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The Power of Connections

The Power of Connections

By: Rich Woo
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Connections are the key to a successful and thriving life.


Each week join Rich Woo as he interviews top industry performers as they share about how relationships and connections have contributed to their success in their careers and their joy in life.


Whether you are looking for success in your personal life, professional life, or to learn how to come alive in your life, this podcast is for you.

Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Sameer Somal: The Value of Visibility, Storytelling, and Human Connection

    Sameer Somal: The Value of Visibility, Storytelling, and Human Connection
    Jul 29 2025
    In this episode, Rich and Sameer Somal discuss:How visibility can unlock opportunity and impact your reputationThe power of storytelling in building trust and human connectionLessons from Sameer’s early challenges and personal evolutionThe role of emotional intelligence in leadership and businessStrategies for protecting and repairing your online reputationKey Takeaways:Being visible isn’t about ego—it’s about creating connection. When people see your values in action, they remember who you are and what you stand for.Stories cut through noise. Facts inform, but stories move people. Learning to tell yours well can be a game-changer in personal and professional life.Mistakes don’t define you, but how you respond to them does. Reputations are earned through consistency. Every interaction is an opportunity to build—or break—trust.The most meaningful relationships start with a question and grow through shared learning. Curiosity is often the bridge to connection."People are pretty smart. They know when you've done more for them than they've done for you." — Sameer SomalAbout Sameer Somal:Sameer Somal is the CEO of Blue Ocean Global Technology and Co-Founder of Girl Power Talk. He is a CFA Charterholder, a CFP® professional, and a Chartered Alternative Investment AnalystSM.Sameer leads client engagements focused on digital transformation, risk management, and technology development. A testifying subject matter expert witness in economic damages, intellectual property, and internet defamation, he authors CLE programs with the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. Sameer is a frequent speaker at private industry and public sector conferences, including engagements with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), Global Digital Marketing Summit, IBM, New York State Bar Association (NYBSA), US Defense Leadership Forum, and US State Department’s Foreign Service Institute. He proudly serves on the Board of Directors of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Girl Power USA. Committed to building relationships, Sameer is an active member of the Abraham Lincoln Association (ALA), Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB), American Bar Association (ABA), American Marketing Association (AMA), Business Transition Council, International Trademark Association (INTA), and Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF). A graduate of Georgetown University, he held leadership roles at Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Scotiabank. Sameer is also a CFA Institute 2022 Inspirational Leader Award recipient and was named an Iconic Leader by the Women Economic Forum.Connect with Sameer Somal:Website: https://www.blueoceanglobaltech.com/ https://girlpowertalk.com/ https://capitalexpertservices.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameersomal/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sameerssomal/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ Connect with Rich Woo: Website: www.catalyst.nm.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richwoo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rich_woo/?hl=enBook: The Relationship Recession - https://a.co/d/dXlXd71Email: powerpodcastinfo@gmail.com
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    35 mins
  • Jeff Fenster: The Power of Relationships, Loyalty, and Intentional Growth

    Jeff Fenster: The Power of Relationships, Loyalty, and Intentional Growth
    Jul 15 2025

    In this episode, Rich and Jeff Fenster discuss:

    • How his grandfather's tough love shaped his entrepreneurial mindset
    • The importance of building genuine, deep relationships
    • Why emotional intelligence trumps victimhood mentality
    • Overcoming challenges through loyalty and honest communication
    • How meaningful connections drive personal and professional success


    Key Takeaways:

    • Relationships are like a bank account. You must make deposits before making withdrawals. Genuine connections require consistent investment and care.
    • Tough conversations are a sign of true friendship. Real relationships involve telling people what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear.
    • Personal growth requires taking ownership of your choices. "What you don't change, you choose," emphasizes the importance of personal accountability.
    • Loyalty and long-term perspective matter more than short-term gains.
    • Intentions matter more than perfect execution. Understanding someone's motivation can transform how we perceive challenging interactions.


    "Lead with value. Build real relationships.” — Jeff Fenster


    About Jeff Fenster:

    Jeff Fenster is a proud girl dad, global speaker, best-selling author, and serial entrepreneur. He’s the founder of Everbowl, with 100+ locations nationwide, the force behind WeBuild—a national builder powering rapid retail expansion—and Unevolve, a vertically integrated manufacturing company. His current partners include Drew Brees, Jayson Tatum, Gary Vaynerchuk, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Grover, Kamaru Usman, Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa, and the founders of GoFundMe. Jeff also hosts The Jeff Fenster Show and is a leading voice on scaling with speed, vertical integration, the success formula, and relationship capital.


    Connect with Jeff Fenster:

    Website: https://www.everbowl.com | https://jefffenster.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fensterjeff/

    X: https://x.com/FensterJeff

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfenster/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeffFenster



    Connect with Rich Woo:

    Website: www.catalyst.nm.com

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richwoo/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rich_woo/?hl=en

    Book: The Relationship Recession - https://a.co/d/dXlXd71

    Email: powerpodcastinfo@gmail.com

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    34 mins
  • Kevin Barnicle: How Therapy, Mentorship, and Habits Transformed an Entrepreneur’s Life

    Kevin Barnicle: How Therapy, Mentorship, and Habits Transformed an Entrepreneur’s Life
    May 26 2025
    In this episode, Rich and Kevin Barnicle discuss:How marriage counseling and therapy reshaped his life and leadershipThe importance of mental health conversations, especially among entrepreneursWhy proactive relationship habits matter for friendships and familyLessons learned from failed partnerships and trusting too easilyCreating community and fulfillment through sports, travel, and shared experiencesKey Takeaways:Therapy isn’t a sign of weakness. Kevin’s openness about working with therapists throughout his life highlights how vital it can be for personal clarity, business resilience, and family relationships.Routines hold relationships together. Whether it’s bi-weekly marriage counseling or scheduled trips with old friends, consistent effort matters more than grand gestures.Not everyone deserves a seat at your table. A painful business partnership taught Kevin to protect his trust and pour his energy into the people who show up with integrity.Human connection thrives on empathy. Taking the time to truly understand what shapes someone’s decisions, not just judging their actions, leads to deeper, lasting bonds.Community creates meaning. From startup life to adult sports leagues, the sense of being part of something bigger than yourself brings fulfillment and a sense of purpose that outlasts wins and losses."You can't make a carbon copy of yourself. It's not going to happen if you try; you're just being an idiot. So let go, let them [your kids] figure it out on their own, and they're gonna have to do that in their life anyways, right?" — Kevin BarnicleAbout Kevin Barnicle:Kevin Barnicle is an accomplished Entrepreneur and Author who is passionate about empowering others to succeed in the business world. Drawing from his experience as the Founder and CEO of the thriving legal technology firm Controle, Kevin has become a trusted mentor and guide for aspiring business owners. With a remarkable journey of starting a company without prior industry experience or a business degree, and growing it into one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., Kevin offers invaluable insights into building and scaling businesses. His books focus on practical strategies, real-life lessons, and actionable advice for anyone looking to start, grow, or manage a successful enterprise, all written with his trademark humor.Kevin's mission is to inspire entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, helping them overcome challenges and build sustainable businesses. Through his writing, Kevin provides readers with a clear roadmap to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, instilling confidence and a sense of possibility.Now retired from his first venture, Kevin dedicates his time to mentoring entrepreneurs, angel investing, and serving on company boards. His enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and helping others thrive in business is evident in every page of his work, making his books a must-read for anyone ready to take the leap into entrepreneurshipConnect with Kevin Barnicle:Website: https://itstheblueprint.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbarnicle/ Book: https://a.co/d/atchygN Connect with Rich Woo: Website: www.catalyst.nm.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richwoo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rich_woo/?hl=enBook: The Relationship Recession - https://a.co/d/dXlXd71Email: powerpodcastinfo@gmail.com
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    28 mins
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