logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
50m 48s

Can a friend be our most significant oth...

Vox
About this episode

Journalist Rhaina Cohen believes that modern culture undervalues friendships and discusses the ways in which deep friendships are distinct from but no less meaningful than romantic partnerships. 


Guest host: Sigal Samuel (@sigalsamuel)

Guest: Rhaina Cohen (@rhainacohen). Her book is The Other Significant Others

Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Be the first to hear new episodes of The Gray Area by following us in your favorite podcast app. Links here: https://www.vox.com/the-gray-area

Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

This episode was made by: 

  • Producer: Jon Ehrens 
  • Engineer: Patrick Boyd

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Jun 30
If AI can do your classwork, why go to college?
What’s the point of college if no one’s actually doing the work? It’s not a rhetorical question. In the age of AI, it's incredibly easy for students to offload their assignments. AI tools can write essays, make study guides, and even complete whole assignments. So what is the poi ... Show More
59m 21s
Jun 16
Is Trump winning?
We’re nearly six months into Donald Trump’s second term as president, and a lot of us are still trying to figure out what that actually means. Not just politically. But culturally. What kind of country are we living in? And what kind of future are we heading toward? In today’s ep ... Show More
52m 31s
Jun 9
A right-wing economist makes his case
For decades, the American right has stayed on brand: the economy. Low taxes. Free markets. Deregulation. Those have been the buzzwords for more than half a century. But that doctrine is now being challenged by other conservatives who envision a future in which America’s trade def ... Show More
1h 8m
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
Friendship in the Apocalypse | What About Your Friends?
On the very first episode of ‘What About Your Friends?,’ Erika Ramirez, host and founder of ILY, explores the ins and outs of friendship in the dire circumstances of an apocalypse or doomsday scenario with her best friend and cohost, Steven Othello (0:05), and builds an ideal doo ... Show More
49m 55s
Mar 2022
263: How to Move Towards the Good | A Podcast Swap with The Skinny Confidential
This episode has been such a treat to put together for y'all to experience something a little different. I did a podcast swap with Lauryn and Michael from The Skinny Confidential, a blog, brand, podcast, and YouTube channel that reaches millions of women and men trying to live th ... Show More
48m 49s
Jul 2023
Carmy and Sydney on ‘The Bear’ Season 2 | What About Your Friends?
Erika and Steven first dig into the intricacies of being in business with friends (0:30). Then, Erika is joined by Charles Holmes to dive into the fractious but beautiful friendship and artistic alignment that tenuously hold the business partnership between Carmy and Sydney toget ... Show More
1h 13m
Mar 2023
Tom and Greg’s Twisted Bromance in ‘Succession’ | What About Your Friends?
On this week’s special episode, The Ringer’s Sean Fennessey joins Erika Ramirez to break down the corruption and romance of one of the most captivating friendships on television right now: Tom Wambsgans and Gregory Hirsch.Join us in preparation for the premiere of the final seaso ... Show More
40m 33s
Dec 2023
HAPPY HIGH BETTER FAIL: The Ultimate Podcast Mash-Up with Fearne Cotton, Rangan Chatterjee, Jake Humphrey & Damian Hughes
Surprise! Here’s a little Christmas present for you… For this very special episode, a group of my favourite podcasters and I got together to share the microphone and spread the love we feel for each other - and for our listeners. What a joy to chat with legit podcasting royalty - ... Show More
1h 1m
Nov 2022
Between Friends: Stories About Race and Friendship
"Friendship is our only social relationship that is purely voluntary. Someone can just walk away at any time."  Today, we're sharing your stories about how race, identity, and racism have impacted your friendships. And listen to the episode from our partners at the NPR podcast Co ... Show More
51m 47s
Jun 2023
How to Talk to People: What do we owe our friends?
The terms of friendship are both voluntary and vague—yet people often find themselves disappointed by unmet expectations. In this episode of How to Talk to People, we explore how to have the difficult conversations that can make our friendships richer and how to set expectations ... Show More
35m 14s
Nov 2021
Can Men And Women Be “Just Friends”?
People continue to disagree on this controversial topic, “can men and women just be friends”? Hundreds of romantic comedies address this question based on heterosexual relationships because it is all too common! In this episode, Alex and Jon talk about setting boundaries, what is ... Show More
34m 52s
Sep 2022
Don't Worry Darling, Celeb Couple Announcements, Adele w/ Keltie Knight
Joining the Deux U classroom this week is return-guest and friend of the podcast, Keltie Knight! You may know her as one of the hosts of the wildly popular podcast, LadyGang! We’re discussing the week’s hottest topics, including: Don’t Worry Darling: casting & relationship timeli ... Show More
1h 14m