#11: Why You’re Struggling to Make Friends – And What to Do About It with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer

Have you ever felt like making friends as an adult is harder than it should be? You’re not alone. Studies show we’re in a friendship recession, with more people feeling disconnected than ever before. So why is building meaningful friendships so difficult—and more importantly, what can we do about it?In this episode of The Ready Enough Podcast, Lauren Beane sits down with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, a clinical psychologist and leading expert on the science of friendship and human connection. They dive into:The biggest barriers that hold adults back from making friendsWhy time, social anxiety, and fear of vulnerability are keeping you stuckThe surprising way loneliness impacts your health and career successHow to strengthen existing friendships and deepen connectionsSmall, science-backed steps you can take today to make new friendsIf you’re tired of feeling lonely or struggling to maintain friendships as life gets busier, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you create the relationships you truly crave.More About Dr. Miriam Kirmayer: Dr. Kirmayer has spent over a decade researching social connection, resilience, and friendships. She sits on the Mental Health Advisory Committee for Wondermind and has been featured in The Atlantic, BBC, Forbes, The Today Show, The New York Times, and more.Join the Conversation:Loved this episode? Share it on social media, tag @Lauren.Beane, and use the hashtag #ReadyEnough to spread the word.Subscribe & Review:If this episode inspired you, don’t forget to subscribe to The Ready Enough Podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps us reach more ambitious women like you.