Remote Work: Making the Connection

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!!


—-------
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/

—-------

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 today’s episode, I break down key takeaways from Unpolished MBA, hosted by Monique Mills featuring Caroline Dunn. 

The episode is titled: “Winning in Tech.”

Shoutout to Walter Gainer II for this recommendation!

This is a recap and my own commentary on other B2B podcast episodes in order to keep connecting. All opinions are my own. For the full episode, check the link below!

You’ll hear my quick recap of insights that stood out to me the most, including:

• 💡The importance of being a self-starter
  
  
  
• 🚀 YouTube tips that I can use tomorrow! 
  
  
  

Thanks, Monique and Caroline! Enjoyed this episode and loved hearing about Caroline’s journey, too!

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Unpolished MBA here: Apple Podcasts

In today’s episode of the August Walking Challenge, I break down key takeaways from Choose Better Thoughts featuring Amanda Doyle. 

The episode is titled: “When ‘I Should’ Stops Working.” 

This is a recap and my own commentary on other B2B podcast episodes in order to keep connecting. All opinions are my own. For the full episode, check the link below!

You’ll hear my quick recap of insights that stood out to me the most, including:

• 💡The tool of using ‘I Want’ statements and how that helps our brain with possibilities 
  
  
  
• 🚀 Trying out the ‘I Want’ tool in real time
  
  
  

Thanks, Amanda! Really enjoyed this episode and looking forward to listening to future ones as well :) 

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Choose Better Thoughts here: Apple Podcasts 

 📬 Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn and be sure to sign up for her newsletter

Welcome to my August Walking Challenge, B2B Podcaster Style!

This is my connection with other B2B podcasters out there, where I get to learn something from them, and share what I learn in a short, daily recap AND while walking!

Join me on a M-F business day basis to hear my thoughts on the great episodes out there that maybe you haven't heard!

-----------

Find me on LinkedIn or Instagram @makingtheconnectionpodcast and let’s keep the conversation going.

Thanks so much for listening—and until next time, keep connecting.

Welcome to my first solo episode of Making the Connection! I’m Angela Chong, and today I’m diving into something I care deeply about: empathy—especially in the remote and hybrid work environments so many of us live in today.

After nearly 10 years of working remotely, I’ve learned that building strong professional relationships takes more than just good intentions. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is key. In this episode, I share why empathy is more than being “nice”—it’s about creating space for trust, safety, and real connection, even when we’re separated by a screen.

There are small but powerful ways we can lead with empathy in our day-to-day work—through tone, timing, thoughtful communication, and being more intentional with how we check in with each other. 

🎧 Talking points in this episode:

• Why empathy is a business advantage, not just a nice-to-have
• The role of emotional intelligence in remote collaboration
• How to communicate thoughtfully over Zoom, Slack, and email
• Practical ways to build a culture of connection, one interaction at a time

If this resonates with you—or if you have your own stories about empathy at work—I’d love to hear from you. 

Find me on LinkedIn or Instagram @makingtheconnectionpodcast and let’s keep the conversation going.

Thanks so much for listening—and until next time, keep connecting.

Resources Mentioned:

Catalyst Report 

HBR 

HBR Books about Empathy  (not mentioned but thought this would be helpful)

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 Laura's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo!

Happy FriYAY!!


—-------
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, we’re joined by Laura Hancock—attorney, entrepreneur, and most recently, the Senior Franchise Closing Specialist for Casago—for a candid and insightful conversation about what it really takes to build genuine professional relationships across industries.

Laura walks us through how she’s built and maintained meaningful connections throughout her career: from practicing law to launching and selling a successful business, to now leading multiple teams at a national education company. 

With warmth and real-world wisdom, we’re talking about the power of showing up consistently, the value of reaching out “just because,” and how we can stay visible without feeling like we’re overselling ourselves.

We discuss:

• Relationships take time and consistent effort, regardless of remote, hybrid, or in-person work environments
  
  
  
• The importance of doing what you say you’ll do and offering help—not just asking for it
  
  
  
• How to nurture relationships without needing to meet in person
  
  
  
• Staying in touch with a simple call, text, or message “just because”
  
  
  
• Using LinkedIn and social media to keep relationships warm
• Empowering team members to share ideas and shape strategy
  
  
  

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to keep our networks alive without a system, how to navigate big career shifts, or how to promote your work without the cringe, this episode provides relatable stories and practical strategies to move forward with confidence.

To learn more about Laura’s business, visit https://casago.com/

—-------

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 Hani's turn! And don't forget to listen in to our awesome convo!

Happy FriYAY!!


—-------
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, we’re joined by Hani Gera, global marketing and business development partner with Synterica for a thoughtful conversation about building real, lasting relationships in the B2B space.

Hani shares why being authentic, listening deeply, and respecting cultural nuances matter far more than scripts or shortcuts. We unpack why B2B should really be thought of as Business to Business to Person and how seeing the human behind the title is non-negotiable for meaningful connection.

We discuss:

• The balance between patience and persistence in relationship-building
  
  
  
• Why an engaged audience of 200 beats an unengaged list of 1,000
  
  
  
• How to adapt your approach across different global cultures
  
  
  
• The power of listening over pitching
  
  
  
• Why it’s better to walk away from the wrong client than close a bad-fit deal
  
  
  
• What “giving value” actually means on platforms like LinkedIn
  
  
  
• How webinars, podcasts, and panels can turn cold leads warm
  
  
  
• Why direct messages shouldn’t be your first move
  
  
  

This conversation is a grounded reminder that long-term business success starts with respect, trust, and generosity, not manipulation or hustle culture. Tune in for practical insights that will shift how you think about connecting in business.

To learn more about Hani’s business, visit https://synertica.com/

—-------

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