E64: The Female Friendship Crisis: How to Nurture Adult Connections That Last with Anna Goldfarb

Today, we sit down with Anna Goldfarb—friendship journalist, author, and voice of wisdom on the quiet complexity of adult relationships. Together, we're unpacking why maintaining female friendships feels harder than ever, especially in motherhood, and what it actually takes to nurture the ones that matter most. Through honest stories and thoughtful research, Anna helps us reframe what healthy adult friendship looks like today. They talk about the grief of friendships that drift, the courage it takes to initiate hard conversations, and why effort (not just history) is what keeps connection alive. If you've ever found yourself missing someone who used to be in your daily life—or wondering how to deepen the friendships you still have—this conversation is a balm and a roadmap. You'll Learn: Why nearly half of adults report shrinking social networks—and what that really means How motherhood reshapes our friendships, sometimes painfully The power of desire: why it matters that you want to show up What to consider before giving feedback in a friendship How to know when it's time to let go—and how to grieve a friendship breakup Why small gestures (a text, a meme, a voice note) are never really small What it means to treat friendship as a privilege, not a given How to reconnect with the people who make you feel most like yourself Links & Resources Mentioned: Anna Goldfarb's website and writing: www.annagoldfarb.com Anna's book: Modern Friendship Related episode: Finding and Maintaining Meaningful Friendships During This Busy Season – E3 HBR article: The Power of Work Friends For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts