What if social media actually made us better friends… instead of just better at watching each other live?

Social media connects us, keeps us in the loop, and sometimes… makes us feel like we’re missing out on everything.

In this episode of The Connection Code, Jeana Anderson Cohen and Rachel Gillman Rischall dive into the complicated role social media plays in our friendships, from the early days of Friendster and Facebook to today’s world of curated feeds and constant comparison.

They explore:

• How social media can deepen connection (and sometimes replace it)
• Why FOMO hits differently at different stages of life
• The unspoken rules of posting (and overthinking what others think)
• LinkedIn’s “humblebrag” culture—and how to navigate it authentically
• The surprising power of oversharing in building real relationships

Plus, they share thoughtful (and slightly radical) ideas for how social media could actually become a better tool for connection—from removing public likes to creating “friendship prompts” that nudge us offline.

And in this week’s show & tell: a powerful story of how one vulnerable post turned into real-life community—and a reminder that sometimes, the internet gets it right.

If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with social media… this one’s for you.

Resources:

• Resource: National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.)
• Book: Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing
• Expert: Danielle Bayard Jackson