Across The Gender Divide: Can Men and Women Really Be Friends?

This session responds to a question that gets asked a lot at Friendshift - can men and women ever really be friends? In this session, we'll explore:

• What we know from the research about how men and women typically approach friendship, including communication styles and preferences
• The complexities of friendships where there is the potential for sexual attraction, including exploring whether straight men and women can truly maintain platonic relationships without romantic feelings interfering.
• Societal norms, cultural influences, and personal experiences that shape our perceptions of friendships across the gender divide.
• The positives and pitfalls of cross-gender friendships
• Healthy strategies for building and maintaining healthy cross-gender friendships

What is a Friendshift Open Event?
Friendshift by friendship coach Hannah Carmichael OBE is a small business offering courses, workshops, programmes and coaching services for thoughtful, reflective types (think friendly introverts!) who want more from their friendships.

Part of the Friendshift mission is to make it normal to talk about friendship, and our Open Events are a part of that mission! Open Events are completely free to attend, and are held every two weeks on a Wednesday lunchtime (UK time / GMT). Each Open Event covers a different aspect of modern friendship, and topics are usually prompted by conversations between Hannah and her clients, or previous attendees!

PLEASE NOTE that all sessions are recorded, and AI transcripted.
Slides and / or recordings are shared afterwards by email, and extracts may be used on social media and elsewhere.

Who is it for?
Hannah's events tend attract thoughtful, reflective, independent types - most of whom are aged over 30 and prefer to connect in more stereotypically introverted / lower-key ways. But you don't have to be this demographic to attend - if the topic sounds interesting and useful to you, and you want to find out more about building better friendships in a safe, supportive space, then you are very welcome to join.

Why should I attend?

• A chance to hear from other people who are on the same learning journey as you.
• Walk away with practical, evidence-based advice
• Opportunity to seek advice and support on friendship issues that you're facing
• Safe, welcoming, introvert-friendly spaces

What if I'm worried about talking on camera / taking part?
It's absolutely fine to get involved in Friendshift Open Events in whatever way feels most comfortable for you. We're very introvert-friendly! Sessions are interactive, with plenty of opportunities to contribute and ask questions via the chat, and by coming on camera. And because we deal with real life issues, everyone benefits when ideas and experiences are shared. But if you'd prefer to listen in with your camera off, that's absolutely fine too. Participants are sometimes offered the chance to breakout into smaller groups to aid learning - if this is part of the session plan, it will be mentioned at the start to give you time to decide if you would like to take part.

Your Facilitator
Hannah Carmichael OBE is a mum-of-one with ADHD and a serious coffee addiction. She is also a leading expert and sought-after coach specialising in friendship & connection, and is regularly featured in publications such as Stylist, Psychology Today, The Guardian, and BBC World Service. She is an expert panellist for BBC Radios Oxford & Berkshire. As a reformed 'awkward type,' Hannah loves nothing more than to see her clients recognising their worth and value, finding the confidence to show up fully as themselves, transforming their friendships, and building deep, authentic, wholehearted connections in all aspects of their lives.