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 surface-level networking, and why showing your personality early can completely change the tone of a professional relationship.

We also dig into delegation — not as a weakness, but as a skill that takes practice — and what it really means to build trust, rapport, and culture on a remote team.

In this episode, we cover:

• What creates genuine connection in professional relationships
• Why impactful questions matter more than small talk (especially virtually)
• How to show personality without oversharing
• The mindset shifts required to successfully delegate
• How to build trust and rapport with virtual assistants and remote teams
• Practical tips for getting started with a VA the right way

Whether you’re hiring support, managing a virtual team, or simply trying to build better professional relationships, this conversation is full of thoughtful, practical takeaways you can apply right away.

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

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!!


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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

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 strategies for:

• building trust quickly
• coaching leaders to care for their teams
• identifying what flourishing looks like for individuals both personally and professionally
• the balance between personal vulnerability and professional boundaries
• how to leverage personality frameworks like Working Genius without putting people in a box

Whether you’re leading a team, building your career, or simply looking to deepen your professional relationships, David’s insights provide a roadmap for connecting with people in a genuine, impactful way.

To learn more about Mission Advancement, visit https://missionadvancement.com/

To learn more about Booster, visit https://boosterthon.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

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!!


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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, 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 doors,” and why genuine connections—without expectation—are the real drivers of career growth. She breaks down actionable ways to connect both virtually and in person, from attending the right networking events, to leveraging LinkedIn and online communities, to using creativity and experimentation as relationship-building tools.

You’ll hear Rita’s personal stories—from her early days experimenting with podcasting before she even knew it, to negotiating her way into conferences with a media pass. Along the way, she offers practical tips for maintaining relationships without being transactional, and why values like fun, creativity, and experimentation should guide the communities we choose to be part of.

To learn more about Rita's business, visit https://reignitemedia.onepage.me/

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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