How do I ask for an informational chat? - 7 weeks in

A friend suggested informational chats and I do not know how to ask. There are 17 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I want advice, not a job directly. Did any turn into leads?

I asked what they wish they had known at my stage. People enjoy answering that.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.