Table Pancakes

In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi create space for an honest conversation about friendship breakups, the difficulty of letting go of long-standing friendships, and how to navigate the emotional complexity of it all.

• Platonic relationships can be just as intense and emotionally complex as romantic ones
• Two things can be true: friendship breakups can be devastating, but they can also be freeing when a relationship no longer serves you
• Sometimes friendships end with an unspoken silent line drawn in the sand, especially when personal capacity shifts and support feels one-sided
• The debate between “the chop” (directly cutting someone out of your life) versus recognizing when a friendship has naturally ended

• Balancing care for someone and shared history with maintaining self-respect and boundaries
• Friendships are some of the longest-standing relationships we have, but knowing when change is necessary is key
• Not everyone deserves unconditional grace and consideration, and recognizing this can be an act of self-preservation

• How do you determine the next step when a friendship feels off but remains unresolved?
• Standstills can be deeply quiet, with a lack of communication, differing narratives, or unspoken resentment
• Some people may avoid accountability when they hold more power to societal norms, making it easier for them to disengage rather than repair
• Navigating the balance between addressing an issue and letting it go, especially when it allows people continued access to your life via social media without genuine engagement

Have you ever gone through a friendship breakup or a standstill? What tools and language did you have (or lack) to navigate it, and how did it impact you and your friend?

• Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod
• Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

Please email us at [email protected]. We would appreciate your rating, reviewing, and subscribing to the show!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi explore the role of neighborhoods in building community, the dynamics of neighborly relationships, and the ongoing debate between city living and the suburbs.

• What makes a neighborhood feel like home, and how it shapes daily life
• Favorite neighborhood restaurants and cafes that bring a sense of community
• How we engage with and contribute to the places we call home

• The comfort of having someone looking out for you, especially as two single women
• The quirky, unpredictable interactions that come with living close to others
• Whether simply living near someone is enough to form a meaningful friendship

• The pros and cons of city life versus the suburbs
• The commitment to a car-free commute and what it means for quality of life
• Seeking out diverse communities and escaping the monoculture of suburban life

Are you making friends in your neighborhood, inviting existing friends into your neighborhood, or befriending your neighbors?

• Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod
• Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

Please email us at [email protected]. We’d love it if you rated, reviewed, and subscribed to the show!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi explore how friendships evolve, how closeness and distance impact relationships, and how to navigate these changes with intention.

• Close friends often become chosen family and may even form bonds with your given family
• Friendships can serve as accountability partnerships, providing honest feedback and support in reaching personal and professional goals
• With less free time, staying connected requires creativity—whether through long voice notes, “mini podcasts,” or body doubling for mutual support

• Life changes can create distance between friends, and it is natural to both offer grace and feel disappointment when dynamics shift
• Not everyone seeks deep, intimate connection in friendships, so it is essential to find people who align with your relational needs
• There is value in discussing the future with friends and how to stay connected as life and communities change

• Distance does not have to be negative—it can mean recognizing mismatched expectations and choosing relationships that align with your authentic self
• Everyone plays a role in navigating friendship distance and deciding whether to reach out, adjust expectations, or let things naturally evolve

Email us: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod

Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

If you enjoyed this episode, we would love it if you rated, reviewed, and subscribed to the show. Your support helps us continue these conversations!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi discuss the importance of promoting your work, supporting others in their creative journeys, and recognizing that everyone is creative—whether they claim the title or not.

The Necessity of Sharing Your Work

• Why sharing is part of the creative process—helping you connect, expand your reach, and refine your craft.
• Showing your most authentic self through your work, whether it’s a polished final product or behind-the-scenes glimpses.
• Acknowledging that many creatives are multi-hyphenates, some 9-to-5 jobs are great incubators for side projects.

Embracing Marketing (Even When It Feels Hard)

• Developing the skill of sharing—even when it feels counterintuitive to reveal the process.
• Social media can be intimidating (hi, Instagram’s mixed audience), but it’s also a space where people want to cheer you on.
• Not every creative is a marketer, and not every marketer is a creative (inspired by Rebecca Jennings’ Vox article, Everyone’s a Sellout Now).

Being a Fan of Your Work

• Why loving your work matters, inspired by Tyler, The Creator’s Converse interview (starting at 43:19).
• Your level of self-promotion should match the time, energy, and passion you put into creating.
• A healthy dose of shamelessness helps you push forward even when the stars don’t fully align.

Let’s All Be Hype Friends

• Supporting creative friends can look like this:
• Unconditional likes & engagement
• Constructive feedback with context
• Emotional support that fuels the work
• Keeping a circle of fellow creatives provides community, fresh perspectives, and inspiration.
• Having an elevator pitch for your work makes it easier for friends to champion you when you're not in the room.
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Join the Conversation!

Email us: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod

Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

If you love Table Pancakes, rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! Your support helps us grow.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi reflect on solo time—why they embrace it, how they navigate it, and where it fits in today’s individualistic, digitally connected (yet increasingly lonely) society.

Understanding What We Want & Need from Alone Time

• Human Design helps determine when and how we need solitude—whether for rest, reflection, or inspiration.
• Communicating your need for solo time so others know when you’re recharging is essential.

Finding Comfort in Being With Yourself

• Using solo time to pursue personal goals, cultivate contentment, and deepen self-awareness.
• “If you are lonely when you’re alone, you are in bad company.” – Jean-Paul Sartre
• The delicious nature of solitude and the idea that “you are with you” (inspired by Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem "Aloneness" from her 1974 University of Iowa reading).

The Cost of Convenience Over Connection

• Why social media voyeurism isn’t a real connection—but engaging with someone’s content can be a low-effort way to spark conversation.
• Extending invitations to connect is essential, even when solo time feels comfortable.

Seeking Community in an Increasingly Pay-to-Play Society

• How can we recognize loneliness in others and help introduce them to like-minded people?
• Instagram is the modern-day calling card—publicly displaying activity while increasing FOMO (inspired by Derek Thompson’s article Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out in The Atlantic).
• The decline of free/low-cost communal spaces vs. the rise of exclusive membership-based communities leaves society in a “messy middle” of unpacking individualism, capitalism, and the soft skills needed to build authentic relationships.

Join the Conversation!

Email us: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod

Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

If you love Table Pancakes, rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! Your support helps us grow.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi tackle the age-old debate: Should we leave the house? And if so… where to? From membership clubs to finding Cheers-like community spots, we explore how our social habits have evolved and what creating meaningful connections in today’s world means.

Finding Comfort (or Inconvenience) in Third Places

• The rise of membership clubs as built-in communities—but at a cost (inspired by The Stanza Podcast episode Exclusivity Sells featuring Annabel Schwartz).
• The pandemic, economic shifts, and changing priorities have redefined where (and how) we spend our time, money, and energy.
• The role of social media in shaping restaurant culture—creating both friction and rare, exceptional dining experiences.

Overcoming Strange Places and Unfamiliar Faces

• The search for “Cheers” spots that feel like home, with a low barrier to entry for meeting people.
• Finding common ground (hobbies, interests, goals) when navigating new spaces and social circles.

Balancing Fringe Friends and Solo Time

• Juggling the need for alone time with maintaining casual friendships (inspired by Business Insider’s America Is Facing a ‘Fringe Friend’ Crisis by Juliana Kaplan).
• Adapting to a world where more people live far from family, making friendships and chosen communities more critical than ever.

Join the Conversation!

Email us: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod

Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

If you love Table Pancakes, rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! Your support helps us grow.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi dive into how love shows up in our lives—through friendships, self-love, and (occasionally) dating. From navigating friendships in our 30s to embracing life’s different paths, we explore how connection evolves as we grow.

Friendships as We Get Older – Why deepening connections and communicating openly matter more than ever. We discuss grief, accountability, and understanding our place in each other’s support systems (with references to Good Grief by Dan Levy and conversations from Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso and We Can Do Hard Things).

Embracing Different Life Paths – Leading with curiosity, honoring our unique journeys, and staying committed to friendships even when life takes us in different directions (inspired by FWD; Joy and Everything Happens podcast with Vivek Murthy & Jon Scheyer).

Diving Into Dating (Sort of?) – Why do we want our friends to be just as excited about our passions as they are about romantic relationships? Plus, exploring the role of neutrality, reading the room, and truly meeting people where they are.

Celebrating Self-Love – The power of setting boundaries, pursuing dreams, practicing patience, and fully believing in yourself as an act of love.

Join the Conversation!

Email us: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod

Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

If you love Table Pancakes, rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! Your support helps us grow.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi explore how we stay connected with friends and family—whether they're near or far. From group chats to FaceTime and social media antics to the art of dropping in, we’re breaking down how to keep relationships thriving in a digital world.

Topics We Cover:

• Social Media & Staying in Touch – The best platforms for keeping up with friends, from Instagram's Close Friends to TikTok’s curated reposts and the chaos of Twitter/X.  
• Managing Texts & Group Chats – How to handle incoming messages, group chats, and the delicate balance between quick replies and thoughtful responses (inspired by the New York Times article, How Group Chats Rule the World).  
• Phone Calls, Voice Notes, and FaceTime: The significance of hearing and seeing loved ones and how real-time communication provides a fuller picture of someone’s life.  
• The Art of Dropping By – Whether in person or through a spontaneous check-in, we explore the importance of being there for others—even in small ways.

Join the Conversation!

Email us: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod

Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

If you loved this episode, rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! Your support means the world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi break down the composition of their friend groups and explore the unique dynamics that shape friendships.

Topics We Cover:

• Friend Group Dynamics – The different personalities that make up our circles and what makes each friendship unique.
• Groups vs. 1:1 Hangs: Do we prefer intimate one-on-one conversations or the energy of a big group? We share personal experiences and discuss the pros and cons of each.
• Social Needs & Differences – How we navigate friendships as introverts vs. extroverts and find balance in our social lives.
• Merging Friend Groups: Yes or No? – Should you introduce your friends to each other, or is it better to keep circles separate? We discuss the challenges and benefits of blending friendships.

Join the Conversation!

Email us: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod

Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

If you loved this episode, rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! Your support helps us grow. 🍽️💛

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Table Pancakes is a podcast where deep, meaningful conversations unfold over a plate of metaphorical pancakes.

Join hosts Katherine and Shelbi as they explore friendship, connection, and the stories that shape us. From navigating adulthood to redefining relationships, Table Pancakes serves up thought-provoking discussions with a side of humor and heart.

In Our First Episode, We Cover:

• How We Became Friends – The unexpected encounters and "third places" that brought us together.
• The Meaning Behind Table Pancakes – Why this quirky title perfectly represents the essence of our podcast.
• The Power of Deep Conversations – In a fast-paced world, we discuss the importance of quiet spaces and meaningful dialogue.
• What’s Coming Next – A sneak peek into future episodes, covering everything from friendships in adulthood to evolving relationships with parents and dating.

Join the Conversation!

Email us: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: @tablepancakespod

Connect with us: @shelbihq | @katherinehfoster

If you love Table Pancakes, please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us grow and reach more listeners.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.