How Best Friend Relationship Podcast Model Hooks Listeners And Translates Into Future Opportunities With Leisa Reid And Tamara Kindred Of How I Met My BFF

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Hey everyone. Welcome to the Binge Factor. I'm Tracy Hazzard And I have two hosts today. I have co hosts and they are bf's.

I can't say that. BFFs. They're best friends and that's actually their show. It's how I met my bff. It's fascinating what they've decided to do this show with and what they've done with it and how they're taking it. It's fascinating story. So I've got Lisa Reid on on Tamara Kindred, and it is just so much fun. It all started in Fairbanks, Alaska. Two soul sisters destined to meet and become lifelong friends. Lisa Reid and Tamara Kindred co host their podcast How I Met My bff. Their podcast is in celebration of the best friend relationship, a relationship so important, yet not always recognized for its massive significance. Lisa and Tamara interview other best friends to learn how they met and hear their perspectives on friendship. So it's really an interesting model. And Lisa Reed and I met because she's a speaker coach and we just get speaking gigs now is her business and we met because of that and the fact that she has this podcast and it's not directly related to that business is really an interesting model. So we're going to talk today a little bit about both of those things, about how they got started, how they co host together, how they stay BFFs, and how it does translate into future growth and future business opportunities for them.

Both.

Lisa and Tamara, so glad to have you. I'm so excited to talk about how I met my bff. The funny story is like Lisa was coming to meet me and we were just having a zoom meeting. We got connected up and the night before I had had this weird conversation with my youngest daughter where she said, mom, who's your best friend? And I said, my best friend's your dad. And she goes, that's not allowed.

It has to be a girl.

So that was when your podcast name just totally caught my eye and we had to have a conversation that's you.

Got BFF sh Ashamed.

I know. Really, I was like, I'm not allowed to have your dad. No, no, no. It's not allowed. So funny. So I love how you're the story and the premise of the show, but what I didn't hear anywhere. And maybe I missed the episode on this because I skim it. But what made you guys decide to start a podcast together?

I will share the story. So I own my own business, and it's pretty much me. And I, you know, I have a team that helps me, but I'm pretty much the main chief bottle washer.

Like so many. Yes.

And I had this inkling pull, maybe I should get a partner. Or like, I had this desire to just do something with someone, not just by myself, but as I thought about, I thought, I kind of have everything dialed in, so why would I, like, invite someone to just give half my business away? Or however that was like, it just wasn't really flowing. And I started to really look deeper into that feeling and I thought, well, what is it that I'm missing? Or what am I attracted to? And I noticed that there were a couple of moments that I felt a little jealous of something. And not jealous, like, oh, I wish that person ill will, but like, oh, I kind of want. That was the, oh, this little whiny, totally understand adolescent feeling. And it was when two best friends were doing a project together. My thought at the time was like, oh, my God, that would be so fun to have a best friend to do a project with. But, like, it didn't really connect with my business. And once I let that go, I thought, well, hold on a second. It doesn't actually have to connect to my business. What could Tamara and I do together that would be super fun? So this is all happening sort of just in the background in my own mind. I've really talked with a couple people about the feeling that I'm having. And she and I have our 30th year high school reunion, 2021. We go up to Fairbanks, Alaska, where we're from. We hang out with our other best friend, Vicki. We just have the best time. It's so, so fun. And I thought, I want this more. And so I thought about it. Tamara was out of the country at the time that I came up with the idea. Literally, she's in Italy. And everyone kept asking us at the reunion and saying, oh, my gosh, you.

Guys are so lucky.

You've been best friends for so long. How do you do it? You don't even live in the same state. Like, they were really complimentary of our relationship. And I'm like, yeah, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this relationship, but it's so important to me. So it's all kind of happening. And then it just hits me one day, and I go, we can have a podcast. Oh, we could talk about our best friendship. Oh, my gosh. We could interview other best friends. That'd be so fun. So I literally, like, named the podcast, decided what it was going to be about. All the things, had it all dialed in. I just needed Tamara to agree to my crazy wild hair idea.

And you've known her long enough to be able to figure out exactly how to get her to do that?

Well, I thought she would probably say yes, but of course I want to give the space for. For her to say no. But then she said yes. She said yes to the dress.

I love it. Were you podcast listeners, either of you?

I. Yeah, but we left in a totally different podcast.

I, of course, thought it was an amazing idea, and I would love to do something like that with my best friend. However, Lisa has spoken. She's a speaker. She teaches people how to speak. And I am the furthest, I believe, kind of from that, especially with talking on a podcast, let alone then interviewing people. So that has been my largest learning curve. But I'm working on it, and I feel we've been doing it now for over a year. I'm still not perfect, but I've learned a lot. But besides that, I was in Rome. I remember exactly where I was at when I spoke with her over the phone, and she tells me this, and I was like, yeah, that actually would be kind of a fun thing to do.

And you had had ideas of doing a podcast before, but we had never talked about that. Like, I didn't know that you had.

Thought about it before, but not more on the production side, the idea side, not the actual interview, person speaking side.

So, yes, you were like, this sounds like fun. Oh, wait, there's a lot to do there, right? Yeah.

Yeah.

What was the most daunting to do thing for you, Tamara?

Oh, goodness. Lisa is very organized, which is great. I'm organized as well, but definitely I'm very busy, as we all are. She's just great at being able to keep everything in order for this, because this is kind of our side. We do this for fun. And for me, it's hard sometimes to be as organized as Lisa, so I definitely didn't want to make her do all of the work. And so I think it Was more pressure on myself to try to be as present as I can be. And sometimes I am not the greatest, but I work on it. And so that was probably the hardest part for me. And then also just promoting this has been hard because a lot of people are like, well, why would I want to listen to you interview best friends? And that's been kind of surprising. But we've learned ways to work around that. And if you don't want to listen, that's fine. And when we do our interview, it's mostly the thing that I love about it is that regardless if you get a million listeners or one listener, it's literally a love letter between two best friends and they have that forever.

That's what I think would be the fun part is just basically like re airing it from the guest side, like going, yeah, this is my best buddy. And I love that idea. Something I don't always do on the show. I certainly. It's not my role here to mentor you live on the show. But I'm wondering if maybe we should talk about that a little bit because I think that's the challenge of some of the shows. So I get this a lot from people who have like addiction, podcasts, self help podcasts, and in this case, a slightly entertainment style. But still with that angle of being like, how do I improve my friendship? Is kind of like why you might listen to the show. Ideas for improving that or just vicariously living through that.

Finding a friend. I mean, a lot of people we spoke to, I kind of going back to our reunion, there's people who are like, I don't have a friendship like that. So I believe. We believe that it's never too late to meet your next bff. You don't have to have just one.

Right. And they could be your husband.

They can be your husband.

That's allowed. Okay.

I'm telling you, I'm clipping this right now that you said that, so it's valid.

The experts on expert testimony right here.

That's right. But that's, I think, the model that I recommend most to them. And in your case, your guests are more likely to share this out to their friends. It's like, oh, we did this really cool, fun thing together. It's just like we went out to dinner together, we went to the spa together. Like you're sharing something fun you did together. So that's more likely to happen on a self help show. They don't do that. You don't always want to admit that you needed help or you heard this Podcast. So getting people to share it on that side is hard, but your guests do want to share it. It's kind of fun. And so that's probably the promotion angle that needs to be exploited more. And here in our organization, we call that ego bait. So how can we give them something that makes them feel good about their friendship, that strokes their ego of whatever that is and gets them to share it? So even if they're not great on social media, you're doing something that highlights them in a way that they're totally willing to share that and share their experience doing it. That's maybe the key to getting that promotion angle up, because it is a challenge. It is a challenge with a show that doesn't have something like totally lesson learned checkbox tip, Instagram that I'm sharing out. It's different on a show like yours.

I think the surprising thing about having a podcast, I mean, I've done like a YouTube show. I did several, like, I don't know, 70 episodes on my YouTube channel and in different things, I'm a guest on lots of podcasts and I have my own social media presence and team that's regularly going. But I think what I was surprised at how organized I feel like we are and giving them all the links and saying, here's a way that you can share it and we ask that you do X, Y and Z. But it's still just with Tamara and I being so busy, it's like, how do you keep your eye on all those balls? Like I don't follow up and see if they actually did share or how do we make sure we're connected. It's like this minutiae of detail that I'm not great at tracking those pieces.

And this is the thing, in our company, we do automations for those things because it is almost impossible for you to check. Like, I used to write my articles for Inc Magazine and I would share out the articles to PR firms and I couldn't even be sure they were resharing and doing what they were supposed to do. There was really no way for me to figure that out. And so it was got to be a problem. So the only thing that we found does up the ante is you share it when the episode goes live. You do all of your social promotions for a week. Whatever you're going to do, you might have two or three posts that you make over a course of a week and you make sure that you tag because if you don't tag, it's not going anywhere. They'll Never see it. And so if you can't tag in the post itself because you're doing a buffer or a Meet Edgar or a hootsuite and they don't let you tag, go put them in the comment. So every day I go on and add to the comment or something like that, super simple tagging. And then one week later, it's like a repeat email that says, in case you missed it and didn't share it time, here it is again. In that reminder. I do get a lot of people who said I was away when you sent the first one. I'm so sorry, I'm on it now. And so I do get a lot of responses like that to that seven day follow up. I think we ended up, when we calculated it, we tripled the amount of shares by doing that. But it's not a lot of effort because it's basically just like the same email you sent before with a new headline that says reminder in case you forgot.

That's a really good tip.

Yeah, exactly. And it is an automation, so it's.

Not all that hard.

It's like you schedule out two or you just schedule a reply, you write it, then write a reply that says, hey, just in case you forgot. And then second one week in your email. And so that's one of the ways we found the best to be able to do it. I mean, you got to use your guests here, so you've got some great fun guests. So let's talk about that. Let's talk about our three things. And how are you finding these best friends?

I'll take this one first. I do, because being an entrepreneur, I am networking out a lot, whether it's virtual or in person or I'm out speaking. So I meet people. I just meet fascinating people like you, Tracy, on a regular basis. And I kind of use my intuition, just like this person might seem like a good guest. And so I'll just say, oh, I have a show and I co host with one of my BFFs and we interview other BFFs and I can tell right away they're like, oh. So that's when we start talking about them being on the show. If they're like, oh, okay, that's nice. I know we're probably not. Which is totally fine. It's no skin off our back.

I would think it would be a good icebreaker though. Like I could totally see that as a great networking event is like, hey, who's your best friend? And where'd you meet? Like, I'm so Curious about you. Like, normally we ask about where you're from and we want to hear about Montana. Or like, we were just talking about thunder, snow, and scary places I've lived. Like, what are those things that are icebreakers? I think asking about people's BFFs is really interesting.

It's amazing. This powerful, strong relationship I've had with Tamara since we were 12. I never thought about it intersecting with my business life or. And that certainly wasn't why I stayed friends with her for so long. And, like, not the intent, but it is a beautiful conversation starter that's just really natural and true. I'm like, I'm happy to share about it, and I'm happy to talk about it and talk about her and how lucky we are to have each other. And I love hearing other people's stories. They're like, oh, my gosh, my best friend and I, the way we met, so crazy. You got to hear. I'm like, oh, my gosh, we want to have you on the show. So it's. To me, just. It fills my heart. It really does. I like it.

Yeah. Oh, I just love that. What about you, Tamara? Do you find people just randomly.

Well, it's kind of funny. I think I've only brought maybe one show has been guests that I have gone out and reached in a lovely way with what Lisa does. We haven't had. Sometimes we've been too busy. So just with the network and how it has spread, which that has just been the most fascinating because we're now interviewing people that Lisa doesn't necessarily bring to the show. We're now, like, layers and layers of people from, like, oh, yeah, we were friends of so and so that you guys interviewed back in June or what.

So you're getting. People are saying you should come on their show.

Yes, yes. And they can go and book themselves. So we just show up and meet these people that neither one of us know.

I do like a cocktail hour for you, too.

Oh, yeah. And so I could probably work better at inviting people, but we just haven't. It's all worked out. I have a list of people like, okay, we've just been booked, so it's worked out well.

Oh, that's so good. Well, listeners. So we were talking about social media promotion and everything. What's working for you over there? What do you really see as some of the ways that you're finding that listeners are finding you best?

I actually don't know that. I'm not a deep analytics person like you are, Tracy. You are Like, I don't know, in Mensa or something.

Not on social media, but anywhere else, definitely.

For me, I would say it's been because of our guests. And also I use it to promote on my own channels for my business. Because that's another thing that's not like pushing my business, but it's a project, a fun project that I can do. It's also because I work with entrepreneurs who like to speak. They might find that that's a great way to get on a podcast and practice talking, just being how do you do it? So I promote through my business channels, which, if we didn't have that, I don't know what else we would have done, to be honest, because we don't have we as how I met my BFF doesn't have an email list. That hasn't been our area of focus. It could be in the future, but currently is not.

I was thinking about this as I was checking out your Instagram feed and stuff like that, and you do have an Instagram feed for the podcast. And I think it's really brilliant because so much of what we have today on social media is so highly constructed. It's over branded. And that you've got these, like fun shots of the best friends that they've obviously sent you, like their own social media, like, posts where they were like at a party together. They all look like they're having amazing fun and that they love each other. And that's so great to see in someone's feed. It's refreshingly authentic. Yeah. And it's so.

It's.

Yeah. So anyway, one of the things that I did say is that. So I listened to your show to check it out right before. It's part of my research process and I had heard a little bit of it, but I refreshed myself again. So I heard a little bit of it when I first met Lisa, but I wanted to check it out again. And as I did, I got this episode about you two going to Italy, which I'm going to talk about in a minute because I totally want to hear all about that. But you mentioned my show on there that you had checking out my show, and that part of the process was having these photos that I asked for, because we put them in the article. And it's just part of our form that we built into our process of bringing guests on, because most of our guests are promoting their business. It's not as much promoting their friendship, but I totally think you guys don't need really formal shots. You probably have these Amazingly beautiful shots of the two of you having fun sometimes somewhere. I think it would be refreshing to see that even if we don't get you podcasting together. The reason I suggest podcasting and speaking shots is because that's kind of the thing that we're promoting. But it's really, I think you guys having just those wonderful shots of the two of you together out there, being authentically you and being friends out there, that's amazing. Like, how often do we get good, candid shots that are a part of our promotion in any way and you guys have the opportunity for that.

Yeah. The one that we sent you is. And I don't even know if I told you this, Tamara, so surprised is when we went to Hawaii together for the very first time. We were 18, and it happened to be a totality eclipse. And so they handed out these. Imagine like a 3D glasses, like little cardboard glasses. So there's a picture of us in Hawaii with our little 3D glasses.

So you all are going to have to check out the blog post for this episode so you can see it or go on Instagram and check it out. Right. But I love that, and I think that sharing is going to naturally grow the show. It's not a speedy way, but I do think naturally that's going to get you listeners because someone's going to say, wow, that photo looks so fun. I want to hear the story behind that.

I guess we'll have to tell that story in another show. Yeah, the totality eclipse story.

No, no, tell it right now. We'd love to hear it.

So you were 18 in Hawaii. So it sounds like there's a pattern here. And we'll get to the trip that you just went to Italy. But let's hear this Hawaii story. I want to hear it.

Well, we graduated and Lisa's dad had moved to the Big island, and we both of us wanted to go there. Kind of our last hurrah before we were off to college. I was supposed to go to msu and Lisa went to California. So we were just going to go for two weeks. And I'm very into astronomy. And just so happened to be a total solar eclipse. It was 1991, July 17th, I believe in. So I was all like, yes, I'm going to go to Hawaii. I want to see this. And of course, being in Alaska, many dreams are to go to Hawaii and hang out with your best friend in the summer before moving on to college. So we went for two weeks and stayed with Lisa's dad. And it was my first time. Was it your first?

I had been to Hilo when I was little, and I had been to Waikiki, Oahu, but not the Kona side. So that was my first time at the Kona side.

Yeah.

And it was my first time being in Hawaii whatsoever. So we had an amazing two weeks, and it kind of sidetracked my life because I ended up going back to Alaska and packing up and moving instead to Montana to go to MSU like I was supposed to do. I moved back to Hawaii.

So it really inspired you to change the whole course of your life. I love that. Well, you know, trips are really a kind of an interesting idea. And so as you were talking about on the episode that I was listening to of your show about your Italy trip, and this is before you went. Cause I haven't heard one since you came back.

It's in production.

Yeah. So I'm sure it's coming, and I don't want to miss it. And hey, everyone out there, by the time this airs, it will definitely be out there, I'm sure.

So.

Because we're a couple of months out recording here, so I'm sure it will be out and you can go catch that episode and we'll link it into the blog post. But you guys make trips together. And I thought there was a podcaster I had really early on in my show here on the Binge Factor, when it was actually called a different name. It was called the center of Influence. And one of the outcomes of her podcast was the fact that she was running these trips. And I was thinking, the best friend trips sounds so much fun. I think that might be your monetization model in the future. Like, you run these trips that we just bring our best friends along.

Well, we started getting that exact comment throughout episodes of different people who didn't know each other. Like, oh, my gosh, we want to go with you guys when you go somewhere. We want to go on a best friend, best friend retreat. Like, it was getting best friend cruise, best friend wine tasting. What? Like, people would say that to us, and we're like, oh, we could do.

That's not a bad idea.

And then, Tamara, you can share how the Italy trip ended up becoming basically our first BFF retreat. If you. Loose rules.

Loose.

Just having a really fun time.

Well, I was with one of my daughter's best friends. We were having lunch in June, and I've been to Italy a number of times, and I've made friends there, so I know people there, and I just love going there. So we were Having lunch. And she was like, I really want to go to Italy with you the next time you go. And I.

That's all you needed to hear. Well, I happen to be going tomorrow.

Well, I was like, well, let's go. And I have a friend in Italy. It was just weird timings. I write that not. But at lunch, I received a message from him, and I was like, we have to go. So in June, I started talking about this with my daughter's best friend, Sophie. And then I kind of was like, I kind of want to open this up, because I have had the great experience of getting to go to Italy. I kind of know not everywhere, but definitely Rome and the Amalfi coast, the best Tuscany. And so I just kind of. My group of friends. So a lot of the people who came were a bunch of my best friends from all different walks of life. So I was kind of like the hub of it. But before I knew, I was telling people in my life that I would love to show Italy, too. And before I knew it, there were nine people coming, plus taking you up on that offer.

Yeah.

I was like, oh, okay. Lisa would be like, who did you invite this week? Because if I had a superpower, I would love all of my people to be together. And we could go to all different places around the world.

Well, I think travel companies listen in here.

I think they should be listening. Winery, opportunity, spas, hotels.

I belong to this mastermind who they spun off and have, like, a little ladies section. And we have a Zoom call every couple of weeks. And whenever there's one of the events, which is quarterly, we usually had a breakfast, but we would chat too long. We would delay the start of the event. So they eventually decided this past event to give us dinner so that we could go as long as we wanted, which was really smart. And one of the people there was so sweet. He sponsored wine for us all. So one of the guys there was like, I really want to support all the women in this group. And here this is. Well, one of the people in there is organizing. It's called Lugos Travel, and they do these wonderful events. And she's got a wine tasting spa event in Northern California. And we're all, like, signing up at the table because it just means that we now get to have an event that we don't have any, like, structure to, except for go whitewater rafting and get a spa and go taste some wine. And it sounds so much more fun for us to get to hang out that way. So I do think you're Onto something.

Yeah. A lot of times when we do interviews and Lisa and I joke around about it like I'm at a winery, I'm like, we should do like a season of best friends, go to wineries.

Hey, that's maybe the new idea for you is just to hop on a travel mic, like, open up your iPhone. Doesn't really matter. Just pop it on and tell them where you are and what you're doing as friends together to connect doesn't need to be a long episode in between the other ones. So I think that's part of the charm of your show. And if I could identify any binge factor about it, it's that we are watching two, I mean, pretty different people who have managed to stay best friends most of their lives who still love to do things together. And I think there's some vicarious aspiration through that. Like, I really want to live in that model of it. At the same time, I then curious about the other people that you find and where am I going to meet my next best friend? So there's also that, like, what's going to happen next? Where are you going to go next? And who are you going to introduce me to next? That's kind of an interesting model, but it's an attractive model that makes me want to listen to all your shows.

Yeah, it's so fun to hear. I think it gives people hope as well because it can be lonely or. I had a close friend share with me. She confessed why she hadn't taken me up on being on the show. And she said I actually had some guilt. And I don't know if she felt shame, but she felt some feelings that weren't great about a friendship that she had had for a really long time and it had ended. And she felt really sad about that. And she just was like, I just don't feel like, yay, I want to go talk about this. Well, since we've been chatting for about a year, she has actually since rekindled and healed that relationship, which is why the confession came. And I was like, oh, my gosh, that's amazing. And she goes, we might even use that as something that we talk about on the show because they're very transparent with each other. And I'm like, that is incredible.

It would be beautiful. Because I bet you there are a lot of, like, I actually just talked to my sister this morning, and we are so busy, and we live like 10 minutes apart. There's no really no excuse. But then we only get together on Thanksgiving, you know, like, and so it was ridiculous. But I talked to her this morning, and I was like, I was feeling bad about it. And she was like, oh, no, don't feel bad. Because I was saying, it's on me. I'm the big sister. I should have been calling you every week and bugging you to get on the phone with me. And she's like, no, it's me. And what I appreciate most about you is that I can pick back up. And I was like, okay, good. I don't need to feel guilty about this. Our relationship's okay as sisters. We're good. And so.

Yeah.

But people want to hear that because we do have run around with some guilt about our friends or about how often we connect with them or.

Yeah. And life changes. Tamara's had five kids. I've had one. We've both been through a divorce. We've both moved. We've had economic challenges. We've had economic times of greatness and everything in between. And I believe there is a certain amount of effort to having a solid friendship with a person, and I think.

That'S what you're showing on this podcast a lot, is that it just doesn't happen. It's work, but fun. Good, worthwhile work to stay connected to someone. And, hey, maybe podcasting together is the way to keep that connection happening.

It's definitely been. I think. I don't know, Tamara, how you feel about this, but I remember, oh, wow. This is our first time sharing, like a Google Doc. Huh? That's different. And we usually, just prior to the podcast, would talk on the phone because we're children of the 80s and we didn't really FaceTime or we definitely weren't on Zoom regularly. So it's been a different part of our relationship. Like, oh, yeah, look at us.

So your relationship has grown from it? Well, I want to end with this, and I really want to ask both of you, and I'm going to start with you, Tamara. What has been the most surprising return on investment for you personally? And has there any been professional good news or things happening because you're like, hey, I'm a podcaster and people have rewarded you for that.

Oh, goodness. I think as far as what's been the most rewarding part is that the time that Lisa and I, beyond what we already did anyways, get to spend together, and it is having to use a different part of my brain with Lisa, as far as, like, yes, we are working on Google Docs and setting up Instagram and all that stuff. So that part has been really Great. I think it's kind of just made me be able to focus on something creative, but also learn with my best friends friend. And she's very kind to me, as I hope I am to her, is being patient. So that part's been wonderful. And as far as helping me with, I kind of do a whole separate thing. I work with homelessness, so this is more of a creative thing for me. So I can't say it's like, changed my work relation or whatever, but I will say it is a good opener. I usually don't have too much of a problem with meeting people and getting to know people, but this has been really helpful, like Lisa said before, to be like, oh, yeah, I have a podcast. And then kind of. It makes a nice neutral territory for discussion.

Oh, that's good. Yeah. So gives you kind of an opening, common ground of interest.

Yeah. One of the things I like about what's happened is, like, when you think of people in, like, a web, we're like, we've created an even bigger web that is connected across not just the country, but even beyond the country. And this has helped do that. Like, Tamara travels, and so there's someone we met through the podcast who lives in a different state. Tamara went to go meet that person in person. Like, I haven't even met her. It is so cool and really amazing. Magical things came from that. And it reminds me, like, that's happened in our past life in terms of creating connections. Like Kimberly Keaton. Go shout out to the Stardust Hotel Motel. Holiday Inn.

Stardust Motel. Yes.

Okay. Who? She and I became friends many, many years ago. Tamara came out for my wedding. They became friends and then have since kindled a different relationship than Kimberly and I have. So it's so cool. Now it's like, oh, we have a steady reason why that can happen. And it's just beautiful. I love it.

And how about you professionally? Because, I mean, you have get speaking gigs now. That's your book. I mean, authority building is probably a significant part of your everyday conversations of business. How has the podcast helped you with that?

Some of our guests have become my clients. That's never the reason why I invite somebody, but if I can support them, awesome. Or just getting to meet someone and then they have a need, they're like, wait, tell me more about that. I think you can maybe help me. And we have a different conversation. But I work really intimately with my clients, so I love getting to know who they are as a person. And like, oh, let me invite you in and see how we can make things better for you. I love that. And unexpected. I also just love being able to be speaking. It's like a different responsibility. Like, I don't have to teach anything on the podcast. I don't have to, like, brand anything, or I'm not like, holding all this responsibility as I do when I'm speaking and representing my company. So it's kind of like hosting a party instead of hosting a workshop.

Right. It's a little bit different and more.

Fun, a little different energy, and it allows people to get to know me a little bit better because I'm pretty open. But I'm also not going to tell people things that aren't really relevant to the situation. So this that where I just get to say whatever's going on, I get get to talk about that. And I like that.

I love that. Well, do you have any advice for any best friends out there on how to stay friends for a good long time?

Definitely. It does take work. I'm not saying it should be hard work, but just like with any other relationship, you have to put time and energy into it and love and communication and patience. So it's just like any other relationship, but with what we were doing. And you don't always take time to tell your best friend, like, hey, I really appreciate what you mean in my life. And I think Lisa and I have been really good at doing that throughout the years with one another. That's been really important.

That's really great. And I've heard that throughout the conversation here today. So I was thinking, like, what you just said there totally applies to being good co hosts together as well. And I think too often that's the part that you've appreciated Lisa's skill sets and the things that she's been teaching on the organizational side. And I can hear Lisa's appreciation for your ability to just connect and grow. Your, like, trip to Italy and just meet somebody new. And so I think that's really great that you do appreciate that about each other and say it.

I think too, it's about being intentional about. I mean, on a deeper level. It's like if a person wants more friendships or deeper connections, then what's that intention look like for you? Who are you wanting to attract? What kind of activities do you enjoy doing? I bet if you went and did those kind of activities, you'd probably meet a bird of a feather who flocks together with you, and it's a little gutsy. I think as an adult, to become friends with someone, like, you kind of have to say, hey, I like you, do you like me? And do you want to go play?

And harder as an adult was easier at 12.

Yeah, it's like, hey, I've got Barbies. You want to come over and play Barbies? So now it's more like, want to meet for coffee? But extending that and seeing if you still connect and growing, that is just one step at a time.

Well, thank you both for coming on the show. I'm so glad we got to talk about how I met my BFF and so glad we got to meet and get to know you both better.

Ciao Bella.

Thank you, Tracy.

I love that when I get to interview people, it gets me thinking. Gets me thinking about things like who's my bff and would anyone really want to hear the story? And honestly, because my BFF is my husband and partner and people do want.

To hear the story.

So it is kind of an interesting thing that you can explore how somebody is who they are through that relationship and still get out some kind of interesting business relationship going as well. Because everything revolves around relationships. We have a relationship. You're my listener and me your curator, bringing you interesting stories, interesting podcasters, and trying so hard to make sure that I'm thinking about you all the time. So we do have a relationship going here. And I think that intimacy of the microphone is really helping out this show and could be helping you with your exploration on your show and your ideas as well. So check out how I met my bff, check out their business model, check out their podcast model, check out the structure and how they do things, and check out the interesting and fun interviews that are there. And be sure to connect up with Lisa and Tamara as well. You can do that by going to the blog post for this episode on thebidgefactor.com and come back next week and see who I've curated for you as your next inspiring guest on the Binge Factor.

You've been listening to the Binge Factor Podcast. For more information on podcasting and video casting, success tips and tactics, please go to thebingefactor.com and be sure to listen to our other show for podcasters called Bing your Brand. If you'd like to be interviewed on this show as well as featured in Tracy's column, please go to thebingefactor.com guest and apply.