Gossip in Friendship: Is It Really as Bad as Everyone Says It Is?

Friendship IRL: Real Talk About Friendship, Community, and What It Actually Takes · Apr 16, 2026 · 28m · transcript

Does talking about one person to another make you a bad friend?

For quite some time, I’ve been considering the role of gossip in friendship. I’ve reflected on my own patterns and beliefs, and I’ve thought hard about where I’ve pushed the boundaries.

My goal in this episode is to get to the root of gossip and the role it plays in relationships. I dive into some research about the history of gossip and include some guidelines I use in my personal life.

I don't think you need to feel guilty every time you talk about someone; guilt just makes us second-guess very normal, necessary human…