The ’Baking Guide’ to friendship. Proven ingredients to meaningful connections.

In this episode of the Worth Having Podcast, host Nicole and psychologist Natalia Szyszka explore the components that make up deep, meaningful friendships through the metaphor of baking a cake.

They discuss the importance of traits such as curiosity, authenticity, trust, and patience, alongside the concept of self-awareness and acceptance in friendships. They reflect on personal experiences and the complexity of maintaining friendships, particularly as adults and expats. Nic and Natalia share insights on how to assess and build stronger, more fulfilling relationships, emphasizing that friendships require time, energy, and a reflective understanding of oneself and others.

Call it 'The Psychology Of Friendship'.

00:00 Teaser & Introduction

02:13 Exploring the Ingredients of Friendship

04:26 Curiosity vs. Open-Mindedness

08:11 Authenticity and Trust in Friendships

17:24 The Role of Self-Awareness and Acceptance

21:57 Engagement and Effort in Friendships

24:06 The Three Phases of Making Friends

24:37 The Basic Ingredients: Acceptance, Curiosity, and Respect

25:12 Adding Flavor: Vulnerability and Patience

26:14 Fancy Decor: Empathy, Humor, and Generosity

29:06 The Cake Analogy in Friendships

30:23 Exploring Loneliness and Friendship Needs

36:00 Personality Traits as Superpowers

42:52 The Importance of Trust, Time & Energy in Friendships

46:25 Final Thoughts and Recap