S1E17: How you doin’ … at making friends?

The Straits Times Podcasts

Unlike our school days where it was easier to find a buddy, making new friends as an adult isn’t something that we leave to chance.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.
When you hit your adulting years, it is inevitable that someone will ask you “Have you found a partner?”. Interestingly enough, you rarely get asked if you have made new friends.
The struggle to make new friends when you are older is real. Many don’t realise - or only learn when they drift apart from their childhood friends - is that friendships, like other relationships, take effort to thrive.
In this episode of The Usual Place, host Natasha Ann Zachariah explores the complexities of forming - and keeping - friendships in adulthood.
Joining her are Grace Ann Chua, 30, CEO and co-founder of Friendzone SG, and Jarel Low, 34, the co-founder of Offline Singapore, two individuals dedicated to creating events for meaningful connections.
From how to step out of your comfort zone to red flags in friendships, the trio discuss the upside - and challenges - to meeting new people.
Highlights (click/tap above):

2:15 Why is it difficult to make friends as an adult?

9:20 The 25s vs the 35s: the different friendship outlook

14:03 Are Singaporeans a judgy, guarded bunch?

22:20 Red flags in friendships

34:05 What if you have lost the ability to make friends?

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([e-mail])

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav

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Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Filmed by: ST Video

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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Chapter

1. How you doin’ … at making friends? (00:00:00)

2. Difficulties making friends as an adult (00:02:15)

3. 25s vs 35s: the different friendship outlook (00:09:20)

4. Are Singaporeans a judgy, guarded bunch? (00:14:03)

5. Red flags in friendships (00:22:20)

6. Have you lost the ability to make friends? (00:34:05)