Why making friends in your 30s feels impossible (and how you can make it happen anyway)

Why making friends in your 30s feels impossible (and how you can make it happen anyway)

From Friend Forward by Danielle Bayard Jackson -- Female Friendship Expert

March 26, 2026 · 31 min · Season 7 · Episode 6

About this episode

Danielle Bayard Jackson discusses the unique challenges women face in making friends during their 30s and offers practical strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Why does friend-making feel especially challenging in our 30s? In this episode, host and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson explores the unique challenges women face when making new friends in their 30s, offering practical strategies tailored to busy, depleted women. Drawing on recent research and personal insights, she shares: 4 unique challenges of this particular decade friend-making strategies from other listeners 3 evidence-based ways to attract new friends (when you're short on time and energy) JOIN OFFICE HOURS AND GET *MORE* Members of our private $9 Office Hours community will receive bonus material, including a "gathering kit" to help you host a lowkey gathering for new friends you're meeting in your 30s. NEW: On Thursday, March 26, members can join our fireside chat with former NYT "friendship correspondent" Anna Goldfarb, author of the book Modern Friendship . Talk at 1:00pm EST. Learn 4 strategies for maintaining friendships as a tired woman. Join now (with a free trial!) to attend. Join NOW for a 14 FREE TRIAL!!!!! https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast GET DANIELLE'S BOOK Grab your copy of Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of…

People in this episode

Host: Danielle Bayard Jackson

Guest: Anna Goldfarb

Topics covered

  • friendship in 30s
  • challenges of making friends
  • strategies for friendship
  • women's relationships
  • evidence-based friendship tips

Keywords

  • making friends
  • friendship challenges
  • women in their 30s
  • friendship strategies
  • evidence-based tips

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York Times, Better Female Friendships

Books & works: Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships

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