In this episode of The Awkward Handshake, we tackle one of the most common networking questions we hear:

What if I’m an introvert?

Mary and Megan are joined by business strategist and community facilitator Nedra Rezinas to unpack what networking looks like when you don’t thrive in loud rooms, surface-level small talk, or high-volume social energy.

Because here’s the truth: Introverts don’t hate networking... they hate bad networking.

Together, we explore what it means to build connection in ways that feel grounded, sustainable, and aligned with your nervous system — without disappearing from rooms that matter.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why introversion is not a business liability
• The difference between overstimulation and disinterest
• How to design networking experiences that support depth
• What “Quiet Networking” looks like in practice
• Why smaller rooms often outperform bigger ones
• How to protect your energy without isolating yourself
• Why authenticity beats performance — every time
• The power of 1:1 follow-up for introverted founders

If you’ve ever left a networking event feeling drained, awkward, or like you “did it wrong,” this episode will feel like permission to do it differently.

About Our Guest

Our guest for this episode is Nedra Rezinas, a business strategist and coach for introverted and empathy-driven solopreneurs.

Nedra helps founders build businesses that reflect their true values without forcing themselves into extroverted molds that don’t fit.

She’s the founder of Quiet Networking, a Portland-based networking group designed specifically for people who prefer meaningful conversation over volume and velocity.

You can connect with Nedra here:

• https://www.nedrarezinas.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/nrezinas/
• Attend the next Quiet Networking event when you register here

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In this special episode of The Awkward Handshake, Mary and Megan step outside the usual event debrief to talk about something bigger than networking logistics.

This wasn’t originally on the calendar.

But when the world shifted — and it felt disrespectful to launch premiere week into that noise — we paused. Then we gathered our community. And what came out of that room sparked this episode.

This is a conversation about values. About fear. About silence. About what it means to lead — especially when you don’t feel ready.

Because “silence is complicity” sounds simple on social media.
 In real life, it’s more complicated.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why we postponed premiere week — and what that decision modeled
• What came out of our January coffee party with community organizers
• The tension between being authentic and being performative
• Why social media isn’t the only (or best) place to take a stand
• What “10 out of 10 people” means in a networking room
• How to make your values clear without becoming a political pundit
• Why some leaders are waking up late — and what that costs
• The fear of “getting it wrong” publicly
• The difference between loud and effective

We also talk about:

• Economic power as a form of resistance
• Following the money — both who pays you and who you pay
• How values misalignment quietly wrecks your health and your business
• Small ways hosts can make rooms safer
• When to call someone out — and when to simply walk away
• How reciprocity, visibility, and association shape safety

This episode isn’t about perfection.
 It’s about participation.

It’s about recognizing that business is people — and people are living through something real right now.

And whether we like it or not, that shows up in our networking rooms.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Not all networking events are created equal — and going to the wrong ones can cost you far more than the ticket price.

In this episode of The Awkward Handshake, Megan Eckman and Mary Williams break down how they evaluate networking events after years of trial, error, and very honest post-event debriefs. From vibe checks and logistics to audience composition and follow-up potential, this conversation is about learning how to choose rooms intentionally instead of saying yes out of obligation or fear of missing out.

This episode covers:

• How to tell the difference between social events and business-driving rooms
• Why “good energy” alone doesn’t make an event worth your time
• The role of proximity, consistency, and repetition in choosing events
• When ticket price matters — and when it really doesn’t
• How audience makeup impacts whether conversations go anywhere
• Why some beautifully produced events still fail at connection
• Red flags that signal an event isn’t designed for real relationship-building
• How to decide when to try an event once, twice, or never again

You’ll also hear:

• How Megan and Mary decide which events get repeat attendance
• The difference between being welcomed and being tolerated in a room
• Why some events feel exhausting instead of expansive
• How to trust your instincts without letting avoidance run the show

This episode helps you stop guessing, stop people-pleasing, and start choosing rooms that support your goals — financially, socially, and emotionally.

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How many networking events does it really take before you get paid?

In this premiere episode of The Awkward Handshake, Megan Eckman and Mary Williams start where most people are afraid to look: the math. After a year of consistent networking across the Portland–Vancouver metro, they finally sat down and tallied the numbers — events attended, coffee chats booked, rooms tested, and relationships built.

The result? A clear picture of what actually works, what takes time, and why one event will never change your business.

This episode unpacks:

• How many networking events Megan and Mary attended together and solo
• The surprising volume of coffee chats required to build real momentum
• Why consistency, not charisma, drives trust and referrals
• How “How badly do you want it?” became the core question behind every result
• Why traffic, logistics, and time complaints miss the real point
• The myth of instant conversions — and what actually leads to paid work
• How repeated exposure shortens trust-building timelines
• Why networking improves your messaging, offers, and confidence over time

You’ll also hear:

• The origin of the now-famous “What’s your favorite dinosaur?” question
• How neurodivergence shows up in networking rooms
• Why kissing a lot of frogs is not a failure — it’s data
• What it really means to treat business relationships like human relationships

This episode sets the foundation for the entire season: networking is iterative, uncomfortable, and deeply human — and it works when you stop pretending otherwise.

Keep in touch!

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Welcome to The Awkward Handshake — a podcast about networking, business, and what really happens in the room.

Hosted by Megan Eckman and Mary Williams, this show pulls back the curtain on the good, the bad, and the deeply awkward realities of building a business through real human connection. Drawing from years of attending networking events across the Portland–Vancouver metro, Megan and Mary break down what works, what doesn’t, and how relationships turn into revenue over time.

Some episodes feature guests who host or design networking spaces of their own. Others are candid conversations unpacking event culture, follow-ups, coffee chats, and the math behind getting paid.

This show is for people who take their business seriously, want better rooms and better connections, and are done pretending the internet is the whole economy.

Business is people.
Don’t be passive.

Keep in touch!

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