813 How to Make Friends as an Adult (and Keep the Good Ones)

We have lots of social science about the benefits of having good friends. But I hear from a lot of you that you're not sure how to find or make friends in this season of life. That is what we will be exploring in this episode.  I just got back from Costa Rica with girlfriends that I've known since I was four. We're all turning 62 this year, which means we've been friends longer than most marriages last. But I also have friends I've made in adulthood who are just as important to me, and I'm absolutely committed to them. Vic knew he was going to have to be a good sharer. I said straight up at the beginning of our relationship, "I love a lot of people. If you're a possessive type of person, we will not be a good fit." He was not and has been sharing me since 1997, lol!  If you don't have close friends, I want you to know you can. It's a skill like anything else. On today's episode, I'll share some tips to help you take stock of your friendships, find new friends as an adult, and keep the ones you love. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/813

Whether you're navigating a high-conflict divorce or trying to prevent everyday burnout in your marriage, award-winning family lawyer and co-parenting expert Gabriella Pomari has advice for you. In this episode, we're sitting down to explore why so many successful women fall into the trap of over-functioning. Plus, how to reclaim your power through cleaner boundaries. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/812

Do you find yourself exhausted after interacting with certain people or in certain situations? With the state of the world, you might just be exhausted from listening to the news. But if you look at the patterns, you'll probably see there are certain situations and certain people that drain your energy more than others. I'm talking about empaths and highly sensitive people. I'm going to explain the difference between the two and give you a five-step plan for staying balanced. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/811

On today's episode, I'm sitting down with iconic journalist and former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden to discuss her brand-new memoir, Life Beyond the Script. She shares the accidentally radical moments that defined her career—from becoming Sacramento's first weather girl with zero experience to being the first woman to bring a baby on set and advocate for breastfeeding on national television. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/810

Has someone ever asked you a question that felt invasive, judgmental, or just plain rude?  Maybe it was a parent, a family member, or someone who thinks they're "just being caring."  Your response may have been to freeze.  Or smile and explain. Maybe you answered a question and later regretted it. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.  So many of us have been in that situation and thought afterward, why didn't I say something? Why didn't I draw a boundary? Why didn't I tell them it was none of their business? But often we don't. And that's what we're getting into today. How to respond to rude comments and why saying "no" is still really hard for some of us. These two things are connected, and they're both worth understanding. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/809

What if real transformation doesn't require blowing up your life? In this episode, Terri sits down with meditation teacher and author Light Watkins to discuss his book The Year You Transform and the fastest, most accessible path to lasting change. They explore why success doesn't always lead to fulfillment, the myth of the "Eat, Pray, Love" transformation, and how small, intentional discomfort (like cold showers, forgiveness, or quitting complaining) can radically shift your mindset. If you're feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or craving deeper purpose, this conversation will show you how to create real change—from the inside out. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/808

Many people can communicate just fine until a conflict arises.  Then the nervous system gets activated, and suddenly you're either shutting down, getting defensive, or saying things you don't mean.  Sound familiar? Our nervous systems get activated during conflict. It's normal for communication to be more challenging when you're activated than when you're not. That's just biology. When you understand how your body responds to stress, you give yourself a chance to communicate more effectively. When you're in conflict, what happens for you? Do you shut down?  Do you get loud?  Or begin attempting to please or appease the other person? I'm going to walk you through the top challenges I see as a psychotherapist. And I've put together a guide with some scripts for you at terricole.com/guide. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/807

Does fear feel like a stoplight in your head? Have you ever backed down from something important because it scared you? Today's guest, former U.S. Marine Corps Officer Jill Schulman, is here to help you rethink how you respond to fear. Listen to learn why fear is a part of bravery and you should "do it scared" instead of waiting to feel fearless. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/806

I've been hearing from so many of you that you're feeling overwhelmed by what's happening in the world right now. And if you are, you're normal. Because it is overwhelming. We were not designed to be in this hyper-aroused nervous system state for as long as we've been. Our bodies aren't meant for it. Our minds aren't meant for it. And yet here we are, living in a 24-hour bad news cycle that literally never ends. You know, it didn't used to be this way. There was a time when the nightly news was one person reporting on the day's events without editorializing. Now it's a circus of talking heads and pundits and narratives coming at you from every direction. And if you're trying to be a well-informed, good global citizen without being buried under a tidal wave of bad news, that's a really hard line to walk. If you're feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, anxious, or paralyzed, this one is for you. And you're not alone. I created a free guide including a guided meditation called One Love to go along with this post. You can grab it at terricole.com/guide. There are things you can do to keep your mental, physical, and emotional health intact right now. None of them cost money. Most of them are about changing your mind about what you're allowed to give yourself. So here's my psychological survival kit. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/805

Are you struggling with codependency, hyper-independence, or feeling lonely in your relationships? In this episode of The Terry Cole Show, therapist and bestselling author Nedra Tawwab shares powerful insights from her new book The Balancing Act: Creating Healthy Dependency and Connection Without Losing Yourself. We explore attachment styles, boundaries, healthy dependency, and how to stop expecting one person to meet all your emotional needs. Learn how to create balanced, fulfilling relationships without losing yourself in the process. If you're working on healing anxious or avoidant attachment, improving boundaries, or building deeper connections — this conversation is for you. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/804