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Meet Nicole Barnes-Marshall: The Leader Who Turned Networking Into an Art Form

What happens when a political science major becomes one of America's most respected DEI executives? You get a masterclass in authentic relationship building that spans 30 years, 20,000+ vinyl records, and countless lives transformed.

This Episode Will Change How You Think About:

🌟 Building Networks from Scratch

Watch Nicole reveal how she rebuilt her entire professional network after moving from Chicago to Columbus—and the intentional strategies that made it work.

🎯 Turning Passion Into Professional Power

Discover how Nicole's love for house music became a metaphor for inclusive leadership and authentic connection.

💼 Leveraging Your Unique Background

Learn why Nicole credits her political science degree and childhood experiences with foster siblings as the secret weapons in her corporate success.

🚀 Creating Opportunities for Others

Hear the inspiring story of how Nicole consistently filled "hard-to-fill" tech positions by building trust and sharing opportunities across diverse communities.

The Moments That Will Stay With You:

"I was raised with more than 20 different children through foster care... I have all the trappings of experiences of having siblings, but also some of the experiences of being an only child."

"You're not only dating me, you're dating house music. It's a package deal."

"The narrative has been dominated by people with opinions, not necessarily the facts or the lived experience of actually leading this work and being successful at it."

Behind the Scenes Magic:

🤝 The Network That Started It All

Hear the incredible story of how hosts Billy Dexter and Nicole's paths crossed 30 years ago in the Chicago Association of Minority Recruiters—and how Billy's leadership team included his future wife!

📚 The Book Connection

Nicole is working on "Beyond the Backlash"—a groundbreaking book about building bridges in our divided world, with each chapter tied to the history of house music.

🎵 The House Music Love Story

From 20,000+ records to a pharmaceutical executive husband who became a DJ, discover how music became the soundtrack to Nicole's approach to inclusive leadership.

Why This Episode Matters Now:

In today's polarized world, Nicole offers a masterclass in:

• Building authentic relationships across differences
• Leading with both heart and strategy
• Turning challenges into opportunities for growth
• Creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive

Perfect For:

✅ Corporate Leaders navigating cultural change
✅ Career Changers building networks in new cities
✅ Anyone who believes in the power of genuine connection
✅ Music Lovers who understand community and culture

What You'll Walk Away With:

🔑 Concrete strategies for network building as an adult
🔑 Insights on leveraging your unique background
🔑 Inspiration from a leader who's created real change
🔑 Understanding of how inclusive leadership actually works
🔑 A new perspective on turning passion into professional power

"I can have a conversation with anyone

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

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What happens when you discover possibilities you never knew existed? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Anita Brick, who shares her remarkable journey of awakening to potential that emerged from an unexpected and unwanted setback. To create value, she transformed the pain into a better life. Her story isn't just inspiring—it's a roadmap for you to step into the potential you didn’t even know you had.

The Magic of Staying Awake

"When you're awake, you will not quake, so don't make that mistake and stay awake in the network where destiny does happen."—Melissa G Wilson

This isn't just poetry—it's the heart of what we explore together. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, Anita discovered something profound: the power of staying conscious, connected, and open to the magic that surrounds us when we dare to truly see.

Your Invitation to Transformation

This conversation will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about your own limits. Anita's insights reveal how ordinary people create extraordinary change—not through force or struggle, but through alignment with something bigger than themselves.

Whether you're:

• A thought leader ready to write the book that changes everything
• Someone seeking deeper meaning in your daily life.
• A dreamer who's forgotten how to dream.
• A changemaker ready to amplify your impact by writing a book.

This episode offers the spark you've been waiting for.

Join Our Community of Awakened Creators

Awake in the Network connects visionary authors and conscious creators who understand that their stories have the power to heal, inspire, and transform our world. We're building something beautiful here—a space where your unique voice matters and your message can reach the hearts that need it most.

Ready to share your own awakening story?

We're always seeking authors who want to create books that make the world better. Your experience, your wisdom, your journey—it all matters. The world needs what you have to offer. If you are interested in a free outline coaching session, email Melissa at https://networlding.com/contact-me/

Listen now and discover what becomes possible when you choose to stay awake in the network where destiny truly happens.

Because your story isn't just yours—it's medicine for a world that desperately needs healing.

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

Send us a text

What happens when you combine "The Voice of America," Chicago's networking maven, and a master storyteller? Pure magic.

Welcome to "Awake in the Network: Where Destiny Happens," through honest conversations, genuine laughter, and the kind of authentic connections that change lives.

Meet Your Hosts Who Don't Take Themselves Too Seriously

Billy Dexter – The networking wizard who's built 21 successful networks across United Airlines, Monster, MTV Networks, and Heidrick & Struggles. His superpower? Finding the commonalities that turn strangers into collaborators. Whether it's bonding over cigars at the Embassy Club or connecting theater lovers at the Goodman, Billy proves that authentic networking starts with just being yourself.

Melissa G. Wilson – The connection catalyst who turns brave leaders into confident authors. She's the one steering the ship, asking the questions that matter, and somehow managing to conduct interviews while her dog Lexie provides unscripted comedy relief. Her mission? Helping people slow down to speed up in our hyper-connected world.

John St. Augustine – Dubbed "The Voice of America" by CBS legends Charlie Osgood and Bill Curtis, John brings decades of radio wisdom and the philosophy that every moment matters. Former collaborator with Dr. Oz, bestselling author, and master of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary – he's the guy who can make 5,000 NASA scientists do whatever he wants with just hand gestures.

Why This Podcast Hits Different

Real Talk, Real People, Real Impact

• No scripts, no pretense – just three friends having conversations that matter
• Dogs barking, caramel wrappers crinkling, and all the beautiful messiness of authentic dialogue
• Stories that prove we don't look like our stories, and that's exactly the point

Networking That Actually Works

• Learn the one principle that remains constant across every successful network Billy has built
• Discover how passion and affinity create connections that last
• Understand why the least effective way to describe a human is through their politics

Life Lessons From the Trenches

• John's philosophy of "living an uncommon life" by recognizing common things differently
• Billy's approach to creating "uncommon opportunities" through authentic storytelling
• Melissa's insights on why we need to be awake in the network where destiny happens

What Listeners Are Saying

"Every time I repost their content, I get more attention than my own posts. These three have something special."

"I love their bantering – there isn't enough laughter out there, and they bring exactly what we need."

"They help people tell their stories in a way that creates unbelievable connections."

Recent Highlights You Can't Miss

The NASA Story: How John got 5,000 of the world's smartest scientists to give him a standing ovation by making them play Simon Says

The Miami Miracle: Billy's last-minute decision to blast Too Short at a coaches' conference that created one of the strongest connections of his career

The Harpo Chronicles: Behind-the-scenes stories of working with Oprah's team and why authenticity trumps everything

The Dr. Oz Years: J

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/