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)
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What to do when you realize you're not your bestie's bestie
03/28/2024
What to do when you realize you're not your bestie's bestie
The research on women's friendships finds that women tend to greatly value "mutual prioritization" in our same-sex friendships. So when we discover that we're NOT our bestie's bestie, it can be a major gut punch. In today's episode of the Friend Forward podcast with host Danielle Bayard Jackson, female friendship expert, you'll learn three guiding questions to ask to help you manage feelings of disappointment when you learn your friend may not reciprocate in the ways you "rank" one another. And, as always, stay tuned for this week’s homework. ** SIX WEEKS LEFT to PREORDER YOUR COPY OF Danielle’s new book, Fighting For Our Friendships* ! TO CLAIM YOUR PREORDER BONUSES** Pre-order your copy to receive three pre-order bonuses, including audio courses that will not be available publicly. Follow Danielle on Instagram: Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event: ------ If you're an entrepreneur or brand leader who wants to learn about how Danielle is able to secure natioanl speaking engagements media coverage, and brand deals, visit and join the waitlist for a private membership that will show you how to increase visiblity for your brand in the same way.
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Authenticity, Oversharing, and the Value of Not-So-Deep Friendships: A Conversation with Israa Nasir
03/21/2024
Authenticity, Oversharing, and the Value of Not-So-Deep Friendships: A Conversation with Israa Nasir
You’re walking home from a friend’s party when you begin to replay a conversation you had with someone you met and, as you recall the way you dived right into personal life details within the first three minutes, you’re wondering if you overshared… Other people might regret opening up in that way but not you, because you often say - if it’s not a deep friendship, then I don’t want it - but is that really a healthy mantra? In today’s episode, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson speaks to Israa Nasir, a psychotherapist, speaker and writer, about the intricacies of certain friendships, challenging the belief that relationships must be intensely intimate to hold value. Together they discuss how different friendships can meet various emotional needs, and they also bust some myths about authenticity and oversharing. And, as always, stay tuned for this week’s homework. To connect with Israa Nasir, you can find her on , and to access the workshop referenced in this episode, you can too. **And you can now pre-order Danielle’s new book, Fighting For Our Friendships* !** Pre-order your copy to receive three pre-order bonuses, including audio courses that will not be available publicly. To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday. Want to join our Book Club and join in the conversation? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Why We Yearn For Friendship Groups, And The Pros & Cons of Groups vs Dyads
03/14/2024
Why We Yearn For Friendship Groups, And The Pros & Cons of Groups vs Dyads
You’re out shopping and you see a group of four women walk by, sipping on coffee, pushing their carts and laughing at something together, and you feel a little sting. You’re wondering if you’ll ever experience that group dynamic again the way you did when you were younger, and you’re secretly wishing that you had a solid friendship group, in the way so many other people seem to. In today’s episode of the Friend Forward podcast, our resident friendship expert explores why we yearn for friendship groups, especially in our 30s, what the research has to say about it, and the pros and cons of friendship groups as opposed to dyadic friendships. So if this issue has been top of mind lately, then this episode is for you. If you’re desiring a little more vulnerability, depth and intimacy from your friendships, then this is the episode for you. And, as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. If you’re in a period where you’re trying to better understand women’s friendships, specifically relating to how to position yourself to make new like-minded friends as a woman in her 30s, you can join the waiting list for Danielle’s “Five Stages Of Adult Friendship” course . To pre-order Danielle’s book, Fighting For Our Friendships, click If you want to get your hands on the extended learning guide related to last week’s podcast episode, exploring the barriers to vulnerability in friendship (totally free of charge for a limited time only), grab your guide at To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘+ Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday. To connect with Danielle wants to hear about it - drop her a DM at @ on Instagram or visit us 24/7 at Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Four Reasons Why Your Friends Are Not Being Vulnerable With You
03/07/2024
Four Reasons Why Your Friends Are Not Being Vulnerable With You
You’re walking home after a coffee date with a new friend and begin to reflect on the time that you spent together. You really like hanging out with her, but you realize that she doesn’t share anything about herself with you, at least not anything personal, and come to think of it, you have another friend who’s the same… In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores four reasons why your friends might not be opening up to you. If you’re desiring a little more vulnerability, depth and intimacy from your friendships, then this is the episode for you. If you want to delve even deeper into this topic, and get scripts, strategies and exercises to extend your learning, Danielle is offering an extended learning guide on this particular topic, totally free of charge for a limited time only! To grab your guide, head to And, as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. To pre-order Danielle’s book, Fighting For Our Friendships, click To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘+ Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday. To connect with Danielle wants to hear about it - drop her a DM at @ on Instagram or visit us 24/7 at Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Three Surprising Ways Your Friendships Impact Your Marriage
02/29/2024
Three Surprising Ways Your Friendships Impact Your Marriage
Here, on the Friend Forward podcast, we’ve explored the issue of friendship at the intersection of our romantic relationships in a myriad of different ways, but today on the show we are specifically exploring the question of, how do your friendships impact your marriage? This is a question that’s been top of mind for our resident friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson, since reading Rhaina Cohen’s book, The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life With Friendship At The Center. If you’ve ever wondered if, once you find your person, friendships are less important, well then this is the episode for you, as Danielle shares three surprising ways that your friendships impact your marriage. And, as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. You can listen to the episodes that further explore issues surrounding friendships and relationships, below: How your friendships may be impacting your dating life and relationships with Dr. Tara of Luvbites - Is your PARTNER the reason that your friendships are on life support? To pre-order Danielle’s book, Fighting For Our Friendships, click To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘+ Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To connect with Danielle wants to hear about it - drop her a DM at @ on Instagram or visit us 24/7 at Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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What to do when you're stuck in the middle of a boyfriend and a best friend who don't get along, with Ore Agbaje-Williams, author of “The Three of us”
02/22/2024
What to do when you're stuck in the middle of a boyfriend and a best friend who don't get along, with Ore Agbaje-Williams, author of “The Three of us”
A recent survey of 13,000 recipients found that 44% of people have reduced the time they spent with a friend because they didn’t like her partner. So what can you do if your best friend and your partner don’t get along? If you’re feeling stuck in the middle, then this episode is for you. Today I am joined by Ore Agbaje-Williams, author of the book, “The Three Of Us”, which is the book we are currently reading in your book club and Ore herself is joining us in our discussion! () “The Three Of Us” is a fictional story about a woman whose husband and best friend don’t get along, and so I wanted to invite Ore on to the show to discuss this issue and share her insights on the matter. And stay tuned until the end because I’ll be providing three tangible tips of what you can do if you find yourself stuck in the middle between your best friend and your partner. And as always, I’ll be sending you on your way with some homework… To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To connect with Ore Agbaje-Williams, you can find her on , and you can too. Want to join our Book Club and join in the conversation? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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[REBROADCAST] Platonic Love vs. Romantic Love -- Notes on Prioritizing Friendship with Dr. Christina Douyon
02/15/2024
[REBROADCAST] Platonic Love vs. Romantic Love -- Notes on Prioritizing Friendship with Dr. Christina Douyon
For women, is romantic love more valuable than platonic love? And if so, what role does our culture play in influencing the ways that we prioritize these relationships? Today, on the Friend Forward podcast, we are rebroadcasting an episode that first aired three years ago, because it is one that is so powerful and still so relevant to share around this Galentine’s Day. In this conversation, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson talks with Dr. Christina Douyon, a psychologist and race & culture researcher who Danielle met when they both attended the University of Florida. They discuss how we define the role of platonic love, and how this differs to how we define and often prioritize the romantic relationships in our lives, society’s role in this, how this can be damaging for our overall satisfaction in our relationships, whether the term “best friend” is problematic or not, and the difficulties surrounding balancing our roles and responsibilities in different relationships. And, stay tuned until the end where they share five ways to see if your friendships are growth-fostering relationships. And for this week’s homework, of course. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To connect with Dr. Christina Douyon, you can find her on and you can visit the Face Race website . Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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6 Hot Takes On Female Friendships
02/08/2024
6 Hot Takes On Female Friendships
These days, when somebody says that they have a “hot take”, it can, especially on social media, be a way of being purposely controversial and going against the grain to create some spicy content that elicits comments, likes and engagement. However, when it comes to friendship, there is sometimes a discourse around particular topics that leans a certain way, and our resident friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson, holds a somewhat contradictory position on some of these. These topics are nuanced and a discussion around them is due, and so in this episode, Danielle shares her six hot takes on female friendship. So if you’ve been looking for guidance with firmer positioning on a couple of different friendship topics, then this episode is for you. And whether you agree or disagree, Danielle wants to hear about it - drop her a DM at @ on Instagram or visit us 24/7 at And stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. To find out more about Danielle’s upcoming friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her on Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Girl Problems: “How Do I Feel Less Guilty After Setting A Boundary and Stepping Back From A Friendship?”
02/06/2024
Girl Problems: “How Do I Feel Less Guilty After Setting A Boundary and Stepping Back From A Friendship?”
Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today’s episode addresses a listener’s friendship question regarding the notion of guilt. Our listener is currently undergoing a friendship transition, where she is stepping back from a friendship she no longer feels aligned with. Whilst she is happy to let this relationship dissolve, she is also feeling guilty about setting her boundaries in this way and opting out of the friendship. Join us as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers her expert insights on the matter, and shares the three questions that our listener can ask herself to help feel her feel less guilty in this situation. If you have an issue or question you’d like Danielle’s insight on, drop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at @friendforward or visit us at To find out more information about Danielle’s upcoming event next month in Tampa, click . Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday, and our Girl Problems episodes every other Tuesday. If you want to join our Book Club and check out what we’re reading this month, join us . And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at or drop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at Explore coaching with Danielle at Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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What We Get Wrong About "Accountability" In Friendship
02/01/2024
What We Get Wrong About "Accountability" In Friendship
The word “accountability” is used pretty often both on social media and in real life situations, but what does it really mean, and how does it play out with regard to friendships? You may be able to recall a time when you attempted to hold a friend accountable for a decision she had made, and been met with annoyance, anger and even withdrawal, leaving you wondering if you should have just kept your mouth shut. But is this ultimately what friends are for? In this week’s episode of the Friend Forward podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson talks about why accountability is so uncomfortable, both for the person giving it and the person on the receiving end. She also breaks down the difference between accountability and shaming, and provides her expert advice on how to deliver it with love because ultimately, accountability is an unavoidable part of an intimate friendship. To find out more about Danielle’s upcoming friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . Check out Danielle's video on this topic . To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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How Burnout Is Affecting Your Friendships And What You Can Do About It, with Emily Ballesteros
01/25/2024
How Burnout Is Affecting Your Friendships And What You Can Do About It, with Emily Ballesteros
Between financial stress and the many other ongoing demands on our time and energy in this modern world, the issue of burnout is real. It’s not about being lazy or not being invested, it’s simply about not having anything left to give. With no capacity left to nurture our friendships, burning is affecting our relationships and ironically, it’s community and support that we need to buffer ourselves against the effects of it. In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson talks to Emily Ballesteros, a burnout management coach, and author of the upcoming book titled The Cure for Burnout: How to Find Balance and Reclaim Your Life, to talk about the relationship between burnout and friendships. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To connect with Emily Ballesteros, you can find her on and you can check out her website . Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Girl Problems: “I’m Finding It Tough To Make New Friends And I’m Feeling Hopeless - Am I Missing Something?”
01/23/2024
Girl Problems: “I’m Finding It Tough To Make New Friends And I’m Feeling Hopeless - Am I Missing Something?”
Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. In today's episode we address a listener’s issue, where she is finding it tough to meet like-minded women and make new friends and is starting to feel a little hopeless about the whole situation. She enjoys socializing and she’s confident in talking to new people, but she is struggling to find the time and energy to connect with new potential friends and, when she does make the time and the effort, she finds it hard to find like-minded people who are genuinely interested in forming real friendships. Join us as our resident friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson, sheds some light on this issue, delivers some research-backed validation and offers some tangible advice regarding mindset shifts on how to tackle this issue. If you have an issue or question you’d like Danielle’s insight on, drop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at or visit us at Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday, and our Girl Problems episodes every other Tuesday. To find out more about Danielle’s Women’s Connection Summit event, happening in March in sunny Tampa, click . It’s going to be three days of connection with like-minded women who are being intentional about their friendships, just like you. If you want to join our Book Club and check out what we’re reading this month, join us . And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at or drop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at Explore coaching with Danielle at Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Four Phrases To Say In A Fight With A Friend, To Help Resolve Conflict
01/18/2024
Four Phrases To Say In A Fight With A Friend, To Help Resolve Conflict
You’re sitting alone in the living room, phone in hand, mouth hanging open, suspended in total disbelief - you just got off a call with a friend and what started as a seemingly normal conversation took a turn when she surprised you by sharing that you rubbed her the wrong way recently with something you said at a dinner. Despite trying your best to stay composed, you two somehow slipped into an exchange of blame, scorekeeping and defensiveness, and you’re not sure how to recover. If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, then this episode of the Friend Forward podcast is for you. In this episode, our resident friendship expert shares her own experience of a misunderstanding with a friend, and tells of how her and her friend managed to resolve things, swiftly and effectively, in a conversation that kept both of them feeling safe, seen and understanding. In this episode, Danielle shares the four phrases that you can use during your next disagreement with a friend, that will prevent things from going left, real fast. To find out more about Danielle’s upcoming friendship event, where women will gather to share stories like this one, happening in March 2024, click . To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To join the “Be A Better Friend” 21-day challenge, click Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Friendship Breakups - A Personal Reflection On Recent Events
01/11/2024
Friendship Breakups - A Personal Reflection On Recent Events
This episode is a little different for the Friend Forward podcast, as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares a personal story of her own, relating to a struggle she has recently gone through in one of her own friendships. In the five or six years that Danielle has been building this platform, she has rarely shared much about herself and her personal life, but whilst Danielle thrives in sharing her expertise and her knowledge of recent research about women’s cooperation, communication and conflict, she too is a woman who is out there trying to communicate, cooperate and navigate the complexities of female friendships. So let this episode be a reminder that we are all in this together. To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, where women will gather to share stories like this one, happening in March 2024, click . To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To join the “Be A Better Friend” 21-day challenge, click Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Girl Problems: “My Friend Just Blocked Me On Instagram And I Have No Idea Why”
01/09/2024
Girl Problems: “My Friend Just Blocked Me On Instagram And I Have No Idea Why”
Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. While I've never blocked a friend, I've certainly unfriended a friend in an emotionally impulsive state. It was so regrettable, and I often hear women talk about being on both sides of similar scenarios, when a friend withdraws without explanation. Today's episode responds to a friendship issue one of our listeners is facing, where she recently discovered that her friend had blocked her on Instagram and she has no idea why. Join me as I share my insight on the situation. If you have an issue or question you’d like Danielle’s advice on, drop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at @friendforward or visit us at Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday, and our Girl Problems episodes every other Tuesday. If you want to join our Book Club and check out what we’re reading this month, join us . = And to join the “Be A Better Friend” 21-day Challenge, click . And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at or drop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening next month in sunny Tampa, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at Explore coaching with Danielle at Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Picking Your People: Choosing the Right Friends to Prioritize and Pursue – A Conversation with Nina Badzin
01/04/2024
Picking Your People: Choosing the Right Friends to Prioritize and Pursue – A Conversation with Nina Badzin
If you had it your way, you’d be open to grabbing coffee or drinks with anyone who asks and, because of that attitude, you’ve probably developed a pretty broad social network. However, this attitude may also leave you feeling overwhelmed, overextended, and confused about who to give your precious time. So, as we bring in the new year, you may be wanting to put some thought into figuring out exactly what friendships to invest in, because it does require work – the texting, planning, coordinating, calling, holding space, showing up - so how do you know what friendships are worth it? In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson is talking to Nina Badzin, author and host of the show, Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, about how to know who to pursue when you’re being intentional about your friendships. Nina receives so many anonymous letters from listeners each year, so she’s the perfect person to shed some light on this topic. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To connect with Nina Badzin, you can reach out to her on , and you can check out all her podcast has to offer . Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Three Ways To Deepen Your Surface-Level Friendships
12/28/2023
Three Ways To Deepen Your Surface-Level Friendships
A lot of us have friendships that we just accept will stay as surface-level relationships, or perhaps we talk ourselves out of taking the next steps to explore if there might be capacity for something deeper to evolve after all. Today, on the Friend Forward podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares three tactical strategies that you can use to be more intentional about deepening your so far surface-level friendships, as we head into the new year. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To join the “Be A Better Friend” 21-day challenge, click Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Girl Problems: “My Friend Isn’t Putting The Same Amount of Effort Into Maintaining Our Relationship As I Am - Should I Give Up?”
12/26/2023
Girl Problems: “My Friend Isn’t Putting The Same Amount of Effort Into Maintaining Our Relationship As I Am - Should I Give Up?”
Welcome to “Girl Problems”, a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today’s question comes from a listener whose relationship with her best friend of 7 years has recently grown distant and, after several failed attempts to cultivate more connection, is feeling like her efforts to maintain the relationship are becoming a little onesided. Our listener asks our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson if she is missing a hint here, and would it be wrong to just give up? Tune is as Danielle shares her advice on the matter. Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of the Friend Forward podcast. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday, and our Girl Problems episodes every other Tuesday. And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at or dop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at . Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . And to join the “Be A Better Friend” 21-day challenge, click To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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How To Apologize To A Friend
12/21/2023
How To Apologize To A Friend
There are many resolutions that we tend to make as we enter the new year and when it comes to friendship, we might commit to making more time for friends or making new friends altogether. But what about making things right with friends? If there’s a friend in your life to whom you owe an apology, then this is the episode for you. Join our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson as she offers her advice on how to apologize to a friend to help you enter 2024 with a clean slate, a clear conscience and possible reconnection. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. This episode features audio from Danielle’s most recent YouTube video, so if you’d like to watch this episode, head over to her YouTube channel and check it out. To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . And to join the “Be A Better Friend” (BABF) 21-day challenge, click To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Three Ways To Manage Feelings Of Rejection In Your Female Friendships
12/14/2023
Three Ways To Manage Feelings Of Rejection In Your Female Friendships
It happened last week when you reached out to a new-ish friend, and she never got back to you. It also happened last month with a friend who went off on a coffee date with a mutual friend but didn’t extend an invitation to you. And it happened last night when you had a moment of vulnerability with someone, and she didn’t respond in the way that you were hoping. These are all examples of rejection, and when it happens, yes it can really sting. In today’s episode of Friend Forward, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares three ways to manage your feelings of rejection when it comes to your female friendships, to help you recover and to help you cope, in these situations. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . And to join the “Be A Better Friend” 21-day challenge, click To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Girl Problems: “How Do You Respond When A Friend Gets Defensive?”
12/12/2023
Girl Problems: “How Do You Respond When A Friend Gets Defensive?”
Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today's episode addresses a listener’s question regarding a situation where she tried to speak to her friend about an issue that had hurt her, and was met with defensiveness and accusations of being “over-sensitive”, leading her to ask, how are you supposed to respond when a friend acts this way? Tune in as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers her advice on the matter. Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday, and our Girl Problems episodes every other Tuesday. If you want to join our Book Club and check out what we’re reading this month, join us . And to join the “Be A Better Friend” 21-day Challenge, click . And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at or drop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening next month in sunny Tampa, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at Explore coaching with Danielle at Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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An Honest Conversation with Taryn Delanie Smith - Friendship envy, guy's girls and how to be a good hype woman
12/07/2023
An Honest Conversation with Taryn Delanie Smith - Friendship envy, guy's girls and how to be a good hype woman
Our resident friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson, first met Taryn Delanie Smith at a launch party that Bumble hosted for its new App, Bumble For Friends, earlier this year in New York City. Taryn Delanie Smith has over a million followers on TikTok and is a former Miss New York, taking the crown in 2022. She is known online for being kind, intelligent and gracious, and she lived up to all of these expectations in real life. Danielle and Taryn got talking and the conversation quickly moved on to discussing the science and art of female friendships. Taryn asked Danielle about you, the kind of women here who listen to the podcast, and so Danielle invited her on to the show to speak about all things female friendship. Tune in to hear Danielle and Taryn discuss friendship envy, “guy’s girls”, how to be a good hype woman, what it was really like behind the scenes at the pageant, the importance of giving your platonic friendships the same grace as your romantic relationships, and much much more. And as always, stay tuned for this week’s homework. Related Episodes: “I’m not like other girls”: 4 Reasons Why Some Women Prefer To Be Friends With Men” – listen Three Reasons why “wedding drama” strains your female friendships, with Kara Maureen, The Bridal Coach –listen Connect with Taryn Delanie Smith on and . To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To join the “Be A Better Friend” 21-day Challenge, click . Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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How To Maintain Long-Distance Friendships When You're Scared The Relationship Will Fade Away
11/30/2023
How To Maintain Long-Distance Friendships When You're Scared The Relationship Will Fade Away
You’re in the middle of a late-night social media scroll, and you notice that your feed is showing you video after video of women doing things with their friends – picnics, target runs, book clubs – and on nearly every video, you find yourself tagging your bestie, sending her ideas of activities, despite knowing deep down that they’ll likely never materialise. You’ve been long-distance friends for over two years now, and it's surprisingly really hard. Sometimes sending memes doesn’t feel like enough, and while you hate to admit it, you’re starting to notice a bit of distancing happening within your friendship. On this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, our resident friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson shares mindset shifts and strategies that you can use to help keep these friendships strong, because your girl is worth the effort. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. References: - To find out more about the research study, ‘Social Media Study Shows Proximity Is the Strongest Predictor of Friendship’, click - To view the TikTok video Danielle references in this episode, click To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Girl Problems: “My Best Friend Still Hasn’t Invited Me Over To Her New House... Is It Petty Of Me To Feel Hurt?”
11/28/2023
Girl Problems: “My Best Friend Still Hasn’t Invited Me Over To Her New House... Is It Petty Of Me To Feel Hurt?”
Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today's episode addresses a listener’s question regarding a situation where her best friend has moved to a new house on the other side of town and is yet to invite her over to visit. The listener feels hurt, and is speculating about her friend’s motives, and is also questioning if she is wrong to have these feelings in the first place. Tune in as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers her words of wisdom and advice on the matter. Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday, and our Girl Problems episodes every other Tuesday. If you want to join our Book Club and check out what we’re reading this month, join us . And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at or drop us a DM or a voice note at Instagram at To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening next month in Tampa, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at Explore coaching with Danielle at Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Walking with Friends Through Depression: An Honest Discussion, with Dr. Ayanna Abrams, Farah Harris and Trayonna Barnes
11/23/2023
Walking with Friends Through Depression: An Honest Discussion, with Dr. Ayanna Abrams, Farah Harris and Trayonna Barnes
You’re working out at the gym when you realise you’ve been coming solo for the last few weeks as your usual gym buddy has been MIA. It’s not like her, so on your way to the parking lot, you give her a call but she doesn’t answer… Also unlike her. And that’s when it hits you – you remember that she mentioned having a depressive episode last winter, but that was before you were friends. And if she’s having one now, would you even know what to do? And even if you did, would you have the capacity to see her through? In this episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, we’re finally talking about depression. Research tells us that women are nearly twice as likely as men to have experienced depression, which means at one point it may well have impacted your friendship, whether you knew it or not. Join us as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson speaks to three women on the subject; a psychologist, an emotional intelligence expert, and a young woman who shares her story of how physical assault sent her into a dark place, and honest conversations with her friends got her through. And whether you’ve suffered with depression yourself, or have a friend who has, stay tuned for this week’s homework. To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. To connect with Dr. Ayanna Abrams, you can find her on , and you can check out her platform, Not So Strong, . To connect with Farah Harris, you can find her on , and you can check out her platform, Working Well Daily, . You can also purchase her book, ‘The Colour of Emotional Intelligence: Elevating Our Self and Social Awareness to Address Inequities” . And to connect with Trayonna, you can find her on . Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Four Ways To Find Like-Minded Friends
11/16/2023
Four Ways To Find Like-Minded Friends
You’re looking through your calendar to figure out a date to spend time with an old friend and as you search for some availability, you realise two things – one, that we’re only a few weeks out from a new year, and two, that you’re putting in a lot of effort to maintain a friendship that you’re convinced you’ve outgrown. But, she’s all you know. As we head into the new year, how can you be more intentional about connecting with new people who are a bit more like-minded, and more compatible with the woman you are today? In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, our resident friendship expert, Danielle Bayard Jackson, gives her advice on four strategies you can use to find like-minded friends who feel a better fit for where you are at this point in your life, and the fourth one is one you might not expect. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week’s homework. To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening in March 2024, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Girl Problems: “I’m contemplating a friendship breakup… but how do I navigate this when I have to see her every day?”
11/14/2023
Girl Problems: “I’m contemplating a friendship breakup… but how do I navigate this when I have to see her every day?”
Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today's episode addresses a listener’s question about how to navigate a friendship breakup with someone she works with and therefore will have to continue to see every day. Tune in as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers her words of wisdom on the matter. Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday, and our Girl Problems episodes every other Tuesday. If you want to join our Book Club and check out what we’re reading this month, join us . And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at or drop us a DM or a voicenote at Instagram at To find out more about Danielle’s Friendship event, happening next month in sunny Tampa, click . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at Explore coaching with Danielle at Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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How To Show Up For A Friend Who Is Going Through A Divorce
11/09/2023
How To Show Up For A Friend Who Is Going Through A Divorce
You get a message and your heart sinks - “I’m going to do It, I’m going to ask him for a divorce”, it says. You knew your friend and her husband have been having trouble, but you didn’t know it would end up this way, and now you’re wondering how best to show up for her. Data shows that 50% of marriages end in divorce, often happening around the 8-year mark, and the process can take anywhere from 3 months to a year, and can cost up to $7000 for each person – so clearly, this is a time when our friend needs our support. In this episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores exactly how to do this, and speaks to two guests, both of whom have personally experienced divorce, and reflect on how their friends showed up for them. Olivia Howell is the co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, which has been mentioned in The Cut, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. It’s a one-stop shop for everything you need to begin again, and Danielle sits down with Olivia to speak about her experience of divorce and the specific things her friends did to help her survive at the time. This week, Danielle is also joined by Jasmine Chanelle. Jasmine has nearly 100k followers on Instagram, who follow along for her insights about how to enter into and thrive in entrepreneurship. But when she started sharing her own story of being a single mom and transitioning out of a marriage, she had even more women follow along for the journey. In this episode, she speaks to Danelle about her experience of divorce, and the role her friends played in supporting her. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework. To connect with Olivia, you can find her on , and you can check out Fresh Starts Registry via their page or their . To connect with Jasmine, you can find her on , or via her . And to explore Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . And Click the ‘Follow’ button now, to never miss an episode. Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Join our private group chat for extra resources, at Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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About To Break Up With A Friend? Listen To This First
11/02/2023
About To Break Up With A Friend? Listen To This First
Lately, you’ve been feeling uneasy about one of the friendships in your life, and the time has come for you to talk it out with your friend. You’re aware that the conversation could lead to either a friendship break, or a complete friendship breakup and so in preparation for your conversation, you’ve searched for tips and advice online, and the resounding advice is to just go for it and speak your truth – but what happens next? How do you mentally and emotionally prepare for what happens after you initiate the first step in a friendship breakup? Today on the Friend Forward Podcast, our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson shares with you four tough love truths about what to expect after you bring yourself to initiate a friend break or breakup, because things might not be as smooth as you expect. And as always, stay tuned to the end for this week's homework. To never miss an episode of the Friend Forward Podcast, click the ‘Follow’ button now. New episodes are released every Thursday, and our ‘Girl Problems’ segment are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Want to join our Book Club and see what we’re reading this month? Join us . To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at To explore coaching with Danielle visit Book Danielle to speak at your upcoming conference or event, by emailing
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Girl Problems: "How do I keep my Distance with an Ex-friend while not Letting our Friendship Break-up Impact my other Friendships within our Group?"
10/31/2023
Girl Problems: "How do I keep my Distance with an Ex-friend while not Letting our Friendship Break-up Impact my other Friendships within our Group?"
Welcome to "Girl Problems" a bi-weekly segment from the Friend Forward podcast, coming to you every other Tuesday. Today's episode addresses a listener’s question about how to keep your distance with an ex-friend, while not letting your friendship break-up affect your other friendships within your shared circle. Tune in as our resident friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson offers her helpful insights on the matter. Click the ‘Follow’ button now to never miss an episode of Friend Forward! New Episodes are released every Thursday. If you want to join our Book Club and see what we're reading this month, join us And if you want to submit a question of your own, visit us at or drop us a DM or a voicenote at Instagram at To explore more of Danielle’s friendship expertise, connect with her at Stay updated with the latest episodes and podcast updates at Explore coaching with Danielle at
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