Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Episodes
Little Happier: Sometimes, To Do a Simple Thing We Must Make a Huge Change.
21 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Oracle of Delphi told the people of Delos that they’d cure their present ills if they doubled the altar—because to double the altar, they must...
Ep. 291: Get Out of Your Storage Unit, a Hack for Reducing Unwanted Talk, and a Conversation about Relationships with Esther Perel
16 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about the benefits of getting out of a storage unit; we talk to relationship expert Esther Perel about love and work; and Elizabeth’s office...
Little Happier: When Do We Tell Other People What We Think They Should Do? Two Beautiful Examples.
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Mark Salzman’s memoir “The Man in the Empty Boat,” he gives not just one, but two, examples of times when one person is able thoughtfully to ...
Ep. 290: Very Special Episode: An Extravaganza of Hacks! Hacks for Relationships, Productivity, Pandemic, Clutter, Travel, and More
09 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this Very Special Episode, we present an extravaganza of listeners’ simple, concrete hacks that can help us make our lives happier, healthier, mo...
Little Happier: Trevor Noah: “We Tell People to Follow Their Dreams, But You Can Only Dream of What You Can Imagine.”
07 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In his terrific memoir “Born a Crime,” Trevor Noah notes that “you can only dream of what you can imagine,” and tells the story of how his mo...
Ep. 289: Ask Yourself, “Do I Already Own This?” How to Feel Better in Just Five Minutes with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, and Our Next Book Club Choice
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss why it’s helpful to ask, “Do I already own this?” We also talk to Dr. Rangan Chatterjee about his new book, “Feel Better in 5,” a...
Little Happier: Zora Neale Hurston’s Vision Shows How Mysterious the World Is.
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In her thought-provoking memoir “Dust Tracks in the Road,” Zora Neale Hurston’s vision of her future reminds me of how mysterious the world is.G...
Ep. 288: Learn Something with a Beginning, Middle, and End, a Know-Yourself-Better Question about Second-Guessing Yourself, and a Spotlight on Brit Bennett
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about why it’s helpful (especially these days) to learn something with a beginning, middle, and an end; we explore the Know Yourself Better ...
Little Happier: What Can You Do When You Live in a Crowded, Messy, Noisy House?
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a traditional Yiddish folk tale, a farmer complains about his crowded, noisy house—and his wise rabbi gives him a surprising solution.Get in touc...
Ep. 287: Steer Clear of Quicksand, Beware of Catastrophizing, a Whimsical Hack, and a Spotlight on Baratunde Thurston
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss why you should steer clear of quicksand, beware of the happiness stumbling block of “catastrophizing,” suggest an affordable, whimsical...
Little Happier: Bryan Stevenson Points Out a Question: Are We There to Speak, or Are We There to Listen?
17 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In his brilliant memoir “Just Mercy,” Bryan Stevenson makes the distinction: Am I invited someplace to speak, or am I invited to listen?Get in tou...
Ep. 286: September Is the Other January, Jay Shetty Explains How to Think Like a Monk, and a Spotlight on Colson Whitehead
12 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why we should remember that September is the other January; we have a conversation with podcaster and writer Jay Shetty about how to “think like a m...
Little Happier: The More We Talk to Someone, the More We Have to Say.
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Karl Ove Knausgaard’s autobiographical novel My Struggle: Book Six, he reflects on the counter-intuitive truth that the more we talk to people...
Ep. 285: Why It’s a Good Idea to Create a Catch-All, a Spotlight on Virginia Hamilton, and a Conversation with Susan Burton About Her Brilliant Memoir “Empty.”
05 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss why it’s a great idea to create a catch-all to help boost creativity, memories, and inspiration, we shine a spotlight on children’s aut...
Little Happier: How Eating a Second Ice-Cream Cone Can Be an Act of Obliger-Rebellion
03 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Karl Ove Knausgaard’s essay “Summer,” he perfectly describes an example of Obliger-rebellion that’s turned toward the self: he eats a secon...
Ep. 284: Why Buying Isn’t Doing, a Deep Dive into Ways to Display Your Favorite Quotations, and a Spotlight on Harriet Washington
29 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about why we shouldn’t confuse buying with doing, reveal a happiness hack for staying in touch with grandparents, review listeners’ sugges...
Little Happier: A Lesson Learned from the End of Life: Make Time for the People Who Matter Most
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Eugene O’Kelley’s account of his experience of the end of his life is a reminder that our time and energy are limited, and we need to make sure to...
Ep. 283: Happier Podcast Book Club: Renowned Writer Ann Patchett Talks about Family, Forgiveness, and Memory in “The Dutch House”—and a Spotlight on Trevor Noah.
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We talk to writer Ann Patchett about her powerful, compelling novel “The Dutch House.” Plus we shine a spotlight on Trevor Noah and his memoir “...
Little Happier: Habits Are the Invisible Architecture of Everyday Life
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A passage from Christopher Alexander’s beautiful book The Timeless Way of Building is a good reminder of the importance of having habits that make...
Ep. 282: Do Good to Feel Good, Bruce Feiler Suggests Two Questions to Ask Yourself to Help Manage Transitions, and a Spotlight on Octavia Butler
15 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss why one way to overcome COVID-19 listlessness is to do good for other people, explore some Know-Yourself-Better questions to help manage to...
Little Happier: Do You Know the Famous Story of the Fox and the Sour Grapes?
13 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One of Aesop’s most famous fables, and writer Virginia Woolf agree: it’s important to resist the temptation to deny the truth about what we really...
Ep. 281: Start a Social-Issues Book Club, a Deep Dive into the Problem of Flaky Friends, a Hack for Great Quotations, and a Spotlight on Author Jason Reynolds.
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss why you might start or join a social-issues book club, we talk about ways to incorporate your favorite quotations into everyday life, we ta...
Little Happier: Often, It’s the Small Gestures of Thoughtfulness that Make Us Feel Loved
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A friend explained to me why her daily habit of making lunch came to have so much importance to her son.Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchen...
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 ...