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, vacation friends who become real friends, and even whether or not it’s helpful—or just a little sorority-core—to keep a “friendship spreadsheet.” You’ll walk away with practical tips and some laugh-out-loud metaphors (including a bathtub, Jacuzzi, and pool classification system for your inner circle).

Plus: A dreamy dinner party recommendation in Chicago, an ode to snail mail, and a shoutout to Danielle Robay’s interview with Scooter Braun.

Whether you’re maintaining a lifelong bond or rekindling a faded connection, this episode is your guide to hugging your people—even if it’s just via text.

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 of early support in someone’s journey, to the art of making and keeping friendships through life’s busiest seasons. Alicia also drops real-world advice on building authentic (and sometimes transactional) relationships, why specificity matters when networking, and how to ask for help (even when it feels hard).

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to thread the needle between warmth and ambition, or wondered how to maintain connection through life’s chaos, this one’s for you.

Follow everyone you hear in this episode:

• Alicia Menendez
• Jeana Anderson Cohen
• Rachel Gilman Rischall

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 how Rebecca views mortality and purpose through a spiritual lens. You’ll hear practical tips for recognizing signs, insights into what “heaven” might feel like, and stories that may just change the way you see the world around you.

Plus, don’t miss the full-circle moment of Rachel’s manifestation journey that brought this conversation to life.

Follow Rebecca on Instagram at @mediumrebeccarosen

Thank you for listening to The Connection Code with Rachel and Jeana. This production is edited by Ben Kliever.