The Heart of Friendship | How to Make Friends, Female Friendship, Adult Friendship, Friendship Advice

57 | Why Did I Get Ghosted? Understanding Ghosting in Adult Friendships

Have you ever been ghosted by a friend — with no warning, no explanation, just silence? You’re not alone, and you’re likely not exaggerating the pain.
In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I'm diving into one of the most confusing and surprisingly common experiences in adult friendships: ghosting. Whether it’s someone you were just getting to know or a longtime friend who suddenly disappeared, ghosting hurts — and it often leaves us with more questions than answers.
In this episode, I explore:
What ghosting in friendship really means
Why ghosting happens in adult friendships
How emotional avoidance, low investment, or personal overwhelm can play a role
What ghosting might say about them — and what it might reveal about us
How to heal, reflect, and keep showing up as the kind of friend you want to be
This episode offers real talk, encouragement, and friendship tips and advice rooted in love. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What did I do wrong?” or “How do I move forward after being ghosted?” — this one’s for you.
🎧 Tune in now, and be sure to leave a review when you're done.
👇 Join the conversation!Share your own ghosting story in the Women, Friendship, and Community Facebook group — because your experience might help another woman feel a little less alone.

56 | How to Make Friends When You're New in Town: Real Tips for Building Connection and Finding Your People

Moving to a new city or town as an adult can feel exciting — and also incredibly lonely. In this episode of The Friendship Tour, we’re sharing real-world tips for how to make friends and build connection when you’re new in town. Whether you've relocated for a new job, a new relationship, the end of a relationship, your grandkids, or just a bit of adventure, this episode covers the strategies, mindset shifts, and small steps that can lead to genuine, lasting friendships in your new community.We’ll talk about:
- How to understand your current needs and what kind of friendships you're truly looking for
- Why trying new places matters when you’re looking to meet people
- Why other newcomers can be some of the easiest people to connect with
- The importance of making at least one local friend
- How to respectfully adapt to local culture and avoid social missteps
- The power of focusing on similarities rather than differences
- Why some locals might not be looking for new friends
- Encouragement to keep going, even when connection takes time
This is your go-to guide for making adult friendships in a new place from someone who's been there more than once or twice.
🎧 Listen now if you’ve ever wondered:  “How do I meet new people in a new city?”  “How can I make friends after moving?”  “Who can I hang out with?”  “Where do I even begin to build a social circle as an adult?”Want more episodes about making new friends? See the list below.
47 | 4 Ideas to Help Introverts Make Friends
34 | 5 Tips for Making New Friends
30 | How to Start and Nurture a New Friendship - featuring Jenai Eustache
Want to stay connected or share your thoughts about the episode? Join the Women, Friendship, and Community Facebook group.*BE A GOOD FRIEND!*

55 | Motherhood, Identity, and the Gift of Mom Friends - featuring Yaritza Pluguez

Motherhood is beautiful, exhausting, and—let’s be honest—a little lonely sometimes. That’s why mom friends matter so much. In this special Mother’s Day episode of The Friendship Tour, I'm diving into the unique bond between moms who truly understand what it means to juggle parenting, identity, and friendship. From diaper changes and picky eaters to deep conversations and encouragement, mom friends are the lifelines we didn’t know we needed—and the ones who help us remember who we are beyond “Mom.”
In this episode, I'm joined by guest Yaritza Pluguez for a meaningful conversation about what defines a mom friend, why these connections are so important, and how friendship helps us protect our identity in the chaos of motherhood. Whether you’re in the early baby stages or figuring out what it means to parent adults, this episode is for you.
Topics in this episode include:
What exactly is a “mom friend”?
How motherhood changes our friendships—and our sense of self
Navigating loneliness and finding new connections
The importance of staying connected to who you are, not just what you do
Want more episodes about amazing moms? Check out:
10 | The Baddest Chick on the Block - A Mother's Day Tribute
28 | Thankfulness Isn't Just for Thanksgiving - It's a Huge Part of Healthy Relationships - featuring Alberta Minters
💬 Join the Friendship Tour community at Women, Friendship, and Community—a space where real conversations and meaningful connections happen every day.
🎧 Be sure to check out Yaritza’s podcast, The Happy SAHM, for more encouragement and wisdom on your motherhood journey.
You can also connect with Yaritza on Instagram @the.happy.SAHM.podcast.
✨ If this episode spoke to you, share it with a mom friend who needs a little encouragement today.
👋 And finally—Don’t forget to subscribe to The Friendship Tour so you never miss an episode—and if you’re feeling extra generous, leave a rating or review to help other moms find the show. Your support means the world! 💛
 
*BE A GOOD FRIEND!*

54 | Why Being Left Out Might be a Blessing in Disguise: Friendship, Rejection, and Divine Protection - featuring Wendy Alleyne

Have you ever felt that sting of not being invited? Was there a text you didn’t get, a party you weren’t invited to, a group chat you didn’t even know existed? If your heart has ever whispered, “Why not me?” — this episode of The Friendship Tour is for you.
In this episode, we’re talking about being left out — and how sometimes, it’s not rejection… but redirection. What if the closed doors, missed invites, and friendships that drifted away were actually forms of divine protection?
Whether you’ve been excluded from a girls’ trip, feel like the outsider in your friend group, or are just in a season of disconnection, this episode will help you:
Understand the difference between true exclusion and misalignment
Find peace in knowing that what is meant for you will not pass you by
🎧 Listen now if you’ve ever searched for:
“Why was I left out?”
“What to do when I’m not invited?”
“How to handle friendship rejection”
“What does divine protection look like in relationships?”
Because not every invitation is a blessing — and sometimes, being left out is exactly what you needed.

53 | You Don't Just Need Friends - You Need Community (Here's Why)

This week on The Friendship Tour, Cecelia Curtis shares why community matters more than we sometimes realize—and how a simple Friday night at the football field reminded her of that truth.
We’re talking about the difference between friendship and community, and the three big reasons why having a village around you makes life a little easier, a little lighter, and a whole lot more joyful.
If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, emotionally drained, or just wished someone else could pick up your kids or drop off dinner—you’re not alone. This episode is your gentle reminder that you don’t have to do it all by yourself.
Because the truth is: you need community. And it needs you, too.
After the episode, join the growing online community women like you - women who are passionate about friendship and community. Join us in the Women, Friendship, and Community Facebook group.Want more episodes like this one? Listen to the episodes below! Or, find another that speaks to you.
BONUS - Virtual Book Club Invitation46 | What Are Deep Friendships, and How Are They Formed? - featuring Lisa Jones Clinton41 | What is Community? It Might Be More Than You Think6 | Childhood Neighbors Make the Best Friends! - featuring Nadeen Gayle*BE A GOOD FRIEND!*

BONUS - Virtual Book Club Invitation

Hi Friends!
Let's read a book together! Why? So we can connect with other amazing women. And, because I personally want to read more and scroll less. I'm just being honest.
If you want to join me for a virtual book club, please send a message to ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com. Don't wait too long, though! I want to make sure the groups are small enough for women to engage with one another, so we only have room for a small group of women.
Registration will remain open until Wednesday, April 16th or until all spots have been filled, whichever comes first.
A few more details...
1. We're reading Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty.
2. The group will meet once or twice between now and the end of May.
3. I'll ask all ladies to keep their cameras on for the Book Club since we want to get to know one another.
 
I look forward to reading with you soon!
 

52 | Making New Friends as an Adult: Why It Feels Exhausting—And Why It’s Worth It - featuring Kina Thornton Frazier

Women often say they want more friends or deeper friendships—but what we don’t always talk about is how overwhelming it can be to actually make new friends as an adult. From awkward small talk to decoding texting etiquette, building new connections can feel like dating all over again.
In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I’m joined by my lifelong friend Kina Thornton-Frazier to talk about the emotional highs and lows of forming new friendships in adulthood. We dive into questions like:💬 How do you know if the interest is mutual?📲 When and how should you follow up after meeting someone new?⏰ How much communication is too much—or too little?🤯 Why does initiating friendship sometimes feel so exhausting?
Whether you're introverted, in a new city, or simply out of practice, this episode will help you feel seen, validated, and empowered to build meaningful relationships—without burning out.
🎧 Listen now if you’ve ever searched:
“Why is making friends so hard as an adult?”
“How to build new friendships without feeling awkward”
“What’s normal when forming a new connection?”
“How to meet and keep female friends”
Friendship may take effort, but it’s so worth it.
💖 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend. Then explore more episodes about growing and maintaining lifelong friendships!
 
1 | What is a True Friend? - featuring Lauren Gray
3 | Do You Want Lifelong Friends? Learn to Forgive and Ask for Forgiveness - featuring Dr. L’Tanya Morrow-Cain
6 | Childhood Neighbors Make the Best Friends - featuring Nadeen Gayle
7 | We Were on a Break! How Two Friends Grew Apart, Then Back Together (part 1) - featuring Wendy Alleyne
8 | We were on a Break! How Two Friends Grew Apart, Then Back Together (part 2) - featuring Wendy Alleyne

51 | Is Emotional Baggage Sabotaging Your Female Friendships?

You want meaningful friendships. You need connection. But something keeps getting in the way.Maybe it's the ghost of friendships past. Perhaps it's a breakup, a betrayal, or a childhood full of unhealthy relationship dynamics. If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking a new connection, replaying old stories in your head, or second-guessing your worth in someone else’s life — this episode of The Friendship Tour is for you.In this episode, Cecelia explores how emotional baggage from the past can affect your ability to form and sustain healthy adult friendships. You’ll learn:
How past hurt impacts new relationships
The subtle signs your friendship baggage might be showing up
Why self-awareness is key to breaking unhealthy patterns
Tips for moving forward and building stronger, more secure friendships
Whether you're recovering from toxic friendships, rebuilding after emotional wounds, or trying to figure out how to let people in without fear, this episode will speak to your heart.
🎧 Listen now if you’ve ever searched for:“Why can’t I make new friends?”“Friendship anxiety”“Letting go of toxic friendship patterns”“Healing before new relationships”
✨ If you feel like baggage really, truly is a problem for you, and you need help dealing with it, please contact a qualified therapist or counselor in your area.
If you want to connect with an amazing group of women on a regular basis, join the Women, Friendship, and Community Facebook group.
 
Want to hear more episodes like this one? Check out the list below.
44 | Does Your Friend Need Mental Health Support? Here are 6 Ways You Can Help - featuring Dr. Kandece Skinner
 
32 | Feeling Left Out? You're Not Alone - featuring Lauren Gray
 
29 | Boundaries - What They Are, Why We Need Them, and How We Establish Them - featuring Ashley Cook

50 | Iron Sharpens Iron - How Strong Friendships Help Shape Our Success - featuring Michelle Dallas

Can your friends actually help you become more successful in life? The answer is a resounding yes — especially when those friendships are rooted in mutual growth, encouragement, and accountability.
In this inspiring episode of The Friendship Tour, I’m joined by my friend Michelle Dallas for a conversation on the principle of “iron sharpens iron.” We explore how the people closest to us can push us forward, help refine our goals, and hold us accountable — all while celebrating what makes each of us unique.
Together, we discuss:
💬 How friendships can motivate us to grow and evolve
⚡ The importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and inspire you
👯‍♀️ Why being in community with high-character, high-purpose friends can elevate your life
🌟 Ways to be that “iron-sharpening” friend to someone else
If you’ve ever wondered whether your friendships are helping you move forward or holding you back, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now to discover how strong, supportive friendships can be one of the most powerful tools in your journey toward success and self-development.
After the episode, let’s keep the conversation going in the Women, Friendship, and Community Facebook group. I’d love to hear about a friend who encourages YOU to succeed in life.
 
Want to hear more from Michelle and other amazing women? Check out the episodes below.
 
31 | What Do You Do When a Friend Moves Away (other than cry, of course)? - featuring Michelle Dallas
 
43 | STOP KEEPING SCORE! Aim for Tranformational, Not Transactional Friendships - featuring Stewanna Dasari
 
37 | GIRL! You Trippin’! How a Friend’s Honesty Helped My Marriage - featuring Alicia MatthewsFinal thoughts...
1. If you love The Friendship Tour, please leave a review and share with a friend.
2. *BE A GOOD FRIEND!*

49 | 5 Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore When Making New Friends

Have you ever met someone who seemed nice, engaged with her a few times, then something happened that made you think, “NOPE! This friendship isn’t for me.” Perhaps that happened to you. You met, hung out, then nada - you never heard from her again. What happened???
 
We all have our relationship warning signs or red flags - the things that make us think the relationship just won’t work out. And other people have them, too. And, that’s okay! Those little warning signs are how we protect ourselves from relationships that just aren’t right for us - for whatever reason.
 
When you see the warning signs, what do you do? Do you try to power through and build a friendship anyway (not advised) or do you move on to someone who might be a better fit for you?
 
Everyone is different, and everyone has their own relationship warning signs. In this episode, I share five of the warning signs I just can’t ignore when making new friends. You may have a different list, but it IS important to give some thought to which behaviors and habits you will and will not tolerate in a relationship. Then, if you’re serious about making and keeping friends, consider if there’s anything YOU’RE doing that might be a turnoff to others.
 
Next Steps:
Listen to the episode.
If you like the episode, share it with a friend or on social media.
Leave a comment about the episode in the Women, Community, and Facebook group. Talking about friendship is a lot more fun when I get to hear YOUR thoughts, too.
 
Do you like this episode? Here are two more you might enjoy.
 
29 | Boundaries - What They Are, Why We Need Them, and How We Establish Them - featuring Ashley Cook
 
18 | CHEMISTRY! When it Comes to Relationships, You Either Have it or You Don’t - featuring Dr. Bryan Curtis