433: Making Friends as a Mom: Why It’s Hard—and How to Do It Anyway // Dr. Marisa G. Franco

433: Making Friends as a Mom: Why It’s Hard—and How to Do It Anyway // Dr. Marisa G. Franco

Author: Cloud10 June 9, 2025 Duration: 32:08
Making new friends as an adult is challenging—and motherhood often makes it even harder. Between family responsibilities, full schedules, and emotional fatigue, it can feel like there’s no space left for connection. And even when we do show up, it’s not always easy to know how to move from polite small talk to real, meaningful friendship. In this episode, psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Marisa G. Franco joins me to unpack why friendship often feels so complicated in adulthood—and how we can begin to build the kind of relationships we long for. Whether you’re starting from scratch or hoping to deepen the friendships you already have, this conversation will give you both clarity and compassion for where you are—and the tools to take a small step forward. This episode will help you: 🤗 Break out of the “I showed up but still feel lonely” cycle 🤗 Rewire your mindset to believe people actually want to be your friend (because they do!) 🤗 Recognize the hidden habits that may be quietly sabotaging your ability to connect 🤗 Learn what to do when you feel like you’re trying…but still not clicking with anyone If friendship has felt harder than you expected in this season of life, this episode will remind you that you’re very much not alone—and that meaningful connection is still possible. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Related Episodes: 400: 3 Modern Manners for Friendship // Brooke Romney 386: Raising Securely Attached Kids // Eli Harwood, MA, LPC 417: The Sneaky Ways Comparison Creeps Into Conversations (and How to Stop It) // Kathie Gwilliam Episode Sponsors: Brightbox: Go to brightboxes.com to check out all their thoughtful options. Whether you're sending encouragement, appreciation, or just a little joy, Brightbox makes it easy to spread light. Factor: Get started at factormeals.com/3in3050off and use code 3in3050off to get 50 percent off plus FREE shipping on your first box. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Motherhood often feels like a constant juggling act, leaving little time for lengthy advice or complicated strategies. That’s the exact gap that 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms fills. Each episode is built on a simple, powerful premise: delivering three practical, doable takeaways within a half-hour. Host Rachel Nielson, who brings her perspective as a mother, teacher, and writer, understands that a busy parent’s brain is already full. She curates conversations and shares insights that cut straight to what’s useful, focusing on real-world application over theory. You’ll hear discussions rooted in the daily realities of family life, covering everything from educational activities for kids and navigating family dynamics to personal well-being amidst the beautiful chaos. This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list, but about finding smarter, more peaceful ways to manage what’s already there. The tone is consistently encouraging, aiming to replace overwhelm with a sense of capability and even magic. Tuning into this podcast feels like a coffee chat with a knowledgeable friend who leaves you with clear, actionable steps-not just more noise. It’s a resource for any mom looking to gather concrete ideas for parenting, personal growth, and creating a more harmonious home, all within the span of a daily commute or a folded laundry pile.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms
Podcast Episodes
Introducing... Help Me Be Me with Sarah May Bates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:44
Do you feel stuck? With the New Year coming, we're hearing a lot about goals, but maybe for you, the idea of goals feels discouraging or daunting. You want to change, but how? If this resonates, you will love today's min…
406: Navigating Holiday Melancholy // Dr. Tanmeet Sethi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
It’s “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for some of us, it doesn’t necessarily feel like it. I know not everyone relates to this confusing angst during the holidays, but maybe you do. Maybe you put a smile on you…
404: 3 Ways to Teach Children Gratitude [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:34
Wouldn’t it be nice if our kids innately felt grateful for all we (and others) do for them? That they naturally expressed gratitude and could see how blessed they are? Certainly, some kids are more predisposed than other…
401: How Radical Gratitude Can Change Your Life // Dr. Tanmeet Sethi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:17
Radical gratitude is a powerful practice to help you through difficult times. But if you’re in the thick of difficult times (which I know many of you are!), you might be tempted to click away right now. And I get why. ❤️…
400: 3 Modern Manners for Friendship // Brooke Romney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:07
Brooke Romney is the queen of modern manners for teens. If you missed it, our last episode was an interview I did with Brooke about friendship problems in the teen years. I hope her words in that interview resonated with…
399: When Your Teen Struggles with Friends // Brooke Romney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:48
Teenage friendship problems weigh heavily on us moms. 💔 Do you have a teenager who’s struggling with friends? It hurts the mama heart, doesn’t it? October was Teen Month here on 3 in 30, but I decided to extend that one…