Best Forevers Podcast has reached 150 episodes and, to celebrate, Alysa talks about the four lessons she’s learned about friendship since starting a podcast about friendships. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson 

Best Forevers: A Podcast for Kindred Spirits

Old Friend, New Tricks

How important is friendship to Harry Potter when he’s told not to go back to Hogwarts because of the danger ahead? Critical. Alysa’s friend, Crystal, joins her to talk about the book, Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, through the lens of friendship. In this epsiode, they discuss whether or not Harry still has friends and enemies, how the fame continues to impact Harry’s life, the role of animals and creatures as friends, and the true start to mentorship with Dumbledore.  Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson 

Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets

Sometimes we feel like a bad friend and, in this episode, Alysa explores five valid and common reasons one might have this experience. And, then she provides ways to kick that feeling. Please share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #FeltLikeaBadFriend or email her with experiences at friendswithalysa@gmail.com. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Sources https://www.reddit.com/r/depression/comments/6rg4ny/does_anyone_feel_like_depression_makes_you_a_bad/ https://medium.com/honestly-yours/i-am-a-terrible-friend-6de7171b5dff https://themighty.com/2018/03/anxiety-makes-me-a-bad-friend/ https://themighty.com/2017/02/anxiety-hacks-tips-for-reducing-anxiety/

I'm a Bad Friend

In the third episode of this multi-episode series on friendship break ups, Alysa talks about how to do the “break up,” whether it’s ghosting, changing the relationship, or having the difficult conversation about ending the relationship. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Sources “Understanding Aversiveness: The Journey of Friendship” Lauren’s Dark Side paper https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-end-friendship-4174037 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/relationships/a36386499/how-to-end-a-friendship/ https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/ending-a-friendship?src=RSS_PUBLIC https://www.wikihow.com/End-a-Friendship

Friendship Breakups Pt. 3

Friendship is magical, right? Well, in the world of Harry Potter it is! Join Alysa and her dear and Harry Potter nerdy friend, Alisun, to discuss the first book in the series, Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone! In this epsiode, they discuss how being an orphan and a celebrity impacts Harry’s ability to make friends, how he meets friends, Ron and Hermoine, and how he meets his enemy, Draco. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson 

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone

In the second episode of this multi-episode series on friendship break ups, Alysa explores the reasons why we may call it quits on a friendship. Specifically, she talks about three assessments we can do for ourselves, our friendship, and dealbreakers to help us make decisions about ending a friendship. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com  Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Sources “Understanding Aversiveness: The Journey of Friendship” Lauren’s Dark Side paper https://bigthink.com/videos/the-typical-lifespan-of-a-friendship-10-years-heres-why https://www.businessinsider.com/signs-you-should-end-friendship-therapists-2018-12#9-they-make-you-feel-worse-not-better-9 https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/when-to-end-a-friendship-and-break-up-with-a-friend https://www.bustle.com/p/7-reasons-to-end-a-friendship-according-to-experts-18216427 https://www.happiness.com/magazine/relationships/when-to-end-a-friendship-how/ https://thriveglobal.com/stories/signs-time-to-end-friendship-toxic-negativity/

Friendship Breakups Pt. 2

Freeform’s popular TV show, Cruel Summer, demonstrates what happens when friendships change, when friends betray you, when one is desperate for a certain friendship, and what happens when just a little friendship is all one needs during dark times. Alysa’s friend, Amanda, stops by the podcast to talk about the twists and turns of friendship of the characters, Jeanette Turner and Kate Wallis. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Promo from this Episode! Feminists Without Mystique = https://www.feministswithoutmystique.com Cruel Summer on Freeform (2021) = https://www.freeform.com/shows/cruel-summer 

Cruel Summer

Friendship break ups are not widely acknowledged or talked about but are often much more painful than romantic break ups. Understanding the process of a friendship break up is important in being able to lead a happy and healthy life with supportive friends by your side. In the first episode of this multi-episode series, Alysa takes a deep dive into romantic relationship development and how it applies to friendship. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Friendship Break-Ups Survey (Share Stories anonymously): https://forms.gle/gNysnytUdFBe2SZy7  Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Research by Lauren Ouellette Promo from this Episode! Tabletop Tiddies = https://www.tabletoptiddies.com  Sources “Understanding Aversiveness: The Journey of Friendship” Lauren’s Darkside paper https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/a28069319/friendship-breakup/ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/apr/21/like-having-limb-cut-off-pain-friendship-breakups https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a18659988/breaking-up-with-friends/ https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/how-cope-when-friend-breaks-you-ncna988516 https://www.communicationtheory.org/knapps-relationship-model/

Friendship Break Ups Pt. 1

After being inspired by an article in The Atlantic, Alysa explores the idea of what life would be like if friends, instead of romantic relationships, were our focus. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Promo from this Episode! The Reference Desk Podcast = https://thereferencedeskpod.com Sources  https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/10/people-who-prioritize-friendship-over-romance/616779/ https://www.theknot.com/content/average-age-of-marriage https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2020/05/01/new-study-millennial-women-are-delaying-having-children-due-to-their-careers/?sh=10861a11276a https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/VSRR10-508.pdf https://www.simplyinsurance.com/average-us-life-expectancy-statistics/ https://ifstudies.org/blog/the-us-divorce-rate-has-hit-a-50-year-low https://www.apa.org/topics/divorce-child-custody https://www.dailyemerald.com/opinion/opinion-friendship-over-romance/article_ff4f9818-973f-11eb-8f5a-f72fdb796f2d.html https://www.innfinity.in/relationship/friendship-is-better-than-love/

Friends First

Alysa explores the idea that sometimes we need a break from our friends, not a break-up. She discusses why we might need a break and how we can go about making that break happen successfully and with kindness. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/BestForeversPod Support Best Forevers Pod! Patreon = www.patreon.com/bestforeverspod Merchandise = https://bestforeverspod.threadless.com Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com  Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Promo from this Episode! Fataliteas = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fataliteas/id1439493072 Sources https://www.thecut.com/2017/10/how-to-take-a-friendship-break-that-doesnt-turn-into-a-break-up.html https://www.elitedaily.com/p/7-signs-you-should-take-a-break-from-your-friends-7714068

We Were on a Break

In this episode, Alysa’s Honor student, Kayla, guests to talk about her final thesis project focusing on connections during the global pandemic. We talk about how she developed her project, what she found and what it means, and concludes with recommendations for us navigating our friendships differently because COVID-19. Need Help?  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline = https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org SAMHSA = https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Episodes Discussed Understanding Loneliness Pt. 1 = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/understanding-loneliness-pt-1 Understanding Loneliness Pt. 2 = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/understanding-loneliness-pt-2 Making Friends – Pandemic Editon = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/making-friends-pt-2-pandemic-edition The COVID Divide = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/the-covid-divide The Vaccination Phase of Friendship = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/the-vaccination-phase-of-friendship Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Ask Questions or Share Stories and Tips for future Understanding Loneliness episodes here = https://forms.gle/eoixgXDnE5jYKnav5 Email Alysa = bestforeverspod@gmail.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/BestForeversPod Support Best Forevers Pod! Patreon = www.patreon.com/bestforeverspod Merchandise = https://bestforeverspod.threadless.com Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com  Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Promo from this Episode! 3 Gossip Girls = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/three-gossip-girls-a-gossip-girl-podcast/id1463196836 Sources Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale = https://fetzer.org/sites/default/files/images/stories/pdf/selfmeasures/Self_Measures_for_Loneliness_and_Interpersonal_Problems_UCLA_LONELINESS_REVISED.pdf https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/04/06/the-history-of-loneliness

Pandemic Impact on Connections with Others

As we experience the one-year anniversary of the nation shutting down due to the pandemic, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel, but there are still new experiences, feelings, and differences to navigate when it comes to vaccinations and friendship. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = bestforeverspod@gmail.com Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/BestForeversPod Support Best Forevers Pod! Patreon = www.patreon.com/bestforeverspod Merchandise = https://bestforeverspod.threadless.com Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com  Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Promo from this Episode!  Not Your Little Lady Podcast = https://notyourlittlelady.libsyn.com Sources https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-the-new-cdc-guidelines-mean-for-fully-vaccinated-people-and-others#Exercise-caution https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/covid-grandparents-vaccinated-cdc-guidance/2021/03/10/9b85b5e0-8170-11eb-ac37-4383f7709abe_story.html https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/01/28/960901166/how-is-the-covid-19-vaccination-campaign-going-in-your-state https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-vaccine-doses.html https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/03/covid-vaccine-secrecy/618253/

The Vaccination Phase of Friendship

Alysa’s good friend, Rachel, from Hallmarkies Podcast and Rachel’s Reviews joins her to chat about the 1991 movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, and the friendship themes present. Follow Rachel at Rachel’s Reviews on Twitter = https://twitter.com/rachel_reviews Check out Rachel’s Reviews on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/smilingldsgirl Check out Rachel’s Reviews Web Page = https://rachelsreviews.net/ Follow Hallmarkies Podcast on Twitter = https://twitter.com/HallmarkiesPod Check out Hallmarkies Podcast Web Page = https://www.hallmarkiespodcast.com/ Recommendation from Rachel (Paddleton) = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs9YpUktrWw Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = bestforeverspod@gmail.com Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/BestForeversPod Support Best Forevers Pod! Patreon = www.patreon.com/bestforeverspod Merchandise = https://bestforeverspod.threadless.com Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com  Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Promo from this Episode! Feminists Without Mystique = https://www.feministswithoutmystique.com Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fried_Green_Tomatoes https://gardenandgun.com/articles/fannie-flagg-and-25-years-fried-green-tomatoes/

Fried Green Tomatoes

In this episode, Alysa chats about taking on a Kindness Challenge and what that can mean for us and our friendships. HATS (Animal Shelter in Mount Pleasant) = https://www.hatsweb.org/giving Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = bestforeverspod@gmail.com Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/BestForeversPod Support Best Forevers Pod! Patreon = www.patreon.com/bestforeverspod Merchandise = https://bestforeverspod.threadless.com Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com  Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Promo from this Episode!  So Dead = https://www.sodeadpodcast.com Sources https://medium.com/the-mission/how-the-power-of-kindness-impacts-your-life-and-others-f8f5a895400 https://www.kindnessiseverything.com/faqs/what-is-kindness/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pieces-mind/201712/the-importance-kindness https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lead-kindness/201809/why-is-it-hard-be-kind-people-in-great-need https://medium.com/the-innovation/the-difference-between-being-polite-and-kind-974bc8fb738b https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/kindness-in-the-time-of-coronavirus

Kindness Challenge

In this episode, Alysa discusses toxic positivity and what can happen to ourselves and our friendships if we ignore negative emotions and experiences, and only live by the “good vibes” mindset. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = bestforeverspod@gmail.com Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/BestForeversPod Support Best Forevers Pod! Patreon = www.patreon.com/bestforeverspod Merchandise = https://bestforeverspod.threadless.com Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com  Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Promo from this Episode!  Book of Lies = https://bookofliespodcast.com Sources https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/toxic-positivity-during-the-pandemic https://thepsychologygroup.com/toxic-positivity/  https://www.scienceofpeople.com/toxic-positivity/ https://www.femina.in/relationships/love-sex/the-difference-between-positivity-toxic-positivity-151536.html https://blackgirl-affirmed.com/2020/05/07/avoiding-toxic-positivity/ https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/toxic-positivity-during-the-pandemic https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/toxic-positivity-mental-health-covid/2020/08/19/5dff8d16-e0c8-11ea-8181-606e603bb1c4_story.html https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-man-cave/201908/toxic-positivity-dont-always-look-the-bright-side https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/what-is-toxic-positivity https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/mind-body/wellbeing/my-friends-toxic-positivity-crushed-me/news-story/94538e83de7fcfd17ad513c78d3a3395  https://www.elle.com/beauty/a34922748/toxic-positivity/

Good Vibes Only

Alysa Lucas hosts Best Forevers: A Podcast for Kindred Spirits with the goal of starting a movement to love more on our best friends, bros, and bosom buddies through sharing stories of friendship and talking about the most important topics to keeping those friendships afloat. www.bestforeverspod.com

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Best Forevers: A Podcast for Kindred Spirits

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