Awkward and Proud: Marnie Nathanson Of The Social Status Co On How Embracing Your True Self Can Be Your Social Superpower
An interview with Dr. Bharat Sangani
No longer caring about being embarrassed is a superpower. I curse a lot (I’m working on it) and tell really embarrassing dad jokes (ew why do I do this) but honestly, whatever, I am who I am and you can take me or leave me. I’d like to be remembered one day as the girl who was damn good at every role she ever played, and she didn’t take herself (outside of work) too seriously.
In a world that often pressures us to fit in, embracing quirks and authenticity can become a unique advantage. Leaning into what makes you different, even if it feels awkward, can foster genuine connections and unlock personal empowerment. In this series, we would like to explore how embracing one’s true self can transform social interactions and become a powerful tool for building meaningful relationships. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Marnie Nathanson.
Marnie Nathanson is the Founder and CEO of The Social Status Co., a full-service 360 degree marketing agency. Millennial mom of Generation Alphas. Lover of dad jokes.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
Our company, The Social Status Co. was born out of a need/want to balance a love of creating content and being creative with the demands of being a new mom. I worked in the television industry at my dream job but was missing a lot of my first child’s life due to long hours and commuting into the city from NJ. 2015 was not a flexible time to be a working mom, and I didn’t want to miss out on the chapter of life I had dreamed about forever.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
My parents were my biggest cheerleaders in anything that I set my mind to do. My dad was my North Star in terms of business savvy and setting personal goals, but unfortunately we lost him in 2007 to brain cancer. My mom continues to champion everything that I do, even the things she doesn’t fully understand (#boomers) but is the ultimate wingwoman when it comes to a mother supporting a daughter.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
You just gotta keep it real. We are very transparent with our clients — everyone can smell BS. So, we’re honest when things are working, when they’re not, and when there needs to be a shift. Transparency is key.
We’re ballsy — We work in social media. Playing safe keeps you safe, and taking risks makes you go viral. We’re not afraid to get a crazy idea shot down, or do something to see where it lands. When we have clients who are willing to try new things, it’s just the best.
Trust — trust the team you are hiring. If you have an inkling of doubt in their abilities, they are not the right person. They represent you as a business owner and you as a company. You have to trust that they are representing everything you stand for, and can do the job the way you expect them to.
Ok, fantastic. Let’s now turn to the crux of our interview. Can you recall a moment when embracing your awkwardness led to a meaningful personal or professional breakthrough? What shifted for you in that experience?
I’ve always used humor as a way to deal with trauma. It makes hard conversations easier, it helps people feel more comfortable when discussing hard things, and it allows you to say what you want to say without the pressure of heavy air hanging over it. I’m turning 40 this March and felt a shift in the last year or so to just embrace my authentic self. I’ve found that the people who love you stay, and those not meant for this chapter of your life leave… and that’s ok.
Many people feel pressure to ‘fit in’ socially. What advice do you have for someone struggling to be their authentic self in a world that often rewards conformity?
This is a hard thing to learn — and I think it truly just comes with age. I think we all look back at middle school, high school, or even our early days as adults trying to make new friends and think about all the cringey things we did to try and fit in. Now as a mom, I’m hyper-aware of these moments in time and try to catch my kids and give them reality checks when I feel something is getting out of hand.
How do you think embracing your quirks and imperfections can enhance connections with others, especially in professional or high-pressure settings?
I think my confident yet quirky attitude and mood can diffuse stressful situations, or at least bring clients, coworkers and friends back down to earth in times of chaos. “Everything is figureoutable” (Marie Forleo) is just so true — not everything is fixable, but figureoutable. Like… we good? Is the world ending or did you just have a typo in a social media post? And if the world is ending, can we control it? No? Ok, so breathe….
What role does vulnerability play in transforming awkwardness into a superpower? Can you share a time when showing vulnerability opened doors or strengthened relationships?
I’ve had instances when someone has gone off on me, clearly in a state of emotion over something that has nothing to do with the current situation, and have had to break the ice by saying something jarring and dark to snap them out of it. Turns out, we’re all fighting dark demons and sometimes it comes out in ugly ways.
What are “5 Ways To Embrace Your True Self”?
1. No longer caring about being embarrassed is a superpower. I curse a lot (I’m working on it) and tell really embarrassing dad jokes (ew why do I do this) but honestly, whatever, I am who I am and you can take me or leave me. I’d like to be remembered one day as the girl who was damn good at every role she ever played, and she didn’t take herself (outside of work) too seriously.
2. What does “being weird” even mean anyway? That you like to break out in song and dance in Target? That you talk to your kids’ friends? Stop judging people and allowing people around you to gossip. It will make you feel so much better about yourself, and will make you a better person.
3. Have the anxiety attack — AND TALK ABOUT IT. I suffer from PTSD and high anxiety and I spiral often. I hid it for many years, but in time I learned that everyone suffers silently over things, and you need to find friends who can be there for you to embrace all of the good, the bad, the ugly, and the horrible things you Google to self diagnose.
4. Find a great partner — my husband is a saint and embraces all versions of me. When you find someone who can balance your mood, quirks, personality and keep you grounded, you are the luckiest.
5. Stop comparing yourself to others — sometimes the grass is greener because it’s fake. Full stop.
Do you believe that celebrating awkwardness can inspire innovation and creativity? How has staying true to yourself influenced your approach to problem-solving or leadership?
Learning to love yourself comes with age, self-discovery and life lessons. The only constant in this world is how you talk to yourself, how you talk to others, how you treat people, and how you are remembered. You have to put your head on your pillow every night being proud of how you took on the day. And always, ALWAYS send the weird meme at 2:00am. You never know how badly the person on the receiving side may need it.
How can our readers further follow your work?
Follow us at @thesocialstatusco // thesocialstatusco.com
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
This was fun, thank you! Stay weird, people.
About The Interviewer: Dr. Bharat Sangani is a cardiologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, practicing in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. In 1999, Dr. Sangani founded Encore Enterprises, a national real estate investment firm. Under his leadership, the company has executed transactions exceeding $2 billion, with a portfolio spanning residential, retail, hotel, and office developments. Known for his emphasis on integrity and fairness, Dr. Sangani has built Encore into a major player in the commercial real estate sector. Blending his medical and business expertise, Dr. Sangani created the Life is a Business mentorship program. The initiative offers guidance on achieving balance in health, wealth, and relationships, helping participants align personal and professional goals. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Sangani continues to practice cardiology while leading Encore Enterprises and mentoring others. His career reflects a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others thrive.
Awkward and Proud: Marnie Nathanson Of The Social Status Co On How Embracing Your True Self Can Be… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.