Stop Pitching. Start Inviting: The Smart Way to Grow Your Network with Dr. Jeremy Weisz
This week on the Pixel Retentive Podcast, I connected with Dr. Jeremy Weisz, founder of Rise25, longtime podcaster, and one of the people directly responsible for this show existing in the first place.
Jeremy’s journey is anything but linear. He started in biochemistry, became a chiropractor after witnessing the impact it had on his father’s health, and accidentally stumbled into podcasting before it was even called podcasting. What began as a way to build relationships and avoid writing blog posts turned into interviewing thousands of founders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs, and eventually into Rise25, a company that helps B2B brands turn podcasts into a real relationship and growth engine.
At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful idea: stop pitching and start inviting. Instead of chasing people with sales messages, Jeremy breaks down how podcasts, systems, and genuine generosity create long-term relationships that naturally lead to business, partnerships, and referrals. We dig into how systems make generosity sustainable, why giving without agenda works, and how podcasting becomes an unfair advantage when used the right way.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
How Jeremy accidentally built an agency by helping people with podcasts
Why podcasting works better for relationship building than cold outreach
The mindset shift from pitching to inviting and giving value first
How to approach sales calls without pressure or anxiety
Why generosity needs systems to scale sustainably
The concept of the Dream 200 and relationship-first growth
How CRM pipelines can be reframed as “columns of giving”
Creative ways to stay top of mind without selling
Why social proof matters more than downloads
Lessons learned from interviewing thousands of entrepreneurs
The common thread of grit, pivots, and resilience behind successful founders
How to build content systems that drive ROI without taking over your life
“If you stop thinking about what you want and start thinking about how you can help, everything changes.” – Dr. Jeremy Weisz
This quote perfectly captures Jeremy’s philosophy. When conversations are driven by curiosity and service instead of self-interest, pressure disappears. Sales stops feeling like sales. Relationships deepen. Opportunities emerge naturally. Jeremy’s approach reframes growth as something built through trust, generosity, and consistency, not tactics or manipulation.
In this episode…
Talking with Jeremy felt like both a masterclass and a mirror. We explored how relationships are the real foundation of business, why podcasting sidesteps traditional gatekeeping, and how systems make generosity repeatable instead of exhausting. What stood out most was how intentional Jeremy is about staying in touch, adding value, and tracking relationships without turning them into transactions.
This episode is especially valuable for creatives, freelancers, and service-based founders who struggle with self-promotion or sales. Jeremy’s approach proves that you do not need to pitch harder to grow. You need to care more, show up consistently, and build systems that support long-term human connection.
A special thanks to Jason Swenk for introducing me to Dr. Jeremy Weisz, and huge thanks to Dr. Jeremy Weisz for not only joining the show but for being a mentor, connector, and catalyst behind the Pixel Retentive Podcast itself.
Until next time,
Carl Cleanthes
Resources Mentioned in this episode:
Rise25 (Jeremy Weisz’s Company):
rise25.comInspired Insider Podcast (Jeremy’s Podcast):
https://inspiredinsider.comIan Garlick: videocasestory.com
Jason Swenk: Smart Agency Masterclass
Tony Horton: P90X
Noah Alper: Noah’s Bagels (Sold to Einstein Bros. Bagels)
Chris Ategeka: Founder of multiple nonprofits
Mobileye: Advanced driver‑assistance systems (ADAS)
Alexander Landa: co‑founder/CEO of Akiva
Books Mentioned:
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight (memoir about how he started and built Nike)
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Influence by Robert Cialdini
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan HeathProtein Bars: RX, Quest Nutrition, IQ, Jimmy, Zing bar
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