Ever feel like you’re collecting business cards instead of actually connecting with people?
If you’ve been to one too many networking events where everyone’s working the room with elevator pitches and surface-level small talk… this episode is going to change how you think about building authentic relationships entirely.
In this episode of Being Relatable, host Erica Castner sits down with two women who’ve mastered the art of building authentic relationships in their work, life, and leadership areas. No scripts, no transactional exchanges, just authentic relationship-building that actually works.
MEET OUR PANELISTS:
- Jackie Mosier – IT Consultant & Founder, Clear Mind Bold Moves (pioneering sober networking initiatives)
- Dr. Dawn Belamarich – President & CEO, Collaboratory Southwest Florida (regional community foundation leadership)
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:
- Why giving people a second chance often reveals unexpected connections
- How to regularly “detox” your network to protect your energy
- The difference between people who support you and people who champion you
- Why being fascinated beats being fascinating every time
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Jackie shares how a networking connection became one of her closest friendships despite a rocky start
- Dawn discusses the importance of regularly “detoxing” your circle and only surrounding yourself with self-aware people
- Jackie’s evolution from “fly on the wall” to authentic connector through genuine conversation
- Dawn describes building trust-based relationships with board leadership that became genuine friendships
QUOTABLE MOMENTS:
- “My new jam for this year is I only want to be surrounded by people who are self-aware.”
- “The more you just come from asking genuine questions, or just getting to know them on a personal level, they actually tell you more than asking them the survey questions that most networkers do.”
- “It’s so much better to be fascinated than fascinating. So many people want to be fascinating and don’t take the time to listen to how fascinating others are.”
ACTION STEPS TO TAKE AFTER LISTENING:
- Identify one professional relationship that started transactionally, and reach out to learn something personal about them
- Audit your current circle: Who energizes you vs. who drains you?
- Give someone a second chance. Reconnect with a professional contact you may have initially misjudged
WOMEN WE’RE HYPING UP:
- Alejandra Lopez – Founder of Southwest Florida Women in Construction (nominated by Jackie)
- Gina Dengler – Philanthropy team member at Collaboratory & Executive Leadership Program participant (nominated by Dawn)
RATE + REVIEW
If this episode shifted your perspective on professional networking and inspired you to build more authentic connections, leave a review wherever you listen to Being Relatable. Your review helps other professionals discover the power of genuine relationship-building.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow host Erica Castner on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes content and more conversations about building authentic relationships in work, life, and leadership.
Ready to stop collecting business cards and start building real relationships? Remember, the secret is being genuinely interested in others, not just interesting to them. Get Erica’s Weekly “Pep Talks” directly to your inbox HERE!
