Spark Something New
What would it look like to be in love with your life? What would it take to live as you to show up as your full and authentic self? What would you need in order to find rest? It would take a spark of something new! Something to help you think differently, act differently, build relationships differently, and lead differently. You'll find that spark here, on the Spark Something New Podcast!
Spark Something New
Episode 83: Finding Your People | Moving from Connection to Belonging with Rachel Rozen
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Episode Snapshot:
We’ve never been more connected… and yet so many people feel painfully alone. Why? In this episode, Dr. Katie and Rachel Rozen unpack the modern crisis of belonging — from surface-level networking and curated identities to the exhaustion of adult friendships and the fear of rejection that keeps us from truly being seen. Together, they explore what it actually takes to find “your people,” build sticky relationships, and create meaningful connection in a world that often rewards performance over authenticity.
Summary:
We live in a paradoxical time: more opportunities to connect than ever before, yet many people feel profoundly lonely. Surrounded by people, yet not fully seen. In this conversation, Rachel Rozen shares how social media, performance culture, and the fear of rejection often prevent adults from building authentic relationships rooted in vulnerability and belonging.
Together, Katie and Rachel explore the difference between surface-level connection and true belonging — the kind where people feel seen, heard, valued, and emotionally safe.
The conversation dives into the realities of adult friendship: friendships changing across seasons of life, the myth of the lifelong “ride or die” friend, and why making friends as adults can feel surprisingly vulnerable.
Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that belonging is not something we accidentally stumble into. It’s something we intentionally cultivate through curiosity, vulnerability, presence, and care... one conversation at a time.
Key Learnings:
- Connection (surface friendships) and belonging are not the same thing — belonging requires feeling seen, heard, valued, and emotionally safe.
- Adult friendships often require intentionality and vulnerability, along with invitations and consistent follow-through.
- Many people struggle to build authentic relationships because they are performing rather than showing up as their true selves.
- Workplace belonging is possible when leaders foster psychological safety, curiosity, and genuine human connection beyond productivity.
- One of the simplest ways to deepen connection is to reach out and tell someone you’re thinking about them.
Resources:
- Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rozen/
- Rachel's Website: https://www.connectioncatalyst.me/
- Free Networking Webinar: https://www.connectioncatalyst.me/freewebinar
- NYC Executive Dinners: https://www.connectioncatalyst.me/dinners
Guest Info:
From Chief Customer Officer to Connection Coach, Rachel Rozen transforms professional networking from "icky" to "sticky." She's on a mission to help professionals build authentic connections, drawing from her journey of connecting with 300 people in a year. Her coaching strategies empower professionals to turn networking challenges into lasting relationships. When not coaching, she's cheering for the NY Mets and Syracuse Orange, reading, and experimenting in the kitchen.
Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.