It’s the annual end-of-year wrap-up, and my assistant producer Rebekah Jacobs is back for a behind-the-scenes look at what landed with listeners in 2025 and why.

The themes we keep coming back to on Dear Nina aren’t “college friends” or “mom friends” or “work friends.” It’s all of the above and more. The need to be chosen, to belong, to be wanted, and the sting when we don’t feel it—this is ageless and timeless.

HIGHLIGHTS:

We reveal the top 5 cities and top 5 counties where you’re listening to Dear Nina.
The top 5 episodes of 2025 and why we think they resonated.
We reflect on the hardest and easiest 2025 Friendship Challenges (which we’re officially retiring!)
And we talk about our biggest moments of the year—including the Chicago live show—and what's coming up in 2026.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Episodes Highlighted as Top of 2025

Ep. 143 — The Law of Rejection in Friendships (with Harlan Cohen)
Ep. 146 — Tolerate Uncertainty & Stop the Overthinking Spiral (with Dr. Jackie Henry)
Ep. 132 — The Four Types of Connection (with Dr. Adam Dorsay)
Ep. 148 — Tricky Friendship Etiquette for the Modern Digital Age (with Daniel Post Senning of the Emily Post Institute)
Ep. 151 — Myths Around Adult Friendships (with Jazzmyn Proctor of The Visibility Standard Podcast)

Other Dear Nina Episodes Mentioned

Ep. 160 — Live Show in Chicago (The final poem I read was from author Amy Weatherly of “Sister, I am With You.” It can be found on their Facebook page, here. You can also hear Amy and Jess on Dear Nina, episode #86.)
Ep. 172 — What BEACHES Gets Right About Friendship

The Dear Nina Friendship Challenges

The 12 friendship challenges

MEET REBEKAH JACOBS:

Rebekah Jacobs is the assistant producer of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship and a writing professor who lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and three kids.

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Thank you to our sponsor this week: THE SOCIAL DIALOGUE PODCAST. Find it anywhere you get your podcasts and YouTube! Special thank you, as always, to assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs.