Friendships Fall Off a Cliff After 30 | Psychology Expert Reveals What Actually Saves Them

In this episode of Just Press Record, Matt brings together journalist and friendship expert Anna Goldfarb and psychologist/behavioral finance analyst Naomi Win for a deep and wide-ranging conversation on friendship, uncertainty, and the ways we build and sustain human connection.

The discussion moves from personal stories and research insights to cultural commentary, exploring how we navigate modern relationships in a world full of competing demands, distractions, and constant change.

Topics Covered

• Why uncertainty shapes both friendships and personal growth

• Anna’s framework for understanding friendship hierarchies (bathtub, jacuzzi, swimming pool, etc.)

• The difference between agentic friendships and communal friendships

• How adulthood, family, and time scarcity reshape our social circles

• Cultural and societal impacts on modern friendship and loneliness

• The psychology of self-trust, repair, and vulnerability in relationships

• Trauma bonding vs. healthy friendship bonding

• Anna’s personal story of her father, uncertainty, and the importance of reaching out

• Why certainty, communication, and generosity matter in sustaining friendships