Rephonic
Artwork for Friendship Matters
Friendship
Belonging
Loneliness
Leadership
Friendship At Work
Employee Engagement
Well-Being
Workplace Relationships
Trust
Sleep
Polyvagal Theory
Boundaries
Authenticity
Psychological Safety
Charlotte, North Carolina
Rituals
Biology Of Connection
Return To Office
Inflammation
Menopause

Join your hosts the Coach (Donna Brighton), the Doctor (Russell Greenfield, M.D.) and the CEO (Lisa Grimes) where we explore the science, skills, and stories behind thriving relationships at work and beyond. Brought to you by The Friendship Institute. Our mission is to help people improve / enrich existing friendships and create / build rich new ones.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes51Foundeda year ago
Categories
Society & CultureManagementBusiness

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Artwork for Friendship Matters

Latest Episodes

What if the key to a healthier, happier, and longer life isn't another productivity hack, but a friendship you've neglected for years? SEASON 6: Friendship Authors. Episode 3

Join us as we sit down with Johan Wikman, CTO, entrepreneur, and co-auth... more

What if your friendships are not failing… but your system for building them is?

SEASON 6: Friendship Authors. Episode 2

This episode explores a powerful shift in how we think about connection, moving from individual relationships to what friends... more

What if connection is not accidental, but something you can intentionally create, measure, and improve?

SEASON 6: Friendship Authors. Episode 1

This episode explores the science and psychology behind human connection through the lens of a former... more

What if friendship isn't just something nice to have, but something your body actually depends on to function well?

SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 8 (wrap up episode)

This episode brings the entire wellness series full cir... more

What if the friend who keeps canceling, pulling back, or seeming distant is not losing interest, but running out of capacity?

SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 7

In this episode of Friendship Matters, we explore a powerful an... more

What if a problem you think you have already worked through is still quietly shaping your relationships, and you simply do not know it yet?

SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 6

In this episode of Friendship Matters, we explor... more

We tend to think of sleep as a performance metric. Hours tracked, quality scored, problems diagnosed. But what if that entire framework is flawed?

SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 5

In this episode, we explore a radically di... more

What if the tension in your relationships is not about communication skills, but about biology?

SEASON 5: Friendship, Wellbeing and Wellness. Episode 4

Menopause is often reduced to hot flashes and hormonal changes. But what if it is also quiet... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host

Recent Guests

Johan Wikman
CTO and co-founder of perdata.ai; co-author of Dying for Friendship and Community
perdata.ai
Episode: Would Anyone Show Up for You at 2 A.M.? The Friendship Crisis with Johan Wikman
Dr. Jeffrey Hall
Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas; researcher on friendship and social interaction
University of Kansas
Episode: The Social Biome: A New Framework for Meaningful Relationships with Jeffrey Hall
Jack Schafer
Former FBI special agent, behavioral analyst; professor at Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University
Episode: The Like Switch with Dr. Schafer: FBI Secrets to Building Real Relationships
Sanjiv Lakhia
Board certified physiatrist and integrative medicine physician
Episode: Sanjiv Lakhia, D.O. on The Friendship Cost of Chronic Pain
Tom DeLano
Founder/leader in memory reconsolidation work
Bioalignment
Episode: Rewiring the Past to Change Your Relationships with Tom DeLano
Rubin Naiman
Clinical psychologist and sleep/dream health expert
New Moon Sleep; Canyon Ranch; Miraval (mentioned)
Episode: Dr. Rubin Naiman Takes Us Beyond Awaking: The Missing Third of Consciousness That Shapes Your Relationships
Erin Innes
Family practice physician and expert guest on menopause
Episode: Is It You… or Your Hormones? What The 'pause Is Really Doing to Your Relationships
Dr. Chris Magryta
Pediatrician with integrated medicine background
Unspecified within episode
Episode: Friendship Starts in the Nervous System, with Chris Magryta, M.D.
Lisa Grimes
CEO and guest for this episode
Friendship Matters / The Friendship Institute
Episode: People Follow People, Not Titles, The Role of Friendship in Leadership

Hosts

Donna Brighton
Host of The Friendship Matters / The Coach
Russell Greenfield
Host of The Friendship Matters / Medical Doctor (Dr.)
Lisa Grimes
Host of The Friendship Matters / CEO

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#113
China/Business/Management

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Friendship on Purpose with Andora Hinton
Q: What practical steps can listeners take this week to strengthen their friendships or cultivate new ones?
She advises reaching out through existing networks for introductions, scheduling regular time for connection, and staying curious and open to people who are different from oneself, while maintaining a calendar approach to consistency.
Friendship on Purpose with Andora Hinton
Q: Andora, how has the definition of friendship evolved for you over the past decade or so?
She explains that friendship has become more intentional and selective, prioritizing deeper connections with people who share similar values and a willingness to invest in sustained, meaningful interactions.
Seven Traits of Heart-Centered Leadership with cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Fisher (S2E4)
Q: What are the practical implications of belonging and friendship for health, and what happens when people lack these connections?
Strong social connections improve physical health and longevity, whereas loneliness is linked to higher stress and worse health; promoting belonging helps reduce burnout, improves engagement, and supports better outcomes for patients and staff alike.
Seven Traits of Heart-Centered Leadership with cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Fisher (S2E4)
Q: What work are you doing within healthcare systems to help leaders find their authentic selves and build teams that embody these traits?
By advocating for a culture that values belonging, reducing loneliness at the top, and promoting human factors over purely financial metrics, these leaders can create environments where teams stay engaged, supported, and connected.
Seven Traits of Heart-Centered Leadership with cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Fisher (S2E4)
Q: You've written about burnout; how do these seven traits relate to managing burnout and maintaining personal refreshment?
The traits provide a framework for how leaders and clinicians can restructure their approach—from rigid checklists to a human-centered mindset that prioritizes autonomy, flexibility, and authentic connection, which in turn reduces burnout and supports sustainable well-being.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Friendship Matters

What is Friendship Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show spotlights how relationships—at work and in daily life—are built, nurtured, and repaired through science, practical routines, and leadership. Across episodes, the hosts explore topics like belonging, social health, and workplace culture, often grounding recommendations in neurobiology, psychology, and real-world case studies. Notable angles include how technology shapes connection, the role of stress and sleep in relationships, and methods to foster safer, more authentic interactions at home, in teams, and across organizations. A recurring strength is translating research into concrete tools for leaders and teams, from micro-affirmations and routines to family-centered approaches to well-being. Viewers looking for actionable, evid... more

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How many episodes of Friendship Matters are there?

Friendship Matters launched a year ago and published 51 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Friendship Matters?

Recent guests on Friendship Matters include:

1. Johan Wikman
2. Dr. Jeffrey Hall
3. Jack Schafer
4. Sanjiv Lakhia
5. Tom DeLano
6. Rubin Naiman
7. Erin Innes
8. Dr. Chris Magryta

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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