Friendship. It’s a word that evokes warmth, nostalgia, and—if we’re honest—a twinge of confusion. Because once upon a time, it was effortless. A shared lunch, a game of tag, and suddenly, a best friend was born. But then, something happened. Adulthood. And with it came the slow realization that making and keeping friends isn’t just harder—it’s an entirely different proposition.

We've heard the lamentations before: Why is this so difficult? Why do friendships slip away? Why does it feel like rejection when it’s just… life? Enter Caroline Maguire. She is no stranger to the complexities of human connection. A coach, a teacher, and the award-winning author of Why Will No One Play with Me?, Caroline has made it her life’s work to decode the unspoken rules of friendship—especially for those with ADHD.

Today, she returns to the podcast with answers and a roadmap. What if the secret to adult friendships isn’t just about finding the right people, but about understanding the invisible structures that hold relationships together? What if the problem isn’t you, but the way we misjudge who is truly a friend? What if, in our rush to connect, we’re skipping the essential steps that turn acquaintance into ally?

From the hidden psychology of trust to the overlooked power of consistency, this episode pulls back the curtain on the friendships we crave—and the ones we lose. Pete wrestles with the ghosts of old friendships, Nikki examines the seasons of connection, and Caroline offers not just wisdom, but action. Because friendship, like any great endeavor, requires more than just longing. It requires intention.

Links & Notes

• Caroline Maguire on Instagram: @authorcarolinem
• Why Will No One Play With Me? by Caroline Maguire
• Join the Taking Control: The ADHD Discord Community
• Support the Show on Patreon

• (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast
• (01:36) - Support the Show: Become a Patron.. Please? :)
• (02:21) - Introducing Caroline Maguire
• (03:36) - What makes a friend?
• (09:48) - Different Friends for Different Seasons
• (25:06) - Anxious Over-correction
• (27:43) - How Apps Change Friend-finding
• (33:14) - What do we do?
• (44:48) - Learn More