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