Friend Forward

Danielle Bayard Jackson -- Female Friendship Expert

This is a podcast for modern women looking to understand the complexities of female friendship. Hosted by Danielle Bayard Jackson --female friendship coach and educator-- Friend Forward provides research, strategies, and tough-love truth to answer your questions about how to navigate relationships with other women. Tune in every week for new insights about how to create and maintain better female friendships. (And in between episodes, follow along on TikTok at @thefriendshipexpert or IG @daniellebayardjackson)

  1. 13 MAR

    The secret language of humor in women's friendships// Interview with comedy writer Nadia Casey and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson

    Research finds that shared humor is a predictor of women becoming best friends... but it's not a predictor for men. Why is that? In this week's episode of the Friend Forward podcast, friendship expert and relational health educator Danielle Bayard Jackson interviews Nadia Casey . Nadia is a comedy coach and comedy writer who teaches people how to be funny for a living, and in this episode, she shares how your humor reveals your values, invites like-minded people to your life, and functions as a bonding agent. She also teaches exactly how to be funnier in aw ay to connect with new potential friends. JOIN NADIA'S WORKSHOP This workshop is for people who want to learn to be naturally funnier in real life situations with other people. it'll be perfect to learn tactical strategies to increase playfulness and connection. March 19, 2026. Register here. ACCESS BONUS CONTENT As a member of our private digital community, you'll get BONUS content which includes Nadia's favorite shows, a strategy for bouncing back after a joke doesn't land, and links to three of her favorite "bits". Join now at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast. READ "FIGHTING FOR OUR FRIENDSHIPS" WITH YOUR BOOK CLUB Grab your copy of Danielle Bayard Jackson's Fighting for our Friendships to read and discuss with your next book club. BOOK DANIELLE TO SPEAK If you're looking for a speaker to share the research about women's cooperation, communication, and conflict, invite Danielle Bayard Jackson for your event. Learn more about her work, experience, and services at daniellebayardjackson.com. Then send your speaking inquiry to info@tellpublicrelations.com today.

    26 min
  2. 5 MAR

    What role does commitment play in friendship? The "Rusbult Investment Model" might explain why your close friendships don't last

    Is "commitment" a concept that only applies to romantic relationships? What role does it play in friendships when these are completely elective relationships unbound with contract and formal obligations? In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, host and women's friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores what it looks like to "promise before the preview." Want more? Members of "Office Hours" (our digital community) will enjoy access to the bonus: an extended discussion, including: an extra video explaining the difference in the types of investments you can make in friendshipa "close read" of an article that explains the formula for satisfactionbonus reflection questions and connection questions to inspire conversation with friends about friendship commitment WANT TO BE FEATURED ON THE SHOW? Send your questions, hot takes, or personal friendship stories via Instagram @friendforward (go the to direct messages, hold the microphone icon down and proceed with your voice note) or send a video/ voice note to us via email at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com. BRING THIS CONVERSATION TO YOUR ORGANIZATION If you're looking for a customized, research-driven experience with a balance of education and humor, book Danielle Bayard Jackson to speak at your upcoming event. To make it happen, contact us at info@tellpublicrelations.com and inquire today.

    22 min
  3. 26 FEB

    Yes, your friend's comments about her body will impact the way you view your own. Here's what the research says. An interview with Chrissy King of the Body Liberation Project, and Dr. Erin Nolen, researcher and assistant professor at the University of A

    In this conversation, host and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores the impact of close friendships on body image. She speaks with Chrissy King, author of The Body Liberation Project. Danielle also invites researcher and assistant professor Dr. Erin Nolen about the way women's feminist ideals positively impact their friends' regard for their bodies. You'll also hear from real women who submitted their personal stories to the show. Research study: Dr. Nolen's research “Your Body Is Not Representative of Who You Are”: Exploring the Relations Between Feminist Attitudes, Feminist Identity, and Responses to Negative Body Talk Among Women - Erin Nolen, Taryn A. Myers, Adrienne Kvaka, Sarah K. Murnen, 2023 ----------------------------------- GET BONUS CONTENT IN "OFFICE HOURS", OUR PRIVATE COMMUNITY Get bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, book club membership, access to (exclusive!) fireside chats with experts, downloadable guides and more in our private community. Join now at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast. WANT TO BE FEATURED ON THE SHOW? Send your questions, hot takes, or personal friendship stories via Instagram @friendforward (go the to direct messages, hold the microphone icon down and proceed with your voice note) or send a video/ voice note to us via email at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com. BOOK DANIELLE TO SPEAK If you're looking for a customized, research-driven experience with a balance of education and humor, book Danielle Bayard Jackson to speak at your upcoming event. To make it happen, contact Samantha at Sam@tellpublicrelations.com and inquire today.

    27 min
  4. 19 FEB

    Friendship Surveillance: Are we obsessed with tracking each other? A conversation with tech writer Tatum Hunter and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson

    This conversation explores the complex relationship between surveillance and friendships in the digital age. This includes the habit of sharing locations with friends, monitoring social media activity and turning on features like "read receipts"-- all things that allow us to monitor each other's activity. Host and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson interviews Tatum Hunter-- a technology and culture writer, formerly of the Washington Post. Together, Tatum and Danielle explore the ways in which technology impacts our connections and the emotional consequences of monitoring each other's lives. This conversation will also highlight the benefits and drawbacks of location sharing, the role of social media in shaping perceptions of closeness. Members of the private "Office Hours" community will receive the full episode, which includes Tatum's predictions for emerging trends in digital privacy. TikTok videos highlighted in this episode: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8xdjjE3/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8xeKyhe/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- FRIENDSHIP ELEVATED Would you like a supportive community and personal friendship coach to walk with you over the next few months? You have two days left to join Friendship Elevated, our group coaching program. Learn more at betterfemalefriendships.com WANT TO BE FEATURED ON THE SHOW? Send your questions, hot takes, or personal friendship stories via Instagram @friendforward (go the to direct messages, hold the microphone icon down and proceed with your voice note) or send a video/ voice note to us via email at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com. BOOK DANIELLE TO SPEAK If you're looking for a customized, research-driven experience with a balance of education and humor, book Danielle Bayard Jackson to speak at your upcoming event. To make it happen, contact Samantha at Sam@tellpublicrelations.com and inquire today.

    25 min
  5. 27/12/2025

    What we get wrong about "friendship audits" (and 8 signs that you might need one NOW)

    In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, we discuss the concept of friendship audits, emphasizing the importance of evaluating not just who to cut off from your life, but also the overall dynamics, practices, and satisfaction within friendships. In this episode, we outline eight signs that indicate it's time for a formal and intentional friendship audit and encourage listeners to take a comprehensive look at their friendship landscape. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in self-reflection and consider coaching options for deeper support. Resource: For tip #3 in today's podcast, Danielle mentions a free resource to help you with the activity that she described. You'll find that resource here at betterfemalefriendships.com/dynamics Host: Danielle Bayard Jackson, Women's friendship expert and relational health educator ------------------------------------------------------- THANK YOU! Thank you to Mel Robbins for naming Danielle one of the Top Experts of 2025! We appreciate you. If you'd like to book Danielle to speak at your event or hire her to for consulting or curriculum design, please contact us at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com. OFFICE HOURS The conversation doesn't end when the podcast is over. Become a member of our "Office Hours" community and get access to bonus episodes, resources, and virtual events. Sign-up any time at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast. 2026 GROUP COACHING We're launching the sixth cohort of Friendship Elevated in February 2026. Those on the waitlist will gain access to "early bird" pricing. Join the waitlist at betterfemalefriendships.com/friendship-elevated

    32 min

About

This is a podcast for modern women looking to understand the complexities of female friendship. Hosted by Danielle Bayard Jackson --female friendship coach and educator-- Friend Forward provides research, strategies, and tough-love truth to answer your questions about how to navigate relationships with other women. Tune in every week for new insights about how to create and maintain better female friendships. (And in between episodes, follow along on TikTok at @thefriendshipexpert or IG @daniellebayardjackson)

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