On this episode of Making the Connection, I chat with Michelle Westfall, broadcast journalist turned podcast producer and the creative force behind Universal Orlando’s official podcast. Michelle shares her journey from doing morning announcements as a kid to producing large-scale podcasts with major entertainment teams—and how staying authentic, dropping ego, and trusting your gut has shaped her career. We also dive into: How to make authentic professional connections without feeling tr...

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 David'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 @ makingth...

How do you build genuine professional relationships that truly last—and lead teams effectively while doing it? On today’s episode of Making the Connection, I sit down with David Jones, a seasoned leader with years of experience guiding hundreds of team members. We dive deep into the principles of trust, servant leadership, and authentic connection in the workplace. David shares practical strategies for: building trust quicklycoaching leaders to care for their teamsidentifying what flourishing...

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 @ makingthe...

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 b...

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 t...

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 @ makingth...

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...

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 @ makingthe...

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 me...

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 Marla'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 @ makingth...

In this episode of Making the Connection, we’re joined by marketing expert and fractional CMO, Marla Malkin for a rich conversation about building professional relationships that go far beyond the surface. With over two decades of experience as a business owner and strategist, Marla shares how leading with authenticity, generosity, and long-term thinking has helped her form meaningful partnerships—both within organizations and across industries. From fostering collaboration across siloed depa...

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 Ike'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 @ makingthec...

In this episode of Making the Connection, we’re joined by Ike Ubasineke, Founder of the app, Growdie, and the Grow or Die Club. He fully understands that connection doesn’t just happen—it’s built, one intentional moment at a time. After launching his business and realizing that leadership can be a lonely road, he set out to create a space where authenticity, support, and consistency are the norm—not the exception. We explore how categorizing relationships into roles like mentor, mentee, and f...

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 Penny'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 @ makingth...

Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts—it’s about building real, meaningful connections that open doors in unexpected ways. In this episode of Making the Connection, host, Angela Chong, sits down with the dynamic Penny Rose (CPA), who has mastered the art of networking through conferences, online communities, and unexpected spaces. They discuss the power of showing up consistently, the impact of remembering names and personal details, and why leading with value is the best ...

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 Teddy'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 @ makingth...

What makes a truly connected, high-performing team? In this episode of Making the Connection, Angela is joined by Teddy Cheek, Marketing Leader at The Escape Game. They sit down to explore how aligning teams around mission, vision, and values leads to deeper trust, better performance, and a more fulfilling workplace culture. Timestamps for your listening notes: [6:15] Why a strong mission matters more than perks [12:30] How hiring the right people creates natural team chemistry [18:45] Th...

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 Kelsey'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 @ makingt...

In this episode of Making the Connection, Angela is joined by Kelsey Ley, Leadership and Development Consultant at Kelsey Ley Consulting. They sit down to explore the power of self-reflection in building authentic workplace relationships. Kelsey shares how her own journey as a manager led her to discover the deep connection between leadership effectiveness and personal growth. Together, they dive into the challenges managers face in fostering strong team dynamics, from overcoming resistance t...