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Scott Galloway
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Scott Galloway
Welcome to Office Hours of Prof. G. This is the part of the show where we answer your questions about business, big tech, entrepreneurship and whatever else is on your mind. If you'd like to submit a question for next time, you can send a voice recording to office hours of prophecymedia.com Again, that's officehoursofpropsymedia.com or post your question on the Scott Galloway subreddit and we just might feature it in our next episode. Question number one our first question comes from intrepidad1285 on Reddit. They say how and how much do you guys bet Sponsorships and how much do you think influencers should research sponsorships. So our primary consideration is really comes down to two things, Ka and Chang. It's not a severe vetting process, but it's pretty. It's pretty. It's really strange. Across the entire Prof. G universe we did some analysis. We only have 38 advertisers and then. And Prof. G is probably at this point across all our podcasts, probably a, I don't know, top line, $20 million business and it's only 38 advertisers. But it's pretty basic. The majority of the brands we recognize and it's like if it's Range Rover or Sachs or LinkedIn or Microsoft. Yeah, we like those companies and they're credible. The immediate red flags or the no shoes, no service you're out of here are one Crypto. Don't do crypto adsense. And that's not because I don't think there are certain well lit bright corners at crypto that probably I do think bitcoin's a tangible asset class right now. I made two crypto investments at exactly the right wrong time, I might add. I'm literally the definition of a retail investor that once crypto hits 120,000, I think, oh, I should get in. I think it closed at 85,000 today, but I wanted some exposure to it in case it goes to a million dollars. So I don't hate myself. But in general I find that crypto, the majority, 99% of the tokens are shitcoins and just speculation with no underlying cash flow or scarcity value. And I think they prey on young men. And that is one of the things that I think would really benefit a lot of young men is if they got out of the house and started making their own money and connected sacrifice and discipline and showing up and showering and putting on a tie or putting on a uniform and showing up 10 minutes early connected that to making money as opposed to believing. Seeing screenshots on Reddit of someone who made a bunch of money on ether cumrocket or some stupid fucking coin. I think in general gambling may be the next opiate cris and these things are consumption. They're fun. If you're having a good time, fine. But what I hate about them is people under the impression they're investing. Investing is generally the assumption you're going to make more money and you're going to hold onto it for the long term. And you're helping finance a company that will grow in value and you share in the cash flows of that company after it uses your capital to grow. That is not what crypto is. Unfortunately, that's not what most stock trading is right now. And we're turning into sort of this casino economy. Tyla Scanlon's done really good work on this, and I feel like it especially preys on the young, immature male brain. Six and seven gambling addicts are young men and also not young men men. It's also got the highest suicide rate because if you had a meth addiction, people would notice and move in. If you have a gambling addiction, you can spend your kid's college, fund your inheritance, mortgage your house, and nobody knows. And you feel as if there's no way out. So we don't do crypto. We don't take gaming ads, which would would be a substantial increase in our advertising revenues because these guys have a lot of money and are advertising freaking everywhere. We also don't if a financial services company pitches us, that's when we actually do some vetting. Like if Fidelity or Vanguard or Acorns, companies that I think are helping young people establish economic security want to advertise, we love those firms. What I don't like is some of these funds that take onerous fees and are basically just spinning investors and they're going to do really well, but the investor, him or herself, is not going to do well. So we've turned away some of the sketchier or stranger investment products that we can't validate. That's generally our approach to it. And what I do find is that if I talk about a brand a lot, they reach out because it's more fun to speak to something organically that you love. But the thing about host read overs is it's more authentic. And we get about $45 CPM. CPM cost per thousand. Get a thousand people listening to your podcast. An Advertiser will pay $45 for an ad that reaches those thousand people. And it's because when you hear my voice, you're less likely to skip the ad and you're more likely to believe I like the product. And I do like the product. I've had an American express card for 40 years. I've had a black card for 30 years because it makes me feel important. It's basically a platinum card sprayed black, that I pay $5,000 a year. But I think it signals my worth as an investor and a mate. Isn't that pathetic? Isn't that pathetic? And it works. And it works. Anyways, Amex is a sponsor, but it's pretty easy to make a judgment call. Most of our brands are big brands or tech brands and say yes, occasionally something's weird or do a little bit of diligence. But I do think, I don't know if you have a marginal or moral obligation. Look, it's a capitalist society. If people want to spend money on your pod, fine, and it's legal. But I don't want to be seen as spending a ton of time talking about the struggles of young men and then endorsing products and mendacious fucks. I like public.com, they don't pay for order flow. I find them more responsible. And I think Robinhood are, what's the term? Mendacious. Fox basically spinning young men into trading every day and 95% of day traders end up with less money. So I do have some personal peccadillas or biases, but basically at the end of every show we run through advertisers who have approached us, new advertisers, and we decide thumbs up, thumbs down, and I would say 2/3 thumbs up, but a third are thumbs down. Thanks so much for the question. Question number two. Justin from la.
Listener/Caller
Hey, Prof. G. My girlfriend has been lucky enough to have worked consistently in Hollywood for the last 10 years. But this past year, many filming jobs in Los Angeles have begun to dry up and she has found herself out of the job for the longest period of her career. The city and state are trying various incentives to get filming back, but after listening to your insights on the future of Hollywood, I've become more convinced that Hollywood will not return to the level of its former glory. I've been trying my best not to sound too alarmist about her industry, but I've also been hinting that she may need to consider a more steady work arrangement if these gaps become longer and longer. She loves the industry and leaving it fills her with trepidation. As someone who has rebuilt himself more than once. I'm wondering what advice you have for someone that not only has to rebuild themselves, but also has to reinvent themselves and their career. What suggestions do you have for someone going through the biggest pivot of their life? Love the work you do. Keep on rocking. Justin in la.
Scott Galloway
Oh, Justin, this is a tough one. And content production, the spending is actually level. It hasn't gone up, it's level globally. The problem is it's essentially flowing downwards from a big screen to a medium sized screen and tv, but mostly to a mobile screen. So what I tell young people is the return on your investment, financial and human capital is inversely correlated to the size of the screen. If you're in the biggest business of trying to make content on a big screen, you're fucked. So look, your industry is in or her industry is in structural decline or malaise. And then to add insult to injury, Los Angeles is really struggling. And Los Angeles has been struggling for about a decade because the cost of production there is just more expensive and they don't have the tax credits. Now Governor Newsom attempted to supersize it, I think with an additional $750 million. But when you look across the size of the business and the economy in the California, he didn't really supersize it. He just added, I don't know, would you like fries with that? But he didn't supersize it. And I'm in the midst of producing a series on big tech based on my first book, the Four with Netflix. And if we most likely, I would imagine will start shooting or when we get to production in New Jersey, because New Jersey has offered these enormous tax credits where you get about 30% of your top line back and California is nowhere near that. Georgia has them, Canada has them. You know, there's big, you know, these nations put in place big tax credits to try and attract the people who will then spend money on catering and costume design and go to the restaurants and stay at the hotels. There's. So I think that being in your industry in la, I'm outlining all the reasons why she's struggling, which doesn't help in terms of what to do next. So there's a couple things. Is there a geographic arbitrage? Would she be better being somewhere else if she's already ready to travel? I don't know if you have kids, but she might have to. I'm good friends with an actor who's killing it right now and has been in a bunch of the top movies and he's in Budapest and then he was in LA last week and then he's doing all sorts of stuff all over the world. And he's geographically flexible. He just kind of goes where the work is, where the money is. The standard for what you do next is one, you look at your skills and think, where would my skills be applicable? Somewhere else. If she's in charge of. I don't know if she does scout location, the people who come. I've had my place rented for movies a couple times. And a team shows up and figures out if it's the right place. If you're in charge, if you're a line producer or someone. Line producers, in the long term, the person who actually makes this shit happen, they filmed Westworld on my block in Soho. And I thought, whoever's organizing this would be a great event planner. Do you have organizational skills? Ability to recognize talent, manage a bunch of vendors? Okay, have you considered saying to your next friend who has a wedding, I would like to plan your wedding. What are you doing? You know there's going to be more and more money in event planning. I just came up with this. I really like this because people are now recognizing that experiences matter more than things. Rich people have a lot of money and when they throw their kids bat mitzvah, they're not spending 20 grand, they're spending 80 grand. So that's just an example. I'm not suggesting she should be an event planner, but sit down and write down what are the skills required to do what she does in Hollywood? And then just take the term Hollywood out and say, where might these skills also be? Also be applicable? Also be open to asking for help, and that is reach out to a bunch of people in the industry, or better yet, people who were in the industry and made the successful transition out. If she's looking to get out. The other thing is if she's decided, look, ride or die, I'm staying in LA for whatever reason, maybe you have a good job there, maybe her family's there. I would say that the best way to get a job is to be as social as possible. And that is to go out and be as social and meet people. Tell them you're looking for work, be aggressive. I think a lot of times people in certain industries are used to people calling them and having a certain amount of demand. Get off your heels, onto your toes, be more social, be out, be networking. Think about where your skills might be applicable in other industries and just take off all preconceived notions of what's prestige and what isn't. Just what would your skills lend themselves well and to another industry. Be incredibly social and tell people you're you're looking for work. Also, don't be too hard on yourself. The worst thing that can happen is you get paralyzed and don't do anything and just kind of like mope around and then some basics every night. Put together a list of the 35 things you're going to do every day. Success is a series of small acts of discipline done every day. But we all go through this. When I first moved to New York, I just had no fucking idea what to do with my life. I had thought I was going to be rich because my company had gone public. Then I went out of business and I'm like, oh, wait, I'm not rich. And so every day, though, I try to say, okay, I'm going to get out of the house, I'm going to meet people, I'm going to try and make some progress. Don't be a snob. You're not above other industries or doing something else. And forgive yourself every day. Small series of actions where do your skills apply? Somewhere else. And just be very aggressive and realize that this is an economy now. That is for in that industry. That is for hustlers and people out calling people and trying to get meetings. Sorry I can't be more prescriptive and more helpful here. I think that industry is going through a pretty serious shift. Pretty serious shift. Anyways, thanks for the question. We'll be right back after a quick break.
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Scott Galloway
Welcome back. Our final question is from Jeff who emailed us. Jeff writes, hey Scott, in your new book, you suggest we periodically Audit our health, nutrition, money and friendships. On most fronts, I'm doing great. I'm a mid-30s male who exercises daily, eats clean, and can comfortably pay for the rent of my Brooklyn apartment. That said, I'm struggling to build new relationships with people who really challenge and inspire me. I've tried volunteer groups, sports leagues and creative communities here in New York City. These endeavors are all meaningful, but haven't led to those uniquely stimulating relationships. Any suggestions on how to expand your network of friends in an authentic, non transactional way, especially in a city? Thank you for all of your work. So the first thought I had, the fact you're even thinking this way means you're going to be fine. It's the kid or the person who just always makes excuse, has an immediate autoimmune reaction to stay at home and not be aggressive. I went out and met friends last night, this guy who's this magnificently successful guy and his lovely wife. And I have to force myself to do that because I'd rather just stay at home at this point in my life. I'd rather just sit around and wait for the ask answer. Also give some friendships a chance to marinate. Sometimes people when I feel that inspiring up front, but maybe they have a different friend network. But like what, what is the key to friendships? It's sort of ubiquity and getting out and being open. Also, I met this guy, I'm getting these PRP shots in my shoulders and the orthopedic surgeon who's been doing it, I said to him, I said, hey. I actually asked him, I said, are you single? He's literally like this handsome doctor, right? And I think he said yes. And I thought, oh my God, I know so many women that I would like to set you up with. Let's get together sometime and I'll maybe if you're up to it, I'd like to set you up because I'm constantly hearing from women. Do you know any guys or economically and emotionally viable guys, I should say. And he's reached out to me a couple times and said, hey, do you want to go to a hockey game or something? And I so much respect that because he's about, I think he's about 20 years younger than me. He's like this young doctor who's just killing it and he wants to hang out. And when I was his age, I didn't have the confidence to just text people and say, let's hang out. And I really want to hang out with this guy. He lives in New York. I live in London, but I'm looking forward to seeing him and hanging out. My friend was in town last night. We're very good about staying in touch or we're new friends, but but I wouldn't be afraid to just be like, hey man, like I said a couple times I've said to people, guys, after dinner, I'm like, I feel a really great vibe with you. I'd love to hang. And most men aren't comfortable saying that. And so I would be willing to express like, hey, let's get together. I do a lot of mandates. I go out with men a lot. And that is, I'll just say, hey, let's grab dinner and go out. But the fact you're getting out, the fact you're even thinking about this, I get the feeling you're just tracking the fact that you don't find these relationships that inspiring or that interesting. What I would say is to anybody who meets somebody and there's not sparks right away, it's like, give it a second coffee and never know how it might develop. But just the fact you're thinking this way means you're going to be fine. And also just the key to all of this is touching grass. What I mean by that? Getting out of your house, getting in the presence of strangers, being open, being friendly. And at least twice a week, whether it's a church group writing class, nonprofit sports league, whatever it is, and just being very open to meeting people and follow up and express interest in friendship. But I don't know, boss. I get the sense, like you should be mentoring me. I think you're going to be just fine. Thanks for the question. That's all for this episode. If you'd like to submit a question, please email a voice recording to office hours of prophetomedia.com again, that's officehoursopropertymedia.com or if you prefer to ask on Reddit, just post your question on the Scott Galloway subreddit and we just might feature it in an upcoming episode. This episode was produced by Jennifer Sanchez. Our assistant producer is Laura Gennaire. Drew Burrows is our technical director. Thank you for listening to the prophecy pod from PropG Media.
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Podcast Summary: The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway (Office Hours)
Episode: How We Vet Sponsors, Hollywood’s Decline, and Building Adult Friendships
Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Scott Galloway (Prof G)
Network: Vox Media Podcast Network
In this Office Hours edition of The Prof G Pod, Scott Galloway answers listener questions spanning the ethics and process of sponsorship vetting, the structural changes and struggles in Hollywood, and how to forge deep, meaningful friendships as an adult. Scott offers his signature blend of business acumen, unfiltered advice, and personal anecdotes throughout.
Selection Criteria and Process
Brands They Accept vs. Decline
Personal Biases and Ethical Considerations
Memorable Moments & Quotes
Vetting Process in Practice
Listener Question: Justin from LA asks for advice on how his girlfriend (a 10-year Hollywood veteran) can weather the storm as industry jobs dry up.
Industry Analysis & Trends
Advice for Reinvention
Actionable Steps
Memorable Quotes
Listener Question: Jeff (mid-30s, Brooklyn) seeks advice on creating deeper, more inspiring relationships, despite efforts in groups and communities.
Scott’s Reflections & Tips
Actionable Advice
Encouragement
Memorable Story
The episode showcases Scott’s candid, humorous, and unapologetically direct tone, balancing business realism with empathy and actionable self-improvement.
He weaves in personal failures and successes, making complex industry shifts relatable and practical.
For listeners seeking pragmatic life advice, industry trends, and candid reflections on relationships—with a dose of humor and grit—this episode is a must.