Friend Forward

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 info@tellpublicrelations.com 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 info@tellpublicrelations.com.

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!