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).