Happier with Gretchen Rubin - podcast cover

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Projectwww.gretchenrubin.com
Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen’s cohost and guinea pig is her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles, who (lovingly) refers to Gretchen as her happiness bully.  Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Last refreshed:
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Little Happier: If You Don’t Know the Answer, Don’t Ask the Question

A thought-provoking collection of proverbs from the legal profession offers wisdom even to people who aren’t lawyers. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes,...

Jan 03, 20224 min

Ep. 358: Choose Your One-Word Theme for 2022 (We Reveal Ours). What Habit Loopholes Do You Use? Plus a Hack for Curiousity.

We discuss our experience with our one-word themes for 2021 and reveal our one-word themes for 2022. A listener suggests a terrific, easy hack for curious people, and we pose the know-yourself-better question: “Of the 10 categories of habit loopholes, which ones do you invoke?” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter ...

Dec 29, 202136 minEp. 358

Little Happier: Why It’s Okay to Be Boring

A passage from Karl Ove Knausgaard’s autobiographical novel My Struggle reminded me of my own family’s practice of “update.” The fact is, if we want to stay close to the people we love, it’s very helpful to share the minutiae of our lives. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http:/...

Dec 27, 20213 min

Ep. 357: We Reveal the Yearly Challenge to “[Fill in the Blank] 22 in 2022.” Plus We Announce a Big Change to the Podcast.

Following on our challenges to “Walk 20 in 2020” and “Read 21 in 2021,” we reveal our (excellent) yearly challenge for 2022. Plus we make a big announcement related to the podcast for anyone who wants more “Happier” in their lives. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links related to this...

Dec 22, 202132 minEp. 357

Little Happier: An Ancient Story Gave Me a New Appreciation for the Beauty of Trees

A thought-provoking story from ancient times, in The Histories of Herodotus, gave me more appreciation for the beauty of trees. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and pr...

Dec 20, 20212 min

Ep. 356: We Review Our “21 for 21” Lists. Do You Have Foreground and Background Senses? Plus Some Easy Holiday Hacks.

We review our “21 for 21” lists to see how we did, and we discuss some easy, fun holiday hacks. Plus we ask listeners a question: “With your five senses, do you have foreground and background senses?” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links related to this episode here: http://happierca...

Dec 15, 202136 minEp. 356

Little Happier: Do You Feel Like a Real Grown-Up? I Don’t.

On a trip to a department store, I told my husband, “We’ll buy the nice towels when we’re really grown up”—but we are grown up. I remind myself: This is my real life. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 F...

Dec 13, 20213 min

Ep. 355: Talk to Yourself by Name. Make a “To Don’t” List. How to Resist Over-Buying.

We talk about why it’s helpful to talk to yourself in the third person, a listener suggests the hack of making a “To Don’t” list, and we do a deep dive into listeners’ suggestions for resisting over-buying. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links related to this episode here: http://hap...

Dec 08, 202133 minEp. 355

Little Happier: I Appreciate Anything That Helps Me to Pay Attention

A visit to an art gallery reminds me that it’s our listening that makes a conversation important; it's our vision that makes a masterpiece; it's our love that makes a face stand out from the crowd. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voice...

Dec 06, 20215 min

Ep. 354: Consider the Vital 9 to Plan Your Aims for 2022. Boost Your Foot Comfort Level. With Magic, How Would You Change?

To begin to plan our aims for 2022, we discuss the “Vital 9,” the areas in which most people’s aims fall. We also consider a few know-yourself-better questions to help us imagine what we’d like to achieve in 2022—and get a hack from a listener about an easy way to make shoes more comfortable. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.c...

Dec 01, 202136 minEp. 354

Little Happier: Why a Taxi-Driver and I Saw Two Different Streets

As we looked at children playing in the street, the taxi driver and I saw two different scenes. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to happiercast.com...

Nov 29, 20213 min

Ep. 353: Happier Gift Guide: Great Gifts to Help People Get Happier. Plus a Gratitude Hack

We discuss suggestions from listeners about suggestions for gifts that will help recipients to be happier, healthier, and more productive. We also talk about a listener’s suggestion about a way to incorporate gratitude into daily life. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links related to ...

Nov 24, 202131 minEp. 353

Little Happier: Now You’ll Be Working All the Time

When a friend quit her job to work as an artist, someone told her, “Now you’ll be working all the time.” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to happie...

Nov 22, 20213 min

Ep. 352: Try the “Happier” App! To Help You Become Happier, Healthier, More Productive, and More Creative

Announcing the new “Happier” app! Convenient, appealing, and intuitive, it offers many tools and strategies to help users to get happier. We also talk to Larry Smith about why writing a six-word memoir can boost your happiness, and share some imaginative Four-Tendencies hacks from listeners. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.co...

Nov 17, 202134 minEp. 352

Little Happier: The Sound of My Shoes Clicking on Marble Reminded Me of My Past

The distinctive click of my shoes against marble connected me to two memories from different points in my life. Our five senses help to connect us to the present moment and our present experience, and they also connect us to our past. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://oute...

Nov 15, 20214 min

Ep. 351: Consider Getting a Dog (Elizabeth Did). Do You Celebrate Moments? Spend 20 Minutes on Joy Each Day.

Elizabeth suggests that you consider getting a dog (or a pet); she and her family have been joined by Nacho, a corgi! Tiffany Dufu suggests that we spend twenty minutes each day doing something that brings us joy, and we ask, “Are you a person who celebrates moments?” (like “Fantasy Island” being renewed for Season 2). Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week h...

Nov 10, 202135 minEp. 351

Little Happier: In a Public Restroom, Which Stall Do You Choose?

A woman told me her clever system for choosing the least-used stall in a public restroom, which reminded me that we’re more alike, and more different, than we imagine—because her system for outwitting the public is the same system that everyone else uses, too. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, IN...

Nov 08, 20213 min

Ep. 350: Very Special Episode: Listeners Suggest Apps That Put the “App” in “Happier”

Listeners suggest apps that help them to become happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative—and more organized with photographs. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links related to this episode here: http://happiercast.com/350 Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, I...

Nov 03, 202133 minEp. 350

Little Happier: In Ancient Greece, Two Painters Held a Contest. Who Won?

A delightful story from the ancient world describes a contest between two artists that was decided in a surprising way. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo code...

Nov 01, 20213 min

Ep. 349: Happier Podcast Book Club: Kate Bowler Talks About Why There’s “No Cure for Being Human”

For the Happier Podcast Book Club, we talk to Duke Divinity School professor Kate Bowler about her moving, funny, thought-provoking new memoir, “No Cure for Being Human” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links related to this episode here: http://happiercast.com/349 Order a copy of Gret...

Oct 27, 202142 minEp. 349

Little Happier: You Can’t Win the Hands You Don’t Play

A thought-provoking collection of proverbs from poker-players offers wisdom even to people who aren’t playing poker. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes, ...

Oct 25, 20213 min

Ep. 348: Make a Choice (Like an Actor). Do a Favor for Your Future Self. Liz Lange Talks About Secrets, Success, Loss

We discuss how we can make a choice (like an actor), how we can do a favor for our future selves, and we talk to Liz Lange about her podcast “The Just Enough Family,” where she explores her family’s spectacular successes, dramatic losses, and deep secrets. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and ...

Oct 20, 202138 minEp. 348

Little Happier: Happiness Doesn’t Always Make Us Feel Happy

A friend didn’t want to spend Thanksgiving with his family, but he did it anyway. Happiness doesn’t always make us feel happy. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and pro...

Oct 18, 20214 min

Bonus Episode: Staying Happy During a Sudden Move to a New Town—Sarah Fain Reports

How do you stay happy when you suddenly decide it’s time for you and your daughter to move to a new town? And how do you make that decision in the first place? We talk to Elizabeth’s writing partner and co-host of the “Happier in Hollywood” podcast about how she made tough choices, managed logistics, dealt with strong emotions, and stayed healthy during a time of transition. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @...

Oct 15, 202143 min

Ep. 347: Consider: It’s Not a Bug, It’s a Feature. Help Someone Ease into a New Job. How to Deal with Big Change?

We talk about why it can be helpful to consider, “Maybe this isn’t a bug, it’s a feature”; we discuss a hack for helping someone get situated in a new position, and we talk to Maya Shankar about how to deal with life’s big challenges. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links related to t...

Oct 13, 202135 minEp. 347

Little Happier: Does a Teddy Bear Comfort You, Even Now?

Author John Green’s reflection on the moment when he realized that he was no longer comforted by his teddy bear is a reminder that although we do outgrow much of the comfort we get from a warm, soft teddy bear, perhaps we don’t wholly outgrow it. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here:...

Oct 11, 20214 min

Ep. 346: Keep Lists in the Way That’s Right for You. Avoid a Routine. Celebrate Something Surprising.

We talk about why we should keep to-do lists in the way that’s right for us (and we discuss the “Tackle Box” that give five options), why sometimes it’s helpful not to fall into a routine, and we share listeners’ idea for unconventional celebrations. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all li...

Oct 06, 202129 minEp. 346

Little Happier: Nebraska’s Tourist Slogan Offers a Valuable—and Hilarious—Lesson in Happiness

Nebraska’s hilarious tourist slogan demonstrates that it’s often most effective to admit the truth, even when that truth might not be terribly flattering or impressive. Have a sense of humor, be willing to poke fun at yourself or the situation, and admit the facts. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDE...

Oct 04, 20215 min

Ep. 345: Escape from Zombie Mode, Help People Say “No,” and What Do You Want to Be Known For?

We discuss strategies for escaping “zombie mode,” share a hack to make it easy for people to say “no,” and talk to Crystal Ellefsen about the know-yourself-better question of “What do you want to be known for?” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links related to this episode here: http:/...

Sep 29, 202135 minEp. 345

Little Happier: Mindy Kaling’s “Rules for Writing” Show That We Can Be Funny Without Being Mean

Mindy Kaling is a successful and productive writer, actor, and director. She’s hilarious and brilliant. In her “Rules for Writing,” she explains how to be funny—without being mean. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Leave a voicemail message on: ...

Sep 27, 20215 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android