The Official BNI Podcast – Episode 941: My Personal Story

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Dr. Ivan Misner
Guest: Anna Rivers, Area Director for BNI Oregon and SW Washington

Episode Overview

This episode of The Official BNI Podcast features a deeply personal and inspiring story from Anna Rivers, Area Director of BNI Oregon and SW Washington. Anna shares how she used the international BNI network to reconnect with her biological family in Romania after being adopted and living in the United States since infancy. The conversation, facilitated by Dr. Ivan Misner, delves into the power of global networking, the emotional journey of family discovery, and the tangible, life-changing reach of the BNI community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Anna’s Background and BNI Role

• Anna Rivers joined BNI in 2019 and has been instrumental in launching and growing chapters in her region.
• She is passionate about building strong communities—the essence of BNI’s mission.
  [01:03–01:45]

The Global BNI Convention & The “What If” Moment

• Anna describes her first global BNI convention in Madrid, which sparked a pivotal idea: could she use BNI’s worldwide network to find her birth family in Romania?
  • Quote: "I had this very random what if thought when I was a baby, I was adopted from Romania and brought to the United States. ... How can I leverage this global network to find my biological family?" — Anna [02:17]
• She reached out to Manuela, BNI’s National Director in Romania, leading to new opportunities.
  [02:17–04:06]

Leveraging the BNI Network for a Personal Search

• With help from Manuela, Anna joined Romanian Facebook groups for adoptees searching for families.
• Within two days, a social worker responded with news: contact details for her uncle.
  • Memorable Moment: "I posted my information on a Tuesday, and literally two days later, I had a social worker respond to me and say, 'I just got off the phone with your uncle.'" — Anna [03:53]

Rapid Reunification and Emotional Encounters

• The pace surprised Anna; Zoom meetings with her biological relatives—including her mother in Italy—were arranged almost immediately.
• The initial virtual reunion was described as warm and familiar:
  • Quote: "It truly felt like you were going to your family's house for Sunday dinner. Like, we have known these people forever." — Anna [05:36]
• Anna’s cousin shared a resonant Romanian phrase: “Blood is thicker than water.”
  [05:36–06:24]

Expanding Family Connections and International Travel

• Anna shares practical details about meeting her birth family: traveling to Italy and Romania, overcoming language barriers with tech (Google Translate), and quickly feeling at home.
• Anna and her husband are now considering purchasing a second home in Italy for frequent visits—supported by BNI connections, including a real estate agent they met at a BNI chapter in Perugia.
  • Quote: "We always try to go to a B and I meeting... and he [the visitor host] happened to be the residential real estate agent." — Anna [06:42]
• Anna and her husband also used BNI members' businesses for travel tech and passed referrals internationally—showcasing global Giver’s Gain. [06:42–08:00]

The Power and Speed of the BNI Network

• Dr. Misner is astonished by how quickly the BNI network enabled Anna's search:
  • Quote: “One of the things that has surprised me over and over again is how quickly things can happen within BNI. When you put it out there… it’s amazing how quickly sometimes things can come together.” — Dr. Ivan Misner [09:14]
• Both Anna and Ivan reflect on the BNI principle: state your need, and the network responds faster and more generously than you might imagine.
  [09:14–10:02]

Advice to BNI Members: Go Global

• Anna’s key message: attend global BNI conventions if possible—they unlock a world of opportunities.
  • Quote: “Because it wasn't until I went to a global convention in Spain that I really understood how big the opportunities in BNI are... We all spoke the same language, which is Giver’s Gain.” — Anna [10:02]
• Dr. Misner highlights BNI’s unique global culture, comparing international conventions to a harmonious United Nations summit.
  • Quote: “It’s like going to a United Nations event where all the countries love each other.” — Dr. Ivan Misner [11:15] [10:02–11:48]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Anna Rivers (02:17):
  “How can I leverage this global network to find my biological family?”

• Anna Rivers (03:53):
  “I just got off the phone with your uncle.”

• Anna Rivers (05:36):
  “It truly felt like you were going to your family's house for Sunday dinner. Like, we have known these people forever... blood is thicker than water.”

• Dr. Ivan Misner (09:14):
  “When you put it out there… it’s amazing how quickly sometimes things can come together.”

• Anna Rivers (10:02):
  “We all spoke the same language, which is Giver’s Gain.”

• Dr. Ivan Misner (11:15):
  “It’s like going to a United Nations event where all the countries love each other.”

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:03 — Introduction to Anna and her BNI background
• 02:17 — Anna’s inspiration during the global convention
• 04:06 — Finding her uncle within two days
• 05:36 — Emotional family reunion and Romanian proverb
• 06:42 — Meeting BNI members in Italy and planning a second home
• 08:00 — The global reach of Giver’s Gain in action
• 09:14 — Ivan on the surprising speed of BNI networking
• 10:02 — Anna’s advice: Attend global conventions
• 11:15 — Ivan’s reflection on the culture of BNI international conventions

Conclusion

Anna Rivers’ journey underscores the transformative power of the BNI network and its ethos of collective support. Her story moves from a spontaneous “what if” to remarkable real-world results—within days—demonstrating that personal and professional lives are woven together through global relationships. The episode encourages BNI members everywhere to embrace international opportunities and believe in the network’s ability to redefine what’s possible.