Podcast Summary: "What To Do If Your Best Friend Fks Your Boyfriend"**

Podcast Information:

• Title: Tall Blonde
• Host/Author: Sarah Lauren
• Description: Sharing the hard truths on dating, city life, and leveling up to 'it girl' status. Unfiltered stories, straight talk, and lessons learned—so you don’t have to.
• Presented by: MBHTV
• Episode: What To Do If Your Best Friend F**ks Your Boyfriend
• Release Date: November 8, 2024

Introduction to Friendship Breakups

Sarah Lauren opens the episode by addressing a topic often overshadowed by romantic relationships: friendship breakups. She emphasizes that while breakups with partners are widely discussed, the end of significant friendships can be equally, if not more, devastating.

“Friendships are supposed to be forever. They're supposed to be your life partners.” (00:41)

She highlights that most people, especially women, experience at least one major friendship breakup in their lifetime. Sarah shares her own experiences, framing friendship breakups as a grieving process similar to losing a loved one, yet society often expects individuals to simply "get over it."

Personal Story: Betrayal by a Best Friend

Sarah delves into a personal narrative from her high school years, recounting a painful betrayal:

“One night, a girl from my hometown told me that my best friend hooked up with my boyfriend. So I put them both in a group chat and said, heard you guys fuck. How was it? And my boyfriend was going off the rails. And then my best friend was like, you're drunk.” (00:00)

This revelation led to a cascade of emotional turmoil. Despite her boyfriend's denial initially, Sarah eventually discovered the truth, prompting her to sever ties:

“Later, I then found out that it was true from his laptop. And he was so apologetic... I said, screw you, you're dead to me. Bye.” (06:58)

The aftermath was more complex than anticipated, as mutual friends chose sides, leaving Sarah feeling isolated. She reflects on the importance of having support during such times:

“I needed somebody at that time in my life to be in my corner and stand up for me and what's right. And I didn't get what I needed...” (07:30)

Analyzing the Dynamics of Friendship Breakups

Sarah explores various facets of friendship breakups, including:

1. Betrayal and Trust Issues: The deep sense of betrayal when a best friend sides with a betrayer, undermining the very foundation of trust.

2. Lack of Support: The pain of not receiving the expected support from mutual friends, leading to further isolation.

3. Emotional and Physical Impact: How such betrayals can lead to emotional distress and affect one's overall well-being.

4. Growth and Reflection: Sarah emphasizes that every painful experience is a life lesson, fostering personal growth and resilience.

“But I am so much stronger for it. And when my friends are going through things with their friends, I have a totally different perspective.” (19:45)

Denzel Washington's Insight on Toxic Friendships

Introducing external perspectives, Sarah shares a quote from Denzel Washington to illustrate types of toxic friends:

“People, you should cut out of your life.” (20:15)

She breaks down Washington's categories of detrimental friends:

1. The User: Individuals who lose interest once they no longer benefit from the relationship.

   “As soon as you no longer give them what they want from you, they will lose you.” (21:03)

2. The Complainer: Those who bring continuous negativity, draining your peace.

   “I hate complainers. I think it brings so much negativity to your life.” (21:30)

3. The Blamer: Friends who manipulate and avoid taking responsibility, making you feel guilty.

   “They make you feel guilty and never take responsibility.” (22:10)

4. The Abuser: Individuals who exploit your generosity without recognition or reciprocity.

   “They abused everything you gave them.” (22:45)

Sarah relates these types to her personal experiences, reinforcing the importance of recognizing and addressing toxic behaviors in friendships.

Challenges of Making New Friends Post-Breakup

Transitioning to adulthood, Sarah discusses the difficulty of forging new friendships after experiencing significant breakups:

“Making friends as an adult is so hard.” (23:15)

She attributes this struggle to established social circles and the lack of closure often accompanying friendship breakups. Sarah advises:

• Putting Yourself First: Prioritizing your well-being by distancing yourself from negative influences.

• Seeking Closure Internally: Accepting that sometimes, closure comes from within rather than from the other party.

• Expanding Your Social Circle: Encouraging listeners to actively seek out new connections despite the challenges.

“Everyone needs a friend. Everyone needs someone to talk to, to hang out with, to do things with.” (21:55)

Community Engagement: Listener Stories

Sarah invites listeners to share their own experiences with friendship breakups, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding. She reads and responds to listener submissions, offering perspective and advice based on her own experiences.

Example Listener Story: A friend got upset because you wouldn't disclose who you were dating. Sarah probes deeper into the reasons behind such conflicts, encouraging open communication and mutual understanding.

Conclusion: Embracing Change and Moving Forward

Wrapping up the episode, Sarah reiterates the inevitability of growing apart from certain friends and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive, genuine relationships. She affirms that while friendship breakups are painful, they contribute to personal growth and resilience.

“I wish I would have done that, but everything is a life lesson, and everything makes you a better person.” (10:45)

Sarah concludes with a message of empowerment, encouraging listeners to embrace their journey, learn from past experiences, and remain open to forming meaningful connections in the future.

Key Takeaways:

• Friendship Breakups Are Equally Painful as Romantic Ones: They involve deep emotional bonds and shared histories.
• Recognize Toxic Friends: Understanding the different types of negative behaviors can help in making healthier relationship choices.
• Prioritize Self-Care: It's essential to take time to grieve and heal from the end of significant friendships.
• Embrace Personal Growth: Use past experiences as lessons to build stronger, more resilient relationships in the future.
• Seek Support and Community: Engaging with others who have similar experiences can provide comfort and validation.

Notable Quotes:

• “Boys and girls cannot be friends, period. End of story.” (24:50)
• “True friends are never lost. So if someone is lost or someone leaves your life, then they were never meant to be there and they were never a true friend in the first place.” (19:15)
• “You can never lose a true friend.” (23:50)

Final Thoughts: Sarah Lauren's candid discussion on "Tall Blonde" offers invaluable insights into the complexities of friendship breakups. By sharing her personal story and practical advice, she empowers listeners to navigate the challenging terrain of lost friendships with strength and grace.

Connect with Tall Blonde:

• Subscribe: To stay updated with future episodes and gain more insights on relationships, city life, and personal growth.
• Share Your Story: Engage with the community by sharing your own experiences and lessons learned from friendship breakups.

Tune In: Don't miss out on Sarah Lauren's honest and heartfelt conversations. Join her next week on the Tall Blonde Podcast for more unfiltered discussions and empowering advice.

Love you, and see you next week!