S13 EP9: Friendship is Vital! Why We Need Platonic Love.

Friendship is often treated like an extra relationship, one that gets pushed aside once careers, partners, kids, or exhaustion take over. But what if friendship isn’t optional at all?In this episode, we sit down with friendship expert and author Dr. Marisa G. Franco to unpack why platonic relationships are essential for our mental, emotional, and physical health, and why our culture has quietly taught us to deprioritize them.We talk about the hidden “hierarchy of love,” why many women feel shame for loving their friends deeply, and how loneliness impacts your health more than poor diet or lack of exercise. Dr. Franco shares research-backed strategies for making friends as an adult, maintaining friendships through life changes, and letting go of the belief that friendship should “just happen.”If you’ve ever felt like you’re bad at friendship, wondered if you’ve outgrown people, or felt lonely despite being surrounded by others, this conversation will change how you see connection.Key TakeawaysFriendship is a health issue. Friendship doesn’t just happen. Loneliness changes your body. Friendships ebb and flow. Someone has to be brave first. (00:01:13)  Welcome Dr. Marisa G Franco to the podcast(00:04:54)  The history behind why friendship became “secondary”(00:07:00)  The hierarchy of love & shame around platonic intimacy(00:11:00)  Can men and women really be friends?(00:13:10)  Why maintaining friendships feels so hard as adults(00:17:20)  Loneliness vs. diet & exercise: the shocking stats(00:19:15)  How to actually make friends as an adult(00:25:05)  Why we are afraid to say I love you to a friend(00:30:00) Rapid fire questions from the community answered(00:41:25)  Where to find Marisa and final takeawayMarisa’s Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarisagfrancoWebsite and QUIZ: www.DrMarisaGFranco.comWant to leave the TTSL Podcast a voicemail? We love your questions and adore hearing from you. https://www.speakpipe.com/TheThickThighsSaveLivesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The CVG Nation app, for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iPhone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The CVG Nation app, for Android⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fitness FB Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thick Thighs Save Lives Workout Programs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Constantly Varied Gear's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Workout Leggings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠