Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship

Nina Badzin
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Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship is a top 1% podcast about adult friendship. 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? 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, 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. Nina has been writing about 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, Time Magazine, The Skimm, and more. 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.

  1. #196 - Second Homes and Friendship: Hosting, FOMO, and Unspoken Expectations (Stephanie Hansen)

    1D AGO

    #196 - Second Homes and Friendship: Hosting, FOMO, and Unspoken Expectations (Stephanie Hansen)

    In this episode of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, I’m talking about the social complications of having a second home. Whether it’s a lakeside cabin, a Florida condo, or simply living somewhere everyone wants to visit, these situations bring up all kinds of friendship questions around hosting, invitations, reciprocity, FOMO, boundaries, and expectations. My guest is the incredible Stephanie Hansen: cookbook author, novelist, broadcaster, podcaster, and expert on Minnesota cabin culture. Stephanie loves her family cabin in Ely, Minnesota, and she joined me for a candid conversation about what happens when your “happy place” also becomes a source of complicated social dynamics. This episode is funny, honest, surprisingly emotional at times, and full of the kinds of nuanced friendship situations that don’t have perfect answers. LINKS MENTIONED:  True North Cabin Cookbook Vol 1 and True North Cabin Cookbook Vol 2.Check out Stephanie's new novel, The Moon Tavern: A Culinary Love Story (With Recipes), co-written with her husband, Kurt Johnson.Stephanie's website and Substack newsletter full of fantastic recipes and storiesStephanie on Instagram @stephaniesdish MEET STEPHANIE HANSEN Stephanie Hansen is the co-host of the “The Weekly Dish” radio show and podcast on Hubbard Broadcastings MyTalk107.1 radio with Minneapolis St Paul Magazines food editor, Stephanie March. The show is going on its 18th year and is also a podcast. In 2023 and 2025 Stephanie won a regional Emmy award for hosting the TV show, "Taste Buds With Stephanie" that airs Saturday mornings at 8:30 am on Fox 9 and is currently in syndication at 89 TV stations throughout the United States. Season 4 starts in Fall of 2026. You can also catch Stephanie cooking and sharing recipes weekly on The Jason Show on KMSP Fox 9 in the Twin Cities. Stephanie also has a podcast called, “Dishing with Stephanie’s Dish” where she talks with other food writers, cookbook authors, and fans of food that she releases on her Substack newsletter with recipes each week from her blog StephaniesDish.com Stephanie loves to travel and has sailed throughout the Caribbean, Italy and Croatia. She loves her “Van Life” in her Winnebago Paseo and is a part-time resident of Ely on Burntside Lake in the Summer where she wrote and photographed the True North Cabin Cookbook Vol 1 and True North Cabin Cookbook Vol 2. And check out Stephanie's new novel, The Moon Tavern: A Culinary Love Story (With Recipes), co-written with her husband, Kurt Johnson. Find her on Instagram @stephaniesdishon Instagram @stephaniesdish 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 🔎 Information on any upcoming "Dear Nina Live" events 🎈 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. Get your tickets for Dear Nina Live in Minneapolis! https://ninabadzin.com/events/ Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

    36 min
  2. Bonus: Are Your Friendships Surviving the Digital Age? Likes, Memes & What Really Matters (Nina on The Visibility Standard with Jazzmyn Proctor)

    MAY 18 ·  BONUS

    Bonus: Are Your Friendships Surviving the Digital Age? Likes, Memes & What Really Matters (Nina on The Visibility Standard with Jazzmyn Proctor)

    I’m sharing a bonus episode from my appearance on The Visibility Standard with Jazzmyn Proctor. We talked about modern friendship and all the strange new tensions that come with living so much of our lives online. From expecting friends to endlessly support our businesses on social media (and the resentment when they watch but don't 'like'), to replacing real connection with memes and endless scrolling, this conversation digs into the gray areas of adult friendship right now. We also talked about reciprocity, forgiveness, making actual plans with friends, and why maintaining friendships requires more intentionality than ever. Jazzmyn brought such thoughtful questions to this discussion, brought such thoughtful questions to this discussion, and I was excited to answer for a change. In this episode, we discuss: Why your friends are not automatically your audience, followers, or marketing teamThe difference between online reciprocity and real-life friendship reciprocityHow social media can quietly distort friendship expectationsWhy sending memes is not the same as maintaining a friendshipThe importance of scheduling time with friends—even when it feels inconvenientHow forgiveness and assuming the best help friendships last longerBuilding friendships through online spaces without confusing them for instant intimacyConcerns about AI, ChatGPT, and what happens when people stop practicing real human connectionLinks mentioned:Learn more about JazzmynJazzmyn on TikTok and Instagram (both @jazzmynproctor)Jazzmyn's episode on Dear Nina was one of my top of 2025: "Episode #151: "Myths Around Adult Friendships"Harlan Cohen on Dear Nina: Episode #143: "The Law of Rejection in Friendships"Dear Nina episode #139: "How to Start a Podcast"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 🔎 Information on any upcoming "Dear Nina Live" events 🎈 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. Get your tickets for Dear Nina Live in Minneapolis! https://ninabadzin.com/events/ Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

    42 min
  3. #195 - Money Landmines with Friends: Group Trips, Weddings, and Splitting Checks (Heather Boneparth)

    MAY 10

    #195 - Money Landmines with Friends: Group Trips, Weddings, and Splitting Checks (Heather Boneparth)

    Money can shape adult friendships in ways we don’t always talk about openly. Who pays for dinner? Who can afford the group trip? Do you need to attend the wedding AND the bachelorette party and wedding shower? What happens when your kids start noticing how other families spend money? And how do you handle it when your own financial situation changes before your friendships catch up? This week on Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, I’m joined by Heather Boneparth, financial professional, former lawyer, and co-author of Money Together. Heather works with individuals, couples, and families around the emotional side of money—and she has strong opinions in the best possible way. We get into the layered and emotional realities of friendship and finances, including: Splitting checks when one person clearly ordered moreTraveling with friends who have very different budgets and expectationsExpensive weddings, bachelorette parties, and how to say “I can’t do this” without shameParenting differences around spending, takeout, Starbucks, and what kids noticeWhat happens when your own financial situation changes and your friendships shift tooWhy empathy matters more than assumptions when it comes to money One thing I appreciated about Heather is that she doesn’t reduce every issue to “just communicate better.” She acknowledges that these conversations are uncomfortable, emotional, and tied to much bigger beliefs about money, fairness, identity, and belonging. And throughout the episode, we come back to one important reminder: you almost never know the full financial story of another person’s life.   LINKS MENTIONED:  Episode #108 was the previous episode on the topic of money and friendship with Mia Brabham Nolan Heather's newsletter with her husband, Douglas: The Joint Account Heather and Douglas on social media: @averagejoelle and @dougboneparthAnd their book, Money Together: How to find fairness in your relationship and become an unstoppable financial team  MEET HEATHER BONEPARTH Heather Boneparth is the director of business and legal affairs for Bone Fide Wealth in New York City. A former corporate lawyer, she's now a rising voice at the intersection of money, relationships, and parenting. She is the co-author of Money Together: How to find fairness in your relationship and become an unstoppable financial team, which she co-wrote with her husband. The couple helps 15,000 subscribers talk about money each week through their newsletter, The Joint Account. You can find her perpetually online: @averagejoelle.  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 🔎 Information on any upcoming "Dear Nina Live" events 🎈 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. Get your tickets for Dear Nina Live in Minneapolis! https://ninabadzin.com/events/ Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

    38 min
  4. #194 - Low-Key, Creative Ways to Spend Time with Friends (Ashlee Gadd and Katie Blackburn)

    MAY 3

    #194 - Low-Key, Creative Ways to Spend Time with Friends (Ashlee Gadd and Katie Blackburn)

    This episode is a little different—and very fun—because it’s packed with specific, creative ways to spend time with friends that go beyond the usual walk, coffee, or dinner at a restaurant. I’m joined by Ashlee Gadd and Katie Blackburn of the Coffee + Crumbs community and authors of the new book, You're In Good Company: The Gift of Friendship, Motherhood, and Showing Up. Ashlee and Katie came ready with ideas you can steal: low-pressure, fun ways to gather with friends. These are not big, complicated events. But they ARE creative! What I love about this conversation is that it’s both practical and honest. Yes, you’ll walk away with ideas you can use, but we also get into what makes these gatherings work in the first place—shared effort, showing up, and being thoughtful about the kind of connection you’re trying to create. We also get into a harder element of getting together with friends, which is knowing there might be people who feel left out. This is an issue at every age! We discuss balancing "everyone is invited" with wanting smaller, more intimate hangouts where you can actually talk and be vulnerable. There's and time and place for both kinds of plans in our lives.   We dicussed: Why specific plans (not vague ones) make friendship hangouts more consistentSimple, low-key gathering ideas you can copy right away (you will have to listen to the episode to get them!)Sharing the responsibility of planning so it doesn’t fall on one personThe difference between quick “micro” check-ins and deeper time togetherHow to think about group size, intimacy, and inclusivity without overthinking it  LINKS MENTIONED:  Ashlee and Katie's book, You're In Good Company: The Gift of Friendship, Motherhood, and Showing UpCoffee + Crumbs on SubstackEpisode 192: Why Plans With Friends Don't Happen and How to Fix It"Good Intentions Won't Sustain a Friendship"Episode 180: Mean Mom Culture and Relational Aggression with Dr. Noelle SantorelliEpisode 181: Exclusion and the Power to Build New Friendships with Amy Weatherly  Meet Ashlee and Katie: Ashlee Gadd is a mother, writer, photographer, and founder of Coffee + Crumbs. She is the editor and contributor of You’re In Good Company and the author of Create Anyway. She has spent the last ten years helping mothers harness their creative talents into powerful storytelling at Coffee + Crumbs—a beautiful online space where motherhood and art intersect. Find Ashlee on Instagram @ashleegadd. Katie Blackburn is a writer, teacher, and a lifelong learner. She's also a single mother to six kids, making her life very loud and surely impossible without the amazing grace of God. Katie is the author of Gluing the Cracks: Reflections on Disability,Motherhood and Hope; The Very Best Baseball Game, and Grace Will Be There: Finding God in the Life We Aren't Ready For (Forthcoming, August 2026). Find Katie on Instagram @katiemblackburn. 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 🔎 Information on any upcoming "Dear Nina Live" events 🎈 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. Get your tickets for Dear Nina Live in Minneapolis! https://ninabadzin.com/events/ Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

    29 min
  5. #193 - How to Make Your City Better for Friendship (Aaron Hurst)

    APR 27

    #193 - How to Make Your City Better for Friendship (Aaron Hurst)

    Is your neighborhood or town welcoming? I spend a lot of time on this show talking about the one-to-one side of friendship—the texts, the plans, the misunderstandings, the dynamics that keep us close or pull us apart. But once in a while, I like to zoom out and look at something bigger: the social health of where we live. Our friendships don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re shaped by our neighborhoods, your cities, and whether connection in these places. My guest, Aaron Hurst, is the founder of the U.S. Chamber of Connection (yes, that’s a real thing—and it probably should have existed a long time ago), and he’s thinking about connection on a national scale. His work focuses on how we rebuild social life in a time when loneliness is rising, trust is declining, and more and more of our interactions are happening through screens. Here’s what I loved most about this conversation: the solutions are surprisingly simple. We’re talking potlucks, block parties, coffee in your driveway, neighborhood-wide walks, even just inviting people over on a Tuesday night. Just small, consistent efforts to bring people together as a volunteer where you live. Is your neighborhood, town, or wider city area welcoming? How so? I'd love to hear! Let's continue the conversation anywhere you see me posting about this episode. (That's usually @dearninafriendship on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. And in my Facebook group at Dear Nina: The Group.) In this episode, we talk about: Why loneliness is bigger than individual friendships and what’s happening at a societal levelThe idea behind the U.S. Chamber of Connection (and why it exists)Why only some people naturally initiate and what that means for the rest of us“Seattle Freeze,” “Minnesota Nice,” and whether certain cities are harder for friendshipThe two biggest barriers to making connections: not knowing where to start + not wanting to go aloneWhy small efforts (potlucks, block parties, coffee in your driveway) matter more than big plansHow to become an “inviter” in your own neighborhoodThe 1 million volunteer goal—and how you can be part of itWhy giving friendship—not waiting for it—is the shift that changes everything LINKS MENTIONED:  Volunteer for the Chamber of Connection in your area"Why Even Smart People Believe AI Is Really Thinking" Wall Street Journal Previous episodes covering some of this ground: #138: The Neighborhood Village and How Community is Different From Friendship: Seth D. Kaplan #150: Join or Die: Pickleball, Potlucks, Democracy, and Your Health: Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis MEET AARON HURST: Aaron Hurst is a serial social entrepreneur, an expert in purpose and social connection, and the bestselling author of The Purpose Economy. He is the founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection, where he uses behavioral science to build the infrastructure for connection in America. Aaron's work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Fast Company and Bloomberg, among others. He previously founded the Taproot Foundation and Imperative, and he is a LinkedIn influencer. 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. Get your tickets for Dear Nina Live in Minneapolis! https://ninabadzin.com/events/ Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

    31 min
  6. #192 - Why Plans with Friends Don’t Happen—and How to Fix It

    APR 20

    #192 - Why Plans with Friends Don’t Happen—and How to Fix It

    Navigating friendship when your planning styles don’t match Why is it so hard to actually make plans with friends as adults? In this solo episode, I’m digging into one of the most common (and frustrating) dynamics in friendship: when one person likes to plan ahead and the other prefers to keep things spontaneous. I also discuss when both people like to have an actual plan, but one friend is doing most of the work of sending dates. I talk through why this mismatch can stall even strong friendships and what to do about it. From turning vague “we should get together” texts into real plans, to figuring out when it’s your turn to suggest dates, this is a practical, honest look at how to actually see your friends more often. Here’s the part I’ll say plainly: if a plan doesn’t get on the calendar, it usually doesn’t happen. That’s just the reality of adult life. But that doesn’t mean there’s only one “right” way to make plans or that being spontaneous "never" works. But having good intentions to "get together" aren't enough to sustain a friendship. Inside this episode, I discuss: Why spontaneous plans feel great—but don’t happen as often as we wishWhat to do when your friend doesn’t like booking things in advanceHow to meet in the middle without overcomplicating itThe small shift that turns “we should get together” into an actual planWhen it’s your turn to suggest the dates (It can't always fall on the other person. You have to open up your calendar, too!) I also share a couple of real-life examples—one where spontaneity worked, and one where clear scheduling made everything easy—to show how both approaches can work when you’re intentional about it. This isn’t about forcing your style onto someone else. It’s about acknowledging the mismatch and actually talking about it because the “problem” here is a good one: you and your friend theoretically want to spend time together. And if that’s the case, there’s always a way to figure it out. If you’ve ever felt like you’re always the one making the plans, or you’re waiting around for plans that never happen, or you just can’t seem to sync up with a friend you really like—this episode will give you a realistic way forward. LINK MENTIONED:  Episode 73 with guest Ruchi Koval: "I'm Just Not Into This Friendship" Episode 121: "Rules For Making Plans with Friends"  "This is How to Make Plans With Friends" on Substack, Dec 2024  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. Get your tickets for Dear Nina Live in Minneapolis! https://ninabadzin.com/events/ Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

    14 min
  7. #191 - The Case for Work Friends and Where to Find Them When You Work Alone (Lindsay Pinchuk)

    APR 13

    #191 - The Case for Work Friends and Where to Find Them When You Work Alone (Lindsay Pinchuk)

    The Unexpected Friendships You Find Through Networking When You Work AloneIf you're ever feel lonely at work, lonely working from home, or you realize your regular friends just don't get what you do, this episode is for you. I spoke with Lindsay Pinchuk, award-winning entrepreneur and founder of the Dear Founder Forum, a networking community for women business owners over 40. Lindsay's group is a big reason the "Dear Nina" world has grown so much this past year, and this conversation is all about how networking communities (not just Lindsay's) can become an unexpected and essential source of real, lasting friendship. It's really something you might want to consider if you work alone or with a very small team. But just like in friendship, feeling seen and heard in a networking communities takes an element of giving of your time and attention, NOT JUST TAKING. In this episode we discuss the true friendships that can be made in a networking group and how those connections can help your business and your life. WE DISCUSSED: Why networking groups can foster real friendshipsThe “you get out what you put in” truth (for both networking and friendship)Why being in the same business doesn’t have to mean competitionThe surprising benefits of becoming friendly with your “competition”Why conversations—not social media—are what actually grow your work and your relationshipsThe difference between being friendly and being friends (and why both matter)Why expecting your friends to support your work as if they're customers, followers, or "fans," can backfire  LINKS MENTIONED:  "Do you make yourself smaller around certain friends?" The January Substack post about realizing your regular friends aren't the right outlet for some of your work conversationsDear FoundHer the podcast and the forumSunny and Jenn on Dear NinaMy turn as a guest on Lindsay's amazing podcast, Dear FoundHer. We talked about how I built Dear Nina! Meet Lindsay Pinchuk Lindsay Pinchuk is an award-winning entrepreneur, consultant, and small business mentor who’s among the less than 1% of female founders to successfully lead her company through an acquisition. She built her first company, Bump Club and Beyond, from just $500 into a 7-figure brand with partnerships that included Target, Nordstrom, Huggies, and Unilever, reaching over 3 million people every month before selling the business to a large agency holding company. Today, Lindsay is the founder of Dear FoundHer, a top 0.5% podcast and community supporting women business owners over 40. Through her podcast, newsletter, mentorship program, and her signature SWEEP framework, she helps entrepreneurs simplify their marketing, grow their businesses, and build long-term success. Follow Dear FoundHer on Instagram @dearfoundher! 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. Get your tickets for Dear Nina Live in Minneapolis! https://ninabadzin.com/events/ Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

    33 min
  8. Bonus: Socially Confident Kids in a Screen-Filled World (Nina on "Your Child is Normal" with Dr. Jessica Hochman)

    APR 6 ·  BONUS

    Bonus: Socially Confident Kids in a Screen-Filled World (Nina on "Your Child is Normal" with Dr. Jessica Hochman)

    I’m excited to share a fantastic episode from when I was the guest on Your Child Is Normal with pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman. (@askdrjessica on Instagram) Dr. Jessica and I spoke about how to help kids become socially confident in a world where so much interaction happens on screens. From teaching kids to initiate plans instead of waiting to be invited (adults need to master this too!), to why proximity and real-life time together matter more than ever, this is a practical conversation about what helps kids make and keep friends. We also got into what it looks like for parents to support friendships—hosting, encouraging, and sometimes stepping in—without over-managing. It's not easy! This discussion includes plenty of nuance. If you’re raising kids in today’s tech-heavy world, this one will give you a lot to think about. We talk about: Why kids (and adults) need to learn to initiate—not wait to be invitedThe importance of proximity and “hyper-local” friendships for kids when possibleHow parents can encourage friendships without forcing them (Accept that kids' friendships WILL change, even when the parents are close.)Rethinking reciprocity (it’s not tit-for-tat)How to help kids navigate friendship conflict and give each other graceThe reality of drifting friendships and why it’s not always a failureHow screens and over-scheduling are changing kids’ social livesSimple, practical ways to help kids feel more confident and socially capableThoughts on being "the hosting house" Meet Dr. Jessica Hochman Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica, YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica 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. Get your tickets for Dear Nina Live in Minneapolis! https://ninabadzin.com/events/ Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

    41 min
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Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship is a top 1% podcast about adult friendship. 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? 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, 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. Nina has been writing about 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, Time Magazine, The Skimm, and more. 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.

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