Happier in Hollywood
Episodes
Ep. 272: From Book To Screen and Writer Friends!
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of spending time with their TV writer friends! Then, in Amplify, Liz and Sarah recommend fellow showru...
Ep. 271: Passing Off Worry & Big Bullseyes Vs. Small Bullseyes
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Liz and Sarah are passing off their worry to the experts! They share how trusting your team can take the weight off. Then—one, two, three...
Ep. 270: How To Write A Novel With Author Lian Dolan
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Liz and Sarah have an update on their company, Fun Job Productions—after two years, did they decide to keep their fiction podcast company...
Ep. 269: A Reality Check & The Writing Process
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Liz and Sarah have a reality check for aspiring TV writers. From making less money to doing free work, the business has gotten even more br...
Ep. 268: Vacation Vibes & Email Etiquette
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Even though Liz and Sarah are still in the middle of post production for Season 2 of Fantasy Island, they discuss how they feel like they’re on vac...
Ep. 267: That’s A Wrap!
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah celebrate wrapping production on Season Two of Fantasy Island! They discuss the Season Two “production curse” and how knowing even ...
Ep. 266: Spring Listener Questions: Part 2!
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for Spring Listener Questions: Part 2! What do Liz and Sarah wish they knew about life—and Hollywood—when they graduated high school? ...
Ep. 265: Spring Listener Questions: Part 1!
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for Spring Listener Questions: Part 1! Besides the writing, what parts of showrunning do Liz and Sarah particularly enjoy? Why do TV shows...
Ep. 264: YAGNI—You Ain’t Gonna Need It!
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah have a new strategy: You Ain’t Gonna Need It! YAGNI—a tip from a listener—is helping Liz and Sarah think about work differently. O...
Ep. 263: Euphoric Relief & The Queens of Cutting
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah have—knock on wood—finished writing Season Two of Fantasy Island! They discuss the euphoria they felt after turning in the last Stu...
Ep. 262: Big News, Room Lingo, & Loops
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah have news—the Big Summer Fun of Fantasy Island is now Big Fall (Or Winter) Fun on FOX! They discuss getting the call and what the mo...
Ep. 261: Senioritis & Sleeping While Stressed
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Liz and Sarah discuss wrapping the Writers’ Room for Season Two of Fantasy Island! Now they have Senioritis, but there’s still so much...
Ep. 260: You Gotta Have Grit
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Liz and Sarah have a special guest co-host, friend of the pod and camp owner extraordinaire, Audrey Monke! The three deep dive into grit—...
Ep. 259: Back To Basics
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What’s missing around your workspace? Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of having solid basics—Sarah needs a good chair, Liz needs pens! Then, ...
Ep. 258: Dinner Parties and Slumber Parties!
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Liz and Sarah share wisdom gleaned from Twitter—specifically, insights for lower level writers from TV writer Jeane Wong. One piece of ad...
Ep. 257: Momentum Matters
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With three episodes left to break for Season Two of Fantasy Island, how do Liz and Sarah handle a morale killer? The short answer – they lean on th...
Ep. 256: Call In Reinforcements
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the thick of double days and double deadlines, Liz and Sarah call in reinforcements! They’ve added their good friend and TV writer Karine Rosenth...
Ep. 255: Leaning Into A Lean Budget
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah share strategies for making a lean TV budget work and discuss putting them into action on Fantasy Island. At every stage of the process...
Ep. 254: How To Be A Pro
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to be a professional? Liz and Sarah deep dive into what pros do differently. From how they communicate, to anticipating needs, to se...
Ep. 253: Embrace The Suck & More Travel Hacks!
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah embrace the fact that sometimes things just suck. Sarah moved last weekend—and, yep, it sucked. But acknowledging the suck and not try...
Ep. 252: Money Matters & Tackling The Sunday Night Blues
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do creative people budget? Creatively! Liz and Sarah talk MONEY—and how to manage it—with financial coach Dylan Snowden. Dylan shares how his ...
Ep. 251: Re-entry, Crunch Time, & Compliments!
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah are back from Puerto Rico! They discuss how being on location can be a (busy!) break from reality and how they’re tackling re-entry to...
Ep. 250: Our 250th Episode!
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the 250th episode of Happier In Hollywood! Liz and Sarah celebrate by recapping their twenty-five favorite topics featured on the podcast. From...
Ep. 249: HIH WFH—Work From… Hotel!
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss how taking a moment to add a personal touch to your work can make a big impact. One example? The necessities-filled beach bags t...
Ep. 248: Embrace A New Identity
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
TV writers wear many hats, and it’s important for writers of all levels to have the chance to wear them. Liz and Sarah share how getting to do ALL p...
Ep. 247: The Power Of Positive Feedback
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A kind word goes a long way! As Season Two of Fantasy Island takes shape, Liz and Sarah discuss how getting positive feedback on their work energize...
Ep. 246: Take The Room & Fantasy Island Music Supervisor Melany Mitchell
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a room in your home that’s reserved for guests? Liz and Sarah discuss the merits of staking a claim and taking up space. Then, in Hollyw...
Ep. 245: Miracles, Imposters, & Wordle!
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Movie – and TV! – magic means making miracles happen each day, but sometimes those miracles aren’t enough. Liz and Sarah reflect on a remark fro...
Ep. 244: Working Weekends & Trying Versus Doing
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah have a confession to make — despite swearing Season Two of Fantasy Island will be different, they’re already working weekends. Arg! ...
Ep. 243: Liz & Sarah Answer Listener Questions!
06 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah open the floor to listener questions! Hot topics include: parenting, chickens, Corgis, and more! How do Liz and Sarah know if a story ha...
Ep. 242: What Would Dolly Do 2022!
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah reveal their team motto for the new year — What Would Dolly Do 2022! Their goal is to harness Dolly Parton’s spirit of strength, fun...
Ep. 241: The Nimble Life
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss the necessity of staying nimble as they write and produce Season Two of Fantasy Island. “Lean TV” requires a lot of jugglin...
Ep. 240: Be The Calm In The Storm
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s face it— sometimes things go wrong. Liz and Sarah discuss how when they had to manage a recent snafu, they took a lesson in leadership from ...
Ep. 239: The New Normal?
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Now that we’re all (sort of) heading back to work after the pandemic, what does “the new normal” look like? Liz and Sarah discuss the pros and c...
C13Features Presents: Ghostwriter, Starring Kate Mara and Adam Scott
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this C13Features podcast movie presentation of Ghostwriter, Kate Mara and Adam Scott star in a psychological thriller about a former journalist who...
Ep. 238: Liz Washes Away Guilt with a Sound Bath
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz shares that while both she and Sarah embraced gratitude over Thanksgiving, Liz also felt another “g” emotion… guilt! Turns out it’s hard t...
Ep. 237: Liz & Sarah Set Boundaries!
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As Liz and Sarah begin writing Season Two of Fantasy Island, they’re determined to maintain work boundaries — at least for as long as they possi...
Ep. 236: What Kind Of Decision Maker Are You?
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah analyze different kinds of decision making. Do you follow your gut? Take the path of least resistance? Make decisions by committee? Then...
Ep. 235: Liz & Sarah Celebrate Season Two of Fantasy Island!
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah share HUGE news! There will be a Season Two of Fantasy Island! Now that they’ve accomplished this major goal, what’s next? They’r...
Ep. 234: Hike Versus Sprint (And Liz Has Big News)
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Season One of Fantasy Island was a sprint that left Liz and Sarah flat on the ground. As they look ahead to a possible Season Two, they discuss how ...
Ep. 233: Embracing Hiatus Mode
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With Season Two of Fantasy Island still up in the air, Liz and Sarah have decided to embrace Hiatus Mode! What does that mean? Going to their favo...
Ep. 232: Sliding Doors & Sarah Gets Chickens
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss how their immediate future resembles the 1998 movie Sliding Doors. There’s one reality if Fantasy Island gets picked up fo...
Ep. 231: Hollywood Holiday Gift Guide!
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not even Halloween yet, but Liz and Sarah are looking ahead to the holidays. Between supply chain problems and slow delivery, they’re shoppin...
Ep. 230: What Five Things Do You Want To Be Known For?
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss a question put forth by their favorite author consultant, Crystal Ellefsen — what five things do they want to be known for? Fi...
Ep. 229: The Waiting Game
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah are anxiously waiting to find out if there’s a future for Fantasy Island. They reveal one way they’re handling the stress — work...
Ep. 228: Resetting, Reframing, & The Finale
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah reveal what’s most pressing in their work psyches this week — nothing! As Season One of Fantasy Island comes to an end, they are mak...
Ep. 227: The Power Of A POV
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of having a point of view at work. Your boss might not always agree with you, but that’s ok! In Behind The Epis...
Ep. 226: Expect the Worst, Prepare for the Best!
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the school year begins, Liz and Sarah take a cue from Violet's first day at her new school: Expect the worst, prepare for the best. It’s the oppo...
Ep. 225: The Art of the Podcast
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah aren’t just TV writers — they’re podcasters! This week they discuss how they make Happier In Hollywood, and what elements they thi...
Ep. 224: The In-Between Time (And a Brand New Fantasy Island Segment!)
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss what they call, "the in-between time—“ Fantasy Island has premiered, but will there be a second season? Or not? The numbers ...
Ep. 223: Writing Is Easier Than Not Writing (And The Premiere of Fantasy Island!)
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After months of work (and stress) it happened — the premiere of Fantasy Island on FOX! Liz and Sarah discuss the press coverage, the presence of a...
Ep. 222: Prepping For Press & Braving Reviews
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As Liz and Sarah gear up for the premiere of Fantasy Island, they‘re doing a lot of press — which can be daunting. But they have a plan of action!...
Ep. 221: Deciding NOT To Work
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss their decision not to make work for themselves during their upcoming downtime. Instead, they’re going to focus on recuperating...
Ep. 220: Senioritis!
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As they near the end of production, Liz and Sarah talk about their bad case of senioritis: the writing is done, shooting is almost done, but there’s...
Ep. 219: Climb The Wall And Enjoy The View
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah talk about hitting the wall — and then climbing on top of it to enjoy the view. They’ve accomplished a lot in the last few months! ...
Ep. 218: A Summer Listener Questions Episode!
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for the Summer Listener Questions episode! Who does the music on a show? How did the current reboot of Fantasy Island come about? How does m...
Ep. 217: A Conversation with Sony Casting EVP Dawn Steinberg!
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah chat with Dawn Steinberg, EVP of Worldwide Talent and Casting at Sony Pictures Television, about her career, the advice she has for acto...
Ep. 216: Tackling The Tedious
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah talk about how they’re trying to stay zen during endless Zoom meetings as they move into the post production phase of Fantasy Island. ...
Ep. 215: Accepting We Don’t Have Control
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As Liz and Sarah start to hand over cuts of Fantasy Island to the studio and network, they have to accept they don’t have control over how other peo...
Ep. 214: Be An Insulator
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss a great compliment they received from one of the Fantasy Island writers— they’re insulators as opposed to conductors when it...
Presenting: No Place Like Home
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Do you remember the first time you watched The Wizard of Oz? Those famous red ruby slippers are some of the most iconic objects in Hollywood history t...
Ep. 213: Spice Up, Live Long & Completing Phase One of Fantasy Island
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah have completed Phase One of Fantasy Island — all of their story areas for the season have been approved! There’s still LOTS of work ...
Ep. 212: Be A Boulder Pusher
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss why, in a group setting, it’s important to be a person who pushes the boulder up the hill. And if you can’t push the boulder...
Ep. 211: Everyone Is Right
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss how, when working in a highly collaborative environment, everyone can be right at the same time, which can sometimes make things...
Ep. 210: Cussing and Discussing
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah share a listener’s suggestion about how to frame potentially difficult work conversations so that they stay light-hearted and producti...
Ep. 209 Sometimes It's Not A Fun Job, And We Don't Enjoy It
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah are in the thick of production on Fantasy Island, and they discuss how sometimes it's not a fun job, and they don't enjoy it. But that’...
Ep. 208: The Gift Of Other People’s Productivity
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As work on Fantasy Island continues to become more and more intense, Liz and Sarah discuss their gratitude for the gift of other people’s productivi...
Ep. 207: To Be Or Not To Be Indecisive
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah pride themselves on making decisions quickly — it’s a big part of being a showrunner. But sometimes it’s better NOT to make a deci...
Ep. 206: Location, Location, Location!
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss how being in a great location can impact the experience of work. Can't go to a tropical island? Try sitting in front of a window...
Ep. 205: What Happens To Good Intentions When The Shit Hits The Fan
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah are in Puerto Rico to shoot Fantasy Island! And all of their good intentions to sleep, exercise, and eat right have gone by the wayside....
Ep. 204: It's Time For The Spring Listener Questions Episode!
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When will Fantasy Island air? What's so great about Ojai? If Liz and Sarah could change careers, what would they pick? And most importantly, what pant...
Ep. 203: A Good Reason to Embrace the Hate
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss their recent realization that eight months ago, Fantasy Island wasn’t even on their project list— and now it’s their whole...
Ep. 202: Haters Gonna Hate
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Prompted by a recent unpleasant email (and Taylor Swift), Liz and Sarah discuss the fact that “haters gonna hate.” Anytime they put themselves ou...
Ep. 201: Be A Volunteer (And Sarah Is Moving!)
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah often talk about one of their favorite mottos — volunteers not recruits. Today they remind themselves that as pre-production of their ...
Ep. 200: Celebrating Our 200th Episode!
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah are celebrating the two hundredth episode of Happier In Hollywood! As they look back, they share some of the segments that have resonate...
Ep. 199: Liz & Sarah On Feeling Pressure From All Sides
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As Liz and Sarah write the pilot for their reboot of Fantasy Island, they’re also feeling the pressure of getting a show off the ground after a st...
Ep. 198: The Art Of Doing Extra
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss the art of doing extra at work. It’s not about putting in more hours willy-nilly — you’ve got to pick your moments to make...
Ep. 197: Our Layer Cake Philosophy
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss why they compare the creative process to baking a layer cake. A script isn’t going to be rich and textured with just one layer...
Ep. 196: The Importance Of Being Okay With Other People’s Good Ideas
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Now that Fantasy Island is ramping up, Liz and Sarah have been having LOTS of meetings. One revelation that’s come out of all these Zoom sessions? W...
Ep. 195: Be A Yes Person
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah talk about the benefits of being “yes people” at work. One advantage? When you almost always say “yes,” your “no” means more...
Ep. 194: It’s A Fun Job, And We Enjoy It!
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As Liz and Sarah dive headfirst into the stress of running a show, they discuss how their motto “it’s a fun job, and we enjoy it” helps them sta...
Ep. 193: First Day of School Syndrome in the Zoom Room
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah have First Day of School Syndrome AND Zoom fatigue! They discuss the First Day of School challenges of adjusting to their Fantasy Island...
Ep. 192: The Demystification Of Staffing (& Meet Kimberly!)
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah have just staffed their new show, the remake of the iconic series, Fantasy Island! They talk through the staffing process — from readi...
Ep. 191: Make Your Own Relationships At Work
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As Liz and Sarah dive into their new project — a reboot of the iconic Fantasy Island — they discuss why it’s crucial to make your own relationsh...
Ep. 190: 2021: A Year Of Fantasy Island And Juicy Fruit
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year! On the eve of 2021, Liz and Sarah reveal exciting news. They’re doing a reboot of the iconic 70’s show, Fantasy Island! They discu...
Ep. 189: A Christmas Eve Hollywood Hack Episode!
24 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In honor of Christmas Eve, Liz and Sarah give listeners the gift of an ALL Hollywood Hacks episode. Liz shares her favorite new solution to problem of...
Ep. 188: The First Annual HIH Holiday Gift Guide For Work
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah tackle the problem of gifting in the workplace. Do you gift up or down or both? They think gifting down should involve cash or gift card...
Ep. 187: JaNeika & JaSheika James’ Wonder Twins Power Activate Hollywood!
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah talk to powerhouse writing duo JaNeika and JaSheika James about their new book, Living Double: How Identical Twins Unlocked The Door To ...
Ep. 186: How Good Projects Go Bad
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah can finally reveal their latest project — an adaptation of the gripping upcoming novel, The Final Girl Support Group, by Grady Hendrix...
Ep. 185: A Thanksgiving Gratitude Assignment
26 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss why it’s important to remember that nobody cares how much work you’ve put into something — the end result is all that matt...
Ep. 184: How To Quit A Job Without Burning Bridges
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Quitting a job is hard, but it can be done without burning bridges. Liz and Sarah talk to Executive Coach and host of the podcast Career Stewardship, ...
Ep. 183: Autumn Listener Question Episode!
12 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why doesn’t Liz cook? What has Sarah learned from parenting a Rebel child? How does a writer obtain IP for development? It’s the Autumn Listener Q...
Ep. 182: Groups Need A Group Agenda
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss why it’s so important to set a group agenda before a meeting. One piece of advice if you want your group to make a good impres...
Ep. 181: It’s Time To Reinstitute One Thing
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah share suggestions from their Facebook group about dressing up for Zoom Halloween. Their favorite idea? Be a floating head! Then they dis...
Ep. 180: Learning To Embrace Downtime!
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss why they should resist the urge to create unnecessary work for themselves when they have downtime. In Mailroom, they answer a qu...
Ep. 179: The Strategy Of Decision Making With Annie Duke
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss how to rekindle their creative fire after stepping away from a project for over four months. Then they talk to former profession...
Ep. 178: Ask Your Lawyer And Taking Out Your Own Trash
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How does Sarah’s new ritual of taking her trash to the local dump relate to being a writer in Hollywood? Liz and Sarah reveal that they’ve recentl...
Ep. 177: Stepping Into Your Power At Work With Executive Coach Marie Garvey
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
First, Liz and Sarah share Zoom pitching advice from listeners and friend of the pod, Laurie Zaks. Then they talk to Executive Coach Marie Garvey abou...
Ep. 176: Catching Up With Brook — How She’s Learning To Be Brave and Not Take It Personally
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss the upcoming Happier In Hollywood newsletter. They had planned to start one pre-pandemic, and now they finally feel ready to mov...
Ep. 175: Zoom Pitching And Busted Give A Damns
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz and Sarah discuss their upcoming Zoom pitch. How can they keep their audience engaged when they’re not in the same room? Pro tip: Use more visua...