Close Friend #42 is Ellen Robinson! When I think of a friend that you can go months or longer without talking, and then pick right up where you left off, Ellen is that friend. We discuss some potentially controversial topics, and I'm curious to know your thoughts!
It's been a couple of weeks since I've posted an episode. Life has been busy and I am trying to be a good steward of my time. Happy to be jumping back in!
Close Friend #17 is Amy Epley. This episode ended up being in quite a different order than the rest of them, but it kind of turns out to be so fun!
She and I have been friends since we both moved to Evansville in 2017, navigating the waters of working together and using online dating, we came out on the other side all the better!
It has always been so easy to catch up and talk to her, this conversation being no different. She's wise and hilarious and I hope you enjoy the conversation!
*Note: Y'all, this episode was great until the 1 hour mark. However, I would encourage you to turn your headphones up at that point. It's not perfect, but Amy really speaks some truth that I want everyone to hear, so thankfully ;) I'm the one who's quieted.
Rachel Barnes is so much more than what meets the eye. This is such a sweet conversation, with a sweet friend! We discuss music, decision making, and how ultimately we're all just trying to be seen and heard and understood.
Close Friend #23 is Ashley Lynn Forbes Hooten. After many rain(tornado) delays we finally had time to sit and talk about the pressing topic of *Therapy*
We discuss much outside of that, but I just want to say that I appreciate this friendship so much and I hope you all love the episode!
Close Friend #47 is Marygrace Fendrich.
First thing: the sound on this video is *rough* and I’m sorry. I’m realizing I have a cable that needs to be replaced, but this conversation was so good, I couldn’t scrap it. So, it might be rough around the edges, but I hope you’ll stick around and listen!
Secondly, Marygrace is one of my favorite people to sit and talk to, and one of the funniest people I know! Getting to record my first episode in my home with her was the cherry on top of our chat.
Emily Raleigh, my buddy. She and I have sat behind the mics multiple times together to help me practice getting the hang of things. How our friendship made it out of the coworker phase is such a mystery to me, but I would not want anyone to know about my taco bell car eating shame besides her.
We left off talking about contentment, and pick right back up this week. Honestly, after going back to edit this episode I was reminded of how seamlessly God works in our lives. This episode is a reminder for me about the importance of prayer and our relationship with Christ to be intentional and not transactional.
Here it is, the highly anticipated answer to a lingering question of who my #1 and #2 are. Hannah Toone is Close Friend #2!
Both of my best friends are obviously #1, but for the sake of having some fun I thought I should not give specific numbers to anyone other than these two for these podcasts.
This is Part One of Two for Hannah's episode. The next part will be out next Friday! Trying to have condensed conversation with your best friend is not easy to do, but somehow we managed to stay just under the two hour mark. I hope this gives you a glimpse into who we are as people and friends. I'm so thankful to have been friends with Hannah as long as I have. Take some time to get to know her as you give this a listen!
#33 - Rachel Alderman, despite her name being Gomes in the episode though being clearly married? Where do I start with this episode?
First off: there are some rough cuts throughout and it's because we really did yap. I figured it was too soon into my podcast career to get cancelled over political statements and rendezvous at Mo's House, so you're getting the *BEST* version of this episode. Perhaps I'll publish a $ubscription episode some day and drop it.
Secondly: without googling, do you know Emily Gilmore's maiden name?
Lastly: for some reason it won't let me share mine and Rachel's Spotify Blend, so here is this honorary mention: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7x0ANHQTPBfpnZ3aP1KUUS?si=n9vb7z1YSWmd7LlsjIhrrg
Happy Friday, friends! It just happens to be Valentine's Day, and I thought I'd do something a little different. This episode breaks down my 2025 BINGO Card, some life updates, and a little tag at the end about dating apps, being single, and where true identity comes from. There are several prompts throughout this one that encourage you to shoot me a message, and I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine's Day to those of you who choose to celebrate ;)
Timestamps:
BINGO Card 3:05
Life Updates 29:16
Dating Apps 42:45
Mychelle and I crossed paths at the YMCA several years ago and have been friends ever since. This conversation unpacks a nice little overview into the history of that friendship as well as some local causes and restaurants that are favorites of ours. Check out the links below for more information on the IWRC and the NAACP's Juneteenth Banquet.
NAACP: https://naacpevansville.com/about-us/
IWRC: https://www.evvimmigrantwelcomecenter.com/
Dana is a glory ball of joy and such an encouragement to all know her. She might be old enough to be my mom, but her friendship is so precious to me!
Give her MK shop a look: https://www.marykay.com/danasone?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYJT0-j-MDFGi3nzn5AB4oEZ9HnB6THHQZTME7rg2wehZvCu8A85cJMzkE_aem_a4dGywcFAJcpOqPLU5Xx_g
I couldn't, and really didn't want to, make cuts and so we get another 55 minutes with my friend, Emily. Enjoy!
#7 - Emily Wilson
This episode takes you on a journey from our days at OCU together, to Ben Rector concerts, and even our experiences with therapy. Emily is one of the most selfless and genuine people I have had the pleasure of being able to call a friend. I hope you enjoy pt. 1 of 2, in my conversation with her!
There have been several questions consistently finding their way to me about the structure of the numbers and how the close friends are being assigned their numbers. In this episode I break down these questions, and answer a few extra fun questions as well. Thanks for joining and getting to know my close friends!
#22 - Meghan Craven
One of the best people I know. She's supportive, hilarious, driven, and incredibly forgiving when you do really dumb things. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!
52 of my Closest Friends is finally here!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support and encouragement through this process. This is only the beginning.
In this "Episode #0" I tried to paint a picture of how my brainchild came to be and share my heart of where I hope this podcast can go. There are questions yet still to be asked and answered about what it means to be a good friend and how I assign numbers to my friends. However, I would encourage you to stick around as this unfolds.
Follow 52 of my Closest Friends on Instagram to stay in the know! https://www.instagram.com/52ofmyclosestfriends/
