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The Francesca Psychology Podcast

Dr Julie Smith: How to Build Social Confidence, Heal After a Breakup & Spot Fake Friends Fast

Apr 15, 2025
Dr. Julie Smith is a clinical psychologist and bestselling author known for her engaging mental health content. In this lively conversation, she discusses recognizing unhealthy friendships and offers strategies for setting boundaries. She shares insights from her book 'Open When,' emphasizing genuine human connection during tough times. Julie tackles social anxiety and how to build confidence through proactive engagement. Plus, she explores transforming comparison into inspiration—all vital tools for navigating life's emotional challenges.
01:16:34

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • True friendships are characterized by mutual support and celebration, rather than competition, highlighting the importance of evaluating relationship dynamics.
  • Building social confidence involves shifting focus from self-judgment to genuine interest in others, which helps alleviate social anxiety.

Deep dives

Recognizing True Friends

True friends should support and celebrate each other’s achievements rather than compete for attention. If sharing good or bad news with a friend is met with indifference or counter-experiences, it may indicate that the friendship is imbalanced. This dynamic can leave you feeling unsafe or hesitant to express your genuine feelings, leading to doubts about the friendship's value. Evaluating your own contributions to the relationship is essential, as it can help clarify whether the friendship is worth maintaining or if it's better to create boundaries.

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