Friendship Matters

Donna Brighton, Russell Greenfield, MD, and Lisa Grimes
  • 5.0 (4)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join your hosts the Coach (Donna Brighton), the Doctor (Russell Greenfield, M.D.) and the CEO (Lisa Grimes) where we explore the science, skills, and stories behind thriving relationships at work and beyond. Brought to you by The Friendship Institute. Our mission is to help people improve / enrich existing friendships and create / build rich new ones.

  1. The Like Switch: FBI Secrets to Building Real Relationships

    6D AGO

    The Like Switch: FBI Secrets to Building Real Relationships

    What if connection is not accidental, but something you can intentionally create, measure, and improve? SEASON 6: Friendship Authors. Episode 1 This episode explores the science and psychology behind human connection through the lens of a former FBI behavioral analyst, Dr. Jack Schafer. Drawing from high stakes counterintelligence work, he explains how trust, likability, and influence are not mysterious traits, but predictable patterns of behavior. The conversation moves beyond tactics and raises a deeper question about authenticity. If we can engineer connection, how do we ensure it remains real and meaningful? The discussion connects these principles to friendship, leadership, and modern challenges like digital communication and social isolation. What you will learn in this episode: The "friendship formula": proximity, frequency, duration, and intensity as the conditions that drive relationship formation How nonverbal signals like eye contact, head tilt, and smiling trigger trust and emotional bonding Why making others feel good about themselves is the most reliable path to likability Practical techniques such as empathetic statements and finding common ground to build rapport quickly The concept of "curiosity hooks" and how to draw people toward you instead of chasing connection Why digital communication weakens connection by removing critical nonverbal cues How these principles apply to leadership, workplace relationships, and networking The ethical line between intentional connection and manipulation, and how awareness protects you Why listen to this episode: If you are serious about improving relationships, this episode gives you a structured, evidence-informed framework rather than vague advice. It translates instinctive social behaviors into repeatable skills you can apply immediately, whether in friendships, leadership, or professional environments. It also challenges a common assumption that connection should be effortless. Instead, it shows that meaningful relationships require intentionality, consistency, and awareness of how others experience you. More importantly, it addresses a growing gap. As communication shifts toward screens, many people are losing the ability to build real connection. This conversation makes clear what is being lost and how to rebuild it with practical, observable behaviors that actually work. Learn more, get the BOOK: The Like Switch: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over by Dr. Jack Schafer Friendship Matters Guest Dr. John R. Schafer is a retired FBI Special Agent who is currently employed as a professor at Western Illinois University. Dr. Schafer served as a behavioral analyst assigned to the FBI's National Security Behavioral Analysis Program. Dr. Schafer earned a Ph.D. in psychology from Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, California. Dr. Schafer owns his own consulting company and lectures and consults in the United States and abroad. He authored a book titled, "The Like Switch: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over." He also co-authored a book titled "Advanced Interviewing Techniques: Proven Strategies for Law Enforcement, Military, and Security Personnel." He has published numerous articles on a wide range of topics including the psychopathology of hate, ethics in law enforcement, detecting deception, and the universal principles of criminal behavior. Dr. Schafer's latest book is "The Truth Detector: An Ex-FBI's Guide to Getting People to Reveal the Truth."       ©Friendship Institute 2026   The Friendship Matters™ podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the guidance provided by medical professionals directly involved in your care. Do not use information shared on the podcast for the diagnosis or treatment of any type of health problem. Because we care about your wellbeing, please raise any health concerns immediately with your personal medical providers.

    46 min
  2. Friendship Isn't Optional, It's Biological

    MAY 11

    Friendship Isn't Optional, It's Biological

    What if friendship isn't just something nice to have, but something your body actually depends on to function well? SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 8 (wrap up episode) This episode brings the entire wellness series full circle by reframing connection as a biological necessity rather than a social luxury. Drawing on physiology, neuroscience, and lived experience, the conversation explores how human systems are wired for connection and how relationships directly influence regulation, health, and resilience. The hosts challenge the idea that connection is optional and instead position it as foundational to how we heal, function, and thrive. In this episode, you'll hear: How connection impacts the body at a biological level, including stress, inflammation, and recovery Why many of our relational reactions are unconscious and rooted in evolutionary survival systems The concept of the body as a "system of systems" that regulates best in relationship, not isolation A practical listener challenge to identify which relationships regulate or dysregulate your nervous system An introduction to "social prescribing" and how connection can be part of modern healthcare Why listen to this episode? This episode shifts the conversation from "friendship is important" to "friendship is essential." It gives you a research-informed lens to understand why connection affects everything from your stress levels to your long-term health, while also offering practical ways to assess and improve the quality of your relationships. If you are leading, caring for others, or simply trying to function at a higher level, this conversation makes a compelling case that your relationships are not peripheral to your success or well-being, they are central to it.   ©Friendship Institute 2026   The Friendship Matters™ podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the guidance provided by medical professionals directly involved in your care. Do not use information shared on the podcast for the diagnosis or treatment of any type of health problem. Because we care about your wellbeing, please raise any health concerns immediately with your personal medical providers.

    24 min
  3. Sanjiv Lakhia, D.O. on The Friendship Cost of Chronic Pain

    MAY 4

    Sanjiv Lakhia, D.O. on The Friendship Cost of Chronic Pain

    What if the friend who keeps canceling, pulling back, or seeming distant is not losing interest, but running out of capacity? SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 7 In this episode of Friendship Matters, we explore a powerful and often overlooked truth. Chronic pain does not just affect the body. It changes how people connect, communicate, withdraw, and heal. Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia joins us to unpack the difference between pain and suffering, and why that distinction matters for friendship. Pain may begin in the body, but suffering often grows through fear, uncertainty, isolation, and the meaning we attach to what is happening. This conversation moves beyond medical treatment into the lived experience of pain. Dr. Lakhia explains how pain can make a person's world smaller, why people often pull back from social connection, and how friends can offer support without trying to fix or control the journey. Key Insights to Consider Why chronic pain can quietly shrink a person's social world How pain consumes emotional and cognitive capacity The difference between physical pain and the suffering created by fear and uncertainty Why withdrawal may reflect limited capacity, not lack of care How loneliness can affect inflammation, immune response, and healing Why friends may be uniquely positioned to offer perspective, levity, and honest support The importance of being a passenger, not the driver, in someone else's pain journey How small practices like breathwork, presence, and daily rituals can support nervous system regulation Why redefining friendship expectations during illness can protect connection This episode offers a more compassionate lens for understanding what happens when pain changes someone's ability to show up. If you have ever been hurt by a friend's distance, or if you have been the one quietly pulling away, this conversation invites a different question. Not "what is wrong with this relationship," but "what might be happening beneath the surface that I cannot see?"   Friendship Matters Guest Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia is a double board-certified physician in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, specializing in non-surgical spine care and chronic pain. With over two decades of clinical experience, he combines conventional interventional treatments with evidence-based integrative approaches to help patients restore function and reduce pain without over-reliance on medications or surgery.   He is also the author of The Healing Pain Pyramid, where he outlines a whole-person framework for addressing pain through movement, nutrition, mindset, and targeted therapies. Known for bridging the gap between traditional medicine and root-cause care, Dr. Lakhia focuses on helping patients take control of their health and reclaim long-term performance and quality of life.

    47 min
  4. Rewiring the Past to Change Your Relationships with Tom DeLano

    APR 27

    Rewiring the Past to Change Your Relationships with Tom DeLano

    What if a problem you think you have already worked through is still quietly shaping your relationships, and you simply do not know it yet?  SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 6 In this episode of Friendship Matters, we explore a powerful and often overlooked truth. The patterns shaping your friendships may not be conscious choices. They may be rooted in how your brain and body have stored past experiences. Through a deeply personal story, Tom DeLano shares how a traumatic event involving his son led him to study how the brain processes and stores memory. What he discovered challenges conventional thinking. The emotional patterns driving our reactions and relationships are not fixed. They can be updated. This conversation moves beyond theory into practical insight. It reframes "chemistry" and introduces a critical distinction between what feels familiar in the nervous system and what is actually safe. Key Insights to Consider Why your brain can replay past experiences as if they are happening in real time How unresolved experiences shape who you are drawn to and how you interpret others The difference between nervous system familiarity and genuine relational safety Why stress and stored experiences can amplify reactions in everyday interactions How memory reconsolidation offers a path to updating emotional patterns Why becoming your own best friend is not just mindset, but physiology How a regulated body creates the conditions for deeper, healthier friendships This episode offers both insight and hope. If you have ever noticed repeating patterns in your relationships or questioned your own reactions, this conversation provides a new lens. When you understand how safety shapes connection, you gain the ability to shift not just how you relate to others, but how you experience yourself.   Friendship Matters Guest Tom DeLano is the Founder of BioAlignment and a facilitator of Memory Reconsolidation. His work focuses on helping individuals update adverse experiences stored in long‑term memory. By facilitating changes at the level of long‑term memory, Tom supports shifts in automatic emotional and physiological responses, allowing people to experience meaningful improvements in both mental and physical health. Explore Tom's work here www.bioalignment.com   ©Friendship Institute 2026   The Friendship Matters™ podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the guidance provided by medical professionals directly involved in your care. Do not use information shared on the podcast for the diagnosis or treatment of any type of health problem. Because we care about your wellbeing, please raise any health concerns immediately with your personal medical providers.

    45 min
  5. Dr. Rubin Naiman Takes Us Beyond Awaking: The Missing Third of Consciousness That Shapes Your Relationships

    APR 13

    Dr. Rubin Naiman Takes Us Beyond Awaking: The Missing Third of Consciousness That Shapes Your Relationships

    We tend to think of sleep as a performance metric. Hours tracked, quality scored, problems diagnosed. But what if that entire framework is flawed? SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 5 In this episode, we explore a radically different perspective. Sleep is not just biological maintenance. It is a core dimension of consciousness that directly shapes how we connect, regulate emotions, and experience others. Dr. Rubin Naiman invites us to move beyond a narrow, wake-focused view of life and consider a deeper truth. We are not just awake beings who occasionally sleep. We are constantly moving through three interconnected states of consciousness. When we ignore sleep and dreaming, we limit not just our health but our capacity for empathy, creativity, and meaningful relationships. This conversation will challenge how you think about rest, connection, and even what it means to be human. Key Insights to Consider If sleep is defined only as "not being awake," what are we missing about its true purpose? Are you sleep deprived, or are you also dream deprived, and what might that be costing you emotionally? What happens to relationships when we live in a constant state of speed, stimulation, and hyperarousal? Could sharing dreams create a deeper level of connection than sharing opinions or experiences? If dreaming expands consciousness, what does it mean for mental health when that expansion is lost? Are we trying to control sleep when the real shift is learning to relate to it with curiosity and kindness? What if the moments we dismiss as grogginess are actually the most integrated states of awareness we experience? This episode reframes sleep from a nightly necessity into a powerful gateway for connection, awareness, and emotional regulation. When we begin to see sleep and dreaming as integral parts of consciousness rather than interruptions to productivity, we unlock a new level of personal and relational insight. The invitation is simple but profound. Slow down, pay attention, and allow yourself to experience the full spectrum of consciousness. It may change how you sleep, and how you show up in every relationship that matters.   Friendship Matters Guest Rubin Naiman, PhD, FAASM, is a psychologist and clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. He specializes in sleep and dreams and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. By merging scientific with psychological and spiritual approaches, Dr. Naiman has become a leader in the development of integrative approaches to sleep health. He is known for integrating science, psychology, and spiritual perspectives to explore sleep not just as a biological function, but as a vital dimension of consciousness. Dr. Naiman has developed sleep programs for leading wellness centers such as Canyon Ranch and Miraval, and currently directs New Moon Sleep, where he provides education and guidance on sleep and dreaming. He is also the author of many influential books, including Healing Night, Healthy Sleep and The Yoga of Sleep. Get Dr. Rubin Naiman's books and learn more about him HERE Healing Night: The Science and Spirit of Sleeping, Dreaming, and Awakening Healthy Sleep (co-authored with Dr. Andrew Weil) Read articles by Dr Naiman       ©Friendship Institute 2026   The Friendship Matters™ podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the guidance provided by medical professionals directly involved in your care. Do not use information shared on the podcast for the diagnosis or treatment of any type of health problem. Because we care about your wellbeing, please raise any health concerns immediately with your personal medical providers.

    51 min
  6. Is It You… or Your Hormones? What The 'pause Is Really Doing to Your Relationships

    APR 6

    Is It You… or Your Hormones? What The 'pause Is Really Doing to Your Relationships

    What if the tension in your relationships is not about communication skills, but about biology?  SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 4 Menopause is often reduced to hot flashes and hormonal changes. But what if it is also quietly reshaping how you think, feel, and connect with others? In this episode, we explore a powerful and often overlooked truth: your capacity for patience, emotional regulation, and connection may be directly influenced by what is happening inside your body. If you have ever wondered why you feel more reactive, less tolerant, or simply not like yourself, this conversation offers both clarity and relief. You will gain a deeper understanding of the science behind these shifts and, more importantly, how to navigate them with greater awareness, intention, and support. This is not just about menopause. It is about reclaiming your relationships, your well being, and your sense of self during one of life's most complex transitions.   Menopause is not just a biological milestone. It is a relational inflection point. When you understand how your body is influencing your emotions and interactions, you can replace self criticism with clarity and compassion. Instead of asking, "What is wrong with me?" you begin to ask, "What is happening in me, and what do I need?" And in that shift, friendship becomes more than connection. It becomes support, regulation, and a pathway to deeper, more intentional relationships in the next chapter of life.   Resources Mentioned in This Episode 📘 The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver A practical, accessible guide to understanding menopause, including symptoms, treatment options, and lifestyle strategies for navigating this transition with clarity and confidence. 🌐 The Pause Life https://thepauselife.com Dr. Mary Claire Haver's platform offering education, tools, and resources to support women through perimenopause and menopause. 🌐 The Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org A research driven, clinical resource for deeper insight into menopause, including evidence based guidelines and medical perspectives. 🧠 Women's Health Initiative Update (2024) Recent research highlighting that hormone therapy, when started within ten years of menopause, is safe for most women and may reduce risks related to cardiovascular health, cognitive decline, and osteoporosis. 📘 Breaking the Age Code A research based exploration of how beliefs about aging impact health outcomes, longevity, and overall well being.   ©Friendship Institute 2026   The Friendship Matters™ podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the guidance provided by medical professionals directly involved in your care. Do not use information shared on the podcast for the diagnosis or treatment of any type of health problem. Because we care about your wellbeing, please raise any health concerns immediately with your personal medical providers.

    25 min
  7. Friendship Starts in the Nervous System, with Chris Magryta, M.D.

    MAR 30

    Friendship Starts in the Nervous System, with Chris Magryta, M.D.

    When you feel safe, everything changes and connection becomes easier! SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 3 Have you considered that friendship does not begin with time on the calendar, it begins in the nervous system. Joined by pediatrician Dr. Chris Magryta, this conversation dives into Polyvagal theory, vagal tone, and the biology of safety to show how connection, conflict, and even so called difficult behavior are deeply shaped by what is happening inside the body. Dr. M helps us understand that many behaviors we judge too quickly, in children, in adults, at work, and in friendship, are often signals of dysregulation rather than character flaws. Together, Donna, Dr. Russ, and Dr. M unpack how the body sends signals of safety or threat, why behavior is often the tip of the iceberg, and how regulation, empathy, and co regulation can transform the way we show up in every relationship. This episode is both thought provoking and practical, offering listeners a new framework for understanding themselves and others with greater compassion. Why listen Learn how Polyvagal theory explains safety, threat, shutdown, and social engagement Understand why friendship capacity is shaped by biology, not just good intentions Discover how dysregulation can affect conflict, connection, and communication Hear how neuroception and the gut brain connection influence behavior in both children and adults Explore the difference between control and co regulation in relationships Reflect on how your own nervous system may be shaping your friendships, parenting, leadership, and work relationships This episode will help you see friendship through an entirely new lens. If you have ever wondered why connection can feel easy in some moments and exhausting in others, this conversation offers both the science and the wisdom to help you better understand what is happening beneath the surface, and what it takes to create relationships where people can truly feel safe, seen, and supported.   Friendship Matters Guest Chris Magryta, M.D., known as Dr. M, is a pediatrician with more than two decades of clinical experience who is recognized for his root cause, prevention focused approach to health. He integrates neuroscience, Polyvagal theory, and whole child care to better understand how biology, environment, and early life experiences shape long term well-being. In addition to his medical practice, he is a writer and host of Dr. M's Women and Children First, where he translates complex science into practical insight for families. His work consistently challenges conventional thinking by looking upstream to uncover what truly drives health, behavior, and human connection.   DON'T MISS… Dr. M's Women and Children First Podcast   ©Friendship Institute 2026   The Friendship Matters™ podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the guidance provided by medical professionals directly involved in your care. Do not use information shared on the podcast for the diagnosis or treatment of any type of health problem. Because we care about your wellbeing, please raise any health concerns immediately with your personal medical providers.

    53 min
  8. You're Not a Bad Friend, You're Stressed

    MAR 23

    You're Not a Bad Friend, You're Stressed

    Have you ever said yes to something and instantly regretted it, or pulled away from a relationship because you felt overwhelmed? SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness.  Episode 2 Join us to explore a powerful and often overlooked truth: many of our relationship struggles are not character flaws, they are physiological responses. Donna and Dr. Russ unpack the role of cortisol and chronic stress, revealing how a dysregulated nervous system quietly shapes how we listen, respond, and show up in our friendships. Understand why stress can push you into people pleasing or withdrawal, and what you can do about it. If you have ever felt like you "should be showing up better" but cannot seem to, this episode offers both clarity and compassion, along with actionable ways to reset your body so you can reconnect more effectively. Why You Should Listen Learn how cortisol and chronic stress directly impact your ability to connect, listen, and build trust Understand why overgiving and withdrawing are protective patterns, not personal failures Discover how your nervous system influences your decisions before you even realize it Gain practical strategies to regulate stress, including sleep, pauses, and simple breathing techniques Explore how "friending yourself first" can transform your relationships at home and at work Walk away with a simple but powerful reframe: many relationship challenges are biological before they are interpersonal This episode will shift how you see yourself and others. Instead of judging your reactions, you will begin to understand them. And from that awareness comes choice. When you learn to regulate your body, you create the conditions to respond with clarity, patience, and intention. Because better friendships are not built through more effort alone, they are built on a more regulated, supported nervous system.   ©Friendship Institute 2026   The Friendship Matters™ podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the guidance provided by medical professionals directly involved in your care. Do not use information shared on the podcast for the diagnosis or treatment of any type of health problem. Because we care about your wellbeing, please raise any health concerns immediately with your personal medical providers.

    27 min
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5
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About

Join your hosts the Coach (Donna Brighton), the Doctor (Russell Greenfield, M.D.) and the CEO (Lisa Grimes) where we explore the science, skills, and stories behind thriving relationships at work and beyond. Brought to you by The Friendship Institute. Our mission is to help people improve / enrich existing friendships and create / build rich new ones.

Information

  • Creator
    Donna Brighton, Russell Greenfield, MD, and Lisa Grimes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025

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