{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65a5932db97db900172e715e/66a086ef993be95c7f9f11ef?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Finding the Right People: Deep Bonds, Medium Friends, and Evolving Connections","description":"<p>In this episode of <em>Table Pancakes</em>, Katherine and Shelbi explore what it means to have the <strong>“right people”</strong> in our lives, how friendships evolve, and the role of <strong>“medium friends”</strong> who may not be our closest confidants but still play meaningful roles.</p><p><br></p><h3><strong>What We Cover:</strong></h3><h4><strong>Letting Vibes Lead in Finding the Right People</strong></h4><ul><li>The power of deep bonds with <strong>given family, chosen family, and platonic partners</strong></li><li>Choosing to surround yourself with people who <strong>align with your values and needs</strong></li><li>The importance of <strong>mutual understanding and adaptability</strong> in maintaining friendships through life transitions</li></ul><h4><strong>The Unclear Nature of Gaining Clarity</strong></h4><ul><li>The <strong>difficulty of setting expectations and boundaries</strong> in friendships</li><li>How <strong>reciprocity works (and doesn’t work)</strong> in relationships, and why <strong>overextending yourself rarely benefits anyone</strong> (<em>referencing</em> <em>Vibe Check’s</em> <em>Do It While It’s Still Legal</em> and Danielle Bayard Jackson’s <em>Fighting for Our Friendships</em>)</li><li>Understanding that <strong>no one technically owes you anything,</strong> but open communication and mutual care are essential for sustaining meaningful friendships</li></ul><h4><strong>Medium Friends</strong></h4><ul><li>The role of <strong>“medium friendships”</strong> may not be our closest connections, but they serve <strong>essential social and emotional needs</strong> (<em>inspired by Lisa Miller’s</em> <em>The Vexing Problem of the ‘Medium Friend’</em> in <em>The New York Times</em>)</li><li>The reality of <strong>friendship turnover</strong>—with <strong>30-40% of medium friends shifting annually</strong></li><li>Moving away from <strong>ranking friendships</strong> in favor of recognizing each connection's&nbsp;<strong>unique benefits and limitations</strong></li></ul><h3><br></h3><h3><strong>Question of the Week:</strong></h3><p>Do you feel like you’re focusing your deep friendships on the right people? What is your perspective on the role of medium friends in your life right now?</p><p><br></p><h3><strong>Join the Conversation</strong></h3><p>Email us: <strong>tablepancakespod@gmail.com</strong></p><p>Follow us on Instagram: <a href=\"https://instagram.com/tablepancakespod\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@tablepancakespod</a></p><p>Connect with us: <a href=\"https://instagram.com/shelbihq\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@shelbihq</a> | <a href=\"https://instagram.com/katherinehfoster\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@katherinehfoster</a></p><p><br></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love it if you <strong>rated, reviewed, and subscribed</strong> to the show. Your support helps us continue these conversations.</p>","author_name":"Katherine Foster and Shelbi Jones"}