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: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Five Senses to see how she discovered a surprising path to a life of more energy, creativity, luck, and...
Apr 24, 2023•4 min
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 ideas. We also discuss how we can heighten our appreciation for our five senses by using our non-dominant hand and by asking the know-yourself-better question, “What is luxury?” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram Get the podcast show n...
Apr 19, 2023•33 min•Ep. 426
In his terrific book On Writing , Stephen King recounts how a certain place from his childhood recurs repeatedly in his fiction, under different names. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Five Senses to see how she discovered a surprising path to a life of more energy, creativi...
Apr 17, 2023•4 min
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 piece of work out into the world—personal mantras, hacks, and strategies. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Five S...
Apr 15, 2023•32 min•Ep. 34
We discuss why it’s helpful to touch someone during a tough conversation (if appropriate, of course). We mention why closing your eyes in a store dressing room can make it easier to make good buying decisions, and we take a deep dive into listeners’ answers to two common questions from Questioners. We also raise a listener question: “My relatives won’t restrain their dogs, who, while friendly, are scaring my young daughter.” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @Gretch...
Apr 12, 2023•29 min•Ep. 425
For actor Steve Carrell (Michael from “The Office) and playwright Adrienne Kennedy, the influence of a childhood teacher shaped their lives. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Five Senses to see how she discovered a surprising path to a life of more energy, cre...
Apr 10, 2023•4 min
We talk about why it’s a good idea to taste a new food, or listen to a new kind of music, before the age of 25. We also discuss why the date of April 10 makes a good catalyst to think about harnessing the Four Tendencies, and executive coach Michael Melcher describes many practical ways to make networking easier—and why it matters. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram Get the...
Apr 05, 2023•33 min•Ep. 424
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 can be helpful to remember that our preferences don’t reflect an objective truth. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life i...
Apr 03, 2023•3 min
We talk about why Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback from our hometown football team, is making us happier with his initiative to encourage children to read every day. We also discuss whether spring actually makes us feel like doing spring cleaning, and how fun tools can making clutter-clearing more enjoyable. Plus, we talk about audience enthusiasm for the new “What’s Your Neglected Sense?” quiz. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @Gretc...
Apr 01, 2023•23 min•Ep. 33
We talk about why you might indulge in a “nostalgia smell,” share listeners’ suggestions for simple, fun April Fool’s Day pranks, and discuss an easy way to resist the temptation of snacking. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get the resources and all links related to this episode here: http://happie...
Mar 29, 2023•32 min•Ep. 423
My weight-training instructor observed, “The same people are always late, and others are always on time.” Even though they’re experiencing the same traffic, the same weather, and the same usual challenges of everyday life. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Fiv...
Mar 27, 2023•3 min
We talk about why and how we might create our own “Audio Apothecary” to help us evoke certain moods. We also discuss a handy pronunciation hack, and two Questioners ask how a Questioner can handle the annoyance of being peppered with questions or being told to follow arbitrary rules. Plus a big announcement! The launch of a great new know-yourself-better quiz to identify your “neglected sense.” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Inst...
Mar 22, 2023•28 min•Ep. 422
TV writer and producer Elizabeth Craft, “my sister the sage,” has given me more than a dozen brilliant observations about the workplace and creativity—all with a Hollywood flavor. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and YouTube Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Five Senses to see how she discovered a surprising path to a...
Mar 20, 2023•4 min
With author and friend Dani Shapiro as our guest host, we talk about her experience of uncovering an old family secret, as well as the value of writing as a way to gain self-knowledge. Plus the fun of mah-jongg, anniversary parties, and more. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and YouTube Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life ...
Mar 18, 2023•33 min•Ep. 32
We talk about why it’s useful to find our own way to look around a museum—and we offer some unusual suggestions. We also discuss a useful health hack, and discuss listeners’ thoughtful responses to question from the OBLIGER/Rebel who resists accountability—even though she needs it. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and YouTube Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownote...
Mar 15, 2023•36 min•Ep. 421
Each of us inhabits our own individual, idiosyncratic sensory worlds. One example: I love the fragrance of paperwhite narcissus flowers; my daughter Eleanor disliked the smell intensely. 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 Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes...
Mar 13, 2023•4 min
In the Very Special Episode, we discuss hacks for tapping in to the five sense to help make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. So many fun, easy, creative hacks! Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links related to this episode: http://happiercast.com/420 Get Gre...
Mar 08, 2023•30 min•Ep. 420
Authors Alix Kates Schulman and Joan Didion make the same observation from their very different experiences: during their long marriages, they and their husbands didn’t age. 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 Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to happi...
Mar 06, 2023•5 min
We discuss the fun of “March Fourth” (March 4th) and the anticipation of going Isaac Mizrahi’s cabaret show. We also talk about getting a creative spark from a brilliant, unconventional book--Adrienne Kennedy’s “People Who Led to My Plays”—and we wade into the hot debate over thank-you notes. 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...
Mar 04, 2023•24 min•Ep. 31
We discuss several ways we can tap in to our five senses to boost productivity and focus, and we share a listener’s idea for a new way to celebrate a birthday. Author Will Schwalbe (“The End of Your Life Book Club”) talks about his new memoir, “We Should Not Be Friends,” and what he learned about how to make and sustain friendships Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email...
Mar 01, 2023•37 min•Ep. 419
A writer friend told me her strategy for evoking memories, by making a “memory visit.” 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 Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to happiercast.com/sponsors Want to be happier in 2022? Order Gretchen Rubin’s book The Happine...
Feb 27, 2023•4 min
To celebrate the eighth anniversary of the podcast, we discuss the Try-This-at-Home ideas that have resonated most with listeners over the past year. We also review our favorite Happiness Hacks and some of our favorite moments and biggest milestones. 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...
Feb 22, 2023•28 min•Ep. 418
When her daughter was feeling dejected about all the things she was missing during the Covid lockdown, a friend was able to find the right words to comfort her. 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 Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to happiercast.com/sp...
Feb 20, 2023•3 min
We discuss the fun of reading psychological thrillers as well as the delights of taking a New York City ferry. We also talk about the bittersweet pleasure of passing a family milestone, and (again) why pre-orders are such a source of happiness for authors. 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 Leave a voicemail mess...
Feb 18, 2023•21 min•Ep. 30
We talk about the fact that while most people have given up their New Year’s resolutions by February 28, we can celebrate that day as “Determination Day” to stay engaged with our aims. A listener explains how to start a “no-homework book club,” and listeners suggest great books to read about the outdoors, as well as ways to make it easier to go #Outside23in23. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get th...
Feb 15, 2023•30 min•Ep. 417
Football player Jaylen Waddle has created a “touchdown celebration” that’s funny, humble, simple, and a clever play on his distinctive name. 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 Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to happiercast.com/sponsors Want to be ha...
Feb 13, 2023•3 min
We talk about why it’s useful to identify and work through nagging conflicts (e.g., whether and when to make the bed, load the dishwasher, get off your phone). We also discuss a listener’s hack that makes it easier to say in touch with the people who are important to us, and law professor Kenji Yoshino explains how to “Say the Right Thing” in challenging situations. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft ...
Feb 08, 2023•40 min•Ep. 416
In a striking story from her memoir Just Kids, Patti Smith describes why she decided to cut her own hair and how that decision changed her 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 Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to happiercast.com/sponsors Want to b...
Feb 06, 2023•4 min
We discuss two questions: whether parenthood has changed us and whether we ask ourselves rhetorical questions. Then we realize we’re not entirely clear on the definition of “rhetorical question.” We also talk about tablescapes and relationships. 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 Leave a voicemail message on: 774...
Feb 04, 2023•22 min•Ep. 29
We talk about why it’s a good idea to aim to show up, and why it’s helpful to establish a code phrase with your sweetheart to let them know, “Change the subject.” We also talk about how to avoid arguments about who is right and who is wrong. 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 relat...
Feb 01, 2023•32 min•Ep. 415
