Conflict is inevitable in business, leadership, and even networking groups — but how you handle it determines the success of your relationships and your organization. 

In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, Executive Director Ed Wilson sits down with Alex Peterson-Cross, Vice President of the BNI Pinnacle chapter and a State Farm agency owner, to explore one of the most important leadership skills in business: conflict resolution. 

From managing workplace disagreements to navigating misunderstandings in referral partnerships, this conversation dives deep into how leaders can resolve conflict while maintaining trust, professionalism, and long-term business relationships. 

Alex shares insights from his experience in corporate leadership with Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, while Ed brings perspective from years working directly with BNI founder Dr. Ivan Misner and helping resolve conflicts across thousands of BNI chapters worldwide.  

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, BNI member, or leader, this episode will help you approach difficult conversations with confidence and emotional intelligence. 

🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn 

✅ Why conflict is unavoidable when people work together
✅ The difference between avoiding conflict vs resolving it effectively
✅ How emotional intelligence impacts business relationships
✅ Why many leaders struggle with difficult conversations
✅ The BNI process for resolving disputes inside a chapter
✅ How to create a safe environment for honest conversations 
✅ Why people involved in conflict often just want to be heard and understood 
✅ The leadership mindset required to resolve issues while preserving relationships 

As Ed explains in the episode, many conflicts stem from simple misunderstandings or miscommunication, and the key is guiding people toward resolution while ensuring everyone feels heard.  

📘 Resource Mentioned in This Episode 

Crucial Conversations – A powerful framework for navigating high-stakes conversations and resolving conflict in business and leadership. 

🌎 About BNI 

BNI (Business Network International) is the world’s largest professional networking organization, helping entrepreneurs and small businesses generate billions of dollars in referrals through relationship-based networking and the philosophy of Givers Gain®. 

If you enjoyed this episode: 

• Like the video 
• Subscribe for more BNI leadership insights 
• Share this with a fellow entrepreneur or networking partner 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

What does it take to build a life and career around relationships, service, and referrals? 

In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, host Jenn Edwards sits down with Ed Wilson, Executive Director of BNI San Diego, to share the incredible story behind his journey—from small business owner and pastor to working directly with BNI founder Dr. Ivan Misner and ultimately leading one of the most successful BNI regions in the world. 

Ed reveals how a simple invitation to visit a BNI meeting completely changed the trajectory of his life and career. Along the way, he shares powerful lessons about relationship building, leadership, entrepreneurship, and the mindset required to succeed in business networking. 

Whether you're a BNI member, entrepreneur, salesperson, or small business owner, this episode will inspire you to think differently about referrals, relationships, and opportunity. 


🚀 In This Episode You’ll Learn: 

✅ How Ed Wilson discovered BNI and why he instantly knew he found his people 
✅  The difference between transactional sales vs relational networking 
✅  Why building relationships will always outperform aggressive selling 
✅  How Ed worked directly with BNI founder Dr. Ivan Misner 
✅  What it takes to become a successful BNI leader and referral partner 
✅  The mindset that helped Ed grow from a BNI member to Executive Director 
✅  Why saying “YES” to opportunities can completely change your life 

As Ed shares in this conversation: 

“My core value is simple — show up to give.”  That philosophy has helped him serve thousands of business owners through BNI and build a thriving referral networking community in San Diego. 

🎧 Whether you're new to BNI, growing your chapter, or building your business through professional networking, this episode will challenge you to level up your presence and your performance. 

👇 Comment below: What’s one action you can take this week to strengthen a key business relationship? 
👍 Like this video if you value relationship-based business 
🔔 Subscribe for weekly insights on business networking & leadership 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

What does it really take to grow a business through referrals? In this episode of the BNI San Diego Podcast, Ed Wilson sits down with Cecilia Schreiber for a powerful conversation about confidence, connection, and building credibility inside a professional networking community. 

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, sales professional, or BNI member looking to generate more referrals and grow your influence, this episode delivers practical insight and real-world experience you can apply immediately. 

🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Discover: 

✅ How confidence directly impacts referral flow 
✅ Why credibility is built long before the referral happens 
✅ The role of consistency in business networking success 
✅ How to become “top of mind” in your referral network 
✅ The mindset shift from transactional selling to relationship marketing 
✅ How BNI helps small business owners scale sustainably 
✅ Why showing up prepared changes everything 
✅ The power of visibility inside professional networking groups 

Referrals don’t happen by accident. They happen when trust, visibility, and consistency intersect. 

When you focus on serving, building relationships, and communicating clearly about what you do — the referrals follow. 

🎧 Whether you're new to BNI, growing your chapter, or building your business through professional networking, this episode will challenge you to level up your presence and your performance. 

👇 Comment below: What’s one action you can take this week to strengthen a key business relationship? 

👍 Like this video if you value relationship-based business 
🔔 Subscribe for weekly insights on business networking & leadership 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

What if the secret to long-term business success isn’t marketing… but relationships?

In this powerful episode, Ed Wilson sits down with John Lisle, former Executive Director of two BNI regions and a 27-year BNI veteran, to unpack why relationships are the true foundation of business growth.

From launching chapters on Australia Day 🇦🇺 to building international web clients across three continents, John shares real-world lessons on how relationship marketing drives referrals, credibility, trust, and sustainable success.

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, sales professional, or BNI member looking to grow through referrals — this episode is your blueprint.

🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ Why business is always personal (even when people say it’s not)
✅ How one-to-ones build deep trust and referral confidence
✅ The “ownership” mindset that separates successful members
✅ Why BNI is relational, not transactional
✅ How follow-up builds credibility and authority
✅ Why showing up consistently creates exponential referral growth
✅ The 3 simple habits that strengthen business relationships instantly
✅ How Givers Gain creates a 30-person sales team for your business
✅ Why small businesses thrive inside referral networks

Success in business isn’t about transactions — it’s about trust, consistency, and intentional action.

When you build relationships the right way, referrals become natural… not forced.

🎧 Whether you’re new to BNI or a seasoned leader, this episode will challenge you to deepen relationships, take ownership, and build a business that lasts decades.

👇 Drop a comment: What’s one relationship that changed your business?

👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share with another entrepreneur
⭐ Leave a 5-Star Review if this episode added value

#BusinessNetworking #RelationshipMarketing #ReferralMarketing #BNISanDiego #BNIPodcast #BNISuccess #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #GiversGain #ProfessionalNetworking #SalesStrategy #BusinessRelationships #BNILeadership #NetworkingTips #BusinessGrowth #BNIMember

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

In this strategic and future-focused episode, Ed Wilson is joined by Andy Cruz for an inside look at what’s coming next for BNI San Diego — and how members can position themselves for their strongest year yet. 

This conversation breaks down the four core priorities driving BNI San Diego in 2026 and how they directly impact your business results, referrals, and long-term success. 

🔑 Topics covered in this episode:
✅ Why launching new chapters matters (and who should lead them)
✅ How filling chapters strengthens referral flow for everyone 
✅ The real reason retention drives long-term profitability 
✅ Why BNI is a “time shrinker” for closing new business 
✅ How to identify who’s missing from your chapter 
✅ The difference between shallow networking and real depth 
✅ Why most members leave too early — and what works instead 
✅ How tracking your numbers changes renewal decisions 
✅ The power of storytelling to grow credibility, trust, and visibility 

💡 This episode is both a playbook and a wake-up call: If you want more out of BNI, the answer isn’t doing less — it’s doing what works, more often, with more people. 

🎧 Whether you’re brand new, a seasoned member, or considering BNI for the first time, this episode will help you think differently about growth, referrals, and ROI in 2026. 

👇 Drop a comment: What’s ONE thing you’re committing to do differently this year? 
👍 Like & Subscribe for weekly BNI insights 
📩 Want to share your story? Email: [email protected] 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

From being invited for 24 months… to building a business that now spans 26 states and 3 countries — Tommy Thornton, founder of Automates, joins us to share how BNI became the single most transformative factor in his company’s meteoric rise. 

In this candid, high-level, and eye-opening episode, Tommy shares how he: 

✅ Scaled from $300K to $5M+ in revenue in just 4 years 

✅ Grew from a 3-person team to 26+ employees 

✅ Went from fixing printers to disrupting the IT industry 

✅ Coaches 75+ other MSPs (Managed Service Providers) monthly 

✅ Landed on national tech magazine covers and shared stages with Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec 

🔥 We also dive deep into the world of cybersecurity and AI: 

— Why ransomware is the new battleground 

— How solopreneurs and small firms can safely adopt AI 

— What business owners need to know NOW about compliance 

— The myth of “I’m too small to be hacked” 

— Why every company needs a secure AI strategy in 2026 

💡 “AI will make smart people smarter… and it’ll make lazy people lazier. It’s up to you which one you become.” 

🎧 This is a masterclass in tech, mindset, and BNI-powered growth. If you’re serious about scaling, tune in. 

📬 Want to share your BNI story? Email: [email protected] 

💬 Comment: What’s one way you’re using AI or cybersecurity in your business? 

👍 Like & Subscribe for more real-world BNI journeys 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Cameron Robinson, President of one of San Diego’s fastest-growing BNI chapters—BNI Carmel Valley—to hear his vulnerable, hilarious, and energizing story of transformation. 

From running morning meetings in New York to facing down a Times Square speech gone wrong (hello, New York Yankees punter?!), Cameron shares how he rebuilt his confidence, leaned into BNI, and grew into a magnetic leader whose chapter is on the verge of hitting 100 members. 

🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why public speaking confidence is earned through consistent reps
✅ How BNI Carmel Valley created a chapter culture that attracts top-tier professionals
✅ The power of “safe messages” vs. stretch moments in your weekly presentations
✅ What it really means to prepare a 30-second or 8-minute presentation (hint: it’s worth $$$)
✅ How chapter engagement, creativity, and leadership create compounding momentum 
✅ Why personal growth is BNI’s greatest ROI—more than just referrals 

💬 “What if you listened to that little voice in your head and actually did the thing that scared you?” 

🎧 Tune in to hear how Cameron uses BNI as a laboratory for growth—and how it’s skyrocketed his business and leadership impact. 

📬 Want to share your story? Email: [email protected] 
💬 Drop a comment: What’s your “get uncomfortable” goal this year? 
🔔 Subscribe for new weekly episodes from leaders across BNI San Diego 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

In this action-packed and encouraging episode, host Andy Cruz is joined by BNI members and media pros Jennie Edwards and Gavin Ha for a no-fluff conversation about what it takes to thrive in today's content-driven business landscape.  

🎯 If you’re a BNI member wondering how to get started with content (or questioning if you should at all), this episode is your blueprint. 

📹 In this 2026 Media Roundtable, we break down:
✅ Why content creation is no longer optional for credibility and growth
✅ How to overcome imposter syndrome and perfection paralysis
✅ Systems, habit-stacking & strategies for showing up consistently
✅ What kinds of content to make this year (YouTube, Reels, Shorts, etc.)
✅ Whether you should DIY or hire help — and how to know
✅ Why BNI tools (like your weekly ask and GAINS profile) are content goldmines 
✅ The truth about omnipresence and platform-specific strategies 
✅ How gratitude and authenticity drive camera confidence 

💡 “If you can stand up at a BNI meeting and talk about what you do… you can make content.”  

🎧 This episode is both a pep talk and a tactical playbook. Whether you're brand new to content creation or ready to scale your presence across platforms, Gavin and Jennie share real tools, stories, and inspiration to help you finally get visible—and stay visible—in 2026. 

📬 Want to be featured or share your BNI media success? Email: [email protected] 
👍 Like this episode 
🔔 Subscribe for weekly inspiration from across the BNI ecosystem 
💬 Comment: What’s holding you back from hitting “record”? 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

What happens when the future of BNI shows up early? You get conversations like this. 

Recorded live on the final day of the BNI Global Convention 2025 in Sydney, this episode features a heartwarming and insightful interview with Abbie Wilson (daughter of BNI San Diego ED Ed Wilson) and Ella Dominguez (daughter of Phoenix EDs Nate & Kelly Dominguez). 

At just 13 and 11 years old, these two future leaders have already: 
✅ Attended an international business convention 
✅ Taken notes in leadership sessions 
✅ Participated in a record-breaking speed networking event 
✅ Climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge (!), and 
✅ Learned what Givers Gain really means 

💬 You’ll hear their thoughts on: 
— The importance of “being where your feet are” 
— What it feels like to walk into a room of 2,000 professionals 
— How diversity, kindness, and curiosity shape great connections 
— Why you don’t need to “have a business” to feel like you belong at BNI 

And yes… they’re already preparing to be future Executive Directors themselves. 

🎧 Tune in for a refreshing reminder that leadership starts young—and connection knows no age. 

📬 Want to nominate a future leader for a spotlight? Email: [email protected] 
🔔 Subscribe for more global stories, leadership moments, and community highlights 
💬 Comment: What do YOU wish you knew about networking at 13? 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

In this special episode recorded at the BNI Global Convention 2025 in Sydney, Australia, Executive Director Ed Wilson sits down with one of the most respected voices in BNI worldwide — Kathryn Saggers, Executive Director of BNI Beverages (UK), global trainer, and mentor to thousands. 

With 20 years in BNI, Kathryn shares the true heartbeat of our global organization — not just the results, but the relationships, the resilience, and the real-life transformations that happen when we lead with Givers Gain. 

✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:
✅ Kathryn’s unexpected journey from interior design to global BNI leadership
✅ How one chapter rally rebuilt a member’s life after tragedy
✅ Why she defines BNI as “business karma” — give good, get good
✅ What it means to raise your hand and say yes to leadership 
✅ The impact of mentorship (and why “Uncle Phil” changed her life) 
✅ Why BNI is more than business — it’s family, friendship, and humanity 

💬 “We all joined for business. But what we stay for? That’s the real story.” 

🎧 Tune in to rediscover the humanity behind the referrals — and why BNI continues to grow leaders around the world. 

📬 Want to share your BNI story? Email: [email protected] 
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more global episodes 
💬 Who has been YOUR BNI mentor? Shout them out in the comments! 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].   

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter