Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship

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Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship is THE podcast for nuanced advice about managing the ups and downs of friendship. As seen in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and elsewhere, listeners appreciate Nina's practical take on friendship issues. Are you the friend who ALWAYS reaches out first? Or is your friend more invested in the friendship than you are? Why didn't your friend text you back? How do you take a casual friendship to the next level? 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 she 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.

CONNECT WITH NINA ON ALL THINGS FRIENDSHIP:

"Conversations About Friendship" the Substack newsletter about friendship & more is at dearnina.substack.com

Instagram & TikTok @dearninafriendship

JOIN the Dear Nina Facebook group by searching "Dear Nina: The Group"

All links: linktr.ee/ninabadzin

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

elesen

Figure out Your Friendships, With Nina’s Help

This podcast is the quintessential source for all your friendship questions. In a clear, calm, communicative and empathetic manner, Nina has discussions with guests who have nuanced and thoughtful perspectives on all the issues we deal with today. Nina, herself is a font of knowledge on this specific niche.
APH331

A must-listen for real, supportive conversations

So glad I met Nina through a networking group and discovered her podcast and community! Her conversations are always spot-on—so relatable, validating, and truly supportive. Every episode makes me feel seen and heard. Highly recommend!
B. Storm

Amazing!!

Thank you for helping me learn and grow, but most importantly be less guarded when it come to friendships. I’ll be sure to share it with all my friends and family.
Julie Schwartz Kopel

Great advice!

Nina’s friendship advice is thought provoking, genuine and always worth a listen. I think about how it applies to my own relationships as well as those of my kids and spouse.
Mindset888

A Conversation for All Ages

Nina’s podcast transcends all age limits; the friendship dynamic that begins in kindergarten, doesn’t seem to change much as young girls become Moms , Grand-moms , then seniors. Nina starts the discussion and wherever you are on your friendship journey, it just seems to make sense. Always a smart & savvy conversation .
SanAntonioDLR

Like Sitting Across a Friend for Coffee

I found the Dear Nina podcast by way of TikTok and quickly added it to my podcast rotation for the car. Nina tackles very common, but often sticky or uncomfortable friendship dilemmas with grace and honesty. I come away from an episode feeling more empowered to give grace to my friends but also feeling empowered to stand up for myself and protect my own peace when faced with something that is causing me emotional pain. Nina is a gem, her voice is soothing and comforting but familiar….like I’m sitting across from a friend at coffee. Friendships are not always intuitive, sometimes we just need a little help nurturing them….Keep up the great work!
jcegoldstein

Helpful & relatable!

The Dear Nina podcast is a fantastic help, offering thoughtful advice and suggestions to help navigate friendships. Think you’re alone in a particular friendship struggle? Listen to this podcast and you’ll realize that you’re not (ie: I entertain frequently, why don’t others reciprocate?). Having difficulty navigating a friendship? This podcast includes episodes about that. Whether thinking about the things that go well in a friendship or thinking about how to improve friendships, the Dear Nina podcast is my go to resource!
JennylouJ

Great practical advice!

Thank you Nina for the ready to use advice and encouraging listeners to take their social lives into their own hands. I identify with so many of your topics!
jh4593

Like listening to a close friend!

Nina is such a gifted question-asker… her conversations about friendship do feel like they’re between two friends. This is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever grappled with the big questions and pain of transitions in friendship… one of the recent episodes on navigating post-30s friendship made two friends cry!
Samb058

A podcast and host who gives you a warm feeling

Nina was a wonderful interviewer who asked interesting thought provoking questions and put me at ease right away. I felt like I was talking to a friend who I have known for years! More importantly, the final episode was well edited and flowed really smoothly. I can’t wait to listen to all Dear Nina episodes!
Dizdutch

Important discussions, empathetic and relatable

It’s not often that an awkward Zoom conversation can make you feel like you have a friendship with someone that moments before was a stranger. Nina has a wonderful way of engaging guests and her audience on important topics and stokes a wonderful balance of connecting with her guests while sharing her own experiences. Definitely on my top five podcast playlist! Thank you for the wonderful episodes.
;(&@;

Like Being With A Friend

Nina has a really warm, pleasant vibe. This is a topic that is underserved in the podcast space. It’s great to have a show out there about friendship. Really well produced as well, with good audio quality and editing.
NewJetstream

Old show, but important Engaging 5 senses

Thanks Nina and Gretchen. This interview made feel like I was there with you. Great summary of how we can be better attuned in our daily lives with others and ourselves.
GB colleen

My therapy between therapy

She may not be a therapist, but sometimes the experiences of other women and moms (including her own mom!) can be extremely helpful and comforting! I recently struggled with some challenges with friendships and this was such a great resource to lean on! Thank you Nina! Highly recommend!
Artyrupees

Life-changing

Dear Nina podcast is a gem I discovered a while ago that quickly became one of my favorites. Each episode is thoughtfully crafted and explores the psychological underpinnings of friendships and connections. The show is relatable, the conversations are riveting and insightful and the host and guest offer actionable advice. Growing up, I often heard that friendships were frivolous and little more than pastimes. And that once we start “adulting”, friendships won’t hold the same appeal they once had. I wasn’t convinced. Because, as social beings, we naturally yearn for connections with like-minded people we can rely on throughout life. This is true no matter your position on the social spectrum- introvert (me!), ambivert, extrovert. Nina eloquently conveys that inherently, we all seek companionship and support, and meaningful friendships play a crucial role in our well-being and happiness. Nina makes you feel heard and seen and shares pearls of wisdom in every episode. Her summarizations have served as reminders on what to do next to enrich the quality of my personal bonds. Thanks for spreading the message about the importance of friendships in life and reinforcing my faith in them! All the best!
Friendship enthusiast

Fantastic podcast!!!

So grateful that I found Nina and her podcast/newsletter. We are discovering more and more that strong relationships and connections are key factors in living a happy, healthy and even a longer life. I have benefitted from so many of the topics and questions she covers and have gained great insight into my own relationship patters as well. Thank you for addressing this super important topic of friendship!!
Kristin Nilsen

Proof that friendship problems don’t go away when we grow up.

I love listening to Nina’s no nonsense approach to the very real and vexing problems that arise with friends and acquaintances even long into adulthood. We tend to label kids as the ones who need help navigating but the truth is that life is one big friendship journey — and Nina emphasizes that there are SO MANY ways to do friendship. She’s like my friendship therapist and I often have conversations with her while I listen to each episode (how I wish she could hear me!!!). I love having Nina on my team!
Annyomus

Important topics!

Nina is a great host who covers topics within friendship that are often overlooked. Anyone at any age can learn something from her episodes and how to form strong bonded friendships while withstanding the challenges that come with growing up.
EFK🍎🥑🥬

So good!

I love listening to Nina discuss the nuances of friendship with her guests. She asks great questions and has wise answers. This is one of my favorite podcasts. It is always worth listening to.
Alexis in Mpls

A friendship podcast we needed

I love listening to Nina’s guests as well as hearing her own reflections on the many perspectives on friendships. We don’t talk enough about this in our culture and yet it’s one of the few things that make us feel truly connected. So grateful for this podcast!
DaisyBooTwo

Love this podcast!

This podcast is entertaining and helpful. Listening to Nina and her guests is like being with a confidant. I even hear Nina's voice in my head as I interact with my friends and family!
LSE686

One of my favorite podcasts

Dear Nina has become one of my favorite podcasts to listen to. Nina has such a warm approach as she sheds light on a topic that is so often overlooked or ignored. She delves into issues clearly and concisely (and has a very calming voice!). This podcast has been so helpful to me and makes you feel like you’re not alone in navigating the complexities of friendship, which can sometimes be more challenging than romantic relationships. Thanks for being a breath of fresh air, Nina!
Christine No. 6,095

Filling A Void

Nina gives the topic of friendship the space and consideration it deserves. I’ve been listening to this podcast for over a year and through it, I have discovered so many talented writers, books, teachers, artists, and more. I’ve also gained confidence in my interpersonal relationships and learned a little about Jewish culture by proxy, which is just an interesting bonus.
Radsmurf1

Love it

This is a terrific podcast! Nina is incredibly thought provoking, real and this podcast about friendship is simply a breath of fresh air!
EKLocker

A thoughtful, interesting and in-depth look at relationships!

I love this podcast! Nina does an amazing job of highlighting and discussing the complicated and compelling aspects of friendships. This is a MUST listen podcast! I can't recommend it enough.
cdcnmac

Overdue Review -soooo good!

I’m a longtime listener since the first episode. I love all things friendship and I feel like I have found my people in being a part of the Dear Nina online community. Having moved 9+ times worldwide I know a thing or two about finding/starting friendships and this podcast is like having a coach in your corner, offering tips and suggestions, being realistic about different types of friends, expectations, and taking risks by making the 1st move. It made me feel less lonely during the aftermath of the pandemic when I was relocated and not yet connected in a new community.
dreamtimer

A necessary topic for me post pandemic

Thanks for such a thought provoking and therapeutic discussion.
minhuyen_phan

So much value!

I’m a 23 years old international student, so making friends in another country is hard. After 4 and a half years in the US, I finally met a great friend that I don’t want to screw up. So I learn things I can do to keep our friendship healthy from Nina’s podcast! Her podcast is great for my personal growth too. And her podcast is a great company in my alone time!
i ❤️ fun

Friendship Insights

Great podcast! Love listening to insights and how to be a better friend to those you care about.
Sally V J

Such wisdom

This is consistently a great resource for considering our friendships more deeply and intentionally. Short and to the point episodes that still have lots of nuance and depth. I’ve yet to tire of it!
S2xooxo

SG

Love this podcast so much!!!!
Cooking Witch

New favorite podcast

I am enjoying listening to these episodes. Very relatable topics and interesting. Keep them coming.
KT_S_DZ

Yes! Be Your Own Cruise Director

I have found, when I do things that I enjoy, people end up coming to me. After sheltering in place and spike in social anxiety- this is a great episode to reframe “being invited” and feeling alone. Why not be your own cruise director?
Littlesf

Like chatting with a good friend

There’s so much I adore about this podcast. Listening makes me happy and always inspired me. Like Nina, I’m a friendship enthusiast and I love the topics she picks and the guests she has on. But I think my favorite part is how each episode feels like a fascinating conversation with a great friend.
Cbean213

Love your podcast!

Thank you, Nina! I love your podcast and always get excited when you post a new one!
mon ika12

Love the podcast!!

So glad for this podcast!! Thank you 😊
psl5433

Always a pleasure!

If there is a better authority on friendship, I don’t know where! Nina always offers interesting guests and perspectives on relationships. She is concise, articulate, and presents angles I wouldn’t think of. Look forward to her episodes!
Dsuzyrose

Helpful insights about ourselves and relationships in every episode!

I had heard about this podcast many times before I started to listen. To be honest, I was resistant because raising a child with special needs has significantly impacted all of my relationships, including my friendships (in many ways —negative, positive and “just different”). I just didn’t think that a podcast about “regular” friendships or our kids friendships would apply to me or my family. I decided to listen because a favorite author was being featured and have basically been binging it ever since. Nina has such a natural and curious way of interviewing her guests, that always take away something interesting. It’s hard not to be enthusiastic about a topic for which she’s that the podcaster clearly has a passion and talent for talking about. Great podcast!
Asher 4

Makes housework fun!!!

I listen to this podcast when I’m doing laundry or other housework, and I always catch myself laughing or learning something new that can be applied in my own life. And best of all, I enjoy doing my laundry now!!!
Mommaroo2

Friendship help!

As I have gotten older , I have begun to analyze my friendships and really care about which ones I put time and effort into. I love Nina’s podcast because she helps figure out how best to do that and makes me think about friendships in novel ways. I find it very helpful!
ChayaLeahS

Great conversations!

I love Nina’s podcast. This is such an important topic and she handles it with such grace. Examining friendship is a well worthwhile pursuit!
EmmaNad

Listen for great insight on friendship

I love this podcast—great insight on friendship, practical ideas, and empathy. Also sign up for the well written Dear Nina newsletter which complements the podcast.
MiriamMuzik

No offense Dear Abby, but Nina is my go-to!

Nina is a gift for those of us adult women who care so much about our relationships. “When our friendships are going well, our lives are good,” is her expression (loosely!) and this is true in my life and I’m sure many other fans of Nina’s podcast, blog, newsletters and general content. Nina tackles dilemmas that typical American women have and struggle with. When Nina provides her wise, pragmatic and empathetic responses, she’s helping the reader - not just the one who submits the question. I discovered Nina probably about ten or twelve years ago when she had her original blog and even thought I’m probably old enough to be Nina’s…big sister, I still enjoy everything she puts out there. And her mom is a great asset to the program. Keep up the great work!
strictliability

Nina digs deep!!

I am so inspired and grateful for the advice that I have learned from Nina and her guests!!
SHF7603

Such a great show!

This is a great podcast about the complexity of friendship, something we think about a lot but don’t talk about enough. Nina is a wise and friendly voice, funny and smart and always willing to take the deep dive. Highly recommend!
bohemiandoc

Love this podcast!!

I actually looked up how to rate and leave a review so I could come leave five stars. It is always enjoyable and very real.
JenB1979

Love!

So happy to have found u via Jill. New fan here!!
Storied Design

Evergreen topics!

Refreshing and honest look at all the aspects and intricacies of friendship. I love how the episodes are short, but hold depth and make you think about how you show up, take in, and live among your friends.
leah156574329

Thank you to Nina!

I have been listening to Dear Nina for the past few months and i am looking forward to future episodes
tlroskwmwnwhf

So helpful!

Dear Nina has helped me so much with my friendships!