We have social expectations for the ending of romantic relationships, but we don't have many for the ending of a friendship. Join us as we talk with Emily Cox about the role of our social life in our identity and how we develop that, and how common an experience it is for us to struggle with friendship, especially when many of us didn't get many of…

What are the benefits of having a female mentor--in business or in life? We sat down with Melissa Snow to discuss how to find a community to support you and how to create genuine connections. We talked about the role of networking (it's not just about making connections), the value in finding someone who believes in you, and who you trust, to be a …

As we get older, our friendship circles often get smaller. We know who we are. Truths come out. We look for comfort. We seek stability and will let go of things, including friendships, that don't feel balanced. Listen in on our conversations with transformational book coach Susie Schaefer, who counts many of her clients as life-affirming friends. S…

Why are we sometimes so afraid to use our voices? Our voice sets us apart from other mammals, yet we can be so afraid to use it. For fear that our ideas will not be interesting enough or not have enough value. Even among our friends. Listen in on our conversation with voice coach Erin Roberts as we talk about how our hearts and minds live in our bo…

Have you ever thought about the benefits of working out with a friend? Listen in on our conversation with personal trainer Sarah Parise as we discuss how our friends can keep us accountable to our exercise programs and can encourage us to be more adventurous. We talked about how to start small with an exercise program if you are starting from scrat…

Have you ever considered the power of mentoring in catapulting leaders to all-star status? Beyond just being a guiding hand, it can be a powerful tool in fostering authentic leadership and team development. In this episode, we talk about the essence of female mentorship and why it is crucial in today's professional landscape. With our guest, Sharle…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff on how confidence can be the antidote to feelings of isolation in disconnect in our relationships, with fun and confidence coach Tamara Pflug. We are wired for survival. Our brains are on the lookout for danger, that is how it keeps us alive. Being part of a tribe is safety, and there is value for us in fee…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff on the concept of clutter in our friend relationships, with coach and professional declutterer Julie Caraccio. We discussed the role of boundaries, how to be confident in your boundaries, and how to make real change (hint: It involves awareness and action). We also asked the question: what is the clutter in…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff on dealing with emotions like anger in friendship, with psychotherapist and anger expert Bronwyn Schweigerdt. We talk about the importance of recognizing when one is feeling anger--you have to validate it, name it to tame it. We went into detail about how anger is a secondary emotion, there is always anothe…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff with Terry Tucker, about stop worrying about dying and focusing on living. He is a cancer patient, and he shares with us some of what he has learned about friendship through this journey. He reminds us of the importance of being there to support our friends when they are going through a difficult time. Also…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff with John "JR" Rennie about leadership, mentorship, and friendship. We talk about relying on others--friends or mentors--to give us direction when we are facing the unknown, wise bits of advice from a trusted source can make all the difference in the world. In addition, we discussed how to be a good mentor …

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff on building deeper levels of friendship with Ashley Carver. We discuss how friendships evolve over time, what role fear may play in our relationships, how our ideals for friendship may change as we get older, and why it is important for our friendships that we know ourselves, as well. Ashley Carver is a spi…

From ProjectBFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff on the topic of friendship with relationship expert Tamika Carlton. We talked about the fact that studies show that only 14% of people are truly happy and what does that really mean. We know that friendships contribute to our happiness and we talked about how we have to invest in our relationships. We also d…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff about the unique challenges of friendship for women in leadership roles, with leadership coach Jennifer Wilson. We discussed some of the difficulties of mixing friendship and leadership--especially the power balance and how the need for confidentiality can be a challenge for friend relationships at work. An…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff about the value of friendships with Peg Doyle. We talk about how friendships change as our life situation changes, the value of social connections, and how important it is to make friends with yourself in order to be a good friend. Peg Doyle is a motivational health & wellness speaker and author of the book…

From Project BFF, Terri and Manya riff on the topic of finding your hype squad with the fabulous author, speaker and founder 'Tine Zekis. 'Tine wrote the book (literally) on finding your hype squad, and here is an article on the topic: Assemble Your Hype Squad. In this episode, we talk about what a hype squad is, why having one can make a real diff…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff on how change in your life and friendship is inevitable and how to deal with that, with Lesley Jane Seymour. We talked about how it is lonely at the top for executives, how to share with others that you are lonely and looking to build friendships, and how a Zoom call with friends can be as good as going out…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff on some deep and some fun topics. And we get to know each other better. And acknowledge that we missed posting new episodes the last two weeks, thanks to life getting in the way. We dive into a list of questions from this article: 80 fun questions to ask your friends to get to know them on a deeper level. Spe…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff on some deep and some fun topics. And we get to know each other better. We dive into a list of questions from this article: 80 fun questions to ask your friends to get to know them on a deeper level. Specifically, we discuss: What three words describe what you are grateful for? What is most important to you n…

From Project BFF HQ, Manya (minus Terri) riffs with Nisha Lehmann about games for mental health and the role of our friends in supporting us as we deal with mental health challenges. We discussed the app she designed, Confidential Conversations, which offers anonymous and affordable peer-led online support groups for a wide array of mental health i…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff on the topic of how to talk about race with friends, with special guests Marci Duncan and Kerry Sandell, authors of the play Dissonance. We discuss how these two friends first started having conversations about race, how to broach a difficult topic with a friend, rather than tiptoeing around it, and how to …

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya riff about how to have hard conversations with friends, with coach and blogger Midori Doumani. We discuss how to engage in difficult conversations with friends holistically and leaning into discomfort. Midori Doumani is a wife, mom, employee, blogger, friend, wife and so much more. She teaches adults how to have…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff on what happens to friendships when one of you gets divorced, with divorce and life coach Joy Bartholomew. Friend and family relationships change through divorce, so it's more than just losing a spouse. How can you decide who has your best interest at heart? And who is in your corner? How can you grow those t…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff on what it's like to work with your best friend, with Abigail Griebelbauer and Cecilia Edwards. We had a fabulous conversation about how they met and built their friendship and what it is like to work together and be friends. Abigail and Cecilia believe in the power of inclusion and representation, which is w…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff on how to be our best selves with coach and author Kimberly Spencer. In addition to how friendships help us be our best selves, we discussed the value of community, friends being of service to each other, and why it is important to remember that you are worthy, just because you are. Kimberly Spencer is an awa…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff about how to deal with a friend who has hurt you, or when you have been hurt by a friend, with counselor Keith Wilson. We discussed the concept of constructive conflict, apologizing and taking responsibility for one's role in the difficulties, and finding personal peace amid conflict with a friend. Keith Wils…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff on traveling and buiding a network of friends with writer Betsy McMillan. Join us as we discuss how to start a friendship with someone you just met (hint: it's all about being willing to start a conversation). For some of us, aging can lead to isolation and being able to have conversations and build connectio…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff with Paul Wrightson, founder of Live Fully Now, about how the death of his good friend changed his life and how we shouldn't wait until something drastic happens in our lives to make positive changes. We also discussed the importance of making friends with yourself and to do something every day that lifts us …

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya chat with author and mindset coach Sharon Hefetz about connections between women, soul-led conversations, and how our friends are holders of our stories and keepers of our secrets. Sharon is a coach, mother of 3, entrepreneur, and published author who has dedicated her life to empowering women to reach their full …

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff on social fitness with coach and marketing executive Katie Jesionowski. We discussed relationships as journeys, the role friendships have played in her life, thoughtful ways to contribute to social fitness, and the Harvard Study on Adult Relationships. Katie Jesionowski is the Chief Marketing Officer at Total…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff with author Leia Johnson about friendships she has built with fostering families who are raising biologically related children. We talked about the power of the foster care community, the math of friendship, and how to look for people who when they talk, it matters. Leia first picture book is Sister, a book a…

From Project BFF HQ Terri + Manya answer a few questions from this article on PyschCentral: 45+ Deep Conversation Starters to Bond with Friends and Family. This week we answer: What was your favorite novel as a kid? Has your character been shaped by anyone? What subject did you look forward to in school? We hope this inspires you to have some deep …

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff on talking with friends and other tips about strengthening these relationships with renowned relationship expert Dr. Heather Browne. We discussed how important it is for our friendships that we work on ourselves--and bring a better version of ourselves to our relationships. We also learned that a conversation…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff with Peter Bombaci, the founder of the GenWell Project, about the power of human connection for health, happiness, longevity, and improving society. We talked about several studies that show how bad loneliness is for us as humans, including the Harvard Study on Adult Development, which looks at human happines…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya are joined by Juli Shulem to talk about what productivity has to do with friendships. Listen in as we talk about the importance of scheduling time with friends--it helps us stay connected with each other and also helps reduce feelings of being overwhelmed. And, we also learn about Juli's pen pal, who she has writt…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff about adulting and why friendships matter with coach, speaker, and mentor Sara Deacon. We had such a great time talking with Sara and we learned about Sara's work with teens and young adults, how friend and peer relationships are so influential at that time of life, and how our choices of friends matter. We a…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya speak with Cindy Burns a widow who found a new purpose in life as a grief doula, a certified life purpose life coach, and a happiness coach. Listen in as we talk about the fact that life doesn't stop when we lose a spouse, how to manage grief, and how to help a friend who is grieving (spoiler alert: the key is to …

From Project BFF HQ, Terri and Manya talk with Karen Viesta, a certified health and life coach and host of the podcast Wellegant Woman: Redefining Midlife. We discussed the importance of friendship in midlife, looking at friendships as an investment, being intentional about who we bring into our inner circle, and how friendships can give us purpose…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya speak with Craig Colby, an award winning television producer, storyteller, coach, advisor, and author of ALL CAPS: Stories That Justify an Outrageous Hat Collection. Listen in as we talk about the stories in the book and his friend Dave and how that relationship changed both their lives in high school and how his …

From Project BFF HQ Terri + Manya answer a few questions from this article on PyschCentral: 45+ Deep Conversation Starters to Bond with Friends and Family. This week we answer: What is a quote that inspires you? Are your priorities different from what they were 10 years ago? What is your greatest achievement so far? We hope this inspires you to hav…

From Project BFF HQ Terri + Manya answer a few questions from this article on PyschCentral: 45+ Deep Conversation Starters to Bond with Friends and Family. This week we answer: Who is your role model? What do you like most about being you? What is your #1 goal right now? We hope this inspires you to have some deep conversations with your friends an…

From Project BFF HQ Terri and Manya riff on what kinds of activities we can do with the rest of summer. That is something those of us who live in the northeast, with our cold and snowy winters and rather short summers, think about a lot. #BeAFriend Support us: Patreon Email: friend@project-bff.com Share the love: subscribe + rate us in your favorit…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya riff about traveling with friends and what they did on their summer vacations (even though we know that summer is not over!). #BeAFriend Support us: Patreon Email: friend@project-bff.com Share the love: subscribe + rate us in your favorite podcast app + tell your friends We use Buzzsprout to host our podcast + we …

From a street corner not far from Fenway Park, Terri + Manya riff on friendships and the kinds of activities we do together, and get excited about seeing each other in person, five months since the last time we were together in person. And we wish the Red Sox well in their game. We had a great time at the game (hot dogs were eaten and beer was drun…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya chat with Kyla Cofer, coach, speaker, and host of the Leadership School podcast about self-compassion as a first step in building friendships, how people in leadership positions need to be willing to be vulnerable, and how to build connections as an adult--because friendship is available in all shapes and sizes on…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya speak with Shari Leid a life coach, friendship expert, author, speaker, attorney, and the force behind the 50 States Project. We talked with her about halfway through this amazing project in which Shari sits down with one woman in each of the fifty states to have meaningful conversations and learn more about each …

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya chat with Amy Behimer, a certified health coach, pharmacist, autoimmune warrior, and founder of the Autoimmune Academy. We discussed using our empathy muscle, how humans are wired to belong, and minimizing decision fatigue about friend relationships by scheduling time for joy and connection. We also talked about s…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya talk with Johanna Paulston and Bethel Wagner, co-owners of the Sage Wellness Center. We talked about what it's like working with a friend and how working together can strengthen a friendship (we know a little bit about that ourselves!); building a community of friends; and valuing the quality of our friendship ove…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya talk with Dan Garbati, a coach, mentor, and creator of the “Happiness Comes in Threes” journaling method. We talk about social media and the illusion of friendship and how half of Americans were feeling lonely even before the pandemic. We are made of stories and according to Dan journaling is an extremely powerful…

From Project BFF HQ, Terri + Manya talk with Chaz Coggins, RN, Airbnb SuperHost and To Be Known game creator. We talk about how life doesn't happen to us, it happens through us, how to appreciate the beauty we create in our lives, and the game he created during the pandemic to provide a means to find deep intimacy, friendship, and connection. Chaz …