In this episode of The Awkward Handshake, Mary and Megan dig into one of the most quietly toxic questions in business and creative circles:

Are they actually lucky… or are we just not seeing the work behind their network?

If you’ve ever left an event feeling like everyone else walked out with deals, connections, and momentum while you walked out with cold fingers and existential dread — this one’s for you.

This conversation pulls apart the myth of “overnight success” and reframes luck as something far less mystical and far more actionable. Spoiler: it’s not about being charming, flashy, or everywhere at once. It’s about showing up consistently, caring genuinely, and building relationships that compound over time.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why envy and jealousy aren’t character flaws, but data points
• The difference between posturing and real momentum
• How “luck” is usually preparation plus proximity
• Why showing up in the right rooms matters more than going to every room
• The hidden labor behind “borrowed audiences” and big collaborations
• What real reciprocity looks like (and how to spot one-sided networking fast)
• Why social skills, curiosity, and generosity still outperform hacks and funnels
• How to stop waiting for a fairy godmother and start building your own leverage

This episode is especially for listeners who are tired of transactional networking, allergic to fake hype, and ready to build connections that actually lead somewhere — even if that path is slower, quieter, and far more sustainable.

You don’t need more luck.
You need better rooms, better reps, and better relationships.

And yes… the numbers never lie — but neither does the room.

Keep in touch!

Follow Megan Eckman

• Fat Cap Design
• PDX Spellbound

Follow Mary Williams

• Sasquatch Media Grounds
• Sensible Woo

In this episode of The Awkward Handshake, we tackle the question almost everyone asks after their third lukewarm networking event:

“Okay… but how do I actually get clients from this?”

Short answer?
You don’t rush it. You don’t pressure people. And you definitely don’t treat humans like walking ATMs.

Long answer?
That’s what this episode is for.

We break down what really converts conversations into clients, why networking is a long game (even when you’re doing everything “right”), and how patience, volume, and emotional intelligence matter more than the perfect pitch.

This is the episode where we get honest about pipelines, timing, consent-based follow-up, and the quiet cost of pushing people before they’re ready.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why networking is about stacking your pipeline, not instant conversions
• The reality of modern B2B buying decisions (hint: it takes more people and more time than it used to)
• How many follow-ups is too many—and how to know when to stop
• Why “getting a yes” doesn’t mean you have a client (yet)
• The difference between curiosity and pressure (and why pressure always backfires)
• How reputation travels faster than you think in local business ecosystems
• Why “good people know other good people” is the most underrated growth strategy
• What readiness really looks like—from both sides of the table
• How networking exposes whether your offer, language, or positioning needs to evolve

We also talk candidly about:

• Avoidance, money discomfort, and why people say yes when they’re not ready
• Why likability and trust matter more than clever sales tactics
• How networking helps you test your message in real time
• When it’s time to admit you’re in the wrong room—and what to do next

If you’ve ever left an event thinking “Was that a win… or just a nice conversation?”, this episode will help you recalibrate your expectations without killing your momentum.

Keep in touch!

Follow Megan Eckman

• Fat Cap Design
• PDX Spellbound

Follow Mary Williams

• Sasquatch Media Grounds
• Sensible Woo

If you’ve ever walked into a networking event with the question “Who here can give me money?” quietly screaming in your head — this episode is for you.

In Episode 3 of The Awkward Handshake, Megan Eckman and Mary Williams take on one of the most loaded questions in business: how long it really takes to get paid through networking — and why trying to shortcut that timeline usually backfires.

This conversation dismantles the fantasy that deals are made in the room and reframes networking as what it actually is: the front end of a much longer relationship and decision-making process.

This episode covers:

• Why networking rooms are not sales floors — and never were
• The difference between leads, discovery calls, and actual sales
• Why most people are trying to solve a business development problem in the wrong space
• How many conversations it realistically takes before money changes hands
• Why “hot,” “warm,” and “cold” leads still matter more than ever
• How economic conditions quietly shape decision timelines
• Why desperation is felt immediately — even when it’s unspoken
• How treating people like walking ATMs destroys trust

You’ll also hear:

• Why saying “yes” at an event often turns into a “no” later
• How networking helps you read the economy in real time
• Why follow-up is leadership, not pestering
• How boundaries show up in emails, timing, and tone
• Why some rooms feel exhausting — and others feel expansive
• The difference between peacocking and actual traction

At its core, this episode makes one thing clear: networking isn’t about extracting value. It’s about building context, trust, and enough shared understanding for a real decision to happen later.

Keep in touch!

Follow Megan Eckman

• Fat Cap Design
• PDX Spellbound

Follow Mary Williams

• Sasquatch Media Grounds
• Sensible Woo