Alex Friedman | Friendship & Connection Coach

Building friendships that build me up? Yes, puhlease 🫶🏼 Being an entrepreneur can be incredibly lonely. Most of my days are spent in my own little bubble, working solo, connecting with clients virtually, living inside my own head.🤪 Strong professional relationships are great. But friendships that also lift you up professionally? Yeah, a whole different level. I’m genuinely honored to be featured on @cnbcmakeit . But I have a friendship to thank for that door even opening… A dear bestie, storytelling coach @lizbmorrison dropped my name to the talented journalist, Gili Malinsky. That’s it. That’s how this interview happened. Lizzy has been one of the most incredible people in my life, personally and professionally. She’s been part of @connectionfeast from the inside, she’s cheered me on from the very beginning, and she’s someone I’ve grown so much from just being around. And that’s a full circle moment for me! this business, this whole journey, has been built with and by community. I didn’t get here alone, ya’ll! 📸Even that photo was taken by a talented Bestie photographer @diana.in.wanderland And the people in the photo? Genius Cohost and friend @nomiplaz and OG Feaster fam @alexander.musgrave and @evan.richards.real.estate 🙌🏼For over 10 years I’ve been really intentional, the kinds of people I invite in and keep close. We only have so much time and energy. We all hear that the people you surround yourself with matter but I’m doubling down here to say it can make her break your life. I mean that from a health context too. The data is there. 🔥If you or your team want support on getting more intentional about friendships and your social skills, comment or DM me. That’s exactly what I do.

Oops, tried being the “cool girl” for 20 years… Then I entered my late 30s and let my quirky flags fly. Never looking back. Honestly, as soon as I learned how to come home to myself and actually BE MORE of my self (in my own loud quirky humor way), the easier it became to build deep and meaningful friendships. FUN ONES TOO! I’m not for everyone, and neither are you. And honestly, it’s better that way. 🌲Come join me?

💨 Energy vampires be gone! I used to think having expansive people in my life was just luck. Like I either stumbled into them or I didn’t. Turns out, you can actually call them in. On purpose. And look, not every friendship has to feel like you’re the most alive version of yourself. But if your body feels consistently retracted around your “friends”? That’s worth paying attention to. Nobody is forcing you to stay. And yet most of us do! The difference with people who have a secure attachment style is they know they can leave sooner, and go find the people who actually light them up. That’s a skill. And it’s learnable. It takes practice… Mostly through your body. 🌲 That’s literally what I help people do. If this is calling to you, come hang with me and I’ll teach you how to shift your friendships so your social life inspires you instead of draining you.

🌈And just because it isn’t about you doesn’t mean you should stay in a friendship or relationship! You must live your life with integrity, have boundaries, and take accountability. That is freedom, and that’s an honor. #friendshipcoach #makingfriends #communitybuilding

I wish I knew this sooner when I was lonely⤵️ I used to be that grown adult in her 30’s who felt like everybody had their friend group and close friends except for “social underdog me.” It seemed like everybody already had close friends and it would take me forever to get there, and I was confused on why it wasn’t happening faster. “Just meet more people” felt surface level and tired me out. “Just focus on my interests” meant that I was staying in my same-old bubble and bored. “Don’t take it personally” had me feeling like I had to be positive all the time. And all the cool Meetups and friend-making groups felt super random and actually more draining...like I was just going to these events to meet anybody, and then I had to hang out with them afterwards so we could maybe “build a friendship.” Something wasn’t clicking. I thought maybe it was because I was a little eccentric and different? Maybe it just took a while for people to warm up to me? Ooof, was I was wrong...If anything, being different was the golden ticket! It wasn’t until I took a playful look at my “Connection Values” and how I was spending my time in alignment with those values, that I finally realized what was holding me back...Myself! Want to learn how to make more authentic friendships as an adult? I’m your gal! #friendshipcoach #makingfriends #communitybuilding

Oops, didn’t wanna go alone for 20 years! Then I entered my 30s and realized I was waiting for other people to say yes before I said yes to myself. Never looking back. Honestly, as soon as I learned how to live a life, true to myself and actually go to events alone that were the right fit for me, the easier it became to build deep and meaningful friendships in the WILD. Super high-quality ones too! If you wait for people to join you, you learn that you’re building a life around other people’s needs and not yours. You’re also blocking yourself from meeting people that are great fit for you to connect with. ✨if you want to learn how to be more authentic so you can call in the right friendships, come join me! I’ll teach you how ;-) and we can cheer each other on as we go to our weird events alone ;-)

🤗If small talk feels stiff or you overthink what to say, welcome to the club! Most of us want deeper connection. Few us are actually practicing how to get there. Here’s a simple flow you can try out right away: • Initiate. Most people wait for someone else to approach them. Go first. You lead. Energy shifts fast. • Be curious. Ask one sincere OPEN ENDED question. Think human, not interview vibes. • Engage. Add one follow up question. Stay with the moment. • Connect. Share a small piece of your own experience about the same topic and based off of what they said (so the exchange feels mutual and alive). 🤓Opening with a question signals warmth and approachability. People soften when someone shows real interest. 🔄Aim for back and forth energy. If one person carries the whole thing, momentum drops. 👏Mix curiosity with sharing and the conversation starts flowing without forcing anything. 😅No need to sound witty, high energy, or extra. Normal works. Awkward moments count as progress. 🙋‍♀️want more social tips? I’m your gal! #friendshipcoach #makingfriends #communitybuilding

There’s something that happens when a room chooses honesty. Not polished answers. Not perfectly worded thoughts. Just people showing up as they are—listening, sharing, and realizing they’re not alone. Thank you to everyone who was in the room with us. Your presence, your openness, your willingness to go there… that’s what made the night what it was. And to our speakers—thank you for holding the kind of conversation that invites truth without pressure. @connectionfeast @getherglow To our partners who helped bring this space to life—thank you for supporting something that feels this intentional @edererhall @espressopodcastproduction We’re still sitting with what was shared 🤍 — We’re gathering again soon. 🗓 May 20 A conversation on romantic relationships “Are you at peace in your relationship, or in quiet conflict with yourself?” If this last one spoke to you… we’d love to have you in the room again. Reserve your spot at the link in bio. #thecommwell #seattleevents #seattlewomen #womenscommunity #adultfriendships realconnection communityovercompetition thingstodoseattle

One of the biggest myths you’ve been sold? That romance is the ultimate form of love. Somewhere along the way we all got handed this idea through movies, songs, every single Valentine’s Day display at Target that romantic love is the thing we’re supposed to be chasing. Like it’s the finish line. But I’m in my 40s now, and honestly? Some of the deepest love I have ever felt has also come from my friendships. And here’s what I’ve come to believe: the highest form of friendship isn’t really about what someone can give you or even how good they make you feel. It’s about who you become together. And the research actually backs this up. Strong platonic friendships correlate more with long term life satisfaction than romantic relationships, especially as we get older. And btw, the love I’ve received from my friends doesn’t live in grand gestures. It lives in the small frozen moments. A phone call at the wrong hour. An adventure nobody photographed. Someone who remembered the thing you forgot you even told them. That’s love. Romantic romance is beautiful. Genuinely life-giving. I’m not knocking it at all. But if you’ve been measuring how loved you are by your relationship status, you might be wildly underestimating the love that’s already surrounding you. Look around. The friendships you have right now, and the ones from seasons before. That’s a love story. 💙

What if making friends as adults isn’t something that just happens— but something we can actually learn? We’re so excited to have Alexandra Friedman, a Seattle-based Friendship and Connection Coach and founder of Connection Feast, joining us for this conversation. Through her work, she’s helped over 2,500 adults build stronger social skills, move beyond small talk, and create deeper, more meaningful friendships. Her approach is grounded in something we don’t talk about enough—that connection isn’t just luck, it’s something we can practice. Because making friends as adults can feel surprisingly hard. There’s no built-in structure, no shared environment like there used to be. But meaningful connection is still possible—and it starts with spaces like this. 🤍 Join us in Seattle on April 22 Making Friends as Adults (Why Is This So Hard?) A candid, in-person conversation on adult friendships, community, and real connection. — Alexandra is also offering a complimentary discovery call and early access to her private group, The Friendship Sessions (April & May waitlist). Connect with her at @ConnectionFeast or email [email protected] to learn more. #seattleevents #seattlewomen #seattlecommunity #thingstodoseattle #womensupportingwomen #adultfriendships #makingfriendsasadults #friendshipcoach #communitybuilding #meaningfulconnections #seattlelife #womenincommunity #socialwellness #thecommwell

👀You won’t fully heal anything about yourself in isolation. Period. You need other people. Your brain and nervous system aren’t made to be isolated. They’re built for connection. At your core, you’re a social being who learns to feel safe and at ease through connection with others. You live in an isolated culture. You have to make an effort to step out of it. It takes effort. Feeling comfortable in who you are, and having communication tools that help you relax and connect in social situations, is a big deal. And retraining your body to feel safe with others, in friendships and in romantic relationships, is part of your growth. It supports healing your nervous system and helps you create a more fulfilling, healthy life. If you’re craving deeper, more aligned relationships, friendships especially, The Friendship Sessions might be for you. It’s a group social skills practice where we get out of isolation and into community, together. Comment “Social” and I’ll send you the details 💛

Making friends as adults is harder than it should be. We move. We grow. We outgrow. And somewhere along the way, finding your people can start to feel… complicated. For our April gathering, we’re opening up a candid, honest conversation about friendship in adulthood—how we make new friends, how we deepen the ones we have, and how we build relationships that actually feel aligned, supportive, and real. ✨ Making Friends as Adults (Why Is This So Hard?) A candid conversation on finding and keeping your people This intimate, salon-style evening will be guided by: • @LindseybPearsall — founder of The Commwell + community builder creating spaces for deeper connection • @herglow_ife Ifé Thomas — founder of @herglowcandyshop , empowering women through wellness, creativity, and community • @AlexandraFriedman — Friendship & Connection Coach, helping adults build meaningful relationships Expect thoughtful conversation, guided prompts, and space to connect beyond the surface. If you’ve been craving deeper friendship, more aligned connection, or simply a space to feel seen—this is for you. Spots are intentionally limited to keep the experience intimate. 👉 Reserve your spot (link in bio) 📍 Seattle (location shared after registration) 🗓️ April 22, 2026 ⏰ 6-8PM Come find your people 🤍 #TheCommwell #SeattleEvents #SeattleCommunity #SeattleWomen