The Introvert's Guide to Networking...or at least surviving it!

The Introvert's Guide to Networking...or at least surviving it!

No one talks about how networking can feel absolutely awful. In this episode of Brains Gone Bold, Maria and Jeanine get brutally honest about the pressure of meeting new people, making small talk, and pretending networking doesn’t drain the life out of you. Jeanine shares that she’s literally driven to networking events, sat in the parking lot, and left without ever going inside. More than once. And honestly? A lot of us probably get it. The conversation dives into why networking can feel fake, awkward, exhausting, and weirdly performative, especially for introverts or people who overthink every conversation. They also talk about the pressure behind the question, “So… what do you do?” and why that question can feel a little too personal, a little too loaded, and a little too much like being sized up. There are also plenty of funny moments along the way, including: “I evaluated all my operating systems, and they said no.” An accidental debate about Planet Fitness A failed attempt to join a laughing group at an event And the idea of creating a “no BS” networking group where nobody asks what you do for a living If networking makes you want to hide in your car, this episode is probably for you. Tune in, laugh with us, and maybe send us your best “how to survive networking” tips. We clearly need them.

We're Not Meant for Everyone

Sometimes the hardest relationships to leave aren’t romantic ones. In this episode of Brains Gone Bold, Jeanine and Maria tackle the messy, emotional, deeply human question: How do you know when it’s time to walk away from a relationship? From friendships that quietly fade… to family estrangement… to values that no longer align… to the pain of being ghosted by someone you genuinely loved… this conversation gets honest fast. The episode explores: Friendship breakups Family obligation vs. self-protection Giving difficult feedback Political/value differences in relationships Ghosting and emotional avoidance Boundaries, intuition, and self-awareness The emotional weight of obligation and expectation There are no perfect answers here, just two people trying to think through complicated things in real time. And honestly? That’s probably why this one feels so relatable. If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to stay, leave, reconnect, forgive, or let go… this conversation is for you. 💬 We’d genuinely love to hear from you in the comments: Have you ever walked away from a relationship and known it was the right choice?

How to Know When to Walk Away

Quitting sounds simple… but it never feels that way.   In this episode, Maria and Jeanine dig into a question most of us quietly wrestle with: when is it actually okay to quit? They grew up hearing, “don’t be a quitter.” Finish what you start. Push through.  But now? Life looks different.   They talk about jobs, parenting, relationships, and the pressure to stay… even when something clearly isn’t working. At one point, Maria admits she’s stayed in situations way too long, saying she held on “until they became unhealthy for me.” And Jeanine shares how she knew it was time to leave when she felt like she was “beating [her] head against the wall every single day.”   It gets real, but it also gets practical.   They explore the difference between quitting too soon and staying too long. They talk about how guilt, fear, and even pride can keep you stuck. And they land on something that actually helps:   Know your values. Because once you’re clear on what really matters to you, the decision gets a whole lot easier.   If you’ve ever stayed somewhere longer than you should have… or wondered if it’s time to move on… this one will hit home.   Tune in. You’re going to feel seen.

What Would You Do? From Tragedy to Who Picks Up the Check

What would you do… really? Not the polished answer. Not the “right” answer. The real one. In this episode, Maria and Jeanine start with a heavy story, a tragic accident, a split-second decision, and a question that doesn’t have a clean answer. Then they follow it somewhere unexpected. Because once you start asking “what would you do if…,” it turns into everything. They talk about intention vs. consequence, and how hard it is to draw a clear line when life gets messy. As one of them puts it, “Where is the line? I don’t know where the line is.” And then, just like real life, the conversation shifts. Suddenly it’s about splitting the dinner bill, feeling “cheap,” and that weird moment when the check hits the table and no one knows what to do.  Then it goes even deeper, into honesty. When someone asks for feedback, do you tell the truth if it might hurt? Or do you soften it? Or stay quiet? There are no perfect answers here. Just real ones. Some heavy. Some funny. All very human. Tune in, you’re going to see yourself in this one.

Can You Lie and Still Be Good? Exploring the Idea That Two Things Can Be True

Can you lie… and still be a good person? This episode starts simple, but it doesn’t stay that way. Maria and Jeanine dig into a question that gets real, fast: can two things be true at once? They talk about what it means to trust someone, why lies hit so personally, and whether intent really matters. Along the way, they explore everything from “harmless” lies to the ones that completely change how you see someone. At one point, Maria shares something that hits deep: when someone lies, it feels like “why don’t you feel like I’m a person you can tell the truth to?” And Jeanine offers a different lens, reminding us that not all lies come from a bad place. Sometimes, they come from protection, fear, or even kindness. They also get into: The difference between lying and intention Why some people see things in black and white, and others don’t What trust really means in relationships And how curiosity might change everything It’s thoughtful, a little messy, and very real, just like their conversations always are. If you’ve ever questioned someone’s honesty or your own reaction to it, this one will stick with you. Tune in and see where you land.