Friendship IRL: Real Talk About Friendship, Community, and What It Actually Takes

Full disclosure: I am a “set-your-goals” kind of person. I used to get a little out of control with goal setting each year, thinking everything was going to be different overnight. But of course, real life isn’t like that! In this episode, I want to talk about friendship communities and how to improve them in small, sustainable ways this year. What are the ways we can check in with ourselves? What...

I used to be a bit of a Grinch around the holidays. My family of origin story is not the best – and in fact, this season used to give me panic attacks. Luckily, I’m well past those days, and part of the reason is I began spending the holidays with friends! For a long time, I tried to be subtle about my lack of holiday plans, casually asking friends what they were doing, seeing if they’d invite me....

If this episode has a theme, it’s this: the adults in the room need to put on their air masks first. Today I’m talking with my friend Adrienne, who I meet with every week to chat about business. Adrienne is married and the mom of two children, one in preschool, one in elementary school. Adrienne is in the thick of trying to build a friendship community for her family. Here, she shares what’s worki...

As adults, we often tell our friends we want to “catch up.” People catch up over the phone. They catch up over dinner. But the thing about catching up is you’re telling someone about things that ALREADY happened to you. You’re updating them on your recent past instead of being in the present. That’s why I’m such a big proponent of DOING things with people – running errands, hiking, paddleboarding,...

My secret to hosting and gathering people together? I don’t do it all.  For a while I tried to “do it all” as a hostess, but it honestly was stressful and not very fun. There's a photo of me as a kid somewhere, wearing a cute apron and serving my grandma and her friends for a party. For 10 years, I was also a professional wedding and event planner. Since it’s the holiday season, I want to sha...

Feeling lonely or disconnected? Learn how to make friends as an adult and build intentional friendships through Connection Feast with guest Alexandra Friedman. In this episode, I’m joined by Alexandra Friedman, founder of Connection Feast , a community-building company that hosts intentional gatherings to spark real, lasting connection. What started as a personal response to loneliness after a bre...

When big life changes happen, our closest people When life changes—pregnancy, a move, illness—our identity and relationships shift too. In this episode, we explore how life transitions affect friendships, support systems, and the people we lean on most. I’m joined by my friend Sarah Blackledge, who’s expecting her first child. While we talk about pregnancy and friendship dynamics , this conversati...

What if friendship isn’t all or nothing?  In this episode, we’re redefining adult friendship and exploring the 4 types of friends that bring connection, belonging, and everyday value into our lives.  What actually makes someone a friend? Is it shared history, emotional intimacy, or how often you talk? In this solo episode, Alex Alexander unpacks the friendship spectrum — from casual “familiar frie...

What happens when you stop expecting your partner to be your everything? In this episode, Alex and her husband Michael dive into how balancing friendship and marriage creates stronger, more connected relationships. They share why seeking emotional support outside your relationship isn't just okay—it’s essential. You’ll hear real-life stories, how they navigate couple and individual friendship...

Struggling to make real friends as an adult or build a lasting support system? In this episode, we explore 5 mindset shifts to deepen adult friendships and create true belonging. Welcome to Friendship IRL , the podcast that explores how to create real, lasting friendships in adulthood. In this kickoff episode, host Alex Alexander shares her powerful story of building a support system through frien...

Imagine you could listen in on those unfiltered conversations about what is actually happening inside someone's friendships, community, and support system... How someone navigated a friendship breakup even though they still see that friend often.  What does balancing marriage, friends, and family look like, and who is someone calling when they need support?  A parent who is wholly overwhelmed...