Some friendships have lasted longer than our marriages, careers and favorite hairstyles. But does knowing someone for 20 years automatically mean they belong in the next chapter of your life?

This week on Lead Like a Girl, Jessica, Jamie and Coralyn are talking about friendships after 40, growing apart, friendship breakups and why your circle might look different as you get older.

Jamie shares a powerful story about forgiveness and reconnecting with a friend during her cancer journey. Coralyn talks about learning to have her own opinions instead of always going with the flow. And Jessica asks the question that gets the conversation rolling: Who still deserves a seat at your table?

We get into everything from lifelong friendships and shared values to finding new girlfriends as an adult. Because apparently, making friends after 40 is a lot like dating. Except nobody knows who's supposed to make the second move.

Three takeaways:

1. History doesn't guarantee a seat at your table. A friendship can be meaningful without remaining part of your closest circle forever.

2. Growing apart doesn't mean someone did something wrong. Sometimes priorities, interests and seasons of life simply change.

3. The right friends let you be fully yourself. They celebrate your wins, tell you the truth, show up when it matters and make you laugh until you can't breathe.

We also talk about whether your spouse can be your best friend, why friendships need honesty and vulnerability, and the surprising challenge of making new friends as grown women.

Maybe growing older isn't about having fewer friends. Maybe it's about being more intentional with the friendships you have.

Lead Like a Girl is empowering everyday women through our stories, the good, the bad and the funny.

Connect with us:
https://leadlikeagirllab.com

Have you ever outgrown a friendship without a falling-out? We'd love to hear your story. Find us on social media or leave a comment on YouTube.

What if the career you've worked so hard to build is costing you the very thing that makes life worth living?

We're ambitious. We're capable. We're saying yes to the projects, the promotions, the committees and everyone who needs something from us. And somewhere along the way, joy becomes something we'll get to later.

In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Coralyn, Jamie and Jessica sit down with Joy St. John, former KPMG managing director, executive advisor, speaker and host of The Joyous Edge podcast, for a conversation about ambition, burnout, leadership and rediscovering joy.

After 25 years working in risk and compliance, including leadership roles at some of the world's largest financial institutions, Joy made a major career change. Despite loving her work, she realized the pace of her life was taking a toll on her health, priorities and sense of purpose.

Now she's helping leaders and professionals figure out how to succeed without sacrificing what matters most.

Three takeaways:

• Stop saving joy for later. Joy doesn't have to wait until after the next promotion, project or season of life.
• Take a look at what you're saying yes to. Being capable of doing something doesn't mean it deserves a place on your calendar.
• Joy and success aren't competing priorities. Purpose, connection and a healthy team can strengthen how we lead and work.

We also talk about career transitions, recognizing the signs of burnout, navigating difficult people with empathy, taking small steps through fear, and finding the courage to rethink what success looks like.

Because what good is building a successful life if you're too exhausted to enjoy it?

Lead Like a Girl is empowering everyday women through our stories, the good, the bad and the funny.

Connect with Joy St. John:

Website: https://thejoyousedge.com

Free introductory call: https://freejoycall.com

Podcast: The Joyous Edge, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Connect with Lead Like a Girl:

https://leadlikeagirllab.com

If this conversation reminds you of a woman who's doing everything for everyone else, send it her way.

Ever given someone the silent treatment and convinced yourself you were taking the high road? Yeah, about that.

In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Coralyn, Jessica and Jamie are talking about emotional maturity, self-control, workplace professionalism and what happens when grown women have some not-so-grown-up moments.

Coralyn confesses to giving two coworkers the silent treatment for an entire five-hour road trip. Jessica admits to cleaning only her half of the bathroom to make a point. And Jamie shares why sometimes the first response that pops into your head probably shouldn't come out of your mouth.

But beyond the laughs, we're asking some bigger questions. What does emotional maturity actually look like? How do you stand up for yourself without stooping to someone else's level? And why is it so hard to let things go when you know you're right?

Three takeaways:

• Respond, don't just react. You can feel frustrated without letting those feelings decide what you say or do.
• Being mature doesn't mean being a pushover. You can stand your ground, own your mistakes and still treat people with respect.
• Ask yourself what you're trying to accomplish. Sometimes winning the argument costs you the outcome you actually wanted.

From passive-aggressive emails and difficult coworkers to marriage, apologies and character growth, we're laughing at ourselves while figuring out how to do life a little better.

Because growing older is automatic. Growing up? Apparently, that's still a work in progress.

Lead Like a Girl is empowering everyday women through our stories, the good, the bad and the funny.

Connect with us:
https://leadlikeagirllab.com

If you've ever had a moment where your petty side won, share this episode with a friend who will appreciate the confession.