Friend Forward

Latest Episodes:

Why making friends in your 30s feels impossible (and how you can make it happen anyway) Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Why does friend-making feel especially challenging in our 30s? In this episode, host and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores the unique challenges women face when making new friends in their 30s, offering practical strategies tailored to busy, depleted women.

Drawing on recent research and personal insights, she shares:

4 unique challenges of this particular decade
friend-making strategies from other listeners
3 evidence-based ways to attract new friends (when you're short on time and energy)

JOIN OFFICE HOURS AND GET *MORE*

Members of our private $9 Office Hours community will receive bonus material, including a "gathering kit" to help you host a lowkey gathering for new friends you're meeting in your 30s.

NEW: On Thursday, March 26, members can join our fireside chat with former NYT "friendship correspondent" Anna Goldfarb, author of the book Modern Friendship. Talk at 1:00pm EST. Learn 4 strategies for maintaining friendships as a tired woman. Join now (with a free trial!) to attend.

Join NOW for a 14 FREE TRIAL!!!!!

https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast

GET DANIELLE'S BOOK

Grab your copy of Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships.

Want to see other (fiction) friendship books releasing this spring? Check-out our latest roundup at betterfemalefriendships.com/articles.

INVITE DANIELLE TO SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT

If you're looking for a speaker to share the research about women's cooperation, communication, and conflict, invite Danielle Bayard Jackson for your event. Learn more about her work, experience, and services at daniellebayardjackson.com. Then send your speaking inquiry to info@tellpublicrelations.com today.

Why you feel anxious about inviting people over (and how to fix it) with Ashlee Gadd, Author and Founder of Coffee and Crumbs and Friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

You want to host more often, but you're anxious about having people over. Why? (And how do you fix it?)

In this interview with Ashlee Gadd, founder of Coffee and Crumbs and co-author of You're In Good Company: The Gift of Friendship, Motherhood, and Showing Up, you'll learn:

3 common fears about hosting in your home (and how to get over them)
2 ideas for lowkey gatherings
how to bridge the gap between Pinterest-worthy hangs and pajama-themed get-togethers

JOIN OFFICE HOURS AND GET *MORE*

Members of our private $9 Office Hours community will receive bonus material (6 extra minutes!) from this episode, a bonus "lowkey hang" idea, and an excerpt from Ashlee's book.

Join NOW for a 14 FREE TRIAL!!!!!

https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast

GET ASHLEE'S BOOK

Get Ashlee's book "You're in Good Company" here: https://www.coffeeandcrumbs.net/book/

INVITE DANIELLE TO SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT

The secret language of humor in women's friendships// Interview with comedy writer Nadia Casey and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Research finds that shared humor is a predictor of women becoming best friends... but it's not a predictor for men. Why is that? In this week's episode of the Friend Forward podcast, friendship expert and relational health educator Danielle Bayard Jackson interviews Nadia Casey .

Nadia is a comedy coach and comedy writer who teaches people how to be funny for a living, and in this episode, she shares how your humor reveals your values, invites like-minded people to your life, and functions as a bonding agent.

She also teaches exactly how to be funnier in aw ay to connect with new potential friends.

JOIN NADIA'S WORKSHOP

This workshop is for people who want to learn to be naturally funnier in real life situations with other people. it'll be perfect to learn tactical strategies to increase playfulness and connection. March 19, 2026. Register here.

ACCESS BONUS CONTENT

As a member of our private digital community, you'll get BONUS content which includes Nadia's favorite shows, a strategy for bouncing back after a joke doesn't land, and links to three of her favorite "bits". Join now at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.

READ "FIGHTING FOR OUR FRIENDSHIPS" WITH YOUR BOOK CLUB

Grab your copy of Danielle Bayard Jackson's Fighting for our Friendships to read and discuss with your next book club.

BOOK DANIELLE TO SPEAK

What role does commitment play in friendship? The "Rusbult Investment Model" might explain why your close friendships don't last Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Is "commitment" a concept that only applies to romantic relationships? What role does it play in friendships when these are completely elective relationships unbound with contract and formal obligations?

In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, host and women's friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores what it looks like to "promise before the preview."

Want more?

Members of "Office Hours" (our digital community) will enjoy access to the bonus: an extended discussion, including:

an extra video explaining the difference in the types of investments you can make in friendship
a "close read" of an article that explains the formula for satisfaction
bonus reflection questions and connection questions to inspire conversation with friends about friendship commitment

WANT TO BE FEATURED ON THE SHOW?

Send your questions, hot takes, or personal friendship stories via Instagram @friendforward (go the to direct messages, hold the microphone icon down and proceed with your voice note) or send a video/ voice note to us via email at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com.

BRING THIS CONVERSATION TO YOUR ORGANIZATION

If you're looking for a customized, research-driven experience with a balance of education and humor, book Danielle Bayard Jackson to speak at your upcoming event. To make it happen, contact us at info@tellpublicrelations.com and inquire today.

Yes, your friend's comments about her body will impact the way you view your own. Here's what the research says. An interview with Chrissy King of the Body Liberation Project, and Dr. Erin Nolen, researcher and assistant professor at the University of Arkansas Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

In this conversation, host and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores the impact of close friendships on body image. She speaks with Chrissy King, author of The Body Liberation Project.

Danielle also invites researcher and assistant professor Dr. Erin Nolen about the way women's feminist ideals positively impact their friends' regard for their bodies.

You'll also hear from real women who submitted their personal stories to the show.

Research study: Dr. Nolen's research “Your Body Is Not Representative of Who You Are”: Exploring the Relations Between Feminist Attitudes, Feminist Identity, and Responses to Negative Body Talk Among Women - Erin Nolen, Taryn A. Myers, Adrienne Kvaka, Sarah K. Murnen, 2023

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GET BONUS CONTENT IN "OFFICE HOURS", OUR PRIVATE COMMUNITY

Get bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, book club membership, access to (exclusive!) fireside chats with experts, downloadable guides and more in our private community. Join now at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.

WANT TO BE FEATURED ON THE SHOW?

BOOK DANIELLE TO SPEAK

If you're looking for a customized, research-driven experience with a balance of education and humor, book Danielle Bayard Jackson to speak at your upcoming event. To make it happen, contact Samantha at Sam@tellpublicrelations.com and inquire today.

Friendship Surveillance: Are we obsessed with tracking each other? A conversation with tech writer Tatum Hunter and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

This conversation explores the complex relationship between surveillance and friendships in the digital age. This includes the habit of sharing locations with friends, monitoring social media activity and turning on features like "read receipts"-- all things that allow us to monitor each other's activity.

Host and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson interviews Tatum Hunter-- a technology and culture writer, formerly of the Washington Post.

Together, Tatum and Danielle explore the ways in which technology impacts our connections and the emotional consequences of monitoring each other's lives.

This conversation will also highlight the benefits and drawbacks of location sharing, the role of social media in shaping perceptions of closeness.

Members of the private "Office Hours" community will receive the full episode, which includes Tatum's predictions for emerging trends in digital privacy.

TikTok videos highlighted in this episode:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8xdjjE3/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8xeKyhe/

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FRIENDSHIP ELEVATED

Would you like a supportive community and personal friendship coach to walk with you over the next few months? You have two days left to join Friendship Elevated, our group coaching program. Learn more at betterfemalefriendships.com

WANT TO BE FEATURED ON THE SHOW?

BOOK DANIELLE TO SPEAK

If you're looking for a customized, research-driven experience with a balance of education and humor, book Danielle Bayard Jackson to speak at your upcoming event. To make it happen, contact Samantha at Sam@tellpublicrelations.com and inquire today.

4 things your newly divorced friend wishes you knew // a conversation with Oona Metz, author of Unhitched Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Whether your friend is newly divorce or considering divorce, she'll likely expect you to provide emotional support throughout her journey. But the hard truth is that many women are falling short in the ways that they show up. In this conversation with Oona Metz, author of "Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women" a therapist who's been facilitating divorce groups for women for over 30 years, she'll share 4 myths about beliefs concerning friends who are going through this kind of painful separation.

And if this episode isn't enough, become a member of Office Hours where we've posted extended content so you can enjoy more of Oona's gems on divorce, social support, and friendship expectations.

Become a member any time at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.

2026 GROUP COACHING

We're launching the sixth cohort of Friendship Elevated in February 2026. Those on the waitlist will gain access to "early bird" pricing. Join the waitlist at betterfemalefriendships.com/friendship-elevated

You don't need MORE friends this year-- you need THIS instead. // The 5 components of social connection with friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

Okay, well maybe you DO need new friends, but for many of us, that's not the primary reason we're feeling disconnected. There are four other components-- some quantifiable, others that are more subjective-- and simply knowing about each component can help you to position yourself to get more of the social and relational satisfaction that you're looking for.

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THANK YOU!

Thank you to Mel Robbins for naming Danielle Bayard Jackson as one of your "Top 9 Experts of 2025"! We appreciate you.

If you'd like to book Danielle to speak at your event or hire her to for consulting or curriculum design, please contact us at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com.

OFFICE HOURS

The conversation doesn't end when the podcast is over. Become a member of our "Office Hours" community and get access to bonus episodes, resources, and virtual events. Sign-up any time at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.

2026 GROUP COACHING

Only want a single, one-off session? Book yours now (for a limited time!) at betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching

What we get wrong about "friendship audits" (and 8 signs that you might need one NOW) Dec 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, we discuss the concept of friendship audits, emphasizing the importance of evaluating not just who to cut off from your life, but also the overall dynamics, practices, and satisfaction within friendships.

In this episode, we outline eight signs that indicate it's time for a formal and intentional friendship audit and encourage listeners to take a comprehensive look at their friendship landscape. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in self-reflection and consider coaching options for deeper support.

Resource: For tip #3 in today's podcast, Danielle mentions a free resource to help you with the activity that she described. You'll find that resource here at betterfemalefriendships.com/dynamics

Host: Danielle Bayard Jackson, Women's friendship expert and relational health educator

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THANK YOU!

Thank you to Mel Robbins for naming Danielle one of the Top Experts of 2025! We appreciate you.

If you'd like to book Danielle to speak at your event or hire her to for consulting or curriculum design, please contact us at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com.

OFFICE HOURS

2026 GROUP COACHING

How to Protect Yourself from the Loneliness Industrial Complex Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

Why does it feel like everyone's marketing their products and services as the solution for loneliness?

The Loneliness Epidemic became a mainstream conversation in 2023 after then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy made loneliness his top public health priority. And while that led to many helpful changes, it was also a moment that products, services, and tech companies began to exploit.

In this episode, Danielle Bayard Jackson teaches three things you should know to help you understand loneliness more deeply so that you can begin to differentiate between the things are genuinely help and those that are... not.

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THANK YOU!

Thank you to the organizations who most recently hired Danielle Bayard Jackson to partner with them either as a keynote speaker or a partner in designing their programming and curriculum: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Loveland Foundation with Rachel Cargle, Hoda Kotb's new Joy 101 app, and various sororities across the country. We appreciate you.

If you'd like to book Danielle to speak at your event or hire her to for consulting or curriculum design, please contact us at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com.

OFFICE HOURS

2026 GROUP COACHING

We're launching the sixth cohort of Friendship Elevated in February 2026. Those on the waitlist will gain access to "early bird" pricing. Join now at betterfemalefriendships.com/friendship-elevated

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