Friendship Trends Under the Microscope. Should We Stop Doing Catch-Up Dinners?

A firsthand look at connection and autism featuring Lily Engelbret

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 like * why autism can look different in every person * the emotional toll of trying to “fit in” * how adults can better support autistic kids * why asking “What would help right now?” matters more than “What’s wrong?” * how connection changes when someone truly understands your experience It’s a moving, funny, deeply human conversation about being understood ... and creating space for people to show up as themselves.

Why Sara Haines of The View is the Internet’s Best Friend (with friendship tips)

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 networking * the emotional power of female friendships * what Sara has learned from interviewing people for a living * the “I don’t know who needs to hear this” Instagram videos that made Rachel feel like Sara is the internet’s therapist * how becoming a parent changes the way you understand your own parents * why Sara believes the people beside you matter just as much as the people above you * and the surprisingly emotional reason she still cries saying goodbye to her parents This episode is funny, unexpectedly emotional, and full of the kinds of conversations that remind you you’re not alone.

Friendship Trends Under the Microscope. Should We Stop Doing Catch-Up Dinners?

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 dropping * the importance of talking to strangers * novelty vs. consistency in adult friendships * the hidden magic of spontaneous plans * why friendship algorithms may narrow our worldview * the social dynamics of plus-ones at curated dinners * and the surprisingly emotional case for neighborhood friendships It’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 [https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/speaking-study-words-per-day-decline-6f549d5a?st=JVK4sV&reflink=article_imessage_share]" * The case against friendship catch ups from @loganury [https://www.instagram.com/p/DXuZBlRDXrG/?img_index=4&igsh=YTJuNG1hdW10aWQ2] * From The Walrus "I Was Lonely and Let an App Pick My New Friends. Here’s How It Went [https://thewalrus.ca/i-was-lonely-and-let-an-app-pick-my-new-friends-heres-how-it-went/]" * From Popsugar, "Why "Doorbell Friends" May Be the Most Important Relationship You Have [https://www.popsugar.com/relationships/doorbell-friend-49477089]" * From The New York Time, "Public Offering [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/02/briefing/public-offering.html?unlocked_article_code=1.hVA.rEF3.IzLHo7J2NEIl&smid=url-share]," which asks the question, "How often are you talking to strangers?" * From Sunday Scaries [https://www.instagram.com/p/DXMeFRvFQ3J/?img_index=6&igsh=MXBzazA2NHMzcnhyaw%3D%3D], a view from the friend who wishes you wouldn't invite a +1 to their curated dinner.

Journaling as a Tool for Clarity, Confidence, and Connection with Laura L. Rubin

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 clarity * Why self-connection is the foundation of all meaningful relationships * The simple 4x4x4 method to make journaling stick * And the mindset shift that can change how you show up in your life This conversation might just inspire you to pick up a pen—and finally listen to yourself.

Why Oversharing Builds Better Friendships featuring Leslie John

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 weird * What 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.com [https://www.proflesliejohn.com⁠] * Arthur Aron’s “36 Questions That Lead to Love [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/style/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eVA.XoEK.7WWinbfP4VZb&smid=url-share]” * Leslie's book, Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724990/revealing-by-leslie-john/]