Connection Pet Peeves (and How to Fix Them)
What happens when connection goes wrong? In this episode of The Connection Code, Jeana Anderson Cohen and Rachel Gillman Rischall swap stories about their biggest connection pet peeves — from transactional networking emails and unfulfilled promises to the dreaded “we should grab coffee” that never happens.
But this isn’t just a vent session. Together, Jeana and Rachel explore what these missteps can teach us about being better friends, colleagues, and connectors. Expect laughter, self-awareness, and even a few cringe-worthy personal stories (like the time Rachel asked a near-stranger for a celebrity birthday video … and lived to regret it).
They’ll unpack:
- How to ask for introductions without making it transactional
- The art of following through on favors and commitments
- Why “we should” is the most overused phrase in connection
- The beauty of being inclusive at events — and how to be the person who invites others in
- Simple scripts for repairing connection missteps (and why an authentic apology still matters)
And stay tuned for Show & Tell, where Jeana shares the Washington Post article that proves almost everything is better with friends, and Rachel spotlights a Chicago restaurant’s inspiring story of community support after tragedy struck.
Media:
🗞️ Washington Post: “Doing almost anything is better with friends” — the article Jeana references in Show & Tell.
📚 Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering — the book that inspired Rachel’s “No Small Talk” event format.
💌 GoFundMe for Dear Margaret Restaurant — the fundraiser Rachel started to help support a beloved neighborhood spot after a fire.
🎧 Related episode: “Condensed Connections: Building Bonds on a Deadline” with Lindsay Shookus