The Friendship Tour | How to Make Friends, Female Friendship, Adult Friendship, Friendship Tips and Advice, Christian Friendship

This episode is all about community — what it really means, why it matters, and how it shapes our sense of belonging.

Join sociology professor Chryssy Payne and me as we explore how community meets deep human needs like validation and identity, even in our increasingly digital world. We share stories from our younger years, talk about how technology helps us stay connected (and sometimes gets in the way), and discuss what it takes...

The Friendship Tour Book Club is back — and you’re invited!

In this quick bonus episode, I’m sharing everything you need to know about our next gathering: 📘 We’re reading My Friends by Fredrik Backman. 📅 The virtual meeting is tentatively set for Saturday, September 6th 🕔 Exact time is TBD based upon time zones. (Last time, we met at 5pm PST / 8pm EST.) Get the Book! 🛍️ Grab the book through the Amazon links below to support ...

In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I'm joined again by my lifelong friend, Kina Thornton Frazier. Together, we take a walk down memory lane, reflect on nearly three decades of friendship, and share our thoughts about what makes (or breaks) new friendships.

From setting healthy boundaries to trusting your instincts, Kina and I talk through some red flags in new relationships and why pacing matters. Whether you’re navigating t...

Have you ever met someone who seemed excited to connect—but every time you reached out, they were “too busy”? Or maybe you’ve found yourself overpromising on a friendship you couldn’t follow through on. If so, you’ve likely experienced (or unknowingly done) a little breadcrumbing.

In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I share a personal story that introduced me to the concept of breadcrumbing in female friendships—and why it matt...

In this follow-up to our episode, Why Am I All Alone?, author and rehabilitation consultant, Val Walker returns for a powerful conversation about the hidden ways social media shapes our confidence and friendships—especially for women navigating adult connection.

With hundreds of online “friends,” why do so many of us still feel alone? Why does a single unanswered message or unliked post feel so personal? And how do comparison and o...

In this quick update, I'm sharing a few exciting changes happening with The Friendship Tour :

• A fresh new look that captures the heart of friendship

• A new newsletter for friendship tips, encouragement, resources, and early access to events

• An open invitation to send in your questions for an upcoming Q&A episode

Let’s stay connected — just choose a way and say hello!

📬 Sign up for the newsletter 💬 Send in you...

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Why am I all alone?” In this heartfelt and honest episode, I’m joined by author, Val Walker to explore one of the most tender—and often silent—struggles many women face: isolation and loneliness in adulthood.

Val shares the powerful story that sparked her journey into researching loneliness. Val’s story highlights the harsh realities of and complicated emotions surrounding isolation. She al...

Have you ever had a friend say something so kind that it stuck with you for years? Words have power—and in this episode of The Friendship Tour, I’m talking about how we can all become the kind of friend who uses words to build others up in faith, in love, and in friendship.

This episode is inspired by the theme from my kids’ school—“Speak Life.” What started as a the school’s theme made its way into everyday conversations at home a...

Have you ever gotten that call or text—the one that says, “My mom died” or “He left me”—and suddenly you’re frozen, unsure what to say or do? You care deeply, but you don’t want to say the wrong thing or make it worse. In today’s episode of The Friendship Tour, we’re talking about a powerful, often overlooked way to show up for our friends: The Ministry of Presence.

Join me for a heartfelt exploration of how simply being there—with...

In this just-for-fun bonus episode of The Friendship Tour, I sit down (again!) with New Zealand-based travel blogger Sarah Kennerley for a relaxed conversation about one of my favorite topics - traveling! After the last episode on how to travel with friends without breaking the friendship, Sarah and I kept the conversation going—and hit record while we did. In this lighthearted follow-up, we swap stories, compare travel styles, an...

Travel and friendship—two of life’s greatest joys… and sometimes, biggest challenges.

In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I'm joined by world traveler and travel writer, Sarah Kennerley, to talk about what really goes into planning a trip that strengthens your friendships instead of straining them.

Fresh off of a multi-generational trip with friends myself, I'm sharing real-life stories, red flags to watch for, and practical ti...

We’ve all heard it: “People just don’t like me because I’m honest.” But is that really the case? In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I unpack the truth behind honesty in friendships—where it helps, where it hurts, and how to do it well.

I explore the difference between honesty and bluntness, and why the way we speak truth matters more than ever in today’s friendship dynamics. With humor, wisdom, and lived experience, I share pr...

In this mini episode of The Friendship Tour, I share a special thank you to everyone who joined the very first Friendship Tour Book Club meeting — it was a beautiful night of laughter, honesty, and connection.

But today’s message isn’t just a recap — it’s an invitation! I want to hear from YOU. For an upcoming Q&A-style episode, I'm collecting your real friendship questions: What’s been hard? What are you wondering about female...

In this episode of The Friendship Tour, we get real about vulnerability — what it means, why it’s terrifying, and why it’s absolutely essential for deep, lasting friendships.

I share a personal story about opening up to Mia during my journey with infertility, and how her response showed me what true friendship looks like in times of pain and uncertainty. Her words offered more than comfort and understanding — they offered hope and ...

In this heartfelt episode of The Friendship Tour, I sit down with an old friend, Mia Overton-Smith, for a deep, honest conversation that starts with confidence—and goes so much further.

Together, we explore where confidence really comes from and what happens when we struggle to believe we’re enough. As the conversation unfolds, we dive into topics like self-love, body image, healing from internal lies, faith, and the powerful act o...

In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I share real insights from real women who are part of the Women, Friendship, and Community Facebook group. From friendship breakups to mom friends to the wisdom we wish we’d had years ago—this one’s full of heart, truth, humor, and wisdom.

As a group, we recently explored four questions: ✨ Are you team “No New Friends”—or do you stay open to new connections? 📝 What’s one piece of friendshi...

Have you ever been ghosted by a friend — with no warning, no explanation, just silence? You’re not alone, and you’re likely not exaggerating the pain.

In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I'm diving into one of the most confusing and surprisingly common experiences in adult friendships: ghosting. Whether it’s someone you were just getting to know or a longtime friend who suddenly disappeared, ghosting hurts — and it often leaves...

Moving to a new city or town as an adult can feel exciting — and also incredibly lonely. In this episode of The Friendship Tour, we’re sharing real-world tips for how to make friends and build connection when you’re new in town. Whether you've relocated for a new job, a new relationship, the end of a relationship, your grandkids, or just a bit of adventure, this episode covers the strategies, mindset shifts, and small steps that ...

Motherhood is beautiful, exhausting, and—let’s be honest—a little lonely sometimes. That’s why mom friends matter so much. In this special Mother’s Day episode of The Friendship Tour, I'm diving into the unique bond between moms who truly understand what it means to juggle parenting, identity, and friendship. From diaper changes and picky eaters to deep conversations and encouragement, mom friends are the lifelines we didn’t know w...