More Than Reality with Adam & Danielle:

EP 55 – Girl Talk Unfiltered: Building Deep Friendships in Your 40s

Release Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this vibrant and laughter-filled episode, Adam and Danielle Busby welcome their very first guests—longtime best friends Mandy and Priscilla—to dive deep into the realities of women’s friendships in their 40s. With Adam popping in and out between school pick-ups, the group explores why their bond is unique, what it takes to keep close connections thriving through the chaos of family life, and offers candid, heartfelt, and hilarious insights on nurturing adult friendships that last.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing the Trimingos

[01:27–09:07]

• Mandy and Priscilla are the Busbys' first podcast guests.
• They recount how their "Trimingos" (Three Mingos) friendship began:
  • Originated from a larger group but naturally gravitated toward each other.
  • The nickname arose from inside jokes and a mix of “three” plus “flamingos” as they collected flamingo-themed symbols and eventually got matching tattoos ("Try" as the wing) [07:27].
• Danielle admits she always tells the wrong origin story, believing it was about flamingos having life-long friends:

  “I actually tell the wrong story every time... so everybody asked me about this tattoo and I was like, well, you know that like, flamingos, they like, have like, friendships for life...” – Danielle [07:46]

2. What Makes Their Friendship Unique

[09:25–18:44]

• Mutual friends often ask what distinguishes the trio’s bond.
• Core values they cite:
  • Truth and honesty, even when difficult to hear:

    “We've always spoken truth to each other, no matter what. Even when you don't want to hear the truth...” – Mandy [11:40]

  • Deep trust akin to family bonds.
  • Shared faith as a foundational value (involvement in church small group).
• Friendships strengthened by weathering life’s hardships together—marital issues, infertility, job struggles, moving, etc.
• Intentionality is essential in maintaining closeness, especially through distance and busy lives. Checking in regularly by calls and FaceTime is key.
• Celebration and support go both ways, in hard times and joyful moments:

  “It isn't just struggles, but rejoicing our happy times too... We're doing life together. That’s ups, that’s downs, the good and the bad, the ugly.” – Danielle [15:40]

3. Vulnerability, Accountability, and Spiritual Growth

[18:44–21:09]

• Group’s openness allows honest conversations about marriage, parenting, and faith.
• They “hold each other accountable,” challenging and supporting each other's spiritual growth.
• Bible verse that represents their dynamic:

  “Iron sharpens iron. ... Nothing better than being able to walk life with, you know, like soul sisters.” – Mandy [18:44]

4. Navigating Changes and Aging with Humor

[21:14–33:43]

• The women riff on the “annoying” parts of aging, including sudden chin hairs, memory lapses, and vision changes:

  “Mine would be the freaking random hair. Like, you don't see it until you get in the car... Where the heck have you been?” – Mandy [21:55]

• They poke fun at each other's outfits, “granny chic” clothing, and unfashionable but comfortable trends (Birkenstocks and socks):

  “Why would you wear socks? ...You wear socks with your Birkenstocks. Those are like sandals.” – Danielle [24:30]

• Lighthearted banter about signature looks and joking “outfit themes” for outings and church.

5. Memorable Friendship Stories

[36:32–41:47]

• Funny stories, including antique shopping mishaps, debating over belt initials, and shopping day antics (“Nordstrom ski coats,” “travel dress,” and Vegas trips).
• The accidental spilling of coffee on a friend's new house wall morphs into a lasting, humorous memory.

6. How Their Husbands View the Friendship

[42:38–45:07]

• The women relay that their husbands appreciate the depth of their connection, seeing its rarity and value.
• The friendship is regarded as a source of replenishment and support that benefits not just themselves but also their families.

Notable quote:

“He loves you guys because of how you love me, and he knows how important you are... I come back a better wife, a better mom, a better woman, better friend.” – Priscilla [43:40]

• Adam joins and reaffirms:

  “It’s something very special that what y’all have, because especially people our age, I feel like not many people have that.” – Adam [48:17]

7. Advice for Building Deep Friendships in Adulthood

[50:23–56:44]

• Practical guidance:
  • Get involved in your community—church, small groups, or activity/interest clubs.
  • Be proactive about initiating contact with other parents at activities, rather than keeping to yourself.
  • Lead with vulnerability:

    “The quickest way to deepen friendships and deepen relationships is to lead with vulnerability.” – Adam [54:35]

  • Prioritize time for deep conversation beyond the superficial.
  • “Be interested, not interesting”—take a genuine interest in others’ lives.

    “Take the time to get to know the other person... Invite them over to your house, have a meal with them.” – Danielle [55:39]

  • Nurture the relationship through consistent effort and reciprocity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Unfiltered Honesty in Friendship

  “I've never had a friendship before where I felt like I could speak my mind off the top of my head and not have to be careful about how I say it, that I wasn't gonna offend them.” – Priscilla [16:10]

• On Celebrating Life’s Ups and Downs

  “We're doing life together. That’s ups, that’s downs, the good and the bad, the ugly.” – Danielle [15:40]

• On Accountability

  “We hold each other accountable because that's what... true love—that's what we need. We all need that. Women need women like this in their lives.” – Mandy [20:06]

• On Sacred Silly Moments

  “I feel like we can be crying and then two seconds later, we're doing that [laughing hysterically]...” – Priscilla [17:37]

• On Aging

  “My brain is not braining anymore the way it used to.” – Priscilla [22:03]

• On Husband Support

  “I think he loves you guys because of how you love me...” – Priscilla [43:40]
  “I think it's great that at our age, you know, in your 40s, continuing and furthering and deepening friendships are very meaningful, even whenever you do have kids and stuff and family, you know, because usually whenever you get to that age... that falls away a lot.” – Adam [49:56]

• On Building Friendship

  “Lead with vulnerability.” – Adam [54:35]
  “Be interested, not interesting.” – Danielle [55:39]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:29] — First podcast guests: Mandy and Priscilla introduced
• [06:45] — How “Trimingos” got its name
• [09:25] — Why their friendship is unique
• [13:00] — How hardships and small group bonded them
• [18:44] — Iron sharpens iron: Encouraging faith and vulnerability
• [21:28] — Getting real about aging and womanhood
• [36:32] — Sharing funny group stories and shopping mishaps
• [42:38] — Husbands’ perspectives on the friendship
• [50:23] — How to find deep friendship in adulthood
• [54:35] — The power of vulnerability in building connection
• [55:39] — “Be interested, not interesting”

Final Thoughts & Takeaway

This episode offers heartfelt testament to the power of honest, intentional, faith-filled friendships in adulthood. Danielle, Mandy, and Priscilla model how laughter, shared vulnerability, and accountability create a safe harbor for personal growth and joy. Adam's supportive perspective highlights the importance of nurturing these bonds even as parental and marital responsibilities loom larger. Their actionable wisdom—get involved, show up, and be real—serves as an enthusiastic call for listeners of any age to build and maintain their own true circles of support.

Next Episode Tease:
The Busbys and friends are open to feedback on whether this guest-filled girl talk should become a regular feature.