Friend Forward

Whether your friend is newly divorce or considering divorce, she'll likely expect you to provide emotional support throughout her journey. But the hard truth is that many women are falling short in the ways that they show up. In this conversation with Oona Metz, author of "Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women" a therapist who's been facilitating divorce groups for women for over 30 years, she'll share 4 myths about beliefs concerning friends who are going through this kind of painful separation.And if this episode isn't enough, become a member of Office Hours where we've posted extended content so you can enjoy more of Oona's gems on divorce, social support, and friendship expectations.Become a member any time at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.2026 GROUP COACHINGWe're launching the sixth cohort of Friendship Elevated in February 2026. Those on the waitlist will gain access to "early bird" pricing. Join the waitlist at betterfemalefriendships.com/friendship-elevated

Okay, well maybe you DO need new friends, but for many of us, that's not the primary reason we're feeling disconnected. There are four other components-- some quantifiable, others that are more subjective-- and simply knowing about each component can help you to position yourself to get more of the social and relational satisfaction that you're looking for.-----------------------------------------------------------------THANK YOU!Thank you to Mel Robbins for naming Danielle Bayard Jackson as one of your "Top 9 Experts of 2025"! We appreciate you.If you'd like to book Danielle to speak at your event or hire her to for consulting or curriculum design, please contact us at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com.OFFICE HOURSThe conversation doesn't end when the podcast is over. Become a member of our "Office Hours" community and get access to bonus episodes, resources, and virtual events. Sign-up any time at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.2026 GROUP COACHINGWe're launching the sixth cohort of Friendship Elevated in February 2026. Those on the waitlist will gain access to "early bird" pricing. Join the waitlist at betterfemalefriendships.com/friendship-elevatedOnly want a single, one-off session? Book yours now (for a limited time!) at betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching

In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, we discuss the concept of friendship audits, emphasizing the importance of evaluating not just who to cut off from your life, but also the overall dynamics, practices, and satisfaction within friendships.In this episode, we outline eight signs that indicate it's time for a formal and intentional friendship audit and encourage listeners to take a comprehensive look at their friendship landscape. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in self-reflection and consider coaching options for deeper support.Resource: For tip #3 in today's podcast, Danielle mentions a free resource to help you with the activity that she described. You'll find that resource here at betterfemalefriendships.com/dynamicsHost: Danielle Bayard Jackson, Women's friendship expert and relational health educator-------------------------------------------------------THANK YOU!Thank you to Mel Robbins for naming Danielle one of the Top Experts of 2025! We appreciate you.If you'd like to book Danielle to speak at your event or hire her to for consulting or curriculum design, please contact us at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com.OFFICE HOURSThe conversation doesn't end when the podcast is over. Become a member of our "Office Hours" community and get access to bonus episodes, resources, and virtual events. Sign-up any time at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.2026 GROUP COACHINGWe're launching the sixth cohort of Friendship Elevated in February 2026. Those on the waitlist will gain access to "early bird" pricing. Join the waitlist at betterfemalefriendships.com/friendship-elevated

Why does it feel like everyone's marketing their products and services as the solution for loneliness?The Loneliness Epidemic became a mainstream conversation in 2023 after then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy made loneliness his top public health priority. And while that led to many helpful changes, it was also a moment that products, services, and tech companies began to exploit.In this episode, Danielle Bayard Jackson teaches three things you should know to help you understand loneliness more deeply so that you can begin to differentiate between the things are genuinely help and those that are... not.-------------------------------THANK YOU!Thank you to the organizations who most recently hired Danielle Bayard Jackson to partner with them either as a keynote speaker or a partner in designing their programming and curriculum: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Loveland Foundation with Rachel Cargle, Hoda Kotb's new Joy 101 app, and various sororities across the country. We appreciate you.If you'd like to book Danielle to speak at your event or hire her to for consulting or curriculum design, please contact us at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com.OFFICE HOURSThe conversation doesn't end when the podcast is over. Become a member of our "Office Hours" community and get access to bonus episodes, resources, and virtual events. Sign-up any time at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.2026 GROUP COACHINGWe're launching the sixth cohort of Friendship Elevated in February 2026. Those on the waitlist will gain access to "early bird" pricing. Join now at betterfemalefriendships.com/friendship-elevated

Whether you're having a baby, adopting a new worldview, or navigating a divorce, you'll find your friendships shifting by extension. Despite the history and affection we have for our friends, changing life circumstances can threaten to pull us away from one another. While some friendships may need to end, others just need a little creativity. In this episode, host Danielle Bayard Jackson shares the "three C's" of staying friends when life transitions change the way you relate to one another.-----------------------------------------------"OFFICE HOURS" PRIVATE COMMUNITYWant to claim the bonus resources for this episode (as well as gain access to bonus episodes, resources, and virtual events)? Become a member at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcastGROUP COACHING 2026The waitlist for our Friendship Elevated Group Coaching Program is open (the program kicks off on Galentine's Day 2026). Exclusive rates available ONLY to those who are on the waitlist. Join now at betterfemalefriendships.com.BOOK DANIELLE TO SPEAKWant to bring these conversations to your organization, campus, or business group? Reach out to our team at info@tellpublicrelations.com (and download Danielle's speaking kit here).

In this episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, host Danielle Bayard Jackson unpacks a recent Google search that is taking over: social clubs.She discusses the differences between social clubs, which focus on socialization, and private members clubs, which often offer exclusive experiences. Danielle also provides insights into how to find the right social club for your individual needs and shares statistics on social engagement and loneliness in America.----------------------------------------"OFFICE HOURS" PRIVATE COMMUNITYWant to hear the extended version of this episode (as well as gain access to bonus episodes, resources, and virtual events)? Become a member at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcastGROUP COACHING 2026The waitlist for our Friendship Elevated Group Coaching Program is open (the program kicks off on Galentine's Day 2026). Exclusive rates available ONLY to those who are on the waitlist. Join now at betterfemalefriendships.com.BOOK DANIELLE TO SPEAKWant to bring these conversations to your organization, campus, or business group? Reach out to our team at info@tellpublicrelations.com (and download Danielle's speaking kit here).

Host and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson speaks with with Cassie Little, advisory board member at the Women's Relational Health Institute as well as the founder of Her Sorority Journey.While Cassie's specialty is sororities, we are seeing trends between her observations in these spaces and what I'm seeing in other women-dominated spaces.In this conversation, we talk about three things women leader should know about leadership woes, member conflict, and new member fears.------------Resources mentioned in this episode:The impact of all-male, all-female groups (Pew Research Center)Women's Relational Health 2025 Outlook ReportFor the full episode, you've got to be a member of "Office Hours"! Join anytime at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcastBook Danielle to speak about the science of women's conflict and connection at your next event: daniellebayardjackson.comFollow us on Instagram (@friendforward)

In this conversation, Danielle Bayard Jackson and Katina Bajaj explore the intersection of creativity, health, and social connections. Katina shares her insights on how creativity is essential for mental and emotional well-being, and how it can enhance our relationships. They discuss the importance of play and leisure in a productivity-driven culture, and how redefining our understanding of creativity can lead to deeper connections with ourselves and others. The conversation also touches on the challenges of perfectionism and the need to prioritize leisure time for a fulfilling life.For the full episode, you've got to be a member of "Office Hours"! Join anytime at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcastRead Katina's Substack (it's actually so good!): Creative Health with Daydreamers | Substack-------------------------------------Book Danielle to speak about the science of women's conflict and connection at your next event: daniellebayardjackson.comFollow us on Instagram (@friendforward)

Many women have hopes of forming friendships that eventually reach some level of platonic intimacy. But for those with a tendency to perpetually make moral judgements on their friends' choices, lifestyle, and behaviors, connection might be limited. In this episode, host and women's friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares 4 reasons we tend to judge our female friends... and 4 strategies to help us stop (or at least, do it a little less).---------------------------------To become a member of "Office Hours" (and enjoy free guides, bonus episodes, and extra BTS vlogs), join at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast***********Book Danielle to speak at daniellebayardjackson.com. (She has spoken for companies like TikTok, Etsy, NBA, NFL, and Bumble... invite her to share her insights with your organization, too!).***********Buy Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships and read it with your book club as the year comes to a close (or to ring in 2026!).

Over the last year of travelling for speaking engagements with universities, women's organizations, and sororities, host and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson has noticed an unusual trend. In this episode, she shares "receipts" on the alarming shift in young women's friendship agency, and then calls in an expert to help make sense of it all.In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart (pediatric psychologist and author of the new book Love the Teen You Have) shares insights that will be helpful to two groups: moms who want to stop projecting their unhealed friendship issues on their daughters and women who want to better understand how their adolescent friendships shaped the female friendship attitudes they have today.-------------------------------------------------------------------------To learn more about booking Danielle as a speaker to address issues on the science of women's conflict and connection, visit daniellebayardjackson.com.To become a member of "Office Hours" to claim bonus episodes and exclusive resources, visit betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.