It is perhaps the oldest question in the book of human relationships: Can men and women really be friends?

We've seen it played out in romantic comedies for decades, but in the real world—stripped of Hollywood scripts—the answer is rarely a simple "yes" or "no." To close out the year, Dr. Kulpa Sandar and her co-host, "The World's Mayor" Joshua T. Berglan, sat down for a raw, unfiltered episode of Gloves Off After Dark to tackle this loaded topic.

The Spectrum of Platonic Friendships

Dr. Kulpa opens the discussion by challenging the binary view that men and women cannot be friends. As someone who maintains deep, platonic friendships with men, she argues that the possibility exists—but it requires honesty about attraction.

"You can absolutely have a strictly platonic relationship with a man," Dr. Kulpa explains. "Now, where it can get complicated is if there's attraction. Just because there's attraction doesn't mean something physical has to happen."

Trauma Bonding vs. Genuine Connection

One of the most profound insights comes from Joshua Berglan, who opens up about his past tendency to seek safety in female friendships, only to blur the lines due to emotional vulnerability.

When two people share deep emotional scars, the resulting intimacy can mimic romantic love. This is often referred to as trauma bonding. As Joshua notes, "When you're pouring your heart open... there's a bond that forms. If there's chemistry, it's such an easy, natural thing to fall into."

[ACTION REQUIRED: INSERT PERSONAL MEMORY]
Add a specific example of a time you confused emotional safety with romantic love. (e.g., "I remember thinking she was 'the one' just because she listened to my darkest secret without judging.") This adds E-E-A-T.

The Science of Touch and "The Six-Month Rule"

Is there a biological argument against casual intimacy in friendships? The hosts discuss a fascinating theory suggesting that physical touch—even holding hands—releases a neurochemical cocktail that can create false attachments.

Joshua shares a compelling anecdote about a long-distance friendship that turned romantic solely due to a desperate need for physical touch. "The first time I was touched, it wrecked my whole nervous system... it made me stupid," he confesses.

The advice? Consider a "Six-Month Rule." Delaying physical intimacy allows you to see the person's true character—their communication style, their stability, and their values—before your judgment is clouded by oxytocin.

Modern Dynamics: The CEO Woman and the Search for Equals

With more women rising to CEO roles and financial independence, the traditional "provider" dynamic is obsolete. However, this has created a new kind of loneliness for successful women.

"Men are usually assessing and scanning for a woman that is compliant... The men who are initially attracted to the women who contort and abandon themselves don't look at a woman like me because I'm complicated in their eyes."
— Dr. Kulpa Sandar

Conclusion: Discernment is Key

So, can men and women be friends? The consensus is a resounding yes —but with a caveat. It requires discernment. If you approach friendship with the goal of mutual growth, stripping away the expectation of romance, you might just find the greatest love of all.