Friendships in the Second Act: The Secret to a Happier, Longer Life
What if the key to a longer, happier life isn’t what you eat or how much you exercise, but who you call your friend?
This week on Spark Me Shorts, Liz and Michele explore the power of friendship in the second act of life and why meaningful connection may be the ultimate secret to happiness and longevity.
Drawing on Aristotle’s timeless philosophy and decades of modern research, they unpack how different types of friendships shape our lives, from social circles that fade to those rare, enduring relationships that help us grow and stay grounded.
Michele shares new studies showing that connection, not just health habits, predicts who lives longest — from the barista who knows your order to the best friend who shows up when it matters most. Liz reminds us that friendships, like anything meaningful, require intention and presence, especially as we move into new seasons of life.
This short but powerful episode will inspire you to reach out, reconnect, and maybe even tell your best friend just how much they mean to you.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
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Aristotle’s three types of friendship and which one leads to true happiness
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How social integration can increase your lifespan
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Why women often rediscover friendship in their second act
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The surprising connection between friendship and workplace happiness
- Ways to nurture deeper friendships (even if you live miles apart)
Resources & Mentions:
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The Harvard Study of Adult Development — The world’s longest study on happiness and relationships.
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Aristotle’s Theory of Friendship — Explore the philosopher’s three kinds of friendship: utility, pleasure, and virtue.
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TEDx Talk on Longevity and Connection — Discussed by Michele in this episode.
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Workplace Friendship Study — How having a “work friend” influences job satisfaction.
If this conversation lit a spark in you, share this episode with a friend, especially the one who always shows up when it counts.,
Join The Spark Me Community:
Follow @sparkmepodcast on Instagram and join our growing community of women embracing reinvention, gratitude, and connection in their second act.
Because friendship isn’t just part of a good life. It is the good life.