The Art of Communicating via Mixtape

I’m on Brain, Child today with a Valentine’s inspired post, “The Lost Love Language of the Mixtape,” in which I admit that I’m terrible at saying sentimental words aloud. Once upon a time, I let the art of the mixtape do all the talking for me. I was a mix master! I swear! Now, I probably communicate in essay form, which is only appropriate some of the time (like, rarely). I’m even awkward with sentimental texts, which is almost like speaking to someone. I have no problem, however, with mushy letters and emails–probably because they’re somewhat like essays.

Funny enough, just days after my Brain, Child deadline, I had an apropos text exchange with my best friend Jenni, who gave me permission to share our conversation. For some context, I’d been feeling unsure about the direction of my blog and where the short stories fit into my life these days. As usual, Jenni listened on the phone for a long time and offered great advice. Here’s what happened later that day. I’m in WHITE and Jenni is in BLUE.

photo of my text exchange with Jenni

Come on over to Brain, Child to see how Tracy Chapman and Sarah McLachlan and others used to say “I love you” and so much more FOR ME.

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Nina Badzin hosts the podcast Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She's been writing about friendship since 2014, co-leads the writing groups at ModernWell in Minneapolis, and reviews 30+ books a year on her website.

Hi, I'm Nina

HI, I’M NINA BADZIN. I’m a writer fascinated by the dynamics of friendship, and I’ve been answering anonymous advice questions on the topic since 2014. I now also answer them on my podcast, Dear Nina! I’m a creative writing instructor at ModernWell in Minneapolis, a freelance writer and editor, and an avid reader who reviews 50 books a year. Welcome to my site! 

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Hi, I'm Nina

DEAR NINA: Conversations About Friendship is a podcast and newsletter about the ups and downs of adult friendship. I’m the host, Nina Badzin, a Minneapolis-based writer who accepted a position as a friendship advice columnist in 2014 and never stopped. DEAR NINA, the podcast, started in 2021, and has been referenced in The Wall Street JournalThe Washington PostTime Magazine, The GuardianThe Chicago TribuneThe Minneapolis Star Tribune, and elsewhere

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