The Indy Maven Friendship series is tackling this simple yet complex relationship from various angles.
We at Indy Maven see the theme of friendship all over the place lately. It’s in the zeitgeist, if you will. Maybe Covid and all its social distancing turned it into a hot topic. Maybe it’s always been a hot topic. But regardless of the reason, lately we can’t scroll without stumbling upon stories about friendship breakups, adult friendships, friendships and boundaries, the importance of friendship… even friendship coaches.
So, we crowdsourced a handful of contributors, board members, as well as the nuclear team at Indy Maven/Maven Space. After all, Indy Maven is made of multitudes. The more voices that chime in, the better we understand and empathize with all women, and the better chance we have at fulfilling our mission. We weren’t sure what kind of a response we’d get. But, as a good friend would, everyone showed up. Better yet, they had something to say.
We are wrapping our series on high note. Who are your parasocal BFFs? What are parasocial BFFs, you ask? According to Sara Petersen in Momfluenced (we highly recommend), “‘parasociality’ refers to the psychological phenomenon of forming bonds with celebrities [and] public figures.”
We hope you delight in the responses as much as we did. We gasped, we smiled, we collectively thoughts, “Yassss.” We hope you do, too, then scribble out your own list… and share it with us. (Email us at hello@indymaven.com!)
Oprah (is she not on everyone’s list?)
Ina Garten
Kendra Adachi aka The Lazy Genius
Stanley Tucci
And my favorite Peloton instructor Tunde.
–Leslie Bailey, CEO and Co-founder, Indy Maven
Brandi Carlile
Trisha Hersey
Amy Poehler
Tina Fey
Johnathan Van Ess
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Amanda Gorman
Ann Patchett.
–Marlin Bruns, Contributor
Issa Rae for sure.
Oprah and Gayle without a doubt.
Glennon Doyle when I need a kick in the pants.
Beyonce because HELLO.
And Michelle Obama—everyday.
–Casey Cawthon, Contributor
The entire cast of New Girl IYKYK (and in character or out, tbh)
Selena Gomez
Taylor Swift
Viola Davis
Selena (RIP, my girl)
–Arianna Cruz, Operations Board Member and a 2023 Indy Maven Women to Watch
Sandra Oh
Dr. Raquel Martin-Psychologist
Alice Choi
Stacey Abrams
YK Hong
Trevor Noah
Chelsea Handler
snoopdogg
–Michelle Dahl, Editorial & Operations Boards Member
Kevin Hart
Justina Blakeney (creator of Jungalow)
Daniel Levy
Fenix Lumiere (who is a dog, soooo)
Excuse Me are you Greek
Trevor Noah
Shawn Johnson
(what a group! haha!)
–Colleen Hungerford, Premier Partner
I call this my spiritual board of directors! Currently my board consists of:
Esther Hicks
Lana Del Rey
Trixie Mattel
Paris Hilton
Gala Darling
Karen Kilgariff
–Kelli Jenkins of the Spellsisters, Indy Maven’s Resident Astrologist
Oh my gosh so many! My short list (haha):
Issa Rae
Quinta Brunson (basically the whole Abbott Elementary cast)
Jessica Chastain
Brene Brown
–Jalysa King, Sales Maven and Contributor
I love the three women who host the podcast “Wine and Crime“, where they “chug wine, chat true crime, and unleash their worst Minnesotan accents.” They are truly hilarious, addicting and honest women (my “I’m having a rough day” kind of friends).
–Abby Kom, 2023 Indy Maven Indiana Press Club Foundation Fellow
Dakota Johnson
Taylor Swift
Carey Mulligan
Ina Garten
Sarah Jessica Parker
–Samantha Kupiainen, Contributor
Frankie Simmons
Dr. Nicole LePera
Iman
Candin Phillips, ADHD Coach & Therapist
–Despi Mayes, Indy Maven Member
Maura Malloy is a writer, minimalist, TedX Talker, and Indy Maven’s Assistant Editor.
Have something to add to the conversation? Email us at hello@indymaven.com and tell us your list of parasocial BFFs.
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