Toxic Friends, Fake Support & Hidden Jealousy: The Truth About Adult Friendships With Dr. Perpetua Neo

Making and maintaining meaningful friendships as an adult can feel like a challenge, but understanding the psychology behind it can transform the way we connect.

In this episode, Dr. Perpetua Neo joins me for an in-depth discussion on friendship dynamics, setting boundaries, and recognising toxic patterns. We explore why some friendships leave you drained while others fuel your growth, how to identify ambivalent friendships, and the key to building connections that genuinely support you. If you've ever felt like friendships are more complicated than they should be, this conversation will give you the clarity and tools to navigate them with confidence.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation, with the next episode diving even deeper into self-identity, confidence, and personal boundaries. Tune in now and redefine the way you approach friendships.

 

SHOWNOTES -

00:00:00 - Episode and guest introduction

00:02:00 - The importance of friendship for adults

00:05:15 - Toxic vs. Ambivalent friendships

00:09:45 - Mutual respect, understanding, & communicating boundaries

00:15:10 - How your nervous system reacts to inconsistent friendships

00:20:18 - Harmful manipulations & machinations in friendship

00:26:35 - Supportive friendships vs friendships that hold you back

00:38:15 - Importance of diverse friendships

00:41:45 - Misalignment of beliefs & knowing your non-negotiables

00:44:55 - Conditional friendships

00:47:35 - Girl Gangs and toxic feminism

00:51:15 - Can friendships built on trauma lead to growth?

00:58:20 - Recognising power imbalances in friend groups

01:07:00 - Friend groups that reinforce negative thinking & stagnation

01:15:00 - How friends shape your self-image, motivation, & ambition

01:20:00 - How making fun of friends can mask deeper issues

01:28:40 - Recognising & escaping unhealthy friendship cycles

 

CONNECT WITH DR. PERPETUA NEO - 

Dr. Perpetua Neo's Work for Mindbodygreen - https://www.mindbodygreen.com/wc/dr-perpetua-neo

Website - https://www.perpetuaneo.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/perpetuaneo/

 

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