When you're considering career options, "you can't think about your whole life," says Tony Brown. Instead, consider a five-year path and prioritize working for a good boss because research shows that whether a person is engaged at work is due in large part to their manager. When job hunting, use your network. "Go talk to 10 really interesting people," Tony says. "You'll have a sense if they'll have you at the Xerox machine each day, or they'll actually going to care about your development." Guest Brandon Busteed agrees. He's the CEO of BrandEd, a company that provides education in partnership with premier brands like Sotheby's Institute of Art and The New York Times. Brandon suggests that when you do get an interview (and you will!) use your time to ask direct questions of your potential manager. What's their management style? How do they motivate teams? How often do they connect with staff? "That's your opportunity to assess whether you're talking to a rock star manager or not," he says.

At the Table with Tony is a series of conversations with Tony Brown, professor emeritus at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. Tony started the podcast while facing significant health challenges in order to nurture a generative, "grow together" friendship community with his many friends and former students. In Season 2, Tony is joined at the table by Duke senior Riley Reece.