Hot tip for maintaining adult friendships: Move to different cities, never ask who texted last, and consider a blood pact. That’s more or less the system Lauren and I have followed for 17 years—and it’s worked. Today, we’re breaking down how.

In this episode of The System for Everything, I’m joined by one of my longest-standing friendships: Lauren Smart. She's a journalism professor, an arts writer, and someone who's had a front-row seat to my entire adult life. We became friends at 22, and somehow—through new jobs, new cities, a lot of karaoke, and one of us (me) developing a codependent relationship with Google Calendar—we’ve stayed maintained a friendship for nearly two decades.

We unpack what it really takes to maintain friendships through your 20s, 30s, and beyond, including:

• The secret to surviving "Boyfriend Island" seasons
• Why meme-sharing and sending that “Hi!” text really matter
• What makes a friendship worth the effort as you grow older

What if your business could keep running even when life hits pause? In this episode, I sit down with Dahlia Orth, a systems strategist and HoneyBook Pro, who shares how building intentional workflows helped her reclaim her time and design a business that supports her life... not the other way around.

We talk about building boundaries you won’t feel guilty about, systems that run while you rest, and how to prepare your business for growth before you desperately need it.

Key Takeaways:

• Why automations are only as good as the templates behind them
• How to make time for joy, grief, and travel without compromising your client experience
• The key mindset shift every entrepreneur needs to make when setting boundaries

Mentioned in this Episode:

• dahliaorth.com
• instagram.com/dahlia.orth
• System Scalability Quiz
• Wow Factor Workflow

Ending a working relationship doesn’t have to be a legal or emotional disaster. I sit down with Paige Griffith, founder of The Legal Paige, to talk about the uncomfortable yet necessary art of business breakups. Paige is a former federal law clerk turned online legal educator, known for making the legal side of entrepreneurship approachable and actionable.

We explore why client breakups happen, how to prepare your contracts in advance, and what to do if you're already knee-deep in a mess. Paige shares her real-world horror stories, her favorite contract clauses, and how to keep things professional (and even leave the door open!) when letting someone go.

Key Takeaways:

• Why non-refundable retainers and termination clauses are your contract MVPs
• How to handle breakups when there’s no contract in place
• Scripts, templates, and mindset shifts that help you protect your energy and your reputation

Connect with Paige:

• The Legal Paige
• Join the Facebook Group
• Follow Paige on Instagram