Best Forevers: A Podcast for Kindred Spirits

Have you lost contact with a friend and you want to reconnect? If so, this episode is for you! Alysa discusses why reconnecting is a good idea, what keeps us from reconnecting, and what to do to reconnect. Check it out! Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = bestforeverspod@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.bustle.com/wellness/ways-to-reconnect-with-a-friend-you-lost-touch-with  https://www.healthline.com/health-news/reconnecting-with-old-friends-may-boost-your-mental-health-and-theirs https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-reconnect-with-an-old-friend-without-making-it-awkward-5225930 https://www.wikihow.com/Reconnect-With-Old-Friends   

In the first episode back from hiatus, Alysa dives into one of her favorite TV shows, Stranger Things, to discuss all things friendship. Her friend, Maya, joins her to analyze and chat about the "Core Four" friendship of Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and Will and what it's like when El joins the group when Will goes missing. There's so much to discuss that this is Part One with another episode coming out about the other friendships! Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = bestforeverspod@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 Stranger Things Season 1 recap - what you need to know (readysteadycut.com) Stranger Things (season 1) - Wikipedia Stranger Things - Rotten Tomatoes  

The podcast will return next week!  Follow BestForeversPod on Instagram and Facebook, and Friends with Alysa on Tik Tok! 

Our friends do really cool things so why not learn about all these cool things? In a new series of episodes, Alysa interviews those friends doing the coolest of things. In the first episode, Alysa's friend and fellow podcaster, Amy, joins her to talk about reading Tarot.  Follow Amy on Instagram! www.instragram.com/thestarlingcreative Check out Amy's web page! Starling Art Studios Check out Amy's podcast! Starling on Apple Podcasts Tarot 101 Book Amy Recommends! Tarot 101: Mastering the Art of Reading the Cards: Huggens, Kim: 9780738719047: Amazon.com: Books Check out the Tarot Cards Amy Uses! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1646710096/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_7N6FDBPM611PKF8N62K0_0?fbclid=IwAR0ZcwlZsqpBC359StyES8ACW40Gq2lSw7fqXIZvdubecg7C60pmQd-lp8E 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 

Alysa has been waiting for years to have this very important conversation and it happens in this episode! She welcomes social psychologist, Dr. Alex Fisher, to the podcast to discuss her research on singlehood and friendship. So come single folks and attached folks…everyone could learn more about the diversity of singlehood! Check out Dr. Fisher's web page! Alexandra N. Fisher, Ph.D. (alexnfisher.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 (Research Discussed) Fisher, A.N. (2020). All the lonely people? A belongingness perspective on the stigmatization and well-being of single people. Fisher Dissertation Final July.10 (uvic.ca) Fisher, A.N., Stinson, Wood, Holmes, and Cameron (2021). Singlehood and attunement of self-esteem to friendship. Singlehood and Attunement of Self-Esteem to Friendships (sagepub.com) Research on Husbands Leaving Wives (as an example): Men Leave: Separation And Divorce Far More Common When The Wife Is The Patient -- ScienceDaily

All-around badass, Venturesome Podcast host, and friend, Rachel Esterline Perkins, visits the podcast to talk about supporting others through their work journey, how to build relationships, and workplace friends. Given that we spend most of our time in the workplace, finding your supportive work people or personal Board of Directors (as Rachel discusses) is particularly important! Check out Venturesome Podcast with Rachel! Home | Venturesome (venturesomepod.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 

Many of us have friends right there in our pockets! That's right, we connect with people via social media, like Twitter, and have all sorts of friends on our phones. Alysa's pocket friend, Dr. Liz Faber, joins the podcast to chat about the meaning, the joy, the fun (and sometimes the blocks) of having friends in our back pockets. Follow Liz Faber on Twitter! https://twitter.com/LizWFab?s=20&t=WqcQDym6rJabMAmd2FQZUw Follow Liz Faber on Instagram! What Professors Wear (@whatprofessorswear) • Instagram photos and videos 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 

In book five of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix, things are getting serious - the danger, the control, and the angst. In this episode, Alysa's friend, Haley, joins her to talk about how the friendships are changing as the Wizard World is also changing.   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 

At a certain point in our lives, we begin to choose our friends. Sometimes it's an easy choice, and sometimes we may wish we had more options. And, when we're lucky, we choose our friends who are our family. In this episode, Alysa explores friendships and the idea of choice. 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 Special Promo Art Work for this Episode by Kate Cosgrove Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Sources 11 Secrets to Choosing the Right Friends | HuffPost Communities  Social Media Study Shows Proximity Is Strongest Predictor of Friendship | Science at Rensselaer (rpi.edu)

Friends and secrets go together like peanut butter and jelly. In this part one episode, Alysa talks about what secrets are, the types of secrets we experience, and how secrets can help and hurt our friendships. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Complete the Secrets Survey Here! https://forms.gle/AD6hLDNm7mcXrx2u9 Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Special Promo Art Work for this Episode by Kate Cosgrove Theme Music by Trevor Wilson Sources Afifi, T., Caughlin, J., & Afifi, W. (2007). The dark side (and light side) of avoidance and secrets. In B.H. Spitzberg and W.R. Cupach (Eds.), The dark side of interpersonal communication (pp. 61-92); 2nd edition). New York: Routledge. Miller, R. (1997). We always hurt the ones we love. In R.M. Kowalski (Ed.), Aversive interpersonal behaviors(pp. 11-29). New York: Springer Science + Business Media. Vangelisti, A.L. (1994). Family secrets: Forms, functions, and correlates. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 11(1), 113-135.

Battling friends can be fun and help friends bond so out of this born a new series of epsiodes called, Battle of the Besties: Where our Bests have the Worsties! Yes, it's time to go head-to-head on our hout takes. In this first episode, my friend, Meredith, joins me to talk about The Parent Trap movies. Alysa thinks the version 1961 is superior while Meredith has full support behind 1998. So, who wins? Have a listen! 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 Special Promo Art Work for this Episode by Kate Cosgrove Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  The Parent Trap (1961) = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmnMRtU439Q  The Parent Trap (1998) = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMAhVpgzmRU  The Parent Trap 2 (1986) = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znbvG24zaEs&t=4s  The Parent Trap 3 (1989) = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqTzJhOq144  Let's Get Together = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fu4jkhshLY  Handshake with Martin = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AQCTft9FGg 

Elaborate plans to bring Voldemort back and to end Harry Potter take hold in the fourth book in the series, Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire! Podcast favorite friend, Claire, returns to talk to Alysa about how the golden friendship of Harry, Hermoine, and Ron is not so sunshine-y, but that friends and connections will be critical to fight Lord Voldemort when he returns to his full power! 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    

Have you ever wanted to skip school and have the best day ever with your best friend? Of course, and that's what John Hughes captures so well in the 1986 movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Alysa's friend, Rachel, from Rachel's Reviews and Hallmarkies Podcast joins her to talk about the friendship among Ferris and Cameron, why they took the day off, and so much more. Life moves pretty fast so be sure to check out this episode! Follow Hallmarkies Podcast = www.twitter.com/HallmarkiesPod Follow Rachel's Review = www.twitter.com/rachel_reviews 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 Special Promo Art Work for this Episode by Kate Cosgrove Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Sources https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/64957/15-fun-facts-about-ferris-buellers-day https://thelaughbutton.com/30-lesser-known-facts-ferris-buellers-day-off https://www.insider.com/ferris-buellers-day-off-fun-facts-hidden-details-john-hughes  

Is your hair stylist your friend? No? But do you enjoy chatting with them and look forward to those interactions? Yes? You might not be friends, but friendish. In fact, we need these casual ties with others because there are high rewards for us and our well-being. In this episode, Alysa will talk about this concept of "weak-tie" relationships coined by Mark Granovetter in 1973 and what it means for us today, especially during a pandemic. 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 Special Promo Art Work for this Episode by Kate Cosgrove Theme Music by Trevor Wilson   Sources https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201405/why-we-need-all-the-acquaintances-we-can-get https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/06/smarter-living/why-you-need-a-network-of-low-stakes-casual-friendships.html https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200701-why-your-weak-tie-friendships-may-mean-more-than-you-think https://www.cse.wustl.edu/~m.neumann/fl2017/cse316/materials/strength_of_weak_ties.pdf https://www.bustle.com/articles/145620-8-reasons-you-need-casual-friends-in-your-life-not-just-your-besties https://hbr.org/2020/04/why-you-miss-those-casual-friends-so-much https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/01/pandemic-goodbye-casual-friends/617839/ https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/post/obligatory-friendship-advice https://www.businessinsider.com/why-you-should-cut-off-your-obligatory-friends-2017-6 https://earthlykitchen.com/the-devastating-loss-of-a-low-stakes-casual-friend/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-after-50/202104/how-friendships-evolve-throughout-the-life-cycle https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/flaky-friendships-importance

A new year often brings hopes to what we might be able achieve with a fresh start, and having an accountability buddy can help you achieve more than you could imagine. But, here's the things, friends, a new year doesn't need to be the only time to help and support your friends! In this episode, Alysa talks about what friends can do for each other anytime they're hoping to focus and be more productive.

In the third installment of episodes analyzing Harry Potter books through a friendship, new Harry Potter fan and friend, Rachel, talks with Alysa about the third book, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban. With this book, some of the friendship examples are similar to the first two books and some are different, with a need to talk about conflict, secrets, mischief, and pranks! Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@gmail.com Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Follow Rachel and Knight Bus Lost & Found on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/knightbuslostandfound Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson 

Happy Halloween! Alysa drops a bonus episode, Alysa Watches TV, usually only available for patrons. Alysa talks about the movie Teen Witch (1989) with her friend, Sarah, and this may be the deepest dive on this cult movie ever. 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 Special Promo Art Work for this Episode by Kate Cosgrove Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Sources https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098453/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Witch https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/teen_witch

Two years ago for Halloween, Alysa covered ghosting in friendships and it certainly feels like the hauntings of relationships, when we just want closure, may be even worse now as continue to experience a global pandemic. So, gather around the campfire yet again to hear a spooky tale about ghosting.   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 Special Promo Art Work for this Episode by Kate Cosgrove Theme Music by Trevor Wilson   Sources  https://www.bustle.com/wellness/best-way-to-ghost-relationship-experts https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/02/13/ghosting-is-normal-now-thats-completely-bonkers/ https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2021/07/10587348/ghosting-during-pandemic https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2021/04/10427808/ghosting-during-covid-dating-trend https://www.bustle.com/wellness/2-texts-send-friend-ghosted-you https://www.bustle.com/wellness/confront-friend-who-ghosted-you-text https://www.medicinenet.com/what_does_it_mean_to_be_ghosted/article.htm https://www.self.com/story/being-ghosted-during-pandemic

Halloween season got Alysa thinking about all we do to dress up for the big day – elaborate outfits, make-up, and masks. And wouldn't you know we wear masks on days that don't have to do with ghosts and goblins! In this episode, Alysa discusses the "face" work of Erving Goffman, which helps us understand how we present our public self with "face," wear "masks" to hide some aspects of ourselves, and how friends can help support our "face." 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 Special Promo Art Work for this Episode by Kate Cosgrove Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Sources https://exploringyourmind.com/social-dramaturgy-develop-masks-interact/ https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/depression/face-behind-the-mask-high-functioning-depression/?utm_source=AdWords&utm_medium=Search_PPC_c&utm_term=_b&utm_content=82966718848&network=g&placement=&target=&matchtype=b&utm_campaign=6459244691&ad_type=text&adposition=&gclid=CjwKCAjwwsmLBhACEiwANq-tXNEpYmTD6DDw0DSX5aP2gW4Ii-FHi1S3c72QEiaxTNagPRBZtJ30WxoC4s0QAvD_BwE Engaging Theories in Interpersonal Communication: https://www.amazon.com/Engaging-Theories-Interpersonal-Communication-Perspectives/dp/1452261407/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=engaging+theories+in+interpersonal+communication&qid=1634909210&s=books&sprefix=engaging+inter%2Cstripbooks%2C86&sr=1-1 Reflect & Relate: https://www.amazon.com/Reflect-Relate-Introduction-Interpersonal-Communication/dp/1319103324