We talk about why grip strength is an important factor for good health and fitness—and how to work on it. We share a fun and easy hack for elevating any occasion, and we talk to Grammy-nominated musician Mike Posner about his insights about success, creativity, and happiness. Resources and links related to this episode: "How to help those affected by fires raging across L.A." Habits for Happiness course http://happiercast.com/shop Elizabeth is reading : Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz ( ...
Jan 15, 2025•41 min•Ep. 517
When Marathon Day meets NBA Game Day in New York City, a truth about New York City is revealed: No matter how famous or successful you are, and no matter where you’re going, sometimes it’s just faster and easier to take the subway. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podc...
Jan 13, 2025•3 min
Many people use January 1 as a catalyst for habit change. While people say “new year, new you,” it’s really new year, same you ! But we can find better tools and in this Very Special Episode, we're revisiting some of the most popular, effective tools. Each of these tools is available in the Happier app, or if you prefer tangible tools, many are also available in physical form. Resources and links related to this episode: Better Than Before “Checklist for Habit Change.” One-Sentence Journal Don’t...
Jan 11, 2025•30 min
We talk about why the familiar advice “use it or lose it” has an additional useful meaning. We also share many imaginative ideas for one-word themes from listeners, as well as some further thoughts on our own one-word themes (“Bounce” and “Door.”) Plus we discuss an easy way to make everyday life more festive. Resources and links related to this episode: Habits for Happiness course Design Your Year Elizabeth is reading : Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon by L...
Jan 08, 2025•35 min•Ep. 516
From circus performers to doctors to writers to social workers, we can experience a "call"—an irresistible pull toward certain work that can feel both like a gift and a burden. While a calling provides clarity and fulfillment, it can also leave little room for choice, demanding sacrifice and persistence regardless of success. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the ...
Jan 06, 2025•6 min
We review the list of “24 things that please me” that Gretchen created as one item in her “24 for 24” list. We discuss why those things are pleasing—and why making this kind of list can help us feel more gratitude, optimism, and happiness. Resources and links related to this episode: Read 25 in 25 Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transc...
Jan 04, 2025•26 min
As part of the “Design Your Year” tools, we reveal our “25 for ‘25” lists of the twenty-five things we want to accomplish in 2025. Some are fun, some are demanding; some quick, some complicated; some new, some repeats. Resources and Links related to this episode: Design Your Year 25 for 2025 list resources Happier in Hollywood free newsletter : HappierInHollywoodpod@substack.com Happier app: the-happier-app.com Elizabeth is reading : War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy ( Amazon , Bookshop ) Gretchen: S...
Jan 02, 2025•40 min•Ep. 515
A concept from Japanese culture reframes what seems like pure misfortune—the loss of a beloved engagement ring—into an act of invisible grace and protection. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more ...
Dec 30, 2024•4 min
We share a preview of the new 2025 “Habits for Happiness” course. Each month, course participants will be able to ask questions about designing, tracking, and sticking with their habits for the year. These will become exclusive call in episodes for our participants, but this first episode is available here to everyone. Resources and links related to this episode: Habits for Happiness Course 2025 - Get personalized support from Gretchen and her team to make 2025 the year you finally make your hab...
Dec 28, 2024•44 min
We discuss how to make hosting more fun and less work by reflecting and making notes after each gathering; we include specific tips from our own experiences as well as creative suggestions from listeners. We also answer frequently asked questions about the "Read 25 in 25" challenge to help us all make reading a daily habit in the new year. Plus, we share terrific holiday hosting hacks from listeners. Resources and links related to this episode: " Habits for Happiness " course Read25in25 Design Y...
Dec 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 514
The Fleetwood Mac song “Songbird” illustrates the truth that with a great artwork, its power often lies not in expressing a single emotion, but in speaking to various, and sometimes even seemingly opposite, human experiences. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts a...
Dec 23, 2024•3 min
As a holiday gift to listeners, I’m reading aloud “The Snow Queen,” one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous fairy tales. Last week was Part One; this week is Part Two. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...
Dec 21, 2024•39 min
As part of “Design Your Year,” each year we announce an annual challenge based on the year—a habit that will help us and listeners to be come happier. We review our experience with last year’s “Write 24 in ‘24” challenge and reveal the challenge for 2025. Plus we discuss some of the tools and strategies we’ll use to help ourselves stick to this excellent challenge. Resources and links related to this episode: " Habits for Happiness " course #Write24in24 #Read25in25 One-Sentence Journal bookshop....
Dec 18, 2024•34 min•Ep. 513
From the Ship of Theseus to the Grand Shrine of Ise, from the Tin Woodman to our own constantly renewing bodies, humans have long wrestled with a profound question: When something is replaced piece by piece, is it still the same thing? Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple ...
Dec 16, 2024•4 min
As a holiday gift to listeners, I reading aloud “The Snow Queen,” one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous fairy tales. This week is Part One; next week is Part Two. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 14, 2024•37 min
We each review our “24 for 24 lists” and report on what we did, what we didn’t do, and why. We also reflect on which items made us happier, which ones fizzled out, and which ones we’ll repeat next year. Resources and links related to this episode: Happiness Project Shop Tips for making a "25 for '25" list Print your own "25 for '25" list One-Sentence Journal Happier in Hollywood newsletter sign-up Habits for Happiness quiz: What's the next new habit that will make you happier? Four Tendencies qu...
Dec 11, 2024•37 min•Ep. 512
In Willa Cather’s novel “O Pioneers!” a sister and brother never forget the beautiful afternoon when they saw a wild duck playing in the river. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad ...
Dec 09, 2024•4 min
We debate how to decide if a movie counts as a “holiday” movie. We also discuss how the holiday season seems to be morphing into one long celebration, with Halloween flowing directly into Christmas. Plus, we share what's making us happier: the anticipation of hosting a holiday gathering and the special joy of having a child home from college for a long visit. Resources and links related to this episode: # TheHappinessProjectCollection Bob Dylan, Chronicles: Volume One ( Amazon , Bookshop ) Get i...
Dec 07, 2024•29 min
Choosing a one-word theme is one of the most fun and thought-provoking exercises within the “Design Your Year” set. Here, we review our themes for 2024 and reveal the themes we’ve chosen for 2025. We also share a hack for choosing a powerful theme, and include many of the themes chosen by listeners. Resources and links related to this episode: Habits for Happiness course Elizabeth is rereading : The Winner by Teddy Wayne ( Amazon , Bookshop ) Gretchen is reading: North Woods by Daniel Mason ( Am...
Dec 04, 2024•39 min•Ep. 511
My reflections about artificial intelligence reminded me of the climactic scene in Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time , a masterpiece of children’s literature. That scene illuminates a profound truth about the human power of being loved, and also of offering love. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transcript for this episode on the ep...
Dec 02, 2024•7 min
We revisit a conversation with TV writer and producer Mike Schur, who has created some of our favorite TV shows ever including "The Office," "Parks and Recreation," and "The Good Place." We also talk about Derby Names and how to spread birthday cheer through the whole year. Resources and links related to this episode: Don't Break the Chain Habit Tracker "5 Things Making Me Happier" newsletter Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-sel...
Nov 30, 2024•33 min
We share dozens of excellent hacks from listeners about how to make traveling more convenient and less stressful—plus we include some of our own travel-hack discoveries. Resources and links related to this episode: Black Friday Sale Life in Five Senses Elizabeth is rereading : We Solve Murders by Richard Osman ( Amazon , Bookshop ) Gretchen is reading: The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman ( Amazon , Bookshop ) Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretc...
Nov 27, 2024•29 min•Ep. 510
Two teaching stories from very different contexts both illuminate a powerful truth: Our deepest source of resilience often comes from caring for others. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app . Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about...
Nov 25, 2024•3 min
Inspired by a friend, we discuss the question of what we wanted to accomplish in college (a question we never asked ourselves at the time). We also explore some helpful advice for the Metropolitan Museum—which the Met is definitely not interested in receiving. Plus why face-to-face meetings still hold special value in the age of screens. Resources and links related to this episode: Super-Fans Bookplates Essays in Idleness by Kenkō ( Amazon , Bookshop ) Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Vis...
Nov 23, 2024•23 min
We’re entering the season of gift-giving, so we suggest gift ideas in several categories: for rest and relaxation; for the home; for family members; for Gen Z children; and for readers. Resources and links related to this episode: “Abandon the Empty Nest. Instead, Try the Open Door.” "Habits for Happiness" course Gift Giving Quiz Cozy Gifts for Rest & Relaxation Gifts for Family Gifts for Readers Gifts for Gen Z Gifts for the Home Elizabeth is reading : The Woman in Cabin Ten by Ruth Ware ( ...
Nov 20, 2024•27 min•Ep. 509
A friend’s wise observation gave me greater clarity as I considered a common challenge of parenthood: If and when we pressure a child to participate in an activity. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads 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 ...
Nov 18, 2024•4 min
For this episode of More Happier, we’re revisiting one of our Very Special Episodes - Hacks, Hacks, and More Hacks for Making Entertaining Easier and More Fun. With Thanksgiving coming up and the December holiday season just around the corner, we all usually find ourselves hosting more than usual. We gathered hacks from ourselves, our mother (who is great at entertaining), and listeners. So many great ideas ! Cheers to a happy entertaining season. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gr...
Nov 16, 2024•35 min
We share listeners’ examples of important lessons they’ve learned from other people’s mistakes, and also what features make Wednesday a particularly enjoyable day of their week. Plus we discuss a practical suggestion for staying connected with loved ones after living through a natural disaster. Resources and links related to this episode: gretchenrubin.com/newsletter Sign-up to be a Super Fan Elizabeth is reading : The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy ( Amazon , B...
Nov 13, 2024•32 min•Ep. 508
During a visit to the Metropolitan Museum, a former museum guard showed me something interesting that I’d never noticed before, even though it was right in front of my eyes. Before, I didn’t see it; now I look for it every time. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest ...
Nov 11, 2024•4 min
Oxymoron alert: We talk about “new traditions” that have sprung up. We also talk about the interesting term of “house trust” and why we want it, and we discuss a gift idea that makes it easy to be creative and heartfelt—even if we have trouble putting your feelings into words. Resources and links related to this episode: Moment of Happiness Calendar Horace, The Odes of Horace ( Bookshop ) Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling...
Nov 09, 2024•25 min
