Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Ep. 461: Revealed: Our Annual Challenge for 2024! Plus We Review 2023’s Challenge of #GoOutside23in23

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As part of the Happier Trifecta, we give ourselves and listeners an annualchallenge. We reflect on last year’s challenge of “Go outside 23 in ’2...

Little Happier: Should Money Be Used to Buy Fresh Flowers for a Museum?

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should Money Be Used to Buy Fresh Flowers for a Museum?By posing an interesting question—such as “Should money be spent on flowers?”—we can le...

Ep. 460: Very Special Episode! With Listeners, We Share Our Best Resolutions and Tips for Keeping Them

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Listeners—and we--share the most effective and transformative resolutions we’ve made, as well as our suggestions for keeping them. We also talk ab...

Little Happier: The Subway Kiosk Asks a Deep Question: Add Value or Add Time?

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every time I refill my MTA Metro card, I’m reminded to ask myself a crucial question. Do I want to spend time or money?Get in touch: podcast@gretche...

More Happier: Memories and Reflections on Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

09 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of the death of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Gretchen tells behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflections from her clerk...

Ep. 459: We Review Our “23 in 23 Lists” to See What We Accomplished—and What We Didn’t

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Each year, we make a list of things we want to get done in the next twelvemonths. We review our “23 for 23” lists and report on what we accomplish...

Little Happier: A Story That Moved Me as a Child, and Moves Me Still as an Adult

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a child, I was deeply moved by this story of a child’s wish to do a good deed, and how she fulfilled that wish, despite making many mistakes. As ...

Bonus: A Conversation from The Happiness Project: Revisited

02 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Next year marks the fifteenth anniversary of Gretchen Rubin’s #1 New York Times bestselling book, The Happiness Project. To celebrate, she’s ...

Ep. 458: We Review Our One-Word Themes for 2023 and Reveal Our 2024 New One-Word Themes

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We review the one-word themes we chose for 2023—“Scale” and “Wave”--anddiscuss how and why those themes influenced the last twelve months. W...

Little Happier: The Only Thing Worse Than Getting Corrected Is Not Getting Corrected

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s not pleasant to be criticized, but I remind myself, “The only thing worse that getting criticized is not getting criticized.” Criticism sho...

More Happier: Deck the Halls! A “Clear the Decks” Episode of Quick Tasks to Get Us Ready for the Holidays

25 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Because listeners asked for another “Clear the Decks” episode--where we suggest a list of manageable, one-minute-ish tasks to do while listening-...

Ep. 457: Look for Pockets of Wasted Time, a Hack to Soothe Anxiety, and Are You a Baker or Cook?

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss how and why we might look for pockets of wasted time (and talkabout some wasted time we uncovered ourselves.) We also suggest an easy stept...

Little Happier : Who Is the Sponsor, Who Is Being Sponsored? They Can Take Turns

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the Alcoholics Anonymous program, two people decided to take turns every day, acting as the sponsor or the one being sponsored. In helping, we are ...

Ep. 456: Consider Our Holiday Gift Guide and Learn Someone’s Gift- Getting Type (and Your Own)

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we do every year, we share a list of suggestions for great holiday gifts. We alsodiscuss a way to figure out what kinds of gifts someone else would...

Little Happier: A Mistake I’ve Made Before and Which I Made Again

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve made this mistake before, and I just made it again: During a crunch time, I decided, “With the publication of ‘Life in Five Senses,’ I ca...

More Happier: Lucky Calendar Dates, the “Wrong-Shoe Theory,” and How to Have a Christmas-Movie Month

11 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about lucky dates (such as 11/11), the “wrong-shoe theory” approach to getting dressed, and a listener’s entertaining plan to celebrate ...

Ep. 455: Elizabeth Talks About Her Experience with Diabetes

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, Elizabeth talks about living withtype 1 diabetes: her diagnosis, how she manages day-to-day, pregnancy,...

Little Happier: At Last, Someone Appreciates My Dimmers

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I laughed when I saw that someone appreciates a good dimmer system as much as I do.Get in touch: [email protected] on social media:@Gret...

Ep. 454: Find the Perfect Gift, Look Behind You, and Listeners’ Ideas for Coping with Someone’s Last Days

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about the new gift-giving quiz that divides people into four categoriesdepending on the kinds of gifts they prefer to receive: Tried-and-True,...

Little Happier: Have You Ever Been Annoyed by “The Dog in the Manger?”

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The old story about “The Dog in the Manger” is a reminder that if there’s something we can’t enjoy or make us of, we should back away and let ...

More Happier: Pumpkin Spice Latte, Group Texts, and How a Hollywood Pitch Sells in the First Minute

28 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about our response for trying—for the first time!—the famous flavor of pumpkin spice latte. We also discuss the secret of a making a convi...

Ep. 453: “Halloween Is the New Christmas,” the Ghost-Painting Challenge, and Fall Asleep to Podcasts

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about how and why the creative challenge of coming up with “___ is thenew ___” observations sparks happiness. We also talk about enjoying ...

Little Happier: Three Passers-by Stop to Comfort a Stranger, and Instead Share a Moment of Joy

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In South Carolina, three thoughtful passers-by stopped to comfort a weeping stranger—and had the opportunity to share a joyful moment with author He...

Ep. 452: Tackle Hard Social Situations, Do Questioners Ever Rebel, and Is Your Birthday Important?

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We suggest several practical solutions to common, but challenging, socialsituations. We also address a listener’s question, “Do Questioners ever e...

Little Happier: Why Did Charles Darwin Write “I Think” on One of the Most Significant Notebook Pages?

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At the top of one of the most significant pages of his notebooks, Charles Darwin wrote “I think.” There are three good reasons to explain why he m...

More Happier: Great Accountability for Obligers, the Important vs. the Urgent, and How to Spark Creativity

14 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about how Elizabeth’s novel-writing is going, now that the Hollywood writers’ strike is over. Inspired by a recent wedding, we discuss the...

Ep. 451: Visually Represent Your Challenge, Ideas for Improving Routines, and Elizabeth Reveals the Great Shoe Brand

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why making a visual representation of a challenge can help usmake tough decisions. We also share listeners’ suggestions about improvem...

Little Happier: The Helper Gets More Help Than the Helped

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My daughter’s experience helping with little kids at school illustrates the same principle as the sponsorship program in A.A.: by giving support, we...

Ep. 450: Very Special Episode: Hacks for Performance (Stage Fright, Preparation, Mistakes, and More)

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Very Special Episode, we discuss ideas, hacks, and habits related to the challengeof performance. We all have to perform—give a wedding toas...

Little Happier: A Mystery: How Possessions Change When Their Owner Dies

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After people die, their possessions often seem transformed, because they’re no longer animated by the animating force of their owner. It’s startli...

More Happier: Our Favorite Easy Way to Make Ourselves Happier, Healthier, Smarter, and More Productive

30 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of International Podcast Day, we talk about all the ways that listening to podcasts boosts our happiness—by making it easier and more fun t...

Ep. 449: Make a Mindful Investment in Yourself, a Hack for Falling Asleep, and Fun with Pop-Tarts

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why making a mindful investment in ourselves is a good way to spendour time, energy, and money. We also suggest a hack for falling asleep m...

Little Happier: What’s the Real Lesson from the Tortoise and the Hare? It’s Not What You Think

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The familiar fable of “The Tortoise and the Hare” offers many possible lessons, and the most common moral—“Slow and steady wins the race”--a...

Ep. 448: Start Your 100 Day Countdown, Try the Library, and a Deep Dive into Issues for Rebels and School: ADHD & College

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are 100 days left until the end of the year, so if something needs to getdone, start the countdown! We also read a listener’s suggestion for a...

Little Happier: Do You Like the Idea of a “Happiness Project”—or Does It Remind You of Homework?

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our attitude toward a habit or an activity can be dramatically changed by the words we use to describe it. I love the idea of a “happiness project,”...

More Happier: A Case of Obliger-Rebellion, Advice About Waking Up a Child, and Do Spoilers Spoil Stories?

16 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Case of Obliger-Rebellion, Advice About Waking Up a Child, and Do Spoilers Spoil Stories?We talk about Elizabeth’s rare episode of Obliger-rebelli...

Ep. 447: Give a Meaningful Compliment, Protect Your Privacy, and What’s the Least-You Thing You Do?

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why we should pay someone a meaningful complement, and weshare many wonderful, moving compliments received by listeners. We alsohighligh...

Little Happier: Opportunity Cost and Abstainers: A New Term Can Help Us See the World in a New Way

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New terms allow us to understand the world in a deeper way. Opportunity cost, abstainers vs. moderators, finishers vs. openers—sometimes, having the...

Ep. 446: Re-Think Our Daily Routine, Recognize the Warning Signs of Obliger-Rebellion, and a Back-to-School Demerit

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why it’s a good idea to re-examine our personal, work, and familyroutines to look for opportunities to improve. We also discuss how Ob...

Little Happier: As an Upholder, I Needed an Obliger Friend to Tell Me the Right Thing to Do

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

During the covid period, my daughter Eliza returned to live on campus for her final semester of college. She was told to pack lightly, and as an Uphol...

More Happier: The Anniversary of a Favorite Book, a Lesson in Standing Up, and the Joy of Clearing Clutter

02 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about the eleventh anniversary of “Happier at Home,” which is Elizabeth’s favorite book written by Gretchen. We also discuss a lesson in...

Ep. 445: Have a Happier Labor Day, Nominate Someone, and Manage the Line Between Work and Leisure

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We reflect on two questions that can help us make our work lives happier, moreproductive, and more creative. We also talk about why it’s a good idea...

Little Happier: When Do We Say “I’m Finished” and When Do We Say “I Can Still Make It Better?”

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A story from the life of writer Shirley Hazzard illustrates the conundrum: When do we think, “It can still be better,” and when do we decide, “I...

Ep. 444: Benefit from Tools You Already Use, a Gift Idea, and Traditions for the Other “New Year”

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why and how we might try to get more benefit from a tool wealready use, and share an idea for a gift that’ very valuable to the recipi...

Little Happier: A Story About a Man Who Couldn’t Resist Tempting Food—Until He Could

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I never forgot a story I read about a man and his eating habits, and how it illustrated an essential lesson: What we think is not possible may be poss...

More Happier: A Surprising Benefit of Daily Visits to the Met, a Funny Sign from the Hollywood Picket Line, and a Same-Day Book

19 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about how making daily visits to the Metropolitan Museum have had unintended consequences. We also discuss a funny sign from the Hollywood pi...

Ep. 443: Clear the Decks! We Try Something New to Get Ready for September, the Other New Year

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re trying something new for this episode: a fun “Clear the Decks” exercise.This time, e’re using it to help prepare to return to the usual ...

Little Happier: Have You Ever Walked Along a Desire Path?

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we go through our days, we can look for “desire paths”—the natural paths that emerge as we try to find the quickest and easiest way to get wh...

Ep. 442: Take Over a Disliked Task, Check Your Passport, and When Not to Do Something for the First Time

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why we might take over a task that someone else particularlydislikes. We also mention that it’s a good idea to check passport expirati...

Little Happier: You’re a Jerk, and I’m a Responsible Parent

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Listening to the “Office Ladies” podcast reminds me of the psychological phenomenon of the fundamental attribution error. Both of which are good r...

More Happier: How to Create Connections (Or, Butter People Up), Great TV, and Fun with the Five Senses

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about research into how people successfully flatter others, and how those insights can help us to build strong connections in our own relation...

Ep. 441: Escape Your Taste, an Easy Way to Remember Hard Names, and New Metaphors for “Empty Nest”

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about how we can boost our happiness by escaping from our own taste.We also suggest an easy way to make it easier to remember challenging name...

Little Happier: I’m Going to Take This Thing Home, Because Otherwise Someone Else Might Steal It

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Idaho ghost towns have a problem with vandalism, because people think, “I’ll take this home so someone else doesn't steal it." I felt the same imp...

Ep. 440: Very Special Episode: We Talk About Regret—Our Own Regrets and Listeners’ Regrets

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Very Special Episode, we explore the subject of regret. We talk about themost common categories of regrets and why reflecting on regret can he...

Little Happier: Would You Pay $500,000 for a Steve Jobs Paradox?

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An amusing paradox arose in real life: Steve Jobs put his autograph on a letter to tell someone that he didn’t sign autographs. Sometimes, in the pr...

More Happier: The Silver Lining of Summer Camp, a Happiness Bully for Writing, and Not Getting Choked Up

22 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about the silver lining of having a child away at summer camp. We also discuss how a happiness bully might “encourage” someone to work on ...

Ep. 439: Suggest the Default Option, Skip a Year of an Activity You Enjoy, and More Everyday Luxuries

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about how we can make planning easier by suggesting the default optionof time and place when coordinating with other people. We also discuss t...

Little Happier: Something Brilliant Came Out of My Mouth—Something I Didn’t Know I Knew

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Looking at a ‘zine made by some friends decades ago made me realize an important truth—a truth I didn’t know that I knew.Get in touch: podcast@g...

“Bonus: Commencement Address Given by Gretchen Rubin: Five Essential Paradoxes for a Happy Life”

15 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, listen to the commencement address I gave at my daughter’s Eleanor’s high-school graduation. To help the new graduates make...

Ep. 438: Act Like a Teenager, Pick Up Your Food in Person, and “Ask Us Anything” About Writing

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about how we can boost our happiness by acting like teenagers (the good aspects of being a teenager). We also share a suggestion from a l...

Little Happier: Journalist Connie Chung Influenced a Generation—Without Realizing It

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the New York Times, Connie Wang wrote about why so many families had named their daughters “Connie”: In the journalist Connie Chung, they saw ...

More Happier: More Strength and Stamina, a New Metaphor for “Empty Nest,” and an Easy Way to Keep a Journal

08 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why and how we’re redoubling our efforts to work on our strength and stamina. We also try to figure out a better metaphor for the “e...

Ep. 437: To Make a Good Connection, Talk More; Learn the Lesson of the Enron Corpus; and a Collection of Positive Trends

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about the fact that despite the widespread “reticence bias,” research suggests that we appear more likeable and interesting to a strang...

Little Happier: The IKEA Effect, or How We Value Things According to What They Cost Us

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As IKEA, instant cake mixes, and meal-kit delivery services demonstrate, we often value things according to how much they cost us—whether that’s i...

Ep. 436: We Use Halfway Day to Report on How We’re Doing on Our Aims for 2023: the “Happier Trifecta”

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We use Halfway Day as a catalyst to reflect on how we’re doing with our aims for2023. Each year, we choose a one-word theme, make a list of “23 in...

Little Happier: It Might Be Boring to Read About the “Land of Happy,” But It’s Probably a Nice Place to Live

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

People sometimes assume that happiness is boring—but as philosopher Simone Weil points out, while that may be true in literature, it’s not true in...

More Happier: Two Pleasures of Summer, Breaking in My Feet (Not My Shoes), and Benefits of Going “On Pause”

24 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We each explain a reason why summer is making us happier, why it’s important to break in our feet as well as our shoes, and why going “on pause”...

Ep. 435: Start a New Habit on Vacation, Cultivate Everyday Luxuries, and Memorize Street Names

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why it’s helpful to start a new habit while on vacation, and why takinga few minutes to memorize key street names can make life easier fo...

Little Happier: Where Is Timbuktu?

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A man in Timbuktu laughed when he heard that that people think of the place as being very far away.Get in touch: [email protected] on so...

Ep. 434: Ways to Understand a Child Better, a Hack for Showing Love, & Eleanor Gives High-School Advice

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss ways to use the “Four Tendencies” personality profiles to communicate more effectively to the children in your life, whether as a paren...

Little Happier: Why Would a Sailor Decide Never to Learn to Swim?

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A yachtsman refused to learn to swim, so that if ever found himself in the water, he’d cling to the wreckage—why? Get in touch: podcast@gretchenr...

More Happier: The Happiness of Grabbing a Dishtowel, a Clutter-Clearing Triumph, and Getting Quality Screen Time

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why having a dishtowel at the right moment brought me an irrational boost in happiness. We also discuss a suggestion for enjoying some q...

Ep. 433: A Surprising Way to Lift Your Mood, How to Decide Where to Move & Ideas for a Rebel Father

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss a counter-intuitive and creative way to boost our spirits, and talkabout a terrific hack for people who need to decide where to move. Also,...

Little Happier: A Jammed Zipper Teaches an Important Happiness Lesson I learned a very useful lesson from a very ordinary situation.

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If I’m complaining about a problem and asking other people to help me solve it, I should ask myself: Have I, myself, actually taken the time and ene...

Ep. 432: Happier Podcast Book Club: Surprise! We Talk About How “Life in Five Senses” Makes Us Happier

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happier Podcast Book Club: We have a conversation about “Life in Five Senses”—abandoned titles, mostsurprising lessons, material that was cut ou...

Little Happier: An Important Lesson from a Famous Illusionist and a Fake Gorilla

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The famous “Monkey Business Illusion” video and the memoir of magician Darren Brown point to a similar conclusion: When we pay too much attention ...

More Happier: A Great Icebreaker Question, a Startling Realization About Where We Live, and How to Know When Work Is an Escape

27 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about a fun, thought-provoking question to pose when we’re trying to make conversation, we discuss an astonishing fact about where we each l...

Ep. 431: Design Your Summer, an Easy Hack to Have More Fun with Food, and a Talk on the Joy of Dressing

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we do each year, we consider how we plan to design our summer. We alsodiscuss a hack from a food-scientist listener about an easy way to have more ...

Little Happier: Which of the Five Senses Do People Most Often Neglect? The Answer Is Surprising.

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tens of thousands of people have now taken the “What’s Your Neglected Sense?” quiz. The results are unexpected.Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrub...

Ep. 430: Very Special Episode: Hacks, Hacks, and More Hacks for Making Entertaining Easier and More Fun

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this Very Special Episode, we discuss dozens of hacks for entertaining,suggested by listeners and ourselves. We have suggestions and tips for maki...

Little Happier: Two Staircases in the Metropolitan Museum Illustrate a Profound Truth

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

During my daily visits to the Metropolitan Museum, I noticed something about staircases that underscored a truth I already knew: the same experience c...

More Happier: Elizabeth Talks About Being on Strike as a TV Writer and Reveals Her New Philosophy of Life

13 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Elizabeth talks about the experience of being on strike as a Hollywood TV writer (and, relatedly, working on her new novel), and she also reveals her ...

Ep. 429: Try the Strategy of Unpairing, an Easy Travel/Exercise Hack, and When to Push Out of a Comfort Zone

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why and how we should try the Strategy of Unpairing when trying to change a habit. We also discuss an easy way to get more exercise whil...

Little Happier: “What Famous Person Was Born on My Birthday?” “You Were.”

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor made me realize: it must be very odd to be a historic figure.Get in touch: podcast@gre...

Bonus! Hear an Excerpt from Gretchen Rubin’s New Book “Life in Five Senses.”

06 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a thank-you to “Happier with Gretchen Rubin” listeners, this bonus episode features an excerpt from the audiobook of Gretchen Rubin’s new boo...

Ep. 428: Be a Source of Opportunity, Find Good Books to Read, and How to Cope with Difficult Family Dogs

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about how and why we should try to be a source of opportunity forothers. We also discuss listeners’ suggestions for how to deal with familym...

Little Happier: Am I Looking for My Wallet Where the Light Is Good, or Where I Dropped It?

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An old joke illustrates an important truth: When we’re searching for a solution, it’s often tempting to look where we can see more clearly, rather...

More Happier: Hiking and Clutter-Clearing in L.A., a Secret of Great TV, and Personal Upgrades.

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

During our recent time together in Los Angeles, we did many things that made us happy: hike, clear Elizabeth’s office, and drink lots of coffee. We ...

Ep. 427: Do the Thing You’re Encouraging Someone Else to Do, a Networking Hack, and Finisher vs. Opener

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why, when we’re encouraging someone else to do something, we should consider doing it ourselves. We also discuss a hack to make networ...

Little Happier: Queen Elizabeth II and Her Corgis Show That We Can Interpret the Same Situation in Different Ways

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A story about Queen Elizabeth II and her offer to feed her corgis illustrates how the same situation can be interpreted in different ways.Get in touch...

Ep. 426: Tackle a Project by Considering the Five Senses, Enjoy More Luxury, and Hold Better Meetings

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why it’s useful to consider the five senses as we’re tackling a project or challenge—it’s a way to boost creativity and unlock i...

Little Happier: A Place from Childhood Haunts Stephen King’s Imagination

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In his terrific book On Writing, Stephen King recounts how a certain place from his childhood recurs repeatedly in his fiction, under different names...

More Happier: How to Manage the Stress of Having a Book About to Hit the Shelves: Personal Mantras & Hacks

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Because the book “Life in Five Senses” is just a few days away from being published, we talk about ways to deal with the anxiety of putting a big ...

Ep: 425: Use Touch When Talk Is Tough, Close Your Eyes in a Dressing Room, and Answers for Questioners

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why it’s helpful to touch someone during a tough conversation (ifappropriate, of course). We mention why closing your eyes in a store dre...

Little Happier: How Teachers Changed the Lives of Steve Carrell and Adrienne Kennedy

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For actor Steve Carrell (Michael from “The Office) and playwright Adrienne Kennedy, the influence of a childhood teacher shaped their lives.Get in t...

Ep. 424: "Taste It by 25," Ways to Make Networking Easier, and Why 4/10 Is a Day to Consider Your Tendency

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why it’s a good idea to taste a new food, or listen to a new kind ofmusic, before the age of 25. We also discuss why the date of April...

Little Happier: Why Did a Neighbor Object to a Brownstone’s Bright Yellow Door?

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A neighbor asked, “Why would you paint your door such an ugly color?” as if everyone would agree that a particular color was objectively ugly. It ...

More Happier: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes Makes Us Happier, Good Tools Make Spring Cleaning Fun—Plus, Quiz

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback from our hometown football team, is making us happier with his initiative to encourage childre...

Ep. 423: Indulge in a Nostalgia Smell, Try One of These April Fool’s Day Pranks, and an Easy Way to Stop Snacking

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about why you might indulge in a “nostalgia smell,” share listeners’suggestions for simple, fun April Fool’s Day pranks, and discuss a...

Little Happier: The Same People Are Always Late, and the Same People Are Always on Time

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My weight-training instructor observed, “The same people are always late, and others are always on time.” Even though they’re experiencing the s...