Send us a text

The Extraordinary Baseball Story That Reveals the Hidden Power of Trust

Picture this: A man in England finds a 1970s Chicago White Sox jacket on eBay. Through careful detective work, he realizes it belonged to former player Eric Soderholm. But here's where the story gets remarkable—instead of trying to profit from his discovery, he flies from England to Chicago for one purpose: to return the jacket to its rightful owner.

No strings attached. No payment expected. Just one human being going to extraordinary lengths to do the right thing for another.

This is what trust in action looks like.

The Trust That Changes Everything

On this week's episode of "Awake in the Network," host John St. Augustine shares this incredible story—and it perfectly illustrates why trust isn't just nice to have in your network. It's everything.

As John discovered through decades in media and business, "Trust is the fundamental piece that keeps you awake in the network. Where destiny happens."

The Hidden Truth About Your Network

Most people think networking is about collecting contacts. They're wrong.

Real networking, what we call Networlding, is built on a foundation so powerful that it can collapse entire marketing cycles, create opportunities out of thin air, and connect you with people who will transform your life.

That foundation is trust.

Why Trust Matters More Than You Think

Consider this: Every time you drive, you're trusting that the person coming toward you—separated only by a thin line of paint—knows what they're doing. You do this automatically, without thinking.

Yet in business and relationships, we often forget the incredible power that trust holds to keep people together.

The Three Types of People in Your Network

Research reveals a startling truth: When surveyed on busy Chicago streets, people reported having far more "Takers" than "Givers" in their networks. But here's what's different about the most successful connectors: they've learned to become "Exchangers."

Exchangers don't just give or take. They build mutually beneficial relationships that generate transformational opportunities for all parties involved.

The Moment Everything Changed

John shares a deeply personal story about when he voluntarily ended his radio show at the height of his career to care for his daughter. In the depths of depression that followed, something remarkable happened: trusted people in his network, like Wayne Dyer, Cheryl Richardson, and Bob Green, reached out to him.

One conversation changed everything. Cheryl Richardson told him, "The problem is you confused what you do with who you are."

The magic happens when you trust the process, even when you can't see where it's leading.

Your Network is Your Net Worth—But Not How You Think

The real value isn't in the number of connections you have; it's in the quality of those connections. It's in the quality of those connections. It's in the depth of trust you've built with people who know you, like you, and are personally invested in seeing you succeed. And when trust becomes the foundation of your network, extraordinary things become ordinary.

The question isn't whether you can afford

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/

Send us a text

From "Awake in the Network: Where Destiny Happens" - Part 2: The Deep Psychology of Human Connection

Beyond the Basics: Why Master Networkers Are Artists, Not Algorithms

While Part 1 explored the fundamental human elements AI cannot replicate, Part 2 reveals the sophisticated psychological and emotional intelligence that separates networking novices from networking masters. These are the advanced human skills that turn connection into an art form—capabilities so nuanced and intuitive that they represent the pinnacle of human social intelligence.

The Intuitive Art of People Reading

Master networkers like Billy Dexter possess an almost supernatural ability to read people's true intentions and potential. "I'm listening for ways that I could be helpful. And I'm trying to get a sense of their spirit of wanting to be reciprocal," Billy explains. "It's sometimes really clear when people are coming at you and they're very transactional."

The Master's Touch: This goes far beyond surface-level conversation. It's the ability to:

• Detect authentic reciprocal intent versus transactional mindset
• Since someone's capacity for long-term relationship building
• Read micro-expressions and vocal tonalities that reveal true character
• Intuitively assess whether someone will "run the route" (follow through on commitments)

What AI Misses: Algorithms can analyze text patterns and keywords, but cannot sense the subtle energy shifts, the hesitation in someone's voice, or the difference between genuine enthusiasm and performative interest.

The Strategic Patience of Master Connectors

When someone approaches Billy with immediate requests, his response demonstrates masterful emotional intelligence: "I actually go into that mode and take the conversation off of what they're actually looking for and start asking questions about them... But I'm always going to come back to that, but I want to establish a rapport first."

The Master's Touch: This is psychological aikido—redirecting energy without offending. Master networkers:

• Slow down rushed conversations to build a proper foundation
• Create comfort zones that encourage authentic sharing
• Use strategic questioning to shift from transaction to relationship
• Know when to come back to the original requests after rapport is established

What AI Misses: The emotional intelligence to recognize when someone needs to be slowed down, the social grace to redirect without offending, and the intuitive timing of when to return to business matters.

The Sophisticated Art of Partnership Vetting

John's approach to vetting potential book collaborators reveals master-level discernment: "I set up hoops to jump through quite frankly because if you're not in for the long haul, then I need to know that... Do you have what it takes to run the race?"

Billy's "run the route" philosophy demonstrates similar mastery: "If a person can't run a route... by the time he turns into his break, the ball is right there. So there's ultimate trust in communication."

The Master's Touch: Advanced vetting includes:

• Creating meaningful tests that reveal character under pressure
• Assessing commitment levels through behavioral observation, not just words
• Recognizing the difference between

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/

Send us a text

From "Awake in the Network: Where Destiny Happens" - A Masterclass in Human-Centered Connection

The Heart-Centered Advantage: What AI Will Never Understand

In a world increasingly dominated by digital connections and automated outreach, the most successful networkers understand a fundamental truth: authentic relationships are built on deeply human elements that no algorithm can replicate.

The Art of Authentic Curiosity

Real networking isn't about collecting contacts—it's about genuine human curiosity. As Billy Dexter shares, "I stumbled into this philosophy because I was really uncomfortable asking people for help... I was a lot more comfortable with helping people and listening to them and trying to see how I can be helpful."

The Human Factor: AI can generate questions, but it cannot feel genuine curiosity about another person's journey, struggles, or dreams. The subtle art of asking the right question at the right moment—and truly caring about the answer—remains uniquely human.

The Slow-Down-to-Speed-Up Philosophy

When someone approaches Billy with immediate requests, his response is telling: "I don't even know you, so why would I connect? Let's talk a little bit first." This patience, this willingness to invest time in understanding, creates the foundation for lasting partnerships.

The Human Factor: Algorithms optimize for speed and efficiency. Humans optimize for depth and meaning. The ability to recognize when to slow down, when to listen longer, and when relationships need more nurturing cannot be programmed.

Intuitive Connection-Making

Billy's friend Orlando Ashford exemplifies this perfectly: "He will just connect me with people, give very little explanation on a connection. And then he knows that I'm going to find what that connection is." This requires an intuitive understanding of people that goes beyond data points.

The Human Factor: True networking requires reading between the lines, sensing potential synergies, and making connections based on gut feelings and emotional intelligence—capabilities that remain beyond artificial intelligence.

The Nurturing Process: Relationships as Living Things

The podcast beautifully illustrates this with Billy's plant metaphor: "Just like if you bought a beautiful plant. The plant is beautiful, but you've got to water it. You've got to tend to it. You've got to pick off the dead leaves."

The Human Factor: Relationships require emotional labor, empathy, and the ability to sense when someone needs support. This includes:

• Remembering personal details that matter
• Offering help without being asked
• Celebrating others' successes genuinely
• Providing comfort during difficult times

The Power of Vulnerable Authenticity

John's reflection on his broadcasting journey reveals a profound truth: "The more I tried to steer it, and the more I tried to get in the way of it, the less happened. And the more I got out of the way..." This vulnerability and authenticity cannot be manufactured.

The Human Factor: People connect with real stories, genuine struggles, and authentic journeys. The ability to be vulnerable, to share failures alongside successes, and to connect on an emotional level remains distinctly human.

Emotional Intelli

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/