Happier in Hollywood

Ep. 174: Career Lessons From The Bachelorette

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah analyze how lessons from ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelorette can improve their approach to potential new projects. Their biggest t...

Ep. 173: Sarah’s “Surge Capacity” Is Depleted — Is Yours?

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah ask listeners what kind of merch they’d like for the holiday season. Then they discuss a recent article about how we’ve all depleted...

Ep. 172: They’re Paying For Your Confidence

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss why understanding that executives are paying for their confidence helps them bring pitches and scripts across the finish line. A...

Ep. 171: Summer Listener Questions Episode — Part Two

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah answer more Listener Questions! Do they ever write just for fun? If they were Queens for a day, what small change would they implement t...

Ep. 170: Summer Listener Questions Episode — Part One

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah dive into Listener Questions. What is “good writing?” Do they have any “painfully blunt” advice about breaking into TV over the ...

Ep. 169: Set Safety, Mariachi, & The “Do We Want To Talk About It” Test

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to director Dr. Rachel Raimist (Queen Sugar, Roswell New Mexico) about how she’s shooting safely during the time of Covid-19. Wha...

Ep. 168: Are Your Goals And Your Time Aligned?

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah realize that they need to pay attention to whether their goals are in alignment with how they’re spending their time. It’s easy for ...

Ep. 167: Timeliness And Revisiting Ripcords

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Good news! Liz and Sarah are selling their Happier In Hollywood rainbow Silipint travel cups again. Just email [email protected] to order...

Ep. 166: Remember The Mah Jongg Card

16 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah try to envision work and the workplace post Covid-19. On the plus side, they expect less traffic and to save on dry cleaning. The downsi...

Ep. 165: Improve Your Mental Flexibility And A Discussion About “How to Broach Race When You’re Not the Most Powerful Person in the Writers Room”

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss how we can all improve their our mental flexibility during this global pandemic. One tip? Tweak your routine. In their new Ampli...

Ep. 164: Pulling The Ripcord And The Beauty Of An Unexpected Interlude

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss challenging works situations. When do you stick it out, and when do you pull the ripcord and escape? In Take A Hike, they explor...

Ep. 163: How To Pick Projects With Manager Dianne Fraser

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss their decision to believe in a positive post-Covid future in their work — and how they’re also trying to apply that belief ...

Ep. 162: Making Space For Creativity

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah strategize about how they can make space to be creative in this pivotal historical moment. Then they introduce a new segment — Amplify...

Ep. 161: Tackling The Lack Of Diversity In Hollywood

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to Jeanette Volturno of Catchlight Films and Julie Harris Walker of Catch A Break Podcast about how they’re working to make Holly...

Ep. 160: Take Control Of Your Career

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Note: This episode was recorded before the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer led to nation-wide protests. We stand with the Afric...

Ep. 159: Dolores Huerta On Activism, Feminism, And Resilience

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah gives a shout out to all the truck drivers who made her grueling RV drive to Kansas City and back better and safer. Then Liz and Sarah talk to i...

Ep. 158: Managing The Personal To Manage The Professional

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss the need to get their personal situations in order so that they can more effectively focus on work during this global pandemic. ...

Ep. 157: Meet Our New Manager And Combating Zoom Fatigue

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to their new manager, Dianne Fraser, about exactly what a manager does, how managers are different from agents, and how aspiring wr...

Ep. 156: Dressing For Zoom Meetings With Emmy-Nominated Costume Designer Allyson Fanger

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah have their minds blown by Emmy-nominated Costume Designer, Allyson Fanger, who says dressing for Zoom meetings isn’t just about what y...

Ep. 155: More Lightning Listener Questions!

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are answering your questions — and they’re answering them fast! What’s their favorite part of writing for television? When an acto...

Ep. 154: What Makes A Good Idea Good?

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah shares her Covid-19 mantra: Does this matter? Liz’s is “closer, stronger, lighter.“ Then Liz and Sarah discuss how living through this ext...

Ep. 153: Boosting Immunity And Tackling “Snack Bursts” With Dr. Melina

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah reveal big news — they have representation. But they decided not to get an agent. Instead, they signed with badass manager, Dianne Fra...

Ep. 152: A Visit From Violet and Finding Money In Your Own Backyard

09 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Violet visits Happier In Hollywood to talk about being “safer at home” from a kid’s point of view. Then Liz and Sarah talk to author and host of...

Ep, 151: How Covid-19 Has Shut Down Hollywood And Everywhere Else

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Covid-19 has changed our lives in big ways — and small. Sarah and Liz share some small, unexpected changes in their routines since they’ve been “...

Ep. 150: Maximizing Work Hikes And Building Community

26 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Note: This episode was recorded before life changed dramatically due to the Covid-19 virus.Following up on their discussion about whether to get an ag...

Bonus Episode: Parenting And Staying Positive During The Covid-19 Crisis

21 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the last two weeks, our world has turned upside down. Social distancing, remote learning, and WFH are now the new reality. Liz and Sarah talk to pa...

Ep. 149: Say Something Right Away: A Seize The Day Episode

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Note: This episode was recorded before life changed dramatically due to the Covid-19 virus. Liz and Sarah follow up on their discussion about Schrodi...

Ep. 148: Should We All Be Time Blocking? Probably.

12 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With so many irons in the fire, Liz and Sarah decide to try time blocking. Will task batching and day theming keep them on track? (We shall see...) Th...

Ep. 147: Wrestling With Schrodinger’s Cat

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss the paradox of Shrodinger’s Cat — a thought experiment in which a theoretical cat is both alive and dead at the same time —...

Ep. 146 Something From Nothing — It’s An Actual Thing

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss their realization that so much can come from something... even if nothing comes from it. An example? In preparing for a recent m...

Introducing The Baron of Botox

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 Over two decades, Dr. Fredric Brandt went from a small dermatology practice in Miami to being Madonna's personal skincare consultant and the go-to f...

Ep. 145: The (TV Business) Times They Are A-Changin’

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a small world! Liz and Sarah share an email from Kate Silver, the writer of the Spirit Magazine article “Turning Pink” that they mention in...

Ep. 144: What’s Your Personal “Canary In A Coal Mine?”

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about how to “hijack the meeting,” advice that comes from their friend and fellow TV writer, Moira Kirland. Then in Take A Hike...

Ep. 143: Liz & Sarah Remind Themselves: It’s Not Personal!

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah reveal that ABC passed on their PLASTICS pilot. They’re super bummed but bouncing back and moving on. One thing that’s helping them ...

Ep. 142: The Wonder Of Re-Networking (And Of Champagne)

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about why it’s important to “re-network” with people you’ve worked with in the past. Then in Take Two, they share the quest...

Ep. 141: A Very Personal Episode: Sarah’s Mom Story & Liz’s Voice Challenge

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Many listeners have asked Sarah to tell the story of how she became an only parent to her daughter, Violet. This is the day she tells that story! Then...

Ep. 140: Liz & Sarah Celebrate A Career Milestone!

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are celebrating their twentieth anniversary as writing partners! They reflect on the last two decades and discuss what they should do to...

Ep. 139: What’s Your QUESTION For 2020?

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After what feels both like forever and no time at all, Liz and Sarah are approaching the finish line for both their pilot scripts. Now comes the hard ...

Ep. 138: Here’s To A Happy, Healthy, Motto-vated 2020!

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After a “Season of Failure” update, Liz and Sarah decide on their new team theme for 2020! This year, they’re going to Hike Into The Future! The...

Ep. 137: Remove Yourself From The Spin (Out) Zone

26 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s almost pilot pickup season, and Hollywood has entered the Spin (Out) Zone. Liz and Sarah discuss the techniques they use to stay calm while oth...

Ep. 136: Down With Exclamation Points!

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Down With Exclamation Points!Are Liz and Sarah riding a dragon or a camel? They update listeners on their 2019 exam development motto — Ride The Dra...

Ep. 135: Pain Points & The Psychology of Documents

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to actor and friend Dichen Lachman (Dollhouse, Altered Carbon, Animal Kingdom) about the audition pain point that almost made her l...

Ep. 134: Nichelle Tramble Spellman is NOT Failing On All Fronts (But Liz Is)

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

TILiz and Sarah talk to their good friend Nichelle Tramble Spellman, creator and showrunner of the fantastic new Apple TV+ show TRUTH BE TOLD, starrin...

Ep. 133: The Care And Feeding Of Writers: A Thanksgiving Episode

28 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah offer tips to executives and producers who are giving notes to writers during the development process. Do be direct! Don’t be an assho...

Ep. 132: A Lightning Listener Question Episode

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah answer questions from the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group — and they answer them fast! Do they ever feel like their kids deplete t...

Ep. 131: The Importance Of Mahjong

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With development season at peak intensity, Liz and Sarah are putting their noses to the grindstone. What does that mean? They’re often giving up the...

Bonus Episode: Liz and Sarah’s “American Beauties” Pitch

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah pitch “American Beauties,” a pilot script they sold (twice) to Fox. After the pitch, they critique their own work— and reveal what...

Ep. 130: How To Focus During Armageddon

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah give an update on their efforts to reject anxiety during development season. Then they strategize about how to stay focussed on work whe...

Ep. 129: Anxiety, We Reject You!

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah wish listeners a Happy Halloween and share a tip from The Whole 30’s Melissa Hartwig Urban about how to resist the temptation to eat c...

Ep. 128: Conquering The Fear of New Things & The Warner Brothers Pitch Document

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah announce their upcoming Bonus Episode! They’re going to pitch American Beauties, a pilot script they sold (twice) to Fox. Then they di...

Ep. 127: Why “Enough Is Enough”

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah explain that even a “put” pilot isn’t a sure thing. Then they discuss why “enough is enough.” It’s tempting to over-write an...

Ep. 126: Embracing Your Weird With Felicia Day

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk with actor, web series creator, and New York Times best-selling author, Felicia Day, about her new book Embrace Your Weird: Face Yo...

Ep. 125: Starting A Work Marathon, Ending A Heath Lull

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah share an email from a listener who gives a counterargument to their advice to “arrive early.” Then they announce their new developme...

Ep. 124: Financial Insecurity, The Real Housewives, & Being An Only Parent: A Listener Questions Episode!

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a Listener Questions episode! Liz and Sarah open the mailbag and answer your questions. How does Liz feel about working at Sarah’s house? If...

Ep. 123: How To Be A Happy Camper At Work With Audrey Monke

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah give an update on a listener suggestion that they coordinate their meeting outfits. They did it! And it was surprisingly easy. Their new...

Introducing Bachelor Happy Hour with Rachel & Ali

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“Bachelor Happy Hour with Rachel & Ali” takes fans behind the scenes with all things Bachelor Nation-related in the first ever, official Bache...

Ep. 122: Everything Takes Forever

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by an overheard conversation (and a thousand notes calls), Liz and Sarah ask listeners to weigh in on what makes a character “likable.” T...

Ep. 121: How To Conquer A “Health Lull” — We Asked, You Answered!

05 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After an update on the great how-to-pronounce “gif” (is it a hard “g” or a soft “g”) debate of 2019, Liz and Sarah discuss the back-to-sch...

Ep. 120: Sheri Salata’s Beautiful No— A Happier Labor Day Episode

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Onward Project is celebrating Labor Day with #HappierLaborDay! Liz and Sarah invite Sheri Salata (author of The Beautiful No, co-host of the podca...

Ep. 119: How To Get More Instagram Followers With Marketing Expert Jessica Berberian

22 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah have an update on their new office space in Sarah’s house. It’s done! And they love it! In From The Treadmill Desks Of, they reveal ...

Ep. 118: Writing Blind: An Interview with TV Writers Jess Burkle and Ryan Knighton

15 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah share the details of their first Happier In Hollywood Q&A Cocktail Party. It was a huge success! Then they interview TV writers Jess...

Ep. 117: Creating A Room Of Our Own

08 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Now that Liz and Sarah don’t have an official office, they’re creating “a room of their own” at Sarah’s house. While Sarah insists on follow...

Ep. 116: The Compartmentalizing Struggle Is Real

01 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss a listener suggestion that they coordinate their meeting outfits. Are they up for the task? Then they talk about the difficulty ...

Ep. 115: Talking Work Wives With Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg of By The Book

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by listener demand, Liz and Sarah announce their August 8th Happier In Hollywood Q & A Cocktail Party.  (For more information email happ...

Ep.114: Don’t Take the Meeting!

18 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss why they’ve recently decided NOT to take every meeting. Sometimes they need to go deep instead of going wide. Then Sarah’s r...

Ep. 113: On Being A Staff Writer

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah break down the experience of being a Staff Writer on a TV show with their former assistant turned TV writer, Brook Sitgraves Turner. Bro...

Ep. 112: Shop Your Closet (And Other Strategies to Spend Less)

04 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of saving money in Hollywood’s perennially unstable gig economy. Hint: avoid mindless spending. And shop your c...

Ep. 111: Shawn Ryan on Picking Projects and Keeping Calm

27 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to their mentor, the brilliant television writer/producer, Shawn Ryan (The Shield, S.W.A.T.), about how he picks projects. Spoiler ...

Ep. 110: The Perils and Promise of Free Work

20 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss the issue of doing free work in Hollywood. It’s necessary, but how much is too much? And how can they do free work without res...

Ep. 109: The Brilliance of Resilience

13 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone gets knocked down once in awhile— the question is, what do you do AFTER you get knocked down? If you’re resilient, you get back up! Liz a...

Ep. 108: A Cacophony of Choice (And Goodbye To Mary)

06 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah start with a poetic update— a reading of Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese.” Then in From The Treadmill Desks Of, they discuss the “ca...

Ep. 107: Wish/Want/Walk Negotiation With Entertainment Attorney Michael Donaldson

30 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Fix has been cancelled! It’s not unexpected, but it still sucks. Liz and Sarah share what Season 2 would have been and how they’re moving on! ...

Ep. 106: A Revelation: Being Calm Vs. Acting Calm

23 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss being calm versus acting calm — and how they were recently “Shawn Ryan Calm” during a tough conversation. Then in Take A H...

Ep. 105: Time To Ride The Dragon

16 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah reveal their 2019 Development Motto: Ride The Dragon (just like Daenerys, but with less crazy)! With the ever changing waves in their ca...

Ep. 104: Good Writing Is Good Writing: A Listener Questions Episode!

09 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You asked, Liz and Sarah answer! What’s the best book on writing? Do extras wear their own clothes? How does collaboration work? Why does Liz consid...

Ep. 103: The Hill Is Not As High As You Think It Is

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The hill is not as high as you think it is! Liz and Sarah discuss how they're conquering both literal and metaphorical "hills," including The Fix Seas...

Ep. 102: The Viper And The Asshole: Liz Dolan And Rico Gagliano Weigh In

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to Safe For Work podcast hosts Liz Dolan and Rico Gagliano about all things work — from dealing with assholes and vipers in the o...

Ep. 101: Working In An Atmosphere Of Growth

18 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss their recent Happier in Hollywood writers’ retreat in Ojai — How To Get (And Keep) A Job As A TV Writer — and why it’s e...

Ep. 100: 100th Episode Special: Gretchen Declutters The Office!

11 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the 100th episode of Happier in Hollywood! In television land, this would be the holy grail! To celebrate, special guest Gretchen Rubin declutt...

Ep. 99: Eat It With Grace

04 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to Hollywood career coach Carole Kirschner about having a game plan. Her advice? Have it on the stage and on the page! Then in Take...

Ep. 98: What’s Your Role In The Workplace?

28 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It happened! The Fix is on the air! Liz and Sarah discuss how they shook off the nerves of premiere night and enjoyed the moment. Then they discuss th...

Ep. 97: Stay On Your Path

21 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah share why it’s important to stay on your path — and how they’re staying on their path during an unpredictable time. Then they answ...

Ep. 96: Work From Home? Here Are The Essentials

14 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to business owner and writer Crystal Ellefsen about working from home. Then they answer a Mailroom question about “beauty work”...

Ep. 95: Be All In: Ola Shokunbi Talks About Making The Leap From Lawyer To TV Writer

07 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to Ola Shokunbi about his journey from representing pharmaceutical companies as a lawyer in D.C. to being a staff writer for The Fi...

Ep. 94: Good Work Doesn’t Happen After Dinner

28 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss good (and bad) time management skills— for showrunners, and anyone else in a leadership position. A couple tips: give feedback...

Ep. 93: Be Yourself But Better: Prepping For Press

21 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of doing press for their new show The Fix, and their recent Television Critics Association experience. Their advi...

Ep. 92: Ask Yourself: Does This Move The Needle?

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss how they pick their battles when they're running a TV show. Their two most important questions: Is this inevitable? Does this mo...

Ep. 91: Irons In The Fire

07 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss the pros and cons of having irons in the fire. Their advice? Have three to five GOOD irons in the fire at a time. Then they chec...

Ep. 90: Have A “Why”

31 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sparked by a listener question, Liz and Sarah discuss the difference between writing for TV versus movies. One reason they chose to work in television...

Ep. 89: Go Where The Fires Are With The Fix’s Michael Katleman

24 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah interview The Fix’s Executive Producer/Director Michael Katleman! He explains what it’s like to be an Executive Producer/Director fo...

Ep. 88: To Do List, Or Not To Do List

17 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are DONE with the first season of The Fix! They discuss how they’re managing their anxiety before the big premiere on March 18th. Some...

Ep. 87: From The Mailroom: A Listener Questions Episode

10 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah answer all your questions about the entertainment industry in this very special Mailroom episode! What are some qualities of a script th...

Ep. 86: Up Your Wardrobe Game!

03 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to the queen of Costume Design: The Fix’s Allyson Fanger! Allyson shares which actor was the most fun to dress, how to build a ch...

Ep. 85: New Year’s Resolutions!

27 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah announce The Fix’s Premiere date! Tune in Monday, March 18th at 10pm! Then Liz and Sarah discuss their New Year’s resolutions for 20...

Ep. 84: From Expand To Explode: Pick YOUR Theme For 2019

20 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What’s Liz and Sarah’s team theme for 2019? EXPLODE! They reflect on the ways in which they expanded in 2018 and discuss how they’ll explode in ...

Ep. 83: Lightning Bolts and Daisies: Embrace Your Personal Symbol

13 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sparked by a gift from The Fix actor, Merrin Dungey, Liz has finally discovered her personal symbol: a lightning bolt! Liz and Sarah discuss what pers...

Ep. 82: Put Yourself Out There (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)

06 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What’s one secret to success? Put yourself out there! Liz and Sarah share how they recently put themselves out there — by speaking at a Women in F...

Ep. 81: Holiday Giving Guide — Don’t Gift Up!

29 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Holidays are right around the corner! Liz and Sarah discuss holiday business gifts. From tassel key chains, to Sugarfina, to empowering socks, the...

Ep. 80: Power Down After Production!

22 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What do you do when you're facing verbal abuse in the workplace? Liz and Sarah answer this listener question and call their friend Nichelle Tramble wh...

Ep. 79: Gratitude Is Good For You

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible to break in to Hollywood after age 40? Liz and Sarah say it’s possible... but not easy. Note: Having undeniably great material is the...