Friends with Benefits
Welcome to Friends with Benefits, the business podcast about revenue-generating partnerships.
Not "business time" with friends.
This podcast is for those looking to build professional relationships that last and add tremendous value to your company and maybe even, you personally.
Join hosts Jason and Sam Yarborough, who happen to be married, as they talk with some of the best in the industry.
We will be tackling topics like what good partnerships looks like, how relationships can build immense value for your business, and why even though strategy, pipeline, and growth are the goals, it all comes down to relationships. Let’s face it, business is done person-to-person.
Discover how personal connections transcend the boundaries of business time. Come hang out with us for inspiring stories, actionable strategies, and valuable insights that will empower you to forge meaningful partnerships in today’s competitive landscape.
Because we all know, business time is personal.
Friends with Benefits
The Art of Connecting and Building in Public with Melissa Moody
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The people who build the strongest networks know that real connection starts with showing up fully, and giving others permission to do the same.
This week, we're joined by Melissa Moody, founder and CMO at Wednesday Women and self-proclaimed "accidental super connector," for a rich conversation about networking, women in leadership, and the art of building community with intention. Melissa has spent years amplifying incredible leaders and creating spaces where executive women can show up authentically, and she shares how it all started with a simple LinkedIn post, once a week, every Wednesday. We explore how Melissa thinks about increasing your "luck surface area," why sharing your story is a gift to others, and what it really means to build a public presence that feels true to who you are.
Our chat also talks about how Melissa balances being a mom, entrepreneur, and marketer while running a global movement from Alaska. Whether you're a connector, a leader, or someone looking to build more meaningful relationships, Melissa's approach to showing up for others, and yourself, is one you don't want to miss.
What you’ll learn:
- How small acts of connection can create ripples that change careers and communities
- Why sharing your story publicly is a gift, not self-promotion, and how to reframe it
- Why building your "luck surface area" through curiosity and presence opens unexpected doors
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:58) The accidental super connector
(03:25) Why connecting is in her DNA
(05:09) Giving yourself grace and the art of curiosity
(07:39) Increasing your luck surface area
(08:27) Building an authentic public presence
(09:43) Women, self-promotion, and flipping the model
(12:05) How Wednesday Women was born
(14:23) Helping women build confidence to speak up
(20:54) Juggling life as mom, marketer, and yourself
(26:04) Running a business from Alaska
(30:03) How to build community in a new city
(34:26) Communities where you can show up as yourself
(43:34) Questions that go beyond small talk
Connect with Melissa Moody: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissammoody/
Check out Wednesday Women: https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/
Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com
Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/
Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/
Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius