In this episode of The Connection Code, Rachel and Jeana sit down with the brilliant and refreshingly candid Rebecca Jarvis, Chief Business Correspondent for ABC News, host of The Dropout, and executive producer of the Emmy-winning Hulu series of the same name.

From her roots in Minnesota to the national stage, Rebecca shares the winding path that led her to where she is today — including a tough first job in investment banking, a bold career pivot into journalism, and the behind-the-scenes grind that preceded her “overnight success.” She opens up about the power of following your curiosity, the importance of small side projects that spark joy, and the lessons she's learned about trust, friendship, and resilience along the way.

You’ll also hear:

• How Rebecca built real connections in an industry often marked by competition

• Her advice to anyone impatiently waiting to “build a network”

• A vulnerable, honest conversation about fertility and redefining ambition

• The creative side hustle that unexpectedly changed her career

• Why calling a friend midday might be the ritual your friendships need

It’s a conversation full of insight, warmth, and wisdom — and a reminder that your most meaningful momentum often begins with a genuine connection.

This week on The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel explore a topic that hits close to home—literally. With Jeana now living in Michigan and Rachel still in Chicago, the duo dives into what it really takes to maintain a long-distance friendship. From intentionality and communication cadences to low-lift check-ins (hello, memes and voice notes) and meaningful milestones, they unpack how to keep friendships thriving across miles.

Along the way, they share stories about pandemic reconnections, vacation friends who become real friends, and even whether or not it’s helpful—or just a little sorority-core—to keep a “friendship spreadsheet.” You’ll walk away with practical tips and some laugh-out-loud metaphors (including a bathtub, Jacuzzi, and pool classification system for your inner circle).

Plus: A dreamy dinner party recommendation in Chicago, an ode to snail mail, and a shoutout to Danielle Robay’s interview with Scooter Braun.

Whether you’re maintaining a lifelong bond or rekindling a faded connection, this episode is your guide to hugging your people—even if it’s just via text.

This week on The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel dive into a big, heartfelt question: What does it take to maintain friendships when you're in different family situations than your friends?

They explore how milestones like marriage and parenthood can shift friendships—sometimes causing hurt feelings on both sides—and share their own vulnerable stories of navigating these changes. From Rachel’s reflections on being one of the last in her friend group to have kids, to Jeana’s experience supporting friends with children while growing her own family, they reveal how easy it is to misinterpret distance as disinterest.

Along the way, they offer advice from friends and listeners: keep inviting each other, be patient, don't take declined invites personally, and—importantly—offer tangible help without waiting to be asked. Whether you're in the thick of new parenthood, child-free, or somewhere in between, this episode reminds us that connection through life’s big transitions takes empathy, communication, and sometimes just showing up to hold a baby.

Plus, in Show & Tell, Rachel shares a text from space (seriously!) and Jeana introduces a brilliant UK program designed to build parenting friendships, inspiring dreams of a grown-up version here.

Big themes:

• Friendship across different life stages
• Communication (and miscommunication!) between friends
• Offering support without adding decision fatigue
• Celebrating evolving friendships with intentionality

Show notes:

00:00 – 01:10 | Welcome + The Big Question

Jeana introduces the episode's central topic: "What does it take to maintain friendships when you're in a different family situation than your friends?"

01:11 – 03:20 | Early Signs of Friendship Drift

Both sides—parents and non-parents—feel left out when life stages differ, even though the hurt is often unintentional.

03:21 – 06:30 | Rachel’s Story: Learning from Both Sides

Rachel reflects on being single while friends became parents, and how becoming a mom herself reshaped her perspective on friendship.

06:31 – 08:55 | Identity Shifts and Friendship Evolution

Jeana and Rachel discuss how big life changes (like parenthood) require friendships to adapt, much like romantic relationships do.

08:56 – 13:00 | Vulnerability: Mourning the Old Friendship Era

Rachel shares her honest emotions about feeling grief when friends’ lives changed, and Jeana shares her experiences as a non-parent navigating these shifts.

13:01 – 19:25 | Advice for Bridging the Gap Between Life Stages

They discuss real ways to stay connected across different family situations, including offering specific help, patience, and proactive communication.

19:26 – 26:45 | Wisdom from Friends: What Parents and Non-Parents Wish Each Other Knew

Jeana shares advice collected from friends with kids and without—including what helps most (and what unintentionally hurts).

26:46 – 27:22 | Quick Takeaway: Clear, Heartfelt Communication

The hosts summarize the key to sustaining friendships through big life changes: honest, affirming communication—and always offering to "hold a baby" when you can.

27:23 – 35:42 | Show and Tell

Rachel shares a touching connection story involving a text from Gail King before going to space! Jeana shares a fascinating UK program The National Childhood Trust (NCT) that helps new parents build local community friendships.

35:43 – 37:31 | Dreaming Up an "Adult Life Class" for New Chapters

They riff on how amazing it would be to have friendship-focused life classes for adults navigating major life transitions.

37:32 – 38:13 | Connection Highlight: Closing the Loop

Jeana and Rachel celebrate a recent "closed loop" moment, highlighting the importance of following up after introductions.

38:14 – End | Wrap-Up and Farewell

Encouragement to share, rate, and review the podcast—and reminders on how to connect with Jeana and Rachel on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Ready to get better at making friends, asking deeper questions, and maybe even sending a bamboo plant or two? We’re joined by Danielle Robay — media host, master question-asker, and connection enthusiast — to talk about how curiosity, generosity, and a little bit of chutzpah can change your life (and your friendships). Plus, a few stories that will have you laughing and taking notes.

In this episode, we feature our guest Danielle Robay. She is a media personality, content creator, moderator and host of my favorite weekly listen - the Question Everything podcast. She also created a Question Everything card game with 52 prompts for deeper discussions. 

Notes:

0:00 — Welcome to The Connection Code

1:08 — Asking for Help and Finding Friendship Leaders

5:00 — The Power of One Contact

9:02 — Introducing Danielle Robay

10:34 — Soulful Friendships and First Impressions

12:27 — The Gift of Listening

18:26 — Danielle's Story: Starting From Scratch in LA

24:16 — Maintaining and Growing Relationships

29:38 — Moments You Want to Give Up

36:15 — Cardinal Rules of Connection

42:15 — Bonus Banter: Dream Podcast Co-Hosts

47:00 — Cold Connections That Changed Everything

54:15 — Wrapping Up with Gratitude

Follow us!

Jeana Anderson Cohen: LinkedIn and Instagram

Rachel Gillman Rischal: LinkedIn and Instagram

This week on The Connection Code, Rachel and Jeana explore what turns a casual connection into a close friendship—hint: it involves shared history, vulnerability, and the kind of trust that lets you ask for a ride to the airport. They also try the 36 Questions That Lead to Love and get real about ambition, anxiety, and the people who help us feel truly seen.

Rachel Gillman and Jeana Anderson Cohen discuss the concept of "generous connection" on this week's episode. They explore the difference between giving directions and offering a ride, emphasizing the importance of providing substantial help, such as making warm introductions and sharing detailed, specific advice. Rachel highlights her preference for aiding college students and those going through tough transitions. Jeana shares her practice of always saying "yes" to her community and the impact of setting big, audacious goals. They also touch on the importance of reciprocity, the benefits of making new connections, and the value of clear intentions and norms in fostering positive relationships.

Also, very importantly, we learn rules we should all implement from a 5th grade babysitters' club.

00:42 Today's big question: What does a generous connection look like?

10:25 Rachel's Hotel California view on relationships

12:52 Jeana's show and tell: Talking to strangers with help from an episode of Plain English by Derek Thomson - The Anti Social Century

16:05 A simple sentence to help you make a friend

16:25 Rachel's daughter Shira's tips for making friends

17:11 Rachel's show and tell: her daughter Shira's rules for babysitter club

18:40 Jeana shares data on big groups and drama from Adam Grant (she read it on Scary Mommy)

21:32 Connection spotlight: Danielle Robay

22:46 Rachel and Jeana pull cards from Danielle Robay's card deck called "Question Everything"

25:05 Jeana tries to save Rachel's plants through positive words and affirmations

Follow us!

Jeana Anderson Cohen: LinkedIn and Instagram

Rachel Gillman Rischal: LinkedIn and Instagram

Welcome to The Connection Code, a podcast where two friends explore the relationships that make your life and work just a little bit better.

Your hosts are Rachel Gillman Rischall and Jeana Anderson Cohen.

Rachel is the creator of Three PR and Jeana says that she's a master of relationships and networking - last year she logged just how many connections she made for other people (and it was about 150).

Jeana is the founder of aSweatLife and has spent more than 13 years on a business built around helping adults make friends through fitness. Rachel refers to her as the friendship queen.

Together they’ll get curious, chat with experts, and dive into creating deeper and more lasting connections.

Show notes:

1:10: The start of Rachel and Jeana's friendship

3:20: Jeana doing friendship science on Rachel (how many hours does it take to make a good friend?)

4:56: Jeana's 5-step process for making friends

6:30: Rachel chats through her reframing of professional connections

7:49: Show and tell: Rachel's connection challenge of 2024 and what she learned

9:00: Rachel's take on consensual introductions

9:53: Rachel's connection challenge lesson number 1: Close the loop

13:00: Rachel's connection challenge lesson number 2: Everyone knows someone

14:03: Rachel's connection challenge lesson number 3: Don't connect people for the ego boost

15:39: Jeana and Rachel work through a networking situation

18:52: Rachel talks through why she loves making connections for people (and you can too)

20:59: Jeana's show and tell: Jeana talks about the Priya Parker inspired dinner (From "The Art of Gathering") at the aSweatLife x Sarah Spain retreat at Miraval

30:39: Rachel's dream connection: Gail King 

32:55: Jeana's dream connection: Astronaut Kellie Gerardi* (Note Jeana talks about Kellie's early announcement of pregnancy in January, and Kellie has subsequently experienced pregnancy loss - we're so grateful that she has people to support her and her family).

36:25: Jeana tries to convince Rachel to watch Severance

37:50: Rachel and Jeana explain metrics for the podcast (are we having fun, are we strengthening our friendship, are we having good conversations)

Follow us!

Jeana Anderson Cohen: LinkedIn and Instagram

Rachel Gillman Rischal: LinkedIn and Instagram

Rachel and Jeana sit down with author, journalist, and MSNBC anchor Alicia Menendez to unpack the deeply relatable tension explored in her book The Likability Trap.

Together, they explore what it means to be both respected and liked at work and why women are so often forced to choose.

Alicia shares personal experiences, expert insights, and behind-the-scenes moments from her journey through journalism, publishing, and producing a Broadway show.

The conversation spans everything from the power of early support in someone’s journey, to the art of making and keeping friendships through life’s busiest seasons. Alicia also drops real-world advice on building authentic (and sometimes transactional) relationships, why specificity matters when networking, and how to ask for help (even when it feels hard).

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to thread the needle between warmth and ambition, or wondered how to maintain connection through life’s chaos, this one’s for you.

Follow everyone you hear in this episode:

• Alicia Menendez
• Jeana Anderson Cohen
• Rachel Gilman Rischall

In this special episode, Rachel and Jeana welcome Rebecca Rosen—renowned spiritual medium, best-selling author, and host of the Small Medium at Large podcast. A dream guest for Rachel (and longtime source of spiritual inspiration), Rebecca shares how she first discovered her gift, what it means to be a medium, and how anyone can start tuning into their own intuition.

They talk about listening to “life’s whispers,” the comfort and clarity that can come from connecting with the other side, and how Rebecca views mortality and purpose through a spiritual lens. You’ll hear practical tips for recognizing signs, insights into what “heaven” might feel like, and stories that may just change the way you see the world around you.

Plus, don’t miss the full-circle moment of Rachel’s manifestation journey that brought this conversation to life.

Follow Rebecca on Instagram at @mediumrebeccarosen

Thank you for listening to The Connection Code with Rachel and Jeana. This production is edited by Ben Kliever.

In this deeply moving episode, Rachel and Jeana sit down with Sarrah Bentley, former Broadway showgirl, yoga entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor, mom, and founder of A Chance for Life, a nonprofit funding surrogacy journeys for breast cancer survivors.

Together, they explore what it truly means to show up for people during life’s hardest seasons and how to accept help when you’re the one in need. Sarrah opens up about her own experience navigating an aggressive cancer diagnosis during COVID, her unexpected village of support, her radical approach to staying embodied through movement, and the miraculous journey to her son, Chance.

Along the way, the conversation touches on vulnerability, spirituality, finding joy in the messiest moments (a practice Sarrah calls joy mining) and how connections, both online and IRL, have shaped her survival and purpose.

If you need a dose of perspective, hope, or permission to slow down and savor the sweetness that exists alongside struggle, this episode will stay with you long after you listen.

Listen in for stories about:

• How to show up (and how to ask!) when someone is going through something hard
• The power of being specific when offering or requesting help
• The life-changing impact of a single supportive conversation
• Sarrah’s candid, joyful take on motherhood after surrogacy
• Why perfection is boring and joy is always worth mining

In this very special 10th episode of The Connection Code, the microphones are flipped as Rachel’s twin daughters, Kayla and Shira, take the lead. What follows is a candid, funny, and deeply heartfelt conversation about what it means to connect—with yourself, with friends, and with the world around you.

Before the twins step in, Jeana and Rachel open up about what it’s like trying to show up fully in relationships while navigating overwhelm. They talk about mental health, the myth of multitasking, and the emotional cost of doing too much. Rachel shares a moving story about how her friendship radar was wrong at first impressions, and Jeana brings in insights from Reddit on rejection and connection.

Then the twins join, and we’re treated to some surprisingly thoughtful (and adorably unfiltered) questions and insights. The girls ask what makes a connection meaningful, how to know if it’s a good one, and whether their moms have really taught them anything about friendship. The result? A cross-generational conversation that reminds us connection can start anywhere—at school, camp, or even a bowling alley.

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel sit down with Kevin Boehm - restaurateur, storyteller, and author of forthcoming book "The Bottomless Cup." They open the show reflecting on their own bold life moves—Jeana quitting a job after one day, Rachel moving to Chicago without a job—and then dive into Kevin’s extraordinary journey: from his early restaurant hustle to co-founding the award-winning Boka Restaurant Group.

Kevin shares how ambition once filled a void in his life, the emotional toll of connection in hospitality, and how he’s learning to live more authentically in his second act. With vulnerability, laughter, and one unforgettable bobcat story, this episode is a masterclass in personal reinvention, friendship, and the power of dropping the mask.

References:

• Kevin's upcoming book – The Bottomless Cup
• Brené Brown – Braving the Wilderness
• Brené Brown – Atlas of the Heart
• Robin Dunbar - Friends: Understanding the Power of our Most Important Relationships
• Amy Poehler’s Podcast - Good Hang
• Friendship (Upcoming film starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson)
• Robin Dunbar – “Sex Differences in Close Friendships and Social Style”
• Generous Assumptions – A Brené Brown principle on approaching others’ behavior with compassion

This week on The Connection Code, it’s just Jeana and Rachel—and they’re diving into everything from cold emails to wedding thank-you notes to the group trip that never was.

Rachel unveils her “Compliment Theory”—a simple but powerful method for building meaningful connections with people you admire. Spoiler: Mark Cuban, Kara Swisher, and Tom Costello have all written back. Jeana asks how this applies to starting fresh in a new town, and together they brainstorm a game plan for creating community from scratch.

In Show & Tell, Jeana shares why “conspicuous creation” (aka creating in public) helped make Petite Acres a reality, while Rachel brings the most jaw-dropping Wall Street Journal group chat drama you’ve ever heard. They break down why group trips fail, why someone must be in charge, and why “we should” isn’t a plan.

Plus: how to build rituals to keep friendships strong, what to do when your thank-you notes get critiqued, and a tear-worthy Connection Conversation spotlighting astronaut and IVF advocate Kellie Gerardi.

In this lively, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud episode, Jeana and Rachel sit down with award-winning sports journalist, podcast host, and soon-to-be author Sarah Spain to talk about the surprising ways movement, friendship, and connection intersect.

The episode kicks off with a personal exploration of how team sports—and even just trying something new—can help us build relationships, confidence, and community. That theme flows seamlessly into Sarah's story, from being a college athlete to becoming what she calls the "social chair" of her life, building a network that’s equal parts powerful and deeply personal.

They discuss:

• How movement can create shared goals, belonging, and identity
• The incredible true story behind Sarah’s debut book Runs in the Family (out June 3!)
• Why women need to embrace shameless self-promotion (and how Sarah is channeling "Instagram carousel energy" to sell her book)
• The delicate art of generous networking and what it means to give without expecting a return
• The joy and meaning behind the parties Sarah throws—and what they teach us about gathering in a disconnected world

You’ll also hear what Jeana learned about sports from Sarah, what Rachel’s twins are up to, and why every episode should end with a compliment.

Whether you’re a sports fan or just a fan of friendship, this one will make you want to text someone just to say hi. And make sure to pre-order the book at https://tinyurl.com/RITFbook.

In this heartfelt and humorous episode of The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel sit down with Mosh Oinounou, the founder of Mo News, to explore how one person—and one push—can change everything.

Mosh shares the origin story of Mo News, from a private Instagram feed created during the pandemic to a 500k+ strong multimedia news platform.

Along the way, we hear how his wife Alex nudged him out of his comfort zone and into the spotlight, and how the community he built continues to shape the future of independent media.

The trio dives into the vulnerability of reinvention, the impact of childhood experiences, the challenges of being always-on in a 24/7 news cycle, and how to balance ambition with being present. Plus, they solve (maybe?) Mosh’s community platform dilemma live on the pod.

If you’ve ever felt like the odd one out or dreamed of building something meaningful, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

0:00 – 5:20 | The Year of Intros & the Etiquette of Declined Connections

Jeana and Rachel tally up their introduction counts and explore the social nuance of when someone says “no thanks” to a connection.

5:21 – 10:00 | The Power of One Person’s Encouragement

Rachel and Jeana reflect on pivotal moments when someone’s words changed their paths—and why those small nudges matter.

10:01 – 17:20 | Meet Mosh: The Man Behind Mo News

They welcome Mosh and unpack the role of names, introductions, and super connectors—including his wife, Alex.

17:21 – 23:30 | Mo News Origin Story

Mosh shares how a pandemic project turned into a news empire, all thanks to a little push (and some fights) with Alex.

23:31 – 27:30 | From News-Obsessed Kid to Newsroom Disruptor

A young Mosh trades ice cream for the Chicago Tribune, gets kicked out of class for asking too many questions, and dreams big.

27:31 – 30:25 | Navigating Belonging and the Long Echo of High School

The group explores how early feelings of otherness shape adult identity—and how parenting today demands balance between protection and resilience.

30:26 – 33:30 | Investing in the Future of Mo News

Should Mosh take on outside investors or crowdsource from the community? Rachel and Jeana weigh in with passion and pragmatism.

33:31 – 38:15 | The New Media Model: Listening to Your Audience

Mosh explains how audience questions and DMs help shape Mo News coverage—and why that’s changing how journalism is done.

38:16 – 43:00 | Real-Time Reporting & the Pressure of 24/7 Coverage

What it’s like to report during life’s big (and little) moments, from birthday parties to breaking news.

43:01 – 48:00 | The Future of the Mo News Community

Slack? Circle? WhatsApp? Mosh talks about the challenge of building a connected community—and maybe lands on a solution live.

48:01 – 54:00 | Burnout, Boundaries, and Being Present

Mosh opens up about the tension between growing a brand and showing up for the people who matter most.

54:01 – End | Closing Gratitude + Where to Find Mo News

Rachel and Jeana reflect on the conversation, and Mosh shares where to follow along (plus a teaser for what’s next at Mo News).