Making the Connection: Genuine Professional Relationships

What does a cancer diagnosis, a heavy duffel bag full of tiles, and a two-and-a-half-hour mahjong lesson have in common?  In this episode of Making the Connection , I sit down with Erin Braddock, Founder of Mahj Pit. Erin shares how a life-altering health journey reshaped her priorities and gave her the courage to ask "why not me?" She talks about spotting a gap in the mahjong market, bu...

What if the most valuable asset in your business isn't your product, your pitch, or your marketing strategy but the people you already know? In this episode, relationship strategist and co-author of Charting True North , Jacqueline Strumminger, breaks down the concept of relationship capital and why building genuine, intentional connections is the ultimate long game in business and in life. J...

Most people think building strong professional relationships takes big, impressive moments, but in reality, it’s the small, consistent actions that make the biggest impact. In this episode of Making the Connection , I sit down with Susan Collins, founder of The Network Concierge, for a thoughtful and refreshingly practical conversation on what it really takes to build meaningful professional relat...

How do you build genuine professional relationships—especially in a remote or digital work environment? In this episode of Making the Connection , I sit down with Melinda Lee Schmitt, author of Rebel Hugger , to explore how vulnerability, authenticity, and emotional connection can transform the way we show up at work. After completing a year-long experiment hugging thousands of strangers, Melinda...

In a world where so much of our work happens through screens, building genuine professional relationships can feel harder than ever. In this episode of Making the Connection , I sit down with Cathy Baillargeon , Owner and Chief “Cathy” Officer of Virtual Cathy , to talk about what real connection looks like in a virtual-first workplace. We explore how relationships are built on commonality, not su...

On this episode of Making the Connection , I sit down with Lynn Whitbeck, sales strategist and relationship-driven leader, to explore what it truly takes to build genuine professional relationships—especially in sales. Lynn shares her philosophy of leading with “worthy intent,” why curiosity and care matter more than closing tactics, and how long-term relationships can turn clients into promoters—...

In this episode of Making the Connection , Angela sits down with Devin, a strategic growth consultant and author of Connection Expansion , to unpack what it really takes to build genuine business relationships in today’s remote-first world. Devin breaks down his Connection Expansion System—an approachable, repeatable framework for networking, nurturing relationships, and scaling your business thro...

On this episode of Making the Connection , I chat with Michelle Westfall, broadcast journalist turned podcast producer and the creative force behind Universal Orlando’s official podcast.  Michelle shares her journey from doing morning announcements as a kid to producing large-scale podcasts with major entertainment teams—and how staying authentic, dropping ego, and trusting your gut has shaped her...

Happy Shoutout FriYAY, where my guests have the opportunity to "shout-out" colleagues or bosses who have left a lasting impression on them in the way they genuinely connect with others. This week is David's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo! Happy FriYAY!! —------- Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine pro...

How do you build genuine professional relationships that truly last—and lead teams effectively while doing it? On today’s episode of Making the Connection , I sit down with David Jones, a seasoned leader with years of experience guiding hundreds of team members. We dive deep into the principles of trust, servant leadership, and authentic connection in the workplace. David shares practical strategi...

Happy Shoutout FriYAY, where my guests have the opportunity to "shout-out" colleagues or bosses who have left a lasting impression on them in the way they genuinely connect with others. This week is Rita's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo! Happy FriYAY!! —------- Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine prof...

In this episode of Making the Connection , I sit down with longtime colleague and friend, Rita Richa, for an energizing conversation about building genuine professional relationships. Rita brings not only wisdom but also tangible strategies for anyone looking to expand their network with purpose. She shares how she shifted her mindset from “finding a window” to “finding the people who will open do...

Welcome to my first solo episode of Making the Connection ! I’m Angela Chong, and today I’m diving into something I care deeply about: empathy —especially in the remote and hybrid work environments so many of us live in today. After nearly 10 years of working remotely, I’ve learned that building strong professional relationships takes more than just good intentions. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is...

Happy Shoutout FriYAY, where my guests have the opportunity to "shout-out" colleagues or bosses who have left a lasting impression on them in the way they genuinely connect with others. This week is Laura's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo! Happy FriYAY!! —------- Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine pro...

In this episode of Making the Connection , we’re joined by Laura Hancock—attorney, entrepreneur, and most recently, the Senior Franchise Closing Specialist for Casago—for a candid and insightful conversation about what it really takes to build genuine professional relationships across industries. Laura walks us through how she’s built and maintained meaningful connections throughout her career: fr...

Happy Shoutout FriYAY, where my guests have the opportunity to "shout-out" colleagues or bosses who have left a lasting impression on them in the way they genuinely connect with others. This week is Hani's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo! Happy FriYAY!! —------- Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine prof...

In this episode of Making the Connection , we’re joined by Hani Gera, global marketing and business development partner with Synterica for a thoughtful conversation about building real, lasting relationships in the B2B space. Hani shares why being authentic, listening deeply, and respecting cultural nuances matter far more than scripts or shortcuts. We unpack why B2B should really be thought of as...

Happy Shoutout FriYAY, where my guests have the opportunity to "shout-out" colleagues or bosses who have left a lasting impression on them in the way they genuinely connect with others. This week is Marla's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo! Happy FriYAY!! —------- Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine pro...

In this episode of Making the Connection , we’re joined by marketing expert and fractional CMO, Marla Malkin for a rich conversation about building professional relationships that go far beyond the surface. With over two decades of experience as a business owner and strategist, Marla shares how leading with authenticity, generosity, and long-term thinking has helped her form meaningful partnership...

Happy Shoutout FriYAY, where my guests have the opportunity to "shout-out" colleagues or bosses who have left a lasting impression on them in the way they genuinely connect with others. This week is Ike's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo! Happy FriYAY!! —------- Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine profe...

In this episode of Making the Connection , we’re joined by Ike Ubasineke, Founder of the app, Growdie, and the Grow or Die Club. He fully understands that connection doesn’t just happen—it’s built, one intentional moment at a time. After launching his business and realizing that leadership can be a lonely road, he set out to create a space where authenticity, support, and consistency are the norm—...

Happy Shoutout FriYAY, where my guests have the opportunity to "shout-out" colleagues or bosses who have left a lasting impression on them in the way they genuinely connect with others. This week is Penny's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo! Happy FriYAY!! —------- Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine pro...

Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts—it’s about building real, meaningful connections that open doors in unexpected ways. In this episode of Making the Connection , host, Angela Chong, sits down with the dynamic Penny Rose (CPA), who has mastered the art of networking through conferences, online communities, and unexpected spaces.  They discuss the power of showing up consistently, the...

Happy Shoutout FriYAY, where my guests have the opportunity to "shout-out" colleagues or bosses who have left a lasting impression on them in the way they genuinely connect with others. This week is Teddy's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo! Happy FriYAY!! —------- Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine pro...

What makes a truly connected, high-performing team? In this episode of Making the Connection, Angela is joined by Teddy Cheek, Marketing Leader at The Escape Game. They sit down to explore how aligning teams around mission, vision, and values leads to deeper trust, better performance, and a more fulfilling workplace culture. Timestamps for your listening notes: [6:15] Why a strong mission matters...