Why do some friendships feel harder than they used to? In this episode of Crimes of the Heart, Rory sits down with women’s friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson to unpack the modern state of female friendships — from venting culture and emotional burnout to the pressure to “protect your peace.”

Social media tells us to set boundaries, avoid negativity, and cut off toxic people. But are we accidentally isolating ourselves in the process? Danielle explains the science behind why friendships matter for our health, why many women feel overwhelmed by emotional labor in relationships, and how to build stronger connections without burning out.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why friendships are one of the biggest predictors of health and longevity
• The difference between venting, oversharing, and “trauma dumping”
• Why adult friendships feel harder than they used to
• How to know which friends you can go deep with
• What to do when friendships feel one-sided
• The surprising reason only 50% of friendships are truly reciprocal

If you’ve ever wondered why maintaining friendships feels complicated — or why loneliness seems more common than ever — this episode will change how you think about connection. For more from Danielle follow her HERE or HERE.

For everyone interested in my audiobook you can check it out here on Amazon or here on Spotify.

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For video clips from this episode or to follow Rory on IG: @icouldbeblonder or TIKTOK: @roryuphold

Read Rory's Book HERE. Or, listen to it on Audible or Spotify

Follow Rory's substack here: https://theladiesroom.substack.com/

Opening Jingle credit: Harry Foster

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Talia Koren is a relationship expert, coach, and the host of "Dating Intentionally". She famously went on 64 first dates in ten months and we talk about all of the things she learned in the process PLUS the greatest trends and mistakes she's seeing with her listeners and clients. (And how to course correct and avoid those mistakes!) This is a fun and wildly empowering conversation for anyone feeling like they're in a rut with their dating life. For more Talia, check out her website: https://taliakoren.com/ or follow her on Instagram.

For everyone interested in my audiobook you can check it out here on Amazon or here on Spotify.

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Read Rory's Book HERE. Or, listen to it on Audible or Spotify

For video clips from this episode or to follow Rory on IG: @icouldbeblonder or TIKTOK: @roryuphold

Follow Rory's substack here: https://theladiesroom.substack.com/

Opening Jingle credit: Harry Foster

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In honor of Valentine's Day & my audiobook dropping this week, I wanted to talk about confronting the fear of being single, how to deal with scarcity mindset and to stop settling. In this episode I will read a chapter from my book called "Monsters" (because it summerizes EVERYTHING I want to say on the topic) plus a little freestyle riff on ways you can bring love into your life right now & how to recomitt to your standards. For everyone interested in my audiobook you can check it out here on Amazon or here on Spotify. If you're interested in the substack article where I talk about fun Galentine's Day and Valentine's Day gifts this is it.

Wishing you love -- in all of it's forms -- this February 14th. xo, Ror

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Read Rory's Book HERE or Listen to the Audiobook on Audible or Spotify

Follow Rory's substack here: https://theladiesroom.substack.com/

For video clips from this episode or to follow Rory on IG: @icouldbeblonder or TIKTOK: @roryuphold

Opening Jingle credit: Harry Foster

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For anyone feeling stuck in their circumstances, this episode might be the jolt you need. Meet Rachel Liverman — founder and CEO of Glowbar, divorcée in her forties, and a total breath of fresh air. We talk skincare, confidence, reinvention, and why a scarcity mindset is cancer to your love life.

If you loved our girl chat and you’re craving more from Rachel, you can follow her HERE or find a Glowbar near you HERE.

I’m going OFF THE RECORD with Rachel on my Substack (Sundays). For all of her best wellness and beauty tips & tricks follow HERE.

Get Rory's book / audiobook here!

Follow Rory's substack here: https://theladiesroom.substack.com/

For video clips from this episode or to follow Rory on IG: @icouldbeblonder or TIKTOK: @roryuphold

Opening Jingle credit: Harry Foster

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What actually changes when you heal?

The way you date. The way you choose. The way you feel in your own life. In this episode, Rory sits down with bestselling author Tara Schuster to talk about what quietly shifted when she stopped trying to be chosen — and started building real emotional stability.

They unpack the inner changes that made dating feel easier instead of heavier, including:

• why compatibility matters more than chemistry or checklists
• how journaling builds self-trust and emotional regulation
• what healthy relationships actually feel like in the body
• and why scarcity thinking keeps people stuck in the same patterns.
• 
  

This conversation moves beyond dating tactics into the emotional skills modern women were never taught: from re-parenting yourself, to letting go of timeline panic, to choosing from self-respect instead of fear. If you’re tired of repeating patterns, overthinking connections, or feeling behind in love or life, this episode will meet you where you are. Don't forget to check out Tara's Books or her latest Journal and if you want to sign up for her free journaling course click here: https://journal.taraschuster.com/

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Get Rory's book / audiobook here!

Follow Rory's substack here: https://theladiesroom.substack.com/

For video clips from this episode or to follow Rory on IG: @icouldbeblonder or TIKTOK: @roryuphold

Opening Jingle credit: Harry Foster

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"A Final Girl's Guide To The Horrors Of Dating" has been called both "hilarious" and a "must read for anyone dating". Get your copy at Amazon or from me directly. The audiobook comes out Feb 9th, 2026 but it's available for pre-order NOW!!

Y'all, it's been a WILD year. And I feel like I've got a lot to say. For my last episode of the 2025 I decided to freestyle it. I was on Good Day DC talking about the three dating trends to let go of in 2025 and the three dating habits we need to lean into in 2026 and I thought, ya know what, I'm gonna do a solo episode on this because it's actually important and worth sharing. So, strap in because today is you n me babe, raw and unfiltered, voice memo style.

Thanks for being here and here's to a softer, brighter and more joyful 2026. xx, Rory

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Follow my substack here: https://theladiesroom.substack.com/

For video clips from this episode or to follow Rory on IG: @icouldbeblonder or TIKTOK: @roryuphold

To send a story or leave a voice message for Rory click here: https://www.crimesoftheheartpod.com/

Got a Question? Wanna submit a topic? We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at rory@crimesoftheheartpod.com or DM on Instagram & TikTok

Opening Jingle credit: Harry Foster

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before you do anything Please grab a copy of my book. It's been called both "hilarious" and a "must read for anyone dating". Get your copy at Amazon or from me directly. The audiobook (2/2026) is available for pre-orders NOW!!

Today's episode features the insanely talented and very viral comedian and singer Sarah Hester Ross. We end up having the kind of conversation I could have never prepared for and I am so grateful that we did. We cover alllllllll of the taboo topics. From leaving the church she was deeply a part of to leaving her marriage of seven years, Sarah has a masters degress in growing and changing and rebuilding life according to her own compass. It's a not-to-miss episode. Don't miss seeing Sarah live: https://www.sarahhesterross.com/ and follow her on IG to keep up with her lastest songs.

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Follow my substack here: https://theladiesroom.substack.com/

For video clips from this episode or to follow Rory on IG: @icouldbeblonder or TIKTOK: @roryuphold

To send a story or leave a voice message for Rory click here: https://www.crimesoftheheartpod.com/

Got a Question? Wanna submit a topic? We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at rory@crimesoftheheartpod.com or DM on Instagram & TikTok

Opening Jingle credit: Harry Foster

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before you do anything Please grab a copy of my book. It's been called both "hilarious" and a "must read for anyone dating". Get your copy at Amazon or from me directly. The audiobook (2/2026) is available for pre-orders NOW!!

Today's episode features a veteran podcaster in the love/dating/sex space. He's polly and freaky and he hosts the Naked Comedy show (which is coming to LA in January). I'm talking about Billy Procida. Today we cover everthing from his frist gang bang to the fear of being unlovable and what he's learned from hosting well over 500 episodes of a dating podcast that started with him interviewing all of his exs. If you want more of Billy you can listen to his show HERE or you can get tickets to the Naked Comedy show in LA in January HERE.

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Follow my substack here: https://theladiesroom.substack.com/

For video clips from this episode or to follow Rory on IG: @icouldbeblonder or TIKTOK: @roryuphold

To send a story or leave a voice message for Rory click here: https://www.crimesoftheheartpod.com/

Got a Question? Wanna submit a topic? We would LOVE to hear from you! Email us at rory@crimesoftheheartpod.com or DM on Instagram & TikTok

Opening Jingle credit: Harry Foster

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.