On this episode of Friendless, I sit down with my close friend Natalie Walker—a biblical counselor with a gift for gentle truth-telling—to unpack why adult friendship feels so hard. We get honest about unspoken expectations, the fear of being “too much,” the temptation to stay “low maintenance,” and the insecurity of feeling replaceable—and we make the case that curiosity is love in action: when you truly want to know how a friend is doing (not just checking a box), you ask better questions, listen longer, and build the kind of safety that creates the friendships we want. We talk about why friendships actually get stronger when we name the awkward stuff and follow it with genuine, curious care—and why so many connections fade right at that repair step. If you’ve ever wished for friends you can be real with (and real again after conflict), this episode offers simple skills—initiate, ask better questions, be curious on purpose—to make closeness possible. 

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who gets it.

Learn more at www.thebetterrelationship.com and connect with me on Instagram @the.better.relationship and Pinterest @thebetterrelationshipcompany

Have your own friend story to share? Want to be on the show? Email us at [email protected].

What makes someone a really good friend? And what, exactly, makes someone… not?

In this episode, I sit down with my husband and best friend, James Cox, to ask the question thats central to this podcast: What makes a good friend?

We talk about:

• The difference between fast friends (party pals) vs. slow friends (the kind you can just sit around with on your worst days)
• Why being a good listener might be the most underrated friendship skill (and the rarest) 
• How friendship can thrive (or flop) when quality time becomes an issue
• What makes a bad friend (👀 we went there)
• And more...

This one’s thoughtful, and full of those “oh yes” moments that’ll make you think about your own friendships a little differently.

Come eavesdrop on the kind of late-night conversation we usually save for the couch.

🎧 Tap play to join us.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who gets it.

Learn more at www.thebetterrelationship.com and connect with me on Instagram @the.better.relationship and Pinterest @thebetterrelationshipcompany

Have your own friend story to share? Want to be on the show? Email us at [email protected].

Welcome to the very first episode of Friendless: Love, Friendship & Loneliness in the Modern Age. I’m Stephanie Cox — therapist, writer, and fellow human figuring out relationships — and today, we’re diving into a question so many of us are quietly asking:
Why do we feel so lonely, even when we’re surrounded by people?

In this episode, I break down why friendship feels harder in adulthood, why connection in the digital age isn’t cutting it, and why loneliness has become an actual public health crisis (yes, really — the Surgeon General said so). I also share three small but powerful ways to start feeling more connected, starting today.

Whether you’re single and swiping, in a relationship but feeling disconnected, or missing a friendship that used to feel effortless — this show is for you.

Let’s talk about what it really means to build friendships and love that last — without feeling so alone in the process.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who gets it.

Learn more at www.thebetterrelationship.com and connect with me on Instagram @the.better.relationship and Pinterest @thebetterrelationshipcompany

Have your own friend story to share? Want to be on the show? Email us at [email protected].