Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Ep. 280: Very Special Episode: We Discuss Questions from Listeners about the Four Tendencies Personality Framework, and a Spotlight on Samantha Irby

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For this Very Special Episode, Elizabeth and I discuss listener questions related to my “Four Tendencies” Personality Framework of Upholders, Ques...

Little Happier: Someone’s Casual Comment Can Show Us an Entirely New Path for Ourselves.

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Acclaimed writer Nnedi Okorafor describes how a friend’s casual comment redirected her life. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; [email protected]...

Ep. 279: Halfway Through 2020: Check In with Your #20for2020 list and #Walk20in20—and a Spotlight on “Just Mercy.”

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The year 2020 is halfway over, so we check in with our “20 for 2020” lists and our “Walk 20 minutes in 2020” projects, and we talk about Bryan...

Little Happier: Illustrator Quentin Blake’s Use of Negative Space Is a Reminder of Its Possibilities.

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Illustrator Quentin Blake drew on the walls of a gallery exhibit—a great reminder that we shouldn’t overlook the possibilities of negative space.G...

Ep. 278: Why We Should Do Something, and a Conversation with Sofy Solomon about Lessons from Safer-at-Home in a Childhood Bedroom--and How to Make Systems More Just.

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why we should do something, a hack for measurement, and a conversation with Sofy Solomon about what we can learn about ourselves from spending time in...

Little Happier: We Really Don’t Have That Kind of Time.

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this era of the coronavirus, I find myself thinking often about a passage from Anne Lamott’s book “Bird By Bird”—and reminding myself, “I...

Ep. 277: Schedule an “Empower Hour,” a Know-Yourself-Better Question about Confiding Secrets, and a Spotlight on Writer Nnedi Okorafor

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why you might schedule a weekly “empower hour,” how a dollar bill can come in handy, a spotlight on the writings of Nnedi Okorafor, and a revealin...

Little Happier: I Remind Myself: It’s Not a Bug, It’s a Feature.

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A proverb from computer programmers can help us remember that sometimes, our limitations and weaknesses can also serve as our strengths.Get in touch: ...

Ep. 276: Design Your Summer, Solutions to Create Sibling Harmony, and How Cornstarch Can Enliven a Boring Afternoon

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why you might design your summer, how you can use cornstarch for a fun, science-based activity, and review listeners’ solutions for creat...

Little Happier: Have You Ever Been So Impatient to Get to the End That You Couldn’t Start?

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, we’re so eager for to reach the end that we can’t bear to start. It’s an irrational but real response.Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @...

Ep. 275: Choose a Magic Number, How an Ironing Board Can Make Working from Home Easier, and a Pandemic-Time Question to Ask Yourself

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why you might want to choose a magic number, how an ironing board can help you work more comfortably from home, and explore a know-yourself...

Little Happier: Can You Call Spirits from the Vasty Deep? Sure, No Problem.

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A line from Shakespeare’s Henry IV summarizes a point that’s worth remembering: it’s not hard to put our words out into the world, it’s anothe...

Ep. 274: Change Your Life When You’re Changing Your Life, Hacks for Sibling Harmony, and a Deep Dive into COVID-19 Mantras.

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why it’s often easier to change our lives when we’re changing our lives, we take a deep dive into COVID-19 mantras, and we discuss hack...

Little Happier: This Nightly Ritual Gives Me the “New York City Feeling” During the Pandemic.

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I get my “America Feeling”— more specifically, my “New York City feeling”--every night at 7 p.m., when we all cheer and clap for the people ...

Ep. 273: Get Grounded in Your Body Through Your Senses, an Idea for a Quick, Inexpensive Gift, and a Conversation about Tough Times with Kate Bowler

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss how we can feel calmer by getting grounded in our body, through our senses; we discuss a gift that’s easy, inexpensive, and thoughtful, a...

Little Happier: My COVID-19 Song: “New York City, Lexington Avenue, Rush Hour.”

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As I stood in the middle of the unnaturally deserted Lexington Avenue at rush hour, I felt, “This is the moment when I should begin to sing.”Get i...

Ep. 272: Make a “Power Hour After” list, a Conversation about Parenting with Dr. Elizabeth Schwarz, and Elizabeth Talks about No Alcohol April.

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about you might make a “Power Hour After list,” Dr. Elizabeth Schwarz joins us to talk about how to deal with common parenting challenges,...

Little Happier: What’s the Best Time to Plant a Tree?

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A famous proverb illustrates why now is the best time to start anything—because it’s the only time we can start anything.We have been nominated fo...

Ep. 271: Make Lists to Make Memories, an Easy Way to Make Zoom Meetings More Fun, and a Discussion about Meditation with Dan Harris of 10% Happier.

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why you might make lists to make memories, we talk about a fun, easy way to enliven Zoom meetings, and Dan Harris of 10% Happier explains h...

Little Happier: “I Love You as Much as the Salt in My Soup.”

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—...

Ep. 270: Very Special Episode with Advice for Graduates

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We asked listeners for advice for graduates: What’s the best advice you ever got? What advice do you give to others--or that you wish you could give...

Little Happier: Michael Jordan Had a “Love of the Game” Clause

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—...

Ep. 269: Choose a COVID-19 Mantra, a Fun Way to Celebrate These Difficult Days, and Casey Schwartz Talks about “Attention.”

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why you might pick a mantra for the COVID-19 situation, propose a fun way to celebrate while safe at home, and talk to Casey Schwartz about...

Little Happier: A Loud Noise Woke Me Up from a Sound Sleep in a Mississippi Hotel—and Made Me Very Happy.

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—...

Ep. 268: Limit Yourself to One Option, a Self-Care Solution, and Chris Guillebeau Talks about “The Money Tree” and Creating the Work Life We Want

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: These episodes were recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it’s jarring to hear us ignore it—...

Little Happier: How Do You Write a Letter of Recommendation for Someone You Can’t Honestly Recommend?

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—...

Ep. 267: Write a Letter of Congratulations to Your Future-Self, Solutions to School Spirit T-Shirt Overload, and Why I Should Check My Calendar

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: These episodes were recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it’s jarring to hear us ignore it—...

Little Happier: An Episode from the Life of Dr. Johnson Reminds Me to Do a Better Job of Staying Calm.

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—...

Ep. 266: Beware the Myths of Spring Cleaning, Rusty O’Kelley Explains How to Ace a Job Interview, and a Reminder about REAL ID .

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: These episodes were recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it’s jarring to hear us ignore it—...

Little Happier: A Dog’s Pleasure Can Remind Us All of the Joy of the Snow.

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—...

Ep. 265: Give a Sensorium Gift, a Deep Dive into Suggestions to #Walk20in20, and a Conversation Hack

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NOTE: These episodes were recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it’s jarring to hear us ignore it—...

Little Happier: The Joy of Listening to Music—Even for Someone Like Me.

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I’m thrilled that the copyright laws mean that now I’m able to play this beautiful song—George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”—for listene...

Bonus: Coping During COVID-19: How to Stay Happier and Calmer in Difficult Times

15 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this time of COVID-19, we’re all feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and uncertainty. To stay calmer and happier, we discuss why you might keep some...

Ep. 264: Keep a Stress Diary, Stop Rinsing Dirty Dishes, and Jordan Harbinger Explains How to Network Better

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why you might keep a stress diary, why you can stop rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, and podcaster Jordan Harbinger explains how ...

Little Happier: Why We Should Be Polite to the Person Sitting Next to Us on the Airplane.

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A story about Dick Bass and Neil Armstrong was a great illustration of an aphorism I wrote recently: Modestly and good manners can save us from a lot ...

Ep. 263: What’s Your “Guiding Question,” a Twist on “20 for 20,” and Bestselling Author Dan Heath Talks about a Better Way to Solve Problems.

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ask yourself, “What’s my guiding question?” an interesting twist on a “20 for 20” list, and we talk to bestselling author about his new book...

Little Happier: “I Remember Feeling the Warm Relief of Knowing What My Future Was.”

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This story from the life of the brilliant ad executive Mary Wells Lawrence is a great example of the fact that to discover the work that’s right for...

BONUS Episode: To Celebrate Our Fifth Anniversary, A Blast from the Past! Listen to Our Very First Episode.

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the “Happier” podcast, we’re presenting our very first episode, along with some commentary from us about e...

Ep. 262: Fifth Anniversary Extravaganza! Our Favorite Moments from the Past Five Years

26 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

To celebrate Happier’s fifth anniversary, we look back on some of our favorite try-this-at-homes, big milestones, and funniest moments. Get in touc...

Little Happier: How Did This Stockbroker Make So Many Accurate Predictions?

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Learning about a clever and successful financial scam reminded me of how hard it is to know what I don’t know.Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabe...

Ep. 261: Improve Your Posture, a New Way to Celebrate Birthdays, and Tackling T-Shirt Troubles

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I explain the back exercises we do to improve posture, a listener suggests a great way for an introvert to celebrate a milestone birthday, and we disc...

Little Happier: What’s Inconvenient for You Might Be Convenient for Me

17 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A friend’s remark reminded me that even when we’re coming together, we’re all coming from different places.Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast...

Ep. 260: In Honor of Valentine’s Day, Listeners Give Their Best Relationship Advice

12 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For our Very Special Episode, we asked listeners for their best advice about strengthening relationships, and we talked to Lori Gottlieb, author of th...

Little Happier: Why Pickpockets Benefit from Signs that Warn “Beware of Pickpockets.”

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Beware of unintended consequences! Pickpockets use “Beware of Pickpockets” signs to pickpocket more effectively.Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podc...

Ep. 259: Happier Podcast Book Club: Adrienne Brodeur Talks About “Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me”

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For the Happier Podcast Book Club, we talk to Adrienne Brodeur about her page-turning memoir, “Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me.”Get in tou...

Little Happier: Teacher Anne Sullivan Writes About Hellen Keller’s Moment of Profound Realization

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In her 1887 letter, teacher Anne Sullivan recounts the moment when Helen Keller understood the secret of language.Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcas...

Ep. 258: Try the “Pair & Share” Approach and a Conversation with “Yoga Girl” Rachel Brathen

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Try the “Pair & Share” approach to have more fun while getting some exercise, a quick hack for making it easier to do unpleasant tasks, and an...

Little Happier: Helen Keller Tells the Story of the Moment Her Life Changed.

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hellen Keller recounts the story of the extraordinary moment when she learned the meaning of “w-a-t-e-r.”Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gre...

Ep. 257: Don’t Try to “Mind-Read,” and Talking about the Joy of Movement with Kelly McGonigal

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why we shouldn’t try to “mind-read,” a reading hack to strengthen habits, and a conversation about “The Joy of Movement” with Kelly McGoniga...

Little Happier: The Fable “The Scorpion and the Frog” Warns Us to Stay Wary of the Dangerous Ones

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The fable “The Scorpion and the Frog” reminds us not to trust a scorpion. No matter what argument it makes or what the situation is, in the end, i...

Ep. 256: Use Up What You Have, and a Conversation about Stillness with Ryan Holiday

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why we should use up what we have, how to find the most efficient route, and a conversation with bestselling author Ryan Holiday about “Stillness is...

Little Happier: From Writer James Agee: Could He Learn to Be the Kind of Person He’d Always Detested?

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When his doctor told him that needed to quit drinking and smoking, James Agee wondered whether he could become the kind of person he’d always detest...

Ep. 255: We Reveal Our “20 for 2020” Lists as well as a Color-Related Hack, and Give a Happiness-Bully Demerit

08 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We reveal our “20 for 2020” lists and discuss some great ideas from listeners, discuss a color-related hack to make it easier to find lost objects...

Little Happier: The Right Thing to Say When Someone Says, “Whom Do You Love More?”

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favorite parenting books, Faber and Mazlish’s “Siblings Without Rivalry,” explains the right thing to say to a child (or anyone) who a...

Ep. 254: Choose a One-Word Theme for the Year, and a Tough Question about Neighbors

01 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why you might pick a one-word theme for the year; an idea for fun (but easy) date nights; and a tough dilemma involving a daily walk and neighbors wh...

Little Happier: A Mystery: In Order to Find Something Precious, We Must Possess It Already.

30 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In different ways, many people have expressed the very powerful and mysterious idea: In order to find something, we must possess it.Get in touch: @gre...

Ep. 253: Fight Through Post-Holiday Haze and How (Really) to Keep New Year’s Resolutions

26 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Fight through post-holiday haze, how to get more reading done, tackle the challenge of New Year’s resolutions—and an office-party demerit.Get in t...

Little Happier: We Don’t Always Know What’s a Waste of Time, or What’s a Good Use of Our Time.

23 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The career of a law-school friend reminded me of an important truth: it’s not always clear what’s a good use of our time. And it’s certainly not...

Ep. 252: Walk for 20 in ’20! Plus We Discuss “Power Hour” and Answering Frivolous Questions During Job Interviews

18 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s all walk for 20 minutes in 2020! The challenge is on! Plus a reminder to use Power Hour and Elizabeth gives a gold star to a “Fall Frolic.”...

Little Happier: A Different, Happy Way to Think About Exerting Our Willpower (a Task that Doesn’t Usually Sound Appealing).

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Writer Christopher Isherwood remarked that he “raised his moral by asserting his willpower” by quitting smoking – a very interesting way to thi...

Ep. 251: Try the Eight Stones Method; Are You on Team “You Do You” or Team “Let’s All Join In”; and the Fun of Holiday Movies

11 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Actor, singer, and writer Melissa Errico suggests the Eight Stones Method for creativity, the fun of choosing a family holiday movies, and we talk ab...

Little Happier: I Love to See Justice in Action, and I Love to See Virtue Rewarded.

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I love hearing a story of justice in action, and also of virtue recognized and praised. Virtue doesn’t always get rewarded! It’s thrilling when it...

Ep. 250: Very Special Episode: We Review Our “19 for 2019” Lists

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this Very Special Episode, we review our “19 for 2019” lists and report on what we did—and what we didn’t do—on our lists for 2019.Get in...

Little Happier: You Can’t Protect Yourself from the Pigeon That’s Flying Overhead.

02 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A funny episode from a long-ago family vacation is a great reminder that we can take all possible precautions, but we can’t protect ourselves from e...

Ep. 249: Happier Podcast Book Club: The Legendary Isaac Mizrahi Talks about Fashion, Family, and Self-Knowledge in “I.M.”

27 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For the Happier Podcast Book Club, we talk to Isaac Mizrahi about the role of family, fashion, and making his way in the competitive, high-stak...

Little Happier: My Favorite Part of Going to the Philharmonic Isn’t the Music.

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I realized that although I don’t have much of a taste for music, I love the sound of the possibility of music.Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@...

Ep. 248: Write an Aphorism, and a Deep Dive into Food Pushing

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Try writing an aphorism, ways to use the UV index to protect yourself from the sun, and a deep dive into the question: “If you press others to take...

Little Happier: More Great Advice from My Father—About How to Succeed at Work

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When I got my first real job, my father gave me some advice that has proved to be very true.Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; [email protected]...

Ep. 247: Use the Solomon Paradox When Dealing with a Difficult Situation, and Would You Like to be a Twin?

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why you should think about the “Solomon Paradox” when you’re dealing with a difficult situation, how to respond to a Rebel who refuses to wear a...

Little Happier: Who Is the Main Character, Who Is the Supporting Character?

11 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I realized that I often made the mistake of thinking of some people as main characters and some people as supporting characters. We’re all main char...

Ep. 246: Have Your Words Ready, and a Conversation with Simon Sinek about “The Infinite Game”

06 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When facing a tough situation, have your words ready, a hack related to email subject lines, and a conversation with Simon Sinek about “The Infinite...

Little Happier: At a Recent Dinner for Supreme Court Clerks, Even Longtime Lawyers Wanted This Table Gift.

04 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

At a recent event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the statute creating the Supreme Court clerkships, I got my “America feeling” when I saw ...

Ep. 245: Avoid the Trap of the False Choice, and How to Eat Healthfully in the Face of Halloween Candy or Social Pressure

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why it’s important to avoid false choices, and talk to Whole30’s Melissa Hartwig Urban about eating right when faced with Halloween can...

Little Happier: On “Game of Thrones,” Tywin Lannister Has the Right Thing to Say in a Difficult Situation.

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I’m always looking for good examples of people finding the right words, and I was very struck by this example from a crucial scene from the TV show ...

Ep. 244: Go Out in the Early Morning Sunlight and Brush Your Teeth After Dinner

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why it’s important to go outside into the sunlight, how brushing your teeth after dinner can help with night snacking, and a dentist demerit from El...

Little Happier: I Get Choked Up When I Hear the Song “Edelweiss” from “The Sound of Music”

21 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The song and the scene “Edelweiss” from “The Sound of Music” is a reminder that our love for our country can burn brightly, even when events l...

Ep. 243: Treat Yourself Like a Dog and How Obligers Can Resist Pressures to Indulge

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why you should treat yourself like a dog, why telling someone, “Calm down” is usually a bad idea, and ideas for Obligers who are trying to resist ...

Little Happier: A Moment in the Life of JFK Illustrates How Hard It Is to Know Other People

14 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

An episode from the life of John F. Kennedy is a terrific reminder of the fact that we don’t know, we can’t really understand, what other people a...

Ep. 242: Buy Some Happiness, Plus Hacks for Taking Medication Regularly

09 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss why and how we can buy some happiness, do a hack round-up with terrific ideas for remembering to take daily medications, and tackle a liste...

Little Happier: Novelist John Steinbeck and King Arthur Show Me How to Think Outside the Box

07 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Novelist John Steinbeck’s decision to set his King Arthur story in the hazy “before” showed me a solution that I would never have devised—and ...

Ep. 241: Malcolm Gladwell Talks About “Talking to Strangers” Plus a Delicious, Healthy Hack

02 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to Malcolm Gladwell about “Talking to Strangers” and explore why taking a shower can boost your happiness, and I reveal the easy, new low-...

Little Happier: The Right Thing to Say to a Person Who Has Big Hopes

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I remind myself and other writers, “There are many ways for a book to succeed.” And many ways for a vacation to succeed, or a college student to s...

Ep. 240: Use the Emergency Kit for Anxiety, Worry, and Stress

25 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For this Very Special Episode, we talk about the Emergency Kit for Anxiety—a long list of strategies to put to work immediately to manage anxiety, w...

Bonus Episode: A Deep Dive into the “Four Tendencies” Personality Framework

23 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Want to learn whether you’re an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel—and what that means? Gretchen gives a quick overview of her popular person...

Little Happier: My America Feeling: I’m Grateful for the Sound of Many Languages

23 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As a child growing up in Kansas City, I loved to listen to languages other than English, but I rarely had the chance—so I remind myself to feel grat...

Ep. 239: Tackling Life’s Big Questions with Kate Bowler

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why you should make a concrete offer when someone needs a hand, how to break the ice using a simple button-maker, and a thoughtful conversation about ...

Little Happier: Like Oscar Wilde, Do You Find It Hard to Live Up to Your Blue China? I Sure Do.

16 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Oscar Wilde famously observed: “‘I find it harder and harder every day to live up to my blue china.” What do you think he meant by that?Get tick...

Ep. 238: Back-to-School Habits, and Marie Forleo Talks About How Everything Is Figureoutable

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Strategies to help you and your family create good back-to-school habits, the fun of undertaking a library quest, and author and host of MarieTV Marie...

Little Happier: An Old and Famous Story about How We Can’t Outrun Our Fate

09 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The ancient and haunting teaching story about “an appointment in Samarra” is a wonderful illustration of the inevitability of fate.Get tickets for...

Ep. 237: #HappierLaborDay: What Career Aims Make Our Work Lives Happier

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We can use the Labor Day holiday as a catalyst to think about making our work lives happier, healthier, more productive, or more creative. #HappierLab...

Little Happier: The Musical “Song of Spider-Man” and the Problem of the Unknown Knowns

02 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

 A memoir about the failure of the musical “Song of Spider-Man” is a sobering example of how sometimes, we choose not to know the things we know—...

Ep. 236: Stay the Course with Your Good Habits

28 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why you should stay the course with your good habits, the challenge of taking daily medication, and a return to a favorite question, “What’s your ...

Little Happier: Dolly Parton and Oprah Winfrey Talk about Humility and Hubris

26 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Back in 1992, Dolly Parton and Oprah Winfrey talk about pride, humbility, and hubris.Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraftLinks an...

Ep. 235: Talking Happiness with Bestselling Author Rachel Hollis

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why you might recreate a childhood menu, a conversation with blockbuster bestseller Rachel Hollis about how to be happier, and technology hack to help...

Little Happier: I Love an Emotion that I Call the “Varsity Team” Feeling.

19 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I love being part of the “varsity team,” or witnessing a varsity team at work—and even knowing the phrase varsity team.Get in touch on Instagram...

Ep. 234: Try the SLANT Approach to Listen Better and How to Deal with a Sweetheart’s Unenthusiastic Support

14 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Try the SLANT approach to help yourself listen and learn more effectively, an easy way to do a happiness-boosting good deed, and how to deal with a sw...

Little Happier: What Friendships Tend to Stick? An Observation from Game of Thrones

12 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In an interview, Game of Thrones’s John Bradley (Samwell Tarly) makes an important observation about relationships: hard times make strong friends.G...

Ep. 233: Get Rid of Your Wart (Literal and Metaphorical) and Connect Better with Friends

07 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Get rid of your wart, an internet-related hack (is it just me?), and a question to help you figure out how to connect better with other people.Get in ...

Little Happier: Churchill’s Life Proves that We Can’t Know What’s Good or Bad Luck

05 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Winston Churchill reflects on his eventful life, and how impossible it was for him to discern what was good luck and what was bad luck.Get in touch on...

Ep. 232: Remember to Consider the Company that Someone Keeps

31 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When entering into a relationship, consider a person’s existing relationships, how to deal with podcast overload, and like Gloria Vanderbilt, do you...