When Is It Time for New Friends?

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dr. Laura Podcast — "When Is It Time for New Friends?"
Date: May 10, 2026
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger

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Episode Overview

In today’s episode, Dr. Laura Schlessinger tackles a key question: "When is it time for new friends?" Drawing from her extensive experience as a therapist and radio host, Dr. Laura offers thoughtful insights into why friendships sometimes end, how to know when it’s time to move on, and how to face that change with courage and grace. While the episode contains some sponsor and promotional spots, Dr. Laura's core commentary is focused, compassionate, and practical—catering to listeners grappling with the evolution of their social circles.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Normalcy of Friendships Changing

• Dr. Laura emphasizes that it’s normal for friendships to run their course as people change and evolve over time.
• Quote:
  • “I think that one of the prime reasons friendships run their course is that people change. And frankly, human beings don’t care a lot for change.” (02:14)
• She outlines that changes, whether subtle or profound, can shake the foundation of relationships, making people feel anxious or defensive.
• Common scenarios include shifts in interests, lifestyle (e.g., marriage or parenthood), and values.

2. The Discomfort of Change

• Change is hard for most people, but it’s unavoidable—especially when it comes to relationships.
• According to Dr. Laura, adaptation is often required, but not everyone is willing (or able) to do so.
• Certain differences—especially value misalignments—can signal the natural end of a friendship.
• Quote:
  • “Sometimes we, one or the other of you, does something that is really light years away from the morals, values, principles and ethics that you’ve always shared. And that’s another reason that relationships run their course.” (03:15)

3. Letting Go of Old Ties

• Clinging to old friendships simply due to shared history is not always healthy.
• Dr. Laura encourages listeners to “bite the bullet and move on” when friendships no longer serve both parties.
• Quote:
  • “Instead of clinging on, reasoning that, oh, we’ve known each other since we were kids, we went to college together. Sometimes it’s just time to bite the bullet and move on.” (03:44)
• She stresses that good memories remain, even if the friendship as it exists must end.

4. The Emotional Challenge of Ending Friendships

• Breaking away from old friends doesn’t mean discarding memories or positive experiences.
• Dr. Laura notes that people often mistake the end of a friendship for the loss of all shared experiences.
• Quote:
  • “All the good stuff that was, was and is and it’s in your memory banks and it won’t go away. It’s just that it’s run its course.” (06:57)

5. Desire for Acceptance and the Trap of Hanging On

• A deep desire for acceptance and connection can cause people to hold onto one-sided or toxic friendships.
• Dr. Laura points out that persisting with friends who no longer reciprocate care or who have betrayed you leads to disappointment and possibly depression.
• Quote:
  • “Hanging on with old friends who perhaps are not showing a molecule of the caring they used to or betrayed you in some way… it’s a surefire way to fall into depression, feel desperate for a connection that is lost.” (07:39)
• She advises listeners to “be better at accepting things running their course” and to “be brave enough to create a new world.” (08:11)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Change and Anxiety:
  “Change challenges what we know, causes us to become nervous, defensive, insecure.” (02:32)
• On the "Expiration" of Friendship:
  “Sometimes it’s just time to bite the bullet and move on.” (03:44)
• On Memory and Loss:
  “Problem is, none of us likes to give up our memories. And I think there’s a little burp in there someplace where we think if we don’t have this friend, then we have to give up all the memories. No, of course not.” (06:57)
• On Courage and Creating New Connections:
  “We have to be better at accepting things, running their course and be brave enough to create a new world.” (08:11)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:12] — Introduction to the topic: When is it time for new friends?
• [02:14–03:15] — Discussion on the inevitability of change and its effect on friendships
• [03:44] — Advice on moving on from old friendships despite shared history
• [06:57] — Reassurance that memories are preserved even if friendships end
• [07:39] — The dangers of hanging onto dead friendships and the importance of acceptance

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Final Thoughts

Dr. Laura’s tone throughout is no-nonsense yet deeply understanding, aimed at empowering listeners to make healthy choices about their social lives. She acknowledges the heartbreak that can accompany these choices but insists on the value of dignity, clarity, and courage. The episode offers both practical and philosophical guidance for anyone weighing whether to keep investing in a friendship that may have run its course.

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For more episodes and advice from Dr. Laura, visit DrLaura.com, SiriusXM, or your favorite podcast platform.

Transcript

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

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my little very micro Nano below Micro into Nano commentary this morning to start

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is when it's time for new friends. We get a lot of calls like that, people hanging on to friends simply because turns out, I think that one of the prime reasons friendships run their course is that people change. And frankly, human beings don't care care a lot for change. That's where a lot of anxiety develops because change challenges what we know, causes us to become nervous, defensive, insecure. So, for example, if you or your friend, it's just gear shifting. I mean, from being somebody who would talk only to you. Now they have friends, somebody who didn't do much physical, now they're doing a lot of physical things. Or the reverse. Or now they're married and have kids change. Change of any kind is unnerving and it requires people to adapt. And not everybody is comfortable with doing that. And sometimes we, one or the other of you, does something that is really light years away from the morals, values, principles and ethics that you've always shared. And that's another reason that relationships run their course, friendships run their course. So instead of clinging on, reasoning that, oh, we've known each other since we were kids, we went to college together. Sometimes it's just time to bite the bullet and move on.

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Problem is, none of us likes to give up our memories. And I think there's a little burp in there someplace where we think if we don't have this friend, then we have to give up all the memories. No, of course not. All the good stuff that was, was and is and it's in your memory banks and it won't go away. It's just that it's run its course. We all have a deep longing for acceptance and connectedness. We want to be liked. Sometimes we keep beating a dead horse, wanting it to like us. Now hanging on with old friends who perhaps are not showing a molecule of the caring they used to or betrayed you in some way. I'm assuming all of this was discussed and clarified, not just assumptions and misunderstandings. It's a surefire way to fall into depression, feel desperate for a connection that is lost. We have a lot of discussions on this program about that. We have to be better at accepting things, running their course and be brave enough to create a new world. My number 1-800-375-2872.

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