Your next great friendships are waiting for you.

After tuning in to this week’s podcast, what’s on your agenda? Are you heading to work, doing laundry, or visiting the grocery store? Whatever you have planned, make it a priority to call a friend. Use Bluetooth for an easy hands-free chat while you go about your day.

According to the latest American Perspectives Survey, nearly half of us have lost touch with friends during the pandemic. Women are particularly affected, with almost 60% reporting they’ve distanced from several friendships, and 16% indicating they’re not in regular contact with most friends. Many people now say they have no confidants. The past few years have been challenging, leading to lost connections as people relocated for work. Since 54% of individuals find close friendships through their jobs, remote work has made it hard to form natural bonds. We’ve missed out on casual lunches and coffee chats.

This lack of connection isn’t just emotionally taxing; it also impacts our physical health. Loneliness can be as harmful as smoking fifteen cigarettes daily. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology revealed that women with early-stage breast cancer are four times more likely to die from the illness if they lack a strong friendship network. In contrast, those with a larger circle of friends tend to have better survival rates.

Quality trumps quantity when it comes to friendships. Most people prefer a few close friends over numerous acquaintances. Still, it’s concerning that so many of us struggle with friendships. That’s why this week, we’ll explore ways to strengthen existing bonds and cultivate new ones.

Join us for a conversation with Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston, co-authors of the book, “I’ll Be There (But I’ll Be Wearing Sweatpants): Finding Unfiltered Real-Life Friendships in This Crazy, Chaotic World.” Amy, who resides in Texas with her family and rescue dogs, and Jess, based in Southern California with her husband and children, are both award-winning journalists. They also founded the “Sister, I Am With You” online community, where millions of women candidly discuss friendship.

In this episode, listen as Amy, Jess, and I share strategies for forging new friendships, a challenge many adults face. We’ll cover topics like making new friends, letting go of toxic ones, celebrating milestones, and addressing conflicts. We’ll also delve into hosting affordable dinner parties, utilizing friendship apps, and the importance of nurturing relationships over time.

If you ever feel awkward in silence with a new friend, you’re not alone. Amy shares her tips for overcoming that discomfort: “When I felt that panic sitting with someone, I reminded myself to just ignore it. It’s normal,” she notes.

We provide a “road map” to real friendships along with actionable steps to build meaningful connections. Authentic relationships don’t always develop on their own, but with effort, they can flourish.

We also discuss the time and financial investments in cultivating new friendships. Research by communication studies professor Jeffrey Hall indicates that it takes about 94 hours to become casual friends, 164 hours to develop closer friendships, and over 200 hours to become close friends. He emphasizes that shared leisure time is crucial in these processes. What does that look like for each of us?

In the Mailbag segment, we answer questions about annuities and health insurance. In Thrive, we explore ways to manage wedding budgets effectively.