
Friend Forward
This is a podcast for modern women looking to understand the complexities of female friendship. Hosted by Danielle Bayard Jackson --female friendship coach and educator-- Friend Forward provides research, strategies, and tough-love truth to answer your questions about how to navigate relationships with other women. Tune in every week for new insights about how to create and maintain better female friendships. (And in between episodes, follow along on TikTok at @thefriendshipexpert or IG @daniellebayardjackson)
Latest episodes

Jul 31, 2024 • 24min
*BONUS* For the woman who feels alone in her private friendship struggles...
In this episode, you'll hear 3 women speak about the friendship issues they experienced and how shaking off the embarrassment of pursuing support for their relational health made a huge difference.----ANNOUNCEMENT!Doors for the 16-week Friendship Elevated Group Coaching Program JUST OPENED. Enjoy 20% off registration when you sign-up before August 18. Join us as we come together in an intimate community for bi-weekly coaching (led by founder Danielle Bayard Jackson), five video modules, out-of-the-box exercises, and research-based strategies to help women begin enjoying more satisfaction in their female friendships.Learn more at betterfemalefriendships.com/friendship-elevated-------Grab your copy of the new book Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Friendships-----Book Danielle to speak by contacting her team at info(at)tellpublicrelations(dot)com----THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR: TELL Public Relations, a woman-owned PR agency dedicated to helping female entrepreneurs get more visibility.Learn how to get publicity for your business this (competitive!) holiday season by attending TELL's virtual workshop. Details at tellpublicrelations.com.And don't forget your weekly dose of visibility tips by listening to the TELL Me in Ten Podcast to learn publicity tips in ten minutes or less.

Jul 26, 2024 • 23min
Does being a "good friend" to some mean being a "bad friend" to others?
In this episode, host and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson discusses the idea that being a good friend to some might mean being a bad friend to others. She explores four points to consider when choosing which friendships to prioritize: being a good friend is relative, time is a limited resource, only 50% of friendships are reciprocal, and some people may be displeased with your choices. She encourages listeners to take inventory of their friendships and consider concentrating their efforts on their top three to five friends.Keywordsfriendships, good friend, bad friend, overwhelm, prioritize, time management, reciprocal friendshipsTakeawaysBeing a good friend is relative and different people have different expectations of what it means to be a good friend.Time is a limited resource, and investing in certain friendships means other friendships may receive less attention.Only 50% of friendships are reciprocal, meaning that not all friends rank each other the same way.When choosing which friendships to prioritize, some people may be displeased or have expectations that you're not meeting.Chapters00:00Introduction: The Complexity of Women's Friendships02:25Chapter 1: Being a Good Friend is Relative05:02Chapter 2: The Hidden Costs of Leaning into Certain Friendships07:41Chapter 3: Understanding the Reciprocity of Friendships13:26Chapter 4: Dealing with Displeased Friends: The Consequence of Prioritizing16:15Conclusion: Taking Inventory of Your Friendships-----------Buy Danielle's book "Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships"Book a private coaching sessionTake a friendship inventoryJoin the (final?!) cohort of our group coaching program, Friendship Elevated**BOOK DANIELLE TO SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT: email info(at)tellpublicrelations(dot)com

Jul 18, 2024 • 23min
Three ways to keep your "hibernation friends"
Sometimes life's circumstances become so overwhelming that you find yourself withdrawing from friends. During your "hibernation" period, you hope that they'll stick around without getting upset, losing interest, or questioning the friendship. So what exactly is a hibernation friend and what can we do to ensure that we have the kind of friendships that make it through?-- In this episode, Danielle Bayard Jackson-- host and friendship expert-- announces a pivot in the business. Before entering into this new season, she's decided to revive one-on-one group coaching sessions for a limited time.To book your session visit us at betterfemalefriendships.com/coaching.----To book Danielle to speak at your event, please contact info@tellpublicrelations(dot)com. We are currently booked for October 2024, but have availability in September and November.---Enjoying the podcast? Consider buying Danielle's book: Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships

Jul 5, 2024 • 34min
For the woman who desires more "active" friendships
In this week's episode of the podcast, Danielle Bayard Jackson-- host and friendship expert-- shares how she discovered she's in a new friendship season, and what she's doing to build more active friendships. To experience your own "aha" moments, take your friendship inventory buy clicking this link and using code "summersale" to enjoy 30% off within the next 7 days:https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/inventory

Jun 28, 2024 • 19min
How to feel more comfortable going out solo
It can be intimidating to go out into the world and enjoy new experiences on your own. But what are the benefits? And are there strategies to help you to enjoy the experience?In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers three mindset shifts that will embolden you, followed by 6 tangible tips for engaging more confidently.-----Join us in DC for the final stop of the "Fighting for our Friendships" book tour, moderated by Dr. Marisa G. Franco on July 12. Tickets at betterfemalefriendships.comTake the Friend Forward Friendship Inventory, including an activity workbook and 45-minute guided video. You will immediately gain clarity on who to prioritize and what shifts need to be made in your friendship landscape:https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/inventory

Jun 20, 2024 • 22min
Friends are not enough. Use the "5-3-1 Rule" to improve your social health// With social scientist Kasley Killam
What is social health, and how can you improve it? Today we're speaking with Harvard-trained social scientist Kasley Killam who's been studying social health for ten years. Her new book, The Art and Science of Connection, is the world's first book on social health, and we're going to get clear on why this is an actual domain of our overall health.Spoiler: It can't be solved by just talking to your bestie once a week. It's much deeper than that.-----Take the Friend Forward Friendship Inventory, including an activity workbook and 45-minute guided video. You will immediately gain clarity on who to prioritize and what shifts need to be made in your friendship landscape:https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/inventory-----Buy Danielle's book Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships

Jun 13, 2024 • 18min
Dating and friendships: How can partnered women support their dating friends? A conversation with Lily Womble
As a single woman who is actively dating, it can be tough to get adequate support from your friends. Sometimes they mean well, but the things they say and do can feel dismissive or insulting, and that can begin to create a certain emotional distance that's hard to recover from.That's where dating expert Lily Womble comes in. In Lily's new book "Thank You, More Please", she breaks down how women can get more adequate support from their friends along their dating journey.As always, the unedited version of this interview can be found in our private community, The Group Chat.----Take the Friend Forward Friendship Inventory, including an activity workbook and 45-minute guided video. You will immediately gain clarity on who to prioritize and what shifts need to be made in your friendship landscape:https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/inventoryTo learn more about the research around women's connection and conflict, visit Betterfemalefriendships.com

Jun 6, 2024 • 20min
Summer kick-off: "Modern Friendship" with author Anna Goldfarb
After a brief hiatus, we're back and ready to hit you with some fresh content to kick-off the summer!In this episode, we share an excerpt from our interview with Anna Goldfarb (@annagoldfarb), journalist and author of the new book Modern Friendship.We also chat a bit about the "Fighting four our Friendships" book tour. Three of the last four stops were sold out! But we're only halfway done. Come hang out with us in the few remaining cities:6/7: Raleigh/ Durham6/13: Orlando6/20: Chicago7/12: DC (with a very special guest!)Details at Betterfemalefriendships.com-----Take the Friend Forward Friendship Inventory, including an activity workbook and 45-minute guided video. You will immediately gain clarity on who to prioritize and what shifts need to be made in your friendship landscape:https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/inventory---Are you curious about what the latest research reveals about the mechanics of women's friendships? Order your copy of Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships and then host a book club meeting for it this summer!

May 10, 2024 • 18min
To the woman who's about to swear-off female friendship... Responses from listeners
We recently posted this video to TikTok, and there were women in the comments who said they don't want friends... many of them specifically lamenting the perils of being friends with other women. What do we say to those who are feeling that way? And for women who ARE feeling that way: what would it take to have you change your mind?In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, we share responses that we received on Instagram to this question: For women who used to feel like they didn't need friendship (specifically friendship with other women), what made you begin to open up?*If you're enjoying this conversation, you'd love the new book "Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Friendships".----------*You can also share your personal friendship stories with Danielle on her book tour.FIGHTING FOR OUR FRIENDSHIPS TOUR5/13 TAMPA5/18 LOS ANGELES5/30 NYC6/4 ATLANTA Buy your ticket NOW before registration closes!*Connect with Danielle on Instagram.---*Invite Danielle to speak at your event by contacting Sam at info@tellpublicrelations.com-----Take the Friend Forward Friendship Inventory, including an activity workbook and 45-minute guided video. You will immediately gain clarity on who to prioritize and what shifts need to be made in your friendship landscape:https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/inventory

May 2, 2024 • 20min
How much time are we ACTUALLY spending with friends? The answer may surprise you.
The American Time Use Survey finds that the average amount of time Americans spend with their friends each week has dropped significantly. In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, host Danielle Bayard Jackson-- female friendship expert and educator-- shares what the research says about spending time together. She also shares her personal three-month experiment of trying to triple her time with friends... and 7 barriers that came up for her during the process.-----Take the Friend Forward Friendship Inventory, including an activity workbook and 45-minute guided video. You will immediately gain clarity on who to prioritize and what shifts need to be made in your friendship landscape:https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/inventory-----** Order Danielle's book (and get your preorder bonuses before they expire!) at Betterfemalefriendships.com/fighting-for-our-friendships** Want to book Danielle to speak at your event? With more than 15 years of experience in education and with tons of formal keynote presentations and workshops under her belt, she's ready to bring a personalized experience to you and your audience. Contact info@tellpublicrelations.com** Follow Danielle on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson