In this episode, I'm sharing an insight from my recent "What Are You Creating?" podcast interview with Charlie Birney, founder of Podville, a successful podcast media production company.

This conversation with Charlie was inspired by my work with two coaching clients interested in starting podcast production businesses. When helping people in the early stages of a business dream, I introduce role modeling—finding successful people already doing what you want to do and studying them closely. By learning about their business models, marketing strategies, and offerings, you gain priceless insights and inspiration for your own path..

During our conversation, Charlie shared a compelling story about a former employee who asked how long he planed to stay in contact with those who had declined his company's services. Charlie's response was simple but profound: he never removes people from his Rolodex because he believes in nurturing relationships for the long term.

After listening to this episode, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your relationships. Think about those friends from school or past clients you've lost touch with over the years. Make a list of 10–15 names and reach out to 1–4 of them for a 30-minute catch-up call. Remember, the goal isn't to sell anything—it's simply to reconnect and keep those relationships alive.

Additionally, consider implementing a system, like a CRM or relationship manager, to help you stay on top of your connections and schedule regular follow-ups. Maintaining relationships should be a core part of your personal and professional success strategy.