This episode of The Connection Code is one of our most personal and eye-opening yet. Rachel and Jeana sit down with Rachel’s 12-year-old niece, Lily Engelbret, to talk about what it’s been like to learn she’s autistic. Lily shares how that has shaped the way she experiences friendship, school, masking, and connection.With incredible honesty, humor, and wisdom beyond her years, Lily shares what autism means to her, why she prefers saying “I’m autistic” over “I have autism,” and how masking can make school feel exhausting. She also opens up about sensory overload, friendship, special interests (including SNL and Marcelo Hernandez), and the ways autism can feel both challenging and like a superpower.The conversation explores:what masking actually feels likewhy autism can look different in every personthe emotional toll of trying to “fit in”how adults can better support autistic kidswhy asking “What would help right now?” matters more than “What’s wrong?”how connection changes when someone truly understands your experienceIt’s a moving, funny, deeply human conversation about being understood ... and creating space for people to show up as themselves.

Sara Haines spends her days connecting with millions of viewers on The View, but in this episode of The Connection Code, she joins us for a much more personal conversation about friendship, vulnerability, homesickness, motherhood, and the people who make us feel truly seen.We talk about:why curiosity matters more than networkingthe emotional power of female friendshipswhat Sara has learned from interviewing people for a livingthe “I don’t know who needs to hear this” Instagram videos that made Rachel feel like Sara is the internet’s therapisthow becoming a parent changes the way you understand your own parentswhy Sara believes the people beside you matter just as much as the people above youand the surprisingly emotional reason she still cries saying goodbye to her parentsThis episode is funny, unexpectedly emotional, and full of the kinds of conversations that remind you you’re not alone.

This week on The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel are diving into the friendship stories, trends, and hot takes taking over the internet right now.From the rise of “doorbell friends” and apps designed to match you with new friends, to whether we should stop doing catch-up dinners entirely, this episode is a real-time conversation about how connection is changing — and what we may be gaining (or losing) along the way.We also talk about:why our daily word count is droppingthe importance of talking to strangersnovelty vs. consistency in adult friendshipsthe hidden magic of spontaneous planswhy friendship algorithms may narrow our worldviewthe social dynamics of plus-ones at curated dinnersand the surprisingly emotional case for neighborhood friendshipsIt’s part cultural analysis, part friendship therapy, and fully a “grab bag” episode in the best possible way.Links to all articles, posts, and references discussed are included in the show notes.Articles and posts discussed: The Wall Street Journal's "We’re All Talking to Each Other Less Than We Did a Decade Ago"The case against friendship catch ups from @loganuryFrom The Walrus "I Was Lonely and Let an App Pick My New Friends. Here’s How It Went"From Popsugar, "Why "Doorbell Friends" May Be the Most Important Relationship You Have"From The New York Time, "Public Offering," which asks the question, "How often are you talking to strangers?"From Sunday Scaries, a view from the friend who wishes you wouldn't invite a +1 to their curated dinner.

What if just four minutes a day could change the way you make decisions, navigate relationships, and understand yourself?In this episode, we talk with Laura L. Rubin about the transformative power of journaling ... not as a “nice-to-have,” but as a tool for clarity, confidence, and connection.From processing conflict to making life’s biggest decisions, Laura shares how putting pen to paper helps quiet the noise and bring you back to what’s true.We explore:How journaling helps you move from reactivity to clarityWhy self-connection is the foundation of all meaningful relationshipsThe simple 4x4x4 method to make journaling stickAnd the mindset shift that can change how you show up in your lifeThis conversation might just inspire you to pick up a pen—and finally listen to yourself.

What if oversharing isn’t something to fix, but something to use?This week on The Connection Code, we’re joined by Leslie John. She's a behavioral scientist, Harvard Business School professor, and author of Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing Together, we unpack one of the biggest myths about connection: that saying “too much” is a social mistake. Leslie explains why what we call oversharing is often just … sharing and why it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to build trust, deepen relationships, and move from acquaintance to real friendship. We talk about:The science behind self-disclosure and why it literally activates the brain’s pleasure centers The “overshare hangover” (and why it’s usually misleading)How to go from small talk to meaningful connection without making it weirdWhat crying at work actually communicates (and how to handle it)The difference between TMI (too much information) and TLI (too little information)Why the biggest regrets in life often come from what we didn’t say Plus, we share our own stories of oversharing gone right (and wrong), and what it really looks like to build connection in real time.If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking “did I say too much?” this episode might change how you see it forever.Mentioned in this episode:Leslie John's Website: https://www.proflesliejohn.comArthur Aron’s “36 Questions That Lead to Love”Leslie's book, Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing

What happens when you take 16 strangers, sit them down at one table, and design every moment for connection?This week on The Connection Code, we sit down with Shreena Amin and Chef Nicolai Mlodinow, the founders of Class Act Dining—a Chicago-based, 16-seat communal dining experience built to bring people together through food, storytelling, and intentional design.What started as a scrappy, post-pandemic dinner party in an apartment has evolved into a full sensory experience. Today, Class act engineers connection with cocktail hour, a shared table, and a nightcap.In this conversation, we explore:Why connection doesn’t just happen, it’s createdWhat a dinner table can teach us about belongingThe surprising ways strangers become friends (even skeptics and introverts) How storytelling, space, and even menu design shape human interactionAnd the deeply personal “why” behind building a business centered on connectionFrom childhood memories of gathering around food to the vulnerability of not always feeling like you belong, this episode goes far beyond dining—it’s about what we’re all craving: to feel seen, included, and part of something.Because sometimes, the shortest path to connection… is a seat at the table.

Friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson joins us for one of our favorite conversations yet, breaking down the real work behind meaningful friendships.From why adult friendships feel harder than they used to, to the role of conflict, effort, and emotional support, Danielle shares the research-backed truths most of us were never taught.We talk about:Why friendship isn’t as “natural” as we think and what that meansHow healthy conflict can actually make friendships strongerThe difference between connection and friendship (and why you need both)What to do if you’re always the one initiating plansWhy women’s friendships are both complicated and essential for our healthHow to actually be a better friend (hint: you can ask)Plus, we get into texting habits, aggressive friendship, and the reality that relationships evolve—and that’s not a failure.If you’ve ever wondered why friendship can feel confusing, one-sided, or harder than it “should” be, this episode will change how you think about connection.

What if social media actually made us better friends… instead of just better at watching each other live?Social media connects us, keeps us in the loop, and sometimes… makes us feel like we’re missing out on everything.In this episode of The Connection Code, Jeana Anderson Cohen and Rachel Gillman Rischall dive into the complicated role social media plays in our friendships, from the early days of Friendster and Facebook to today’s world of curated feeds and constant comparison.They explore:How social media can deepen connection (and sometimes replace it)Why FOMO hits differently at different stages of lifeThe unspoken rules of posting (and overthinking what others think)LinkedIn’s “humblebrag” culture—and how to navigate it authenticallyThe surprising power of oversharing in building real relationshipsPlus, they share thoughtful (and slightly radical) ideas for how social media could actually become a better tool for connection—from removing public likes to creating “friendship prompts” that nudge us offline.And in this week’s show & tell: a powerful story of how one vulnerable post turned into real-life community—and a reminder that sometimes, the internet gets it right.If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with social media… this one’s for you.Resources:Resource: National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.)Book: Revealing: The Underrated Power of OversharingExpert: Danielle Bayard Jackson

What if finding your purpose wasn’t about reinvention, but about alignment?This week on The Connection Code, we’re joined by Suzy Welch, NYU Stern professor, researcher, and New York Times bestselling author of Becoming You.Suzy has built a powerful, data-driven framework to help people uncover their purpose by looking at three key inputs:→ your values→ your aptitudes→ and what the world will pay you forIn this conversation, we explore:Why most people don’t actually know their values and how to find themHow values shape your decisions (often subconsciously)Why Suzy believes networking is broken—and what to do insteadThe surprising power of assuming the best in people (even when it backfires)How purpose becomes clearer—not through one big epiphany—but through honest self-auditWe also get personal. We spend time talking about grief, faith, teaching, and the moments that shape how we connect with others.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re on the right path (or how to feel more aligned in your life and work) this episode will give you both language and tools to think about it differently.Media in this episode:The New York Times article about making friends as an adultSuzy Welch - visit her websiteSuzy Welch - Take the Values Bridge Assessment

What if confidence isn’t something you have, but something you can borrow?This week on The Connection Code, we’re joined by executive coach and managing partner of Verde Associates, Laura Sanchez-Greenberg. She's the kind of coach whose name gets passed quietly from founder to founder, with a simple message: “If you can get time with her, do it.”Laura has worked with some of the most respected leaders and high-growth brands, helping them navigate everything from team dynamics to personal confidence. But at the core of her work is something deeper: connection.In this episode, we talk about:Why so many high-achieving people secretly don’t feel like they’re enoughHow great leaders “lend” confidence before someone can access their ownThe difference between confidence and arrogance (and why vulnerability is power)How to navigate conflict—and what real “repair” actually looks likeWhy most people hate networking (and how to make it feel natural)The loneliness of leadership—and how to build your personal “board of directors”What we’ve lost since COVID when it comes to connection—and why it mattersLaura also shares the simple but life-changing advice she gives her clients again and again: state your intent—and name what you’re afraid of.This conversation is thoughtful, grounding, and packed with insights you’ll carry into your work, your relationships, and how you show up in the world.In this episode:Website: Verde Associates Email: [email protected] The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson Tuckman Model (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing)Karpman Drama Triangle (Hero / Victim / Villain) Forest Bathing / Shinrin-yoku