241: Making and Keeping Friendships with Nina Badzin

Making (and keeping) friends in midlife can feel surprisingly hard. In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast, I'm joined by Nina Badzin, writer and host of the Dear Nina podcast, to talk about the real stuff that comes up in adult friendships, like feeling left out, keeping score, and what to do when your once-close friends just… fade. Whether you've ever wondered, "Is it just me?" or you've found yourself ghosted or burned out from being the one who always initiates, you're not alone—and you're not doing it wrong. This episode is full of validation, fresh perspective, and practical tips to help you build stronger, more satisfying friendships, even if it's been a while. Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/241   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why friendship often gets harder—not easier—as we age The difference between "reciprocity" and "keeping score" in adult friendships What to do when you're always the one reaching out—or when a friend fades away How friendship fits into your total health—and why it's not just "a nice-to-have" ABOUT NINA BADZIN Nina Badzin is the host of the podcast, Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She's a writer, teacher, and mom of four in Minneapolis who has been writing about friendship for over a decade. You can find her newsletter at dearnina.substack.com, join her Facebook group all about friendship at Dear Nina: The Group, and she's on Instagram at @dearninafriendship.  Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you. I submitted a talk for SXSW 2027: Biohacking Is Just Dieting in a Lab Coat. Community voting runs through August 23rd, and it's part of what determines who gets on stage in Austin next March. If this resonates, I'd love your vote: CLICK HERE. Free account required, takes about a minute. If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.