Friendship Matters

This episode explains why holiday stress does more than tire you out. It actually disrupts the physiology that makes connection possible. Dr. Dael Waxman shows how small, intentional shifts can recalibrate your energy, reduce reactivity, and bring you back to what you wanted from this season in the first place. If you want to feel less drained and more genuinely connected during the holidays, thes...

The holidays can be a season of connection, but they also stir up old patterns, expectations, and emotional landmines. Many adults find themselves back in their family system, feeling like a younger version of themselves even though they know they have grown. In this conversation, Donna Brighton welcomes Dr. Allie Taylor, a business psychologist and trusted advisor who draws on her background in m...

The lights are twinkling, the calendar is packed, and yet you still feel strangely apart from it all. This episode names that quiet ache, the holiday paradox, and shows how real friendship, small rituals, and a kinder approach to yourself can turn a draining season into one that actually nourishes you. In this episode you will hear about The holiday paradox, why you can feel emotionally disconnect...

What if the fastest way to build a high-performing culture isn't another strategy deck, but a 60-second, heart-level conversation that starts with "Tell me more"? Whole Health pioneer Dr. Tracy Gaudet reveals why friendship isn't a "soft skill" but the operating system of well-being and leadership. You'll learn how to win over skeptical C-suites by giving them an experience (not a lecture), the si...

What if friendship isn't just something nice to have,  but the very foundation of a meaningful, flourishing life? In this deeply thoughtful episode of Friendship Matters , Dr. Russell Greenfield and CEO Lisa Grimes sit down with teacher, writer, and civic visionary Mark Peres , founder of the Charlotte Center for the Humanities and Civic Imagination. Mark's lifelong pursuit of truth, beauty, and g...

What if your next great friendship is just one text away? In this inspiring episode of Friendship Matters , we talk with Peggy Carroll,  pharma leader, founder of the Fill Your Bucket List Foundation , and lifelong connector about the changing seasons of friendship and how to keep them strong through every stage of life. Peggy shares why friendships after 50 require more intentionality , how small...

What if your closest friendships could last eight decades and get richer with time? In this heart-warming, wisdom-packed episode, Lisa introduces her mom, whose two best friends have been in her life since first grade. Their secret isn't luck, it's a set of simple, powerful practices that anyone can use to build friendships that actually last. This show shares a practical, hopeful blueprint for fr...

What if the fastest way to move a workplace "detractor" into your corner is… breakfast and a genuine conversation? In this can't-miss episode of Friendship Matters , physician executive and global health-equity leader Dr. Yele Aluko joins Dr. Russell Greenfield (the doctor), and CEO Lisa Grimes to unpack how friendship is a strategic advantage. You'll hear Yele's "kitchen cabinet" model for friend...

What happens when a fearless storyteller turns the lens inward—toward friendship, identity, and the courage to reinvent yourself? In this episode, Emmy-nominated journalist and bestselling author Amanda Lamb joins Lisa Grimes and Dr. Russell Greenfield for an honest, laughter-filled, and deeply human conversation about connection in every season of life. Known for uncovering truth in her award-win...

What happens when the life you've built on achievement no longer feels like your own? In this heartfelt episode, Jennifer Neilsen —purpose and mindset coach, HR leader, and speaker—shares her journey from burnout to belonging. Once the overperforming, always-on high achiever, Jennifer realized success without connection was leaving her empty. Through loss, rediscovery, and deep reflection, she lea...

What if the most important leadership metric isn't on your dashboard, but in your chest? In this conversation, cardiologist and mindfulness teacher Dr. Jonathan Fisher (author of  Just One Heart ) joins hosts Lisa T. Grimes and Dr. Russell Greenfield to explore the science and soul of connection. We dig into the "seven traits of the heart" (steadiness, wisdom, openness, wholeness, courage, lightne...

What if friendship isn't about convenience, but intention? In this energizing conversation, CEO and "friend collector" Andora Hinton shares how growing up as an only child shaped her hunger for connection and how adulthood taught her to choose friends with care. We dig into reciprocity, values alignment, vulnerability at work, and how different circles (corporate vs. entrepreneurial) fuel balance...

What if the fastest way to deepen every relationship—at home, at work, with friends—wasn't talking better, but listening differently? Best-selling author and leadership coach Becky Harling joins us to reframe listening as a true superpower. With warmth, humor, and hard-won wisdom, Becky shows how focused attention, empathy (not fixing), and unhurried presence can turn everyday conversations into c...

What if the single greatest predictor of your health, resilience, and career satisfaction isn't a biohack, but your friendships? In this energizing conversation, Professor Emeritus and physician-wellbeing pioneer Dr. Dael Waxman joins Lisa, and Dr. Russ to unpack how authentic connection fuels longevity, lowers burnout, and makes work (and life) a whole lot better. From simple micro-moves—like a 1...

Are the people closest to you energizing your life, or quietly exhausting it? Not all friendships fuel us, some quietly deplete our energy, joy, and even our confidence. In this eye-opening episode, Donna, Lisa, and Dr. Russ unpack the different types of "energy-draining" relationships, from constant complainers and drama magnets to takers, critics, and insecure friends who always have a bigger st...

Do you know how to navigate shifting relationships with grace, spot red flags, and know when it's time to hold on or let go? Listen and learn why endings aren't failures, how to reframe change, and how to keep friendships life-giving at every stage. Friendships aren't static, they evolve, shift, and sometimes fade. In this episode, Donna, Lisa, and Dr. Russ dive into the dynamic nature of friendsh...

What happens when life collides with work in ways you can't ignore? In this heartfelt episode, Donna, Lisa, and Dr. Russ open up about the uncomfortable, but essential, role of empathy in the workplace. From navigating personal grief while leading a team, to the power of a simple check-in call, to celebrating others' wins without envy, they reveal how small choices of compassion can ripple across...

In this episode, we step into the friendship frame of empathy and uncover why it matters so much. Donna opens with a deeply personal story of receiving devastating news just hours before facilitating a leadership session, raising the uncomfortable but vital question of boundaries at work. Dr. Russ and Lisa share powerful moments of their own, from a simple phone call that cut through a colleague's...

If you've ever wanted to go beyond small talk and truly connect with the people around you, this episode of Friendship Matters will show you how. Inspired by a heartwarming Thanksgiving tradition called "Orphans of the Storm," Donna, Dr. Russ, and Lisa explore the transformative power of asking great questions. From starting dinner with dessert to discovering unexpected stories around the table, t...

What if the way you think about friendship is quietly sabotaging your connections? In this eye-opening episode of Friendship Matters , Dr. Russ, Donna, and Lisa explore the hidden mental models— Friendship Frames —that shape how we show up in relationships. From the scarcity mindset that says there's not enough time or energy for friends, to the perfectionism that paralyzes connection, the hosts s...

What if your friendships could grow stronger with just a little more intention? In this episode, Donna, Russ, and Lisa explore what happens when we stop leaving connection to chance and start showing up on purpose. From unexpected stories to everyday moments that matter, you'll hear how being intentional can transform your relationships in surprising ways. This conversation will spark new ideas, c...

What if the secret to building powerful personal and professional relationships isn't confidence or charisma but simply being  invitational ? In this insightful and inspiring episode, Donna, Russell, and Lisa unpack what it really means to approach life, leadership, and connection with intention and openness. From transforming networking events into meaningful moments to asking questions that cut...

What happens when someone tries to hand you their baggage, their blame, or their burden and you refuse to carry it? In this unforgettable episode, you'll hear a powerful story of leadership, grace, and boundaries, revealing how true strength comes not from control, but from clarity. Lisa's response to false accusations becomes a masterclass in standing firm in identity and refusing to take on what...

What if the greatest obstacle to meaningful connection isn't someone else, but the beliefs you've never questioned? In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, your hosts Lisa, Donna and Dr. Russ explore how unconscious biases and limiting beliefs quietly shape the way we relate to others. With compassion and clarity, they reveal how even well-intentioned assumptions can block the friendships...

What if the key to deeper connection and better health isn't out there, but within you? In this powerful episode, we dive into the transformative practice of self-friendship and the life-changing impact of self-compassion. Discover why prioritizing your own well-being is essential for building meaningful relationships and sustaining emotional and physical health. We tackle the hidden barriers that...