Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship is THE podcast for nuanced, thoughtful, and warm advice about managing the ups and downs of friendship. Listeners report becoming better friends to others and having better friends in their lives. As seen in NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Guardian, Time Magazine, and elsewhere, listeners appreciate Nina's practical take on a large variety of friendship issues.
Are you the friend who ALWAYS reaches out first? Or is your friend more invested in the friendship than you are? How do you take a casual friendship to the next level? What if your friend's kid is being terrible to your kid? These questions come up no matter your age and background. Friendship is tricky, even for grownups.
Since 2014, Nina Badzin has been fostering discussions about the nitty gritty of adult friendships with sensitivity and practicality in her friendship advice column. Friendship is an endless, timeless, fascinating topic, and the more anonymous letters Nina receives, the more she learns about being a better friend and having better friends.
Nina loves hearing from readers and listeners. Her work on friendship is meant to be a conversation, and she hopes you will share your thoughts with her and with each other.
*ALL THE DEAR NINA LINKS + CONTACT INFO*
*📢 How to* promote your service, business, or book ( https://www.notion.so/Dear-Nina-Conversations-About-Friendship-Ad-Opportunities-1ad0e83fa17b80b1b440df7e958e8808?pvs=21 ) on Dear Nina
📱 Subscribe to my newsletter “Conversations About Friendship” on Substack ( https://dearnina.substack.com/ )
*❤️* Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/dearninafriendship ) , TikTok ( https://www.tiktok.com/@dearninafriendship?lang=en ) , YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@dearninafriendship ) , & the Dear Nina Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/855246118403712 )
*đź“Ş* Ask an anonymous friendship question ( https://ninabadzin.com/dearnina/ )
*🔎 Want to work with me on your podcast, your friendships, or need another link?* That’s probably here ( https://linktr.ee/ninabadzin ).
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Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship is THE podcast for nuanced, thoughtful, and warm advice about managing the ups and downs of friendship. Listeners report becoming better friends to others and having better friends in their lives. As seen in NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Guardian, Time Magazine, and elsewhere, listeners appreciate Nina's practical take on a large variety of friendship issues.
Are you the friend who ALWAYS reaches out first? Or is your friend more invested in the friendship than you are? How do you take a casual friendship to the next level? What if your friend's kid is being terrible to your kid? These questions come up no matter your age and background. Friendship is tricky, even for grownups.
Since 2014, Nina Badzin has been fostering discussions about the nitty gritty of adult friendships with sensitivity and practicality in her friendship advice column. Friendship is an endless, timeless, fascinating topic, and the more anonymous letters Nina receives, the more she learns about being a better friend and having better friends.
Nina loves hearing from readers and listeners. Her work on friendship is meant to be a conversation, and she hopes you will share your thoughts with her and with each other.
*ALL THE DEAR NINA LINKS + CONTACT INFO*
*📢 How to* promote your service, business, or book ( https://www.notion.so/Dear-Nina-Conversations-About-Friendship-Ad-Opportunities-1ad0e83fa17b80b1b440df7e958e8808?pvs=21 ) on Dear Nina
📱 Subscribe to my newsletter “Conversations About Friendship” on Substack ( https://dearnina.substack.com/ )
*❤️* Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/dearninafriendship ) , TikTok ( https://www.tiktok.com/@dearninafriendship?lang=en ) , YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@dearninafriendship ) , & the Dear Nina Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/855246118403712 )
*đź“Ş* Ask an anonymous friendship question ( https://ninabadzin.com/dearnina/ )
*🔎 Want to work with me on your podcast, your friendships, or need another link?* That’s probably here ( https://linktr.ee/ninabadzin ).
College is supposed to be the easiest place to make friends—so why do so many students feel lonely, left out, or like they’ve already missed their chance?
In this episode, I talk with Dartmouth Professor of sociology, Dr. Janice McCabe, about why college friendships aren’t nearly as automatic as we’ve been led to believe. We explore the idea of “friendship markets,” how campus structure shapes who becomes friends, and why timing, proximity, and opportunity matter just as much as personality.
This conversation is for parents worried about a kid who came home unhappy, for students who didn’t click with their dorm or first group, and for anyone who’s ever wondered why friendship feels harder than it’s supposed to. If college hasn’t gone the way you hoped socially, this episode offers clarity, relief, and a reminder that you didn’t miss your chance.
This week’s sponsor is one of my favorite authors, Kristin Nilsen, with her latest novel THE SCOTT FENWICK DIARES. Find links to buy the book and learn more here: https://kristinnilsenbooks.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
In this bonus episode, Nina shares a conversation from when she was a guest on Dr. Adam Dorsay’s podcast SuperPsyched. Together, they talk about what it actually takes to build friendships in adulthood—why waiting to be invited backfires, how to rethink reciprocity, and when to speak up (or step back) in a friendship. This episode is full of practical, no-nonsense guidance for anyone who wants a more connected social life and is ready to take back their power.
This week’s sponsor is one of my favorite authors, Kristin Nilsen, with her latest novel THE SCOTT FENWICK DIARES. Find links to buy the book and learn more here: https://kristinnilsenbooks.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Divorce doesn’t just end a marriage—it reshapes an entire social world. In this episode, I talk with divorce coach Hope Lutz Firsel about why friendships shift during and after divorce, why some people pull closer while others fade, and how to communicate what you actually need. Whether you’re navigating a divorce or trying to support someone you love, this conversation offers clarity and compassion.
This week’s sponsor is one of my favorite authors, Kristin Nilsen, with her latest novel THE SCOTT FENWICK DIARES. Find links to buy the book and learn more here: https://kristinnilsenbooks.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
This final friendship challenge of the year is simple but surprisingly powerful: write one friend a genuine letter. Not a text, not a quick “thinking of you,” but a real note that names why this friendship matters to you.
In this episode, Nina recaps all eleven past challenges from 2025 and explains why December’s challenge—putting your appreciation in writing—can shift a friendship in a way few gestures can. She offers ideas for choosing the friend, prompts to get you started, and a reminder that the message doesn’t need to be perfect to make an impact.
A quiet, thoughtful way to close the year and strengthen one connection that means something to you.
This week’s sponsor is one of my favorite authors, Kristin Nilsen, with her latest novel THE SCOTT FENWICK DIARES. Find links to buy the book and learn more here: https://kristinnilsenbooks.com/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Nina talks with neuroscientist and author Dr. Ben Rein about the brain science behind some of the most emotionally charged parts of adult friendship. They unpack why introverts still need connection, why ghosting and quiet quitting sting so sharply, how jealousy shows up between friends, and what’s actually happening when you instantly “click” with someone new.
Dr. Rein also shares simple, evidence-based habits that make friendships healthier and more resilient—because when we understand how the brain works, we can navigate our relationships with more confidence, clarity, and compassion.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
What actually makes a friendship last?
In this episode, Nina talks with longtime best friends Pam “Sunny” Sunshine and Peloton’s Jenn Sherman about the habits that have kept them close for over 40 years. From proximity and scheduling to cheering each other on, handling conflict honestly, and staying open to new friendships later in life, their story is full of practical takeaways for anyone craving steadier, more joyful connections. Whether you’re rebuilding your friend circle or trying to protect the friendships you treasure, this conversation will help you see what really matters—and what doesn’t.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship is THE podcast for nuanced, thoughtful, and warm advice about managing the ups and downs of friendship. Listeners report becoming better friends to others and having better friends in their lives. As seen in NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Guardian, Time Magazine, and elsewhere, listeners appreciate Nina's practical take on a large variety of friendship issues.
Are you the friend who ALWAYS reaches out first? Or is your friend more invested in the friendship than you are? How do you take a casual friendship to the next level? What if your friend's kid is being terrible to your kid? These questions come up no matter your age and background. Friendship is tricky, even for grownups.
Since 2014, Nina Badzin has been fostering discussions about the nitty gritty of adult friendships with sensitivity and practicality in her friendship advice column. Friendship is an endless, timeless, fascinating topic, and the more anonymous letters Nina receives, the more she learns about being a better friend and having better friends.
Nina loves hearing from readers and listeners. Her work on friendship is meant to be a conversation, and she hopes you will share your thoughts with her and with each other.
*ALL THE DEAR NINA LINKS + CONTACT INFO*
*📢 How to* promote your service, business, or book ( https://www.notion.so/Dear-Nina-Conversations-About-Friendship-Ad-Opportunities-1ad0e83fa17b80b1b440df7e958e8808?pvs=21 ) on Dear Nina
📱 Subscribe to my newsletter “Conversations About Friendship” on Substack ( https://dearnina.substack.com/ )
*❤️* Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/dearninafriendship ) , TikTok ( https://www.tiktok.com/@dearninafriendship?lang=en ) , YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@dearninafriendship ) , & the Dear Nina Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/855246118403712 )
*đź“Ş* Ask an anonymous friendship question ( https://ninabadzin.com/dearnina/ )
*🔎 Want to work with me on your podcast, your friendships, or need another link?* That’s probably here ( https://linktr.ee/ninabadzin ).
