279: Can Men and Women Be Just Friends? Navigating Jealousy, Trust, and Deep Connections with Erwin Valencia and Himanshu Jakhar

Have you ever wondered if men and women can truly have platonic friendships—free from romantic tension? Or felt the pressure to abandon opposite-sex friendships in the name of a relationship? In this sizzling, soul-stirring episode of The Brave Table, I sit down with my two favorite brother besties—Himanshu Jocker, founder of Epic Businesses in Jaipur, India, and Erwin B. Valencia, a former mental health coach for the NBA and founder of the Gratitude Gang Foundation in the Philippines.

Together, we dive into how opposite-sex friendships can enrich your life, your romantic relationships, and your personal growth. We discuss setting boundaries, navigating jealousy, and even the dynamics of “friend-zoning.” This is a must-listen if you’ve ever struggled to maintain balance between friendship and romance or wondered how to nurture healthy, meaningful relationships across the gender spectrum.

💡 Spoiler alert: You’ll leave with a renewed perspective on cultivating deep, authentic connections.

What you'll get out of this episode… 

Opposite-sex friendships enhance emotional growth, understanding, and life balance.

Clear boundaries prevent misinterpretation in friendships.

Jealousy arises from insecurity; love and action build trust.

Authentic friendships enrich, not threaten, romantic relationships.

Community approval means aligning with shared values and vision.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Introduction: Can men and women just be friends?

4:15 - Why opposite-sex friendships are crucial for emotional growth

9:50 - The Gen Z struggle: What’s your role in a friendship?

13:20 - Navigating blurred lines and setting boundaries

20:05 - Jealousy in relationships: How to address it head-on

28:40 - The importance of community approval in relationships

35:50 - Dim your light or embrace your truth?

44:00 - Lessons learned from ending toxic dynamics

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Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you!

IG / @neetabhushan 

IG / @thebravetable 

TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan

WEB / https://neetabhushan.com

YOUTUBE / @NeetaBhushanOfficial

Connect with today’s guest, Erwin Benedict València 

IG /  @erwinbvalencia

WEB / www.gratitudegang.org

YOUTUBE / @erwinbvalencia

LINKEDIN / www.linkedin.com/in/erwinbvalencia

TIKTOK / @erwinbvalencia

YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/@erwinbvalencia

  TWITTER/X/ @erwinbvalencia

Clubhouse: @erwinbvalencia

Grasshopper Project  → www.grasshopperproject.org 

Connect with today’s guest, Himanshu Jakhar

IG /  @himi.jakhar 

Want more?

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Grab your Affirmation/ Conversation Card deck here → https://thatsuckednowwhat.com/ 

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If you loved this episode, check out…

Ep.# 222: How Friendships and Self-Discovery Make Great Storytellers with Tehzeeb Ahmed (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)

Ep.# 277: The Secret to Thriving Relationships: Boundaries, Healing, and Connection with Simone Heng (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)

Ep.# 237: Finding Your Purpose With John Miles’ Passion Struck (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)

Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x Award Winning Author & world-renowned emotional health advocate & human connection expert. She’s written multiple best-selling books including her most recent book, That Sucked, Now What endorsed by Jay Shetty, Host of the Top 50 Mental Health Podcast The Brave Table, & CEO of Highest Self Institute, a coaching organization training coaches to become the highest versions of themselves. She’s been featured on Forbes, LA Weekly, ABC, NBC, CBS, Grazia, Ok! Magazine, Verve Magazine & Tatler. 

After realizing how trapped she felt running the million-dollar dental practice she built, Neeta embarked on a journey that led her across 45 countries as she researched blending the intersection of human behavior, ancient wisdom, Eastern philosophy, and therapeutic psychology. That knowledge, along with other life experiences overcoming multiple adversities, which include being orphaned at a young age, surviving an abusive marriage, and extensive loss, contributed to the powerful message of resilience & connection she shares in her work. Neeta is a mother of two young children, wellness junkie & lover of chai.