Friendship IRL: Real Talk About Friendship, Community, and What It Actually Takes

Alex Alexander

Podcast

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Latest Episodes

Using Parasocial Relationships as a Bridge For Real Community Instead of a Replaceme…

5/15/2025 • 47 min

The term ‘parasocial relationship’ was coined in the 1950s by American sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl to describe how people connected with TV personalities at the time. Today, parasocial relationships have expanded to include celebrities, influencers, athletes – even podcast hosts! Social media in particular has taken parasocial relationships to a… Play episode

Using Data to Manage the Friendship Mental Load With Mark Houghton
How Deep Friendship Can Impact Radical Change with Priya Vulchi
Super Psyched: The 4 Types of Connection We All Need with Dr. Adam Dorsay
The Easy Ask
The Awkwardness of Making Friends When You Can’t Rely on Proximity
How Small Acts of Kindness Can Create Monumental Ripple Effects with Bryan…
Speed Friending With Georgia Huntley
Taking Political Action and Being a Connector Instead of an “Online Warrio…
Do You Enjoy Your Friendships?
Friendship Time Capsule: What I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self
The Friend Who Got Away: Regrets, Reality Checks & Why Some Friendships Ha…
Pet Peeves: The Things We Never Talk About
The Friendship Guilt Spiral
We are ALL Deserving of Help with Laura Malcolm, founder/CEO of Give InKind
The Hidden Costs of Being the “Strong Friend”
Being Brave Enough to Show Up
Permission to Host Imperfectly (and Consequently Host More Often)
You Say You Want a Village … But do you?
A Recap of 2024: My Illness, Podcast Growth, and What’s Ahead in 2025
How to Talk to Friends About Celebrating Holidays Together
Creating Traditions that Stick (Hint: Sustainability is Key!)
Let’s Talk Chosen Family
Filling Your Life With Transformational Spaces and Believing Mirrors With …
Getting Less Passive and More Active on Podcasts and Social Media With Sha…
How to Stop Saying ‘Someday’ and Plan That Trip With Your Friends!
Welcome to the Toastmasters: Formal Communities with Brendan Smith
Navigating Friendship Through Chronic Illness
Celebrating 100 Episodes – Plus, an Extensive Look at the Wheel of Connect…
Is Individualism Costing Us More Than We Realize?
Breaking Through One-Sided Connections With Chrissy Marie
How to Set Bridges Instead of Boundaries with Zya Be
10 Friendship Hot Takes
Reconnecting With Old Friends When You’ve Become a Different Version of Yo…
Easing Burnout With Social Connections with Lesley Waldron
Who We Are Right Now: The Benefits of Making New Friends and Starting Over…
How to Not Live Vicariously Anymore with Christine Hetzel
How to Stop Dreading Parties and Take Charge of Your Guest Experience
Dear Men: Stop Living on Autopilot and Strengthen Your Social Circle with …
Want a Couch Friend? You Need to Be a Couch Friend
Realizing It’s Just Not the Same Anymore With Sarah Marie Paige
Spring Cleaning Friendships Through Life’s Transitions with Emily Rogers
How to Embody Main Character Energy in Friendship
Shifting People Pleasing Friendship Patterns with Deb Blum
Don’t Let Your Brain Run Loose: Creating Solid Friendship Beliefs with Sar…
The Case For Making Friends Who Are In Different Life Stages Than You
How Creating a Community is the Ultimate Self-Care with Fresh Starts Regis…
Flexible Expectations and Modern Friendships with Author Anna Goldfarb
Finding Balance Between Community and Individualism With Donna Fields
Letting Our Historic Friendships Breathe in Their New Forms with Joseph Su…

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