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Picture this: You're 19, your girlfriend just transferred to Colorado, your parents just moved to a new town, and you're completely lost. Then your dad bumps into an old college buddy at a Chicago bar, and suddenly you're living in a basement on Dearborn Street, serving drinks to a crowd that's about to teach you everything college never could.

That's exactly what happened to Peter Tiernan. And 40 years later, he finally wrote it down.

Why This Episode Is Different

Billy and Melissa don't just interview Peter. They dig into the meat of what it means to turn your life into art. How do you take something deeply personal and make it universal? How do you capture the voice of who you were decades ago? And why do some stories demand to be told, even when you've been avoiding them for half your life?

The conversation bounces from Ray Bradbury to Hemingway, from the brutal reality of book marketing to the simple truth that "it's always about the people." But at its heart, this is about connections—the ones we make, the ones we lose, and the ones that change everything.

What You'll Hear

• Why Peter waited 40 years to write about the most important summer of his life
• The real story behind working at one of Chicago's most legendary bars
• How self-publishing freed him from chasing the "great American novel"
• The difference between being a writer and being an author (spoiler: it matters)
• Why networking isn't marketing, It's humanity

For Anyone Who's Ever...

• Wondered what happened to the people who shaped you
• Felt like their story was too small or too messy to matter
• Struggled with turning their experiences into words
• Missed the Chicago that used to be (or wishes they'd been there)
• Believed that the best stories come from the most unexpected places

The Bottom Line

This isn't your typical author interview. It's about four people who understand that books are more than just products. They're connections between writer and reader, between past and present, between who we were and who we have become.

Peter's book Once in Chicago is available on Amazon and at your local bookstore through Ingram Spark. But honestly? Listen to this episode first. You'll understand why some stories refuse to stay buried, and why the messiest chapters of our lives often make the best books.

Because sometimes the most important question isn't "What happened?" It's "Why did it take so long to tell?"

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Warning: May cause intense nostalgia for a Chicago you may have never even experienced.

Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

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Meet Nichole Barnes-Marshall: The Leader Who Turned Networking Into an Art Form

What happens when a political science major becomes one of America's most respected DEI executives? You get a masterclass in authentic relationship building that spans 30 years, 20,000+ vinyl records, and countless lives transformed.

This Episode Will Change How You Think About:

🌟 Building Networks from Scratch

Watch Nichole reveal how she rebuilt her entire professional network after moving from Chicago to Columbus—and the intentional strategies that made it work.

🎯 Turning Passion Into Professional Power

Discover how Nichole's love for house music became a metaphor for inclusive leadership and authentic connection.

💼 Leveraging Your Unique Background

Learn why Nichole credits her political science degree and childhood experiences with foster siblings as the secret weapons in her corporate success.

🚀 Creating Opportunities for Others

Hear the inspiring story of how Nichole consistently filled "hard-to-fill" tech positions by building trust and sharing opportunities across diverse communities.

The Moments That Will Stay With You:

"I was raised with more than 20 different children through foster care... I have all the trappings of experiences of having siblings, but also some of the experiences of being an only child."

"You're not only dating me, you're dating house music. It's a package deal."

"The narrative has been dominated by people with opinions, not necessarily the facts or the lived experience of actually leading this work and being successful at it."

Behind the Scenes Magic:

🤝 The Network That Started It All

Hear the incredible story of how hosts Billy Dexter and Nichole's paths crossed 30 years ago in the Chicago Association of Minority Recruiters—and how Billy's leadership team included his future wife!

📚 The Book Connection

Nichole is working on "Beyond the Backlash"—a groundbreaking book about building bridges in our divided world, with each chapter tied to the history of house music.

🎵 The House Music Love Story

From 20,000+ records to a pharmaceutical executive husband who became a DJ, discover how music became the soundtrack to Nichole's approach to inclusive leadership.

Why This Episode Matters Now:

In today's polarized world, Nichole offers a masterclass in:

• Building authentic relationships across differences
• Leading with both heart and strategy
• Turning challenges into opportunities for growth
• Creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive

Perfect For:

✅ Corporate Leaders navigating cultural change
✅ Career Changers building networks in new cities
✅ Anyone who believes in the power of genuine connection
✅ Music Lovers who understand community and culture

What You'll Walk Away With:

🔑 Concrete strategies for network building as an adult
🔑 Insights on leveraging your unique background
🔑 Inspiration from a leader who's created real change
🔑 Understanding of how inclusive leadership actually works
🔑 A new perspective on turning passion into professional power

"I can have a conversation with

Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

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What happens when you discover possibilities you never knew existed? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Anita Brick, who shares her remarkable journey of awakening to potential that emerged from an unexpected and unwanted setback. To create value, she transformed the pain into a better life. Her story isn't just inspiring—it's a roadmap for you to step into the potential you didn’t even know you had.

The Magic of Staying Awake

"When you're awake, you will not quake, so don't make that mistake and stay awake in the network where destiny does happen."—Melissa G Wilson

This isn't just poetry—it's the heart of what we explore together. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, Anita discovered something profound: the power of staying conscious, connected, and open to the magic that surrounds us when we dare to truly see.

Your Invitation to Transformation

This conversation will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about your own limits. Anita's insights reveal how ordinary people create extraordinary change—not through force or struggle, but through alignment with something bigger than themselves.

Whether you're:

• A thought leader ready to write the book that changes everything
• Someone seeking deeper meaning in your daily life.
• A dreamer who's forgotten how to dream.
• A changemaker ready to amplify your impact by writing a book.

This episode offers the spark you've been waiting for.

Join Our Community of Awakened Creators

Awake in the Network connects visionary authors and conscious creators who understand that their stories have the power to heal, inspire, and transform our world. We're building something beautiful here—a space where your unique voice matters and your message can reach the hearts that need it most.

Ready to share your own awakening story?

We're always seeking authors who want to create books that make the world better. Your experience, your wisdom, your journey—it all matters. The world needs what you have to offer. If you are interested in a free outline coaching session, email Melissa at https://networlding.com/contact-me/

Listen now and discover what becomes possible when you choose to stay awake in the network where destiny truly happens.

Because your story isn't just yours—it's medicine for a world that desperately needs healing.

Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/