The Awkward Handshake
The Awkward Handshake is a podcast about networking, business, and what really happens in the room.
Hosted by two friends in business who’ve doubled down on the local scene, this show pulls back the curtain on the good, the bad, and the deeply awkward realities of networking. From event logistics and social dynamics to follow-ups, coffee chats, and conversions, we’re talking about how relationships turn into revenue in the real world — not the internet fantasy version.
We record from Sasquatch Media Grounds in Vancouver, Washington, and most episodes draw directly from our experiences attending multiple networking events a week across the Portland–Vancouver metro. Sometimes we’re joined by guests who host or design their own events. Sometimes it’s just us, downloading what worked, what didn’t, and what we wish someone had told us sooner.
Your hosts are Megan Eckman, co-founder of Fat Cap Design and author of PDX Spellbound, and Mary Williams, founder of Sasquatch Media Grounds and Sensible Woo.
This show is for people who take their business seriously, care about doing work that sustains them, and want to stop guessing where clients come from. Expect candid stories, sharp insights, and practical perspective on building a business through real human connection.
Business is people. Don’t be passive.
The Awkward Handshake
Welcome to The Awkward Handshake
Welcome to The Awkward Handshake — a podcast about networking, business, and what really happens in the room.
Hosted by Megan Eckman and Mary Williams, this show pulls back the curtain on the good, the bad, and the deeply awkward realities of building a business through real human connection. Drawing from years of attending networking events across the Portland–Vancouver metro, Megan and Mary break down what works, what doesn’t, and how relationships turn into revenue over time.
Some episodes feature guests who host or design networking spaces of their own. Others are candid conversations unpacking event culture, follow-ups, coffee chats, and the math behind getting paid.
This show is for people who take their business seriously, want better rooms and better connections, and are done pretending the internet is the whole economy.
Business is people.
Don’t be passive.
Keep in touch!
Follow Megan Eckman
Follow Mary Williams
Hey. Yes, friend. Hey. Yes, friend. So are we really doing this? Are we spilling all the tea now? We're absolutely spilling the tea. Hi, I'm Megan. And I'm Mary. And this is The Awkward Handshake, a podcast about networking, business, and everything people pretend isn't happening at events, but very much is. We've been attending networking events together for the last couple of years, sometimes more than one a week, all over the Portland, Vancouver Metro. Coffee shops, happy hours, panels, breakfast, after hour things that were supposed to be casual, but absolutely were not. And somewhere along the way, we realized something important. Business is people. And if you want people to buy your stuff consistently, then you have to understand how humans connect. Not the Instagram version, not the just show up and manifest version. The real version. The awkward version. That did that event really cost that much version. The why is the music so loud I can't hear a single sentence version. The was that a genuine connection? Or am I about to be added to someone's CRM funnel version? On this show, we are downloading the good, the bad, and the truly unhinged parts of networking from logistics to etiquette to how long it takes before relationships turn into revenue. And we're not guessing, we're showing you the math. In our premier episode, we're breaking down how many events we went to, how many coffee chats followed, and how that translated into real dollars and cents in our businesses because one event doesn't do much. Uh, one event doesn't do shit. Fair. And anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. Sometimes we'll be joined by guests, event hosts, community leaders, people who run rooms that work. Sometimes it's just us telling stories we've never told publicly. For legal and social reasons. Names may be changed. Groups will not. But we're not here to shame anyone. We are here to help you decide which rooms are worth your time. This show is for optimizers, people who care, people who are taking action, people who want clients, collaborators and community, not just vibes. If you've ever asked yourself, do I really have to network? Which events are worth it? How many conversations until I get paid? Or is there a point where this gets easier? You're in the right place. We are starting right here in the Portland Vancouver Metro, and yes, we are taking the show on the road. Because what happens locally scales. Just not the way the internet tells you it does. That part is bullshit. New episodes drop starting January. Subscribe now so you don't miss the premiere, and so you can start spotting better rooms, better people, and better opportunities in your own backyard. I'm Megan, I'm Mary, and this is The Awkward Handshake.