Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship artwork

Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship

292 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago -

DEAR NINA features honest conversations about the ups and downs of friendship.
Why didn't your friend text you back? Why didn't your friend include you in her birthday dinner? It's because she's mad at you. Kidding, she's probably not. But maybe she is? See what I mean! Friendship is tricky, even for grownups.


I'm your host, Nina Badzin. Since 2014 I've been fostering discussions about the nitty gritty of adult friendships with sensitivity and practicality in my advice column. The podcast has been referenced in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Chicago Tribune, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, and elsewhere. 


Instagram and Tiktok: @dearninafriendship
All links: linktr.ee/ninabadzin

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Episodes

My friend, Jill Smokler, discussing: brain cancer, friendship, and the Scary Mommy days

July 17, 2024 00:00 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MB

Episode #104: Jill Smokler is the creator of Scary Mommy, one of the most original and successful mom blogs ever. She was also the first mom blogger to sell her site to a major media company. But Dear Nina is not a business podcast, and this is not a discussion about business regrets or rebranding. Jill was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. And since Jill is also my real-life friend from college, this episode is personal. Jill and I had a candid conversation about her diagnosis, her de...

Friendship Meet-Cutes and Your Fashion Emergency Friends: Rachel Levy Lesser

July 09, 2024 05:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MB

Episode #103: Friendship meet-cutes, the perfect jacket or blazer, fashion emergencies solved by our friends, making the first friendship move, and more. I'm talking to Rachel Levy Lesser of Life's Accessories: The Podcast for a fun crossover episode. We covered: Some personal friendship "meet-cutes" that mean more to us than our former romantic meet-cutes. Yes, our stories include blazers and jackets.  The leather jackets in my best friend Taryn's closet that I coveted as a teen. The v...

Friendships Can Survive Hurt Feelings and Conflict: Shasta Nelson

July 01, 2024 05:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MB

Episode #102: Shasta Nelson, friendship expert extraordinaire, joins me to discuss how and why to be honest with friends when we're upset with them. Our friendships CAN survive tough conversations, hurt feelings, and conflict. AND, our overall social health will improve when we learn to get through the hard stuff with our friends. Meet Shasta Nelson: Shasta Nelson is a leading expert and author on social relationships, speaking across the country and facilitating events to build belonging...

Best Friends, Friendship Trios, Being More Direct with Friends, and More

June 21, 2024 19:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MB

Episode #101: It's the first official "ask me anything" episode in honor of 100 episodes! The questions came from my anonymous inbox, my Facebook group (Dear Nina: The Group), or through Instagram and TikTok-- both @dearninafriendship. I had a great time answering questions and I couldn't even get to everything so I will keep doing these every so often. Some of the topics I covered in under 30 minutes: Be more direct with friends Awkwardness after ending a friendship Friendship trios,...

The Magic of Camp Friends: Dara Levan

June 13, 2024 05:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MB

Episode #100: They say camp friends are the best friends. Why? At camp there are no screens, you take risks, parents aren't breathing down your back, and the magic ingredients of endless hours + constant proximity make it possible to create intense, close bonds with kids your age. In this special episode of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, I have voicemails from campers and former campers ages 15-50, and I have a fantastic in-depth discussion about the highs (and lows) of camp fri...

The Magic of Camp Friends

June 13, 2024 05:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MB

Send us a Text Message. Episode #100: They say camp friends are the best friends. Why? At camp there are no screens, you take risks, parents aren't breathing down your back, and the magic ingredients of endless hours + constant proximity make it possible to create intense, close bonds with kids your age. In this special episode of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, I have voicemails about campers and former campers ages 15-50, and I have a fantastic in-depth discussion about the hi...

The 14-Day Friendship (Mindset) Cleanse: Anna Goldfarb

June 04, 2024 05:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MB

Episode #99: Welcome to the 14-day friendship (mindset) cleanse, brainchild of previous Dear Nina guest, Anna Goldfarb, whose book Modern Friendship:  How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections, is finally out in the world. Don't feel put off by the word, "cleanse." This discussion is about reconsidering how you're approaching friendships and how you're treating your closest friends. (And that particular list shouldn't be too long.) By the end of this episode, you will have a healthier fra...

5 Questions to Evaluate Your Friendships at the End of the School Year

May 28, 2024 02:00 - 14 minutes - 9.95 MB

Episode #98: There are five questions I want us to be asking ourselves to get a sense of where our friendships stand. Even if you're not a student or a parent, thinking in school months is a helpful measure of time. Maybe you got some grades. Maybe your kids got grades. Maybe at work you got an evaluation. It's also worth your time to evaluate your friendships and give yourself an honest assessment. And if you DO have kids of any age all the way through college, this is a good short episode ...

5 Questions to Evaluate Your Friendships

May 28, 2024 02:00 - 14 minutes - 9.95 MB

Episode #98: There are five questions I want us to be asking ourselves to get a sense of where our friendships stand. Even if you're not a student or a parent, thinking in school months is a helpful measure of time. Maybe you got some grades. Maybe your kids got grades. Maybe at work you got an evaluation. It's also worth your time to evaluate your friendships and give yourself an honest assessment. And if you DO have kids of any age all the way through college, this is a good short episode ...

Disclosing My Invisible Disability Increased the Intimacy In My Friendships: Estelle Erasmus

May 19, 2024 18:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MB

Episode #97: Invisible disabilities can turn into a source of shame and unknowingly get in the way of friendships. What is an invisible disability? It's any condition that is not obvious, perhaps even to the closest of friends. Some examples are depression, anxiety, other mental health diagnoses, as well as physical conditions such as chronic pain, fatigue, and too many other examples to list where symptoms are felt but not seen. This week's guest, Estelle Erasmus, shares her experience wit...

Mixtapes, Mahjong, and Other Sensory Friendship Experiences: Gretchen Rubin

May 10, 2024 17:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MB

Episode #96: I have been a Gretchen Rubin fan since 2009 when I read The Happiness Project the week it came out. Who could resist that cover and concept? And I cannot believe this, but I got to discuss my favorite topic, friendship, with Gretchen Rubin on Dear Nina. In celebration of Gretchen's paperback release of Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World, I am replaying our episode from about a year ago. I found my favorite parts of the episod...

Overtalking, Undertalking, and Lessons on Friendship in the Art of Storytelling: Micaela Blei

April 30, 2024 04:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MB

Episode #95: Oversharing, overtalking, undertalking, undersharing, small talk, deep talks, mismatches in vulnerability, and the art of listening---these are the tricky friendship topics we are dealing with today. I'm joined by Micaela Blei, a GrandSLAM-winning storyteller and former founding Director of Education at The Moth. Topics we covered: There is no right or wrong in how much to talk or how much to share. The words "over" or "under" signal a potential mismatch in conversation styles...

5 Friendship Issues to Consider Addressing With a Therapist: Roxanne Francis

April 17, 2024 20:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MB

Send us a Text Message. Episode #94: Everyone runs into bumps in their friendships. Trust me, I have a decade's worth of writing material from readers and listeners to prove that point. But when are friendship issues getting to the point where addressing them with a therapist is highly recommended? I'm joined by award-winning psychotherapist, Roxanne Francis, who responded brilliantly and graciously to the five areas of friendship dilemmas I hear about most often. Meet Roxanne Francis, MS...

5 Friendship Issues to Address With a Therapist: Roxanne Francis

April 17, 2024 20:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MB

Episode #94: Everyone runs into bumps in their friendships. Trust me, I have a decade's worth of writing material from readers and listeners to prove that point. But when are friendship issues getting to the point where addressing them with a therapist is highly recommended? I'm joined by award-winning psychotherapist, Roxanne Francis, who responded brilliantly and graciously to the five areas of friendship dilemmas I hear about most often. Meet Roxanne Francis, MSW, RSW: Roxanne is a Regi...

Small Friendship Slights and Changing Your Instagram Handle

April 11, 2024 03:00 - 8 minutes - 6.07 MB

Episode #93: A quick conversation about the subtle hurts that can make friendship difficult. It's the small slights I cover on Dear Nina in general, not the giant betrayals. Why? The big "stuff" is much more black and white, and we don't need much conversation around whether to stay friends. Today I also have a big instagram tip if you're looking to change your Instagram handle. I changed mine to @dearninafriendship. Instagram doesn't make it all that simple if you have tons of links in th...

The Courage to Trust Friends After You’ve Been Hurt

April 03, 2024 03:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MB

Episode #92: For anyone who has been hurt by a friend--or a group of friends--recently or in the past, this 14-minute episode is for you. It's a solo episode that came from my reaction to a TikTok video I saw by a woman who was left out of a group trip years ago and has decided she will never trust anyone with her friendship again.  Other titles I considered: (and all relate to this 14-minute episode!) Not All Women Are Vicious  Don’t Let Being Left Out Dictate Your Future Friendships Do...

Why Big Friend Groups Often Fail; And Helping Kids Manage Conflict with Friends: Dr. Lisa Damour

March 25, 2024 22:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MB

Episode #91: Dr. Lisa Damour's latest book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers , is out in paperback. On this episode we revisit the best nuggets of my previous conversation with Dr. Lisa, focusing on teen and tween friend groups and all of the anxiety that goes along with parenting a teen who is dealing with not being in a group. We cover teens not liking their place in a group, wishing they had a group, wishing they had a smaller group, and so on. We also discuss the reality that every kid...

The Friends You Want Around During a Crisis: Kelly Lang

March 18, 2024 03:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MB

Episode #90: Many of us say we would be there for our friends in an emergency, but that's often theory until it's tested. Not everyone can rise to the occasion. And crisis is a time when the friends you want around you and the ones you may need to leave behind (even for just a while) becomes very clear. Kelly Lang, co-author with her husband, Mike, of The Miracle Child: Traumatic Brain Injury and Me is a brain injury survivor and caregiver to her daughter who sustained a traumatic brain in...

The Friends You Want Around During a Crisis

March 18, 2024 03:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MB

Episode #90: Many of us say we would be there for our friends in an emergency, but that's often theory until it's tested. Not everyone can rise to the occasion. And crisis is a time when the friends you want around you and the ones you may need to leave behind (even for just a while) becomes very clear. Kelly Lang, co-author with her husband, Mike, of The Miracle Child: Traumatic Brain Injury and Me is a brain injury survivor and caregiver to her daughter who sustained a traumatic brain in...

Negative Friendship Patterns; Breaking an Unhealthy Cycle: Christie Tate

March 10, 2024 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MB

Episode #89: Do you ever feel like you or someone you know is just not “good at” friendship? It's never too late to address negative patterns in our friendships or any relationship. Today's guest, author Christie Tate, author of B.F.F.: A Memoir of Friendship Lost and Found, set out to break decades of unhealthy cycles in her friendships. Do you think you "suck at friendship" as Christie thought before she started this process? There is hope! Christie is here to prove it. We covered:  Abo...

Differences of Opinion With Friends and The Potential of Friendship Between Cousins: Emily Locker

February 29, 2024 03:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MB

Episode #88: Managing differences of opinion with friends can get tricky. An obvious area is politics, but smaller differences also get between friends, like parenting decisions. Examples: parents who give their kids a phone and social media years before the other friend; public vs. private school; where you live; how you vacation---those are not as divisive as politics, but it's an ongoing difference in your choices. Do we allow our differences to become a strength in a friendship or a we...

Beyond The Golden Girls: Platonic Life Partners at Any Age, with Rhaina Cohen

February 19, 2024 06:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MB

Episode #87: Shows like The Golden Girls and Grace & Frankie are beloved by so many, but also treated as a fantasy. What if platonic life partnerships didn't have to be merely a dream? What if you didn't have to wait until retirement age to consider centering your life around friendship? Today's guest, Rhaina Cohen, author of The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center, profiles platonic partners in her book who are at different ages and stages of life. Whil...

Every Friendship Starts With an Act of Bravery: Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston

February 08, 2024 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MB

Episode #86: Making friends and deepening existing friendships starts with some basic truths. "Every friendship starts with an act of bravery. And every friendship goes to the next level because of someone's act of bravery. " "Do not wait for the other person to make the first move. It's always your turn." These are just two of many wise and thoughtful quotes about making friends and deepening friendships from today's guests, Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston.  Amy, Jess, and I---three fri...

The More the Merrier? That's Not Always True: with Danielle Bayer Jackson

January 30, 2024 06:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MB

Episode #85: "The more the merrier" is a common expression for good reason. Most of us don't want to be considered exclusive. We want others to feel welcomed and comfortable around us. But there are times when the more the merrier is not the case-- when the group dynamics for a particular event won't work if everyone comes along. In episode 85, I have a tough conversation with Danielle Bayer Jackson, an incredibly clear-thinking friendship coach and national speaker on the topic of female f...

The More the Merrier? That's Not Always True: with Danielle Bayard Jackson

January 30, 2024 06:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MB

Episode #85: "The more the merrier" is a common expression for good reason. Most of us don't want to be considered exclusive. We want others to feel welcomed and comfortable around us. But there are times when the more the merrier is not the case-- when the group dynamics for a particular event won't work if everyone comes along. In episode 85, I have a tough conversation with Danielle Bayard Jackson, an incredibly clear-thinking friendship coach and national speaker on the topic of female ...

Turning an Acquaintance Into a Friend

January 22, 2024 15:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

Episode #84:  Debra Arbit and I tell our real-life friendship story, which is a great example of going from barely acquaintances to close friends in our 40s. Well, when we met Debra was still in her 30s, but I was in my 40s. We share the emails and texts that move us from office-mates to friends.  Debra and I don't agree on everything, but we do agree that inviting people into your home is one way to significantly move a friendship forward. We share lots of tips for how to make hosting a m...

Turning an Acquaintance Into a Friend: Debra Arbit

January 22, 2024 15:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

Episode #84:  Debra Arbit and I tell our real-life friendship story, which is a great example of going from barely acquaintances to close friends in our 40s. Well, when we met Debra was still in her 30s, but I was in my 40s. We share the emails and texts that move us from office-mates to friends.  Debra and I don't agree on everything, but we do agree that inviting people into your home is one way to significantly move a friendship forward. We share lots of tips for how to make hosting a m...

The Sisterhood of the Fellow Exes

January 15, 2024 06:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MB

Episode #83: Have you ever befriended your ex's ex? Today's episode focuses on the potential friendship that comes from a shared hurt and a shared healing. I was intrigued when Lara Starr emailed me about her "sister exes." Lara has written extensively in her Substack, It's Kind of a Long Story, about the friendships that came from bonding with the women who were emotionally hurt by the same man. This kind of friendship could also apply to fellow ex-friends of a particular friend.  There...

The Sisterhood of the Fellow Exes: Lara Starr

January 15, 2024 06:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MB

Episode #83: Have you ever befriended your ex's ex? Today's episode focuses on the potential friendship that comes from a shared hurt and a shared healing. I was intrigued when Lara Starr emailed me about her "sister exes." Lara has written extensively in her Substack, It's Kind of a Long Story, about the friendships that came from bonding with the women who were emotionally hurt by the same man. This kind of friendship could also apply to fellow ex-friends of a particular friend.  There...

The Lasting Ties of Friendships Formed in Difficult Times: Jenny Leon

January 03, 2024 16:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

Episode #82: The friendships formed during difficult, even dark, periods of our lives create a lasting impact unlike any other bond. These friendships "in the trenches" can come in many forms---a health crisis, a traumatic experience, or even experiencing an especially intense work environment with a harsh boss and terrible hours. This week's guest, Jenny Leon, talks about some of the "in the trenches" friendships found in pop culture, but we mainly focus on the special and irreplaceable fr...

The Lasting Ties of Friendships Formed in Difficult Times

January 03, 2024 16:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

Episode #82: The friendships formed during difficult, even dark, periods of our lives create a lasting impact unlike any other bond. These friendships "in the trenches" can come in many forms---a health crisis, a traumatic experience, or even experiencing an especially intense work environment with a harsh boss and terrible hours. This week's guest, Jenny Leon, talks about some of the "in the trenches" friendships found in pop culture, but we mainly focus on the special and irreplaceable fr...

Friends Who Want to Hear Your Good News: Chaz Sandifer

December 22, 2023 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MB

Episode #81: Have you ever held back sharing good news because you sensed a friend wasn't truly celebrating with you? Do you have friends who show up in bad times, but are slow to show support in good times? This episode is for you! I share some thoughts on identifying the friends who want to hear your good news, how to develop more friendships like that, and how to be that kind of friend to others.  Then, my guest, Chaz Sandifer, and I discussed the reality of outgrowing friendships, knowi...

Friends Who Want to Hear Your Good News

December 22, 2023 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MB

Episode #81: Have you ever held back sharing good news because you sensed a friend wasn't truly celebrating with you? Do you have friends who show up in bad times, but are slow to show support in good times? This episode is for you! I share some thoughts on identifying the friends who want to hear your good news, how to develop more friendships like that, and how to be that kind of friend to others.  Then, my guest, Chaz Sandifer, and I discussed the reality of outgrowing friendships, knowi...

Neediness in Friendships: Sally Vardaman

December 11, 2023 05:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MB

Episode #80: "Neediness" has come up in plenty of episodes, but this is the first one dedicated to that loaded word. The episode was inspired by a letter from a listener--author, Sally Vardaman, who found herself reacting to my mom's story in episode #72 about her decision to end a friendship over what she called, "neediness." Sally's letter was so reflective and insightful that I asked her to come on the show. We covered:  feeling drained by a friend's needs. worrying you're overtaxing ...

Neediness in Friendships

December 11, 2023 05:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MB

Episode #80: "Neediness" has come up in plenty of episodes, but this is the first one dedicated to that loaded word. The episode was inspired by a letter from a listener--author, Sally Vardaman, who found herself reacting to my mom's story in episode #72 about her decision to end a friendship over what she called, "neediness." Sally's letter was so reflective and insightful that I asked her to come on the show. We covered:  feeling drained by a friend's needs. worrying you're overtaxing ...

Moving Every Three Years and Creating Community: Bri McKoy

November 27, 2023 06:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MB

Episode #79: Bri McKoy is a cookbook author and military wife who has moved seven times in 12 years. She went from burning everything in the kitchen to learning to cook as a way to create community. Have you ever wondered how to make good friends in a new city? Bri has repeatedly accomplished this task with some towns proving harder than others.  Bri's husband, Jeremy, has been deployed four times since they were married. Cooking helped Bri make friends while he was gone. She is now the au...

Pursuing a New Friend and Texting Etiquette

November 13, 2023 06:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MB

Episode #78: You feel good potential friendship chemistry with someone, but then what to do next?  This is an episode about pursuing a new friend. (We also get into some texting etiquette.) How do you pursue the friendship in a way that lets the other person know you're interested, but doesn't scare them off?  And if you're someone who already has a full social life, how do you make time for a new friend?  And why should you make time for a new friend? We also discussed some texting eti...

Laughter from Loneliness: Gabe Mollica

October 31, 2023 17:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MB

Episode #77: If there's one thing we need these days, it's some joy and laughter. It's dark times. And while today's story of a heartbreak from a friendship breakup isn't exactly what we think of as funny on its own, I am thrilled to tell you that there is a fantastic comedian out there who has made humor and art out of a painful friendship breakup he had in college. Gabe Mollica's one-man show is called Solo: A Show About Friendship. How could I not feature it on Dear Nina?  If you're a f...

Yes, Reach Out to Your Friends During a Crisis

October 18, 2023 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MB

Episode 76: This episode of Dear Nina focuses on reaching out amidst turmoil (this time in particular, in the Middle East), navigating conversations when you’re not sure what to say, and the profound impact of letting someone know you’re thinking of them. Questions discussed include:  Can a simple message of love and support make a difference to a friend during a crisis? Is it fair to expect friends to post on social media?  At what point do you let friends know you're disappointment th...

Scheduling, Structure, and Traditions as the Key to Making and Keeping Friends

October 04, 2023 05:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

Episode #75: If you're struggling with managing your friendships or looking for innovative ways to make new friends, this episode is your roadmap to a richer, more fulfilling social life. What you might be missing if you're not spending time with friends is a container for those friendships. My guests have tons of ideas for you! Jeff Waldman and Dan Moore joined me for an inspiring thirty minutes where we discussed creating closer friendships by scheduling time with friends. Yes, something ...

The Childhood Friends Who Shaped Our Identities: Kristin Nilsen

September 27, 2023 13:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MB

Episode #74 with Kristin Nilsen: Have you ever stopped to acknowledge the profound impact of your childhood friendships, even the most casual and fleeting ones, on your adult identity? This episode is dedicated to the friends who touched our lives, even if they are no longer an active part of it.  Walk down memory lane with Kristin Nilsen, a middle-grade fiction writer and co-host of The Pop Culture Preservation Society Podcast, as we scrutinize our early social interactions and their la...

I'm Just Not That Into This Friendship: Advice from Ruchi Koval

September 20, 2023 05:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB

Episode #73 with Ruchi Koval: Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you simply can't connect with someone trying to become better friends with you? Or, have you ever needed to "downgrade" a friendship? Letting down another person is never easy! Join me as I sit down with Ruchi Koval, a renowned author, motivational speaker, and relationship coach, to discuss how to navigate these types of conversations with kindness and grace. Ruchi also shares some hard truths that might r...

I'm Not Into This Friendship: Advice from Ruchi Koval

September 20, 2023 05:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB

Episode #73 with Ruchi Koval: Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you simply can't connect with someone trying to become better friends with you? Or, have you ever needed to "downgrade" a friendship? Letting down another person is never easy! Join me as I sit down with Ruchi Koval, a renowned author, motivational speaker, and relationship coach, to discuss how to navigate these types of conversations with kindness and grace. Ruchi also shares some hard truths that might r...

Grudges and Apologies in Friendships: with My Mom

September 13, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MB

Episode #72:  Sometimes we hurt a friend unintentionally, but an apology is still in order. Is there a friend out there who might be waiting for you to say, "I'm sorry?" Are you ready to forgive the friend who comes to you with an apology? This is the episode where we encourage you to think about forgiveness---asking for it and granting it. Who is we? I finally have MY MOM back on the show! We encouraged each other to think about the friends we might have hurt without realizing we have done...

Learning From a Friendship Breakup: Diamonde Williamson

September 06, 2023 05:00 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MB

Episode #71: Diamonde Williamson, found a way to make art from a painful friendship breakup and help others process their breakups, too. Just like romantic breakups, friendship breakups can lead to feelings of grief, loss, and loneliness. Yet, these feelings are often dismissed or minimized, making it hard to heal and move forward.  Learn more about Diamonde's documentary, Best Friends Not Forever.   Topics We Covered: Friendships that end because someone decided they need to end vs. a f...

Become Your Own Social Director: Stop Waiting for Invitations

August 24, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MB

Episode #70: 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 e...

Don't be afraid of saying the wrong thing to friends with a chronic illness

August 17, 2023 05:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

Episode #69: with Jennifer Cramer-Miller You know those articles and memes that are everywhere reprimanding us about what NOT to say to a friend who is going through a hard time of any kind? Jennifer is here today to say THE OPPOSITE of that. She's urging us to stop being afraid of saying the wrong things to friends with chronic illness, or friends dealing with anything else.  Your friends will never say the perfect thing! WE will sometimes say the "wrong thing" to our friends. And I agree...

When Your Friend is an Unhealthy or an Abusive Relationship: Rachel Katz

August 10, 2023 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB

Episode #68: 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 rela...

When Your Friend is an Unhealthy or an Abusive Relationship

August 10, 2023 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB

Episode #68: 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 rela...

Visit Your Long Distance Friends

August 03, 2023 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MB

Episode #67: In this episode, I encourage 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 r...

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