

Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship
Nina Badzin
Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship is a top 1% podcast that dives into the complicated feelings behind adult friendship—why it’s harder than we expect and how to navigate it with clarity, honesty, and intention.Whether you've agonized over a text, wondered why you're always the one reaching out, or found yourself drifting away from an old friend—this show gets it and we're here to discuss it all. Note--these are conversations, not classic interviews. We're serious, but we laugh a lot too!"Dear Nina" is hosted by longtime friendship advice columnist Nina Badzin, and every episode digs into the messy, meaningful, and sometimes maddening questions adults don't always want to ask out loud. How do you make real friends as an adult? How do you handle a one-sided friendship? Should you salvage a friendship that's fading or let it be? How do you kindly turn down an acquaintance who wants to be closer, but you're just not feeling the same chemistry? Why don't your friends like your social media posts, but they definitely support other friends there?We talk about being the single friend in a coupled-up world, navigating friendship after divorce, the grief of losing a friend to illness or a falling out, and what it means to be included in a friend group but not quite feel like you belong—whether that's happening to you or to your kid. And yes, we talk about what happens when your kids used to be good friends and now can't stand each other. (It's a whole thing.)Nina has been writing about adult friendship for over a decade, and her advice has been featured in NPR, Real Simple Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, Time Magazine, The Skimm, and more. Each episode draws from real listener letters (hence "Dear Nina"), relatable dilemmas, and thoughtful guests.Every episode leaves room for the fact that there are no perfect answers. There's only real talk here, a lot of warmth, and the reminder that if you're overthinking your friendships, you're probably just someone who cares deeply about the people in your life.That's a good thing. Social connections MATTER! Let's talk about it.ALL THE DEAR NINA LINKS + CONTACT INFO!! Catch up on all Dear Nina episodes on Apple and Spotify📢 How to promote your service, business, or book on Dear Nina🎈 Celebrate your friend on the show by dedicating a week of episodes!📱 Subscribe to my newsletter “Conversations About Friendship” on Substack❤️ Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, & the Dear Nina Facebook group📪 Ask an anonymous friendship question📪 email: dearninapodcast@gmail.com🔎 Want to work with me on your podcast, your friendships, or need another link? That’s probably here.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 20, 2023 • 30min
#73 - I'm Just Not Into This Friendship (encore with Ruchi Koval)
Renowned author and relationship coach Ruchi Koval joins the host to discuss navigating challenging friendships. They talk about the importance of setting boundaries, honesty in relationships, and the mindset shift required for new connections. They also explore the concept of giving back in friendships and finding balance.

Sep 13, 2023 • 21min
#72 - Grudges and Apologies in Friendships: with my Mom
My Mom, the podcaster's mother, joins the show to discuss grudges, apologies, and forgiveness in friendships. They explore the challenges of maintaining relationships during life changes and the importance of open communication. They also share personal stories of pettiness and discuss the impact of not receiving an apology from a parent. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating relationships and handling grudges.

Sep 6, 2023 • 26min
#71 - Learning From a Friendship Breakup with Diamonde Williamson
Diamonde Williamson, founder of Third and Wonder Production House, creates art from friendship breakups. She shares the pain of these breakups and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging grief. The podcast explores navigating friendship breakups with mutual friends and the disappointment in lack of support. Creating the documentary, healing, and the joy of connecting are also discussed.

Aug 24, 2023 • 21min
#70 - Become Your Own Social Director: Stop Waiting for Invitations
Ever feel like your social life is a waiting game, stuck in the perpetual hope for an invitation to hang out? It’s time to flip the script! This episode is about empowering you to take control of your social time and friendships.Don't wait around hoping to be invited--reach out, take the lead, and discover the joy that comes with being the planner. It's a super power!This is the perfect episode for a new school year, or a new season of friendship for ALL AGES from kids to every stage of adulthood. Yes, every stage--through retirement and beyond.A few links mentioned in the episode:The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger M.D. and Marc Schulz Ph.D.This Ted Talk by Susan Pinker: "The Secret to Living Longer May be Your Social Life"Episode #3 of Dear Nina, "The Friend Who Never Initiates Contact"Danielle Bayer Jackson is an amazing source for all things friends, and the upcoming guest I mentioned and not being invited. And so it Anna Goldfarb! In this episode I mentioned her 30 days of friendship tips on Threads.My best friend and occasional guest, Taryn Kessel, always talks about being your own "cruise director." You can find Taryn on episodes #2, #9, #18, #27.Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David SedarisALL THE DEAR NINA LINKS + CONTACT INFO📢 This week’s fabulous sponsor + how to purchase ad space on Dear Nina📱 Subscribe to my newsletter “Conversations About Friendship” on Substack❤️ Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, the Dear Nina Facebook group📪 Ask an anonymous friendship question🔎 Want to work with me or need another link? That’s probably here.Our sponsor this week is Esther Goldenberg, author of THE SONG OF THE BLUE BIRD, sold everywhere you love to buy books.
Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

Aug 17, 2023 • 33min
#69 - Don't be afraid of saying the wrong thing to friends with a chronic illness w/ Jennifer Cramer-Miller
Jennifer Cramer-Miller, a four-time kidney transplant recipient, advocates for being unafraid of saying the wrong thing to friends with chronic illness. She shares her personal journey from health to chronic illness, the hope for a transplant, and the healing power of friendship. The chapter also discusses the importance of accepting life's unexpected turns and the journey of kidney transplants.

Aug 10, 2023 • 22min
#68 - When Your Friend is an Unhealthy or an Abusive Relationship with Rachel Katz
Today we're discussing a harder topic than usual--what to do when your friend is in a very unhealthy or even an abusive relationship. It can be extremely difficult as a friend, as opposed to a family member, to know when you can step in to help, or how you can help.I'm grateful to Rachel Katz for sharing her story. She's been on both sides of this equation. Rachel can speak to the frustration of watching a friend stay in a dangerous relationship, and she's been in a toxic relationship herself so she has firsthand experience with what a friend could do to help someone in the same situation.Meet Rachel KatzRachel is a Wellness Embodiment Coach, Nutritional Scientist, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and Yoga Teacher. She helps women heal on a mind body and soul level so that they can embody true wellness. Her mission is to help you heal your relationships- with food, your body, yourself, & others so you can live your most full life ever!Find Rachel on Instagram, TikTok, and on her website. ALL THE DEAR NINA LINKS + CONTACT INFO📢 This week’s fabulous sponsor + how to purchase ad space on Dear Nina📱 Subscribe to my newsletter “Conversations About Friendship” on Substack❤️ Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, the Dear Nina Facebook group📪 Ask an anonymous friendship question🔎 Want to work with me or need another link? That’s probably here.Our sponsor this week is Esther Goldenberg, author of THE SONG OF THE BLUE BIRD, sold everywhere you love to buy books.
Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

Aug 3, 2023 • 17min
#67 - Visit Your Long Distance Friends
I'm encouraging listeners to reach out to some long distance friends and plan a trip! Why? I finally put my money where my mouth is and spent time with out of town friends, and in this solo episode, I'm telling you all about it.Visiting long distance friends requires time and usually a financial commitment, but the rewards are priceless. The planning of these trips and then the actual trip itself, even very short ones, creates shared memories, deepens bonds, and reminds of us the joy of being in the same space. In a world where technology often dictates our interactions, it's crucial to remember the value of face-to-face connections and the impact they have on our lives.More specifically, I'm talking about a trip with college friends to Boulder in this episode and the extra few days I stayed there to spend time with Pam Moore, a dear friend of a decade I had never met in person. The resources I mentioned about Pam Moore and Julie Vick:Pam's podcast: The Real Fit PodcastPam's ebook guide to pitching editors. 7 Pitches That Sold.Julie Vick's book: Babies Don't Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?): The Introvert's Guide to Surviving ParenthoodTwo Videos I made of the trip:TikTok (a little longer)Instagram (very quick!)ALL THE DEAR NINA LINKS + CONTACT INFO📢 This week’s fabulous sponsor + how to purchase ad space on Dear Nina📱 Subscribe to my newsletter “Conversations About Friendship” on Substack❤️ Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, the Dear Nina Facebook group📪 Ask an anonymous friendship question🔎 Want to work with me or need another link? That’s probably here.Our sponsor this week is Esther Goldenberg, author of THE SONG OF THE BLUE BIRD, sold everywhere you love to buy books.
Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

Jul 27, 2023 • 25min
#66 - Introvert Energy in Friendships with Heidi Shertok
Heidi Shertok, the guest, talks about the challenges of being an introvert in an extrovert's world. She also discusses her trailblazing novel featuring an Orthodox Jewish woman. The podcast covers topics such as defining introvert energy, communicating introvert needs to friends, and the role of social media in friendships.

Jul 20, 2023 • 25min
#65 - Big Friend Groups and Accepting Teen Friendship Strife with Dr. Lisa Damour
Dr. Lisa Damour is the NYT bestselling author of Untangled, Under Pressure, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, and the co-host of the Ask Lisa Podcast. On Dear Nina, I focus on adult friendships, but sometimes I touch on teen friendships because teen friend strife is slipping into adult friendships. While it was once expected that teens would experience friendship changes as part of growing up, it now seems making sure teens never feel upset about their social lives is another thing for parents to manage. Lisa's work helps adults understand how much distress to expect in teens' lives and when there's cause for concern. Find Dr. Lisa on Instagram and Twitter.Topics We Covered: (Show notes are HERE)Teens will get left out and leave others. Friend groups seem overly formal to adults these days, but it's a reality for teens. Lisa said, "If your kid has one or two good buddies, leave it alone. It's perfect. If your kid has a large friendship group, do not assume that anyone is going out of their way to cause trouble. It is the nature of those larger groups."In groups of over four, it's impossible to expect that every person will like each other equally. Some people will be closer.If your teen has a few close friends, they have everything they need for a positive social life. Reassure them that we have good data showing that the least stressed kids have one or two good friends.Understanding that mental health has come to be equated with feeling good or relaxed or happy. These are all wonderful things, but they're not what mental health is. Dr. Damour explains that being mentally healthy is about having feelings that fit the circumstance, then managing those feelings, even if those are negative emotions.Learning the difference between uncomfortable and unmanageable.Knowing the difference between kids' discomfort and parents' discomfort. Parents sometime freak out more than their teens about social dynamics.Helping teens make the most of the friendship strife they face by learning how to handle conflict. This will serve them for the rest of ALL THE DEAR NINA LINKS + CONTACT INFO📢 This week’s fabulous sponsor + how to purchase ad space on Dear Nina📱 Subscribe to my newsletter “Conversations About Friendship” on Substack❤️ Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, the Dear Nina Facebook group📪 Ask an anonymous friendship question🔎 Want to work with me or need another link? That’s probably here.Our sponsor this week is Esther Goldenberg, author of THE SONG OF THE BLUE BIRD, sold everywhere you love to buy books.
Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

Jul 13, 2023 • 39min
#64 - Old School Blogging and Maintaining Online Friendships with Jill Smokler
Jill Smokler (Scary Mommy), an old school blogger, reflects on the early days of blogging, discussing the pressure to produce content, the thrill of the first comment, and the intimate connections made with readers and other bloggers. They also delve into the evolution of blogging, the power of vulnerability and community, and the challenges of maintaining online friendships formed through blogging.


