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Welcome to Speak Arizona, the ultimate podcast for professionals looking to elevate their speaking skills in the workplace, meetings, and beyond. Whether you’re aiming to captivate an audience, lead a successful meeting, or enhance your professional presence, this podcast is your go-to resource for actionable tips, expert insights, and inspiring stories. Join us as we delve into the art of effective communication, share proven strategies, and interview top speakers and coaches who have mastered the craft. Tune in to Speak Arizona and unlock your potential to speak with confidence, influence, and impact. Powered by District 3 Toastmasters. Subscribe now and take the first step towards becoming the speaker you’ve always wanted to be!
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
Introverted and tired of networking that feels like forced small talk? In this episode, Rupesh Parbhoo sits down with Rachel Perez, Owner and Creative Director of Composion, to share low-pressure ways to build real professional relationships. They talk about why deep listening is an introvert superpower, how arriving early makes conversations easier, and simple icebreakers that feel natural. Rachel also shares how improv classes helped her get comfortable thinking on her feet. Perfect for introverts and quiet professionals who want to grow their network with confidence and authenticity.
Key takeaways
- Lead with curiosity, not an agenda. People can feel when you are trying to sell.
- Arrive early to events so conversations start one-on-one, not in a big group.
- Use easy icebreakers: shared context (like the food), genuine compliments, and thoughtful questions.
- Regulate the anxiety: zoom out, keep it playful, and remember the stakes are smaller than they feel.
- Practice outside your comfort zone (like improv) to build social confidence over time.
Rachel Perez is the Owner and Creative Director of Composion. She specializes in branding, logo design, and website design for small, service-based businesses in the human and animal health and wellness space, with 14+ years of experience and a degree in Visual Communication.
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-perez-composion/
- Website: https://www.composion.design/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs.rachelperez/
Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome to Speak Arizona
00:57 - Why networking can feel hard for introverts
01:16 - Meet Rachel Perez and Composion
04:55 - Building confidence with improv reps
06:09 - What networking is really about
11:20 - Network without an agenda
12:48 - Brownies and other easy icebreakers
15:10 - Arrive early to make it easier
15:35 - The "floating rock" perspective shift
18:24 - Following up after events (Instagram and LinkedIn)
26:01 - Speaking gigs, confidence, and practice
28:46 - Box breathing and where to connect with Rachel
29:36 - Closing and outro
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