Friend Forward

When it comes to establishing boundaries, there's a lot to consider. We don't want to be seen as uptight, but we also value a certain level of protection and self-preservation in our friendships. In today's episode, I will: Answer a reader-submitted question from my Instagram DMs Talk about the thing that makes boundaries so tricky Give you a script for what to say when a friend crosses the line (...

They're calling us the "Loneliness Generation", and there's good reason for it. But when everyone's ashamed to admit they feel a little lonely, it's hard to have an honest conversation about it. In today's episode, I'm sharing: 5 reasons why Millennial women are hit the hardest 3 ways to feel less lonely 1 new mentality you need to adopt  how your fear of loneliness is keeping you in unhealthy fri...

While some of us flourish in social situations, there are those of us who are hypersensitive to normal social interactions. It's in the way we move and speak, and it can be completely overwhelming. If you would consider yourself to be a "socially awkward" person, today's episode will give you tangible tips to managing your feelings and behaviors, because the truth is that our awkwardness, if left...

While most of us wouldn't admit it, we have adopted stereotypes about other women that directly impact our friendships. So today, I'm outlining the 5 most common stereotypes about female friendship and explaining where they come from so we can begin to enjoy our relationships with other women without the hang-ups and misconceptions.  After I outline these stereotypes, you'll hear my interview with...

At some point in your friendship, you're going to be called out-- it's inevitable. Whether it's about your appearance, attitude, or-- for some of you these days-- white privilege, you'll likely struggle with what to say and how to process your emotions. In today's episode, I'll tell a story of when a friend shared a "tough-love truth" with me, and then I'll give you 5 strategies for responding whe...

Today I talk to Dr. Marisa G. Franco about reconnecting with old friends. How do we gather the courage to tell someone "I miss you"? And what's standing in the way? Listen in as we explore the reasons we fail to reach out, and how to find the right words to communicate our desire for re-connection. If you'd like to read more of Dr. Franco's work, follow her on Instagram or visit drmarisagfranco.co...

Yep, we're going there. Today we're talking about race at the intersection of friendship. And while I am no expert in race relations, I AM qualified to talk about friendship. So let's unpack some heavy things in this episode.  Today you can expect to: 1. Hear audio messages submitted from show listeners about their honest opinions and experiences 2. Learn about how avoiding conversations about rac...

Some of us can't begin making new friends because of the false mindsets that are holding us back. This episode is for you if: 1. You find yourself feeling lonely. 2. You'd like to have new friends but feel like something's holding you back. 3. When you make new friends, it never seems to last. In this episode, I'll help you combat the most common false beliefs about creating new friendships. And,...

You want more fulfilling friendships, but do you have the capacity for them? In this episode, we unpack the 3 levels of intimacy in friendship, and then I walk you through a coaching exercise to help you examine the ways you may be holding your own self back from experiencing more intimacy with your friends. We end the episode by examining attachment styles and explaining how each one impacts our...

How do you know when it's time to have a tough conversation with a friend? While some of us need to speak up,  others just need to bite their tongues. But it can be difficult determining which path to take. Today I'm giving you a simple acronym to memorize to serve as your checklist when you're wondering whether or not you should proceed with approaching your friend with a difficult topic.  And I...

If you moved to a different country where you didn't know anyone, how long would it take you to make new friends? What would your strategy be? Anjali Nair is a lifestyle blogger whose website-- www.theanjalinair.com-- serves as a "friend" to women near and far. Her platform aims to teach "Desi" girls how to navigate a new life in America. In this interview, she talks about her transition to the Un...

It's quite possibly the most frustrating situation in a friendship: You spend hours giving your friend the best advice, only to learn one week later that she didn't listen to you at all. As annoying as this can be, there are a few reasons this keeps happening. In this episode, I'm walking you through the reasons you may be setting yourself up for disappointment... and three tips for delivering you...

When you begin a new business, you expect your friends to rally around you with support. But sometimes, that simply isn't the case. Today I interview Jessica Hurley, host of The Stranded Phase Podcast, to talk about the top four reasons friendships change when someone starts a business-- and two suggestions for what to do when this happens. If you are struggling to manage a transition in your frie...

While checking on your friends should be a normal part of your routine, it's especially critical during this unprecedented time.  In this week's episode, I'm giving you four signs that it may be time to check on your friend-- and tips to help her out along the way. If you're looking for ways to actually engage with your friend during quarantine, then check out the last episode... and then share it...

When the government began encouraging "social distancing" in response to the Coronavirus, introverts initially rejoiced. Now, many of us are getting cabin fever and starting to miss our friends. But how are we supposed to do things together when we're encouraged to stay inside? Today I'm giving you six out-of-the-box ideas to stay connected to your friends while you're holed up in the house. Keep...

One was ghosted. One was betrayed. And one just said the wrong thing. In today’s episode, three women share the reasons behind their most painful friendship break-ups and how they got through them on the other side.

What do you do when your friend's in love with someone but you're not feeling it?  Today's episode roadmap: 1. Two things to consider before you speak up (as always, there's research involved!) 2. How to frame your feedback 3. What to do when your friend's in a make-up/ break-up carousel I end the episode with a reflection of a personal relationship failure when I was in college and what my roomma...

What do you do when your friendship falls into a routine of constant complaining? While it may feel good to occasionally vent, "chronic complainers" suffer from an ongoing negative mindset-- and it can take quite a toll on a friendship. Here's the timeline for today's episode:  I'll share  1. how I accidentally became a chronic complainer,  2. how I got out of it, 3.  4 phrases to say when a frien...

How do you break your bad habit of cancelling plans? And how do you get past the frustration of being ditched by a friend? In this episode, I address both groups: the offenders, and the offended! Regularly cancelling plans can have long-term effects on our female friendships, and it's about time we had the conversation.  After you listen to the episode, join us in the Facebook Group "GIVE IT A RES...

By far, the most common question I get as a friendship coach is  this: "How do I make friends as an adult?"  In this episode, I outline 5 things to consider when you're trying to make new friends. While there are no tricks or short-cuts to creating new friendships, there are a few mindsets and strategies you can apply to begin to grow your circle and create familiarity (and intimacy!) wi...