Leveled Up Friendships

Have you ever been in a conversation that went from calm to defensive in seconds, and you had no idea why?

Chances are, you used one of five danger words that instantly put people on edge. Most of us say them without even realizing it. But once you know what they are, you’ll start catching them everywhere… and you’ll be able to stop yourself before you make things worse.

In this episode, I break down:

• The 5 most common words that escalate conflict
• Why these words trigger defensiveness
• What to say instead to keep the convo calm and constructive
• How small shifts in word choice can restore, not ruin, relationships

If you want deeper friendships and fewer blowups, this one is a must-listen.

The Beyond Small Talk Cohort is coming. Here’s where to learn what it’s about and join the waitlist!

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!

Starting a hard conversation with a friend can feel impossible. In this video, I’ll show you the best way to start THAT talk so it doesn’t blow up and ruin your friendship. You’ll learn practical steps to ease tension, open the door for honesty, and create trust instead of defensiveness. This is Part 1 of a 2 Part series, so be sure to subscribe and turn on your notifications to get Part 2 next week!

The Beyond Small Talk cohort is coming this fall! Here’s where to learn what it’s about and join the waitlist!

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!

If you're "the fixer" in your relationships, you NEED to watch this episode, because I wish I had learned what I'm about to share with you much earlier in life. Being the “fixer” in your friend group can feel like a badge of honor! People come to you for advice, solutions, and insight. But what if your eagerness to help is actually pushing friends away? In this episode, I share how to shift your approach so you can be a better friend.

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!

Why is it so hard to find real community as an adult?! In this episode, I’m joined by my real-life friend and actual community legend Mackenzie T'eo, founder of Bag + Barre gym, and someone I literally call the “Mayor of Sewickley” (where she lives) to talk about what it really takes to build meaningful friendships and lasting community when you move to a new town, and open a brick and mortar business that is dependent on human connection!

If you're in the Pittsburgh area, check out Mackenzie's gym!

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!

Watching a friend go through a massive struggle is so painful, especially if there is nothing you can do to fix it. BUT, there is still a way you can help. If your friend is currently going THROUGH IT, and you want to support (or don't want to do the wrong thing and make it worse), this video is for you. This past year, I was that struggling friend, and based on my own experience of what worked and helped me, I'm sharing the top 5 steps you can take to truly support a friend through their struggles.

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!

Adult friendships are hard. With all the buzzwords flying around like toxic friendships, cutting people off, and protecting your peace, it’s no wonder so many of us are silently wondering when it's time to end a friendship, how to know if it's actually over, and what to do if you want to keep the friendship alive.

In this episode, I’m breaking down 5 clarity-building questions that will help you figure out whether a friendship is worth rebuilding or releasing. These aren’t surface-level tips; these are the real, vulnerable questions I ask in my own life when I'm unsure where I stand with someone.

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!

Have you ever thought about someone from your past and wondered if you should reach out and reconnect with them… but then stopped yourself because you didn’t want it to feel awkward, forced, or flat-out rejected? Then this episode is for you.

Whether it’s an old friend, someone who meant a lot to you years ago, or a relationship that just faded with time, I’m breaking down exactly how to reach out in a way that’s honest, intentional, and not weird.

Special thank you to this episode's sponsor: The Party Q's App, the FREE app that offers a HUGE variety of thought-provoking and conversation-starting questions to break the ice and get the party going. Party Q's is the ultimate wingman for your social life. Available on the App Store and Google Play. Download Party Qs today - You will love it! Plus, use the web version to play right now!w

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!

I'll be honest, I did NOT hold back in this episode. Let me ask you a question: would you replace your best friend with AI? Mark Zuckerberg thinks you will. In this reaction episode, I'm breaking down the Wall Street Journal article, “Zuckerberg’s Grand Vision: Most of Your Friends Will Be AI.” As a creator on a mission to rebuild human connection, I unpack the unsettling trend of artificial friendships and Meta’s push to make AI therapists, AI agents, and AI "companions" the new normal.

Help me (Zoe) get to know YOU (yes, you, the person behind this screen) with this quick 👉 2-minute form 👈 As a thank you, I’ll email you my "Asking Better Questions" guide with my 15 favorite conversation starters!

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!

It happens to the best of us, but that doesn't make it any less uncomfortable. Forgetting someone's name feels quite embarrassing, and, here's how to fix it. In this episode, we are breaking down 7 different phrases you can choose from, and use when you forget someone's name!

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!

Struggling with social anxiety but still craving real connection? You're not alone—and this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm sharing the exact mindset shifts and practical strategies I used to break the grip of social anxiety and start forming rich, meaningful friendships—without faking it or forcing it. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed walking into a room full of strangers or anxious about starting a conversation, this episode will give you the tools to confidently navigate those moments.

Support the show

Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email [email protected] (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps!

Subscribe to the Leveled Up Friendships YouTube channel!