BNI San Diego Podcast

We’re halfway through 2026. The question is: Are you getting everything you should be getting from your BNI membership? In this special solo episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast , Andy Cruz takes an honest look at the halfway point of the BNI year and walks through the exact numbers, habits, and relationships every BNI member should evaluate before heading into the second half of 2026. Using the B...

Can a networking organization change the way you live your life? For Martha Chinnok , the answer is a resounding yes. In this inspiring episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast , Ed Wilson sits down with Martha Chinnok, Executive Director of BNI Southeast Michigan, to discuss how the principles of BNI extend far beyond weekly meetings and business referrals.  After serving as a BNI Director in Souther...

What separates great leaders from everyone else? It's not the title. It's the willingness to raise your hand before you're ready.  In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, Ed Wilson sits down with entrepreneur, podcast producer, and longtime BNI leader Andy Cruz to discuss one of the most overlooked opportunities for personal and professional growth: leadership through service....

What if the secret to getting more referrals, building stronger relationships, and growing your business wasn't selling at all? In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, Ed Wilson sits down with longtime BNI leader and relationship-building expert Jenn Edwards to explore one of the most powerful principles in human behavior: The Law of Reciprocity. Inspired by the bestselling book Influen...

What if the advice you've heard your entire life is wrong? "Follow your passion." It's one of the most common pieces of advice given to entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals. But what if the real secret isn't finding your passion...What if it's bringing your passion with you wherever you go? In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, recorded live at th...

What happens when you stop “trying” BNI and actually commit to it?     In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, Lindsay Curtis (A Smart Move) shares her real journey from dipping her toe into BNI… to building a referral system that now generates 10% of her total business. This is a raw, honest, and highly practical conversation about what actually works in business networking, referral market...

Feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or constantly “on”? You’re not alone—and more importantly… you don’t have to stay that way.     In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, we sit down with stress reduction coach Jan Cerasaro to break down how business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals can reduce stress at the root—not just manage it. This is more than meditation tips. This is about under...

Think your website is “done” because it’s live? Think again.  In this eye-opening episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, we sit down with SEO expert Anton Siler (Urbane Digital) to uncover one of the most overlooked risks in business today: website compliance. From ADA compliance to data privacy laws, most business owners are unknowingly exposing themselves to serious legal risk—simply by having a...

AI is everywhere in 2026…But the real question is: What makes YOU irreplaceable?  In this powerful episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, we sit down with human behavior expert Corryn Kivett to unpack the truth about AI, automation, and why your human skills—communication, emotional intelligence, and authenticity—are now your greatest competitive advantage. This isn’t an anti-AI conversation. It’s...

Are you losing business… because of how you show up? In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, we sit down with Toby Copeland, owner of Pearce Bespoke San Diego, to break down how your appearance, wardrobe, and first impression directly impact your confidence, credibility, and referrals.  This conversation goes far beyond clothing. It’s about how you present yourself in business—and how others...

If your social media isn’t generating real business… you’re focusing on the wrong metrics.  In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, host Andy Cruz sits down with Instagram strategist Alaisja Rodrigues (Social Girl Marketing) to break down what actually works in 2026 when it comes to turning content into clients.  This is not about going viral. This is about building a community that feeds yo...

If your social media isn’t bringing you business… it’s not the platform. It’s the strategy.  In this episode of t he BNI San Diego Podcast, host Andy Cruz sits down with digital marketing expert Danny Quesada to break down exactly what’s working in social media in 2026—and why most business owners are getting it wrong.  From content fatigue to inconsistent posting, Danny shares a clear roadmap for...

In this powerful episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, we sit down with men’s life coach Soleiman Bolour to uncover the hidden, intangible benefits of BNI that most members overlook. From personal growth and confidence to deeper relationships and mindset shifts, this conversation goes far beyond business transactions.  If you’ve ever questioned your ROI in networking—or wondered if it’s “worth it”...

Have you ever thought about leaving BNI? You’re not alone — and that might be exactly why you need to hear this.  In this powerful episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast , Jenn Edwards joins Ed Wilson to share her real, raw journey through nearly a decade in BNI — including the multiple times she seriously considered quitting … and why she didn’t.  This episode dives deep into the mindset, emotions,...

Are you getting everything you should out of your BNI membership… or just scratching the surface?  In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, we sit down with Elizabeth Hughes (aka “The Bug Girl” ) to break down how to truly maximize your BNI membership, generate more referrals, and unlock hidden opportunities most members completely overlook.  This episode is a mindset shift.  Because BNI isn’...

If you're not getting referrals in your business… it might not be your network. It might be your follow-up.  In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, we sit down with Sean Hoptar, escrow officer and BNI Carmel Valley member, to break down the exact strategies that are helping him generate high-quality referrals, stronger relationships, and consistent business growth .   This conversation...

Conflict is inevitable in business, leadership, and even networking groups — but how you handle it determines the success of your relationships and your organization.  In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, Executive Director Ed Wilson sits down with Alex Peterson-Cros s , Vice President of the BNI Pinnacle chapter and a State Farm agency owner, to explore one of the most important leadersh...

What does it take to build a life and career around relationships, service, and referrals?  In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, host Jenn Edwards sits down with Ed Wilson, Executive Director of BNI San Diego, to share the incredible story behind his journey—from small business owner and pastor to working directly with BNI founder Dr. Ivan Misner and ultimately leading one of the most suc...

What does it really take to grow a business through referrals? In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, Ed Wilson sits down with Cecilia Schreiber for a powerful conversation about confidence, connection, and building credibility inside a professional networking community.  If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, sales professional, or BNI member looking to generate more referrals and grow...

What if the secret to long-term business success isn’t marketing… but relationships? In this powerful episode, Ed Wilson sits down with John Lisle, former Executive Director of two BNI regions and a 27-year BNI veteran, to unpack why relationships are the true foundation of business growth. From launching chapters on Australia Day 🇦🇺 to building international web clients across three continents, J...

In this strategic and future-focused episode, Ed Wilson is joined by Andy Cruz for an inside look at what’s coming next for BNI San Diego — and how members can position themselves for their strongest year yet.  This conversation breaks down the four core priorities driving BNI San Diego in 2026 and how they directly impact your business results, referrals, and long-term success.  🔑 Topics covered...

From being invited for 24 months… to building a business that now spans 26 states and 3 countries — Tommy Thornton, founder of Automates, joins us to share how BNI became the single most transformative factor in his company’s meteoric rise.  In this candid, high-level, and eye-opening episode, Tommy shares how he:  ✅ Scaled from $300K to $5M+ in revenue in just 4 years  ✅ Grew from a 3-person te...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Cameron Robinson , President of one of San Diego’s fastest-growing BNI chapters— BNI Carmel Valley —to hear his vulnerable, hilarious, and energizing story of transformation.    From running morning meetings in New York to facing down a Times Square speech gone wrong (hello, New York Yankees punter ?!), Cameron shares how he rebuilt his confidence, leaned...

In this action-packed and encouraging episode , host Andy Cruz is joined by BNI members and media pros Jennie Edwards and Gavin Ha for a no-fluff conversation about what it takes to thrive in today's content-driven business landscape.   🎯 If you’re a BNI member wondering how to get started with content (or questioning if you should at all), this episode is your blueprint.  📹 In this 2026 Me...

What happens when the future of BNI shows up early? You get conversations like this.  Recorded live on the final day of the BNI Global Convention 2025 in Sydney , this episode features a heartwarming and insightful interview with Abbie Wilson (daughter of BNI San Diego ED Ed Wilson) and Ella Dominguez (daughter of Phoenix EDs Nate & Kelly Dominguez).  At just 13 and 11 years old, these two fut...