This episode is brought to you by CLEARSTEM - my favorite skincare brand that fights acne and aging at the same time, with zero pore-clogging ingredients, ever. Get 15% off at https://clearstem.com/valeria with code VALERIA.This episode is also brought to you by Vuori: Versatile athletic and performance clothing. Head to https://vuori.com/notalone for 20% off your first purchase, plus free shipping on US orders over $75.In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with clinical psychologist and friendship expert Christie Ferrari to unpack the complicated world of adult friendships. They explore why friends can feel so different after childhood, and why we sometimes fight to keep certain people in our lives while letting go of others. Christie introduces the concept of growth flags vs. red flags and helps us identify what healthy, evolving friendships look like versus the ones that may be holding us back.Together, Valeria and Christie dive into questions we all face: What kind of friend am I? Am I a fringe friend? How do I deal with “mean girls” even as an adult? From cultural differences in how friendships form, to tips for approaching conflict, to understanding when it’s time to quietly distance yourself, this conversation offers both validation and practical tools for navigating relationships. If you’ve ever questioned your place in a friend group or wondered how to deepen your connections, this episode is a must-listen.Follow Christie on Social MediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/christie_ferrari/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christieferrari?lang=en Website: https://www.christieferrari.com/Subscribe to Assertive You: https://www.christieferrari.com/assertive-youBook a session with Christie: https://www.christieferrari.com/services Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2205029Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ What we talked about: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices