Some friendships begin with small talk, and others skip straight to the real stuff. For Alyssa Olerud (@alyssaolerud) and Regan Knecht (@regancknecht), it all started with a bold question at a holiday party and quickly grew into a bond that has shaped who they are today.

In this episode of The Significance of Others, Alyssa and Regan reflect on how their friendship became a mirror, a source of courage, and a platform to practice showing up more fully in life. From early days of walking lunch breaks and sharing big dreams, to practical career support (yes, even spreadsheets) and life-changing words of advice (“You can’t get promoted if people don’t know who you are”), their story shows how friendship can transform the way we see ourselves.

Along the way, Alyssa shares how Regan’s honesty helped her set healthier boundaries, while Regan describes how Alyssa gave her the confidence to open up, deepen her relationships, and become a better friend, daughter, and sister. Together, they remind us that the best friendships are not just about having fun, but about growing into the people we are meant to be.

This episode is a celebration of reciprocity, resilience, and the power of friendship to help us shine.

Expect laughter, reflection, and a heartfelt reminder that the people we choose to walk beside us can change everything.

🎧 Tune in now and celebrate the friendships that shape us.

Some friendships arrive in moments when we need them most. For Rachel Lipson (@bkfamilytravelers, @blueballoonschool) and Crystal Granderson Reid (@brooklyn_chateau_lifestyle), it began in New York City, when Rachel was feeling young and unsure of herself and Crystal offered the kind of grounding presence that only true friends can give.

In this episode, we explore a friendship that has spanned two decades, shaped by reciprocity, honesty, and the kind of discernment that only comes with time. From the early days of finding comfort in each other’s presence, to learning how to set boundaries and heal from betrayal, their bond has been a source of strength and clarity.

Rachel and Crystal reflect on what it means to have a friend who sees you fully, reminds you of your worth, and chooses you again and again. Their story is one of acceptance, affirmation, and the quiet beauty of a relationship where each person is both mirror and anchor for the other.

This episode is a celebration of friendship as refuge, as truth-telling, and as a lifelong commitment to growth together.

Expect depth, vulnerability, and a reminder that some of the most powerful love stories in our lives are platonic.

🎧 Tune in now and celebrate the friendships that shape us.

Some friendships start with a simple hello, and some begin with a spark like a pair of embroidered jeans that caught Erin’s eye and gave her the courage to approach Sam.

In this episode, we explore the story of Sam Amberg (@samgreenwald) and Erin Greenawald (@eringreenawald), whose bond began in their college dorms and has grown into a lifelong partnership rooted in honesty, reciprocity, and joy. From early impressions and the dynamics of a third roommate, to the resilience they built through study abroad, cross-country moves, and the unfolding of adulthood, their connection has only deepened with time.

Sam and Erin share what it means to be each other’s “forever friend” (the person you call in crisis, the one you celebrate in triumph, the one you trust to tell you the truth even when it is hard). Their friendship is not just about companionship, it is about choosing each other again and again across decades and distance.

Along the way, they have created rituals of care—postcards, gifts, Substack essays, and shared meals—that form the fabric of their platonic intimacy. With their joint project, Forevers, Sam and Erin are reimagining how we honor friendship with the same love and celebration we often reserve for romantic relationships. Subscribe to their Substack, read their essays, and consider pledging to support their vision for elevating friendship as a vital part of our lives.

This episode is a celebration of adult friendship, intentional connection, and the quiet power of showing up consistently and wholeheartedly for the people who matter most.

Expect laughter, tenderness, and a reminder of what it means to call someone your person.

🎧 Tune in now and celebrate the friendships that shape us.