Carola's Website In this insightful episode of Project Connection, Coco sits down with bestselling author Carola Lovering (Author of Tell Me Lies, Bye Baby, Can't Look Away and Too Good to Be True) for a heartfelt discussion about the power of storytelling, personal growth, and the connections that shape our lives. ✨ Carola opens up about how a pivotal personal experience sparked her writing journey, leading her from rejection to literary success. 📚 She reflects on the deep bonds she's formed with readers through her authentic, emotionally resonant novels and shares how childhood creativity 🎨 and her own lived experiences 💫 have influenced her work.

From navigating the highs and lows of the publishing industry 📈 to balancing the demands of a growing family 👶, Carola offers a candid glimpse into the realities of life as a writer. ✍️ She shares the critical role of networking 🤝, the importance of perseverance 💪, and the often overlooked but essential partnership with literary agents. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring writers, creative spirits, and anyone looking to turn their personal struggles into powerful art. 🎧🗣️

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Carola Lovering 02:55 The Journey of Writing 'Tell Me Lies' 05:49 Personal Connections and Authenticity in Writing 09:11 Childhood Influences and Early Creativity 12:04 Navigating Family Dynamics and Relationships 14:59 The Publishing Journey and Networking 19:49 The Role of Agents in Publishing 27:04 Balancing Writing and Family Life 30:05 Reflections on Creativity and Inspiration

Sound Bites

"Writing this piece of fiction made me feel less alone." "I stumbled upon writing in some sense." "I think most people have a book in them." "Everyone's just winging it." "It was a long shot, but I reached out." "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." "It has to be so intentional and planned."

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Coco sits down with entrepreneur and poker player Andy Lorig to talk about life's biggest stakes—grief, growth, and the gamble of starting over.

Andy shares his journey of building and letting go of Honey Drop, a venture he poured everything into. Andy opens up about losing his father to suicide and the journey of navigating that deep loss with the help of family, friendship, and unwavering support 💔❤️. He shares how poker became more than a game—it became a mirror for life, teaching lessons in resilience, intuition, and the power of staying present ♠️🎲.

Together, they explore how grief can spark unexpected new beginnings 🌅, how taking emotional risks leads to real connection, and why the bravest move is often just showing up. Coco and Andy discuss the quiet power of having someone in your corner. This episode is a moving reflection on what it means to grow, grieve, and keep showing up—because connection is what carries us, and there's always another train coming 🤝💫.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Andy: The Master Connector 01:19The Journey of Honey Drop and Personal Commitment 03:40Poker: A Metaphor for Life 05:35Friendship and Support Through Tragedy 09:53Lessons from Family: Resilience and Opportunity 12:29Navigating Grief and Mental Health 16:22The Closure of Honey Drop and New Beginnings 20:06Embracing New Opportunities 22:15The Power of Connection and Personal Growth

Follow Andy Here!

In this episode of Project Connection, host Coco Plank, sits down with Margaret Smith, Head of People at Compass, to explore the deep relationship between leadership and connection 🔗💡. From navigating the complexities of public companies to fostering trust and emotional intelligence in the workplace, Margaret shares the key ingredients to leading with heart ❤️ and resilience 💪.

They dive into: ✨ The power of direct communication and how it builds stronger teams 🗣️🤝 ✨ Ego resilience & workplace vulnerability—why embracing both makes you a better leader 🎭🚀 ✨ The shift from competition to collaboration and why connection is the ultimate leadership skill 🔄💼 ✨ Self-awareness, therapy, and self-work as tools for professional growth 🧠🛠️ ✨ The importance of in-person connection post-COVID and how it transforms company culture 🏢💬

Margaret brings wisdom, authenticity, and a deep understanding of people to this inspiring conversation. Tune in to discover how true leadership isn't about power—it's about connection, trust, and the courage to show up as your whole self 🌟💙.

More about Margaret

Visit Kate's website here

In this episode of Project Connection, Courtney Plank, LCSW sits down with acclaimed interior designer Kate Ives Marshall, founder of Kate Ives Design and one of Frederic Magazine's 2024 "It List" honorees. With a background in Architectural Digest and top design firms across the country, Kate has mastered the art of creating spaces that are both warm and sophisticated, deeply personal yet timeless.

But Kate's work goes beyond aesthetics—it's about connection. She shares how her ability to read individuals on an intimate level allows her to craft homes that reflect their deepest values, memories, and dreams. From generational relationships with clients to the subtle art of evoking emotion through design, Kate reveals how our environments shape our well-being, identity, and the way we connect with others.

Tune in as Courtney and Kate explore: 🏡 The power of space to tell a story and reflect the soul 🔑 How deep listening and intuition guide Kate's design process 🌿 The balance between restraint, elegance, and warmth in creating timeless interiors 💫 The unseen yet transformative connection between people and their surroundings

Because when a space truly resonates, it becomes more than a home—it becomes a reflection of who we are and what matters most.

Listen now for an inspiring conversation on the intersection of design, intuition, and human connection! 🎧✨

In this warm and wise conversation, Coco is joined by Andrea Tuckel, a Master Mom and seasoned stay-at-home wife with a deep love for the messy, magical reality of parenting. Andrea shares the mindset shifts that have helped her not just survive motherhood—but truly cherish it. From finding joy in the ordinary to leaning into community, Andrea reflects on the power of perspective in transforming daily challenges into meaningful moments. Drawing from her own journey and the communal values of the kibbutz, she offers insights on parenting with presence, embracing imperfection, and staying connected to what matters most.

Whether you're in the thick of tantrums or navigating the teenage years, this episode is a heartfelt reminder to slow down, create connection, and savor the fleeting beauty of family life.

🌟 Key Takeaways:

• "Many moms before me, and so many moms after me." 🌍

• Shift your mindset: pressure out, presence in 🧘‍♀️

• Let go of the need to figure it all out 🙏

• Selflessness can be a spiritual practice 💞

• Community is not a luxury—it's a lifeline 🫶

• Joy is found in the little things ☀️

• You are modeling kindness for your children 💗

• Parenting is an invitation to grow, soften, and connect 🕊️

Learn more about Whitney here!

In this episode of Project Connection, Courtney Plank, LCSW sits down with Whitney Voute, an organizational psychologist specializing in connection and conflict—both in and out of the workplace. Whitney shares how embracing both harmony and tension leads to meaningful interactions, success in business and life, and a deeper understanding of oneself.

Together, Courtney and Whitney explore: ✨ How connection fuels collaboration, innovation, and workplace culture 🔥 The surprising role of conflict as a catalyst for deeper relationships and growth 🔍 How understanding your own inner world leads to stronger external connections 🌎 The ripple effect of meaningful interactions in personal and professional life

With insights grounded in psychology, experience, and a touch of synchronistic magic, this conversation uncovers why true connection isn't just about agreement—but about authenticity, vulnerability, and navigating the messy moments with intention.

Because whether in business, relationships, or self-discovery—connection is everything.

Tune in now for a transformative conversation! 🎧✨

Learn more about Karah & Belletrist here!

In this heartfelt and humorous conversation, producer and Belletrist founder Karah Preiss joins Coco Plank to unpack the layered, often surprising role of connection in personal growth, creativity, and community. Growing up in the vibrant landscape of New York City 🗽, Karah reflects on how her upbringing shaped her relationship with connection, humor, and storytelling — and how those threads continue to weave through her life as a cultural curator, advocate for women's voices, and champion of literature 📚.

From her unexpected journey from "hating reading" to co-founding Belltrist, a thriving book community for curious and connected minds, Karah shares how the loss of her father deepened her bond with stories and sparked a new way of understanding both grief and growth.

Together, Coco and Karah explore the synchronicities ✨ that nudge us forward, the importance of defining connection for ourselves, and how humor 😂 acts as both a creative tool and a survival skill in an often disconnected world.

This episode celebrates the magic that happens when curiosity meets vulnerability, the power of community in literature, and the quiet (but profound) work of being a mensch 💛 — someone who shows up with kindness and intention.

Whether you're a book lover, a creator, or simply navigating the art of human connection, this conversation offers both wisdom and wit, reminding us: life is not about the results, but about the relationships we build along the way.

Sound Bites

"Only connect!" "I aspire to mensch-hood." "Comedy is connection."

💡 Takeaways:

🔹 Connection is essential for personal growth and meaningful relationships. 🔹 Humor isn't just entertainment — it's a bridge to real human connection. 🔹 Growing up in a communicative environment shapes how we connect with the world. 🔹 Synchronicity often guides us, even when we don't notice it. 🔹 True connection requires effort, vulnerability, and self-definition. 🔹 Books and storytelling create lasting communities and cultural curation. 🔹 Grief and loss can deepen your connection to memory and meaning. 🔹 Being a great producer is about connecting people and ideas to bring stories to life. 🔹 Life's greatest rewards often come from authentic connection, not results. 🔹 There's always room for laughter, literature, and human kindness.

Summary

In this introductory episode of Project Connection, therapist Courtney Rault shares her journey and the inspiration behind the podcast. She emphasizes the importance of connection in our lives, drawing from her personal experiences and professional background. The podcast aims to explore the art of connection through storytelling, psychology, and personal insights, encouraging listeners to deepen their relationships and understand the power of human connection.

"Connection isn't just for extroverts." "Connection is a life force." "I want to be a master connector."

Courtney Plank Rault, LCSW, is a relationship expert, therapist, and lifelong connector dedicated to helping people build deeper, more meaningful connections in every aspect of life.

After earning a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work and Therapy from Columbia University and receiving clinical training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center, Courtney founded Coco Plank Therapy—a practice specializing in talk therapy for individuals and couples. With a background in finance and Spanish from UC Irvine and years working in finance in San Francisco and New York City, Courtney discovered her true calling in psychotherapy and human connection.

As the clinical director of Coco Plank Therapy, Courtney and her team use Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Buddhist Psychology, and Strengths-Based Practices to empower clients to unearth unhelpful patterns and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships. With over a decade of experience in substance use recovery and mental wellness, Courtney has seen firsthand the profound impact of both connection and disconnection. She understands that when connection is missing—whether in relationships, communities, or within ourselves—the effects can be deeply painful, leading to loneliness, addiction, anxiety, and cycles of unhealthy behavior. But she also believes that with awareness, courage, and the right tools, healing and reconnection are always possible.

🎙️ Welcome to Project Connection – The Podcast That Redefines How We Relate to the World 🌍

What if connection isn't just a skill—but the very essence of life itself? 💫

Join me, Courtney Plank, LCSW—relationship expert, connection addict, and deep explorer of what makes human connection the foundation of everything. In Project Connection, we go beyond small talk and surface-level interactions to uncover the magic of true connection—in relationships, in work, and in the moments that shape our lives.

Each episode brings together industry leaders, creatives, and visionaries to explore how deep connection fuels success, sparks creativity, and transforms the way we live. From unexpected encounters that change everything to the unseen forces that pull people together, we dive into synchronicities, intuition, and the hidden threads that weave our world. ✨

Because in the end, it's not just about what you do—it's about who you meet, how you connect, and the relationships that define your life. 💙 Ready to connect? Let's dive in. 🔗💡

First episode is set to release April 24th, 2025! GET READY TO CONNECT