Boosted

Boost Academy of Excellence
  • 5.0 (10)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Boosted transforms professionals into leaders through real workplace scenarios, modern etiquette, and communication strategies. Host Trina Boos, former recruitment CEO and Boost Academy of Excellence founder, reveals the unwritten rules of professional success nobody teaches you. From business dining disasters to generational communication gaps, get actionable insights to advance your career. Technical skills get you hired, but professional presence gets you promoted.

  1. Professional Ghosting Is Damaging Your Reputation More Than You Realize

    3D AGO

    Professional Ghosting Is Damaging Your Reputation More Than You Realize

    Have you ever sent a carefully crafted proposal, followed up with a warm message, then a phone call, then one more thoughtful note - and heard absolutely nothing back? Or reconnected with someone at a conference who seemed genuinely excited to work with you, only to be met with complete silence the moment you followed up? Professional ghosting is one of those behaviours that affects almost everyone in professional life, and yet it rarely gets examined with the honesty and nuance it deserves. Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories. In this episode, Trina shares the story of an HR leader who approached her at a conference with such enthusiasm she nearly dropped the business card being thrust into her hand. "We have to connect. This is exactly what my organization needs." Trina returned to her office energized, followed up warmly, and heard nothing. Weeks turned into months. It is a story most professionals will recognize immediately, and it is what prompted her to bring this topic to you directly. Here is the thing: most people who ghost significantly underestimate the ripple effect of their silence. The person on the other end is not just waiting for an answer. They are in limbo, replaying the conversation, unable to move forward. And a lot of professional ghosting comes down to one thing: nobody taught us how to deliver difficult news gracefully. Trina breaks down the real skill gap behind ghosting, shares simple phrases that make closing the loop easier than you think, and walks you through exactly what to do when you are the one being ghosted. This episode is essential for professionals who want to build a reputation for integrity and clear communication, leaders who set the tone for how their teams follow up with candidates and collaborators, or anyone who has ever felt the sting of being left without an answer. New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart. Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com). Music by: In the City Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)

    11 min
  2. The Meeting Transparency Rule Most Professionals Break (And How It's Costing Them)

    APR 23

    The Meeting Transparency Rule Most Professionals Break (And How It's Costing Them)

    Have you ever joined what you thought was a casual networking call, only to find yourself suddenly facing a panel of executives you weren't expecting? Or reconnected with someone over coffee, only to realize later that the "friendly catch-up" was actually competitive intelligence gathering? Meeting transparency is one of those professional etiquette rules nobody explicitly teaches you, and yet breaking it can cost you relationships you spent years building. Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories. In this episode, Trina shares the story of a consultant who accepted what was described as a friendly networking call, only to be ambushed by three executives conducting an unpaid consulting session. No warning. No context. Just an immediate and irreversible erosion of trust. Trina experienced almost the exact same thing recently, and it is what prompted her to bring this topic to you directly. Here is the thing: these transparency violations rarely feel like a big deal to the person doing them. A last minute surprise guest. A social call disguised as a business meeting. A casual reconnection that turns out to be competitive intelligence gathering. But on the receiving end, the damage is instant. And word travels fast. Trina breaks down five practical principles for protecting your professional relationships, and shares exactly what to say if you ever find yourself on the receiving end of an ambush meeting. This episode is essential for professionals who want to build sustainable networks based on mutual respect, leaders setting the tone for how their team conducts meetings, or anyone who has ever felt misled by a meeting that turned out to be something entirely different. New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart. Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com). Music by: In the City Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)

    10 min
  3. Athletic Shorts at a Networking Event: What Professional Presence Really Means

    APR 9

    Athletic Shorts at a Networking Event: What Professional Presence Really Means

    Have you ever sized someone up based on what they were wearing before they even opened their mouth? Or felt out of place at a professional event because your appearance didn't match the room? Professional presence is one of the most talked about career skills, and yet most people are only thinking about a fraction of what it actually means. Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories. In this episode, Trina shares a moment from a packed networking event where a man in athletic shorts, a fitted t-shirt, and running shoes was commanding the attention of an entire room full of suited professionals. Her first instinct was to question his choice. But as she watched people gravitate toward him, she realized he understood professional presence better than almost anyone else there. He turned out to be the owner of a successful chiropractic and physiotherapy clinic, and his appearance wasn't careless. It was completely intentional, perfectly aligned with his professional identity, and reinforcing his expertise before he said a single word. Here's the thing: most professionals think professional presence is about following a dress code. But it goes so much deeper than that. Trina breaks down the three pillars of professional image, appearance, words, and actions, and explains why all three need to align authentically with who you are and what you do. Research shows that professionals who cultivate their image consistently earn 20% more than their peers. And with so many companies calling people back to the office, presence now needs to translate across every setting, in person, on video calls, and at networking events. This episode is essential for professionals navigating the return to office, anyone who has ever felt unsure about how to show up authentically in professional settings, or leaders who want to build a reputation that opens doors before they even speak. New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart. Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com). Music by: In the City Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)

    12 min
  4. Are Blanket Device Bans Necessary in Meetings? (A Nuanced Approach to Device Etiquette)

    MAR 26

    Are Blanket Device Bans Necessary in Meetings? (A Nuanced Approach to Device Etiquette)

    Have you ever checked your phone during a meeting and watched the speaker's energy completely shift? Or felt dismissed when someone glanced at their screen while you were presenting? As companies mandate returns to the office, they're confronting technology habits we developed during remote work - and some, like JP Morgan's Jamie Dimon, are responding with complete device bans. Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories. In this episode, Trina shares a moment she's still embarrassed about years later. During a strategy meeting, mid-presentation, she reached for her phone - just for a second, just to check one thing. When she looked up, she watched her employee's shoulders drop and her voice lose confidence. That split second communicated a message Trina never intended: "What's on my screen is more important than what you're saying." The impact was devastating, even though her intention was innocent. Here's the thing: Jamie Dimon's blanket ban on devices addresses a real problem - research shows we check our phones every 37 minutes, guaranteeing disruption in every meeting. But one-size-fits-all policies miss something crucial: context matters, and professional judgment matters even more. Trina shares the three-meeting framework she developed at her former recruitment agency, where device policies were intentionally different for status meetings (laptops open), strategy sessions (devices away), and team building (intentional tech use). She also reveals the simple equation that helps professionals navigate device etiquette regardless of company policy: Purpose + Expectations = Protocol. This episode is essential for professionals returning to in-person work, leaders setting team norms around technology, or anyone who wants to build a reputation as someone who shows up fully present - the kind of person who gets promoted. New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart. Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com). Music by: In the City Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)

    10 min
  5. Café Etiquette for Remote Workers

    MAR 12

    Café Etiquette for Remote Workers

    Have you ever felt uncomfortable when someone treats a café like their private office? Or worried that your work calls might be disrupting the people around you? Remote work has given us incredible flexibility - but it's also created situations we're all still learning to navigate.  Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.  In this episode, Trina witnesses an uncomfortable moment unfold in real-time. While reading Emily Post's book on business etiquette, she watched a woman conduct a loud business call in a crowded café - speaking as if the space was her private office. When a polite elderly gentleman asked if she could speak more softly so he could hear his wife, the woman's response shocked everyone: she stood up, still on her call, and yelled at him for interrupting her meeting. The gentleman returned to his table visibly shaken, and the entire café atmosphere shifted.  Here's the thing: that woman was probably stressed, overwhelmed, or having a difficult day. We've all been there. But this moment revealed something bigger - we're all still figuring out how to work from public spaces respectfully. The good news? Being a productive remote worker and a considerate café guest aren'tmutually exclusive. Trina shares nine guidelines across three categories that help her navigate café work with confidence: managing noise and space, supporting the business, and respecting fellow café-goers.  This episode is essential for remote workers who use cafés as workspaces, anyone navigating the etiquette of public working environments, or professionals who want to be more thoughtful about shared spaces.  New episodes every other Thursday.  Subscribe and discover how considerate workplace habits benefit everyone - including you.  Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).  Music by: In the City  Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)

    8 min
  6. Small Talk at Work Isn't Small: Real Stories That Prove It

    FEB 26

    Small Talk at Work Isn't Small: Real Stories That Prove It

    Have you ever avoided small talk because it felt awkward or superficial? What if that discomfort is costing you career opportunities, meaningful connections, and life-changing moments? One simple conversation in a coffee shop line landed a consultant her biggest client of the year. A curious "Why do you ask?" launched a 25-year tech career. And a comment about a ceramic figurine helped two people find love.  Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.  In this episode, Trina shares three powerful stories that prove small talk at work isn't small at all. After being laid off in the late 90s, one professional struck up a conversation with a stranger at an event. His willingness to engage—and his follow-up question "Why do you ask?"—completely changed his career trajectory. Trina's late father noticed a woman holding a large ceramic figurine during a business trip stopover. That simple observation led to an introduction that resulted in wedding bells six months later. And a marketing consultant almost stayed quiet in a coffee shop line when someone commented on her busy day—but her two-minute response landed her biggest client of the year.  Here's the truth: many of us have a complicated relationship with small talk. Even seasoned CEOs who can command boardrooms feel awkward making elevator conversation. We worry about being disingenuous or wonder why we're talking about the weather. But small talk isn't about the weather—it's about signaling openness and creating low-stakes opportunities for connection. That discomfort you feel? That's just the vulnerability of reaching out to another human being. And that vulnerability is what makes the connection real. Trina shares five practical approaches to make small talk feel natural, from starting with observations to remembering it doesn't have to be perfect.  This episode is essential for anyone who finds small talk challenging, wants to build authentic professional connections, or is missing opportunities because they're staying quiet in those in-between moments.  New episodes every other Thursday.  Subscribe and discover how genuine curiosity and brief conversations can transform your career and life.  Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).  Music by: In the City  Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)

    12 min
  7. The Interview That Made Me Cry (And What It Taught Me About Etiquette)

    FEB 12

    The Interview That Made Me Cry (And What It Taught Me About Etiquette)

    Have you ever wondered what really happens in the moments before your interview even begins? The truth might surprise you - and it could be costing you opportunities. Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories. In this episode, Trina shares three unforgettable interview stories from her years as a recruitment agency CEO - including the one that made her cry. There's the Senior Art Director who erupted into a profanity-laden tirade over standard paperwork, forcing Trina to leave the room as a shaken junior recruiter. The highly qualified creative professional who put his feet on her desk after being dismissive to office staff. And the promising PR candidate whose constant Apple Watch checking completely derailed what should have been a successful interview. But not all stories involve disasters. Trina also shares the executive whose thoughtful gesture of gratitude - a personal visit with a handwritten card - still touches her years later. His response demonstrates what professional etiquette is really about: showing others that they matter. Your interview begins the moment you enter the building and ends the moment you leave. Every interaction, every gesture, every moment of impatience or courtesy is being noticed and evaluated. Trina reveals the practical lessons from each story - from silencing notifications to treating everyone with respect - that will transform how you prepare for interviews. This episode is essential for anyone preparing for job interviews, early in their career, or wanting to understand what recruiters actually notice during the hiring process. New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how professional etiquette can transform your career opportunities. Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com). Music by: In the City Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)

    10 min
  8. What the "Luddite Club" Teaches Us About Standing Out at Work

    JAN 29

    What the "Luddite Club" Teaches Us About Standing Out at Work

    Have you ever checked your phone while someone was talking to you, only to realize you missed what they said? That split-second choice is shaping your career in ways you might not expect. Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories. In this episode, Trina shares a surprising story: her husband traded his smartphone for a flip phone, and the transformation was remarkable. More present in conversations, more engaged at work, genuinely more relaxed. When she shared his story, she discovered an entire movement of Brooklyn Gen Z youth doing the exact same thing - they call themselves "Luddites." Logan Lane started the Luddite Club in 2019, gathering with like-minded teens in Prospect Park every Sunday to read, sketch, and connect face-to-face without digital distractions. What began as a small rebellion has spread to colleges across the United States. These Gen Z students recognized something profound: when we're constantly performing for an online audience, we lose the ability to be genuinely present with people right in front of us. And in workplaces where most people are half-present, constantly checking notifications and multitasking through meetings, the person who shows up fully engaged becomes immediately noticeable. Trina reveals two concrete Luddite-inspired practices you can implement immediately to build the reputation and relationships that lead to promotions. This episode is essential for anyone who's ever felt enslaved by their phone, struggled to stay focused in meetings, or wants to stand out in a distracted workplace. New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how simple presence strategies can transform your professional relationships. Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com). Music by: In the City Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)

    9 min
See All (16)

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Boosted transforms professionals into leaders through real workplace scenarios, modern etiquette, and communication strategies. Host Trina Boos, former recruitment CEO and Boost Academy of Excellence founder, reveals the unwritten rules of professional success nobody teaches you. From business dining disasters to generational communication gaps, get actionable insights to advance your career. Technical skills get you hired, but professional presence gets you promoted.

Information

  • Creator
    Boost Academy of Excellence
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Boost Academy of Excellence
  • Show Website
    Boosted

You Might Also Like