Highest Self Podcast®

Episode 627: This Is How To Have Serious Bestie Friendships That Pass The Test Of Time with Rosie Acosta
Host: Sahara Rose | Guest: Rosie Acosta | Air Date: November 4, 2025

Main Theme

In this heartfelt, candid conversation, Sahara Rose and her best friend Rosie Acosta explore the art and spiritual significance of deep, enduring female friendships: how to find, nurture, and maintain "serious bestie" relationships that last through life's many seasons and changes. Drawing from personal anecdotes and unfiltered advice, they address loneliness, evolving communication, friendship “tiers,” age gaps, and boundary-setting—offering practical tools as well as musings on the soul-level impact of true connection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Rare, Transformational Nature of Serious Friendships

• Soulmate Friendships vs. Surface Friendships (00:00–03:00)

  • Sahara opens with a reflection on generational shifts: we desire "soulmate" friendships that are as profound as romantic partnerships, but even rarer and harder to maintain.
    • “We want those soulmate friendships that go through chapters, that grow, that understand us... it’s even rarer to keep because we’re not, as a society, prioritizing it as much.” – Sahara (00:16)
  • Women's lives often outlast their romantic partners—your female friends will likely walk the journey with you until the end.

• Modern Loneliness and Finding Friends (03:30–05:40)

  • Sahara discusses the epidemic of loneliness and how spiritual growth can naturally shift one’s friend circle. After major personal evolution, not everyone "gets you" anymore.

Sahara & Rosie: Friendship Origin Story & Tips for Making Connections

• How Their Friendship Began (06:00–09:00)

  • Both started podcasts around the same time and reached out for a collaborative swap—Sahara emphasizes following your “dharma” (soul’s purpose) and making the first move.
    • “When you’re invited to events or opportunities, use that as your opportunity to invite people you want to get to know better. Friendship hack 1!” – Sahara (07:35)
  • Their close bond was cemented on a group trip to North Carolina, intentionally choosing people to deepen connections with.

• Friendship as Relationship: The Role of Conflict & Investment (09:05–10:30)

  • Rosie compares building a friendship to dating: “You really get to see who people are when you encounter conflict... it still took time for us to get close.”

Friendship Tiers, Styles, and Communication Habits

• Friendship Tiers: Best Friends vs. Besties (10:10–14:00)

  • Sahara distinguishes between her “number one best friend” (Rosie) and besties (“soul fam” with different textures of closeness).
    • The closeness often depends on logistics, communication styles (frequent voice notes vs. in-person drop-ins), and mutual needs.

• Maintaining Long-Distance Friendships (14:26–16:00)

  • Consistent, authentic communication—mostly through voice notes and sharing life updates—can sustain closeness regardless of geography.

Navigating the Loneliness Epidemic and Adult Friendship Challenges

• Challenges of Making Friends as an Adult (16:00–24:00)
  • Rosie explains that as people age, natural communal experiences drop off; priorities and schedules (with kids, jobs, relationships) grow more complex.
    • “It does require effort as you get older, quite a bit of effort.” – Rosie (16:49)
  • The necessity for tolerance and compassion (especially post-Covid and amidst political divisions) is emphasized.

Where and How to Find New Friends

• Practical Tips for Meeting Kindred Spirits (27:00–33:00)

  • *Join groups (e.g., Rose Gold Goddesses), go to classes, or attend local events based on your interests.
  • *If you attend an in-person class, remember: “You’re going to a class because you want that in-person connection... all luck comes from new friends.” – Sahara (28:48, 29:10)
  • Make the first move: compliment, ask questions, or connect via Instagram/voice notes or Zoom calls.
  • Bumble BFF and similar apps are less effective than shared-interest environments.

• Creative Approaches for Introverts (33:01–35:55)

  • Rosie suggests book clubs, movie nights, or intimate gatherings at home for those less comfortable with large social events.
  • Scheduling and intentionality matter; prioritize friendship like you would romantic relationships or work.

The Role of Life Phases, Romantic Relationships, and Age Differences

• Life Stages and Shifting Dynamics (38:20–44:00)

  • Friendships ebb and flow with life transitions (marriage, motherhood, moving, etc.). To keep them thriving, create new experiences together—like travel or joint projects.
    • “With a lot of old friendships, the whole friendship becomes based on what happened in the past... create new memories.” – Sahara (42:40)

• Navigating Age Gaps in Friendship (61:45–67:07)

  • The friends reflect on their eight-year age difference and advocate for having relationships across generations:
    • “I think I’ve always said have friends of different ages... it’s so important to see a different perspective.” – Rosie (63:06)
  • Age can sometimes show in life-stage decisions, but mutual respect and support override gaps in experience.

Boundaries, Power Dynamics, and “Not Being Creepy”

• How to Reach Out to Potential Friends Without Overstepping (44:25–52:20)

  • Don’t “grip” too tightly—respect the natural pace and mutual interest.
    • “That desperation—we can sense it. You know, people sense desperation. And that is not a great way to start any relationship.” – Rosie (47:55)
  • Sahara shares her experience with an overly eager acquaintance: set boundaries by matching their investment and not overextending yourself.
    • “Instead of being like: ‘hey, these are a lot of voice notes, I don’t have the capacity...’ I just would never send a voice note back, I would respond with text and keep it like: ‘oh, I’m so glad you’re doing better, sending so much love.’” – Sahara (55:00)

• Power Dynamics in Friendship & Pedestalization (57:15–58:56)

  • It’s important to maintain relationships where both feel equal. Fan energy or one-sided admiration can create an imbalance, so Sahara tends to avoid blurring student-friend lines.

Friendships & Conflict: What If You Dislike Your Friend’s Partner?

• To Intervene or Not? (68:21–76:02)
  • Should you tell a close friend if you dislike their new romantic partner? Both agree: only offer opinions if truly asked, support autonomy, and don’t issue ultimatums.
    • “If somebody’s not asking you for their opinion, it’s because they already know what your opinion is and they don’t want to hear it.” – Rosie (75:40)
  • As with other life choices, support and loving presence usually go further than unsolicited advice.

Celebrating, Prioritizing, and Uplifting Friendship in Women’s Lives

• Women’s Lifelong Companionship (76:30–78:00)

  • Women should recognize that their closest friends will likely outlast most romantic relationships. The call: raise the priority of “serious bestie” friendships as pillars of life.

• Community Call-to-Action (78:00–end)

  • Sahara invites listeners to use the YouTube comments to introduce themselves and make friends: “If you listen to this whole podcast, you’re someone who values friendships—let’s all bring the friendshipers together so we can have those soul-mate, fun, laughing but equal parts deep friendships.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “We want those soulmate friendships that go through chapters, that grow, that understand us. And it’s rare, just like a romantic relationship to find, but even rarer to keep.” – Sahara (00:16)
• “Friendship hack 1: When you’re invited to events or opportunities, use that as your opportunity to invite people you want to get to know better.” – Sahara (07:35)
• “It does require effort as you get older, quite a bit of effort.” – Rosie (16:49)
• “All luck comes from new friends, because when you make a new friend, you’re inviting a whole new world into your life.” – Sahara (29:10)
• “That desperation—we can sense it. People sense the desperation. And that is not a great way to start any relationship.” – Rosie (47:55)
• “If somebody’s not asking you for their opinion, it’s because they already know what your opinion is and they don’t want to hear it.” – Rosie (75:40)

Important Timestamps / Segments

• [00:00–03:00]: Introduction to the importance of deep, long-lasting friendships
• [06:00–09:00]: Sahara and Rosie’s friendship origin story + practical tips for making friends
• [14:26–16:00]: Communication styles that sustain long-distance friendships
• [16:00–24:00]: Loneliness and the challenge of finding friends as adults
• [27:00–33:00]: Tips for how and where to meet new friends in a meaningful way
• [38:20–44:00]: Navigating life stages, romantic relationships, and sustaining connection
• [44:25–52:20]: Setting boundaries and not coming across as overly eager (“creepy”) when reaching out
• [61:45–67:07]: The value of friendship across age differences
• [68:21–76:02]: Navigating disagreement, boundaries, and support when your friend’s choices concern you
• [76:30–78:00]: Reframing friendship as an essential, lifelong priority

Tone & Style Highlights

• Warm, conversational, and intimate—true best-friend energy with plenty of laughter and honesty
• Both practical and philosophical: spiritual context meets actionable advice
• Empowering, supportive, and deeply real

For Listeners

If you’re craving soulmate-level friends, feel isolated in your spiritual journey, or struggle to maintain meaningful connections as life changes, Sahara and Rosie offer hope, tools, and reassurance: friendship is a sacred, dynamic practice, and it’s never too late to find and nurture your “ride or die.”

Connect:

• Sahara Rose: @iamsahararose | Rose Gold Goddesses: rosegoldgoddesses.com
• Rosie Acosta: Instagram: @rosieacosta

Community Invitation:
Introduce yourself in the YouTube comments with “I am this friend” and a note about yourself—find other kindred spirits in the Highest Self community!