E100: The Spiritual Domain of Friendships

Strong friendships have been shown to reduce loneliness, improve emotional resilience, and even buffer the effects of grief and stress. In moments of birth, loss, illness, and major life transitions, certain friendships take on a deeper, almost sacred role—offering grounding, presence, and meaning when it is needed most.

In the spiritual domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, are joined by Chaplain Susie Nelsen. Together, they explore the friendships that accompany us through profound transitions, the companions who help us make sense of loss and identity, and the rare “spiritual friends” with whom we can speak openly about purpose, belief, and meaning.