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.