friends

noun

• a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations

verb (informal)

• add (someone) to a list of friends or contacts on a social networking website.

Episode 18 of The F Words: Difficult conversations with Dr Leandra Brady-Walker is #Friends: For a reason, a season and a lifetime with Giovanna Lever.

Giovanna and I connected in the strangest of ways.

It all really began when I bought a bottle of Vanessa Megan Natural perfume in Byron Bay. I snaped a shot, posted it on instagram and before I knew it, Vanessa contacted me herself saying how lovely it was to connect. From there, I sent her a copy of my first book and then on a whim, applied for their search for a new face campaign (my podcast photo is from the shoot and wrote an article on my experience). I gave them a bunch of my books to give away and Giovanna just happened to win one.

She loved my book so decided to email me. A quick (2 hour) skype conversation later and I was booked to speak at her event Wellness Woman 2016 and we were friends.

Giovanna is a natural connector, a warm bubbly and genuine human who has built a community Smart Sparrows out of a love of getting to know people. We talked about all things to do with friends in this episode.

LISTEN TO IT HERE

What we talk about in this episode:

• How Giovanna and I became friends

• What wine has to do with friendship

• Mothers groups

• The different types of friendships

• "Chunking up" to find agreement

• On growing up and making friends

• On attracting the right friends

• When your siblings become your friends

• How Facebook has changed friendship

• Giovanna's High school reunions

• Reconnecting with old friends

• When a friend breaks up with you

• When friendship meets business

• The advice Giovanna's Dad gave her on her wedding day

• Friends show each other their boobs

• Excuses to become friends - book clubs and podcast club

• Why we love the "drop in"

• Keeping friendship and business separate

• About being brave and honest in friendships

• Paying friendships forward

On trauma.

"You can always find common ground with anybody"

"Friendship takes a bit of courage"

"The energy you put out is the energy you are going to get back"

One Small Step:

If you want something, just go for it. Be brave and just connect with someone if you want to get to know them better.

And your super power would be....

Healing.

Resources

Where to get my book that Giovanna loved so much

Rockfords Winery

Guy we've F***ked Podcast that my podcast club listened too

Where to find Giovanna

Website

Facebook