“When you can show up in service of someone else’s work ahead of your own, it stops feeling transactional.” - Carly Valancy

Networking has become one of the most dreaded words in professional life. It feels transactional, awkward, and exhausting. But in a world increasingly driven by AI and digital communication, real human connection may be more valuable than ever.

In this episode, I sit down with Carly Valancy, founder of Reach Out Party, to talk about her philosophy of “anti-networking” - a more human, generous, and courageous way to build relationships and create opportunity.

You’ll hear us discuss:

• Why traditional networking feels so uncomfortable and how to approach it differently
• Carly’s framework for writing “unignorable” messages that people actually respond to
• The hidden fears that stop most people from reaching out in the first place
• Why reaching out is one of the highest leverage things you can do for your career
• How planting seeds for your future self can create opportunities years later
• The unexpected internal confidence shift that happens when you consistently put yourself out there
• Why meaningful human connection is becoming a major differentiator in an AI-driven world

Resources

Carly Valancy on Website | Reach Out Party | Tether | Substack | LinkedIn | Momentum Growth Plan

Winnie da Silva on LinkedIn | On the Web | Substack | YouTube | Email - winnie@winnifred.org