Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship

#198 - Making Friends Through Work: Collaboration Over Competition (Kim Oster-Holstein and Mara Smith) 07.06.2026 26min

Can work be a source of friendship in adulthood? This week, I talk with Mara Smith, founder of Inspiro Tequila, and Kim Oster Holstein, co-founder of Twisted Alchemy, about the friendship they built while growing businesses in the same industry. We discuss entrepreneurship, collaboration, networking, and the importance of staying open to new friendships later in life. Mara and Kim share how a professional connection evolved into a genuine friendship rooted in shared values, mutual support, and a belief that there's room for everyone to succeed. Whether you're a founder, work in a traditional office, or are simply looking for new ways to meet people, this conversation is a reminder that meaningful friendships can begin in unexpected places. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#197 - Anxious Attachment in Friendships: Why You Keep Wondering Where You Stand (Rebecca Stambridge) 31.05.2026 39min

Do you constantly wonder where you stand with certain friends? Do you replay conversations, assume the worst when someone seems distant, or find yourself needing reassurance that a friendship is still okay? In this episode, psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher Rebecca Stambridge joins me to discuss anxious attachment in friendships. While attachment styles are often discussed in romantic relationships, Rebecca explains how they show up in our platonic relationships, too. We talk about overthinking, fear of rejection, people-pleasing, and the tendency to take friendship disappointments personally—even when they aren't. Rebecca shares practical tools for recognizing anxious attachment patterns, managing friendship insecurity, and building a greater sense of confidence and security in your relationships. Whether you identify as anxiously attached or simply find yourself worrying about friendships more than you'd like, this conversation offers insight, validation, and hope. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#196 - Second Homes and Friendship: Hosting, FOMO, and Unspoken Expectations (Stephanie Hansen) 24.05.2026 35min

What happens to friendships when you own a cabin, lake house, or second home? In this episode, I’m joined by broadcaster, cookbook author, and podcaster Stephanie Hansen for a candid conversation about the complicated social dynamics that come with hosting. We talk about repeat guests, unspoken expectations, reciprocity, FOMO, family overlap, and the emotional labor of maintaining a place everyone wants to visit. Whether you own a second home, dream of having one someday, or are the friend who gets invited, this episode will absolutely resonate. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

Bonus: Are Your Friendships Surviving the Digital Age? Likes, Memes & What Really Matters (Nina on The Visibility Standard with Jazzmyn Proctor) 18.05.2026 42min

This week I’m sharing a bonus episode from my appearance on The Visibility Standard with Jazzmyn Proctor. We talked about modern friendship and how social media, online business, and constant digital connection are quietly changing the way we relate to each other. We get into the pressure people feel for friends to support their work online, the blurry line between friendship and audience, why memes can’t fully replace real connection, and how adult friendships actually survive over time. We also discuss reciprocity, forgiveness, scheduling friendships, and the importance of showing up for people in real life—even when it’s inconvenient. If you’ve ever wondered whether social media is helping your friendships, hurting them, or just complicating them, this conversation is for you. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#195 - Money Landmines with Friends: Group Trips, Weddings, and Splitting Checks (Heather Boneparth) 10.05.2026 37min

Heather Boneparth joins Nina to talk about the complicated role money plays in adult friendships. From splitting checks and destination weddings to parenting differences and group travel, this conversation digs into the awkward financial situations friends often avoid discussing openly—and how to handle them with more honesty and empathy. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#194 - Low-Key, Creative Ways to Spend Time with Friends (Ashlee Gadd and Katie Blackburn) 03.05.2026 28min

If you’re tired of the same old "let's go out for dinner" plans—or just want easier, but more interesting ways to see your friends—this episode is for you. I’m joined by Ashlee Gadd and Katie Blackburn of Coffee + Crumbs, and they came ready with simple, low-key ideas you can actually use. From themed nights to everyday moments that turn into meaningful time together, we’re talking about ways to make friendship feel more doable in real life. We also get into what makes these gatherings work: sharing the effort, showing up consistently, and being honest about the kind of connection you want—whether that’s a big group or a smaller, more intimate hang. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#193 - How to Make Your City Better for Friendship (Aaron Hurst) 27.04.2026 30min

What if friendship isn’t just about who you text—but where you live? This week, I’m joined by Aaron Hurst, founder of the U.S. Chamber of Connection, to talk about how we can make our neighborhoods and cities better for friendship. We get into why loneliness is bigger than individual relationships, why some people naturally initiate (and many don’t), and how small efforts—like potlucks, block parties, or simply inviting someone along—can change the social fabric of a place. If you’ve ever felt like it’s harder than it should be to meet people, this episode offers a practical, doable way to think about it—and what to do next. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#192 - Why Plans with Friends Don’t Happen—and How to Fix It 20.04.2026 13min

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 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. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#191 - The Case for Work Friends and Where to Find Them When You Work Alone (Lindsay Pinchuk) 13.04.2026 32min

If you work from home or feel like your friends don’t fully understand what you do, this episode is for you. I’m talking with entrepreneur Lindsay Pinchuk about how networking groups can become something more than professional spaces—they can turn into real friendships. We get into why you can’t just show up and expect connection (in networking or friendship), how to navigate “competition” in the same field, and why conversations—not social media—are what actually move both your relationships and your work forward. If you’ve been feeling a gap in your work life, this might be the missing piece. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

Bonus: Socially Confident Kids in a Screen-Filled World (Nina on "Your Child is Normal" with Dr. Jessica Hochman) 06.04.2026 40min

In this bonus episode, I join Dr. Jessica Hochman on Your Child Is Normal to talk about how kids build real friendships in a screen-filled world. We cover what actually helps—from teaching kids to initiate plans to why proximity and in-person time matter more than ever. It’s a practical, nuanced conversation about how parents can support their kids’ social lives without over-managing. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#190 - What Birthdays Reveal About Your Friendships and Your Mindset (Debra Arbit) 30.03.2026 39min

Birthdays can bring up more than we expect—disappointment, pressure, and questions about our friendships. In this episode, I talk with my close friend Debra Arbit about a different approach: taking ownership of your birthday in a way that feels intentional, flexible, and actually enjoyable. We explore how expectations, effort, and mindset shape not just your birthday, but your friendships as a whole. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#189 - Andrew McCarthy on Male Friendship, Reconnecting, and the Power of Showing Up 23.03.2026 33min

When Andrew McCarthy’s son asked him, “Do you even have friends?”, it sparked a 10,000-mile journey to reconnect with the people who shaped his life. In this episode, we talk about why male friendship so often fades, what men get right about connection, and why showing up—literally—can change everything. It’s a thoughtful conversation about loneliness, old friends, and what friendship really requires as we get older. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#188 - Take an Honest Look at Your Friendship Patterns (Roxanne Francis) 16.03.2026 25min

Many friendship struggles are normal—but what if the same problems keep repeating? In this episode, I talk with psychotherapist and social worker Roxanne Francis about how to recognize when repeated friendship breakups, difficulty making connections, or confusion about boundaries may point to deeper patterns. We also discuss ghosting, online friendships, and why taking an honest look at our own patterns can help us build healthier relationships. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#187 - How ADHD Affects Adult Friendships: For People With ADHD and Their Friends (Cate Osborn and Erik Gude) 09.03.2026 54min

In this episode of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, Nina talks with Cate Osborn and Erik Gude, co-authors of The ADHD Field Guide for Adults, about how ADHD can affect adult friendships. They explore the gap between intention and behavior—why reaching out, remembering plans, and following through can be harder with ADHD, even when someone cares deeply about the relationship. A thoughtful conversation for people with ADHD and the friends who want to better understand them. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#186 - The Friend Who Copies You: Flattering or Frustrating? (Candace Ourisman) 01.03.2026 33min

What do you do when a longtime friend copies everything you wear and do—without acknowledging the inspiration? Inspired by a reader question I answered for Real Simple, I talk with creative director Candace Ourisman about when imitation feels flattering and when it starts to feel uncomfortable. The conversation ultimately lands on something deeper: why acknowledging your friends’ strengths and offering simple compliments matters more than we think. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#185 - When Career Success Strains Your Friendships (Dr. Kimberly Horn) 22.02.2026 28min

What happens when your career grows… but your friendships feel more complicated? In this episode, I talk with research psychologist and public health scientist Dr. Kimberly Horn, author of Friends Matter for Life, about the hidden social cost of professional success—especially for high-achieving women. We explore why ambitious women can appear socially rich on the outside but feel disconnected on the inside. As responsibilities increase, friend circles often shrink. Invitations slow down. Conversations shift. And sometimes the very competence that fuels success quietly turns into over-functioning, resentment, or loneliness. We talk about: Why career advancement can make friendships feel murkier The “real friend vs. deal friend” dynamic The comparison trap—and how to handle jealousy without shame Over-giving, under-receiving, and what reciprocity actually looks like How to know when a friendship is temporarily “askew” versus truly unhealthy A simple, practical 2-2-1 ritual (2 texts, 2 calls, 1 in-person touchpoint each week) to stay meaningfully connected Friendship isn’t an extra. It’s a health habit. And if you’ve been telling yourself you’ll “get back to it” once things calm down at work, this conversation is your nudge. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#184 - Socially Connected, Emotionally Unsettled: The Friendship Paradox in Your 20s (Dr. Jeffrey Hall) 15.02.2026 38min

You can have friends. You can have plans. You can be socially active—and still feel emotionally unsettled. In this episode, Nina talks with Dr. Jeffrey Hall, professor and department chair of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas and director of the Relationships and Technology Lab, about what he calls the Loneliness and Connection Paradox: the experience of feeling socially connected and lonely at the same time. Dr. Hall, whose research on how long it takes to make close friends is widely cited (yes, the 200-hour study), shares new findings from the American Friendship Project exploring why this tension shows up most often during seasons of transition—especially in emerging adulthood (ages 18–30), but also during moves, career shifts, divorce, dating, kids leaving home, and other life changes. They discuss why loneliness isn’t always a red flag, how major life transitions disrupt our sense of social stability, why women may feel this ambivalence more intensely, and what it means to develop “ontological security”—that settled feeling when your life (and friendships) stop churning. They also touch on social media, generational narratives about loneliness, and new research suggesting that feeling connected today can actually increase your energy tomorrow. If friendships feel slower, shakier, or strangely unsatisfying—even though you have people in your life—this episode will give you a smarter frame for what’s happening. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#183 - Are You Mad at Me? Friendship Anxiety and the Need for Validation (with Meg Josephson) 08.02.2026 41min

Why do so many of us assume our friends are mad at us when their tone changes, they don’t text back right away, or they seem a little less available? In this episode, I talk with licensed psychotherapist and author Meg Josephson about friendship anxiety, people pleasing, and the constant need for reassurance so many of us carry. We explore why people pleasing isn’t a personality flaw but a survival response called fawning, how it shows up in adult friendships, and why it often leads to burnout, resentment, and overthinking. Meg also shares practical tools for interrupting anxiety spirals, tolerating discomfort, and building more honest, sustainable connections—without trying to get everything “right” all the time. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#182 - Three Phrases That Help When a Friend Is Experiencing Loss (with Shelby Forsythia) 01.02.2026 37min

Knowing how to show up for a friend experiencing loss can feel overwhelming—and fear of saying the wrong thing often leads to silence. In this episode, Nina talks with grief coach and author Shelby Forsythia about how to support friends through loss of all kinds, including death, divorce, diagnosis, estrangement, and friendship breakups. Shelby shares the three stories grieving people often tell themselves, along with simple, human phrases that actually help—without platitudes, fixing, or reframing. This conversation offers practical guidance for staying connected, using language that comforts, and being a steady presence when a friend’s life has been turned upside down. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!

#181 - Exclusion and the Power to Build New Friendships (with Amy Weatherly) 18.01.2026 31min

What happens after you realize you’ve been excluded by the people you thought were your friends? In this episode, Nina is joined by bestselling author Amy Weatherly for an honest, grounding conversation about adult friendship after exclusion. Together, they explore why friendship gets murkier as we get older, how popular advice about inclusion and boundaries can conflict, and what actually helps when you’re hurt and stuck. Amy shares why rejection is an unavoidable part of building meaningful friendships, how confidence and self-reflection change the way we relate to others, and why it’s often better to stop chasing groups and start building connection one brave invitation at a time. This episode offers reassurance, perspective, and practical wisdom for anyone navigating rejection, shifting friendships, or the loneliness of not being chosen—and a reminder that you have more power than you think. Thank you to this week's sponsor: SINCERENOTES. SincereNotes is available to download free on Google Play and App store. Special thank you, as always, to my assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs!