In this quick update, I'm sharing a few exciting changes happening with The Friendship Tour :

• A fresh new look that captures the heart of friendship

• A new newsletter for friendship tips, encouragement, resources, and early access to events

• An open invitation to send in your questions for an upcoming Q&A episode

Let’s stay connected — just choose a way and say hello!

📬 Sign up for the newsletter 💬 Send in your friendship questions for the Q&A episode at ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com 👯‍♀️ Follow along on Instagram and join the Facebook group!

Have you ever had a friend say something so kind that it stuck with you for years? Words have power—and in this episode of The Friendship Tour, I’m talking about how we can all become the kind of friend who uses words to build others up in faith, in love, and in friendship.

This episode is inspired by the theme from my kids’ school—“Speak Life.” What started as a the school’s theme made its way into everyday conversations at home and eventually became a reminder of how much words matter, especially in Christian friendships.

In this episode, you’ll hear about: 🌿 What it means to speak life—and how it’s different from flattery 💔 Why some friendships feel more critical than kind 🗣️ Four ways to become a friend who speaks encouragement and truth:

• Pausing before you speak

• Pointing friends back to God

• Affirming your friends’ gifts

• Speaking truth with kindness

This episode is for you if:

• You want to grow more meaningful adult friendships

• You’ve been hurt by careless words and want to offer something better

• You’re looking for practical ways to reflect your faith in friendship

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode speaks to you, please share it or leave a quick review—it helps more women find connection and encouragement through The Friendship Tour.

🧡 Challenge of the Week: Think about a kind word someone once shared with you. Then ask yourself: Who needs that kind of encouragement from me this week?

🔗 Connect with me: Instagram → @thefriendshiptourpodcast Facebook Group → The Friendship Tour's Facebook Community Email → ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com

Have you ever gotten that call or text—the one that says, “My mom died” or “He left me”—and suddenly you’re frozen, unsure what to say or do? You care deeply, but you don’t want to say the wrong thing or make it worse. In today’s episode of The Friendship Tour, we’re talking about a powerful, often overlooked way to show up for our friends: The Ministry of Presence.

Join me for a heartfelt exploration of how simply being there—without fixing, solving, or performing—can be one of the most meaningful acts of friendship you’ll ever offer.

Together, we’ll explore:

• What the Ministry of Presence is—and what it’s not

• Why “just being there” is sometimes the best thing you can do

• How to overcome the discomfort of silence or awkwardness

• Four practical ways to show up when a friend is hurting

• How this ministry reflects God’s love and design for community

This episode is for you if:

• You’ve ever said, “I just didn’t know what to say…”

• You want to be a better support to friends who are grieving or struggling

• You need a gentle reminder that love doesn’t always require words

📝 Challenge of the Week Who in your life might need your presence? Not your answers, not your advice—just you. Send the text. Make the call. Sit with them. Be there.

📬 Let’s Connect! If this episode touched your heart, we’d love to hear from you. Leave a review, share with a friend, or join the conversation on Facebook or Instagram.

💛 Until next time—be a good friend.

In this just-for-fun bonus episode of The Friendship Tour, I sit down (again!) with New Zealand-based travel blogger Sarah Kennerley for a relaxed conversation about one of my favorite topics - traveling! After the last episode on how to travel with friends without breaking the friendship, Sarah and I kept the conversation going—and hit record while we did. In this lighthearted follow-up, we swap stories, compare travel styles, and dish on:

• Budget-friendly travel tips

• Our travel styles

• Our favorite girls’ trips (past and dream-worthy!)

If you're craving adventure, sisterhood, or just some joyful girl talk, this one’s for you.

Got a favorite travel memory or a dream destination on your list? We’d love to hear from you! 💬 Drop into The Friendship Tour Facebook Group 📲 Tag us on Instagram: @thefriendshiptourpodcast + @Sarah_Kennerley

Please leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend who loves friendship + travel as much as we do!

Travel and friendship—two of life’s greatest joys… and sometimes, biggest challenges.

In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I'm joined by world traveler and travel writer, Sarah Kennerley, to talk about what really goes into planning a trip that strengthens your friendships instead of straining them.

Fresh off of a multi-generational trip with friends myself, I'm sharing real-life stories, red flags to watch for, and practical tips on:

• Choosing the right travel buddy (and why that matters)

• What to discuss before you book

• How to handle money, mood swings, and unexpected detours

• The mindset that makes all the difference while you’re away

Because let’s be honest—your trip shouldn’t just look good on Instagram… it should actually feel good in real life.

Whether you’re dreaming of a girls’ trip or gearing up for a group getaway, this episode will help you travel well and stay friends.

Instagram → @thefriendshiptourpodcast Facebook → bit.ly/thefriendshiptourpodcast Email → ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com Connect with guest, Sarah Kennerley: Website: sarahseestheworld.com Instagram → @sarah_kennerley

We’ve all heard it: “People just don’t like me because I’m honest.” But is that really the case? In this episode of The Friendship Tour, I unpack the truth behind honesty in friendships—where it helps, where it hurts, and how to do it well.

I explore the difference between honesty and bluntness, and why the way we speak truth matters more than ever in today’s friendship dynamics. With humor, wisdom, and lived experience, I share practical tools for being honest with love—so that your truth can be heard and actually build stronger relationships, not break them.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The difference between honesty and bluntness

• Why how you say something is just as important as what you say

• Key questions to ask yourself before "being honest"

• The right time, right place, right tone principle

• How to be a truth-teller and a good friend

Take This With You:

“Most people like honesty. Most people don’t like bluntness.”

Listener Challenge: Before offering your honest thoughts, ask yourself: ☑️ Is it my business? ☑️ Is it important? ☑️ Has anyone asked for my input? ☑️ Am I trying to help—or just speak? ☑️ Am I speaking from love?

Join the Conversation: Stay connected in the official Friendship Tour Facebook group! Or follow on Instagram @thefriendshiptourpodcast. Prefer email? Try ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com.

If you loved this episode: 💬 Leave a review 📲 Share it with a friend 🎧 Subscribe for more real talk about friendship

In this mini episode of The Friendship Tour, I share a special thank you to everyone who joined the very first Friendship Tour Book Club meeting — it was a beautiful night of laughter, honesty, and connection.

But today’s message isn’t just a recap — it’s an invitation! I want to hear from YOU. For an upcoming Q&A-style episode, I'm collecting your real friendship questions: What’s been hard? What are you wondering about female friendship? What do you wish someone would just talk about already?!

Whether it’s about making new friends, setting boundaries, navigating conflict, or keeping friendships strong through life’s changes — no topic is off-limits. You can email your question, DM on Instagram, or post in the Facebook group (links below!).

This is your chance to shape an episode of the podcast — let’s do this together. 💛

• Email: ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com

• Facebook Group: bit.ly/thefriendshiptourpodcast

• Instagram: @thefriendshiptourpodcast

Next Week: Fact or Fiction: People Don’t Like Me Because I’m Honest – don’t miss it!