Timestamps:
00:00:00 – 00:04:00 – Introduction and Catching Up
00:04:01 – 00:04:37 – Friendship and Marriage: Recap of 3 Types of Friendship
00:04:38 – 00:05:54- A Friendship of Utility
00:05:55 – 00:06:55 – A Friendship of Pleasure
00:06:56 – 00:12:04 – A Friendship of Virtue or a Friendship of Goodness
00:12:05 – 00:17:21 – How will you know that you have the same end goal for a Virtuous Friendship?
00:17:22 – 00:19:16 – How to determine that you have a Friendship of Goodness?
00:19:17 – 00:22:40 – A Friendship in Marriage
00:22:41 – 00:25:51 – Importance of Friendship before Marriage
00:25:52 – 00:29:24 – Truth, Beauty and Goodness / Episode Conclusion
Episode Summary:
What makes a true friendship? In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre explore the classical categories of friendship—utility, pleasure, and virtue—and how they manifest in everyday life, relationships, and even marriage. They examine the layers of friendship, from circumstantial connections to deep, lasting bonds rooted in shared values and vulnerability. Drawing from real-life examples, schoolyard memories, and marital dynamics, this episode uncovers how authentic friendship requires intentionality, communication, and trust.
Key Discussion Points:
- Types of Friendship: Utility (mutual benefit), Pleasure (enjoyment), and Virtue (mutual admiration of the good in each other). Stina highlights how the first two are common but often temporary, while the third is deep and lasting.
- Friendships of Virtue: These friendships require shared values, openness, and authenticity. Stina explains how faith and shared values make virtuous friendship possible, though often difficult to find.
- Building Virtuous Friendships: Padre emphasizes that friendships of goodness grow from the foundations of pleasure and utility. They start with shared goals or interests and mature through shared values and vulnerability.
- Friendship in Schools vs Adulthood: Padre reflects on how student friendships form easily through proximity and similarity but often lack depth. As adults, forming friendships requires intentional communication and effort.
- The Mystery of Adult Friendships: Stina and Padre discuss how adult friendships must grow with us, supporting us not only in joyful moments but also through sorrowful and difficult seasons like grief.
- Friendship in Marriage: Stina explains that many marriages begin with pleasure and end in utility if the core of friendship isn’t intentionally nurtured. SB stresses the importance of asking engaged couples if they are truly friends, able to be honest, open, and vulnerable with each other.
Reflective Questions:
- What kind of friendships do I currently have—utility, pleasure, or virtue?
- Am I willing to be vulnerable and share who I truly am in my friendships?
- Are the friendships in my life bearing fruit through joy, support, and mutual growth?
- If I’m married, is my spouse also my friend—and how do I nourish that friendship?
Practical Suggestions for Growth:
- Assess and Reflect: Identify the type of friendship you have with each person in your life and where growth might be needed.
- Nurture Friendship in Marriage: Schedule intentional time to connect emotionally with your spouse—ask meaningful questions and share openly.
- Communicate Clearly: Don’t expect others to “just know” what you need—practice clear communication to deepen relationships.
- Make Room for Depth: Invest in friendships that support you not only in joy but also in sorrow—invite others into the full mystery of your life.
Truth, Beauty & Goodness
Padre – Word on fire resources – Home – Word on Fire
Stina – New Team – expansion – Samuel Heffer and Czyrine Joy Lacro
If you enjoy our Show Notes, you can listen to our Living Fullness Podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts, directly from our website or watch our guest interviews on YouTube! Also check out our social media pages Living Fullness Podcast on Instagram , the closed Facebook group for links and discussions, and Virtue Ministry on Facebook and Instagram.