Fake Friendships and the Fear of Vulnerability: Shelby Abbott episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 19, 2026 · 24 MIN

Fake Friendships and the Fear of Vulnerability: Shelby Abbott

from FamilyLife Today® · host FamilyLife Network

If they really knew me, would they still love me? That fear of vulnerability fuels loneliness, curated online masks, people-pleasing, and walls that block deep friendships, marital closeness, or authenticity in ministry. And suffering eventually deepens that fear instead of healing it. If you're weary of performing, tired of fake friendships, and craving courage for real connection, listen in. Shelby Abbott, author of Why We’re Feeling Lonely and What We Can Do About It, exposes the roots of our universal dread--and points the way to freedom from approval-seeking and isolation. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 19, 2026

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Shelby Abbott (Why We’re Feeling Lonely and What We Can Do About It) exposes roots of approval-seeking isolation and points to freedom through real connection.

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Fake Friendships and the Fear of Vulnerability: Shelby Abbott

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