Research shows that women have a greater tendency toward rumination than men-- and it might play a major role in how we show up with our friends! In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, resident female friendship coach and educator Danielle Bayard Jackson will explain her "Rumination I.D.E.A.s" Framework to describe the 4 negative consequences of rumination when trying to reconcile with a friend. (When sharing Danielle's framework we encourage you to tag us on Instagram @friendforward or on TikTok at @thefriendshipexpert!). As always, stay tuned to the end of the episode for your this week's homework!  ***** WANT TO JOIN THE NEW "FRIEND FORWARD GROUP CHAT?" Visit us at www.patreon.com/friendforward and sign up today.***

This episode is DIFFERENT. I'm finally opening up about what it's like to be a female friendship coach and educator, in an attempt to practice more vulnerability with our Friend Forward audience.  *** WE JUST LAUNCHED A MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP!*** If you like reading books and talking about female friendship (and opportunities to talk to women who are just as intentional as you are about creating healthy platonic relationships), come join us at Betterfemalefriendships.com/bookclub while there's still room!     -------------------------------------------------------------   Follow Danielle on Instagram or TikTok. Book her to speak at your conference by contacting Sam Lee at info@tellpublicrelations.com

**WE'RE STARTING A BOOK CLUB! **Book clubs aren't anything new, but they're a tried and true strategy for finding new friends and nurturing relationships with them over time. Today I'm interviewing Mackenzie "Mack" Newcomb about how she created a book club with nearly 200,000 members and what she's been doing to help women form meaningful friendships once they join. Listen as she gives TANGIBLE tips for how to get plugged into a book club ... or how to START one of your own, if you're feeling bold. After listening, grab your copy of the book we're reading in the Friend Forward Library at Betterfemalefriendships.com/bookclub.   To book a friendship coaching session OR to have Danielle speak at your next conference, visit betterfemalefriendships.com. *Follow Danielle on Instagram.*

I'm honored to speak to Dr. Carole Robin, co-author of the book "Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues". It's one of the best books I've ever read, so I reached out to ask if I could interview her for MY upcoming book, "Fighting for Our Friendships" (2024). She said YES, and the interview was too good not to share with you. So today, please enjoy a snippet of that interview, as Dr. Robin explains the concept of "pinches and crunches" to help you know when and how to communciate boundaries with a female friend, and why you should muster the courage to express them to your close friends.   Book a one-on-one coaching session at Betterfemalefriendships.com Follow Danielle on Instagram or TikTok. Subscribe to our YOUTUBE!

The concept of "friend demotions" is circulating on social media, and while we aren't fans of the phrase, we do support the concept. In this week's episode, resident female friendship coach and educator Danielle Bayard Jackson explains what "demotions" are, what we should be calling them instead, and three things to avoid if you're going to adopt this philosophy.   If you want to work through a personal friendship issue that you've been ruminating on for far too, long, book a one-on-one friendship coaching session at Betterfemalefriendships.com.   Follow Danielle on TikTok. Follow Danielle on Instagram. Book Danielle to speak for your sorority, university, women's organization, business, or league.

The "low-maintenance friendship" concept is gaining in popularity, but what does it really mean? And are you ready to adopt this approach? After a brief hiatus, the Friend Forward podcast is back to unpack what a low-maintenance friendship requires, and FOUR questions to ask yourself to determine if this attitude will be helpful or hurtful for you and your platonic relationships.   If you're looking for one-on-one support, book a private coaching session at betterfemalefriendships.com.   Follow Danielle Bayard Jackson on TikTok. Follow Danielle Bayard Jackson on Instagram.

After two years of dodging COVID, Danielle's finally been hit by the virus, and it's taken a toll on her voice! So this week's episode is a replay from the archives, exploring what to do when you find yourself in the habit of cancelling plans. We'll also explore how to respond when a friend cancels on you... again.   If you're obsessed with improving your female friendships, join us over at Betterfemalefriendships.com to explore your options for support: one-on-one coaching, booking Danielle to speak at your next event, or joining our group coaching program.   See you there!

Emotional safety is critical for us to be able to open up with friends, but there are a few things that make it "unsafe" to do so. In this episode, host Danielle Bayard Jackson explains why emotional safety is important, along with three things that often get in the way of creating it.    Members of the exclusive Friend Forward Library will enjoy additional content on this subject, along with original scripts for when you want to inspire more emotional safety within your own friendships. Visit our vault at Betterfemalefriendships.com/library To book a one-on-one session with Danielle, visit us at Betterfemalefriendships.com

For some women, they're a source of support. But for others, they are a major source of anxiety. Today we're talking about the dark side of group chats, because they can cause both internal and external conflicts. In this episode, you'll learn the four components that can make or break a group chat, and we'll also explore three reasons women stay even though they're stressed. And if you're looking for tangible solutions to your group texting problems, join our Friend Forward Library at Betterfemalefriendships.com/library or get DEEPER support with a one-on-one coaching session.   Watch Danielle's TikTok video: "Group chats are not a flex" Follow Danielle on Instagram

Body image + friendship-- the two issues seem unrelated, don't they? But today we'll explore how they might actually be connected. We're speaking with THE Jess Connolly, and are still in disbelief to have someone we admire so much sitting in the guest chair. So tune in as Jess shares fresh insights on how your personal relationship with your body may affect the way you're relating to your female friends. As summer approaches and conversations around "bikini bodies" are ever-present, this episode couldn't be more timely. If the content resonates, be sure to visit Betterfemalefriendships.com or follow @jessaconnolly or Danielle at @daniellebayardjackson for more support.