Why is it hard to ask our friends for help? What are the benefits of becoming "help-seeking" women in our friendships? And once we do get the nerve to ask for support, how can we do it in a way that actually motivates people to show up for us?

This is a pretty research-heavy episode, and it's going to finally allow you to exhale. Truly.

Because host Danielle Bayard Jackson answering these questions and more on this episode of the Friend Forward podcast.

Want more?

This is an excerpt of our most recent episode. To enjoy the full episode, we encourage you to become a member of "Office Hours", our private Patreon community. You can join us any time at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.

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Event

TAMPA: Join us for "Book Swap with Heart" on July 27 at Hotel Haya in historic Ybor City from 2pm-4pm. Get your tickets here.

Want to book Danielle to share her research-based insights on women's relational health at your upcoming event? Connect with her team at samantha@tellpublicrelations.com.

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Stay connected

• Connect with us on Instagram @friendforward
• Connect with Danielle on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson
• Learn more about relational health expert Danielle Bayard Jackson at daniellebayardjackson.com

In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, resident friendship coach and women's relational health expert Danielle Bayard Jackson delves into five of the most common contradictions women face in their relational goals.

Together we'll explore contradictions like the desire for siloed friendships versus wanting a friend group; and the temptation to hide your needs while always wanting to be deeply known.

Through these discussions, Danielle offers insights and strategies for reconciling these conflicting desires to foster healthier relationships.

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Want to enjoy the full episode?

Become an "Office Hours" member today by registering on betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.

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Need a relational health coach to help you with a current issue? One-on-one sessions for the summer are available for the next 4 weeks. Book a session before August 11 and receive an additional 30-minute follow-up session complimentary.

Visit betterfemalefriendships.com to book today.

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Want to book Danielle for your (virtual or in-person) Fall 2025 event? Inquire today by contacting us at samantha@tellpublicrelations.com

If you had one week where you couldn't experience guilt, how would that change your friendships? Would you end relationships? Would you set boundaries? Would you ask for help? Would you pull away from your family to spend more time with friends without feeling bad about it?

These questions were sparked by the book I'm reading, "The Guilt Pill" by Saumya Dave. In it, the main character, Maya, takes a new pill that numbs the part of her brain that feels guilt and... well, it's quite a ride.

So I read four studies about women's guilt and in this episode I'll unpack what I discovered. Then we'll look at ways that our perpetual "interpersonal guilt" shapes the decisions we make in our friendships... and the surprising dangers and benefits that come of it.

Here are the 4 studies we review in the episode:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9373443/

https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/80-women-recognize-value-self-nurture-yet-few-care-selves-they-care-others

https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjso.12575

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/spanish-journal-of-psychology/article/abs/intensity-of-habitual-guilt-in-men-and-women-differences-in-interpersonal-sensitivity-and-the-tendency-towards-anxiousaggressive-guilt/8646A546F01B6ABF51C9C6F1EF0620A1

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Want to hear the extended episode?

Become a member of "Office Hours" for full episodes, BONUS episodes, resources, book clubs, and more. See you at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast