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, building confidence by starting small, and why she believes your job in corporate America may not be as secure as you think.

But this conversation goes deeper than entrepreneurship. Erin and Angela explore why mahjong, and games like it, are filling a real void in our increasingly isolated lives, the power of low-stakes social rituals, and how recurring gatherings build relationships that no dinner party ever could.

Wear your pajamas. Bring a bag of chips. Press play.

To learn more about Erin’s work, check out: https://mahjpit.co/

If you’re interested in the June 2026 pop-up, check out: https://www.tiletravelersmahjongretreats.com/savannah-june

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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

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.

Jacqueline shares why she ditched the phrase "your network is your net worth" in favor of something more meaningful, how she thinks about the math behind every room she walks into, and why being pitch-slapped on LinkedIn is basically a masterclass in what not to do.

You'll hear real stories of podcast connections that turned into book deals, 30-year friendships that still pay dividends, and a simple three-step follow-up process you can start using today.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between building trust and building belief and why it matters in the short term
• What relationship capital actually is and how to calculate it
• How to work a room (virtual or in-person) with intention and without the awkward pitch
• Why your existing network is more valuable than you think and how to actually work it
• The role of AI in relationship building, and where it falls short
• How to start building deeper connections today, starting with your phone

Whether you're a seasoned networker or someone who dreads walking into a room full of strangers, this episode is a reminder that real relationships are still the most powerful currency in business.

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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

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 relationships–especially in a remote-first world.

Susan shares simple but powerful strategies for staying connected, from tracking personal milestones in your calendar to the underrated impact of a well-timed handwritten note. We talk about how small, intentional actions can turn everyday interactions into lasting relationships.

Our conversation expands into the realities of remote work, where visibility, communication, and trust play a critical role in career growth. Susan offers actionable advice for both team members and leaders: how to create “virtual water cooler” moments, build trust through consistent communication, and foster a culture where mistakes are openly discussed—not hidden.

Drawing from her years in talent acquisition and executive coaching, Susan also dives into the deeper work behind career growth. She shares how patterns and behaviors can hold professionals back, why self-awareness matters more than we think, and what it really looks like to let go of the habits that once made us successful in order to grow.

We dive into:

• How to build genuine relationships through small, intentional actions
• Staying visible and connected while working remotely
• Creating trust and accountability on remote teams
• Why making space for mistakes leads to stronger leadership
• Identifying and breaking patterns that limit career growth
• Thinking ahead: how to approach long-term career planning with intention

This episode is a reminder that strong relationships (and strong careers) aren’t built on big moments, but on consistent, thoughtful connection over time.

To learn more about Susan’s work, check out: https://www.thenetworkconcierge.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

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 shares what that experience taught her about human connection—and how those same principles apply to professional relationships, leadership, and workplace culture.

Together, they discuss:

• How to build authentic relationships at work (even remotely)
  
  
  
• The role of vulnerability in professional settings
  
  
  
• How to set healthy boundaries without damaging relationships
  
  
  
• Moving from people-pleasing to self-acceptance
  
  
  
• How to handle difficult coworkers and misaligned working styles
  
  
  
• Why listening—both to what’s said and unsaid—is a key leadership skill
  
  
  

Whether you’re a founder, part of a marketing team, or navigating corporate life, this conversation offers practical insights on building stronger, more human connections in the workplace.

If you’re looking to improve communication at work, strengthen professional relationships, or create a more connected team culture, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Melinda’s work, check out: https://melindaleeschmitt.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 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