Best Forevers: A Podcast for Kindred Spirits

Reconnecting with Friends

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 = [email protected] 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:/...

Stranger Things Season 1 - Pt. 2

Stranger Things Season One Pt. 1

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 = bestfore...

We're Coming Back!

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

Friends Do Cool Things - Read Tarot

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: ...

Singlehood with Dr. Alex Fisher

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 = [email protected] ...

Venturesome Friendships

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 S...

Pocket Friends

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 (@whatprofessors...

Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix

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 = [email protected]  Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosg...

Chosen

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 = [email protected]  Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspo...

Secrets Pt. 1

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 = [email protected] 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...

Battle of the Besties - The Parent Trap

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@...

Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire

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 = [email protected] Listen to & Follo...

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

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 Foll...

Friendish

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 Aly...

Accountability Buddies

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.

Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban

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 = [email protected] Listen to & Follow Friend...

Alysa Watches TV - Teen Witch (1989)

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 = [email protected] 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 b...

Ghosting 2.0

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 = [email protected] Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = ...

Put on Your Face

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 ...

Old Friend, New Tricks

Best Forevers Podcast has reached 150 episodes and, to celebrate, Alysa talks about the four lessons she’s learned about friendship since starting a podcast about friendships. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson 

Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets

How important is friendship to Harry Potter when he’s told not to go back to Hogwarts because of the danger ahead? Critical. Alysa’s friend, Crystal, joins her to talk about the book, Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, through the lens of friendship. In this epsiode, they discuss whether or not Harry still has friends and enemies, how the fame continues to impact Harry’s life, the role of animals and creatures as friends, and the true start to mentorship with Dumbledore.  Share Your Fr...

I'm a Bad Friend

Sometimes we feel like a bad friend and, in this episode, Alysa explores five valid and common reasons one might have this experience. And, then she provides ways to kick that feeling. Please share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #FeltLikeaBadFriend or email her with experiences at [email protected]. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa ...

Friendship Breakups Pt. 3

In the third episode of this multi-episode series on friendship break ups, Alysa talks about how to do the “break up,” whether it’s ghosting, changing the relationship, or having the difficult conversation about ending the relationship. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  ...

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone

Friendship is magical, right? Well, in the world of Harry Potter it is! Join Alysa and her dear and Harry Potter nerdy friend, Alisun, to discuss the first book in the series, Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone! In this epsiode, they discuss how being an orphan and a celebrity impacts Harry’s ability to make friends, how he meets friends, Ron and Hermoine, and how he meets his enemy, Draco. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Listen to & ...

Friendship Breakups Pt. 2

In the second episode of this multi-episode series on friendship break ups, Alysa explores the reasons why we may call it quits on a friendship. Specifically, she talks about three assessments we can do for ourselves, our friendship, and dealbreakers to help us make decisions about ending a friendship. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected]  Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove...

Cruel Summer

Freeform’s popular TV show, Cruel Summer, demonstrates what happens when friendships change, when friends betray you, when one is desperate for a certain friendship, and what happens when just a little friendship is all one needs during dark times. Alysa’s friend, Amanda, stops by the podcast to talk about the twists and turns of friendship of the characters, Jeanette Turner and Kate Wallis. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Listen to & ...

Friendship Break Ups Pt. 1

Friendship break ups are not widely acknowledged or talked about but are often much more painful than romantic break ups. Understanding the process of a friendship break up is important in being able to lead a happy and healthy life with supportive friends by your side. In the first episode of this multi-episode series, Alysa takes a deep dive into romantic relationship development and how it applies to friendship. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = friendswithalysa@...

Friends First

After being inspired by an article in The Atlantic, Alysa explores the idea of what life would be like if friends, instead of romantic relationships, were our focus. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Listen to & Follow Friends with Alysa = https://linktr.ee/friendswithalysa Art Work by Kate Cosgrove = http://k8cosgrove.blogspot.com Theme Music by Trevor Wilson  Promo from this Episode! The Reference Desk Podcast = https://therefe...

We Were on a Break

Alysa explores the idea that sometimes we need a break from our friends, not a break-up. She discusses why we might need a break and how we can go about making that break happen successfully and with kindness. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/BestForeversPod Su...

Pandemic Impact on Connections with Others

In this episode, Alysa’s Honor student, Kayla, guests to talk about her final thesis project focusing on connections during the global pandemic. We talk about how she developed her project, what she found and what it means, and concludes with recommendations for us navigating our friendships differently because COVID-19. Need Help?  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline = https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org SAMHSA = https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Episodes Discuss...

The Vaccination Phase of Friendship

As we experience the one-year anniversary of the nation shutting down due to the pandemic, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel, but there are still new experiences, feelings, and differences to navigate when it comes to vaccinations and friendship. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instag...

Fried Green Tomatoes

Alysa’s good friend, Rachel, from Hallmarkies Podcast and Rachel’s Reviews joins her to chat about the 1991 movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, and the friendship themes present. Follow Rachel at Rachel’s Reviews on Twitter = https://twitter.com/rachel_reviews Check out Rachel’s Reviews on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/smilingldsgirl Check out Rachel’s Reviews Web Page = https://rachelsreviews.net/ Follow Hallmarkies Podcast on Twitter = https://twitter.com/HallmarkiesPod Check o...

Kindness Challenge

In this episode, Alysa chats about taking on a Kindness Challenge and what that can mean for us and our friendships. HATS (Animal Shelter in Mount Pleasant) = https://www.hatsweb.org/giving Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twitt...

Good Vibes Only

In this episode, Alysa discusses toxic positivity and what can happen to ourselves and our friendships if we ignore negative emotions and experiences, and only live by the “good vibes” mindset. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twi...

The COVID Divide

The podcast returns after a long pandemic break to dig into some heavy issues from 2020 and now 2021. The last year has put a spotlight on how we may truly differ from our friends in beliefs related to COVID-19. So, what do we do when we don’t agree? In this episode, Alysa details how “The COVIDD Divide” is impacting friendships. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Fa...

Unfriending with Nate Woo

In the third episode of the special “Friends to the End” October series, Alysa chats with friend of the podcast, Nate Woo, about the spooky friendship behavior of unfriending. He details the research he and colleagues have conducted on the topic and they explore examples and difficulties with unfriending. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa!   Email Alysa = [email protected] Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Listen to Nate Woo on E8: Making Friends is Hard: ...

Pranks

In the second episode of the special “Friends to the End” October series, Alysa chats about intentional embarrassment and the light and dark side of pranking our friends! Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/bestforeverspod/ Twitter = https://twitter.com/BestForeversPo...

Little Weird Family with 3 Spooked Girls

In the first episode of the special “Friends to the End” October series, Alysa chats with best ghoul friends, Jessica and Tara, who host the popular paranormal and true crime podcast, 3 Spooked Girls. We talk about how they met, came to podcast together, and how they’ve created their own little weird family. You Find 3 Spooked Girls Here: https://www.3spookedgirls.com  Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Share Your Personal Idioms Stories Here = https://forms.gle/tfgvP2SKWkjQhCU4...

Parentships

We’re celebrating three years of the Best Forevers Podcast! In this episode, I talk to my parents, Jim and Nancy, about friendship and when parents become friends with their children. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Share Your Personal Idioms Stories Here = https://forms.gle/tfgvP2SKWkjQhCU49 Email Alysa = [email protected] Find the Web Page here = www.alysalucas.com The Legend of Charlie Ballou = https://fataliteas.libsyn.com/the-legend-of-charlie-ballou Follow...

Personal Idioms

Do you and your best friends have nicknames for each other? Is there a line from a TV show you both use all the time? Or, maybe even a funny word or phrase from a conversation you laugh about during tough times? If so, you and your friend are using personal idioms. In this episode, Alysa talks about they are and how they can help build friendships and closeness. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Share Your Personal Idioms Stories Here = https://forms.gle/tfgvP2SKWkjQhCU49 Email...

Little Things

In this episode, Alysa talks about little things she has done to stay connected with others. Alysa Watches TV = https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L4j1RmaNgYh5-PAKzLkHa3FAy9MdJDk4-SPPXHhBBQs/edit?usp=sharing Hallmarkies Podcast = https://www.hallmarkiespodcast.com Episode on Parasocial Relationships = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/parasocial-relationships Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Ask Questions or Share Stories and Tips for future Understanding Loneliness...

Making Friends Pt. 2 - Pandemic Edition

Making friends is hard and that’s pre-COVID so what are we supposed to do now? Alysa talks about making friends during quarantine in a second episode of this series. Related Episodes Making Friends Pt. 1 = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/making-friends-pt-1 Celebrating Friends in Quarantine = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/celebrating-friends-in-quarantine Staying Connected = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/stay-connected Making Friends is Hard = https://bestforeverspod....

Making Friends Pt. 1

Making friends can be hard so, in this episode, Alysa starts with the question, “Are you ready for friendship?” She talks about steps one can take to prepare to make friends. Related Episodes Can You Hear Me Now? (about listening) = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/can-you-hear-me-now Friendship Matters = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/friendship-matters Hello, My Name Is (about conversations) = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/hello-my-name-is Making Friends is Hard = http...

Understanding Loneliness Pt. 2

In the second installment of understanding loneliness, Alysa explores the ways we can recognize our feelings of loneliness including a deeper dive into factors that we may need to consider like FOMO, social comparison, social insecurity, and more. Need Help?  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline = https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org SAMHSA = https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Episodes Discussed FOMO = https://bestforeverspod.libsyn.com/fomo Hello, My Name Is (ab...

Psych Friends Forever! You Know That's Right!

Alysa and her friend, Courtney, from the Spoop Hour podcast talk about their favorite friendship, Shawn and Gus, from the TV series, Psych. In this second of two episodes, they discuss the five reasons why the friendship has some problems, but, overall, why it works nonetheless. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforeverspod/ Instagram = https://www.instragram/bes...

C'mon Son, It's Psych!

Alysa and her friend, Courtney, from the Spoop Hour podcast talk about a favorite friendship, Shawn and Gus, from the TV series, Psych. In this first of two episodes, they talk about the show, some of their favorite moments, if we would be friends with Shawn and Gus, and the five reasons why they have an amazing friendship. Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Email Alysa = [email protected] Follow Best Forevers Pod! Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestforever...

Understanding Loneliness Pt. 1

In honor of Cheer Up the Lonely Day, Alysa begins the discussion of loneliness – what it is, evidence of it as an epidemic, and why we should care about understanding loneliness to help ourselves and others. Need Help? National Suicide Prevention Lifeline = https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org SAMHSA = https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Ask Questions or Share Stories and Tips for future Understanding Loneliness episodes her...

1st to Die

In this episode of the Best Forevers Book Club series, Alysa and Claire read the book, 1st to Die, from the series that got Alysa through college, the Women’s Murder Club by James Patterson. We discuss friendships in the workplace, the dangers of crossing boundaries, and the joy of women supporting women. Note: This episode focuses on friends who have jobs that help solve murders. Topics and language may be less appropriate for young children than usual. Book Club Book 1st to Die by Jame...

I'm Friends with a Perfectionist

Many of us our perfectionists or we have friends who are perfectionists, but do we understand the impact perfectionism can have on our friendships? In this episode, Alysa explores what perfectionism is, what it might do to friendships, and what we can do to manage our perfectionist friends (or, coping with being the perfectionist friend). Share Your Friendship Stories with Alysa! Visit the podcast web page = www.alysalucas.com  Email Alysa = [email protected]   Follow Best ...