“The Brain Filter That Shapes Your World — and Your Friendships” Brain Reticular Activation: How Your Mind Shapes Your Relationships

In this week’s episode of Our Friendly World with Fawn and Matt, we take a deep dive into the surprising ways your brain filters your world — and how those filters shape your connections, your confidence, and your friendships.

Matt shares a rabbit-hole revelation about the reticular activating system — the part of the brain that constantly searches for evidence to prove you right. Whether you believe your day will be terrible or beautiful, your brain goes to work collecting proof. Whether you feel successful or like you're “not there yet,” your brain will reflect those beliefs right back at you.

Fawn opens up about a recent conversation that highlighted how harsh self-talk can cloud our perception of ourselves and others. Together, Fawn and Matt explore how emotional exhaustion, repeated disappointment, and loneliness can make us believe “people suck” — and how the brain eagerly confirms that worldview unless we consciously shift our focus.

The conversation moves into the heart of friendship:
How do we reconnect when we feel hurt?
How do we stay open when our brains keep showing us reasons to shut down?
And how can we “clean our mental palate,” reset our expectations, and invite good people into our lives again?

This episode is a reminder that while the brain tries to prove us right, we get to choose the story it tells. With small shifts in attention, curiosity, and self-compassion, we can re-open the door to connection — and let our brains start finding the friends we’re hoping for.

• reticular activating system friendship

• brain confirmation bias relationships

• how thoughts shape friendships

• emotional resilience and connection

• overcoming friendship hurt

• negative self-talk and relationships

• rewiring the brain for positivity

• loneliness and human connection

• how to find good friends

• friendship podcast

• Our Friendly World with Fawn and Matt

• mindset and relationships

• reset your mindset

• healing from disappointment

• how thoughts shape reality

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Your brain is always trying to prove you right — but what are you telling it to look for?

In this week’s episode, we explore how the reticular activating system filters your world, shapes your relationships, and even reinforces the belief that “people suck” when you’re hurt or lonely.
But with small shifts in focus, you can train your brain to see the good again — and open the door to genuine friendship.

Listen now on Our Friendly World with Fawn and Matt.

Your brain is constantly collecting evidence to support your beliefs — good or bad. This episode explores how the reticular activating system shapes your reality, your relationships, and your ability to trust after hurt.
Learn how to reset your mind, shift your focus, and let your brain start finding the good people again.