Friend Forward

Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday.   Today's episode addresses a listener’s question regarding a situation where her best friend has moved to a new house on the other side of town and is yet to invite her over to visit. The listener feels hurt, and is speculating about her friend’s motives, and is also questioning if she is wrong to have these feelings in the first place. Tune in as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers her words of wisdom and advice on the matter.   Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday, and our Girl Problems episodes every other Tuesday.   If you want to join our Book Club and check out what we’re reading this month, join us here.   And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at ⁠Betterfemalefriendships.com ⁠or drop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at⁠ @friendforward.⁠   To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening next month in Tampa, click here.   To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward   Explore coaching with Danielle at www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching   Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

You’re working out at the gym when you realise you’ve been coming solo for the last few weeks as your usual gym buddy has been MIA. It’s not like her, so on your way to the parking lot, you give her a call but she doesn’t answer… Also unlike her. And that’s when it hits you – you remember that she mentioned having a depressive episode last winter, but that was before you were friends. And if she’s having one now, would you even know what to do? And even if you did, would you have the capacity to see her through? In this episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, we’re finally talking about depression. Research tells us that women are nearly twice as likely as men to have experienced depression, which means at one point it may well have impacted your friendship, whether you knew it or not.  Join us as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson speaks to three women on the subject; a psychologist, an emotional intelligence expert, and a young woman who shares her story of how physical assault sent her into a dark place, and honest conversations with her friends got her through.  And whether you’ve suffered with depression yourself, or have a friend who has, stay tuned for this week’s homework.  To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays.  To connect with Dr. Ayanna Abrams, you can find her on Instagram, and you can check out her platform, Not So Strong, here.  To connect with Farah Harris, you can find her on Instagram, and you can check out her platform, Working Well Daily, here. You can also purchase her book, ‘The Colour of Emotional Intelligence: Elevating Our Self and Social Awareness to Address Inequities” here.  And to connect with Trayonna, you can find her on Instagram.  Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us here.  To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click here.  To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at https://www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward To explore coaching with Danielle visit www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching  Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected] 

You’re looking through your calendar to figure out a date to spend time with an old friend and as you search for some availability, you realise two things – one, that we’re only a few weeks out from a new year, and two, that you’re putting in a lot of effort to maintain a friendship that you’re convinced you’ve outgrown. But, she’s all you know. As we head into the new year, how can you be more intentional about connecting with new people who are a bit more like-minded, and more compatible with the woman you are today?   In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, our resident friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson, gives her advice on four strategies you can use to find like-minded friends who feel a better fit for where you are at this point in your life, and the fourth one is one you might not expect.   And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework.   To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays.   Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us here.   To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click here.   To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at https://www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward   To explore coaching with Danielle visit www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today's episode addresses a listener’s question about how to navigate a friendship breakup with someone she works with and therefore will have to continue to see every day. Tune in as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers her words of wisdom on the matter. Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday, and our Girl Problems episodes every other Tuesday. If you want to join our Book Club and check out what we’re reading this month, join us here.  And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at ⁠Betterfemalefriendships.com ⁠or drop us a DM or a voicenote at Instagram at⁠ @friendforward.⁠ To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening next month in sunny Tampa, click here.  To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson  Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward  Explore coaching with Danielle at www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching  Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

You get a message and your heart sinks - “I’m going to do It, I’m going to ask him for a divorce”, it says. You knew your friend and her husband have been having trouble, but you didn’t know it would end up this way, and now you’re wondering how best to show up for her. Data shows that 50% of marriages end in divorce, often happening around the 8-year mark, and the process can take anywhere from 3 months to a year, and can cost up to $7000 for each person – so clearly, this is a time when our friend needs our support.   In this episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores exactly how to do this, and speaks to two guests, both of whom have personally experienced divorce, and reflect on how their friends showed up for them.   Olivia Howell is the co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, which has been mentioned in The Cut, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. It’s a one-stop shop for everything you need to begin again, and Danielle sits down with Olivia to speak about her experience of divorce and the specific things her friends did to help her survive at the time. This week, Danielle is also joined by Jasmine Chanelle. Jasmine has nearly 100k followers on Instagram, who follow along for her insights about how to enter into and thrive in entrepreneurship. But when she started sharing her own story of being a single mom and transitioning out of a marriage, she had even more women follow along for the journey. In this episode, she speaks to Danelle about her experience of divorce, and the role her friends played in supporting her.   And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework.   To connect with Olivia, you can find her on Instagram, and you can check out Fresh Starts Registry via their Instagram page or their website.   To connect with Jasmine, you can find her on Instagram, or via her website.   And to explore Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at https://www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson  Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us here.   And Click the ‘Follow’ button now, to never miss an episode.   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward   To explore coaching with Danielle visit www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching   Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Lately, you’ve been feeling uneasy about one of the friendships in your life, and the time has come for you to talk it out with your friend. You’re aware that the conversation could lead to either a friendship break, or a complete friendship breakup and so in preparation for your conversation, you’ve searched for tips and advice online, and the resounding advice is to just go for it and speak your truth – but what happens next? How do you mentally and emotionally prepare for what happens after you initiate the first step in a friendship breakup?   Today on the Friend Forward Podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares with you four tough love truths about what to expect after you bring yourself to initiate a friend break or breakup, because things might not be as smooth as you expect.   And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework.   To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays.   Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us here.   To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at https://www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward   To explore coaching with Danielle visit www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today's episode addresses a listener’s question about how to keep your distance with an ex-friend, while not letting your friendship break-up affect your other friendships within your shared circle.  Tune in as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers her helpful insights on the matter. Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of Friend Forward! New Episodes are released every Thursday.  If you want to join our Book Club and see what we're reading this month, join us here And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at ⁠Betterfemalefriendships.com ⁠or drop us a DM or a voicenote at Instagram at⁠  @friendforward.⁠ To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward Explore coaching with Danielle at www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching

You’re at a dinner and everyone’s having a lovely time, but you can’t help but notice that for the last 35 minutes the conversation has centred around everyone’s kids, and maybe that’d be okay if you had children too, but you don’t, and you don’t plan to anytime soon.  Here on the Friend Forward Podcast, we’ve discussed infertility and how to support friends who are on challenging journeys toward trying to have children, but we haven’t spoken too much about friends who have actively chosen not to have kids, and the silent judgements that we might make about those friends.  Today on the Podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson is joined by Ruby Warrington, author of the book ‘Women Without Kids: The Revolutionary Rise of an Unsung Sisterhood’ to discuss the issue. They explore the reasons why some women choose to be childfree, some of the assumptions we might make about friends who make that choice, and how to foster understanding and support within friendships where one has chosen to have children, and the other has definitively chosen not to.  And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework. There is even more to this conversation between Danielle and Ruby, so to access the full discussion, as well as study guides, questions and activities, you can join the Friend Forward Private Group Chat at www.betterfemalefriendships.com Click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode.  To connect with Ruby Warrington, you can reach her at her Instagram. To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward To explore coaching with Danielle visit www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Extroverts thrive on having lots of people in their social network, and there’s research that points to the benefits of having a large, expansive network, such as being happier, healthier and even getting better sleep.   However, there are also some surprising downsides to being an extrovert too, and in this episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores both the upsides of having this kind of outgoing spirit and the three surprising downsides that come with operating in this way too.    Whether you’re the extrovert of your friendship group, or whether you’ve always been curious about the sides of your extroverted friend that you don’t know, tune in this episode to hear Danielle’s expert insights on the matter.   And as always, stay tuned for this week’s homework.   If you’re enjoying the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode.   To continue the conversation, dive even deeper and access extra resources, come and join the Friend Forward private group chat, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward   And remember, you can send us your comments and questions, and join the Friend Forward Group Chat at www.betterfemalefriendships.com   To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward   To explore coaching with Danielle visit www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today's episode addresses a listener’s question about what is a reasonable expectation of a friend when it comes to the issue of time and how, when time is limited, can friendships be maintained. Tune in as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers her helpful insights on the matter. If you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at ⁠Betterfemalefriendships.com ⁠or drop us a DM or a voicenote at Instagram at⁠ @friendforward.⁠ Click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode! To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward Explore coaching with Danielle at www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching To join our private group chat, access extra resources and take the conversation further, visit https://www.patreon.com/friendforward

When a tragedy strikes in a way that hits really close to home, it can be physically, emotionally and psychologically devastating, and sometimes this pain is exacerbated by a lack of care and understanding from the people we love the most. For many minorities, we know the feeling well when we have a certain identity that’s not shared with the majority, which means that we can sometimes find ourselves feeling isolated by the continuous stressors in our world that others might not even recognise.   Today we are sharing a bonus episode of the Friend Forward podcast, where our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson speaks with Dr. Dani Rosenkrantz about minority stress – what it looks like, the toll it takes on your body and mind, and ways to support friends who are going through these kinds of situations.    This interview was recorded one month ago, before the major humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in certain parts of our world occurred, but unfortunately, it will always be timely. Right now, you likely have friends or social connections with people who are connected in a personal way to these events, who might be terrified that their families are among those being innocently persecuted, or who are frustrated that their people have been oppressed for years and haven’t received the media coverage they feel they are due. As friends, we want to be there for these people in these times of minority stress in a way that makes them feel seen and heard and supported, even though their experience might be well beyond our range of understanding and relatability. Tune in for Danielle and Dr. Dani Rosenkrantz’s advice regarding ways you can do this and as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework.   Click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode.   And remember, you can send us your comments and questions, and join the Friend Forward Group Chat at www.betterfemalefriendships.com   To get in touch with Dr. Dani Rosenkratz, you can reach out to them at Instagram or at https://www.bravespacepsych.com/   To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward   To explore coaching with Danielle visit www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching   Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

There’s the engagement party, the bachelorette party, the wedding shower and then the big day itself - so many celebrations to mark a women’s transition into partnership, and when someone makes this change, they often struggle to keep their friendships intact during the process.    Last week, on the Friend Forward Podcast, we explored some of the causes of tension that can arise between friends when those life changes create a sense of separation, and our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson provided the married and partnered amongst you with seven things that your single friend wants you to know.   This week is for you single women, as Danielle shares the seven things that your non-single friend wants you to know. Ultimately, the goal of the Friend Forward Podcast is to bring understanding between us and to ultimately bring us closer, and so the objective of both today’s episode and last week’s is to broaden your perspectives and hopefully develop compassion within you for your friend’s experience, so that we can maintain harmony in face of these life changes. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework.   Click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode.   To join the Group Chat, and access the research study referenced in this episode, and to send Danielle your questions, head to www.betterfemalefriendships.com  To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward   To explore coaching with Danielle visit www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching   Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

We know that friendship is vital to everyone’s health and wellbeing but for the single woman, female friendship especially feels like a lifeline. Single women tend to exclusively turn to their friends for emotional support and companionship, and as the number of single women has increased nearly 20% in the past 10 years, more women are buying houses and raising children together under these platonic bonds. So what is female friendship to the single woman? And how does she stay connected to her friends who are partnered?   In today’s episode of Friend Forward, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares with you the seven things your single friends wish that you knew, so that as a partnered woman, you can develop more understanding, perspective and compassion for friends who are walking in their single session. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework.   This episode also features an excerpt from Danielle’s interview with Meagan Ayana, the founder of Single Girl Club, who shares her own thoughts on friendship as a single woman.    And married and partnered women, in next week’s episode, it’s your turn. Danielle will be exploring the things that you wish your single friends knew. If you want to join the conversation and share your thoughts, hit us up anytime on Instagram or reach us at www.betterfemalefriendships.com   Click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode. And remember, you can send us your questions on Instagram or at www.betterfemalefriendships.com  To get in touch with  Meagan Ayana, you can connect with her at Instagram and explore her Single Girl Club here   To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward   To explore coaching with Danielle visit www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching  Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward  Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today's episode addresses a listener’s question about how to deal with unwanted connections when it comes to friendships. Tune in as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers a few helpful insights. If you want to submit a problem of your own, visit us at ⁠Betterfemalefriendships.com ⁠or drop us a DM or a voicenote at Instagram at⁠ @friendforward.⁠ Click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode! To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward Explore coaching with Danielle at www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

For many of us, having a friendship break down can feel like a failure, because so often we wrongly measure the success of a friendship by its longevity. And whilst longevity can be evidence of a successful, healthy, functional relationship, these factors alone won’t insulate us from other things that pose a threat, such as people’s changing goals or desires, or the various external factor at play.  When a friendship breaks down, it's easy to turn inward, be discouraged and put your walls up, so in this episode our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson unpacks the reasons why friendship breakups can feel like such personal failures, and provides advice on what we can do to redefine relational success. And as always, stay tuned for this week’s homework, where Danielle shares a framework that you can apply when analysing your past friendship breakdowns to gain valuable insights, make breakdowns more productive, and ultimately pave the way for you to create better female friendships.  Click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode. And remember, you can send us your questions on Instagram or at www.betterfemalefriendships.com To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward **OFFER ENDS ON OCTOBER 1st**Sign up for Danielle’s Friendship Elevated, a 12-week program for modern women who want to experience a real transformation in their female friendship landscape:https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/membership  Book a private coaching session with Danielle at www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Maybe it’s nothing, but you’ve noticed that lately your friends are calling you out for your lateness, forgetfulness and your daydreaming, and after a quick Google search, you find out these are symptoms of ADHD. Whilst this may bring a sense of validation, it may also cause you to get curious on how these symptoms might be affecting your friendships. In today’s episode, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson is joined by Dr Tracy Alloway, an award-winning Psychologist, TV expert, and Author of 15 books, to dive deep on the topic of ADHD and how it might be affecting your friendships. Together they discuss what ADHD is, how it presents itself in women, ways it can impact our relationships and what we can do as friends to understand and help support those with the diagnosis. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework, where Danielle offers tangible and practical advice for both sides - women who are affected by ADHD themselves, and those who are friends with someone with ADHD, and are looking for ways to better support and understand them. Click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode. And remember, you can send us your questions on Instagram or at www.betterfemalefriendships.com To get in touch with Dr Tracy Alloway, you can reach out to her at www.instagram.com/drtracypackiam and www.tracypackiam.com To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward **OFFER ENDS ON OCTOBER 1st** Sign up for Danielle’s Friendship Elevated, a 12-week program for modern women who want to experience a real transformation in their female friendship landscape: https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/membership Book a private coaching session with Danielle at www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Three weeks ago you and a friend exchanged heated words at a group dinner and you’ve been left feeling a mix of regret, anger and embarrassment. Since then, you’ve been reliving every detail of what happened over and over again, replaying what you both said, what her words might have meant, and whether or not this indicates that she’s been getting increasingly frustrated with you over the past year.   This negative and unproductive overthinking is called rumination, and in today’s episode, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson talks about the consequences of rumination, and particularly the impact it can have on our relationships, due to the ways in which it can hamper our ability to reconcile with friends. Danielle shares her acronym ‘IDEA’ to cover the four key reasons why rumination can be so dangerous and damaging when it comes to our relationships.   Tune in to find out more, and as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework.  REFERENCES: STUDY - "Socialized to Ruminate? Gender Role Mediates the Sex Difference in Rumination for Interpersonal Events" -   https://spu.edu/depts/SPFC/clinicalpsych/training-research/faculty-research-teams/ace-lab/documents/2011-26235-002.pdf   Click the ‘Follow’ button now to not miss an episode. And remember, you can send us your questions on Instagram or at www.betterfemalefriendships.com To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward   **OFFER ENDS ON OCTOBER 1st** Sign up for Danielle’s Friendship Elevated, a 12-week program for modern women who want to experience a real transformation in their female friendship landscape: https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/membership   Book a private coaching session with Danielle at www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching   Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

It's National Women’s Friendship Day and what better time to announce the return of the Friend Forward Podcast!In Season 5 of The Friend Forward Podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson will be bringing you more of the content that you’ve been loving for almost four years now. She’ll be sharing the latest research on women’s cooperation, communication and conflict, paired with a healthy dose of self-love and actionable strategies, to enable you to create better female friendships.Season 5 kicks off this coming Thursday 21st September. Click ‘Follow’ now to not miss an episode. Until then, you can send us your questions on Instagram or at www.betterfemalefriendships.com  To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at https://www.instagram.com/friendforward **OFFER ENDS ON OCTOBER 1st**Sign up for Danielle’s Friendship Elevated, a 12-week program for modern women who want to experience a real transformation in their female friendship landscape:https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/membership Book a private coaching session with Danielle at www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Join our private group chat for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Have you ever had a birthday approaching and, instead of feelings of excitement, you start to feel a sense of apprehension at the prospect of potentially being let down by your friends who, for the last few years, haven’t quite showed up for you in the way you’d hoped? Birthdays can be a pivotal point in female friendships and, if not managed correctly, can leave you feeling disappointed, let down, and resentful. In this episode, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson breaks down some reasons why birthdays can feel like a tense time when it comes to friendships, and offers some advice on how you can minimise any sense of disappointment that you may feel around this time. And as always, stay tuned for this week’s homework, to help you on your way to better female friendships.  Watch the viral video Danielle references in this episode here Click here to sign up to Danielle’s weekly newsletter so you can continue to get your Friend Forward fix while the podcast breaks before Season 5! And make sure you don’t miss Danielle’s exciting surprise in a few months time by subscribing to her YouTube channel here  To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson and www.betterfemalefriendships.com  Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at www.instagram.com/friendforward   Book a private coaching session with Danielle before she goes on break for the Summer, at ⁠www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching    Join our private ⁠group chat ⁠for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward    Book Danielle to speak at you upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

When a friend lets you down, ticks you off or hurts your feelings, how do you respond to that situation? Research shows that people who lack the skill of emotional regulation have less relational satisfaction (you can read the study here) They also tend to group with people who also don't know how to manage their emotions, and are more inclined to receive feedback from others as hostile. This is a topic that our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson recently discussed on her weekly 30-minute Tiktok Live workshop, where her community shared how they initially respond when a friend disappoints them. All relationships take some kind of emotional toll, but it’s how you respond to those situations that makes all the difference, and has the power to make or break your friendships.  So today, in this more technical episode of The Friend Forward Podcast, Danielle breaks down what emotional regulation is, how you can improve your skills in this area, and what the consequences can be if you get it wrong. She also provides four tangible things that you can do in that moment before you react to something a friend might have said or done, to help you on your way to better emotional regulation, which will in turn lead to healthier female friendships.  And, as always, stay tuned for this week’s homework. Danielle will be beginning weekly ‘Lives” on Instagram every Monday at 12:30pm EST, starting from late July, so don’t miss this opportunity to connect with her and her community.  To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson and www.betterfemalefriendships.com  Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at www.instagram.com/friendforward   Book a private coaching session with Danielle before she goes on break for the Summer, at ⁠www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching   Join our private ⁠group chat ⁠for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward    Book Danielle to speak at you upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

In Part 1 of our Men’s Friendship episode, we met several men who shared their experiences of male platonic relationships. Despite the differences and the nuances of their various situations, their stories all supported the recent findings that most men are having fewer friendships that they had just 30 years ago, and that the friendships they do have fail to offer a safe space for them to share emotional support.  In this episode, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores what we can do about this issue, and the men share their advice for other men, and for us women, on how we can support the men in our lives. Danielle also speaks with Melanie Hamlet, a journalist who wrote an article for Harper’s Bazaar, entitled “Men Have No Friends and Women Bear The Burden”, and they dive deep on the many implications of this.   And as always, stay tuned for your homework. For more resources surrounding men's friendships, and to connect with the men featured in this episode, head to https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/post/mens-friendship-crisis To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson and www.betterfemalefriendships.com   Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at www.instagram.com/friendforward    Book a private coaching session with Danielle before she goes on break for the Summer, at ⁠www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching    Join our private ⁠group chat ⁠for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward    Book Danielle to speak at you upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected] 

In three years of the Friend Forward Podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson has only ever focused on female friendships – until now. If you search “Men’s friendships” online, you’ll likely be hit with a tonne of recent headlines about the current ‘crisis’ concerning men’s friendships, and maybe this is something you’ve even observed with the men in your own life, perhaps in your husband’s, father’s or brother’s relationships. A recent survey on the matter found that the percentage of men with at least six close friends has fallen by half in the last 30 years, and the number of men who say they have 0 close friends has increased fivefold. In this episode, Danielle turns the spotlight to the men, to shed some light on what is going on and what men themselves have to say about. She speaks with seven men from all different walks of life about their personal experiences of navigating friendships as a man. This is Part 1 of this 2-part special episode, so make sure you tune in when the next episode drops, in just one hour’s time. For more men’s resources and to connect with the men featured in this episode, head to https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/post/mens-friendship-crisis To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson and www.betterfemalefriendships.com  Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at www.instagram.com/friendforward    Book a private coaching session with Danielle before she goes on break for the Summer, at ⁠www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching    Join our private ⁠group chat ⁠for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward    Book Danielle to speak at you upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

A few months back, you met someone special - he’s cute, funny, attentive, ambitious, and basically ticks all of your boxes, but whenever you speak to your best friend about how things are progressing, there is something that feels ‘off’ about her advice. Is she jealous or projecting, or is it rooted in love for you and is she just being cautiously sceptical with your best interests at heart? Our romantic relationships and friendships both have a great influence on our lives, so how do we work to bring harmony between the two? In this episode, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson talks to Sex and Relationship expert Dr. Tara, a Tenured Professor and Coach, whose spicy but educational content has amassed more than 2 million followers on Tik Tok. In this conversation, they explore the intersection between dating relationships and friendships, and discuss the obvious and not-so-obvious ways your friendships may be impacting your dating life. And, as always, stay tuned for this week’s homework. To get in touch with Dr. Tara, you can reach out to her at www.instagram.com/luvbites.co and www.luvbites.co To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson and www.betterfemalefriendships.com Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at www.instagram.com/friendforward Book a private coaching session with Danielle before she goes on break for the Summer, at ⁠www.betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Join our private ⁠group chat ⁠for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at you upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

There’s so much talk on how to effectively set boundaries, but what about receiving them? If you’ve recently found yourself in a situation where a friend called you out on something, you might have been left feeling confused, defensive, indignant, and not quite sure how to respond. But these are the moments that test the strength and resilience of a friendship, and so it’s crucial they are handled with care. In this episode, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares valuable insights on how to navigate these potentially challenging moments. In this episode, you’ll learn: - three key ways to avoid reacting negatively when a friend sets a boundary with you - the importance of remaining curious in your friendshuips, and empathising with the emotions behind the boundary, even if you don’t agree with the details - the distinction between a healthy boundary and one established to control or overcorrect a past crossed boundary - practical advice and scripts to handle these situations with your friends And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework. To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson and www.betterfemalefriendships.com Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at www.instagram.com/friendforward Book a private coaching session with Danielle before she goes on break for the Summer, at etterfemalefriendships.com/coaching⁠ Join our private ⁠group chat ⁠for extra resources, at https://www.patreon.com/friendforward Book Danielle to speak at you upcoming conference or event, by emailing [email protected]

Coordinating a bachelorette party, divvying up bridesmaid responsibilities, and navigating the engagement party group chat-- to the untrained eye, this all looks like a bunch of unnecessary wedding drama. But for women who are in the thick of wedding season, they know that it's about so much more: during wedding season, a lot of our secret friendship stuff bubbles up to the surface, and we're forced to deal with it publicly and in real time. But how do we navigate tension, express expectations, and accept the fact that some relationships will... "transition"? In this episode, we're talking to bridal coach and therapist ⁠Kara Maureen⁠, who specializes in helping brides manage relationship drama during wedding season, She'll tell us three ways this time period can shift our friendships and what to do about those changes. If you have a story to shard about how your friendships either deepened or ended during a wedding, please submit it to our blog here! You can also visit us any time on Instagram @⁠friendforward ⁠or connect with Kara @⁠karathebridalcoach⁠ *Book Danielle Bayard Jackson to speak for your upcoming event by contacting [email protected]*

Have you ever wondered where to find your crew? What if we told you it's not a matter of joining the right clubs or pretending to be more of an extrovert? In this episode, we interview Laura Tremaine (⁠https://www.lauratremaine.com) ⁠host of "10 Things to Tell You" podcast and author of the new book "The Life Council". You'll learn: -why the search for an "all-inclusive" bestie might be restricting your joy -the beauty of not being everyone's everything -how to find more satisfaction in your friendship landscape As always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework. A FEW NOTES: We're currently reading "All about Love" by bell hooks for our Friend Forward Group Chat ⁠monthly book club⁠. Book a ⁠private session ⁠with host and resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson before she goes on break for the summer! Book Danielle to ⁠speak ⁠at your upcoming conference or event.

There are many factors that impact the health of our female friendships, but one that goes unnoticed is the dynamics of our ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS. In today's episode of the Friend Forward podcast, Danielle Bayard Jackson-- female friendships coach and educator-- will break down 4 surprising ways that your man but be standing in the way of having more fulfilling friendships (whether it's intentional or not!). Watch the corresponding ⁠video ⁠on Instagram to drop your comments on today's show. Book a private coaching session with Danielle at ⁠betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching⁠. Join our private ⁠group chat ⁠to access the full content from today's show. **Download your FREE GUIDE "⁠How to turn acquaintances into actual friends⁠"**

The latest statistics reveal that 58% of women who are childless don’t have any childless friends or family members. Who do they turn to for support? And how do their fertility journeys impact their friendships? In this episode, friendship expert and educator Danielle Bayard Jackson is joined by the founder of Chasing Creation and host of Lighthouse Women, Katy Seppi, to discuss the ways that women can who do and do not have children can find a way to maintain their friendship when fertility issues arise. From the perspectives of both mothers and childless women,, Danielle and Katy give tips on how to navigate this territory, and explore the degrees of miscommunication and disconnect with your female friends. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Avoid giving toxic positivity to a friend during her fertility journey Notice a friend’s silent struggle Recognize (and mediate) lifestyle differences Explore new ways of relating Danielle Social Links: Book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. We save in-depth resources for our “group chat” members. Join today. To dive deeper into these topics and more, be on the lookout for Danielle Bayard Jackson’s book debut: "Fighting for Our Friendships" in the spring of 2024. Whether a woman has started their fertility journey, remained childless, or recently became a mother, feelings of disconnect from friends and even themselves can occur. Talking through these situations with female friends may generate blanket statements like, “Don’t worry, we’ll be friends no matter what”. But, these over-simplified remarks just bury the problems at hand, and cause more splintering in friendships. So what are some ways to keep connections strong or repair the fractured relationships in our lives? If a friend is sharing their struggle with infertility, the instinctual response is to be uplifting and encouraging. “Keep trying, don’t give up, just pray on it and have hope.” This begins to sound like annoying Hallmark cards and is more dismissive of the pain than helpful. These forms of toxic positivity may come from not knowing what to say or trying to fix a problem. But your friend doesn’t need fixing, rather a space to be listened to. And if the tables are turned, communicating this need for your female friends to hold space for heavy emotions like grief or disappointment can go a long way in avoiding disconnect on both ends. Some women do not share when they begin their fertility journey, and from a friendship standpoint it can seem like they’ve distanced themselves unexpectedly. For those with children, it may be hard for some friends on this journey to be around all of the successful pregnancies, kids birthday parties or baby showers while they’re working through this experience. If something feels off in your friendships, reach out, try asking questions, listen and be supportive in sitting with that friend through their discomfort. Recognize the pieces of each friend’s life that are meaningful to them and celebrate those milestones. It won’t be the same for mothers as it will be for childless women, but these lifestyle differences don’t have to be the end of the friendships that have been around since before the kids, or a majorly successful career. And while it can be hard to balance everything, prioritizing time to catch up with your friends (uninterrupted) can keep your relationships strong. Finding new ways to relate or topics to chat about can become increasingly difficult when your worlds look nothing alike. And if a friend is going through an especially difficult time, the hurt of feeling unseen or disregarded can turn into animosity or resentment towards the friendship. Displays of attitudes or defensive aggression must be met with patience and reflection by both people. Tap back into what this person means to you and what the relationship should provide. Maybe even do a little research on what the friend is going through in an effort to understand. Frame these feelings as an invitation to connect and heal can go a long way. Sometimes friendships do end over these lifestyle changes, and it can be painful to realize that the other person cannot meet you halfway. Navigating these feelings in addition to the grief or struggle that's already present is even more challenging. But stating your intentions and desire to move forward with these friends can be powerful enough to overcome the hard times.

As seasons change, so do our friendships. And sometimes these shifts involve realizing that it’s time to move on from a friendship and break ties. If you currently find yourself mulling over this decision, have been in this situation before, or are about to enter into that space, friendship expert and education Danielle Bayard Jackson can offer some perspective. In this episode, you’ll learn how: Empathy can hold you back The dangers of maintaining the status quo Fear of your friend’s reaction can be detrimental To shift your perspective on what’s possible The bad can outweigh the good Danielle Social Links: Book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. We save in-depth resources for our “group chat” members. Join today. To dive deeper into these topics and more, be on the lookout for Danielle Bayard Jackson’s book debut: "Fighting for Our Friendships" in the spring of 2024. When it’s time to break off a friendship, we can begin to experience a mix of emotions. Everything from fear, sadness, guilt, over-consideration to anger and confusion. It’s all warranted because deciding to break up with a friend can be as significant as a romantic relationship. It is important to note that this episode is not saying that you definitely need to break up with your friend. “Too many of us are already ending female friendships prematurely. But in order for us to grow and to make space available, and to make space available in our life, for new friendships, we sometimes determine that a current one is just not working.” – Danielle Bayard Jackson. But deep down, if you know that this relationship has run its course, staying can begin to cause more harm (to yourself) than good. So what’s the holdup? One of the possible reasons holding you back? Ruinous empathy. You’ll learn more about this tricky emotion in today’s episode. You may also be delaying a friendship breakup because of the fear of being mischaracterized by your friends and themselves. How does your attachment to others’ perception keep you stuck in tricky situations? Another reason you may delay breaking up with a friend is because of the fear of the friend's reaction. Anticipating a direct and active breakup with a friend can be jarring, with anxiety and stress growing at the thought of how the conversation will go. But it’s possible. Working with a friendship coach can help you develop a strategy and script that will help prepare you and calm your anxiety before entering into these kinds of conversations. To learn about 4 additional reasons why ending a friendship may be difficult, please become a member of our “group chat”. Extended and bonus resources are always reserved for them, because they’re our VIP’s! Thinking about all of the good that is being lost with the breakup of a friendship can keep us holding on longer than we should, but sometimes ending the relationship is necessary. Your friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson challenges you with a bit of homework – Think about the main reason you’ve been holding on to a friendship…What has it been costing you to stay?

Better female friendships are earned, and for some, may require a change in behavior and habits. As every one of us is a multifaceted, busy human being just trying their best to remain happy and have meaningful relationships, we may not notice when we’re getting in our own way. So what are some steps women can take to be better friends to the important females in their lives? In this episode, you’ll learn: How to stop and notice the expectations that your friend’s life choices should mirror your own The importance of expressing affirmative boundaries How to set an expectation of direct communication To treat your friendships with just as much love as your romantic relationships Danielle Social Links: You can book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. We save in-depth resources for our “group chat” members. Join today. To dive deeper into these topics and more, be on the lookout for Danielle Bayard Jackson’s book debut: "Fighting for Our Friendships" in the spring of 2024. If you’re looking to experience more joy, freedom, and depth in your female friendships, these small changes in behavior and approach to the women who are cared for in your life are game-changers. Sometimes friends must lead by example for the relationships that they want to maintain and get life from. We Are NOT The Same, and That’s Okay Research suggests that it IS very important for women to have similarities and symmetries in their friendships. This falls into other areas of our lives like our romantic relationships, but it is interesting to note that this relationship trait is more expected from women than men. So if this research holds, how do women determine when their female friends are no longer fitting the expected mold? Whether it pertains to their health choices, parenting styles, partner, or financial decisions, there’s always at least one moment when one must take a step back and be real – yes, my friend does have different behaviors and opinions than me. This may come as a no-brainer to most. One may think, of course, my friend can make different choices, and I’ll respect the person that she is regardless of whether we have different views. But what happens after that realization? Does one begin reconsidering that female friendship off the bat? Or maybe it happens slowly, through emotional withdrawal, pangs of jealousy, passive attempts at controlling, or underlying judgment. Do these differences begin to diminish the woman’s character? Friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson, challenges everyone to stop and notice the expectation that you’re friends' life choices should mirror your own. Express Yourself If you’re not new, but true to this podcast, you may remember the episode, TikTok, or social posts that discussed the importance of affirmative boundaries in friendships with women. To recap, the action of expressing boundaries to people you care about can come across as rejection, and therefore cause some reluctance to do so. This is where affirmative boundaries shine – give your friends your form of yes instead of a hard, unproductive no as a response. It is possible to erect boundaries that protect your sanity while maintaining an honest and progressive conversation with your friend. Skip the Passivity Most women can tell when something is a little off. The ultrasensitive emotional radar begins to beep, but there’s a tinge of uncertainty that one may be reading too deeply into something, or trying to make sense of the subtext and unspoken glances, tones, and feelings. It can drive everyone crazy. One way to combat this? Nip it in the bud and be direct in asking, can we talk about whatever it is that’s going on? Best to address the situation sooner rather than later, and be upfront about the security within the relationship. Spread The Love Romance doesn’t have to be limited to relationships with sexual partners. Give yourself permission to enjoy those feelings of excitement, delight, and elation that your female friends bring to life as well. Try practicing direct communication in these moments too – don’t just praise her in your head or to others. Send that just thought of you text or tell that woman how much you love their look. 9 times out of 10, we all appreciate loving gestures. Female friendships and relationships of all kinds require a level of self-awareness, compassion, and commitment to growth. Do yourself and your female friends a solid and try practicing some of these behaviors that will help nurture the relationships in your life. Rome wasn’t built (or maintained) in a day, and neither are in-depth female friendships.

Ready to get out of the group chat and into a group trip? Summer is approaching, and it’s time to stop talking about the friend-cation and get ready to make it happen. Though, this can be easier said than done, especially when it’s more than two or three female friends trying to coordinate. So what are the best ways to get over the barriers of planning a group trip? Friendship expert and educator Danielle Bayard Jackson is joined by Theresa Chu-Bermudez, the Owner of Get Out! Custom Travels, LLC to share some tips and tricks to make trip-planning easier. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why a travel advisor helps you take the work out of planning and coordinating Two mistakes friend groups make when planning a trip 3 places to visit this summer (especially if you’re a woman of color) For more tips, follow Theresa on instagram as well to learn more. Danielle Social Links: You can book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. We save in-depth resources for our “group chat” members. Join today. To dive deeper into these topics and more, be on the lookout for Danielle Bayard Jackson’s book debut: "Fighting for Our Friendships" in the spring of 2024. Here are a few things to understand before booking your trip: Travel Advisor vs. Travel Agent Travel advisors allow for a more customized trip for you and your female friends, versus an agent who deals in taking orders and doing the booking. And a bonus – travel advisors can help gauge safety and comfort levels for women, people of color, solo travelers and more. For the People Pleasers Without a travel advisor, the group chat can really become a hassle. And this one is especially true for those friends who are the people-pleaser type. Accommodating everyone’s needs and coming to a consensus can take forever, and too many opinions is never as helpful as it seems. Overplanning For women who are taking the lead on coordinating the vacation schedule, this is a common problem to run into. You may be trying to add so many activities during the trip for the sake of keeping busy, trying not to be bored, or making sure that everyone gets to do what they want. In the end, all of your friends end up exhausted with the packed schedule, and may be cranky, grouchy and unable to enjoy the time away. Not planning enough flexibility can make the vacation feel like more work rather than a relaxing adventure. Remain Objective Be real with your friends about what each other wants to get out of the trip. Understand each woman’s comfort levels with budget and intention for joining the group.

Welcome to "Girl Problems" a new weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast. Today's episode addresses a listener question about feeling limited in her friendships because of her lifestyle as an entrepreneur. Tune in as resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers a few helpful insights. If you want to submit a problem of your own, visit us at ⁠Betterfemalefriendships.com ⁠or on Instagram at⁠ @friendforward.⁠ To book a private session with Danielle, visit ⁠Betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching⁠ and check-out our new "fast track" services.

One common reason women offer for why they don’t engage more in their friendships is because of a lack of time. For many of these women, the lack of time is due to their obligation to manage a busy household. They may have serious “mom guilt” or feel overwhelmed after tending to all of the familial duties that are unnecessarily placed on the women. Women in general, globally, are doing more domestic labor than their male counterparts and it continues to impact their capacity to fully engage in their female friendships. In this episode, Laura Danger, equitable domestic labor educator, advocate & coach joins your friendship expert and educator, Danielle Bayard Jackson to recognize how much there is an imbalance of shared labor in the home and the ways in which women’s relationships are affected. You can learn more about her work on Instagram and TikTok. Danielle Social Links: You can book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. We save in-depth resources for our “group chat” members. Join today. To dive deeper into these topics and more, be on the lookout for Danielle Bayard Jackson’s book debut: "Fighting for Our Friendships" in the spring of 2024. At first glance it may be confusing to make the connection between female friendships and equitable domestic labor (and fair partnership). But take into account that a majority of American households are still dealing with this imbalance. And in cis, hetero-partnerships, women are doing 2-3x more domestic labor on average. The toll this takes directly impacts the ways that women can engage in their friendships – whether it’s having the physical time, emotional availability or mental capacity to deepen new and existing friendships. So what do we do about it? If you’re partnered, a mother, single or childless, there is opportunity for conversation and compassion to have a more supportive domestic and social life. Understand The System Despite what was told to little girls, research doesn't show women being more capable at nurturing or household duties than men. To change cultural norms, both genders must acknowledge inequity and address the issue, leveling the playing field in the home. How It Impacts Our Female Friendships Research reveals that women’s friendships are more fragile than men's, breaking under perceived violations. One reason is women's higher household responsibilities, leaving less bandwidth for "elective" friendships. For many overworked women, friendships go first. Resolutions Within Relationships Develop communication between partners for a standard of care each is capable of. Try Fair Play Method by Yves Brodksy – have clear expectations in domestic partnerships, avoid gatekeeping information, and create opportunities for sharing responsibility. Resolutions Within Friendships A good conversation with friends helps. Encourage dialogue for support and empowerment. Remind friends that you're there for them and appreciate the relationship. “Just because you’re capable, doesn’t make you obligated.” – Laura Danger Reflect on limiting mindsets affecting female friendships and domestic partnerships. Danielle Bayard Jackson offers homework to understand mom-guilt and domestic labor imbalances. Share thoughts with Danielle on Instagram or at betterfemalefriendships.com.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what to make of not being invited to a function or hang out, this episode is for you. Being left out can hurt and make it easy to assume ill intentions, writing them off as mean or inconsiderate. But before we start cutting people off, taking a moment to try to understand the bigger picture might help manage these feelings and unveil actions that can help move friendships forward. Friendship expert and coach Danielle Bayard Jackson recently shared a TikTok on the subject that now has over 1 million views, and on today’s episode, dove deeper into each potential situation. Danielle Social Links: You can book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. We save in-depth resources for our “group chat” members. Join today. To dive deeper into these topics and more, be on the lookout for Danielle Bayard Jackson’s book debut: "Fighting for Our Friendships" in the spring of 2024. While there are certainly times people exclude others intentionally out of spite, rudeness or jealousy (not okay!), there are other reasons to consider as well. The hope is that hearing this list doesn’t discourage but instead offers a bit of perspective to consider while navigating and growing our female friendships. To help liberate yourself from frustration about not being invited, let’s skip the part of vilifying the person who didn’t do the inviting. The defensiveness, negativity and self-victimization will not mend the hurt feelings and only prolong the questioning of the integrity of the friendship itself. Remain Curious Try to remain curious and open about the 10 (possible) reasons, and take this as an opportunity to become a better friend, and person. To get one’s mind right about these situations, engage meaningfully and critically with each reason. If some don’t apply, that’s okay. And if some do, receive the idea holistically and be honest and gentle with yourself and the women in your friendship groups as the reflection process unfolds. The Bigger Picture Having a better understanding of the bigger picture will help lead to better outcomes and actionable ideas. These situations can often feel like a personal attack, leading to extreme reactions and maybe even regrettable words exchanged amongst friends. This is not only uncomfortable for the offender, but can create an even more unstable feeling within the friendship. Each (possible) reason is important to consider, and may apply to past and present moments that friendships have experienced. And still, communication trumps all. Your official friendship coach, Danielle Bayard Jackson provides context for these moments of uncertainty, and gives some reflective homework to help strengthen personal relationships and female friendships. Daneille reiterates, “We can’t make our needs met if we don’t make our desires known. Don’t underestimate the need to communicate your needs”.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation with a friend where you needed or wanted to say no, but struggled to find the right way to say it? Telling anyone, especially a friend, ‘no’ can be difficult, but neglecting this truth can create more problems down the road. In this episode, friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson encourages women to assert affirmative boundaries. This tactic can help women stay true to their needs and feel more confident in their ‘no’ while maintaining strong female friendships. Danielle Social Links: You can book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. We save in-depth resources for our “group chat” members. Join today. To dive deeper into these topics and more, be on the lookout for Danielle Bayard Jackson’s book debut: "Fighting for Our Friendships" in the spring of 2024. Saying no doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you may be afraid to say no because you simply don’t want to do something or because you can’t, the act of saying no can still leave feelings of guilt. On the other hand, if the “yes” is falsely expressed, it can leave you feeling resentful instead. A solution? Affirmative boundaries. Here’s the formula: Establish common ground, express your boundary, offer your form of “yes”. Friendship coach Danielle Bayard Jackson’s technique for setting affirmative boundaries involves ending the no statement with something uplifting and positive. Don’t be mistaken, some situations do require straightforward, unequivocal no’s. But in other cases, providing a softer negation can buffer the sting of rejection that the friend receiving it may feel. And as our friendship expert puts it, ultimately, “If we get a little more comfortable and equipped with our affirmative boundaries or affirmative no’s then it will help us to preserve our personal integrity while also maintaining connection in the friendship.” Quell the Questioning Similar to when you’re the recipient of a no, a friend’s decision can feel personal and it can lead to lots of questioning about the friendship. Questions as to whether she’s mad or not as invested. The mind can start spinning with wonders and what-ifs. When the assertion is provided in a way that’s productive – the friend clearly shares what they’re comfortable with while reassuring the other that the friendship is still good and the connection is strong – it can be more helpful and bonding than expected. Say a woman invited a group of friends to her luxurious bachelorette party, which requires a lot of personal expenses to be doled out ahead of time. For one of the ladies, this financial commitment causes stress and just isn’t possible at the moment. The friend shouldn’t feel the need to say yes and internally feel resentful or be super apologetic and ashamed that they can’t make it. It’s just a no, that may look like, “No, I actually can’t swing it, but when you’re back, come to my place and we’ll pop open some bubbly and you tell me everything!”. Showing that the friendship between women is still great and that there’s truly nothing to question or worry about. Staying True To You Social situations can also feel like a bind, but remember that it’s best to honor and be honest about your needs with the women that you care about (and who care about you too). If it’s getting too late during a night out with the girls but they’re begging you to stay, try using affirmative boundaries. No need to get fiery or aggressive with your reasoning for wanting to leave. A simple “No, not tonight but I’m looking forward to the next time” or “I’ll call you tomorrow to hear all about it.” still shows that you want to show up for your friends while maintaining your own needs. Be comfortable with taking care of yourself first, otherwise you as an individual may suffer and as a result, the connections with your friends will too. Listen to the episode to get this week’s homework. And if you need personalized support, consider booking a one-on-one session at Betterfemalefriendships.com.

Not every apology is a good one. Honestly, a poor, half-hearted apology from a friend can feel worse than the harm that was caused. So why does it sometimes feel like apologizing isn’t enough? Let’s look at the context more closely. Whenever one wants to take ownership of the damage done to a friend an apology is owed. Even if there’s no interest in repairing the relationship, an apology is owed. It is an extension of a person's values to show accountability for the way their behaviors may have hurt another. In this episode, we clarify what makes a good apology, and three situations in which one should NOT apologize. - You can book a private friendship coaching session here. - Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. - We save in-depth resources for our “group chat” members. Join today. - To dive deeper into these topics and more, be on the lookout for Danielle Bayard Jackson’s book debut: "Fighting for Our Friendships" in the spring of 2024. We often overlook the opportunity for connection with female friends through apologies. As the resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson sums it best, “If we all claim, ‘Hey, I want to be a better friend.’ Well, that starts with us.” So how do we make sure we’re getting the most potential to deepen our relationships, especially when going through a rough patch? Good apologies. One that uses the word apologize, acknowledges the harm done, and ends with intentions to repair and do better. Clear, intentional, and appropriately timed apologies, in the RIGHT situations. Here are some instances when an apology is not helpful. Situation #1 – Repeat Offender (Apologizer) Think about a time when a person apologized for their behavior – maybe always canceling plans or drinking too much when you all went out – but continued to do the same actions again and again. What does the apology have to offer if there’s no intention behind it to do better? What is a true friendship without trust and mutual respect? Repeatedly apologizing without any change in behavior starts to tear into the fabric of security and trust in a friend’s word, diminishing the respect they have for the other. Don’t apologize when the intention behind it is empty and untrue. Situation #2 – Getting Back to the Good Part If a friend is only apologizing to speed up the reconciliation process, they should not be saying sorry. Rushing through this moment to repair the harm one has caused a friend can be more unproductive than not apologizing at all. A person may want to quickly move forward and have their friend get over it because they are uncomfortable sitting in the hot seat. They may have an issue with being accountable, feeling threatened or called out, or responding to a heated conversation in a healthy way. Ultimately it can come across as dismissive of the friend’s feelings, and the integrity of the female friendship itself. Situation #3 – Doing Too Much This one’s for the people pleasers. When people find themselves apologizing for any instance that may leave room for another to be mad at them, there needs to be a moment to pause. Some friends offer an apology when there’s been no wrong-doing or offense. Heck, sometimes an apology may slip out towards someone who caused harm to the one apologizing. Over-apologizing in female friendship occurs when a woman wants to eliminate any possibility of her friends having issues or any negative emotions toward her. It can act as a buffer for having honest and maybe uncomfortable conversations that may ultimately deepen the friendship. If this resonates, you’ll love the episode People-Pleaser Friends with boundaries expert, Terry Cole. And as food-for-thought, friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares some reflective homework – What is your relationship with apologizing to other people? Think about apologies in your life recently, in a friendship context of course. Whether you’re owed one or offered one that was unproductive, what are some ways in which we hold ourselves back from strengthening our relationships with other women? And don’t forget, #AskHerOutAlready is in full effect. We want to see those pictures and read the stories.

Relationships are a woman’s greatest resource. Yet so often, female friendships are stifled by the poor choices we make to manage conflict and express ourselves. This can mean gossiping, excluding, or giving the silent treatment to friends and other women instead of opening up and having a real conversation with them. Why does it feel easier to resort to these tactics to cut others down? Let’s get into it. On today’s episode we cover what relational aggression can look like in female friendships and the ways in which we can begin to notice these behaviors in ourselves. You can book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. Want the full list of relational aggression tactics? We save in-depth resources for our “group chat” members. Join today. To dive deeper into these topics and more, be on the lookout for Danielle Bayard Jackson’s book debut: "Fighting for Our Friendships" in the spring of 2024. The phrase 'relational aggression' may be unfamiliar, but ultimately it's understood as being petty, sneaky, sideways, and displaying mean girl behavior. The working definition includes trying to cut someone down without physical aggression. While the tactic isn’t solely used by women, it's often a go-to. So much strength and power come from female friendships, that when another woman harms that connection, there’s a ripple effect, and rebuilding that network of relationships is tough work. Friendship expert and educator Danielle Bayard Jackson shares, “If we want to begin repairing and deepening our female friendships collectively, as a sisterhood, I think we have to first get clear on what it [relational aggression] looks like, and why we do it. And then get clear on why we are sometimes guilty of also reaching for those tools when we feel threatened or hurt." So how does one face these nasty habits and add more productive behaviors to their friendship toolbox? Why be a mean girl? In the media, the mean girl is a caricature of collective behaviors. And while it may be more dramatized, the use of underhanded comments, passive aggression and snide remarks are things that everyone pulls from. Women, in particular, do this because we don't want to (and socially cannot) look difficult to work with. The aggression has to be covert, otherwise, an individual may look bad themself. Using mean girl behaviors can lend a hand to harming someone else while maintaining, or boosting another woman's perception of being easy-going or great to connect with. Culturally Cute Growing up, women are often told to 'just be nice'. Yet, nobody goes further to explain what that entails. Danielle Bayard Jackson asks the key question, "Is there room in our culture for a woman to be assertive?” So often women bite their tongues in fear of being seen as problematic, difficult to work with, overly emotional, and dismissed as overly emotional by their colleagues or peers. There are very few moments where women are allowed (or praised) to be visibly upset and/or straightforward with their issues. This can leave friendships that are unequipped and unprepared to deal with situations that require responsible conflict resolution. And those women resort to mean girl behaviors. Here's Your Homework Think about a recent time that you excluded someone on purpose, gossiped, or gave someone the silent treatment. Why did you do it? Get genuinely curious about your behavior. Were you feeling threatened? Were your feelings hurt? Did you enjoy doing it? Did you feel powerful? Ultimately, women have to begin thinking critically about why some female friendships tend to operate this way, and what we can do to make better decisions. Danielle Bayard Jackson, your resident friendship expert, hopes this episode helped bring some behaviors to light. And don’t forget, #AskHerOutAlready is in full effect. We want to see those pictures and read the stories.

Making new connections can be tough. And quick moments of interaction with strangers aren’t the greatest opportunities to make friends. But let's be real, friendships are the essence of a rich and fulfilling life. So how do we get more intentional and step out of our own way? In this episode, we chat with Ashley Kirsner, Founder of Skip the Small Talk, about constructing intentional spaces for people to come together, explore their comfort zones, and potentially develop relationships. We all start as outsiders seeking community, but with an encouraging pep talk, some self-compassion, and a flexible mindset, strangers can become acquainted. Ashley believes in the efficacy of high-quality person-to-person interaction for improving psychological health. Learn more about her work here and connect with her on Instagram. I’d love to hear who you want me to chat with next, let me know on Instagram. You can book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. Join our monthly book club. This month: ”The Measure” is the book. Lastly, to submit your own "Girl Problems" question, visit our website OR leave Danielle a voice note (this woman loves a good voice note!) on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson. So, you go out, do activities you enjoy, and are still having a hard time finding your tribe. You may start to wonder…Where are all the cool girls at? Is it me? Am I trying too hard? Maybe not hard enough? Bridging the gap between friendly ‘hellos’ to ‘hey, I think you’re really cool and that we could be great friends’ is tough, especially with the ability to revert into the pocket-sized digital abyss just a finger-tap away. Ashley Kirsner, Founder of “Skip the Small Talk”, and Danielle Bayard Jackson, your resident friendship expert, shares some key pointers on how to overcome conversations that may feel anxiety-inducing, to help you enjoy the long-lasting friendships that are waiting on the other side. Be Your Own Hype Woman You know what they say, practice makes perfect. And in this case, the practice extends to the work that you do before you enter the room. Set the tone from the beginning – look in the mirror (or not) and give yourself a real pep talk. Lean into the mental prep work before going out so that the experience doesn't feel like a daunting task to check off of your to-do list. This isn't something that you've got to get through, it's a unique experience that you deserve to be fully present for. And maybe you'll get a few funny stories to share out of it. Nothing is perfect. Not you, not me, and not them. Give yourself some grace. Shower in self-compassion. No interaction will go perfectly smoothly, and that's okay. You may be a little awkward, but 9 times out of 10, so will the person you're talking to. Remaining mindful and aware that nobody knows what to do can ease the stress of keeping up appearances. You're allowed to feel bored, excited, annoyed, or nervous, and you don't need to attack or resolve those feelings right away. Initiate conversations to learn more about yourself, and others. Give Yourself Permission. Deeper interactions are intentional and inherently vulnerable. Sometimes we can get in our own way, confining ourselves into a mindset of what friendship should look like or how it should develop. When meeting new people, allow the conversation to unfold naturally, revealing itself to you. Focus on the process and your actions of engagement more than others. Focusing on yourself gives you, in social-psychological terms, an internal locus of control that can act as a safety blanket in moments of awkward silence or discomfort. Success doesn't have to mean leaving with your soul mate or next BFF. It can be the small wins of continuing to share connections, experiences, and quirky facts with people who are there to listen. You deserve to have amazing, fruitful friendships in your life. Ashley Kirsner, Founder of “Skip the Small Talk”, and Danielle Bayard Jackson, your resident friendship expert hope that you find loads of value from this episode. And don’t forget, #AskHerOutAlready is in full effect. We want to see those pictures and read the stories.

"Girl Problems" is a new segment from the Friend Forward podcast, designed to address the DMs we receive from listeners on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson and @friendforward. If you have a girl problem of your won to submit to resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson, feel free to visit us on socials, or contact us via our website Betterfemalefriendships.com. Looking for a meaningful friendship experience? Come to our Tampa event on March 4!

Pursuing new female friendships may feel like a daunting task for most. The upsides are obvious- expanding your social circle, discovering new interests, and growing as a person. However, for many of us, the fear of rejection and vulnerability can hold us back from reaching out to others and forming new connections. In this episode, we'll delve into the heart of these fears and explore four common reasons why women are afraid to initiate new friendships. From the fear of being rejected and beyond, we'll offer practical tips and insights to help you overcome these challenges and live your life to the fullest. Whether you're seeking to meet other like-minded women in a new city, are interested in connecting with one of your female colleagues more, or simply looking to expand your social circle, this episode is for you. So listen in so you can secure the courage to #AskHerOutAlready! I’d love to hear who you want me to chat with next, let me know on Instagram. You can book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. Join our monthly book club. This month: ”The Measure” is the book. Lastly, to submit your own "Girl Problems" question, visit our website OR leave Danielle a voice note (this woman loves a good voice note!) on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson. In today's episode of the Friend Forward podcast, we explore why women may be hesitant to pursue a friendship with someone they've been curious about. Our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson outlines the four main reasons why women may not pursue a friendship. So what are some of the reasons? Not knowing how to initiate a conversation, fear of rejection, the feeling that you’ve put all the signals out so the rest should happen organically, and passivity. One of the main reasons women may find themselves hesitant to pursue a friendship with other women is simply not knowing how to initiate the conversation. To help overcome this, we offer the "movie trailer method." This method involves being specific and providing a preview of the experience, including a chosen time and place, a scene from the experience, and the intended duration. By doing this, women can increase their chances of receiving a positive response. Another reason women may be hesitant to pursue a friendship is fear of rejection. Fear of rejection is normal, but it's important to remember that rejection is a part of life, and it is not a reflection of one's self-worth. To overcome this fear, Danielle Bayard Jackson, resident friendship expert suggests “focusing on the outcome you desire, rather than the fear of rejection.” Another reason women may be hesitant to pursue potential female friendships is they simply believe it's not their job. It takes more than sending her a few social cues and being ‘nice’ to show her you’re interested in a potential friendship. Even in platonic relationships, it’s important to be assertive and clear on your intentions. Chances are, she may be interested in getting to know you better as well but someone has to make the first move. Why not you? If it was going to happen organically, it would have happened by now. Sometimes we just need a little push. Passivity can be a friendship ender before they really start. You may not have a Type-A personality, but showing up for the women in your life and the women you’d like to get to know better by planning activities or proactively extending invitations is important. It goes a long way when women see the effort that a friend or potential friend has put into showing them that they matter. Don’t let her do all the work, take initiative and step up because good friendships take time and effort to cultivate. Pursuing female friendships can be a nerve-wracking experience, but by using the "movie trailer method," focusing on the desired outcome instead of your fear of rejection, being assertive and intentional, you can overcome any hesitation and pursue the friendship you desire. Take our resident friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson up on the new challenge and #AskHerOut Already!

Resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares an unscripted, unedited, vulnerable message for "Friend Forward" listeners. Follow along with her and the team at Betterfemalefriendships.comor on Instagram @friendforward.

In this week's "Girl Problems" segment, we respond to an Instagram DM from a young woman who's realized that if her partner popped the question, she wouldn't have any female friends to include in her wedding party. Listen in as resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson responds. To those who offered their opinion's on this week's episode via Instagram stories, tune in-- you may hear your feedback included! Book a personal coaching session at Betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching Book Danielle to speak by contacting Sam at [email protected] Follow Danielle on Instagram at @daniellebayardjackson

A ‘people pleaser’ is literally the antithesis of what we all want to be known as. We see how people-pleasers are portrayed in television and film and we cringe at the display of their desire to be accepted and their tendency to somehow, always be available. But it’s often said that the things we most detest in others may be the attributes we wrestle with most knowingly or unknowingly within ourselves. If you know people-pleasing is a struggle for you and you’re tired of being resentful of others based on actions of your own volition, or you know someone who struggles and aren’t quite sure what specific words of wisdom to impart, this episode is for you. I am joined by Psychotherapist and Author, Terri Cole as she shares insight into what people-pleasing is, the root of the issue, the risks it poses to ourselves and our relationships, and how to stop. Terri has a passion for helping women liberate themselves with boundaries to break the cycle of overfunctioning. You can check out Terri’s book here, she’d love to connect with you over on Instagram. I’d love to hear who you want me to chat with next, let me know on Instagram. You can book a private friendship coaching session here. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event. Join our monthly book club. This month “The Measure” is the book. Lastly to submit your own "Girl Problems" question, visit our website OR leave Danielle a voice note (this woman loves a good voice note!) on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson. What is People Pleasing? According to Terri, most of us were raised and praised to be self abandoning codependents, to be people pleasers, because this gave us positive feedback in childhood. Being “nice”, self-sacrificing, and putting on a smile for everyone is praised as a virtue and is something that’s particularly expected of and projected onto women and young girls. However, it’s not a virtue. When people pleasing manifests as chronic, pathological, or compulsive, then it’s dishonest — not just to whoever is receiving it, but also to yourself. What we're really doing is giving the people in our life corrupted information about who we are, what we like, how we feel about things, and all under the guise of being “nice.” The Risks of People Pleasing Disordered emotional boundaries are the foundation of People Pleasing because it forces us to prioritize the wants, needs, desires, and feelings of others above our own. This doesn't mean we should be rude. It doesn't mean we should be super self-absorbed. But the truth is the only person who can make sure that you get your needs met or that you are seen and known accurately in life, in your friendships, and in the world, is you. How to Stop Being a People Pleaser What you think, what you want, who you actually are, matters. It's the only thing you have in this life that is unique to you. This is what makes you you. Small changes create sustainable transformation. It's not about immediately being different in your friendships or grabbing a bullhorn and telling everyone there’s a new boundary sheriff in town. You must take the time to figure out your likes and your dislikes. If you do your Resentment Inventory, you'll see what friendships and relationships need your attention. As Eleanor Roosevelt said: ‘nobody takes advantage of you without your permission.’ If someone thinks that you’re just looking for an argument, share this: “I’m looking for connection, truth, honesty, mutuality, respect. If you tell me the truth about how you feel, I feel like you respect me. And if you placate me with pleasantries because of your own fear, I feel like that's a compulsive action you're doing for you, but it's not good for the friendship.”

"Girl Problems" is a new segment of the Friend Forward podcast where we attempt to answer the DMs that you send us on Instagram in five minutes or less. Today's message comes from a woman who is struggling to cope with her loneliness. We hope this helps, "G". Book a private friendship coaching session. Follow us on Instagram. Book Danielle Bayard Jackson -- friendship expert and educator-- to speak at your event.

Sometimes, it's you. In today's episode of the Friend Forward podcast, resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers six reasons why you might be the problem in your current friendship. Popular online content focuses on ways that our friends disappoint us, but what happens when we're the source of stress, confusion, and distance? If it's time for you to finally share your personal story with Danielle, book a one-on-one coaching session to get support and TANGIBLE strategies to help you through. You can also visit us at Betterfemalefriendships.com to shop for resources, or book Danielle to speak at your next conference/ event.

What do you do when you've become overwhelmed and overextended? In today's "Girl Problems"-- a new series from the 'Friend Forward' podcast where we answer your personal DMs-- resident friendship coach Danielle Bayard Jackson answers a question about how to recover when you've packed your social calendar to the brim. To submit your own "Girl Problems" question, visit us at Betterfemalefriendships.com OR leave Danielle a voice note (this woman loves a good voice note!) on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson Book a private friendship session here. Watch Danielle's recent appearance on CBS News here. Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event here.

What do you do when you want to take a woman from an acquaintance to a friend? In this episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson is offering three charismatic ways to communicate your (platonic) interest. She'll also share the results of a survey she did online so you can see how OTHER women have probably trying to communicate their interest to YOU. Tune in for the details (and for your weekly homework). Watch Danielle's viral TikTok about "crushing" on a new potential friend. Book a private friendship coaching session. Join our monthly book club. This month: "The Measure" by Nikki Erlick. Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event by emailing Sam at [email protected].

The conversation around jealousy in female friendship is pretty narrow. "Good friends don't get jealous..." And while that's somewhat true, how do we make sense of the times we DO feel a momentary ping of jealousy or envy? In this episode, resident friendship coach Danielle Bayard Jackson explains the difference between envy and jealousy, and then provides three tips on how to manage those emotions when they arise. JOIN OUR 21-DAY FRIENDSHIP CHALLENGE. Book a one-on-one friendship session. Follow Danielle on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson Pre-order our new e-book "How to Create, Carry, and Close Conversations with New People"

You know that you want better female friendships next year, but it's not enough to proclaim it-- you need to reassess the mindsets that are holding you back. In this episode, resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson uses research from the most respected leaders in the fields of communication, connection, and loneliness, to make the case for leaving these four mindsets behind. Follow Danielle Bayard Jackson @daniellebayardjackson *JOIN OUR 21-DAY "BE A BETTER FRIEND CHALLENGE" before it's too late!*

In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, we're introducing you to three women who met using Bumble BFF. They'll share their tips for safely leveraging technology for friendship, and how to transfer the relationship from the digital to in-real-life world. We encourage you to look at the women's pictures to really bring this story to life, and then allow it to inspire you to pursue your own friendship journey. JOIN THE 21-DAY "BE A BETTER FRIEND CHALLENGE" and get daily prompts and scripts to help you create better platonic relationships in the new year. Follow Danielle Bayard Jackson on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson RSVP for our in-person event!