The Connection Expansion System: How to Build Relationships That Fuel Growth w/ Devin Sizemore

In this episode of Making the Connection, Angela sits down with Devin, a strategic growth consultant and author of Connection Expansion, to unpack what it really takes to build genuine business relationships in today’s remote-first world.

Devin breaks down his Connection Expansion System—an approachable, repeatable framework for networking, nurturing relationships, and scaling your business through people, not pressure. From how to structure a connection meeting, to why giving value freely actually accelerates growth, to the magic of making three meaningful introductions, Devin shares the exact process he uses to generate consistent opportunities and authentic connections.

Whether you’re struggling to book meetings without feeling salesy, want to build a stronger referral network, or simply want to deepen your relational skills in an AI-driven era, this conversation is packed with actionable, human-centered insights you can implement immediately.

You’ll learn:

• What a strategic growth consultant actually does
• How to structure a high-impact connection meeting
• A simple system for booking and nurturing authentic networking calls
• Why generosity and curiosity outperform sales scripts
• How community building is evolving—and why it matters now more than ever

Tune in for a refreshing, practical conversation that proves meaningful connections are still the most powerful growth strategy in business today.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction & Devin's Background
• 3:01 Making Genuine Connections
• 4:23 Connection Expansion System Overview
• 5:41 Booking & Structuring Connection Meetings
• 9:21 Adding Value & The Three E’s (Edify, Endorse, Explain)
• 11:22 Caring, Curiosity, and Commission-Free Networking
• 17:34 The Role of Community in Networking
• 19:35 Giving Value Freely & Overcoming Scarcity Mindset
• 21:37 Five Principles of the Connection Expansion System
• 29:52 Asking in Return & Unlocking Referrals