The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

Episode: Choosing Between Career and Family, Scott’s Best Relationship Advice, and Being a Dad
Date: September 5, 2025

Overview

In this special Office Hours compilation episode, Scott Galloway addresses listeners' complex questions about relationships—focusing on the competing pulls of career and family, building healthy romantic partnerships, and navigating the evolving role of fatherhood. The episode is notable for its practical, at times raw advice, real-world anecdotes, and Scott's willingness to examine vulnerability and masculinity in the modern world.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Career Ambition vs. Family Roots

Listener: Connor (31, Lead Software Engineer, Raleigh)
Timestamp: 01:52–05:57

• Connor’s Dilemma: He’s considering a move to Seattle for better in-office work experience, increased happiness, and career advancement, but worries about leaving his three-year-old niece and recovering twin brother in North Carolina.

• Scott’s Advice:

  • Recognizes Connor’s conscientiousness and relationships as “role model” behavior.
  • Stresses the importance of economic and emotional growth through new experiences and changing environments.
  • Assures Connor that family bonds can be maintained with effort (FaceTime, frequent visits).
  • Encourages ambitious, talented young people to seek in-office work for career progression and deeper connections.
  • Notes that nieces and family would want him to pursue fulfillment and success, and that such moves are often, in hindsight, “the right move” even if not perfect.

  Memorable Quote:

  "Anyone who's ambitious, young and talented should be in the office. You're gonna make more money in the office. You're gonna make deeper relationships. You're much more likely to get promoted."
  —Scott (04:36)

  Memorable Moment:
  Scott imagines what Connor’s niece would want for him at 25:

  “What I wish was that he was incredibly happy… that he was doing what built economic security for him and his family… and you're still going to be able to be an outstanding uncle, which it sounds like you are.”
  —Scott (05:34)

2. Building and Sustaining Romantic Partnerships

Listener: Patrick (28, UK)
Timestamp: 05:57–10:26

• Patrick’s Question: Inspired by Scott’s past comments on discussing goals with a partner, Patrick asks for a framework for these conversations, especially early on.

• Scott’s Advice:

  • Praises Patrick’s intentionality and thoughtfulness in relationships.
  • Shares his signature “three rules” for partnerships:
    1. Put the scorecard away: Focus on being the partner you want to be, without expecting tit-for-tat exchanges.
       • “If you're on the plus side, if you're offering more than your partner is, you win. That's great. That surplus value… is one of the key metrics to masculinity.” (07:27)
    2. Express physical desire: Maintain affection and intimacy to affirm the romantic nature of the relationship.
       • “Anytime you want to hold her hand, you want to lie on top of her and express affection while you're watching TV… that's what you're supposed to be doing.” (08:26)
    3. Never let your partner be hungry or cold: Attend to the basics—many fights have roots in discomfort or hunger; always carry a snack or scarf.
  • Suggests annual or five-year goal-setting talks make more sense in stable, long-term relationships, but “giving witness to their life” and admiration should start early.
  • Cites Mel Robbins’ principle: Consideration and admiration are essential; go out of your way to show you care and appreciate your partner.

  Memorable Quote:

  “Most men do not think this way. I think you’re, like, in the top 1% of boyfriends.”
  —Scott (10:14)

  Notable Advice:
  “Recognize that you’ll likely naturally inflate your own contributions and diminish theirs… if you keep score, you end up frustrated and anxious.”
  —Scott (07:54)

3. Fatherhood and the “Debtor” Stage

Listener: Colin (Father of two, Canada)
Timestamp: 13:54–18:52

• Colin’s Challenge: Navigating the shift as his children (12 & 16) become more independent. He feels like a “debtor” in the relationship, giving a lot, getting little engagement in return.

• Scott’s Insights:

  • Normalizes Colin’s experience (“said every dad anywhere”).
  • Discusses masculinity and rites of passage, citing Richard Reeves’ concept of “surplus value”—the moral shift from being a net consumer of value to a contributor.
  • Admits that as fathers, men often give more than they get, and that this imbalance is both necessary and rewarding.
  • Shares personal anecdotes: his efforts to connect with his sons (calls at 9 pm, working out together, getting involved in their interests) often elicit minimal response, or even direct “What?” when calling.
  • Rejects the idea of “quality time”—instead, advises maximizing “garbage time” (unstructured, everyday moments that foster openness).
  • Stresses embracing what children are interested in, even if it’s outside the parent’s comfort.
  • Concludes with a candid reflection: taking blows, persisting, and adding value “because we're men, and that's what men do.”

  Memorable Quotes:

  “I hate the notion of 'quality time'. I think that was invented by men who don't spend a lot of time with their kids to feel better about themselves. There's no such thing.”
  —Scott (18:31)

  “At the end of the day, what they're going to remember… is that you were there.”
  —Scott (18:48)

  Powerfully candid moment about sons’ detachment:

  “My youngest, sometimes when he picks up the phone… literally picks up the phone like this: ‘What?’”
  —Scott (18:26, reference to Colin’s earlier words)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Can you be my Uncle Connor? You sound like such a thoughtful, impressive young man.” —Scott (03:36)
• “You’re definitely a role model for other men and people around you.” —Scott (03:52)
• “Put the scorecard away… decide what kind of boyfriend, husband, lover you want to be and just be that person and stop thinking, ‘Well, her parents were in town and I was really nice to them, so when my mom comes to town, she needs to be really nice.’” —Scott (07:10)
• “Always have a pashmina and a power bar wherever you are.” —Scott (08:53)
• “I think at the end of the day, the best advice I can give any father is just time… Try and find as much garbage time with your kids as possible.” —Scott (18:29)

Summary Table of Major Segments

| Segment | Listener/Topic | Timestamp | Key Points | |--------------------------|------------------|-------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Career vs. Family | Connor | 01:52–05:57 | Move for growth, maintain family via technology | | Partnership Advice | Patrick | 05:57–10:26 | No scorekeeping, show affection, meet basic needs | | Fatherhood as Giving | Colin | 13:54–18:52 | Accept ‘debtor’ stage, maximize time, share interests |

Tone and Language

Scott maintains a conversational, sometimes humorous and irreverent tone, but is also deeply empathetic, direct, and honest. There is a balance of practical advice, personal experience, and recognition of every listener’s unique situation.

Conclusion

This episode is a candid exploration of how to reconcile ambition with relationships—be they familial, romantic, or parental. Scott advises listeners to embrace change, act intentionally in relationships, and accept the imbalance inherent in parenting. True connection, he argues, lies in showing up, giving more than you get, and embracing both the messiness and joy of human bonds.