Alison's Bio:

Alison C. Jones is a leadership transformation speaker and coach, and the founder of Wellness Society LLC. She’s the best-selling author of Character Leadership, a book focused on building healthy leadership from the inside out. With a master’s in industrial/organizational psychology, multiple certifications in wellness, change management, and leadership, and decades of hands-on experience, Alison is on a mission to blend leadership and wellness into one powerful, purpose-driven path. She helps leaders and organizations reduce burnout, elevate culture, and lead with greater clarity and care. Known for her grounded presence and thoughtful insight, Alison brings heart and strategy to her work—helping leaders find clarity, connection, and renewed purpose. Outside of work, she’s an avid reader, sports enthusiast, music lover, and a passionate advocate for elephant and rhino conservation.

In this episode, Virginia and Alison talked about:

• Alison’s origin story

• How to lead from your centered self

• Alison’s GLOW program

• How to lead with light

• 5 steps of authentic leadership

Takeaways:

1. Nothing sustainable starts outside—it begins within

2. We lead by who we become

3. Don’t confuse humility with invisibility

4. Resilience isn’t found—it’s cultivated

5. Purpose isn’t a someday thing—it’s a today thing

Connect with Alison on her LinkedIn account to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alison-c-jones

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Lila Veronica's Bio:

As a Speaker, Coach and CEO of The Riverstone Movement School, Lila Veronica helps high-performers, business owners & organizational leaders own their worth & shift the physical component of their lives. She integrates mindfulness & movement into their mental-mastery journey, so her clients reach a greater potential faster without burning out. Lila has personally mentored leaders on all 7 continents.

In this episode, Virginia and Lila talked about:

• Lila’s journey to entrepreneurship

• Mistakes we make trying to sell

• The biggest challenges in the relationship business

• Practical pointers for communicating with your body

Takeaways:

1. Harness the power of PRESENCE

2. The person with the most power moves the slowest

3. Leaders don’t have boundary issues

4. The slower you go, the more trusted you are.

Connect with Lila on her social media to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelilaveronica

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

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lilagonzalez

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Sophie Anderson's Bio:

Sophie Anderson is a certified life coach who specialises in mindset and lifestyle. She is the founder of Cairns Coaching, where she partners with organisations to create health and wellbeing programs that actually work — the kind that go beyond traditional Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Her main focus is to help people become healthier, more productive, and more engaged, so they become better contributors in their life, their workplace, and in their community.

Sophie’s services are practical, evidence-based, and focused on education, self-awareness and self-leadership skills.

Originally from Canada, now based in beautiful Cairns, Australia, she is passionate about boosting health and happiness — in the workplace, at home, and everywhere in between.

In this episode, Virginia and Sophie talked about:

• How Sophie got into entrepreneurship

• Individual vs Organizational Coaching

• The Psychology of getting stuff done

• How to generate reciprocity

Takeaways:

1. Stick to the plan not to the mood

2. Does your calendar reflect your priorities?

3. Your greatest power is the discipline to choose your thoughts

4. True change starts in your personal life, not just the workplace

5. Knowing what you want is the first step toward meaningful reciprocity

Connect with Sophie on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophanderson/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Alex Aanderud's Bio:

Alex Aanderud, world renowned leadership, communication and human behavior expert, has been brought in by some of the top coaching companies, organizations and teams around the world to train their people on new and innovative perspectives of human performance, leadership and communication.

Alex combines his background as an engineer supporting experimental flight test for Boeing and the US Military with his advanced certifications in integrative psychology and behavioral analysis to apply systems thinking and analytics to the human capital of organizations.

Utilizing various psychometric assessments to improve team dynamics, retention, integrative leadership and profitability, Alex has helped teams and organizations create massive growth, increased retention, productivity and engagement

Alex's mission is to create a world where leaders promote authenticity by adapting their communication and leadership to the needs of their people, creating and cultivating the highest potential for success.

In this episode, Virginia and Alex talked about:

• How Alex’s resilience made him a perfect candidate for entrepreneurship

• The power of forgiveness for success

• The psychology of networking

• Setting networking boundaries and finding Golden Geese

Takeaways:

1. You aren’t broken, you are just unique in your own way

2. Their business card is a bid for connection

3. Become a hunter for someone’s Golden Goose

4. Make sure your networking expectations are clear

5. Be clear about who you want in your world

Connect with Alex on these platforms to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively:

• LinkedIn.com/in/Alexaanderud
• Instagram.com/AlexAanderud
• Facebook.com/Alexaanderud
• YouTube.com/@AlexAanderud

Vitalspark.ai:

• LinkedIn.com/company/vitalsparkllc
• Instagram.com/vitalspark.ai
• Facebook.com/AILifeCoach

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Kirstin Carey Bio:

I’m a serial entrepreneur. I started my first business in college. I’ve built multiple 6- and 7-figure businesses that were brick-and-mortar as well as online virtual companies. I’ve been in business consulting, sales, health coaching, restaurants, and professional speaking, to name a few.

I’m also a holistic practitioner littered with certifications in neuroresilience, nutrition, and emotional wellness. I became a practitioner because I needed a solution to heal from two autoimmune conditions - which I did. So I not only understand what it feels like to be a successful business owner, I also understand what it’s like when your body stops you in your tracks because you are grinding, forcing, and not being authentic to yourself.

I also understand the psychological components to becoming successful and what is needed to avoid burnout. (Or what to do if you already have.)

I’ve served on the National Board of the National Speakers Association, am a board member for Energetic Health Institute, and have served as faculty for functional medicine and nutrition programs. I’ve had as many as 28 people on payroll and as little as 1 and have personally sold millions of dollars of products, services, catering, online courses, retreats, and high ticket coaching…

What I learned over the past 30+ years, running companies, working with top executives, speaking all over the country to business owners and entrepreneurs is this: you cannot build a successful business without being effective at selling. Period.

Though you can have a little hobby on the side that never really takes off, or a business that might look good from the outside, but will suck the life out of you, if you don't stay in balance.

And no matter the industry or business, there’s a basic process that is important to understand when it comes to sales - and much of it probably goes against everything you’ve probably ever heard about being successful.

Selling should feel fluid, simple, and easy. If it doesn’t, then you need a better way.

In this episode, Virginia and Kirstin talked about:

• Kirstin entrepreneurial journey from the age of 18

• The importance of resilience in building business

• The problem with “traditional sales process”

• How to live (and sell) in the now

Takeaways:

1. If you are pushing to convince someone to buy, you aren’t selling well

2. Your job is to help your prospect to a Clear Yes or No.

3. Most people aren’t aware of their real issue

4. We see people as WE ARE!

5. If you are excited about something, you can sell it!

Connect with Kirstin on these platforms to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstincarey/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kirstin.carey

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@evolveminded

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Georges Cordoba Bio:

My life purpose is to help people live their best lives. I am a stage IV melanoma with metastasis in the brain cancer survivor. I fought the disease for ten years and had ten surgeries. Pharmaceuticals nearly destroyed my body, so with a leap of faith I took the natural holistic route to heal, and here I am, on my twelfth year free of cancer.

I became a Holistic Health and Life coach, Holistic Mastery of Transformational coaching, Functional Nutritionist, Professional Speaker, Reiki Teacher and Practitioner, and Hypnotherapist. All these to provide more value for my clients.

“I now see my survival experience as a blessing because God gave me a chance to sing the song I was born to sing, which is helping people live in wellness and purpose.”

Seven years ago, with a leap of faith, I transitioned from being a Chief Technology Officer to working with people who are dealing with cancer or want to prevent the disease. I help them transform their health and vitality.

I became an Amazon best-selling author for my book Beating the Odds, which is about my holistic journey to conquer advanced cancer.

As an athlete, I played NCAA Division 1 Tennis for New Mexico State University, enjoy competing in 10K and Half-Marathon races, and am a piano player and music lover.

I invest in planting trees worldwide and feeding America’s less fortunate population.

I would love to share with you and your audience how I moved my steepest mountain, and how you and your audience can move yours too.

In this episode, Virginia and Georges talked about:

1. Georges’ journey to entrepreneurship

2. How your emotions affect your health and your wealth

3. 2 leaps of faith that changed Georges' faith

4. How Georges is using podcast guesting to grow his business

5. Building powerful partnerships

Takeaways:

• Open your heart to receiving

• Healing happens from the inside out

• 4 legs of success: spiritual, physical, emotional, mental

• Be a student of your weaknesses

• Intention without action is an illusion

Connect with Georges on these platforms:

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Jasmine Rice is a visionary confidence coach, transformational strategist, and architect of impactful experiences. Through her integrated work in Good Things coaching, Pinnacle Event Planning, and VoiceQuest, Jasmine combines deep psychological insight, strategic event design, and a commitment to amplifying authentic voices, creating pathways for both individuals and organizations to thrive.

With a foundation rooted in psychology, nonprofit leadership and enhanced by numerous certifications, Jasmine brings a rare depth of understanding to personal and professional transformation. Her unique blend of expertise enables her to craft experiences that resonate on multiple levels—whether guiding clients to overcome personal obstacles, designing events that inspire connection, or empowering emerging speakers to share their message with confidence.

Jasmine’s holistic approach ensures that each project, from coaching sessions to large-scale events, embodies a dedication to meaningful growth and impact. Her work stands at the intersection of resilience, confidence, and the power of shared stories, setting a new standard for transformative experiences.

In this episode, Virginia and Jasmine talked about:

1. Jasmine’s multi-preneurial history
2. Jasmine’s networking journey
3. Jasmine’s mindset shift that made networking work
4. Jasmine’s newest project and how networking is building it
5. Why networking and referral marketing beat digital for newer entrepreneurs
6. What you need to prepare to be paid to speak

Takeaways:

• Just because your networking isn’t working doesn’t mean it’s not for you
• 90% of what you SEE when you are networking ISN’T what you should be doing!
• Networking…More than just exchanging business cards
• Master Your Message
• Feel the feels - then shift to the positive

Connect with Jasmine on LinkedIn

Find Jasmine on his LinkedIn to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmin-rice-co/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Robert Butwin is a best-selling author, speaker, and elite networker known for his expertise in transforming entrepreneurial visions into reality. As the author of Street Smart Networking and an educational content producer, his insights have been featured in professional trade journals.

With a proven track record as a top-income earner based on helping others succeed, Robert's influence extends across Europe and Asia, where he mentors entrepreneurs in creating meaningful connections and accelerating success.

In 2009, he was inducted into the MLMIA Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry. Robert's strategic guidance focuses on virtual networking, the 8 Ps of a prosperous life, and a simple success formula for entrepreneurs navigating today’s dynamic business landscape.

In this episode, Virginia and Robert talked about:

1. 1. How Robert got his start as an entrepreneur.
   2. Characteristics of a World Class Networker
   3. Hot tips for networking online
   4. The Power of your P.I.T.C.H.
   5. Networking mistakes entrepreneurs make
   6. How to leverage your most valuable resource

Takeaways:

• Sometimes you need to zig in a zagging world!
• Your net worth is directly related to your networker
• Build your relationship currency
• Networking online? Keep your Camera ON!
• Most people are in denial, they ‘don’t’ even know I am lying

Connect with Robert on LinkedIn

Find Robert on his LinkedIn to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbutwin/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/