You’ve Been Networking Your Whole Life (Even If You Didn’t Realize It)

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Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt episode, Jama Pantel unpacks what networking really is—and it’s not business cards and awkward small talk. From her kindergarten best friend cheering her on to the unexpected outpouring of support at a recent event, Jama shares personal stories that prove the most powerful networking happens through real relationships, not rehearsed pitches.

Whether you’re building a personal brand, growing a business, or just trying to show up more intentionally in your life, this episode is your reminder that networking isn’t something you start doing—it’s something you’ve always been doing.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: The awkward picture we all have of networking
00:38 – You’ve been networking your whole life (even if you didn’t call it that)
01:05 – Kindergarten friendships and unexpected podcast reviews
01:37 – Laughing at networking classes…and why older you gets it now
02:22 – When support shows up unprompted: The true power of your reputation
03:04 – Why networking is the foundation of your personal brand
03:28 – Quick takeaways to rethink your approach to connection
04:15 – A call to action that’s not about promotion
04:40 – Final words + why you might be the next “kindergarten bestie” shoutout

Key Takeaways:

• You’ve been networking all along. Every genuine connection counts—even ones from decades ago.
• Real relationships > curated content. Your personal brand is built on how you treat people, not just what you post.
• Reputation is your most valuable asset. Be consistent, kind, and reliable—even when no one’s watching.
• The best connections aren’t strategic—they’re sincere. Show up, follow through, and care. That’s what sticks.

Call to Action:
If this episode made you pause and think about how you’re showing up—in business, in life, or even in casual conversations—take a moment today to just reconnect with someone. Not to sell. Not to pitch. Just to be human.
And hey, if you’re loving these conversations, take 30 seconds to leave a quick review. You might just hear your name in a future episode—nap mat not required.

Want to build confidence on camera and elevate your personal brand?

Grab one (or all) of my free resources to help you show up with clarity, ease, and authenticity:
✔️ Quick Tips for Social Media Portraits
✔️ Natural Light Cheat Sheet
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✔️ 30 Days of Personal Brand Prompts

Looking for more in-depth support?
✔️ Watch my pre-recorded course: Show Up Confidently on Camera

Have questions or want to work together?
✔️ Reach out here: www.jamapantel.com/contact

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✔️ www.jamapantel.com

https://www.jamapantel.com

Episode Transcript

Jama Pantel (00:00):
Hey y'all, welcome back.
It's your podcast bestie Jamacoming at you again.
This time I'm talking aboutsomething that's been on my mind
a lot lately Networking.
Now, you've probably heard theword networking and instantly
pictured a room full of awkwardsmall talk, flimsy name tags and
people handing out businesscards like candy Because, let's
be honest, that's what I thinktoo.

(00:21):
But as I step back, what I'vereally been thinking about is
you've been networking yourwhole life.
Seriously, you might not haveeven called it that, but it's
what's being done every day.
It's every connection, everyconversation, every time you
showed up for someone or theyshowed up for you.
Let me give you the perfectexample.

(00:42):
When I first launched thispodcast, one of my very first
reviews I got was from my bestfriend from kindergarten Y'all.
I'm 47 years old now.
That's some lifelong networkingright there.
I mean, who knew when we weresitting on nap mats and coloring
outside the lines together, oneday she'd be tuning into my

(01:03):
podcast to cheer me on.
That's the thing aboutnetworking.
It's not always about what youdo in business suits or big
events.
It's how you make people feel,even decades later.
Here's another story for you.
I remember when my big brotherwas in college, at Carnegie
Mellon, he told me he was takinga class on networking and I

(01:24):
laughed.
I literally made fun of him.
You need a class to learn howto talk to people?
Yeah well, let's just say,older me owes younger me a
little side eye for that one,because now I get it.
Networking isn't just abouttalking.
It's about building realrelationships, listening,

(01:46):
remembering names, showing upfor people and being someone
they trust and respect.
Now let's talk about last week.
I was out of town all week foran event and, as great as some
parts of it were, not everythingwent as planned and the
outpouring of support I got, thenumber of people who came up to
say how much I've helped themor impacted them through what I
do honestly left me speechless.

(02:07):
That's when it hit me.
This is networking, not theperformative kind, but the real
kind, the kind that happens whenyou do good work, treat people
well and actually give a darnabout them.
And if you're trying to build abrand, especially a personal
brand, this is the part thatmost people overlook.

(02:27):
Your reputation isn't built onsocial media captions and
perfectly curated feeds.
It's built in the in-betweenmoments when someone asks, hey,
do you know someone who does,"fill in the blank and your name
is the first one that comes up.
When people see how you treatothers behind the scenes.
And when your old kindergartenbestie still roots for you 40

(02:49):
years later.
So my point is, whether you'reshowing up on Instagram or
LinkedIn, a Zoom call in yourlocal coffee shop, wherever it
is, you are the brand, yourenergy, your values, your
follow-throughs and, yes, yourconnections.
Networking isn't just somethingyou turn on when you need
something.
It's the long game, it's theslow build, and often it's the

(03:12):
reason doors open for you beforeyou even knock.
So I wanted to share a fewquick takeaways for you.
You've been networking yourwhole life.
You might not have called itthat, though.
Every interaction counts, onlineand in person.
Your reputation is your resume.
Treat people well, even whenthere's nothing in it for you,

(03:35):
and be generous, because whenyou pour into people without
keeping score, it always circlesback.
Now, if this episode made youthink about the way you show up
both online and real life, takea little time today to reconnect
with someone, not to pitch orto promote, just to say hey,
because you're thinking aboutthem, because building a

(03:56):
powerful presence starts withbeing a real human first.
And, if you're loving thispodcast, it would mean the world
to me if you left me a review.
Who knows, maybe you'll be mynext kindergarten bestie shout
out.
Until next time, thanks y'allfor tuning in.
Bye.