Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Episodes
Panoply Fall 2017 Trailer
20 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We’re thrilled to present Panoply’s Fall 2017 lineup of shows. They include the satirical self-improvement show “Dexter Guff is Smarter Than You...
Little: Tell Me What You Want for Dinner
20 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, when we’re very specific about what we want, we help others to enjoy the pleasure of giving. To learn more about listener data and our p...
Ep. 143: Down with Boredom
15 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why you should say "down with boredom," try asking this extremely useful question, and an interview with Jancee Dunn about marriage. Get in touch: @gr...
Little: A Happiness Reminder from E. B. White’s Masterpiece “Charlotte’s Web”
13 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I love the opening passage from “Charlotte’s Web,” E. B. White’s masterpiece of children’s literature. It’s a great reminder that an ordin...
Side Hustle School: 13-Year-Old Australian Creates Schoolyard Lollipop Fortune
10 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Thanks to Chris Guillebeau for sharing this episode of Side Hustle School with the Happier feed. If you like it, please subscribe to Side Hustle...
Ep. 142: Schedule Some Daily Transcendence
08 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Schedule some daily transcendence, skip the bad parts, and a conversation with Lewis Howes. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gre...
Little: “I Always Loved a Snow Day”
06 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
When I told my friend Kim Scott that I was sorry that it looked like heavy snow was going to interfere with her book party for her book “Radical Can...
Ep. 141: Find Your Oasis
01 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why you should find an oasis, whether talking to a rebel child in in his or her own language is actually coddling, and how wisely to plan an exception...
Little: A Good Example is More Compelling than Good Advice
30 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A teaching story about Torah study from Wendy Mogel’s book “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee” is a terrific reminder that a good example is more c...
Ep. 140: It's More Important to Say Something Than the Right Thing
25 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this Very Special Episode, we hear from listeners on what they consider the best and worst things to say in different situations. Get in touch: @gr...
Little: Don’t Wait Until You’re Moving Out to Clean Your Apartment
23 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
During our senior year of college, a friend made a remark that I’ve always remembered: don’t wait until you’re moving out to clean your apartmen...
Ep. 139: Be Full of Desire But Easy To Please
18 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
How to be a good guest, what to do if you don't want to act as an accountability partner - and Elizabeth grills for the first time. Get in touch: @gre...
Little: Frequency Is More Important than Duration
16 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
When I was talking to my father about whether my family should make a very short trip to Kansas City, he made a very wise observation: frequency is mo...
Ep. 138: Always Leave Some Room in the Suitcase
11 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Always leave some room in the suitcase, the stress of giving a toast, and what to bring to the office if you don't want to be the evil donut-bringer. ...
Little: Too Early, Too Early, Too Early—Too Late, Too Late, Too Late
09 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It’s often easy to assume that now isn’t the right time—but the best time to do something is now. To learn more about listener data and our pri...
Ep. 137: Gretchen Visits Elizabeth on the Disney Lot
04 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It’s “Take Your Sister to Work Day!” Gretchen visits Elizabeth at her office in Burbank. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@...
Little: People Succeed in Groups
02 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My sister the sage Elizabeth told me that “People succeed in groups.” I think that’s objectively true, and in any event, it’s a helpful though...
Ep. 136: Don't Fall into "Empty"
27 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why it's helpful not to let yourself fall into "empty," how a smartphone can be a memory aid, and dealing with the common challenge of photo anxiety. ...
Little: Reading Memoirs Reminds Me to Cut People Slack
25 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I’ve read many memoirs written by people I know in real life. And it always reminds me of a very important truth: we should always cut people slack....
Ep. 135: Plan a Virtual Move, 2.0
20 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Plan a virtual move 2.0, the satisfaction of finding the perfect solution to even a small problem, and abrief conversation with writer Ann Brashares, ...
Little: “An Investor Is Wise Who Diversifies”—True in Many Situations
18 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Some rhyming advice I learned in law school turns out to apply in many situations in life. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practice...
Ep. 134: Write a "Ta-Da" List
13 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Write a ta-da list, use the app Podsearch to discover great new podcasts, and ask yourself "What is my level of ambition?" Get in touch: @gretchenrubi...
Little: It’s Right to Do the Right Thing
11 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It’s right to do the right thing, even when it doesn’t seem to make any difference. And we never can really know what the effect of our actions wi...
Ep. 133: Create a Spot for Things in Transition
06 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why it’s helpful to create a place for things in transition, how to create accountability if you’re introverted or shy—and do you have strong vi...
Little: B.J. Novak’s Reminder about the Importance of Gratitude.
04 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In the Acknowledgements of B.J. Novak’s excellent book “One More Thing,” he remembers to pay tribute to some friends from childhood. To learn m...
Ep. 132: Consider Children's Literature
30 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why you might consider reading children’s literature, how to reinvigorate your work space if you can’t make any changes, and the question of wheth...
Little: The Book “The Hobbit Boredom” Illustrates How Boredom Can Spark Creativity
28 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The dull task of grading papers inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write the first line of his masterpiece, “The Hobbit.” Boredom can lay the groundwork f...
Ep. 131: Do 10 Jumping Jacks
23 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Do ten jumping jacks, how to stop constantly checking your devices, and why lifeis like high school. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; po...
Little: Sometimes, It’s Better to Help than to Sympathize
21 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Instead of joining in the commiseration, my friend took action to help. Sometimes, it’s better to help than to sympathize. To learn more about list...
Ep. 130: 7 Myths of Happiness
16 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this Very Special Episode, we discuss the seven myths of happiness. Get in touch:@gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; [email protected]; happie...
Little: Don’t Sleep Through Beautiful Moments
14 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation happened 23 years ago, and lasted about five minutes, but I’ve regretted it ever since. To learn more about listener data and our...
Ep. 129: September is the Other January
09 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why we should remember that September is the other January, the fun of personalized post-it notes, and the challenge of what “they” think. Get in ...
Little: Why Andy Warhol Wanted to Have a Boss—on Retainer
07 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I agree wholeheartedly with Andy Warhol. Sometimes I wish I had a boss who could tell me what to do, so I wouldn’t have to figure it out myself. Agr...
Ep. 128: Connect With TV
02 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why it’s helpful to connect with TV, a way to give up the snooze alarm, and a discussion of whether you can be a mix of the Four Tendencies. Get in ...
Little: My Daughter’s Ex-Boyfriend’s Mother Found the Right Words to Say
31 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, it’s hard to put into words the exact nature of a loving relationship. “You’ll always have a place in my heart” says it all. To le...
Ep. 127: Make or Accept a “Repair Attempt"
26 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why we should make or accept a repair attempt, a Sharpie hack, and how introverted Obligers can create outer accountability. Get in touch: @gretchenru...
Little: Sometimes, You Feel Regret Either Way
24 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes in life, going down one path means abandoning another path. It’s natural to feel regret about the path not taken. To learn more about lis...
Ep. 126: Do You Struggle with Perfectionism?
19 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Look for an under-used area of your house, marking sad anniversaries in a happy way, and ways to deal with the challenge of perfectionism. Plus how to...
Little: A Lesson from Pre-School: You Get What You Get, and You Don’t Get Upset
17 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My daughter’s pre-school teachers used to tell the kids “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset,” and I’ve found this to be extremely...
Ep. 125: Plan a Virtual Move
12 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Plan a virtual move, a deep-dive into advice about sending a child off to college, a painless way to remove a splinter, and the summer fallacy. Get in...
Little: A Great School Motto: Go Forth Unafraid
10 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A school motto can stick with you for your whole life. My daughters’ school motto is to “Go Forth Unafraid,” which is a great motto for all of u...
Ep. 124: Remember Love
05 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Remember love, a new great way to use Ziploc bags, dealing with sad anniversaries -- and do people tell you what you "should be able" to do? Get in to...
Little: Don’t Check Every Box
03 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
One of my Secrets of Adulthood is “The opposite of a profound truth is also true.” A few weeks ago I talked about the advice, “Check every box...
Ep. 123: Shield Yourself from Worry
28 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why we should shield ourselves from worry, open items carefully, and how clothes can transform our attitudes and emotions. Plus tips for new dog owner...
Little: How to be Successful, Part 2
26 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My law school friend repeated the advice that she’d been given: Try to check every box. This advice came to me in an indirect way, but I’ve follow...
Ep. 122: Tackle a “Power Day”
21 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Tackle a “Power Day” as a way to finish onerous tasks, dealing with in-laws who undermine your healthy eating habits—and what’s your advice ab...
Little: How to Be Successful, Part 1
19 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I heard this advice about success indirectly (my law school friend repeated what her boyfriend had told her), but I’ve remembered it, and followed i...
Ep. 121: Do You Want to Read More?
14 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
How to get more reading done, an interview with Sam Walker about the qualities of the world’s best captains, and a car-related travel hack. Get in t...
Little: Flawed Can Be More Perfect Than Perfection
12 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This delightful story about a seven-tentacled octopus, from legendary children's author Ursula Nordstrom reminds me that sometimes flawed can be more ...
Ep. 120: VSE: Listener Questions About the Four Tendencies
07 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this Very Special Episode, we discuss listener questions related to the Four Tendencies (are you an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel? -- and...
Little: Sometimes, We Can Be Generous by Taking
05 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Eighteen years ago, on a plane to Kansas City, I had a brief encounter with a woman—and I’ve regretted my action (or rather, inaction) ever since....
Ep. 119: Make Friends With People of Different Ages
31 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why it boosts happiness to make friends with people of different ages, look behind you every time you leave, and the happiness stumbling block of pain...
Little: A Picture Book Has an Important Lesson for Grown-Ups
29 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In Russell Hoban’s brilliant picture book “A Bargain for Frances,” Frances observes, “Being careful is not as much fun as being friends. Do yo...
Ep. 118: Are You the Difficult One?
24 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Design your summer, start a podcast club, and ask yourself - are you the difficult one? Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretche...
Little: A Happiness Lesson from Judd Apatow
22 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We have to be very careful not to assume that we can predict how other people respond to our actions—especially to big, dramatic gestures. Get in to...
Ep. 1: Picking A New Work Mantra
18 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Happier in Hollywood is here! In this episode, veteran TV writers/producers/showrunners Liz Craft and Sarah Fain pick a new work mantra to get them th...
Ep. 117: Are You a Revealer or a Concealer?
17 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Write a haiku, look for help from YouTube videos, how introverted parents can manage an extroverted child, and are you a "revealer" or a "concealer"? ...
Little: Sometimes, the Best Solution Is to Do Nothing at All
15 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My mother’s advice about an irksome renovation problem reminded me of an important Secret of Adulthood: Sometimes, the best solution is to do nothin...
Ep. 116: Start a Side Hustle
10 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Start your own side hustle, avoid the happiness stumbling block of "raising the bar," and whether we should plan our encounters with friends. Get in t...
Little: It’s Time to Switch from Advisor to Cheerleader
08 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My father told me, “At some point you have to switch from being advisor to being a cheerleader.” And I realized I’d probably already reached tha...
Ep. 115: Boost Your Energy
03 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Boost your energy, why it can be helpful to listen to music in a foreign language, and a deep dive into the happiness stumbling block of loneliness. G...
Little: We Don’t Always Know When Children Are Wasting Their Time
01 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We may wish our children used their time more “productively,” but we don’t always know when time is wasted—or not. What looks like wasted time...
Ep. 114: Interview with Hollywood Legend Sherry Lansing
26 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why and how to say you're sorry, an interview with Sherry Lansing, a travel-related happiness hack, and Elizabeth conquers blepharitis. Get in touch: ...
Little: Skip the Boring Parts
24 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A note on a friend’s computer taught me a giant lesson about writing--and life: Down with boredom. Skip the boring parts! To learn more about liste...
Ep. 113: Reclaim Your Dump Zones
19 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why you should reclaim your dump zones, how to make a tough decision, and is your birthday important to you? Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethc...
Little: One of the Worst Ways to Waste Time
17 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most terrible wastes of time is to do something well that we need not do at all. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practic...
Ep. 112: Pick a Uniform
12 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Pick a uniform, time yourself doing a task, a deep dive into an irksome request from a boss - plus the benefit of sloth videos. Get in touch: @gretche...
Little: We Can Help Others to See Themselves Differently
10 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, with even just one comment, we can help other people to see themselves differently. To learn more about listener data and our privacy prac...
Ep. 111: Beware of Storing Stuff
05 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Beware of "storage," a hack about flipping a coin, and more on the constant challenge of email. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast...
Little: To Find Something, We Must Search in the Right Place
03 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I often think of this old joke in the context of habit change: If we want to find what we’re looking for, we have to search in the right place. To ...
Ep. 110: Are You Lonely?
29 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Very Special Episode: We talk about different types of loneliness, and what to do about it. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gre...
Little: If All Else Fails, We Can Try Minding Our Own Business
27 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
One of my favorite passages from “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” holds a terrific happiness reminder: we can always try minding our own bu...
Ep. 109: Pay Attention to the Light
22 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Pay attention to the light, a great idea for an April Fool's Day tradition, and a demerit for talking too much. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabe...
Little: Experience is a Great Teacher
20 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The great teacher is experience. A tough teacher, but a great teacher. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www...
Ep. 108: Turn Your Shower Into a "Happiness Booth"
15 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Turn your shower into a "happiness booth," the self-knowledge question inspired by the movie "Before Sunrise," and the challenge of saying "no" to you...
Little: It’s Nice to Get a Gold Star
13 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Even if it’s not necessary, it’s sweet when our efforts are appreciated. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https...
Ep. 107: Talking to Susan Cain About Introverts
08 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Plan a secret date, a fascinating conversation with Susan Cain, author of "Quiet," and how to discover and listen to more podcasts. Get in touch: @gre...
Little: Never Have a Crush on Just One Person
06 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In romance and in work, it’s helpful to have more than one thing going at a time. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit...
Ep. 106: Our Second Anniversary! Year Two Highlights
01 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Our favorite Try-This-At-Home tips, some great before-and-after stories, and our favorite moments from the past year. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @e...
Little: Good Luck, Bad Luck—How Do You Know?
27 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
One of my mother’s favorite teaching stories is a reminder that we can never know what’s good news, or bad news. To learn more about listener dat...
Ep. 105: Leave on a High Note
22 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why we should try to end on a high note, child-like wonder vs. adult-like wonder, and a confession of unjust accusation. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin;...
Little: A Happiness Lesson from the Broadway Show “Oklahoma!”
20 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It’s one of the great dreams of the United States: “I don’t say I’m no better than anybody else, but I’ll be danged if I ain’t jist as goo...
Ep. 104: Happiness Stumbling Block: The News
15 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why it's fun to have a life-story conversation, how to handle the emotional toll of the news, and a gold star for the New York City subway system. Get...
Little: “Yes” Comes Right Away; “No” Never Comes
13 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My sister the sage made one of her wise observations--which she learned the hard way, in Hollywood. To learn more about listener data and our privacy...
Ep, 103: Pick Your Moment
08 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Pick the right moment to have a tough conversation, how to be happier during a tough time, and a deep dive into the Instagram #Happier2017 project. Ge...
Little: We Must Carry the Wealth of the Indies with Us
06 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We can’t find more happiness, more adventure, more richness to an experience that we bring to it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy...
Ep. 102: Tame the Travel Beast
01 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why finding the missing puzzle piece can boost happiness, taming the "travel beast," and how personalized mugs can help solve the problem of the messy...
Little: No Deposit, No Return
30 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
There are few iron laws of the universe, but one such law seems to be: No deposit, no return. We never get out of things more than we put into them. ...
Ep. 101: Are You an Integrator or a Compartmentalizer?
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Do something for your future self, think about whether you’re an “integrator” or “compartmentalizer,” and how flying wish paper can soothe h...
Little: She Opened Up Heart So the Whale Could Swim Away
23 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A passage from Ruth Ozeki’s novel “A Tale for the Time Being” provides a beautiful image of letting go of sorrow. To learn more about listener ...
Special Episode 100: Ask Us Anything
18 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate our 100th consecutive episode, we did a Very VERY Special Episode, where we answered questions from listeners. Get in touch: @gretchenrub...
Little: My Inconvenience May Be Someone’s Miracle
16 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My friend told me the story of her personal miracle: the time her local subway ran express all the way downtown. To learn more about listener data an...
Ep. 99: Take Personality Quizzes
11 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Get self-insight by taking personality quizzes, a hack for better emails, and how to address book club conflicts. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @eliza...
Little: I Need “A Heart to Be Contented”
09 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In 1662, Samuel Pepys made a diary entry that reminds me that to be happy, I have to keep a contented heart. To learn more about listener data and ou...
Ep. 98: Interview: The Case Against Sugar // Have a Quest
04 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why it boosts happiness to have a quest, an interview with Gary Taubes about the case against sugar, and impassioned praise for a Uniqlo vest. Get in ...
Little: Announcing “The Onward Project” Podcasts
02 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Announcement! I’m launching The Onward Project, a family of podcasts all about how to make your life happier, healthier, more productive, and more c...
Welcome to Side Hustle School
02 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this first episode, you'll learn what side hustles are all about and what you can expect from this daily series. Side Hustle School features a new ...
Ep. 97: Start Your Own Happiness Project
28 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
How to start your own happiness project, a deep dive into the subject of break-ups, and a sweatpants-related demerit. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @e...
Little: What Would an Englishman Do?
26 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Reading Harold Nicolson’s reflection that an “Englishman would not like to take snapshots of a fine vessel sinking” reminds me to ask myself: Ho...
Ep. 96: Set Your Holiday Intention
21 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Set your holiday intention, tackle the problem of shared work, identify some inexpensive gifts—and how to make a graham-cracker holiday house. Get i...