April Challenge: Acknowledge Friends' Birthdays
Plus: Complicated feelings about birthdays!
Funny story. I went to record a SIMPLE friendship challenge for April about acknowledging friends’ birthdays, and it delved into some FEELINGS about birthdays I didn’t realize I was harboring.
There will definitely be a part two with feedback from listeners because this was a quick 15-minute solo conversation that merely grazed the surface.
The April challenge itself is simple and the easiest so far in 2025.
I’m encouraging you to actively seek out friends' birthdays so you don't have to rely on social media to know the date.
Step #1: Put your friends’ (and anyone else whose birthday you’d like to acknowledge) in your calendar. Why? Like I said, so you don’t have to rely on social media or group texts to know anyone’s birthday. This could be a casual friend, too! A colleague. A cousin. You might have to use social media to gather these birthdays or ask people directly. Then into the digital or paper calendar it all goes.
Step #2: Acknowledge friends on their birthdays! Again, the idea is to not depend on social media. Whether you call, text, send a snail mail card, email—that’s up to you. Reach out to your friends on their birthdays. Period. This part will take all year. For April, just get them in the calendar.
The rest of the episode explores the emotional complexities surrounding birthdays, comparing how other friends' birthdays get celebrated, and why I believe in planning your own parties.
I'd love to hear your thoughts if you listen to the episode (only 15 minutes!) and if celebrating friends' birthdays and your own birthday brings up any feelings. I definitely shared some!
Reach out any time at ninabadzin@gmail.com or anonymously, here, to have your thoughts included in the follow up episode and newsletter post. OR, perhaps you just want to vent about this topic. You can respond for that reason too!
FIND EPISODE #140 on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, and anywhere you listen to podcasts!
REMINDER: You can start the 2025 challenge any time. Each month is meant to stand alone and you don’t need an entire month to accomplish any of them. Find all the challenges listed here. Come back and let me know how it went no matter when you try that month’s “assignment.”
STAY IN TOUCH AND LET US KNOW HOW IT GOES by commenting here or in the Dear Nina Facebook group.
Episode #139: How to Start a Podcast
I recorded an introduction to starting a podcast for anyone who's intimidated to begin. Send it to your friend who has been thinking about starting a podcast!
I break down the process, explaining each aspect from concept, podcast art, music, format, equipment, recording, editing, hosting your episodes, marketing, realistic expectations for your friends' interest, realistic exceptions for how much a guest will share. All in less than 35 minutes!
FIND EPISODE #139 on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, and anywhere you listen to podcasts!
FOR TWIN CITIES READERS WHO WANT TO START A PODCAST
I’m running a two-hour workshop at ModernWell on May 14th, 12:30-2:30. I’ll discuss all the steps, answer questions, and we’ll end with time to run your idea by everyone at the table. Register here.
Articles and Other Finds About Friendship
I see so many friendship-related things, either because I find them myself or listeners send them to me. I love hearing from listeners and readers!
Fantastic piece by Raleigh McCool in WBUR about throwing yourself a party (and that doesn’t just have to be for a birthday).
- on navigating friendship in midlife.
Books, Shows, Recipes I’m Into These Days
Reading: I’m reading Talk: The Science of Conversation and The Art of Being Ourselves by Allison Wood Brooks. I’m about to start listening to The Tell by Amy Griffin because so many people are talking about this book. My 2025 reading list can be found here. I update it throughout the year.
TV: There’s one more episode of White Lotus! My assistant producer (Rebekah) and I will record an episode about that friendship trio the next day. I hope to get it edited by later that night. I devoured Running Point on Netflix. It was exactly what I needed this week.
Cooking: I just got back from my daughter’s senior spring break (and I survived). I have not cooked all week, but I will be throwing together a very basic Shabbat dinner the moment I post this newsletter.
Two anonymous friendship advice questions you might have missed
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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