Rhaina Cohen (author of The Other Significant Others) joins us to reframe how we think about friendship: past, present, and possible futures. Rhaina explains why intense platonic bonds once held public, ritualized importance (think “sworn brotherhoods” and romantic friendships of the 17th–19th centuries), how marriage’s role shifted to demand emotional everything-ness, and why that cultural shift squeezed out space for friendships.

What you'll get out of this episode:

• The friendship that inspired Rhaina's book

• Historical models of deep same-sex friendship and how they differ from modern assumptions

• Why modern romantic relationships often eclipse friendship and why that harms us

• Real-life choices Rhaina and her husband made (communal living, prioritizing friends) and practical tips to preserve friendships

• How to be a better friend: rituals, calendars, play, and honest conversation

• Handling jealousy and myths about opposite-sex friendships

If you want to build stronger platonic connections, rethink where you live and who you share life with, or simply appreciate how friendship can anchor a life, this episode is for you.

📕 Get The Other Significant Others on Amazon

📲 Follow Rhaina Cohen on social media: @rhainacohen

📲 Follow the podcast: @takethispersonally