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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 happierinhollywood@gmail.com 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast Liz and Sarah talk about being Creative Entrepreneurs. How can they expand their vision of their career? What elements will strengthen their two person small company? Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss whether they want to continue writing their novel in the past tense, or whether they’d rather change to the present tense. In The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a question from a Pre-WGA writer about how to approach an established writer with helpful information. This week’s Hollywood H...
Aug 03, 2023•23 min•Ep 325•Transcript available on Metacast Even though it’s the last thing they feel like talking about, Liz and Sarah discuss the ongoing WGA strike and how it feels like it’s lasting forever. In Take A Hike, Sarah reveals why the concept of “building a frog pond” (both literally and metaphorically) is helping her cope. Then Sarah has a Hit for Escape Rooms, and they both give a Bomb to the heatwave in Los Angeles. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from the FB group: When in doubt, write a note. And finally, Sarah has a perfect summer mo...
Jul 27, 2023•26 min•Ep 324•Transcript available on Metacast Liz and Sarah discuss SAG-AFTRA going out on strike. Will actors on strike pressure the AMPTP to come back to the table? They sure hope so. Then they Amplify a new book from journalist Maureen Ryan — Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about what they’ve learned about creative formatting while working on their novel. Small changes can make a big impact on the reader. This week’s Hollywood Hack is a low tech way to hel...
Jul 20, 2023•24 min•Ep 323•Transcript available on Metacast Liz and Sarah have joined the new social media platform, Threads, and they think you should too! Getting onboard early makes a difference — so don’t delay. This week’s Hollywood Hack is deep dive into The Perfect Tee. Liz and Sarah asked listeners for suggestions and got so many great ideas! Then Liz had a Celebrity Sighting (Alan Ruck) while dropping Jack off at camp. And Sarah recommends seeing Pixar’s new movie, Elemental. Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touc...
Jul 13, 2023•24 min•Ep 322•Transcript available on Metacast Liz and Sarah are both experiencing that summer vacation feeling — which means they DON’T feel like working. How can they harness the delight of summer but still make progress on their novel? In The Mailroom, they answer a question about how good material needs to be before showing it to a person with hiring power. Answer — pretty damn good. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from a listener: Take the necessary extra steps to make your tech (or anything else) work for you. And Celebrity Sighting i...
Jul 06, 2023•28 min•Ep 321•Transcript available on Metacast 
