The Official BNI Podcast

Episode 953: Growth in Difficult Times (Classic)

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Belief, passion, and leadership are the keys to business growth in difficult times. Why accept mediocrity when excellence is an option?

Episode 952: Positive Attitude Is a Competitive Advantage

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Positive attitude is one of the top two characteristics of great networkers. Realism with hope attached builds trust faster than credentials.

Episode 951: The Curse of Complexity

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This is the curse of complexity: what starts as improvement turns into friction, and what starts as innovation turns into inertia.

Episode 950: The Growth Mindset

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

John Rivers explains how to apply a growth mindset to your BNI chapter by dedicating 15 minutes a day to inviting visitors and following up.

Episode 949: Coaching a Chapter to Greatness (Classic)

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How can your chapter benefit from coaching? Mark Breves shares actions the BNI Founder Chapter took to grow from 20 to 35 members.

Episode 948: How to Be a Friend

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Reliability builds trust faster than charisma ever will. Follow through consistently. Friendship in networking is all about being safe.

Episode 947: Guinness Networking World Record

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

BNI now holds the Guinness World Record for the most people attending a speed networking event: 1108 BNI members, 20,000 rounds, 90 minutes.

Episode 946: Small Talk

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Small talk doesn't have to be shallow. It is a bridge to meaningful conversation, and it can show warmth, approachability and confidence.

Episode 945: Turning Personal Connections into Relationships

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you're stuck at the Visibility stage of the VCP process, here are some strategies to make the shift to Credibility and Profitability.

Episode 944: Don’t Let Your Group Deflate While You Wait (Classic)

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Don't let your group deflate while you wait to go back to meeting in person. Stop making excuses and start getting results.

Episode 943: What to Say to Boring People

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's not the person you're talking to who's boring. You can't have an interesting conversation with anyone without being interested.

Episode 942: Engaging Long-Time Members

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Roberts and Ivan Misner explain why mentoring new BNI members is the best way for long-time members to stay engaged.

Episode 941: My Personal Story

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

All BNI members speak the language of Givers Gain®. Attending BNI's national and global events opens up a world of referrals.

Episode 940: Holiday Party Networking

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody goes to parties during the holiday season. To make the most of holiday party networking, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Episode 939: When Is Two Not Better Than One? (Classic)

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The divided loyalties of members who belong to more than one BNI group create serious trust issues in both chapters.

Episode 938: Legal Spheres in BNI

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seventeen attorneys in one BNI Chapter? Barry Stein joins the podcast to explain how narrow specialization brings more business to everyone.

Episode 937: Try Smart Talk, Not Small Talk

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Effective business networking is about smart talk, not small talk. The right message in the right setting creates instant credibility.

Episode 936: Why New Members Struggle

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When new members get referrals right away, they become more committed to the chapter, believe in the process, and invest more in others.

Episode 935: Choose the Lens You Want to See the World Through (Classic Podcast)

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You can choose to see the world through a lens that lets you deal most effectively with the hand you've been dealt.

Episode 934: Comparing Our Inside to Other People’s Outside

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Comparison is the thief of joy, so follow Ivan Misner's tips for surviving in the age of social media highlight reels.

Episode 933: Effort Drives Outcomes

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The harder you work, the luckier you get. Luck opens doors, but hard work walks you through them. You won't succeed without it.

Episode 932: “Hey, could you introduce me to So-and-So?”

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Making a bad introduction reduces your future opportunities. Be honest, be respectful, and preserve relationships for the future.

Episode 931: Navigating Through Fear

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to fear---but don't let it drive. Listening to the message fear is giving us helps us find action steps to alleviate it.

Episode 930: Why Even Have Substitutes?

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The substitute program is not about your convenience. It's about bringing value to your BNI meeting when you're not there.

Episode 929: Education Coordinators (Classic)

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how one education coordinator transformed his chapter's Education Moments into lively seminars with active member participation.

Episode 928: Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Chapter

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Etherington explains how to work with the other members of your chapter to develop a strategic visitor invite campaign using LinkedIn.

Episode 927: Stay in Your Lane = More Givers Gain

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Define yourself, clarify your role, build trust, connect specialists, and reap the benefits of Givers Gain®.

Episode 926: Diamond Chapter Culture

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Building a Diamond Chapter with 100+ BNI members requires strategy, accountability, motivation, and measurable goals.

Episode 925: Opportunity vs. Obligation

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're asked to take a leadership role in your BNI chapter, look at it as an opportunity, not an obligation.

Episode 924: The Five Levels of Leadership

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to apply BNI's Core Values to help yourself move through John Maxwell's Five Levels of Leadership.

Episode 923: So You Want to Meet a Big Name (Classic)

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to meet a Big Name in your industry, find someone who knows and trusts you both and ask for an introduction.

Episode 922: The Power Beneath the Surface

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you join BNI, you get much more than referrals. Beneath the surface are structure, commitment, education, coaching, and mentoring.

Episode 921: Why Time and Chapter Size Matter

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The amount of time that someone stays in a BNI chapter and the size of the chapter make a huge difference in the return on investment.

Episode 920: No One Cares What You’re Saying

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kamryn Reynolds explains that the way to get more referrals is to share why you do what you do in a way that makes your listeners feel good.

Episode 919: The Easiest and the Worst Time Not to Network

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Holidays are a great time to network, so teach your BNI chapter how to identify referral opportunities at events.

Episode 918: Passion, People, Process (Classic)

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Master Passion, People, and Process to become a leader in your industry and create an enterprise that makes a difference in people's lives.

Episode 917: Show and Tell in Your BNI Presentations

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Using props in your BNI presentations helps you demonstrate the value of your services in a specific and memorable way.

Episode 916: 40 Years to Overnight Success

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Misner shares lessons from BNI's past 40 years so your business can experience decades of sustained growth.

Episode 915: 5 More Important Things for Great Networking

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Great networkers nurture strategic power teams, are always referable, read the room, tell sticky stories, & show up.

Episode 914: 5 Important Things for Great Networking

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The ability to connect, contribute and cultivate opportunity is what transforms ordinary professionals into networking legends.

Episode 913: The #1 Rule to Networking

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Perception is reality. Don't get complacent about your BNI meetings. Show up as a professional so people know you'll show up for clients.

Episode 912: Imposter Syndrome

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dealing with imposter syndrome requires a combination of mindset shifts, practical strategies, and ongoing self-awareness.

Episode 911: Why I Invited My Competition

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Would you invite a competitor to visit your BNI chapter? Jessica Korff did, and explains why you should, too.

Episode 910: Reflections on BNI’s Journey, Part 3

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the third and final episode in this series, Dr. Misner answers three questions about the future of BNI in the next 40 years.

Episode 909: Reflections on BNI’s Journey, Part 2

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of this series answers questions about the evolution of BNI and shares lessons learned over the past 40 years.

Episode 908: Reflections on BNI’s Journey, Part 1

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this first episode of a three-part series, Dr. Misner answers three questions about BNI's 40-year history.

Episode 907: GAINS Profile Updated

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The GAINS Profile is the basis of productive One-to-One meetings, and more One-to-Ones lead to more referrals. Download the updated template.

Episode 906: You Have a Book Idea. Now What?

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Heidi Scott Giusto explains how to know when your book idea is worth pursuing and what you need to do to get it written and published.

Episode 905: Applying Givers Gain to Business (Classic)

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Once you make a commitment to using the power of Givers Gain, it will fuel your business, and success will follow.

Episode 904: Why BNI Has a Code of Ethics

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Misner explains why BNI's Code of Ethics has 6 points and how "I will live up to the ethical standards of my profession," was added.

Episode 903: Three Keys to Mastering Online Reviews

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rav Mendiratta shares 3 keys to mastering online reviews and BNI testimonials, plus 3 mistakes business owners make when asking for them.

Episode 902: Thirty-nine Year BNI Member

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Marche joins Dr. Misner this week to share what he's learned about referrals and visitors in 39 years as a BNI member.

Episode 901: Misner’s Corollary to Murphy’s Law (Classic)

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Even a successful business initiative can have unintended consequences. Learn how to identify them in advance.

Episode 900: AI and Networking (Part 2)

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Spencer Reynolds returns to explain how to use AI to find the best referral partners in your BNI chapter, identify visitors, and follow up.

Episode 899: AI and Networking (Part 1)

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Spencer Reynolds explains how you can use AI tools like ChatGPT to be more effective at One-to-Ones and Weekly Presentations.

Episode 898: What Makes a Perfect Member? (Part 2)

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Traffic lights measure your engagement with BNI. They track activities that make you money. Use them to make your membership work for you.

Episode 897: What Makes a Perfect Member? (Part 1)

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Greg Davies-Polaine shares the common traits of perfect BNI members and explains how to get the same results they do.

Episode 896: The 5 Secrets of Successful People

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y.P. Lai explains that the five key fundamentals of BNI are fundamental business principles that follow universal laws of success.

Episode 895: Intentional Legacy

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You can create an intentional legacy without wealth. True legacy is the impact that you've made on others.

Episode 894: Your Business First

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

BNI won't work unless you know what you want out of your business and how to translate that into the BNI process. Frank De Raffele explains.

Episode 893: Lasting Relational Leadership

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Holman from BNI UK explains how our foundations as leaders and as BNI members come through the relationships that we build.

Episode 892: Infinite Legacy

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of the 40th Anniversary of BNI, Dr. Misner shares the 7 principles for leaving an intentional legacy.

Episode 891: Be Prepared, Always Win

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The prepared always win when it comes to networking. Guest host Tim Roberts explains how to prepare for networking at holiday social events.

Episode 890: Finding the Good in Bad Times (Classic)

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Misner shares 7 takeaways from 2020 to get you started reflecting on the good that came out of a difficult year.

Episode 889: Taking a Leadership Role in Your Chapter

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Serving on the leadership team in your BNI chapter gives you an opportunity to increase your visibility and therefore credibility.

Episode 888: How to Educate Others to Refer You

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Phil Berg explains how to empower people to want to refer you and give them the tools they need to make the referral.

Episode 887: Integrating AI into Your Company

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

AI adoption is about human behavior change. It's a people issue. It's a change management issue that you have to lead.

Episode 886: The ABCs of AI

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you really want to use AI to be creative, you have to interact with it differently than we have been doing for the last 20+ years.

Episode 885: The Connector Effect (Classic)

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Skrob explains the Connector Effect and how it makes BNI the single most effective growth strategy for business owners.

Episode 884: I Can’t Refer You

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get creative with your offerings if you aren't getting referrals. Special offers can produce fantastic testimonials and multiple referrals.

Episode 883: Fear Forward

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Oudi Abouchacra explains his F.E.A.R Forward method to take a quantum leap forward in your business and your life.

Episode 882: Having a BNI Guide

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Networking is like whitewater rafting: you need an expert guide to succeed. Second-generation BNI member Kamryn Reynolds explains.

Episode 881: The Customer Care Checklist

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to use the Customer Care Checklist to generate referrals with Julian Lewis, co-author of Dr. Misner's new book, Infinite Legacy.

Episode 880: Giving Is Transformational (Classic)

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Consciously giving has a profound ripple effect. You can be a role model for the people around you by supporting and helping others.

Episode 879: It’s a Small World After All

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What are the odds of connecting with another BNI member just by dialing a number incorrectly? That exact thing happened to Dr. Misner.

Episode 878: Failing to Follow Through

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Networking without follow-through is a waste of your time and money. If you're not going to follow up, don't bother showing up.

Episode 877: Solutions Focus–Think Big, Act Small

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The bigger the issue, the smaller the step that is going to unlock it and start to reorient things and move things in a useful direction.

Episode 876: Solutions Focus — A Better Future

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A problem-focused approach works if you're dealing with a broken washing machine. When people are involved, you need a solutions focus.

Episode 875: We Don’t Pay You to Think (Classic)

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Always pay people to think. Not only does it make employees feel valued, they can give you some great ideas and help your business grow.

Episode 874: Small Acts Equal Big Results

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your BNI chapter could double in size in the next month if you level up the way you invite visitors. Tim Roberts explains how.

Episode 873: You Own Your Results

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You are the one in charge of the results you get from your BNI membership. Guest host Tim Roberts explains what you can do to improve them.

Episode 872: Ask Ivan about GDP and Morning Meetings

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is TYCFB really the BNI equivalent of GDP? And why are most BNI meetings early in the morning? Dr. Misner answers in this week's episode.

Episode 871: When Conversation Stops, Conflict Escalates

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prevent conflicts in your BNI chapter and business by approaching conversations with a mindset of collaboration, not competition.

Episode 870: Co-opetition

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Renz explains how specialization allows BNI members to collaborate with their competitors to capture value within their markets.

Episode 869: Is There Room for Intuition in Business? (Classic)

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Intuition is quickly using reasoning given your amassed understanding of a particular issue and definitely has a place in business.

Episode 868: 10 Ways to Create Referrals for Life

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Establishing lasting referral connections is essential for any sustained growth in business. Here are 10 ways to create referrals for life.

Episode 867: Making Positivity a Habit

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Norm Dominguez shares his Positivity Pillars of Strength and Positivity Umbrella to help BNI members excel in networking, business, and life.

Episode 866: The Influence of the Minority

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The only way for BNI members to succeed is to have chapters large enough to generate multiple referrals per week for every member.

Episode 865: A Beacon of Hope in a Sea of Fear (Classic)

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don't give up on BNI. BNI won't give up on you. Today more than ever people need their network. Today more than ever they need BNI.

Episode 864: Creating a Layered Referral Machine

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dawn Lyons demonstrates how you can create a layered referral machine by helping other BNI members in their businesses.

Episode 863: Students and Networking in the Job Market

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Dr. Misner provides six networking tips for college students, recent graduates and anyone else looking for a job.

Episode 862: The Success Guidebook

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Podcast guest Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino invites BNI members to redefine success, dream big, and communicate their goals and dreams.

Episode 861: Five Ways to Encourage Employees to Network (Classic Podcast)

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Building a business through word of mouth is everyone’s job. Here are five tips to develop a networking mindset in your staff.

Episode 860: CEUs, Testimonials, Presentations, and TYFCB (Ask Ivan)

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Misner answers member questions about Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Testimonials, Presentations, and TYFCB.

Episode 859: Voracious Podcast Consumption

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Terry Donaldson aka Sparkles the Clown shares what she learned from listening to 700 episodes of the podcast during her first year in BNI.

Episode 858: The Makeover of Your Weekly Ask

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guest Jim Meadows shares how he turned a blasé, general, and repetitive weekly presentation into a 50-week sales training curriculum.

Episode 857: Networking—It’s More Than Just Talking Business (Classic)

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A referral relationship is more than just doing business. You need to find common ground on a personal level. The GAINS Exchange can help.

Episode 856: A reason, a Season, a Lifetime

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whether we know people for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, it's important to recognize our relationships in BNI.

Episode 855: Referrals Through Customer Appreciation

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Ann Dillinger explains how to use your customer appreciation program to refer your customers to members of your BNI chapter.

Episode 854: The World’s Best-Known Marketing Secret

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The World’s Best Known Marketing Secret was first published in 1994. Ivan Misner and Mike Macedonio tell us why the book is still relevant.