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The Friendship Edit: November Finds

Essays, episodes, and ideas related to celebrating friends and yourself!

Nina Badzin

Nov 30

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Articles and Other Friendship Links

I’m constantly seeing friendship-related essays. Sometimes they come from YOU, the readers and listeners. Keep them coming!

I just put this one in my Facebook group for us to discuss there. I want to hear your thoughts! “Marriages, Kids, Careers: For 44 Years, They’ve Been Talking It Out” (gift link to NYT article)

“Just Host Your Friends Already: The Reward is Worth the Risk” by Cate Stern

“On Gown, Girlfriends, and Gratitude” by Merri Ukraincik

“Why We Need Friends Like Air” by Jenna Bush Hager

“The Pure Delight of Joining a Tennis Team in Midlife” by Liz Krieger in Gloria Magazine. I relate to these sentiments 100%.

Emma Nadler’s essay, “Go to the Party, Even When Life Doesn’t Feel Like One” was read on Kelly Corrigan’s podcast!

Books, Shows, & Recipes I’m Into These Days

READING: I’m still reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and enjoying it.
Here is my updated 2025 reading list.
TV: I finished The Morning Show season three and was stunned by how much of the story happened in the very last episode. I liked it but would have enjoyed that drama spread out a bit more. I’m watching Loot (fun and silly), Pluribus (strange and thought-provoking), and Palm Royale (getting tedious but love the costumes). I tend to stick to one streaming service at a time. So, I’m having an AppleTV moment.
COOKING: I was lucky to be a guest over Thanksgiving. People tend to put me in charge of the roasted vegetables platter and once again I did that. I always include some green things and some colorful things. I did Brussels sprouts, carrots, yellow and red peppers, and broccoli. I roast each type on its own since they take different amounts of time then arrange it by color on a platter. People always appreciate an assortment of vegetables.

My Friends/Family Convinced Me to Try This

A monthly segment with a few products that my friends convinced me to buy, and I’m glad I listened.

Victoria Beckham’s eyeliners are 20% off right now. (Recommended by Taryn K and Nancy F—two friends from different parts of my life. They were right!)
This personalized toiletry bag is on sale (recommended by my daughter Rebecca)
Now that it’s suddenly freezing in Minneapolis, I’m using this Avene lotion (also on sale!!) at night. A friend recommended it at some point, but I don’t remember who it was. I’ve read that it has ingredients similar to La Mer, but I have no idea if that’s true.

🎧 The November Episodes

#171 - “Brighten a Friend’s Day with One Simple Gesture: November Friendship Challenge” Apple, Spotify, YouTube

#172 - “What “Beaches” Gets Right About Friendship” (with Professors Paul Eastwick & Eli Finkel) Apple, Spotify, YouTube

#173 - “What Makes a Friendship Last: Lessons from 40 Years” (with Sunny & Jenn) Apple, Spotify, YouTube

#174 - “The Neuroscience of Feeling Seen, Ignored, or Left Out in Friendships” (with Dr. Ben Rein) Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Podcasts Where I Was a Guest in November

“Friendship: What Gets in the Way and How Do We Make it Last” on Emily Paulsen’s podcast, Curious Life of a Childfree Woman Apple. Spotify.

“Deepening Friendships in a Busy World” on Trisha Addicks’ podcast, Mad Rush Apple, Spotify.

The anonymous friendship advice question of the month

The Friend Who Can't Commit to Plans

Nina Badzin

Nov 19

This month’s anonymous letter is from a reader/listener who truly dislikes having a full, or even semi-full, calendar, but her friends are tired of her canceling or saying no. She doesn’t want her friends to feel hurt! I have some ideas.

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Thanks for being here in November! Feel free to send links for me to consider in December. ~ Nina

Let’s connect outside of this newsletter: You can find me most often in the Facebook group, Dear Nina: The Group. All the social media links are below. I know I need to get rid of some them!

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You’re a free subscriber to Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. Frustrated with some of your friends? You’re not alone! The anonymous letters are a perk for paying subscribers. You probably have a similar question. Upgrade any time for the full archive.