Liz and Sarah have a ton of work to do, but they’re having trouble getting into “the flow.” How can they stop being distracted by ping ponging projects and focus on one thing at a time? In Take A Hike, Liz shares her happiness dilemma. She loves being social but she always dreads whatever plan she’s made once she’s made it. Then Sarah talks about why she created a “cloffice,” and how it has transformed her work life. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help with flow: use a 2 cup thermal coffee pot....
Feb 29, 2024•29 min•Ep. 355
When it comes to pitching, Liz and Sarah are usually the ones who are talking rather than listening. Today they share what they learned when they listened to another writer’s pitch. In The Happiness Project Revisited segment, Sarah shares what she’s doing for the February theme of energy — including going to bed by 10:30PM, the Prolon fast, and Pilates. Next, in They will Craft (& Fain) Liz and Sarah talk about Dabble Writer, which they’ve started using to write their novel. This week’s Holl...
Feb 22, 2024•26 min•Ep. 354
Liz and Sarah discuss how a great meeting with an executive made them realize how much their perception shapes their reality. Even though technically nothing has changed in terms of Hollywood “getting back to normal,” it suddenly feels like it has. And that’s a good thing! In Take A Hike, Sarah describes the benefits of Kirtan Kriya meditation. Then Liz and Sarah answer a Mailroom question about how ethical writers were (or weren’t) during the strike. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you foc...
Feb 15, 2024•27 min•Ep. 353
Liz and Sarah headed to The Emerald Iguana Inn for their first “Roar 24,” an intense, twenty-four hour work session. They finished a draft of their latest pitch and made (some) headway on their novel. In Take A Hike, they discuss why it’s fun to “embrace your core.” Are you Cottagecore like Sarah? Or maybe Valleymomcore like Liz? Define your own core! In Hits & Bombs, Liz and Sarah give a Hit to the 2024 Grammys and Bomb to themselves for deciding to change all of their characters’ names bef...
Feb 08, 2024•27 min•Ep. 352
Liz and Sarah had an insight after a recent notes call about a pitch they’re working on— it’s a lot easier to give good notes on good material. If you’re getting bad notes, examine your project to determine if you need to make a fundamental change. In Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah share why they’re doing No Spend February and reveal exactly what items are included. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss why you might want to come up with a tagline for your project — whether it’s a TV pitch o...
Feb 01, 2024•25 min•Ep. 351
Liz and Sarah are celebrating the 350th episode of HIH with Winter Listener Questions. Why did Liz’s mom have Liz and Gretchen six years apart? What tips does Sarah have for adding a new puppy to the family? Will Liz and Sarah host a NON-writing HIH retreat? What writers room from the past do they wish they could go back and be a part of? Liz and Sarah answer all these questions and so many more! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Vi...
Jan 25, 2024•29 min•Ep. 350
Liz and Sarah discuss what they learned by reading the full first draft of their novel. Lesson One? Don’t waste time trying to make it perfect! Then friend of the pod Brook Sitgraves Turner joins Liz and Sarah to talk about her latest project — the amazing documentary, Brief Tender Light , directed by Arthur Musah. Next they introduce a new monthly segment for 2024 — The Happiness Project: Revisited. This month Sarah shares her 24 for 24 list. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you smell good:...
Jan 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 349
All of Sarah and Liz’s New Year momentum has been sucked away by Influenza A and Covid-19. To regain their sense of purpose, they’ve decided that January 16 will be their new New Year’s Day. In Take A Hike, they discuss how asking how decision making is made easier by asking yourself, “Is it a 10?” Pondering a rich dessert? Is it a 10? Contemplating a new side project? Is it a 10? Then they answer a Mailroom question about why there might be multiple projects about the same subject matter. Sarah...
Jan 11, 2024•28 min•Ep. 348
Now that it’s 2024, Liz and Sarah are outlining their goals for the year — as a team and as individuals. First on the list? Sell their novel! In Take A Hike, Sarah announces that she intends to use her new Pilates reformer one hundred and fifty times this year, and Liz says she’s going to take fifty classes at Orange Theory. In The Mailroom, they respond to a listener who wants to know what they mean when they talk about “breaking” an episode. This week Sarah has a Hollywood Hack that will keep ...
Jan 04, 2024•24 min•Ep. 347
Liz loves reality TV, so today she’s in for a treat! Liz and Sarah talk to non-fiction showrunner Rebecca Graham Forde about all things reality TV. How is showrunning a non-fiction show different from a drama? How is it the same? And is it really REAL? Then, in The Mailroom, Rebecca answers a question from a listener who wants to pitch a show about kittens in New York City. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you get dressed in the morning: Remind yourself what you have in your closet. Finally,...
Dec 28, 2023•30 min•Ep. 346
Fifteen years ago, Gretchen Rubin’s book The Happiness Project changed Sarah’s life—it helped her decide to have her amazing daughter, Violet. Now Sarah wants to get happier again with Gretchen’s new course The Happiness Project: Revisited . Gretchen joins Liz and Sarah to talk about what Sarah can expect from the course in the year ahead. One thing? More energy! Then Gretchen has a Hollywood Hack that will definitely make all of us happier: Suit yourself! Don’t get discouraged when something do...
Dec 21, 2023•33 min•Ep. 345
As 2023 comes to an end, Liz and Sarah discuss their favorite everything from the year. From Liz’s favorite Real Housewives podcast ( Drama Darling) to Sarah’s favorite little thing that had a big impact (her gorgeous new salad bowl), to their favorite team activity (the HIH Retreat at the Johnny Cash Ranch), they cover it all! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook grou...
Dec 14, 2023•32 min•Ep. 344
Liz and Sarah share their Team Theme for 2024 — Hear Us Roar 2024! They also reveal their personal words for the year. Sarah’s is “steps” and Liz’s is “book.” In Take Two, they revisit the topic of Sarah making salads, which has sparked a major discussion in the HIH FB group! This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you impress when entertaining: Don’t be afraid to prepare for an occasion early. Possibly years early. Finally, Sarah recommends watching the documentary series Beckham on Netflix. Get i...
Dec 07, 2023•28 min•Ep. 343
Christmas is coming, and Liz and Sarah are determined to finish a first draft of their novel. But they’ve made a slight adjustment to their plan — since so much is changing, they’re going to leave the last third of the book in outline form until the next the draft. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares an idea that listener Laura discovered on TikTok — plan a 90 Day Dinner with friends when times are tough. In Hits & Bombs, Sarah gives listener Melissa a Hit for being Sarah’s salad tutor. And Liz giv...
Nov 30, 2023•26 min•Ep. 342
The Holiday Season is upon us! Liz and Sarah share their favorite gifts for 2023, including Cal Pak’s water bottle sling, puzzle sorting trays, dry erase wall dots, Oofos slides, and gift boxes from the Women’s Bean Project. Plus, so much more! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The ...
Nov 23, 2023•30 min•Ep. 341
Liz and Sarah talk to one of their oldest friends, Todd Schulkin, who is a manger, producer, and Executive Director of The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy. He’s also the guy who got them their first agent in Hollywood, and he has tips for pre-WGA writers about how to land an agent or manager. (Spoiler alert: A coherent logline is key.) Then they have a Hollywood Hack that will help you turn off the TV and go to sleep: When you’re binging a show, watch the teaser for the next episode, then ...
Nov 16, 2023•35 min•Ep. 340
Liz and Sarah discuss their plan to forge a clear path amidst the post-WGA strike chaos. That includes committing to finishing a first draft of their novel before Christmas! In Take A Hike, they talk about the benefit of creating a discussion agenda. Then Liz and Sarah give themselves a Bomb for letting the HIH website falter, and listener Laura gets a Hit for reaching out about fixing it. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your Zoom meetings: put parchment over your ring light to prevent a...
Nov 09, 2023•24 min•Ep. 339
When Liz and Sarah sat down to discuss ideas for their next HIH retreat, they realized having one idea made it easier to have another and another. Creativity begets creativity! In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about the benefit of knowing your neighbors. She even borrowed an actual cup of sugar from someone on her cul-de-sac! Liz and Sarah answer a question about how to know if your child might be a future writer in The Mailroom. (Note: Asking for a typewriter is a definite sign.) This week’s Hollywo...
Nov 02, 2023•27 min•Ep. 338
The Happier In Hollywood Retreat 2023 is in the books! It was a huge success, and now Sarah and Liz are discussing what was fantastic (the people, the place, the sound bath, the conversation) and what they’d change for the next one (less food). In Take A Hike, inspired by the weekend, they talk about the Magic of Community. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they share a writing exercise (suggested by a retreat attendee) designed to help you tell your story in meetings. This week’s Hollywood Hack ...
Oct 26, 2023•31 min•Ep. 337
Liz and Sarah are prepping for the 2023 HIH Retreat. It’s all the scary things rolled into one — entertaining, public speaking, meeting new people. They’re excited but nervous! In Take A Hike, Sarah discusses why she’s happy she found a volunteer opportunity that works for her (spoiler alert: dogs are involved). This week’s Hollywood Hack makes working at home more pleasant and quite possibly more productive: Try a work change of scene in your home. Then Liz had another Celebrity Sighting: Tiffa...
Oct 19, 2023•24 min•Ep. 336
Liz and Sarah are back to work on several development projects, and after such a long strike they are very much appreciating the beauty of being busy. In A Day In The Life, they talk about how they’re spending their time now that life for WGA writers is getting back to “normal.” One thing they’re happy about? They’re still making time to do things they care about outside of work. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they talk about why they always take their own notes. This week’s Hollywood Hack is ...
Oct 12, 2023•24 min•Ep. 335
The WGA strike is over! Liz and Sarah discuss how they’re getting their work legs back as they pick up projects where they left off five months ago. One essential step? Setting deadlines for themselves! In Take A Hike, they talk about why they’ve created a one-time book group to discuss Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Dr. Peter Attia . This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Sarah: get your local farm box. In Celebrity Sightings, Liz reveals that she saw Nicole Richie and husband Jo...
Oct 05, 2023•23 min•Ep. 334
Liz and Sarah are ecstatic! The WGA strike is FINALLY coming to an end! They discuss how it feels to be on the other side of the battle, and what they’re looking forward to in the weeks and months to come. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares why she had a Gratitude Day, and Liz decides to have one too. Then they answer a Mailroom question about whether they get segment ideas from listeners. The answer? Yes! To illustrate the point, Liz and Sarah share a bunch of fantastic recommendations they recently ...
Sep 28, 2023•25 min•Ep. 333
Liz and Sarah are halfway through a draft of their novel. Yay! They explain why they’ve decided to take a moment to pause and reconnect with the characters before they plow forward to the finish line. In The Mailroom, they answer a question about how to finish a pitch meeting. Then they have a WGA strike Hit and a WGA strike Bomb. This week’s Hollywood Hack is something Sarah discovered when she moved into her house in Ojai — fridge organizers. Finally, Liz recommends The Retrievals podcast. Get...
Sep 21, 2023•24 min•Ep. 332
As the WGA strike continues to drag on, Liz and Sarah each offer a Take A Hike idea to boost mental, physical, and spiritual health. Sarah’s suggestion? Turn a chore into a pleasure by using it as time to connect with someone. Meanwhile, Liz decided to set a new goal to distract herself from strike stress — she’s upped her Fryman 50 to Fryman 100! In the Mailroom, they answer a question about how to deal with financial instability as a writer. Then this week’s Hollywood Hack comes from a listene...
Sep 14, 2023•24 min•Ep. 331
Liz and Sarah talk to veteran showrunner Jeff Melvoin about his new book, Running The Show: Television From The Inside . What’s the biggest mistake first time showrunners make? How does he approach delegating? This book is essential reading for anyone who aspires to be a showrunner. This week’s Hollywood Hack is great for those looking to collaborate: Canva for Teams. Plus, Liz had a Celebrity Sighting — Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson! Finally, Liz recommends Mindhunter on Netflix. Get in...
Sep 07, 2023•33 min•Ep. 330
Liz and Sarah discuss how the benefits of spending time together (actually in the same room for a whole day) led them to their big announcement: They’re hosting an HIH Retreat at the Johnny Cash Ranch in Ojai October 2–22! Email them at [email protected] for more details! In Take A Hike, they resolve to get back on the health horse now that summer is over. On the list? Hiking, eating well, writing, and meditation for Sarah. They also answer a Mailroom question about how they approach ...
Aug 31, 2023•28 min•Ep. 329
As Summer 2023 winds down, Sarah and Liz are answering listener questions. What do they think will happen when the strike is over? Does Sarah refuse to cuddle any of Violet’s “icky” pets? Did Liz and Sarah have sleepovers with each other when they were younger? They discuss all this and so much more— including their upcoming HIH Retreat in Ojai! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join...
Aug 24, 2023•24 min•Ep. 328
Liz and Sarah talk to journalist Maureen Ryan about her incredible new book — Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call For Change In Hollywood. What was the emotional impact of writing about toxicity in Hollywood? What concrete steps can be taken to make the entertainment industry better for everyone? This week’s Hollywood Hack is a video that will keep you healthier on the picket line — WGA Picket Line Warm Up! (And Cool Down) on YouTube from WGA member Sheila Callaghan. Finally Sarah has a ...
Aug 17, 2023•32 min•Ep. 327
Liz and Sarah discuss how 100 days of being on strike has a silver lining — it’s given them fresh perspective on a project that was feeling stale. In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about her Do Nothing Day. Sometimes doing nothing is everything. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they offer tips for coming up with character names. This week’s Hollywood Hack will be helpful for anyone worried about no new TV this fall: read a book series. Finally, Liz has a podcast recommendation — Spellcaster: The Fall ...
Aug 10, 2023•23 min•Ep. 326
