

Balancing Podcasting with Other Ventures

Noah reveals that podcasting is more of a passion project rather than his primary business venture. He is actively involved in restaurant development, with his first restaurant set to open in three weeks (08:21-08:36). This balance allows him to pursue his interests in podcasting without the pressure of it being his main source of income.

Favorite Podcasts and Influences

Noah shares his favorite podcasts, including Theo Vaughn, The Joe Rogan Experience, Bad Friends, and Flagrant, appreciating the blend of entertainment and informative content they offer (09:15-09:57). He holds Joe Rogan in high esteem, referring to him as "the goat" and a "modern day Oprah" who has "paved the road for all of us" (09:57-09:58).

Professionalism and Guest Research

The importance of professionalism in podcasting is a key takeaway from Noah's insights. He stresses the necessity of researching guests thoroughly, stating, "I think it's kind of disrespectful if you don't know anything" (10:14-10:24). Even when securing last-minute guests, Noah dedicates time to understand their background to ensure meaningful conversations (10:27-10:35).

Networking and Building Relationships

Noah and Sean discuss the value of genuine relationships in expanding one's network. Noah expresses his willingness to connect and help others, provided they engage in "good business" and maintain integrity (11:15-11:32). This ethos aligns with his belief in karma and the long-term benefits of fostering authentic connections.

Conclusion: The Long-Term Value of Networking without Burning Bridges

Throughout the episode, Noah Kara reinforces the significance of maintaining positive relationships and being persistent in networking efforts. His approach combines creativity, resilience, and a genuine passion for podcasting, offering valuable lessons for aspiring podcasters and entrepreneurs alike. As Noah aptly puts it, avoiding burned bridges ensures that "you never know how things are gonna circle back" (05:56), encapsulating his strategic approach to long-term success.

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Notable Quotes:

• Noah Kara: "I have to live another 45 years burning bridges with people, that's a long ass time." (00:00)
• Noah Kara: "A lot of hard work, man. A lot of grinding behind the scenes that people don't see." (01:24)
• Noah Kara: "You just got to think outside the box... connecting certain situations to certain situations." (02:54)
• Noah Kara: "Life is very long and like, never burn a bridge because you never know how things are gonna circle back." (05:37)
• Noah Kara: "What impresses me more than followers is... engagement." (08:06)
• Noah Kara: "It's my passion." (09:15)
• Noah Kara: "I think it's kind of disrespectful if you don't know anything." (10:14)

This episode serves as an insightful guide into the art of networking and sustaining professional relationships, highlighting Noah Kara's journey and the strategies that have propelled his podcasting success.

Transcript

[A]

If I have to live another 45 years burning bridges with people, that's a long ass time. The one philosophy that I've learned, and this is like somebody. Something I learned from, like somebody I look up to in the industry. Life is very long and like, never burn a bridge because you never know how things are gonna circle back.

[B]

All right, guys, Noah Cara here today from the 60 for 60 with Noah show. And he started off with two bangers. Yeah, man, let's go. Dana White and who was the other?

[A]

Ryan Garcia.

[B]

Dude, what a start. So you wanted to come out the gate swinging?

[A]

Yeah, man. I mean, I've been in the industry for probably, I'd say like two and a half, three years. And like, I don't know, my personality is just like the type to like, kind of like go big or go home. So, yeah, now some people it, man, might as well start off big. It sucks because the expectation is crazy. Now it's like everyone's like, oh, who's the next guest? And my following is not significant at all. I'm just going to say that, like, straight up, I have only 2500 followers on my Instagram, probably like 180 subs on my YouTube. But like, the two guests that I have are like, insane. So I don't know, man. That's kind of like how my personality type is, like, go big or go home.

[B]

I mean, the fact that you pulled off those names off rip is. Is a testament to something you're doing right, though. Yeah. You know, that's not luck. That's not just like, those people don't say yes to.

[A]

A lot of hard work, man. A lot of grinding behind the scenes that people don't see. A lot of sleepless nights, stressed days, stressful days. You know, this year has been a very, like, interesting year for me personally and professionally. So I'm just glad that I was able to kind of get those out. And then, you know, I have a lot more to come. I don't know if I want to do, like. So you do weekly, right?

[B]

Daily.

[A]

You do daily. Holy, dude.

[B]

I drop daily. I don't film daily.

[A]

But yeah, it's nuts because it's like, I know, like, I've been in the business for a good amount of time to understand, like, the. The back end of, like, how, like, to stay consistent. But it's like, for me, it's like, all right, you should be weekly, but doing daily is nuts, bro.

[B]

Well, I stack my day, so I'll film twice a week and I'll be good for the week.

[A]

That's fire. Fire. That's fire. You've been crushing it too, by the way.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Crushing a lot of guests. I've been keeping up with your shit. But, yeah, for me, it's like more of like a hot. Like a passion thing. Like, it's a hobby. So it's like, I, like, I just enjoy talking to interesting people. Even, like, yourself, like, so I'm just like, all right, let me just do this. And like, it doesn't have to be weekly. It doesn't have to be daily, doesn't have to be monthly. It could be like once a month, twice a month, or even, like, once every two months. So it's like, it just depends on, like, who I can sit down with and have an interesting conversation with.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, you built a great network in three years, dude. That's impressive, dude.

[A]

I know. I have. I know a few people that have been in this business for like, a decade, and they haven't been able to fucking.

[B]

What do you attribute that to?

[A]

Persistence, bro.

[B]

Yeah, that's it. Like, there's got to be more to it, cuz a lot of people work hard.

[A]

Oh, my God, bro. It's like you just got to think outside the box. Just like always, like. Like, just like, connecting certain situations to certain situations. I know that sounds ridiculous if this is. If this gets clipped, but it's like just thinking outside the box and, like, thinking like, okay, how can I connect this situation to this situation and, like, make something out of it? So it's like being persistent, thinking differently. Like, even right now, like, I have an interview lined up tomorrow probably. Hopefully they don't flake on me, but it's like, it's with a UFC fighter, and I was like, you know what? Let me try something new. I'm gonna train with him as I'm interviewing. So it's like a different style of interviewing, you know what I'm saying? So it's like always kind of just being creative in different ways, connecting the dots in. In ways that, like, people can't connect the dots. You know what I'm saying? So. And just being persistent because a lot of people are shut their doors in this industry specifically, but it's really about, like, how bad you want it, you know what I'm saying?

[B]

Yeah. A lot of people are closed off, though. I know you mean they're closed off.

[A]

They gatekeep, they blackball. So it's like, they'll tell you, like, oh, yeah, man, let's do this. And like, they'll.

[B]

The Next day, they want to like, not.

[A]

Not answer, like, you know, like ghost you. But it's like, you just gotta keep going, dude. Yeah, you gotta keep going. I've been ghosted so many times. Blackballed so many times.

[B]

You got blackballed.

[A]

So, bro. So many times. It's like people that like, oh, they say they with you, but they don't with you. And it's like, it's all good. I mean, I don't take nothing personally. It's. For me, it's like really just like, just pushing through all that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like making. Making it.

[B]

You kind of can take it personally these days, you know, can't. You got to separate the two.

[A]

You got to separate the two because it's like if you add emotion into it, then you'll like, be able to like, progress.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

In your career. Right.

[B]

And I don't. I don't burn bridges. If I.

[A]

If I can avoid it, it's impossible, bro. Even if someone you over, you cannot burn a bridge.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

That's the one thing. Because like, the one thing I learned about. Learn about life is like, people say life is very short, but like, life is very long. Like, yeah, it's a short life, but at the same time, it's like you live a very long time. So it's like if you burn a bridge, Think about it, right? Like, the average life lifespan is probably like what, 75. 70. 75. 70. 75.

[B]

71 for men, I think 74 for women.

[A]

Okay. I'm 30, bro. So if I have to live another 45 years burning bridges with people, like, bro, that's a long ass time.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it's like the one philosophy that I've learned, and this is like somebody. Something I learned from, like, somebody I look up to in the industry. I won't name his name, but pretty big time, is that life is very long and like, never burn a bridge because you never know how things are going to circle back.

[B]

Right. Your reputation follows you these days with social media too, bro.

[A]

So it's like. But you've been crushing it, man. Tell me about yourself, dude. Your audience knows about you, but I know a little bit about myself. And we can cut this out if like.

[B]

No, it's cool, though. Through the podcast, I've learned a lot about myself, dude.

[A]

Really?

[B]

I did not know myself before the show.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. A lot comes out when you're conversing with people on Just Life.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So I would.

[A]

What?

[B]

Just like, my health was at. I'm 27 right now.

[A]

Okay. I'm 30. Okay, cool. My.

[B]

I thought my health was good.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

It was terrible. Once I got some blood tests from Gary Breca.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Once I did some therapy. Once I did all these different healings he's been on.

[A]

Oh, Gary.

[B]

I told him he changed my life.

[A]

Yeah, that's dope.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All my levels on my.

[B]

Dude, get. Get his tests.

[A]

Dude. I need to get my viewership up because it's like, it's harder to get guests based off, like, obviously I have a good network, but it's like, only. I can only get so many people.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, what would you recommend? You already started with some bangers, so those are going to get good views, and you could leverage that to just get more guests.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. How many views are those at right now?

[A]

I think Dana just hit like, 7K. But, like, I only have 180 subs, so it's like 7K for me is huge.

[B]

You might have to run some paid ads behind it, but.

[A]

You think so?

[B]

I mean, I do it.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

In my head. Okay. I'll just tell you. I'm just. I'll just be honest. And, like, I like to create genuine relationships, so it's like I'm not taking a shot at all. If somebody has 11 million followers on the gram, you got to be like a. A list celebrity.

[B]

I don't know, because I've run into people with more than me and I don't even know them.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I feel like if you were like, 1, 2 million, it's all right. You can get away with it. But like, 11. It's like, you. I have to know who that is. But yeah, I mean, explain to me, like, how does that work? You did.

[B]

You've never heard of high Key cloud or those giveaway companies? Jordan?

[A]

I've never heard of that. No.

[B]

So basically, these celebrities post these iPhone giveaways or whatever. They give away Chanel bags.

[A]

Oh, I've seen that on, like, Scott Disick and like, yeah, Scott. Kim Kardashian has done it 100%.

[B]

So they're like, follow everyone I'm following.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So to get on that following list, you have to pay someone.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So you could do that and get millions of followers, but those are irrelevant because you want views and you want real fans.

[A]

Dope.

[B]

So what impresses me more than followers is like, engagement. Your engagement. What rank you are on Spotify.

[A]

So I haven't even started on Spotify yet.

[B]

Oh, you should start. Dude.

[A]

Bro, you gotta help me out.

[B]

You're not on Apple podcast yet.

[A]

Nothing What? I'm just doing straight YouTube, dude.

[B]

That's how you make money as a podcaster.

[A]

Yeah, but I'm not really doing this for the money. I'm just doing it because I just love.

[B]

So you would do it even if you lost money?

[A]

I'm doing it now, and I'm losing money.

[B]

Well, I lost money the first six months, but I wouldn't do that forever.

[A]

It's not my primary business. I'm in restaurant development.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So my first restaurant opens in, like, three weeks.

[B]

Restaurant's a tough space. I lost my ass on restaurants.

[A]

Like, buy. You buy the land you built. You develop the land, you build the restaurant, and then you operate the restaurant.

[B]

So it's like, oh, that's probably more safe.

[A]

That's like my bread and butter. At least, like, from. It's. My first one's. Opens in three weeks, so it's like, I can't even say it's my bread and butter. But podcasting is just something that I'm pat. Like, I just love this space. I watch podcast all day, bro. Like, literally glued to my phone or laptop. Yes. Like, watch, study consistently. Like, understanding what the culture is. Like, it's just like, I watch a.

[B]

Ton of shows, too.

[A]

Passion. It's my passion.

[B]

What are your top shows?

[A]

I don't really go based off of shows. It's more about the guests. But, like, if I were to name top shows, obviously Theo. Theo Vaughn, Jre. What's it called? Bad Friends.

[B]

Okay. Bobby Lee.

[A]

Bobby Lee and Santino.

[B]

You like the comedy ones?

[A]

Yeah, I like the more entertainment ones. Flagrant. I love a lot because it's, like, entertainment mixed with, like, informative.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it's like. And then I love Schultz. Like, he's just hilarious. Hilarious. So is Theo. Joe Rogan's obviously the goat when it comes to this. We all wish we could be him. He's a modern day Oprah, I like to call it.

[B]

He paved the road for all of us.

[A]

He's insane. Dude. Like, the guy. That dude. That's one guy. It's like I'm. I would be nervous to even, like, sit down with him ever, because, like, I'm like, he's so much smarter than me. I'm like, I look like an idiot.

[B]

I've had a couple of those guests where I felt really stupid.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. There's been a few.

[A]

Do you research your guests a lot or.

[B]

Yeah, you have to. I think it's kind of disrespectful if you don't know anything. You got to know at least a little bit. I mean, even though I do do a lot of reps, I got to find that BO months.

[A]

So it's like, let's say somebody calls you for like an immediate show.

[B]

I would research. No, but he DM me like, and we did it like within an hour. But I still researched for an hour.

[A]

Really?

[B]

But he was like, yo, I'll be there in like an hour.

[A]

You pay him?

[B]

No, why would I. I've never paid a guess. Why would I do that?

[A]

I wasn't sure.

[B]

People do that.

[A]

Some people do. I've never done it.

[B]

See, I don't.

[A]

Two guests, both of them are rich as and they don't need the money.

[B]

I don't ever want to do that. Because then they're just gonna. Word of mouth. Spread it and say, oh, this kid pays people to come on.

[A]

Yeah. 100. 100.

[B]

I don't know. You have.

[A]

You have a deal with poker girl.

[B]

Yeah, we filmed the celebrity poker tournament. After people get knocked out, they just come in here, hop on the pod, Fire. Yeah, fire. Fire.

[A]

I need to get a set up like this because it's super cool to like just have this here because it's super convenient. You can just like, boom.

[B]

Exactly. That's how I got hot to a girl last time. Got Dwight Howard, got a bunch of people. Al Jermaine Sterling.

[A]

That's dope.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

How do I get a. How can I be a part of this poker go?

[B]

I mean, I'll put you in touch, bro. I'm very giving with my network. I'm not closed off. As long as you're. You're good business and you don't scam and shit or. Yeah.

[A]

100.

[B]

I believe in karma, so.

[A]

Yeah, I did on the same way.

[B]

I do good business.

[A]

Other questions you have for me? No, brother.

[B]

Thanks for hopping on. I know it's kind of random, but.

[A]

I know we just met and we'll do.

[B]

We'll do a full episode one of these days where I prepare.

[A]

Dude, it's all good. Eventually it's going to come to the point and I'm pretty confident to where it's like you're going to want to do a full episode with me.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I already.

[A]

Out of friendship. Out of like, okay, like fuck. He's breaking barriers.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

I need to get him on.

[B]

I love it. We'll keep an eye on Noah, guys. We'll link your YouTube below.

[A]

Yeah, let's do it.

[B]

Perfect. Thanks for coming on.

[A]

Thanks for having me.

[B]

Peace.

[A]

Peace out.