The Complexities of Female Friendships with Susan Shapiro Barash

Jun 17, 2025

On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we take a deep look into the emotional and intricate world of female friendships. These bonds can be life-changing, but what happens when they take a toxic turn or ultimately fall apart? Joining us is the brilliant Susan Shapiro Barash, a renowned author and gender studies expert who has spent decades exploring women’s roles and relationships. From the seven archetypes of unhealthy friendships to the subtle differences between best friend and sister breakups, Susan unravels the reasons why these connections hold such emotional weight and why leaving toxic friendships can be so challenging. If you've ever experienced the joys or heartbreaks of female friendship, this episode will resonate deeply. Susan also offers actionable advice for healing, moving forward, and understanding the dynamics of estranged relationships. Grab a cup of coffee and tune in for an enlightening conversation that just might change how you approach the relationships in your life. And don’t forget to pick up a copy of Susan’s latest book, Estranged.