We're sharing 5 signs that you may not be ready for authentic community.... yet. After we share these signs, you'll hear an excerpt from our interview with Cat Lantigua, author of the book Build It And They Will Come: A Guide To Architecting Intentional Community.

We end the episode with host Danielle Bayard Jackson sharing three ways she dropped the ball with community-building this year (and how she's attempting to recover).

Remember, the FULL EPISODE is available EXCLUSIVELY at "Office Hours" (our Patreon channel). Join now.

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Our "For the Girls" challenge starts MONDAY, February 3! Free for Patreon members. Join now.

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We're FIVE WEEKS away from the Women's Connection Summit. Grab your ticket NOW before the price goes up.

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This episode is sponsored by the Women's Relational Health Institute, an organization for women leaders who want to build authentic connections for among their female-dominated teams.

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Invite Danielle to speak for your Women's History Month program, summer event, or upcoming staff development. Inquire at daniellebayardjackson.com

*Announcement Edition*

We've got a few things happening behind the scenes that you should know about:

1. Our "For the Girls" challenge kicks off on Monday, February 3 If you're serious about improving the strength and health of your platonic connections with other women, this challenge is for you. Free for members of the "Dean's List" tier of our "Office Hours" community. Join now at Patreon.com/friendforward
2. Galentine's Day is coming up, and it's the perfect time to round up some of your girls and go through Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships together. To encourage you to make it happen, we're giving you a free Facilitator's Guide. Download your copy at betterfemalefriendships.com now for a limited time.
3. The Women's Connection Summit is happening in a few WEEKS. Join us in sunny Tampa, Fl for a weekend filled with informative panels, speed-friending, food and drinks, and an opportunity to learn about the science of connection WHILE making new connections in real time. Grab your ticket at womensconnectionsummit.com.
4. If you need a speaker, panelist, or workshop facilitator to explore the science of women's connection and conflict at your Women's History Month event, Danielle Bayard Jackson some availability... so book ASAP. Email Sam at info@tellpublicrelations.com with details and we'll get back to your shortly.

Research shows that cynicism is on the rise. What does that mean for your ability to create and maintain deep friendships? In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, we review some key points from the book "Hope for Cynics" by Jamil Zaki and think through the relational consequences of this trend.

Remember, the full episode is available exclusively in "Office Hours", our Patreon network.

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*Attend our annual Women's Connection Summit on 3/7-8/2025

**Serious about making new friends in the new year? Register for our "Forming Friendships Accelerator!"

***Follow Danielle on Instagram