The Awkward Handshake

The Awkward Handshake is a podcast about networking, business, and what really happens in the room. Hosted by two friends in business who’ve doubled down on the local scene, this show pulls back the curtain on the good, the bad, and the deeply awkward realities of networking. From event logistics and social dynamics to follow-ups, coffee chats, and conversions, we’re talking about how relationships turn into revenue in the real world — not the internet fantasy version. We record from Sasquatch Media Grounds in Vancouver, Washington, and most episodes draw directly from our experiences attending multiple networking events a week across the Portland–Vancouver metro. Sometimes we’re joined by guests who host or design their own events. Sometimes it’s just us, downloading what worked, what didn’t, and what we wish someone had told us sooner. Your hosts are Megan Eckman, co-founder of Fat Cap Design and author of <

The Awkward Handshake is a business podcast hosted by Mary Williams & Megan Eckman, with 21 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Mary Williams & Megan Eckman hosts The Awkward Handshake, a business show with 21 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #20

  What Actually Works in Networking (After 20 Episodes)

  May 22, 202639 minS1

  <p>After 20 episodes, dozens of conversations, and more networking events than we can count… what actually works?</p><p>In this <b>Season 1 finale of The Awkward Handshake</b>, it’s just Mary and Megan—taking a step back to reflect on everything we’ve learned about networking, community, and how people really connect.</p><p>This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a reality check.</p><p>We talk about what surprised us, what held up across different environments, and what consistently didn’t work—no matter the city, the event, or the industry.</p><p>If you’ve been listening...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #19

  Come for the Romance, Stay for the Community with Grand Gesture Books

  May 15, 202656 minS1

  <p>What if one of the best “networking spaces” in your city… is a romance bookstore?</p><p>In this episode of <b>The Awkward Handshake</b>, we sit down with <b>Katherine D. Morgan</b>, the owner of <b>Grand Gesture Books</b>, a romance-focused indie bookstore in Portland, Oregon that has quietly built one of the most engaged communities in the city.</p><p>This conversation isn’t about traditional networking. It’s about what happens when people gather around shared interests, feel safe being themselves, and keep coming back—not because they have to, but because they want to.</p>...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #18

  How Kaitlin Carpenter Built Creative Mornings Portland

  May 8, 202653 minS1

  <p>What does it take to build a creative community that people actually want to keep coming back to?</p><p>In this episode of <b>The Awkward Handshake</b>, we sit down with <b>Kaitlin Carpenter</b>, the organizer behind <b>Creative Mornings Portland</b>, to talk about what it really looks like to sustain a creative community over time.</p><p>Kaitlin isn’t just hosting events—she’s curating an experience. From speakers to structure to the feeling in the room, Creative Mornings has become one of Portland’s most consistent and well-loved creative gatherings.</p><p>We talk...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #17

  Is This a Business Problem… or a Therapy Problem?

  May 1, 202648 minS1

  <p>What if the thing blocking your business… isn’t actually your business?</p><p>In this episode of <b>The Awkward Handshake</b>, we sit down with <b>Micah Freeman</b>, a licensed therapist, to talk about the overlap between mental health, nervous system regulation, and the way we show up in networking and business.</p><p>This conversation goes deeper than tactics. We explore the moments where strategy isn’t the issue—and where avoidance, fear, or dysregulation might be quietly running the show.</p><p>Micah breaks down how to tell the difference between a real business problem...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #16

  Networking in the Wild: BookCon NYC

  Apr 24, 202632 minS1

  <p>What happens when you take your networking skills out of your home city… and drop them into a massive conference?</p><p>In this episode of The Awkward Handshake, it’s just Mary and Megan (recording after returning from BookCon NYC)<b> </b>sharing their immediate reactions to what networking feels like in a high-energy, location-based event.</p><p>This is a real-time download of what’s different, what’s surprisingly the same, and what actually matters when you’re meeting people outside your usual ecosystem.</p><p>We talk about the energy of large conferences, how people show up differe...

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Awkward Handshake. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.