Connection is not a credit card swipe.  It's an investment.

In this heartfelt and energizing conversation, we’re joined by Alli Kushner, Global Operations Lead at LinkedIn and founder of BeeKyn, a startup helping working parents find meaningful playdate connections for their kids and themselves.

We dive deep into how modern life complicates authentic connection and how Alli is tackling that challenge head-on. From the emotional toll of postpartum depression to the triumph of building something that brings people together offline, Alli shares her story with grace, wisdom, and warmth.

We discuss:

• Why connecting as a parent is a logistical and emotional challenge
• The surprising Venn diagram of building genuine friendships as a caregiver
• How postpartum depression inspired Alli to create a solution for real-life connection
• The difference between networking and investing in relationships
• What it takes to show up, reach out, and build community without an agenda
  
  
  

This episode is a beautiful, honest reminder of why human connection matters and how it can shape us in life-changing ways. Enjoy! 

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👉 Find Alli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonkushner/

👉 Learn more about BeeKyn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beekynco/

👉 Follow Joy of Connecting Show on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-joy-of-connecting-show/

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://thejoyofconnectingshow.substack.com/

We’re pumped to welcome Scott Tran, Founder at Support Driven, a community serving customer support and customer experience professionals, to our show.

Scott has built a thriving online community of more than 13,000 members who care deeply about support. In this episode, he shares how the art of listening shaped every stage of growth, why people stay for friendship (not only answers), and what it really takes to scale a community without losing its soul. 

We discuss the importance of serving your community and Scott’s journey of growing Support Driven from a small Slack group to a full-fledged organization hosting conferences. 

Tune in to hear:

• How Scott built a global community from scratch
• Why emotional stickiness matters in community building
• The surprising signals that show your community is thriving
• The power of listening and adapting

If you're growing a community of your own, you’ll love this episode. Plus, it will inspire you to ask yourself: What’s one small signal that tells you your people feel connected? Enjoy!

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👉 Find Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-tran-188815a3/

👉 Learn more about Support Driven: https://www.supportdriven.com/

👉 Follow Joy of Connecting Show on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-joy-of-connecting-show/

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://thejoyofconnectingshow.substack.com/

What a treat we have for you today. We’re thrilled to welcome Yuval Yarden, a connector at heart and Founder of Pollinate, to the show. 

She’s a champion in building spaces where founders can thrive, crafting programming across VCs, corporates, government initiatives, and her own non-profit. She created Pollinate because she deeply believes in the magic that happens when CEOs step out of the day-to-day chaos and see their challenges through fresh eyes.

In this episode, Yuval shares how she’s reshaped her work to stay close to what she loves: real, honest connection. 

We talk about:

• How she rebuilt her business from the ground up in a new country
• The cultural shifts between building community in the U.S. vs. Israel
• Why founders & CEOs need each other more than they need another expert
• What not to do when trying to help someone (& why listening is the most underrated skill in business)

We also get personal and cover what happens when you lose touch with the work you love and how to get it back. Whether you build communities, lead a team, or just believe in the power of people helping people, this one’s for you. Enjoy!

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👉 Find Yuval on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yyarden/

👉 Learn more about Pollinate: https://pollinate.lovable.app/

👉 Follow Joy of Connecting Show on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-joy-of-connecting-show/

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://thejoyofconnectingshow.substack.com/

We’re excited to welcome Jason Yarborough, Co-Founder of Arcadia, co-host of Friends With Benefits Podcast, and partnerships thought leader, to our show. He’s passionate about bringing humanity back into business and harmony into the lives of go-to-market leaders. 

Jason joins us for a conversation full of wisdom, warmth, and practical insight on building relationships that go far beyond the transaction. From launching “Coffee with Yarby” and helping hundreds of people land jobs or find direction, to founding Arcadia, Jason has made helping people his calling.

We discuss:

• How purposeful connection can lead to personal fulfillment and professional success
• The importance of human element in networking and why it's the heart of Arcadia Leadership Experience
• How to show up as your full, authentic self and build a lasting community
• The simple question that sparks deeper, human-centered conversation
• The origin story of “Coffee with Yarby” and the wonderful ripple effect it had
  
  

Enjoy!

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👉 Find Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/

👉 Learn more about Arcadia: https://www.bearcadia.com/

👉 Learn more about Arcadia Leadership Experience: https://www.arcadialeadershipexperience.com/

👉 Check out Friends With Benefits Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/friends-with-benefits-podcast/

👉 Follow Joy of Connecting Show on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-joy-of-connecting-show/

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://thejoyofconnectingshow.substack.com/

In this Joy of Connecting episode, we sit down with the brilliant Marion Siboni, Founder & CEO, La Creme de la STEM™, the only global, private network for early-stage female founders in tech and science. With deep roots in partnerships and a career spanning Cisco, MongoDB, and Techstars, Marion shares how she has leveraged connection as her greatest asset. 

We discuss:

• How Marion built a thriving community for early-stage female founders from scratch
• The importance of building your network before you need it
• Why you should always connect with people on personal matters
• A powerful story about what happens when just one person believes in you
• Ways a community can accelerate your personal and business growth

Whether you’re a founder, a connector, or someone trying to figure out your next big move, this episode is for you. And it will make you wonder, what kind of community do you want to build, and how will you show up in it? 

Tune in and enjoy!

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👉 Find Marion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionsiboni/

👉 Learn more about La Creme de la STEM™: https://www.lacremedelastem.com/

👉 Follow Joy of Connecting Show on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-joy-of-connecting-show/

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://thejoyofconnectingshow.substack.com/

As a sought-after LinkedIn Coach & ghostwriter, podcast host, and Founder of Composure Digital, Ashley Laabs helps founders and executives show up with clarity and confidence. In this deeply personal and insightful conversation, she talks about courage and why it’s essential to stop performing and start showing up as your full self.

She talks about what it means to build meaningful relationships, especially in professional spaces that often prioritize polish over realness. Ashley shares a beautifully human story about how one small act at the dinner table reframed her entire understanding of connection, and how you can apply that same insight in your work, networking, and everyday conversations.

We discuss:

• How to make networking real and human
• The surprising act of kindness that shifted how Ashley connects with others
• Why giving without an agenda is the most generous and effective way to network
• How to build a community on LinkedIn without losing yourself in the scroll
• Her simple go-to question that sparks more honest conversations
  
  

Whether you're building a brand, growing a business, or just trying to find your people, this Joy of Connecting episode is your permission slip to do it differently. It’s a warm reminder to always lead with humanity. And ask yourself, what are you holding back that might actually help you find your people? 

Tune in and enjoy!

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👉 Find Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freelance-content-strategist-copywriter-ashley-laabs/

👉 Learn more about Composure Digital: https://www.composuredigital.com/

👉 Follow Joy of Connecting Show on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-joy-of-connecting-show/

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://joyofconnecting.beehiiv.com/subscribe

In this Joy of Connecting episode, Antonio Caridad, Head of Global Partner Operations at Tricentis, shares how the Arcadia Leadership Experience influenced some of the best career opportunities, partnerships, and friendships. He also talked about how being in the moment and off-the-grid at the leadership retreat changed his approach to connection and business forever.

We dive into:

• The #1 mistake people make in networking (and how to fix it)
• Why business partnerships fall apart (and how to build ones that last)
• How Antonio’s “Friday Lift-off” is helping job seekers land opportunities through real connection
• Why ditching your phone might be the best networking move you ever make
• The power of human connection in career growth

Ready to build better partnerships and deeper connections? Buckle up and hit play!

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👉 Find Antonio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniocaridad/overlay/about-this-profile/

👉 Learn more about Tricentis: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tricentis/

👉 Learn more about the Arcadia Leadership Experience: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bearcadia/

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://joyofconnecting.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Rachel Rozen, is the Founder and driving force behind Connection Catalyst, a facilitation-based learning company dedicated to helping people master the art of networking and relationship-building. She empowers individuals and teams to conquer fears, sow their seeds, and nurture a network that significantly boosts their "net worth."

In this Joy of Connecting episode, Rachel breaks down what networking really means—and why it’s so much more than schmoozing at industry events. From big events to one-on-ones and small group gatherings, there are countless ways to build meaningful connections. 

We discuss:

• Rachel’s networking framework of 3 P’s: Personal, Passion, and Problem
• Ways to make networking a lifelong skill
• Different ways to build connections (without awkward small talk!)
• How to turn “icky” networking into authentic, lasting relationships
• The unexpected networking lesson Rachel learned from her father’s legacy 
• The power of showing up as a giver—not just a taker

One big takeaway? Do what works for you. So if you’re just getting started, ease into it. Before you push outside your comfort zone, find a way to network that feels authentic to you. 

And if you’re not sure how to start, tune in to this episode. It's jam-packed with actionable tips just for YOU.

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👉 Find Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rozen/

👉 Learn more about Connection Catalyst, and learn how to overcome networking anxiety, make relationship-building a habit, and turn contacts into connections: https://www.connectioncatalyst.me/

👉 Join Rachel’s FREE workshop that helps professionals create a networking habit: https://www.connectioncatalyst.me/freewebinar

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://www.connectioncatalyst.me/freewebinar

Marija Skobe-Pilley, the Founder & CEO of Women in Customer Success, started a podcast with the desire to feature remarkable women in customer success and amplify their voices. What began as a passion project grew into a powerful network of over 130 women who became each other's mentors and champions. She didn’t plan it. She didn’t have a secret agenda. She didn’t set out to build a massive network. She just kept having conversations, showing up, and looking for ways to help. 

Today, WiCS is a go-to hub, community, and thriving ecosystem for Customer Success professionals, built on the power of peer learning, visibility, and genuine connections. In this Joy of Connecting episode, Marija shares a personal story about how one conversation changed everything and how focusing on giving first has shaped her career journey and life.

We discuss:

• How Podcasts catalyze connection
• How a simple idea turned into a 300-person mentorship program
• Why traditional networking often fails (& advice that actually work)
• Conversation starters that reveal people's true passions
• Ways mentorship can transform careers

If networking has ever felt awkward or transactional, this episode will help you flip the script. And inspire you to approach it the right way. Tune in!

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👉 Find Marija on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/overlay/about-this-profile/

👉 Learn more about Women in Customer Success, a go-to platform for connecting, inspiring and showcasing women in the Customer Success industry: https://www.womenincs.co/

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://joyofconnecting.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Links from the episode: 

• Wednesday Women - movement on a mission is to increase visibility of executive women leaders you should know, learn from, and be inspired by: https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/
• Women in Customer Success Power Up - the first women-only mentoring program within the Customer Success industry: https://www.womenincs.co/mentoring
• Women in Customer Success Podcast: https://www.womenincs.co/podcast

"Say the quiet part out loud." Taina Palombo-Price, Director of Product Marketing at Cisco,  lives by this mantra. It’s helped her build meaningful connections in both her career and personal life. 

As an expert product marketing leader with experience at industry giants like Meta and LinkedIn, she knows a thing or two about networking, authenticity, and building community. In this episode of The Joy of Connecting show, she shares how one simple compliment sparked a decade-long friendship and why saying what you’re thinking (yes, even at daycare pickup) can shift the course of your life - personally and professionally.

We discuss:

• How a spontaneous compliment can be the start of a life-changing connection
• Why small, authentic moments are the building blocks of real community
• Why connecting over personal experiences lasts longer than career ties
• Practical tips for building community and finding your voice

So, when was the last time a small compliment led to something big? Tune in, get inspired, and maybe even try out Taina’s go-to icebreaker (hint: emojis are involved). 😉

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👉 Find Taina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tainapalomboprice/

👉 Learn more about Cisco, the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era: https://www.cisco.com/

👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning: https://joyofconnecting.beehiiv.com/subscribe