What if networking isn’t about selling… but simply starting a conversation?

In this week’s Power Hour, I’m joined by networking expert and author Stefan Thomas, and this conversation is such a refreshing reframe on something so many business owners overthink. 😫

From working in a shoe shop in the 80s to writing Business Networking for Dummies, Stefan shares how the most powerful business opportunities don’t come from pitching… they come from simple, human conversations. ❤️

We talk about why networking feels uncomfortable, what people get wrong, and how to approach it in a way that actually builds trust (and leads to real opportunities).

If you’ve ever walked into a networking event thinking “what do I even say?” this episode is for you.

✨ This Week’s Focus:

Networking doesn’t need to feel forced or salesy.
It’s simply the start of a conversation.

• Why the word “networking” can instantly make us uncomfortable
• The real purpose of your 60-second introduction
• Why trying to sell too fast actually pushes people away
• How trust is built over time (not instantly)
• The “half-life of enthusiasm” and why timing matters in follow-up
• How modern tools (like social + automation) support relationship-building

• Networking is the start of a conversation, not a sales pitch
• Your 60-second intro should lead to the next conversation

This episode is such a good reminder that business (and honestly, life) comes back to connection. When you take the pressure off and just focus on being human, everything feels easier and more aligned.

Search The Bubbles Effect Podcast wherever you listen
Connect with Stefan and grab his books on Amazon (including Business Networking for Dummies) here: stef@stefanthomas.biz✨ If this resonated, I created a simple playbook to help you take action on what you learn, grab it below.

📄 Get the playbook here: https://nb.marketing/podcast

In today’s episode of The Bubbles Effect, I’m diving into a major story making waves right now, the lawsuit against Meta and YouTube around social media addiction, and what it could mean for the future of platforms, algorithms, and responsibility.

But as always, we don’t stop at marketing.

This episode shifts into a powerful (and unexpected) mindset moment sparked by something simple: cleaning out my inbox. Scrolling back to 2020 brought up memories from the pandemic... the uncertainty, the challenges, and everything in between and it made me pause and ask:

👉 How far have we actually come?

Because when you’re in the day-to-day of running a business and building a life, it’s easy to miss your own growth.

In this episode, I talk about:

• The Meta + YouTube lawsuit and why it matters
• Reflecting on past seasons to recognize growth
• A simple mindset shift you can implement today

If you’ve been moving nonstop, building, juggling, and pushing forward… this is your reminder to take a breath and actually look back for a second.

You might be further than you think.

✨ And don’t forget!! The Bubbles Effect newsletter is going out this weekend with some of the best marketing updates and trends I’ve seen lately.

Make sure you’re on the list: https://nb.marketing/resources

What does it really mean to choose joy… especially when life feels heavy? ❤️

In this episode, I’m joined by Elizabeth Grandinetti, joy coach, connector, and someone who truly embodies what it means to come back to yourself.

We talk about her journey from corporate burnout to building a business centered around helping women rediscover joy, and how becoming a mom completely shifted her perspective on work, life, and what actually matters. ✨

This is one of those conversations that feels like catching up with a friend, but leaves you thinking a little deeper.

We get into:

• What “choosing joy” actually looks like in real life (hint: it’s not just a mindset shift)

• The idea of returning to childlike joy (and why something as simple as blowing bubbles can reset your entire nervous system)
• Balancing business and motherhood and redefining success on your own terms
• The power of in-person connection in a very digital world
• Simple tools like visualization and affirmations (including one app you might want to try 👀)

• Why so many women lose themselves in the roles they carry and how to find your way back

We also talk about grief, growth, and using your life experiences as fuel to step outside your comfort zone and into the next version of yourself.It’s light, it’s honest, and it’s a reminder that joy isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you can start practicing today. So grab a glass and let's chat 🥂

Connect with Elizabeth here: www.elizabeth-grand.com