Why Anointment Decides Who Really Rises, with Toby Stuart

Why Anointment Decides Who Really Rises, with Toby Stuart

Author: Guy Kawasaki January 7, 2026 Duration: 51:58

What if success depends less on merit and more on the quiet transfer of status? In this episode, Guy Kawasaki interviews Toby Stuart, UC Berkeley Haas professor and leading expert on innovation and social networks, to break open the unseen systems that shape who rises and why.

Drawing from his new book Anointed, Toby explains how institutions — universities, investors, employers — confer credibility in ways that compound over a lifetime. He and Guy explore Silicon Valley myths, reverse anointment, and why AI may both democratize and distort fairness.

A sharp, eye-opening look at achievement, status, and the stories we tell ourselves about merit.

---

Guy Kawasaki is on a mission to make you remarkable. His Remarkable People podcast features interviews with remarkable people such as Jane Goodall, Marc Benioff, Woz, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Bob Cialdini. Every episode will make you more remarkable.

With his decades of experience in Silicon Valley as a Venture Capitalist and advisor to the top entrepreneurs in the world, Guy’s questions come from a place of curiosity and passion for technology, start-ups, entrepreneurship, and marketing. If you love society and culture, documentaries, and business podcasts, take a second to follow Remarkable People.

Listeners of the Remarkable People podcast will learn from some of the most successful people in the world with practical tips and inspiring stories that will help you be more remarkable.

Episodes of Remarkable People organized by topic: https://bit.ly/rptopology

Listen to Remarkable People here: **https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guy-kawasakis-remarkable-people/id1483081827**

Like this show? Please leave us a review -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Thank you for your support; it helps the show!


What does it take to lead a life that stands out? That’s the central thread running through Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People. Hosted by the seasoned Silicon Valley veteran and author Guy Kawasaki, this podcast sits at the intersection of society, business, culture, and education. Each conversation is less a formal interview and more a deep dive into the minds of individuals who have genuinely changed their fields. You’ll hear from primatologist Jane Goodall, Salesforce founder Marc Benioff, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi, and influence expert Robert Cialdini, among many others. Kawasaki’s approach is the key. He draws on his own decades as a venture capitalist and advisor, but he leaves the jargon at the door. His questions stem from a genuine curiosity and a passion for how things work, leading to discussions that are both insightful and surprisingly accessible. The goal isn’t just to recount successes, but to unpack the habits, setbacks, and pivotal moments that define a remarkable journey. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a series of private, candid mentorships. You’re not just learning about technology or business strategies; you’re absorbing lessons on resilience, creativity, and the human elements that drive lasting impact. Each episode offers a new perspective, challenging you to consider how you might apply a spark of that remarkable thinking to your own path.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People
Podcast Episodes
Why Women Are Rewriting the Rules of the Economy with Misty Heggeness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:43
What happens when you look at the economy through the lens of Taylor Swift—and realize it was never built with women in mind? In this episode, economist Misty Heggeness unpacks how women are reshaping economic systems by…
What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong About Success with Eric Ries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:57
What happens when the author of The Lean Startup starts questioning the very system that built Silicon Valley? In this episode of Remarkable People, Eric Ries joins Guy Kawasaki to unpack the ideas behind his new book, I…
How to Restart Your Creativity with Julia Cameron [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:38
This spring, we’re revisiting a transformative conversation with Julia Cameron, the bestselling author who helped millions reconnect with their creativity.In this episode, Julia shares her approach to creative renewal—fr…
Why Small Conversations Create Big Happiness with Nicholas Epley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:48
Why do we avoid talking to strangers when it could actually make our lives better? Nicholas Epley, behavioral scientist at the University of Chicago, explains why we consistently underestimate how positive social interac…
Inside the Lens of a White House Photographer with Pete Souza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
What does it really look like when history unfolds a few feet in front of you? Pete Souza spent years inside the White House capturing presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama—not as symbols, but as human beings making…
How to Experience More Meaning in Your Life with Dave Evans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:58
What if you’re chasing the wrong kind of meaning? Dave Evans—Stanford educator, Apple pioneer, and co-author of How to Live a Meaningful Life—returns to challenge how we think about purpose. Instead of answering the abst…
Why Listening Unlocks Deeper Human Connection with Haru Yamada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:27
What if you’ve been listening wrong your entire life? Haru Yamada, social linguist and author of Kiku: The Japanese Art of Good Listening, reveals why listening is far more complex—and powerful—than we think. From losing…
Earth Day with Jane Goodall: A Life, A Legacy, A Call to Act [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
This Earth Day, we revisit a remarkable conversation with Jane Goodall—both a timely call to action and a reflection on a life that reshaped how we see animals, nature, and ourselves.From her groundbreaking discoveries w…