The Human Connection Podcast
Professional relationships need two things to succeed.
Mutually beneficial transactions, which are like Rebar. And, personal connections, which are like Concrete.
If you just have one or the other, you’re in trouble. Because, concrete alone is going to crack and fade over time. And, rebar by itself is kinda hard to build on.
Unfortunately, most companies today have a bunch of rebar sticking out of the ground and wonder why nobody wants to sit on it with them.
So, I started The Human Connection Podcast to help scaling companies optimize client success strategies that balance advocacy with revenue growth, build high-retention relationships that drive client satisfaction and stakeholder engagement, and achieve sustainable expansion through proactive relationship management in today's competitive market.
In other words, pour some concrete around their rebar.
I’ve recorded over 100 episodes since January 2025, and have no intentions of stopping anytime soon.
Business Beyond the
Bottom Line
From visionary leaders to behavioral scientists, our guests share powerful insights and practical strategies to help you:
Build unshakeable business relationships
Create genuine connections in a digital age
Transform your company culture
More than just another business podcast, this is your guide to rebuilding the human fabric of our society, one conversation at a time.
About the Host
Storyteller and Super Connector
Karl Pontau
Overcoming two brain tumors when I was 15 taught me the power of human connection and compassion. My life's mission is to use storytelling to catalyze positive change for humanity.
I’m a Client Success Manager, helping Health & MedTech Companies Drive Adoption, Improve Outcomes, and Build Trusted Relationships
Featured Guests
Ashley Amber Sava
Ashley Amber Sava is a recovering journalist with the scars (and stories) to prove it—courtesy of Mizzou’s no-mercy J-School. She has now worked in content marketing for eight years where she crafts words that hit harder than a mid-90s power chord.
She’s navigated the wilds of employee comms and B2B tech, leaving her mark on scrappy Austin startups and global HR tech giants. Currently, she’s a senior writer at Manychat, where she wrestles bland messaging into submission and makes automation sound, well…human.
Off the clock? Ashley’s raising a gloriously spunky eight-year-old, Delia, with her Romanian husband who (she swears) is not a vampire. Her two cats, Cleo and Mufasa, run the household with iron paws. Distract her with 90s grunge or book recommendations that will wreck her emotionally for weeks.
She’s not here to whisper sweet nothings about KPIs. If you want real, unfiltered and maybe a little unruly—Ashley’s your person.
FAQs
Get quick answers to your common questions about the podcast.
Why did you start this podcast?
The lack of human connection has eroded society. Businesses are feeling the strain. One of the forecasted trends for 2025 is a focus on brand and relationship building because those have eroded over the past decade and left companies vulnerable to disruptions.
So, my goal is to interview 50 to 100 experts on Human Connection to compile a resource for rebuilding human connection in business and society.
Why do you spend most of the podcast on storytelling?
Storytelling makes us human. It's how we best share ideas and wisdom. It humanizes your brand, creates emotional engagements with your audience, enhances memory recall about your products or services, and differentiates you from competitors by showcasing unique values and propositions.
Is your podcast relevant for my businesses?
Yes. No matter if your business is B2C or B2B, it's really H2H.
Human to Human.
And, all of your employees, vendors, and stakeholders are humans.
The better your relationships are with them, the stronger your business will be.
How can I meet a guest of your podcast?
I love connecting people, and would be happy to make an intro for you -- if said guest is open to it. I need to respect their time and wishes.
So, I'll ask them first. If they approve, I'll connect you.
Please use the contact me page or reach out on LinkedIn to ask me.
Where can I find episodes?
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, LinkedIn
What is your area of expertise?
I build trusted advisor relationships through stakeholder-focused communication and proactive account management, consistently driving client satisfaction, retention, and growth outcomes across complex organizational structures.