Episodes

In the Season 1 finale of The Connection Code, Jeana Anderson Cohen and Rachel Rischall sit down with film producer Jolene Rodriguez, CEO of Broken English Productions and one of Variety’s “10 Producers to Watch.” Jolene’s story is a testament to what happens when connection meets courage, from keeping her intern badge and showing up at Sony Pictures until she earned a job, to building a career anchored in generosity, inclusion, and heart. She opens up about the loss of her twin sister Julie an...

This week on The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel sit down with Carla Piñeyro Sublett — former CMO of IBM, recovering tech executive, and founder of Co-Effect, where she helps people and organizations find more human-centered ways to work. Carla shares her remarkable story of walking away from a high-powered tech career, taking her family offline for a year to reconnect, and rediscovering her purpose, “to be in service of humanity.” She opens up about her “100 first dates” experiment that help...

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...

James Beard Award–winner Jason Hammel, chef/owner of Chicago’s beloved Lula Cafe, joins us to unpack what hospitality really is (“empathy in action”), how a restaurant keeps its soul for 26+ years. We also touch on why showing up for staff, guests, and himself matters more than ever. We talk about teaching “service grammar” vs. cultivating a culture of generosity, the forest-like networks that sustain teams, and the art of building connection beyond the table - from Pilot Light’s food-education ...

In this episode of The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel sit down with Chef Joe Flamm,Top Chef winner, restaurateur, and lifelong South Sider, whose career and character are defined by one word: authenticity. Joe shares his journey from dropping out of college to culinary school, grinding in Chicago’s toughest kitchens, and ultimately winning Top Chef and opening acclaimed restaurants like Rose Mary and il Carciofo. He opens up about the friendships forged on the line, the mentors who shaped hi...

In this episode of The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel sit down with the incomparable DJ Blatner, registered dietitian, sports nutritionist, bestselling author, and self-described joy evangelist. DJ shares how she hit rock bottom despite outward success, and how reframing joy as a skill set, not a mindset transformed her life, work, and relationships. Together, we explore: Why joy is a nutrient—and how to “dose” yourself daily with play, gratitude, and self-care How DJ’s “Joy GPS” system k...

What does it take to build trust in just six days? Lindsay Shookus knows. After two decades producing Saturday Night Live, she’s mastered the art of forging deep bonds quickly with some of the most high-profile guests in entertainment. In this episode of The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel sit down with Lindsay to talk about the “camp counselor” side of SNL, her evolution into executive coaching and public speaking, and the powerhouse community she co-founded—Women Work F#cking Hard. You’ll h...

In this episode of The Connection Code, Jeana and Rachel lean into a back-to-school mindset to explore the lessons we’ve learned about friendship over the years. From middle school buttons that reminded us of “the friends we’ve yet to meet” to the adult reality of friendship seasons, group dynamics, and the roles we play in our circles, this conversation gets candid about belonging, wayfinding, and why it often takes a leader to bring people together. We also share stories of A+ friends who sho...

What happens when a connection fails—and what do we learn from it? In this special episode, Rachel and Jeana welcome Rachel’s sister, Laura Engelbret, a fluent Spanish speaker and longtime English Language (EL) teacher, who shares her powerful story of moving to Oaxaca, Mexico after college. What began as a dream of adventure turned into one of Laura’s hardest moments of rejection—but also a turning point that shaped her career, her resilience, and her philosophy on connection. Laura takes us f...

In this episode of The Connection Code, we sit down with Tim Huelskamp. He's the CEO and co-founder of 1440, creator of a thriving Jeffersonian dinner series, and one of the most generous connectors we know. Tim shares how his upbringing shaped his curiosity, why “closing the loop” is one of the most powerful (and underused) networking habits, and the intentional ways he curates gatherings to spark meaningful relationships across industries. From his company’s vision to blend knowledge with in...

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 gri...

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, vaca...

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...

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 ho...

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, h...

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 multitaskin...

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...

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 communi...

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 becomi...

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...

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 support...

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...

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 ...