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—even when a sale never happens.

We also dive into:

• How to build authentic relationships in sales without feeling transactional
  
  
  
• Navigating personality clashes and repairing trust when things go sideways
  
  
  
• Why thinking like your customer unlocks better results and deeper trust
  
  
  
• Providing real value without giving everything away
  
  
  
• Reframing sales from short-term wins to long-term partnerships
  
  
  

This episode is a must-listen if you believe connection should always come before conversion.

To learn more about Lynn’s business, visit: https://strategicsalesqueen.com/

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Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine professional relationships.

Stay in touch with host, Angela Chong, on LinkedIn & on Instagram

@ makingtheconnectionpodcast

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 through people, not pressure. From how to structure a connection meeting, to why giving value freely actually accelerates growth, to the magic of making three meaningful introductions, Devin shares the exact process he uses to generate consistent opportunities and authentic connections.

Whether you’re struggling to book meetings without feeling salesy, want to build a stronger referral network, or simply want to deepen your relational skills in an AI-driven era, this conversation is packed with actionable, human-centered insights you can implement immediately.

You’ll learn:

• What a strategic growth consultant actually does
• How to structure a high-impact connection meeting
• A simple system for booking and nurturing authentic networking calls
• Why generosity and curiosity outperform sales scripts
• How community building is evolving—and why it matters now more than ever

Tune in for a refreshing, practical conversation that proves meaningful connections are still the most powerful growth strategy in business today.

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 career.

We also dive into:

• How to make authentic professional connections without feeling transactional
  
  
  
• Behind-the-scenes stories of launching and producing Universal Orlando’s podcast
  
  
  
• The power of empathy, compromise, and trust in building synergy across large teams
  
  
  
• Navigating challenges in corporate environments while staying true to yourself
  
  
  
• Lessons from mentorship and experiences that propel your career forward
  
  
  

To learn more about 52Launch, visit https://www.52launch.com/

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Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine professional relationships.

Stay in touch with host, Angela Chong, on LinkedIn & on Instagram

@ makingtheconnectionpodcast