The Hidden Cost of Staying

Visibility Is the Bottleneck Holding You Back

Visibility is often the missing piece between where you are and where you want to go. In this episode, Penelope Bent explores why being seen can feel so uncomfortable—even when we know it's necessary for growth. Whether you're building a business, navigating a career transition, sharing your ideas, or stepping into a new chapter of life, visibility asks something difficult of all of us: the willingness to stop hiding. Penelope shares her own struggles with showing up publicly, posting online, and allowing others to see what she's building, along with the mindset shifts helping her move through that fear. She discusses why visibility is not vanity, why confidence often comes after action rather than before it, and how many talented people remain stuck because they're waiting to feel ready. Plus, she answers a listener question about being laid off and feeling called to start something of her own despite resistance from family and friends. If you've been playing small, staying quiet, or waiting for the perfect moment to put yourself out there, this conversation is for you. Send us your questions or comments! [https://www.penelopebent.com/listenerquestion] BUILD IT, BABY! is a Rainy Day Production House original. Hosted by Penelope Bent and produced by Morgan Clymer. Music: * “The Stars” by Yuri Shemshishin * “Unsolved Story” by Oleksii Holubiev * “Falling Stones” by Oleksii Holubiev Follow along: * BUILD IT, BABY!: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/letsbuilditbaby/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572431189139] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-it-baby-podcast/?viewAsMember=true] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@letsbuilditbaby] * Penelope Bent: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/penelope.bent/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/penelope.bentlippincott/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/penelope-bent-077a46167/] Rainy Day Production House. Crafted with passion. Delivered with soul.

The Rules of Networking in a Digital World

Networking has changed—and according to Penelope Bent, most people are still playing by outdated rules. In this episode of BUILD IT, BABY!, Penelope explores why modern networking is less about collecting connections and more about building trust, visibility, and meaningful professional relationships. Drawing from her experience in business and recruiting, she shares why reputation, emotional intelligence, consistency, and online presence matter more than ever in today's marketplace. Whether you're building a business, growing your career, navigating a layoff, or simply trying to stay visible in a rapidly changing professional world, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on networking that feels authentic rather than transactional. Penelope also answers a listener question from a new small business owner looking to build awareness and create momentum both online and in his local community. Send us your questions or comments! [https://www.penelopebent.com/listenerquestion] BUILD IT, BABY! is a Rainy Day Production House original. Hosted by Penelope Bent and produced by Morgan Clymer. Music: * “The Stars” by Yuri Shemshishin * “Unsolved Story” by Oleksii Holubiev * “Falling Stones” by Oleksii Holubiev Follow along: * BUILD IT, BABY!: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/letsbuilditbaby/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572431189139] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-it-baby-podcast/?viewAsMember=true] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@letsbuilditbaby] * Penelope Bent: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/penelope.bent/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/penelope.bentlippincott/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/penelope-bent-077a46167/] Rainy Day Production House. Crafted with passion. Delivered with soul.

The Reality of Today’s Job Market

Navigating layoffs, career uncertainty, and rebuilding confidence in today’s job market. In this episode of BUILD IT, BABY!, Penelope Bent sits down with resume writer, LinkedIn strategist, and job search coach Melissa Grabiner for a candid conversation about what’s really happening behind the scenes in hiring right now. From mass layoffs and AI disruption to ghosting, networking, and the emotional toll of job searching, this episode dives into the reality so many people are quietly facing. Together, Penelope and Melissa unpack the deeper side of career transitions—the loss of identity that can happen when a job ends, why rejection often feels personal, and how to rebuild confidence when the future feels uncertain. They also discuss the growing importance of visibility, LinkedIn optimization, relationship-based hiring, and creating additional income streams in an unpredictable economy. This is a grounded, honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, and learning how to move forward when life forces a pivot. Send us your questions or comments! [https://www.penelopebent.com/listenerquestion] BUILD IT, BABY! is a Rainy Day Production House original. Hosted by Penelope Bent and produced by Morgan Clymer. Music: * “The Stars” by Yuri Shemshishin * “Unsolved Story” by Oleksii Holubiev * “Falling Stones” by Oleksii Holubiev Follow along: * BUILD IT, BABY!: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/letsbuilditbaby/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572431189139] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-it-baby-podcast/?viewAsMember=true] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@letsbuilditbaby] * Penelope Bent: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/penelope.bent/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/penelope.bentlippincott/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/penelope-bent-077a46167/] Rainy Day Production House. Crafted with passion. Delivered with soul.

Branding, Trust, and the Energy You Bring Into a Room

Branding is more than logos, websites, or social media strategy. In this episode of BUILD IT, BABY!, Penelope Bent breaks down what actually shapes a brand: communication, consistency, reliability, emotional presence, and the experience people have when they interact with you. From hiring stories and leadership lessons to the realities of professionalism, presentation, and founder energy, this conversation explores how trust is built long before a pitch is ever made. Penelope shares why communication style affects opportunity, why responsiveness matters more than people realize, and how emotional consistency becomes part of your identity in business and in life. She also answers a listener question about hiring for a startup, including the personality traits and mindset shifts that matter most when building an early team. This episode is a grounded conversation about branding, entrepreneurship, founder mindset, and the human experience behind building something meaningful. Send us your questions or comments! [https://www.penelopebent.com/listenerquestion] BUILD IT, BABY! is a Rainy Day Production House original. Hosted by Penelope Bent and produced by Morgan Clymer. Music: * “The Stars” by Yuri Shemshishin * “Unsolved Story” by Oleksii Holubiev * “Falling Stones” by Oleksii Holubiev Follow along: * BUILD IT, BABY!: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/letsbuilditbaby/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572431189139] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-it-baby-podcast/?viewAsMember=true] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@letsbuilditbaby] * Penelope Bent: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/penelope.bent/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/penelope.bentlippincott/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/penelope-bent-077a46167/] Rainy Day Production House. Crafted with passion. Delivered with soul.

The Hidden Cost of Staying

Some life changes begin long before you actually leave. In this episode of BUILD IT, BABY!, Penelope Bent talks about the hidden emotional cost of staying in environments, relationships, or routines that no longer fit who you are becoming. This conversation explores fear, survival mode, confidence, identity, self-trust, and the quiet ways people slowly disconnect from themselves while convincing themselves everything is “fine.” Penelope shares deeply personal reflections about recognizing toxic patterns, losing confidence over time, and the moment she realized staying was costing her more than leaving ever would. She also discusses why meaningful change rarely starts with one giant leap—it starts with honesty, awareness, and small action steps that begin rebuilding your life from the inside out. If you’ve been feeling stuck, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from yourself, or afraid to make a change, this episode is a reminder that growth does not require perfection—but it does require truth. Send us your questions or comments! [https://www.penelopebent.com/listenerquestion] BUILD IT, BABY! is a Rainy Day Production House original. Hosted by Penelope Bent and produced by Morgan Clymer. Music: * “The Stars” by Yuri Shemshishin * “Unsolved Story” by Oleksii Holubiev * “Falling Stones” by Oleksii Holubiev Follow along: * BUILD IT, BABY!: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/letsbuilditbaby/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572431189139] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-it-baby-podcast/?viewAsMember=true] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@letsbuilditbaby] * Penelope Bent: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/penelope.bent/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/penelope.bentlippincott/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/penelope-bent-077a46167/] Rainy Day Production House. Crafted with passion. Delivered with soul.