Shasta Nelson is one of the most trusted voices on human connection today—a leading friendship expert, sought-after keynote speaker, and author of three game-changing books on how our relationships shape our health, happiness, and work.

 

For over 15 years, she’s been the go-to expert on adult friendship—quoted in The New York Times, TIME, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review. She’s appeared on the Today Show, delivered two TEDx talks (with nearly 1 million views), and hosted the podcast Frientimacy, where she explored how real friendship isn’t the absence of conflict—it’s the courage to navigate it together.

 

At the same time, Shasta has helped organizations translate the science of connection into strategies that strengthen trust, boost retention, and drive performance. Companies like Google, LinkedIn, and Walmart, bring her in to unlock what many overlook: that connection isn’t just good for people—it’s essential for business.

 

No matter the stage or platform, her message is clear: relationships aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re the foundation of everything that matters.

 

 

Shasta’s Story

 

Shasta began with a B.A. in Communications and a dream of becoming a war correspondent. But she soon realized her truest work wasn’t reporting on conflict—it was helping build a world where we’re better at getting along. That realization led her to earn a Master of Divinity and become a pastor, where she spent years facilitating communities to create authentic, resilient relationships. But her mission then went beyond the church doors.

 

In 2008, she launched GirlFriendCircles—one of the first friendship-matching platforms in the U.S. As she helped thousands of women form new connections, she became a pioneer in what had long been an overlooked field: teaching people how to intentionally build and sustain meaningful relationships across every area of life.

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From that front-row seat to friendship creation, her blog posts turned into bestselling books, her small workshops grew into keynote stages, and the media started calling. What started as friendship accelerators and ConnectingCircles soon became TEDx talks, national interviews, and a full-on mission to make friendship something we all get better at.

 

 

Background at a Glance:

 

• Researcher of over 10,000 friendships: Through nationwide surveys, in-depth interviews, and lived experience, Shasta has studied how people form, maintain, and deepen friendships across every stage of life.

• Chief Friendship Officer, U.S. Chamber of Connection: Building a nationwide model for helping newcomers feel at home in every U.S. city.

• Author of 3 acclaimed books: Friendships Don’t Just Happen!, Frientimacy, and The Business of Friendship

• Speaker at 500+ events across 20+ industries:

  Including Google, LinkedIn, Walmart, Salesforce, and Kaiser Permanente

• Host of the podcast Frientimacy: Real conversations with real friends navigating hard moments and staying close

• International Retreat Leader: Hosts powerful friendship-focused trips and retreats each year

• Regular media contributor to hundreds of outlets including Harvard Business Review, TIME, Forbes, The New York Times, TODAY, and more

• TEDx Speaker (2x): First talk viewed by nearly 1 million people

• Former Pastor (M.Div.): Specializing in emotional wellness, spiritual growth, and authentic connection

• Founder of GirlFriendCircles: A groundbreaking digital platform to foster adult friendship

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(When she’s not speaking on stage or researching the science of connection, you’ll find her throwing dinner parties, hiking with her husband, listening to Marco Polo's with her girlfriends, or planning her next TravelCircle to Galapagos or Japan.)

 

 

Why It Matters

 

Because the research is clear: our relationships are the single biggest predictor of our health, happiness, and longevity. They impact everything from employee engagement to immune function to innovation.

 

And yet—most of us were never taught how to build them.

 

That’s where Shasta comes in. She combines science, soul, and story to teach people how to create the kinds of relationships that change lives, workplaces, and entire communities. Her work doesn’t just feel good—it drives results.

 

It’s virtually impossible to thrive—in health, in life, or at work—without strong relationships. And yet we continue to treat connection like it’s soft, optional, or someone else’s job. Shasta is here to change that.

 

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