The Importance of Networking in Podcasting

I hate using the word network but I guess network and build your connections has anything kind of come out of doing your podcast that you know wouldn't have been there if you weren't doing this podcast? You just beat some really really cool people that would never happen like I was the kind of person that didn't answer the phone at work or give my number up because I was so scared of even talking to people. Now it's like oh there's people out there and they're actually quite nice and it's okay to talk to people which is crazy. That would never have happened had I not even not started this so what are the best decisions ever absolutely.