How do you raise good friends? Mayor Molly Cummings and I offer advice to a listener on how to guide kids as they develop relationships. And, let’s talk politics! Mayor Molly talks about what works and why people should be involved in public service.

Special technical assistance provided for this week’s episode by Hontronics HK, Ltd.

Music by Kevin D. Hartnell. www.kevinhartnell.com

This week, my friend Ron Garber and I take a listener question on how  friendship and competition can be a part of the same game on the court and in life. Is teammate just another term for friend?  We also talk about the necessity of friendships in times of joy and challenge, with some important reminders on how to best support friends in crisis.

For more information on Seeds of Peace, mentioned in the episode, visit www.seedsofpeace.org

Music by Kevin D. Harnell. www.kevinhartnell.com

 

The Friend Pod is back with new episodes! I am so happy to share with you a conversation I had on a chilly night this winter with my new friend, Jill Riordan. I was warmed by Jill’s spirit of openness as she talked about how the relationships in her life were impacted by the transition she went through after her divorce. We offered advice on how and when to hold space for people in your life and Jill shares a model for how modern friendships can be like a board of directors.

Music by Kevin D. Hartnell. www.kevinhartnell.com

This week, Shannon Daut and I talk about friendships in the workplace. How do you navigate the tricky waters of creating and keeping friendships at work, while still maintaining your professionalism? What are the boundaries that we need to be aware of to balance these relationships? Shannon also gives us a lens into her work cultivating the arts on a state and local level, and I give some serious love to podcasts.

Music by Kevin D. Hartnell. www.kevinhartnell.com

Is it possible to max out on the number of friends in your life? Join my guest Sharon Armstrong and I for this week’s friendiquette question. Sharon and I have both lived in different parts of the U.S., so we’ll also discuss how to make friends when your life takes you from city to city. I also totally fangirl over Roxane Gay’s great book, “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body.” Check it out, if you haven’t.

Music by Kevin D. Hartnell. www.kevinhartnell.com

This week, I’m talking with my friend, Connie Sandler. She’s a sparkplug of a woman and I’m so glad to have her on the pod. For our friendiquette question, Connie shares from her own experience about how to best help those around you and yourself when coping with loss. This was an in-depth conversation that moved from helping people to live healthy lives to the health of one of our Supreme Court justices.

Also, looking for a good read? My BOTW shout-out to Longreads is worth checking out. www.longreads.com.

Music by Kevin D. Hartnell. www.kevinhartnell.com

My friends – you are in for a treat! This episode features the Twin Cities’ own friendship guide, Nina Badzin. Nina publishes a fantastic advice column and is a great resource for all things friendship. We take on a couple of friendiquette questions, including how to gracefully navigate a group dynamic with individual friendships. Visit Nina’s archive for thoughtful friendship advice at  www.ninabadzin.com.

My Best of the Week is for all of you with a sweet tooth. Check out www.cookiecart.org. The cookies are as good as homemade and the organization is helping to bake brighter futures for some amazing kids.

Music by Kevin D. Hartnell. www.kevinhartnell.com

This week’s guest is Clay Johnston. We became fast friends over a martini and our shared love of a good conversation. Our listener question is about how to show your authentic self to your friends and how you can show up for your peeps as they go through changes. We also talk about how Clay and his wife created their family from Minnesota to China to Korea and back again, and what that taught him about parenting. And I get a lesson in Drones 101.

Music by Kevin D. Hartnell. www.kevinhartnell.com

This week, Sip Better’s own Leslee Miller and I are talking all things friendship and all things wine. We’re going to take a listener question about how to lovingly let go of friendships. When do you know the time is right and how do you say goodbye?  Leslee is also going to tell us about why she’s passionate about sharing her knowledge of wine with people. I warn you – she’s on a mission and sometimes that mission involves Cool Ranch Doritos.

Be sure to check out Leslee’s new wine club – Sip Better!  www.sipbetter.com

Music by Kevin D. Hartnell. www.kevinhartnell.com

I am so thrilled to have my friend Zoë Bird as my first guest on the pod! We started a conversation about 7 years ago and it hasn’t quite stopped. In this ep, we’re going to talk about “showing up” for the friends in your life. Zoë is also going to talk about her work with the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project in MN. It’s a great organization: www.alzpoetrymn.org. At the end, we both totally fangirl about our Dream BFFs.

We taped this a while ago, so our Bestie of the Week really should be expanded to include the names Irma, Jose, Maria. Sending love to all of those impacted by these storms and the friends who are supporting them.  If you have some coin to spare, consider donating at oneamericaappeal.org, launched recently by all five living former American Presidents to provide disaster relief to those impacted by the storms.

Enjoy the pod!

Music by Kevin D. Hartnell.