There are some things that if you don't personally work through, it will be difficult for others

to be in relationship with you. And I don't mean for that to sound harsh. But if you can't take negative

feedback because you've been through things that for some reason you perceive feedback as an attack,

well, it's hard for people to be in relationship with you because at some point, I have to let you

know how the things you say and do impact me.

We're in a relationship together.

But if I'm unable to do that, I'm unsafe to do that.

I mean, what does that mean for us?

And so the beautiful and tricky thing about friendship is it brings a lot of your personal stuff to the table.

And if you can't confront some of those areas that need a little polishing,

it will, I believe, limit your capacity for depth and closeness with other people.

So have you ever felt like your closest friend just kind of doesn't get you anymore? Or maybe

you don't get them. And there's this tension, maybe even a wall or a divide forming between you.

Maybe a major life change caused a rift that now seems impossible to bridge.

Or maybe lingering unresolved conflicts have just strained what was once this unbreakable bond.

Maybe you can't even pinpoint the reason, but you just know something's off.

If you've ever found yourself in that painful place of feeling disconnected from someone

you care deeply about, this conversation is for you.

My guest today is Danielle Bayer Jackson, author of the book Fighting for Our Friendships,

The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships.

A former high school teacher, Danielle now dedicates herself to understanding the nuances of platonic

relationships through the lens of science.

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