Why is it so hard to make friends as an adult?

In this episode, I sit down with Santana Vega Yturralde—a coach who helps transform entrepreneurs into professional speakers—to talk about how to actually build meaningful friendships as an adult (and why it's worth the effort).

We explore, why making friends as an adult is hard, common barriers to adult connection (spoiler: you're not the only one who feels awkward), how to ease your way into being a better Friend Maker, and so much more!

We also answer some of your juicy listener questions.

If you're craving connection but don't know where to start, this episode will remind you that it’s never too late (or too awkward) to find your people.

Timestamps:

4:00 – Why is making friends as an adult hard? (And when is it easy?) + the importance of a Third Place

8:10 – Behaviors that lead to deeper connections + why someone out there is waiting to be your best friend

16:20 – The power of complimenting strangers

25:10 – How to use “Match +1” to create safety and connection

29:56 – People want to be your friend — feel the fear and do it anyway

36:15 – What if you’ve been burned before?

47:47 – Do you have a plan for rejection?

52:00 – Why bother making new friends, and how many do we actually need?

56:20 – How to move from acquaintance to real friend

1:03:14 – Can men and women really be friends?

1:05:30 – Follower Q&A:

• Should we seek friends with similar or different views?
• Friendship breakups
• Conflict as a connection tool
• Long-distance friendship tips
• The “men have no friends” crisis
• Can we be friends with exes?
• How social media affects connection

2:03:06 – 3 things you can start doing today to make friends as an adult ("Your next best friend is one weird compliment away.")

Connect with Santana:

Want to master the art of storytelling? Click here to get a freebie from Santana! Connect with him on IG at @titaniumlace.

Connect with me on IG @fitnfreckled!