The Not Perfect Networking Podcast

Ever wonder who’s behind the speeches, op-eds, and books of the world’s most powerful leaders? Meet Pauleanna Reid, celebrity ghostwriter and founder of WritersBlok, who’s built an empire on storytelling, strategic relationships, and showing up with confidence.

In this conversation, Pauleanna shares how she went from failing high school English to becoming the go-to storytelling partner for C-suite executives, cultural icons, and global change-makers. She breaks down her philosophy of relationship capital, how she built a network from scratch (often sleeping in airports to make it happen), and why asking for help is one of the most powerful moves you can make.

In this episode:

• The surprising way she got her first 5-figure ghostwriting retainer
• How she teaches her team to lead with a powerful pitch
• What spreadsheets, email cadences, and preferred contact columns have to do with authentic networking
• Why storytelling is more than just words—it’s a brand asset
• How becoming a new mom has shifted her perspective on help, harmony, and success

Connect with Pauleanna:

Website: https://www.thewritersblok.com

Email: [email protected]

Book: Everything I Couldn’t Tell My Mother

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauleannareid/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauleannareid/

Connect with Zoe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/

How do you build a business by launching other people’s careers? Keva Dine, creative powerhouse and founder of the Keva Dine Agency, joins the show to talk about bold networking, thoughtful follow-ups, and the kind of persistence that turns passion into legacy.

In this episode we are joined by Keva Dine—founder and CEO of the Keva Dine Agency—to unpack the art and science of creative recruiting, what makes a great candidate stand out, and how intentional networking can supercharge your career.

With a background as an art director, brand strategist, trend hunter, and “girl who got sh*t done” in the skateboarding and fashion world of the 1990s, Keva brings an energy that’s equal parts punk rock and executive precision.

 In this episode:

• How Keva went from splash-painting t-shirts as a kid to running a thriving agency
• The #1 mistake creatives make when pitching themselves (and how to fix it)
• Her exact system for keeping up with thousands of contacts (spoiler: she uses Boomerang and Google Sheets like a boss)
• Why LinkedIn is non-negotiable—and how to show up there without selling your soul
• How to network without being sleazy and what “don’t make yourself a puzzle to solve” really means

Connect with Keva Dine:

The Keva Dine Agency https://www.kevadine.com/

Connect with Zoe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/

What happens when two longtime best friends combine Emmy-winning experience, financial brilliance, and a shared passion for supporting women? You get WOMEN WORK F#%K*NG HARD—a national movement built on kindness, connection, and seriously impressive results.

In this episode, we are joined by powerhouse best friends and co-foundersKristin O'Keeffe Merrick & Lindsay Shookus—two women who truly walk the walk when it comes to helping other women rise. Lindsay spent two decades producing television at the highest level, including Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, and Miley Cyrus’s NYE Party. Kristen built a career in finance, helping high-net-worth clients (especially women) make powerful money moves.

Together, they launched Women Work F#cking Hard (WWFH), a platform that unites impressive and heart-forward women across industries—and across the country. What started as a one-night-only event to support a single founder has exploded into a national series of thoughtfully curated events, legendary gift bags, and a wildly supportive community that’s redefining what real networking looks like.

In this episode:

• The hilarious (and heartfelt) story of how they met in college
• Why heart-forward > hustle-only
• What really goes into throwing their signature WWFH events
• How they decide who makes the invite list
• The power of curating vs. scaling
• Common networking mistakes—and how to avoid them
• The business case for kindness

Connect with WWFH:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-work-fucking-hard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenworkfinghard/

Connect with Zoe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/

What do personal style, sustainable fashion, and building a nonprofit from scratch all have in common? According to Jessie Freschl—it’s the power of real, authentic connection.

Jessie Freschl is a seasoned professional in the fashion industry, combining her expertise as a stylist with her entrepreneurial spirit, all while emphasizing conscious consumption. In 2011, she founded Freschstyle, a personal styling business based in New York City. Eight years later, she established Shop Repurpose, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable fashion and workforce development. Her most recent venture is Turnstyle, a fashion tech platform designed to help stylists and consumers enhance the functionality of fashion.

Before launching her entrepreneurial endeavors, Jessie managed her family-owned high-end women’s boutique in Milwaukee, WI. Her impactful work has garnered recognition in the fashion communities of New York City and Los Angeles, with features in prominent publications including NY Magazine, The New York Times, Time Out, WWD, NY1, and NBC News. 

In this episode:

• How Jessie broke into NYC fashion with no formal plan
• The emotional (and strategic) side of closet styling
• Why your network is the most valuable business asset
• How Shop Repurpose empowers underserved communities and builds workforce pathways
• What’s trending in fashion right now—and what Jessie can’t live without

Connect with Jessie:

Website: https://www.jessiefreschl.com

Jessie's Substack: https://www.jessiefreschl.com/substack

Shop Repurpose: https://shoprepurpose.org

Connect with Zoe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/

What happens when you say yes to the coffee meeting, the late-night event, or the bookstore dream? Fran Hauser’s story proves that some of the best career moments happen when you show up with no expectations—and an open heart.

Fran Hauser is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, champion of women in the workplace, and a LinkedIn Top Voice. She is the bestselling author of The Myth of the Nice Girl and Embrace the Work, Love Your Career, angel investor, keynote speaker, and now, bookstore owner! Fran shares her layered career journey: from leading digital innovation at Time Inc., to investing in over 40 female-founded companies, to founding Book Bound for aspiring nonfiction authors, and opening Bedford Books, her town’s first independent bookstore.

In this episode:

• How one coffee meeting pivoted her entire career
• Why an open network—and an open mind—are her greatest assets
• The surprising challenges of running a brick-and-mortar business
• How community building is at the heart of everything she does
• Her approach to creating inclusive spaces in business and life
• Lessons learned on letting go of perfection and trusting the process

Connect with Fran:

Website: https://www.franhauser.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franhauser/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fran_hauser/

Connect with Zoe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/

What happens when you lead with curiosity, ask bold questions, and build empires from authentic relationships? Vicky Boudreau, the powerhouse behind PR firm bicom and now the tech platform Heylist, joins us to talk about networking with heart—and how it’s fueled every chapter of her entrepreneurial journey.

Vicky, CEO & Founder of Heylist, leads a tech marvel revolutionizing influencer marketing, empowering creators to monetize content. With a seasoned background in PR & Marketing, Vicky champions democratizing influencer marketing, ensuring broad access to the expanding creator economy. 

Alongside co-founders Alex & Nico, Vicky fosters innovation and inclusivity at Heylist. Their dedicated team levels the digital playing field with tech prowess and customer-centricity. 

Before Heylist, Vicky co-founded bicom, refining industry expertise and guiding a thriving team of 40+ professionals across cities. Recognized with the Arista Prize and Top 40 under 40 PR in Canada, Vicky's entrepreneurial journey is distinguished. 

Incubated at Zù by Guy Laliberté, Heylist earned the Emerging Entrepreneur Award at C2 Montreal in 2023 and an invitation to SXSW in 2024. 

Beyond entrepreneurship, Vicky is a thought leader, inspiring others to actualize dreams. Through philanthropy with the Lise Watier Foundation and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Vicky shapes brighter futures for industries and communities. 

In this episode: 

• How Vicki went from a small fishing village in Quebec to building one of Canada’s top PR firms
• The origin story behind Hali and how it's democratizing influencer marketing
• Vicki’s personal networking philosophy (spoiler: curiosity is queen)
• Why handwritten notes still matter
• Building business karma and giving more than you take
• The power of asking for help (even when it’s hard)
• The difference between mentors and sponsors—and how to find both
• How Vicki leverages her network for impact, community, and unexpected joy

Connect with Vicki:

• Vicki on LinkedIn
• Hali Platform

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/

What happens when two powerhouse women decide to reimagine what networking could look like—on their own terms? Amy Parker, co-founder of The What, joins us to talk about how she and her business partner Gina Pell turned an idea into one of the most powerful female-led communities out there—where real connection, generosity, and impact lead the way.

Amy Parker is the Co-Founder and CEO of THE WHAT, an independent media and community platform for visionary female leaders to spark impact and action. Together, with longtime business partner, Gina Pell, they preside over The What Alliance, a private accelerator for ideas, connection and personal, professional growth, as well as their beloved weekly newsletter for curious people. Previously Amy co-founded Splendora, a pioneering online style and culture portal acquired by JOYUS. 

In this episode:

• The origin story of Amy and Gina’s 25-year business partnership
• How The What evolved from a newsletter into a deeply connected community
• The unexpected launch of The What Alliance during COVID
• Why real connection starts with authenticity, not your resume
• The power of “meeting people where they are”
• Amy’s favorite advice for women hesitant to network
• A peek behind the scenes of their upcoming retreat in New Orleans

Connect with Amy:

Subscribe to the newsletter: thewhatHQ.substack.com

Join the community: thewhatalliance.co

LinkedIn: Amy Parker

Facebook: The What Women

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/

What does it take to raise over a billion dollars on stage, share it with celebrities like Elton John and Hugh Jackman, and then build a powerhouse agency from scratch? In this episode, I sit down with Lydia Fenet — the world’s leading charity auctioneer, bestselling author of The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You, and founder of the Lydia Fenet Agency.

Lydia Fenet is the founder and CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency, a boutique agency representing best in class charity auctioneers. Over her two-decade long career, Lydia served as the Global Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships for Christie’s reshaping the fundraising landscape. She has single handedly raised over $1 billion dollars for more than 800 organizations and broken-down countless barriers for women in the auction industry. Widely recognized for her poise and power onstage, she has stood alongside celebrities including Bruce Springsteen, Hugh Jackman, Elton John, Matt Damon and Jerry Seinfeld to raise record-breaking donations for the most notable charities across the globe.  Lydia is the author of two best-selling books, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You & Claim Your Confidence as well as the podcast host of Claim Your Confidence.  

In this episode:

• Her unconventional path from Louisiana to the NYC auction world
• The moment she knew she had to launch her own business
• Why persistence (and a little charm) always wins
• How to make a strong first impression and command a room
• Her advice for building confidence, expanding your network, and asking for what you want—without feeling awkward

Whether you're pitching investors, applying for your dream job, or just trying to find your voice in a crowded room, Lydia’s story will inspire you to show up, speak up, and go for it.

Connect with Lydia: 

Website: lydiafenet.com

Instagram: @lydiafenet

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/

She’s negotiated for music’s biggest names — now she’s helping women everywhere secure the deals they deserve. Jennifer Justice, founder of The Justice Dept, shares her journey from Roc Nation to redefining power and pay equity for women across industries.

Jennifer Justice, also known as JJ, is a renowned entrepreneur and former entertainment executive with a passion for championing gender equality and diversity. As General Counsel and EVP at Roc Nation, JJ played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s vision and growth, while also serving as Jay-Z’s personal attorney for 17 years and representing Beyoncé during her time at Roc Nation. In 2019, she founded The Justice Dept., a business development, strategy, and legal firm focused on helping female entrepreneurs, executives, and creatives maximize their value across industries like tech, media, finance, and fashion. Her work has earned her accolades, including being named a “Game Changer” by Goop and one of InStyle's "50 Badass Women Changing the World."

In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, JJ is the host of the podcast "Takin' Care of Lady Business" and has been featured on prominent platforms such as the TODAY Show, CNBC, and NBC News. She also lends her expertise as a member of the board for One Hope Wines, on the advisory board of PerfectDD, and on the board of non-profit organizations NIRH and FreeFrom, contributing her deep knowledge of strategy, business development, entertainment, and leadership.

In this episode:

• How Jennifer got her start as Jay-Z’s personal attorney and EVP at Roc Nation
• Her career-defining moment — and how honesty sealed a multimillion-dollar deal
• Why she founded The Justice Dept and how it helps women maximize their value
• How to actually advocate for yourself (even if you’re scared to ask)
• The #1 mistake female founders make — and how to fix it
• JJ’s take on negotiating, building a personal board of directors, and redefining the system
• Why putting your oxygen mask on first isn’t selfish — it’s essential

Connect with JJ:

Website: https://www.thejusticedept.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejustice.dept/

Takin' Care of Lady Business Podcast: https://www.thejusticedept.com/takingcareofladybusiness

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/

What if networking didn’t have to be polished, perfect, or painfully awkward? In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Smith, founder of The PR Net, to explore how real relationships—not forced transactions—are the key to building a global network and thriving in the ever-changing world of PR and marketing.

New Zealand native Lisa Smith has a unique work history, blending entrepreneurship in communications and marketing, publishing, online retail and new media. At 25, Lisa started a PR agency in Sydney which she ran for several years then subsequently sold. She concurrently authored a coffee table book and founded and ran a fashion e-commerce business. After moving to the US, Lisa consulted on communications and marketing to brands and agencies. This experience was the catalyst for her starting The PR Net (launched officially in September 2015), a media platform and members’ network for the marketing communications industry, whose members are drawn from leading brands and agencies in the US, UK, Canada, and beyond.

In This Episode:

• How Lisa built The PR Net from a few coffee meetings into a global community
• Her philosophy on connection over transaction
• What’s changed most in PR, marketing, and communications over the last decade
• Tips for networking as an introvert (and how to not feel awkward doing it)
• How to ask for referrals without being pushy
• The importance of building relationships before making the ask

Connect with Lisa: https://www.theprnet.com

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-weisberg-coady-57aab37/