Best Casual Pickleball Podcasts (2025)

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Thick & Hardy Pickleball Vibes | Pt. 2 Brian Bradley w/ Structural Health Expert 35:39

1h ago35:39

35:39

Send us a text We’re coming in hot with: 🔹 Thick & Hardy: the jean brand that never was 🔹 Gas station snacks as adult therapy 🔹 Why your warmup should not include stretching before pickleball 🔹 “I eat meat but identify as vegan” — Brian Bradley’s wellness mic drop Plus, Brian Bradley from the structural health world joins us to talk about fixing yo…

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#155 - Thriving Solo: Making Friends and Creating Community After a Big Move (with Lisa Giordano) 28:39

1d ago28:39

28:39

After 31 years on the East Coast, Lisa Giordano decided (less than a year ago) to make a big move to Austin, Texas, with zero local contacts and a personal challenge to build a community and social life from scratch. In this upbeat conversation, Lisa tells us what really works (and what does not) when you’re starting over single in a brand-new city…

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Weird Childhood Snacks & Pickleball Biohacks | Brian Bradley w/ Egoscue Institute (Pt.1) 37:01

7d ago37:01

37:01

Send us a text We’re coming in hot with: 🔹 Ketchup on pancakes (arrest-worthy) 🔹 Tipping culture: who deserves it and who can kick rocks 🔹 The #1 reason your pickleball game sucks (hint: it’s your spine) 🔹 Free posture help from Brian Bradley, a dude who fixes Navy SEALs Brian Bradley’s here to save your body and roast your weak-ass dink. 🎧 Listen …

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#154 - Discretion vs. Gossip: How to Handle a Friend Who Overshares Your News (Letter Spotlight with Rebekah Jacobs) 28:31

8d ago28:31

28:31

Ever feel that low-level hum of annoyance when a friend casually drops your (good or bad) personal news into the conversation? I have my fantastic "Dear Nina" assistant producer, Rebekah Jacobs, with me this week to crack open a listener's anonymous letter about DISCRETION. Discretion is that gray zone between gossip and harmless chatter. Rebekah a…

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DUPR Ratings, Bed Snacks & Questionable Cologne Choices | Andrea w/ Cat 5 Pickleball 32:09

14d ago32:09

32:09

Send us a text We’re coming in hot with: 🔹 The exact moment soup-in-bed became a lifestyle 🔹 A cologne con so bold it ended in marriage 🔹 DUPR finally explained like you're not a pro (because you're not) Plus, Andrea from Cat 5 Pickleball drops in to talk racquetball roots, coaching vibes, and why glow pickle is a gateway drug. 🎧 Listen now before …

1
#153 - July Friendship Challenge: 3 Focused Questions for a Mid-Year Reflection 15:38

14d ago15:38

15:38

Ready to see where your friendships stand halfway through 2025? In this solo episode, I (very quickly!) round up the first six monthly challenges. Then I hand you three laser-focused questions to help you reflect, assess, tweak, and strengthen your connections for the rest of the year. Answer the 3 Questions This Week! Block 15 minutes. Jot down ho…

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#152 - When Your Child’s Friendship Issues Reopens Unresolved Wounds: Beth Segaloff 29:49

21d ago29:49

29:49

Facing Unfinished Friendship Business When Your Child Hits Social Snags Your child’s social life can stir up every unresolved playground scar you’re still carrying. Licensed clinical social worker and EMDR therapist Beth Segaloff joins "Dear Nina" to talk about separating our past (and present) friendship baggage from our kids’ current experiences.…

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Can Pretty Be Powerful? Decency Laws, Pickleball Injuries | Karen w/ The Pretty Pickleball Company 40:57

21d ago40:57

40:57

Send us a text 🎙️ Can “pretty” be powerful? Karen from The Pretty Pickleball Company says yes—and she brought receipts (and sparkles). 🔥 We’re diving into: The one decency law we’d all pass (spoiler: check your fridge) Celebrity paddles, carbon fiber fairy tales & unapologetic branding Pickleball injuries, Blue Zones, and why playing might help you…

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Pickleball, Moon Landing & Recovery | Evan Slaughter w/ Fit to Serve 47:42

28d ago47:42

47:42

Send us a text We’re coming in hot with: 🧻 A heated debate about how to hang your toilet paper 🌕 Moon landing conspiracies we probably shouldn’t believe 🩳 Pickleball advice from a guy in jorts (you already know) 🕵️‍♂️ A surprise cameo from the actual Secret Service Plus, Evan Slaughter aka Fit to Serve opens up about addiction recovery, discovering…

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#151 - Myths Around Adult Friendships: with therapist Jazzmyn Proctor 22:46

28d ago22:46

22:46

What does it mean to have a close friendship in adulthood? How important is history in a friendship? What does (realistic) quality time with a friend look like when you're no longer in school? Therapist and podcast host, Jazzmyn Proctor, joins me to bust some of the most common myths she sees in her work with clients. This conversation offers a gro…

1
Pickleball, Therapy & Gen Z Slang Battles | Michelle w/The Dink Shrink 41:28

1M ago41:28

41:28

Send us a text What do Gen Z slang, paddle throwing, and OnlyFans all have in common? Apparently, this episode. We kick things off with a generational slang trivia battle—Boomers to Gen Alpha—where words like “mid,” “skibidi,” and “gag me with a spoon” cause complete chaos. ("Wait… yacht means big booty now?!") Then we’re joined by Michelle, aka Th…

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#150 - Join or Die: Pickleball, Potlucks, Democracy, and Your Health: Rebecca and Pete Davis 33:19

1M ago33:19

33:19

In this milestone 150th episode of Dear Nina, we’re diving deep into friendship and community with siblings and co-directors Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis, the team behind the Netflix documentary Join or Die: A film about why you should join a club and why the fate of America depends on it. Inspired by the groundbreaking work of political scientist …

1
Pickleball Excuses, UK Growth & Competitive Dating | Dawna Strouse w/Dink Date 37:49

1M ago37:49

37:49

Send us a text Is “I usually play better” the most delusional line in rec play? In this week’s Dink or Destroy, we’re calling out excuse-energy and debating whether it’s ever okay to downplay a loss. Then we sit down with Dawna Strouse, founder of Dink Date—a new AI-powered app making waves in the pickleball world by matching players on and off the…

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#149 - June Friendship Challenge: Ask a Friend For a Favor 11:58

1M ago11:58

11:58

Welcome to the Dear Nina Friendship Challenge for June: Ask a friend for a favor. Why? Asking a friend for a favor demonstrates trust and intimacy. It helps your friend feel closer to you merely because you asked, and this will strengthen the friendship. Unfortunately, people really struggle asking for help, even for the smallest of favors. This mo…

1
Flirting at Open Play & Viral Pickleball Anthems | Ellie Santra w/ Pickleball Is Life 37:28

2M ago37:28

37:28

Send us a text 🎤 Zumba. Shimmies. Flirting mid-rally?! This week’s Kitchen Talk kicks off with a wild story from the court—when one player turned open play into open season for single men. Spoiler: he was married. And yes, we name names (sort of). 💅 Then we serve up an interview with Ellie Santra, the viral singer-songwriter behind the “Big Dink En…

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#148 - Tricky Friendship Etiquette for the Modern Age with Daniel Post Senning 44:34

2M ago44:34

44:34

I sat down with fifth-generation etiquette expert Daniel Post Senning of The Emily Post Institute to explore how classic (and modern!) manners can strengthen and even rescue our adult friendships. We discussed using etiquette for group chat issues, RSVP blunders, office friendship confusion, misuse of AI, bringing up kids' cringe posts, cocktail pa…

1
Pickleball Tattoos, League Drama & Adulting Fails | Tommy Flaim w/ Silly Pickles 36:06

2M ago36:06

36:06

Send us a text This week’s News You Can Use is unhinged—in the best way. We’re talking cryptic floorboard messages, sketchy skeleton pranks, expired lettuce, and why adult life is just a series of bizarre plot twists. Plus, would you get a pickleball tattoo? We’re debating that and other ridiculous ideas. Then we chat with Tommy Flaim, the mastermi…

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#147 - Share Good News With Friends and How to Receive Friends' Good News 7:43

2M ago7:43

7:43

In this short solo episode, I consider why some people hesitate to tell friends about positive events like a promotion, a published piece, or a personal milestone or achievement. Likely due to cultural conditioning, we worry it will come off as bragging. I think it's a missed opportunity to feel closer to friends when all good news is kept under wr…

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#146 - Tolerate Uncertainty & Stop the Overthinking Spiral in Your Friendships with Dr. Jackie Henry 28:08

2M ago28:08

28:08

If you’ve ever reread a text 10 times, filled in every silence with worst-case scenarios, or found yourself leaving too many hangouts with friends regretting what you said, this conversation is for you. Psychologist Dr. Jackie Henry and I discuss tools to stop overthinking your every friendship move and learn to tolerate uncertainty in your relatio…

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Pickleball Bruises, Playground Beef & Musty Pudding | Wes Dawg 31:19

2M ago31:19

31:19

Send us a text One of us took a pickleball straight to the butt—don’t worry, it's still family friendly. We’re talking open play chaos, the weirdest desserts ever created, and the childhood games we think deserve a pro sports comeback. Wes Dogg joins us to talk pickleball content, comedy, and building a brand while still drilling for dinks. And in …

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#145 - Rules For Supporting Your Single Friends with Meghan Keane 29:26

2M ago29:26

29:26

Meghan Keane, author of Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner, says one of the top complaints single people have about their married friends is that they feel like a problem to be solved. Another is that their dating lives are the sole focus of a married friend’s attention. Meghan joins me to unpack “singlism,” the subtle (and not-so-subtle) …

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Unforced Errors, Rage Triggers & Prison Pickleball | Tim Schnupp w/The PutAway 31:56

2M ago31:56

31:56

Send us a text Overhead smashes, loud chewers, and cardboard hoarders—what do they all have in common? They drive us nuts. We’re breaking down unforced errors on and off the pickleball court, plus chatting with Tim from The PutAway in Maryland about building a killer community and facility. And in Dink or Destroy, we’re talking prison pickleball. R…

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#144 - The Secret Power of Changing the Venue in Your Friendship: May Challenge 12:36

3M ago12:36

12:36

Whether you’re hoping to upgrade a casual acquaintance, breathe life into a longstanding friendship, or accommodate a friend whose season of life recently shifted, a venue swap can work magic without big declarations or heavy planning. Welcome to the Dear Nina Friendship Challenge for May: Pick a newer friend or an old friend you'd like to feel clo…

1
Pickleball, Parenting Rants & Poop Coffee?! | Trisha Shelley w/ Pickle Hood 30:35

3M ago30:35

30:35

Send us a text Pickleball, parenting rants, and poop coffee — what could go wrong? 🤯 We’re diving into pretentious parenting, shady pickleball open play players, and a toothpaste you definitely don’t want. Trisha Shelley from Pickle Hood joins us to talk community, confidence, and why pickleball magic matters. And in Dink or Destroy, we’re calling …

1
Porch Naps, Popcorn Secrets & Pickleball Vibes | Jonathan “The Glove” Beasley 29:27

3M ago29:27

29:27

Send us a text What do porch naps, expired toilet paper, paddle stacking drama, and popcorn hacks have in common? Somehow…pickleball. In this episode, we dig into on-court etiquette, community quirks, accidental naps, and whether leaving voicemails is a generational curse. Then we hit the courts with Jon “The Glove” Beasley from Chesapeake, Marylan…

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#143 - The Law of Rejection in Friendships with Harlan Cohen 41:36

3M ago41:36

41:36

In this powerful episode of Dear Nina, I am joined by bestselling author Harlan Cohen to explore the truth about rejection, risk, and the myths we carry into adulthood about what friendship “should” look like. We dive into the Law of Rejection—a concept that can radically shift how you approach your relationships. Whether you're 18 or 88, accepting…

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Pickle Richards, Paddle Stack Drama & League Showdowns | Roger Caneda 31:14

3M ago31:14

31:14

Send us a text We’ve all met one… the Pickle Richard at open play who forgets it’s a pickleball community, not a country club. We’re talking paddle-stacking chaos, net height secrets, and how bad behavior can kill the pickleball vibe. Then we dive into a Pickle Pal interview with Roger Caneda, a sponsored singles player making waves in the competit…

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#142 - Friendship, Phones, and The Problem of Distraction: Katherine Martinko 28:29

3M ago28:29

28:29

What happens to our friendships when our phones are always within reach for us to "quickly check something" or "quickly answer a text?" It’s time to be honest about how available we are to everyone else while spending time with friends and how these distractions are harming our friendships. (I include myself in "we!") Is anyone else experiencing sm…

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Pizza Fights, Parent Lies & Nasty Nelsons | Christine w/ Buffalo Pickleball Club 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

Send us a text This episode has it all: 🧠 The lies our parents told us (and the ones we’re passing on) 🍍 Defending pineapple on pizza like it’s a way of life 💥 What the heck is a Nasty Nelson — and why are we into it? 🏓 Plus, we chat with Christine from Buffalo Pickleball Club about building community, battling the snow, and the wild west of court …

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#141 - The White Lotus Friendship Trio: Lessons for Your Real-Life Friendships: Rebekah Jacobs 40:11

3M ago40:11

40:11

It's a very special episode of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship dedicated to the much-discussed and debated friendship triangle in White Lotus Season 3 created by Mike White. The friendship trio of Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie has captivated TV viewers for the last two months. Similarly, Rebekah Jacobs (Dear Nina's assistant producer) and I ha…

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#140 - Celebrating Friends' Birthdays and Your Own Birthday: April Challenge 14:43

3M ago14:43

14:43

The Dear Nina Friendship Challenge for April is about the sometimes tricky topic of friends' birthdays. The challenge itself is simple and the easiest so far in 2025. I'm encouraging listeners to actively seek out friends' birthdays so you don't have to rely on social media to know the date. Of course the next step is to acknowledge friends on thei…

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Pickleball Dodgeball, Plane Clappers & Mall Court Conversions | Cody w/ Dinkn’ Donuts 31:48

4M ago31:48

31:48

Send us a text Clapping when the plane lands? That’s a red flag. Pickleball dodgeball? That’s a green light. And we’re talking about both. This week we dive into: 🛬 The people who clap when the plane lands (WHY?) 🤫 Silent pickleball: strategy or nonsense? 🏓 A twist on dodgeball you didn’t know you needed 🍩 A visit from Cody aka Dinkn’ Donuts 🏪 Mall…

1
#139 - How to Start a Podcast: An introduction 32:30

4M ago32:30

32:30

Welcome to Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. I'm your host, Nina Badzin. I've been writing about friendship for over 10 years and podcasting about it for almost four. This episode on how to start a podcast might not be for you. So, send it to your friend who has been thinking about starting a podcast! I break down the process, explaining e…

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Recipe Rage, Crocs on Court & Pickleball Culture | Kim w/ Texas House of Pickleball 36:39

4M ago36:39

36:39

Send us a text We’re coming in hot with: 🔥 A food fight (but make it virtual) 👟 A swollen ankle caused by what?! 🏓 Court culture that might just save your sanity Plus, meet the woman turning a Texas pickleball facility into a full-blown movement—with concerts, cocktails, and controversy. And yes… someone actually played in those shoes. 🎧 Listen now…

1
#138 - The Neighborhood Village and How Community is Different From Friendship: Seth D. Kaplan 34:27

4M ago34:27

34:27

Your neighborhood community might be the most overlooked place for social connection. However, it’s essential to understand the difference between community relationships and friendships. They are not the same! I’m joined by Seth D. Kaplan, author of FRAGILE NEIGHBORHOODS: Repairing American Society One Zip Code at a Time, to discuss the importance…

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Dishwasher Drama, Court Grudges & Massachusetts Pickleball | Lisa w/ Marblehead Pickleball 26:49

4M ago26:49

26:49

Send us a text Forks up or forks down? The kitchen heats up with a full-on dishwasher showdown before we head to Marblehead, MA to meet Lisa—USA Pickleball ambassador and community builder. She’s growing courts, welcoming new players, and showing how local pickleball can thrive. Plus: Headphones during play—Dink or Destroy? And the wild new flirtin…

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Pickleball Fashion Wars, Smokin’ Ernie Bets & Standing Out | Smiley Riley 44:43

4M ago44:43

44:43

Send us a text 👀 Country club chic or party store raid? Pickleball fashion has two extremes, and we’re calling them out. From crisp visors to full-blown Elvis jumpsuits, where do you stand? 💥 Plus, Smiley Riley joins us to talk: How to stand out in pickleball—on and off the court. A $500 Ernie bet—who’s got the guts to take it? The wildest pickleba…

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#137 - Find Your Walking Friends (encore with Leslie Hooton) 23:19

4M ago23:19

23:19

Many of us enjoy walking with friends for the mental and physical benefits (or could consider starting with the Dear Nina 2025 friendship challenge). However, the power of walking with friends is EXTRA inspiring in today’s episode. Leslie Hooton had to learn to walk multiple times throughout her life because of a stroke she had when she was born an…

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Smash Olympics, Pickleball Cocktails & De-Influencing Energy | Smash Park Team 42:49

4M ago42:49

42:49

Send us a text 🚨 Smash Park is changing the game! Pickleball? Axe throwing? Giant Jenga, cornhole, and a SHOTSKI?! We sit down with Cody and Jerry from Smash Park, the pickleball and entertainment hotspot that's bringing serious fun to courts across the country. We’re talking: 🔥 The rise of Smash Park leagues and how they cater to every skill level…

1
Celebs in Pickleball, Fighter Turned Fanatic & Court Debates | Shawn Paul w/ Shawn Paul Pickleball 33:08

4M ago33:08

33:08

Send us a text Tom Brady owns a pickleball team?! From tequila to sports franchises, celebs seem to have their hands in everything—but is this good for pickleball, or just another hype train? We’re breaking it down and welcoming Shawn Paul, Pickleball Coordinator at the North Royalton Ohio YMCA, to talk about his journey from fighter to pickleball …

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Pickleball Noise Wars, Caffeinated Dinks & Neighborhood Drama | James w/ Side Out Coffee 35:50

4M ago35:50

35:50

Send us a text Pickleball noise complaints? HOA drama? Some people just wake up looking for things to be mad about. We’re diving into the so-called “pickleball noise wars” and why some folks think a plastic ball is ruining their peace (spoiler: it’s not). Then, we sit down with James from Side Out Coffee, the first-ever pickleball coffee brand, to …

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Million-Dollar Courts, Divider Fails & Paddle Collisions | John Solema w/ Pickleball Space Arizona 29:24

4M ago29:24

29:24

Send us a text Million-dollar courts with no dividers?! We traveled for some top-tier pickleball only to spend half the time chasing rogue balls. What gives?! We’re diving into court design fails, why some facilities just don’t get it, and whether baby gates might be the real MVP. Plus, we catch up with John Solema from Pickleball Space Arizona to …

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#136 - Your Three to Five Closest Friends (Letter Spotlight) with Rebekah Jacobs 27:59

4M ago27:59

27:59

What if you have lots of friends, but nobody feels like your special confidante or the person who would have your back no matter what? The newest letter spotlight episode comes from a listener who signed off as "Too Many Fish in the Sea." She feels lucky to have cultivated a wide community and plenty of friends, but she doesn't feel like she has su…

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#135 - March Challenge: Hyperlocal Friendship 19:02

4M ago19:02

19:02

There are local friends and there are “HYPERLOCAL” friends. This month in the Dear Nina community, we’re focusing on hyperlocal friendships—developing new ones and maintaining the ones you already have in your life. I introduce the March friendship challenge in this episode, which of course you can start any day of ANY MONTH. The challenge this mon…

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#134 - Fandom and the Potential for Friendship: with SC Perot 37:47

5M ago37:47

37:47

MAKING FRIENDS IN A FANDOM COMMUNITY Fandom, especially very enthusiastic fandom, can provide community, belonging, and friendship. In episode #134 of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, I'm joined by Vanderbilt professor, lawyer, author, and joy enthusiast, SC Perot, who shares her story of rediscovering joy after a devastating divorce, hig…

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#133 - Talking to Friends About Your Sex Life: with Dr. Arielle Buch-Frohlich 26:29

5M ago26:29

26:29

Talking to Friends About Sex at Any Age It's not uncommon to discuss our sex lives with friends during the adolescent and college years. But as we age, it becomes less comfortable. Trust and privacy (of our partner) can be significant barriers to discussing intimate details as well as a fear that friends will judge our issues, desires, and choices.…

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#132 - The 4 Types of Connection: with Dr. Adam Dorsay 33:28

5M ago33:28

33:28

While friendship is an essential type of connection at every age and the one area of personal growth I discuss most often on Dear Nina, today’s guest, psychologist Dr. Adam Dorsay, expands the conversation to the four types of connections we need to lead fulfilling lives. Those four areas are: connection to ourselves, to others, to the world, and t…

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#131 - February Challenge: Start a Friendship Ritual with Rachel Steinman and Rachel Winter 34:26

5M ago34:26

34:26

It's time for the next Dear Nina Friendship Monthly Challenge! The January challenge was to see a friend in person, which meant reaching out to make a plan. The February challenge is to start a ritual/tradition with friends to strengthen new relationships or maintain existing ones. For accountability, report back in the Dear Nina Facebook Group, on…

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#130 - The Sober Curious Lifestyle and the Impact on Your Friendships: with Hallie Sawyer 28:28

6M ago28:28

28:28

Do you know someone who has adopted a "sober curious" lifestyle? Perhaps it's a pivot you've been considering for yourself? The term is usually credited to Ruby Warrington, author of Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol. “Sober curious” means you're cu…

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#129 - Do you know how your friends like to be comforted in hard times? 11:11

6M ago11:11

11:11

It's the middle of January 2025. Right now you might have friends in Southern California who have evacuated from their homes. You might know someone whose house, entire neighborhood, community, and school are gone. And there's often a time in life when you know someone in a health, personal, or other kind of crisis, even if it's not a situation as …

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Casual Pickleball Podcasts

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