In this follow-up to our episode, Why Am I All Alone?, author and rehabilitation consultant, Val Walker returns for a powerful conversation about the hidden ways social media shapes our confidence and friendships—especially for women navigating adult connection.

With hundreds of online “friends,” why do so many of us still feel alone? Why does a single unanswered message or unliked post feel so personal? And how do comparison and online validation impact how we show up offline?

🎧 In this thoughtful and honest episode, Val and I explore:

• The link between social media and self-esteem
• How the comparison trap chips away at confidence
• How social media discourages real-life connection and vulnerability

You’ll also hear Val explain what it’s like to feel unseen online—and how we can start reclaiming connection beyond the screen.

• You’ve ever questioned your worth based upon likes or follows
• You want deeper, more authentic friendships
• You’re trying to be more intentional with social media and real connection

You can support the show and Val Walker by purchasing one of her books through the links below:

• 400 Friends and No One to Call: Breaking Through Isolation and Building Community
• The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress

*As an Amazon Affiliate member, I may earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep the podcast going and growing! 💛*

You can also contact Val Walker directly at www.valwalkerauthor.com.

• ✨ Become an Insider: bit.ly/thefriendshiptourinsiders
• 🧡 Join the Facebook Community: bit.ly/thefriendshiptourpodcast
• 📷 Follow on Instagram: @thefriendshiptourpodcast
• 📬 Email: ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com

💬 Finally, if this conversation resonated with you, don’t keep it to yourself—share the episode, leave a review, and let’s keep building friendships rooted in faith, honesty, and real connection.

In this quick update, I'm sharing a few exciting changes happening with The Friendship Tour :

• A fresh new look that captures the heart of friendship

• A new newsletter for friendship tips, encouragement, resources, and early access to events

• An open invitation to send in your questions for an upcoming Q&A episode

Let’s stay connected — just choose a way and say hello!

📬 Sign up for the newsletter 💬 Send in your friendship questions for the Q&A episode at ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com 👯‍♀️ Follow along on Instagram and join the Facebook group!

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Why am I all alone?” In this heartfelt and honest episode, I’m joined by author, Val Walker to explore one of the most tender—and often silent—struggles many women face: isolation and loneliness in adulthood.

Val shares the powerful story that sparked her journey into researching loneliness. Val’s story highlights the harsh realities of and complicated emotions surrounding isolation. She also discusses how even a friend’s abandonment isn’t always what it seems. Finally, Val’s story highlights forgiveness, reconciliation, and her own passion for helping others realize this simple truth - you are not alone. In fact, any one of us can become isolated through various life circumstances. The good news, though, is that, with a bit of effort, we can also find our way back from isolation and loneliness. We can find our way back to connection and community.

• What really happened when Val’s friend didn’t pick her up

• The deeper reason loneliness is not just a personal issue—but a societal one

• How shame keeps us stuck in isolation

• What Val learned through research and reflection on friendship and healing

• Why grace, forgiveness, and reconnection matter

• How to move forward with compassion when people let you down

Who in your life might feel forgotten or overlooked? Send a message. Make a call. Show up. You never know how much it might mean.

400 Friends and No One to Call by Val Walker

The Art of Comforting by Val Walker *As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting the podcast by using my links!* Let’s Stay Connected! 💛 Become a Friendship Tour Insider → bit.ly/thefriendshiptourinsiders 📌 Join the Facebook Group → bit.ly/thefriendshiptourpodcast 📷 Follow on Instagram → @thefriendshiptourpodcast 📬 Email Cecelia → ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com

Have you ever had a friend say something so kind that it stuck with you for years? Words have power—and in this episode of The Friendship Tour, I’m talking about how we can all become the kind of friend who uses words to build others up in faith, in love, and in friendship.

This episode is inspired by the theme from my kids’ school—“Speak Life.” What started as a the school’s theme made its way into everyday conversations at home and eventually became a reminder of how much words matter, especially in Christian friendships.

In this episode, you’ll hear about: 🌿 What it means to speak life—and how it’s different from flattery 💔 Why some friendships feel more critical than kind 🗣️ Four ways to become a friend who speaks encouragement and truth:

• Pausing before you speak

• Pointing friends back to God

• Affirming your friends’ gifts

• Speaking truth with kindness

This episode is for you if:

• You want to grow more meaningful adult friendships

• You’ve been hurt by careless words and want to offer something better

• You’re looking for practical ways to reflect your faith in friendship

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode speaks to you, please share it or leave a quick review—it helps more women find connection and encouragement through The Friendship Tour.

🧡 Challenge of the Week: Think about a kind word someone once shared with you. Then ask yourself: Who needs that kind of encouragement from me this week?

🔗 Connect with me: Instagram → @thefriendshiptourpodcast Facebook Group → The Friendship Tour's Facebook Community Email → ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com

Have you ever gotten that call or text—the one that says, “My mom died” or “He left me”—and suddenly you’re frozen, unsure what to say or do? You care deeply, but you don’t want to say the wrong thing or make it worse. In today’s episode of The Friendship Tour, we’re talking about a powerful, often overlooked way to show up for our friends: The Ministry of Presence.

Join me for a heartfelt exploration of how simply being there—without fixing, solving, or performing—can be one of the most meaningful acts of friendship you’ll ever offer.

Together, we’ll explore:

• What the Ministry of Presence is—and what it’s not

• Why “just being there” is sometimes the best thing you can do

• How to overcome the discomfort of silence or awkwardness

• Four practical ways to show up when a friend is hurting

• How this ministry reflects God’s love and design for community

This episode is for you if:

• You’ve ever said, “I just didn’t know what to say…”

• You want to be a better support to friends who are grieving or struggling

• You need a gentle reminder that love doesn’t always require words

📝 Challenge of the Week Who in your life might need your presence? Not your answers, not your advice—just you. Send the text. Make the call. Sit with them. Be there.

📬 Let’s Connect! If this episode touched your heart, we’d love to hear from you. Leave a review, share with a friend, or join the conversation on Facebook or Instagram.

💛 Until next time—be a good friend.

In this just-for-fun bonus episode of The Friendship Tour, I sit down (again!) with New Zealand-based travel blogger Sarah Kennerley for a relaxed conversation about one of my favorite topics - traveling! After the last episode on how to travel with friends without breaking the friendship, Sarah and I kept the conversation going—and hit record while we did. In this lighthearted follow-up, we swap stories, compare travel styles, and dish on:

• Budget-friendly travel tips

• Our travel styles

• Our favorite girls’ trips (past and dream-worthy!)

If you're craving adventure, sisterhood, or just some joyful girl talk, this one’s for you.

Got a favorite travel memory or a dream destination on your list? We’d love to hear from you! 💬 Drop into The Friendship Tour Facebook Group 📲 Tag us on Instagram: @thefriendshiptourpodcast + @Sarah_Kennerley

Please leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend who loves friendship + travel as much as we do!

Travel and friendship—two of life’s greatest joys… and sometimes, biggest challenges.

In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I'm joined by world traveler and travel writer, Sarah Kennerley, to talk about what really goes into planning a trip that strengthens your friendships instead of straining them.

Fresh off of a multi-generational trip with friends myself, I'm sharing real-life stories, red flags to watch for, and practical tips on:

• Choosing the right travel buddy (and why that matters)

• What to discuss before you book

• How to handle money, mood swings, and unexpected detours

• The mindset that makes all the difference while you’re away

Because let’s be honest—your trip shouldn’t just look good on Instagram… it should actually feel good in real life.

Whether you’re dreaming of a girls’ trip or gearing up for a group getaway, this episode will help you travel well and stay friends.

Instagram → @thefriendshiptourpodcast Facebook → bit.ly/thefriendshiptourpodcast Email → ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com Connect with guest, Sarah Kennerley: Website: sarahseestheworld.com Instagram → @sarah_kennerley

We’ve all heard it: “People just don’t like me because I’m honest.” But is that really the case? In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I unpack the truth behind honesty in friendships—where it helps, where it hurts, and how to do it well.

I explore the difference between honesty and bluntness, and why the way we speak truth matters more than ever in today’s friendship dynamics. With humor, wisdom, and lived experience, I share practical tools for being honest with love—so that your truth can be heard and actually build stronger relationships, not break them.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The difference between honesty and bluntness

• Why how you say something is just as important as what you say

• Key questions to ask yourself before "being honest"

• The right time, right place, right tone principle

• How to be a truth-teller and a good friend

Take This With You:

“Most people like honesty. Most people don’t like bluntness.”

Listener Challenge: Before offering your honest thoughts, ask yourself: ☑️ Is it my business? ☑️ Is it important? ☑️ Has anyone asked for my input? ☑️ Am I trying to help—or just speak? ☑️ Am I speaking from love?

Join the Conversation: Stay connected in the official Friendship Tour Facebook group! Or follow on Instagram @thefriendshiptourpodcast. Prefer email? Try ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com.

If you loved this episode: 💬 Leave a review 📲 Share it with a friend 🎧 Subscribe for more real talk about friendship