More Happier: Introduce Whimsy, Schedule a Personal Playdate, and Embrace Fun Plans
Yesterday · 35 min
HW
Health & Fitness
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project
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/
- 20 episodes
- Updated Yesterday
Episodes20
- HW
EP. 597: Celebrate "Dogust," Plus a Special Challenge for Upholders With Little Kids
August is “Dogust,” so we talk about celebrating the dogs in our lives. Plus, we answer a listener question about our reading habits. Episode Highlights: Try This at Home: Celebrate "Dogust" with five easy ways to celebrate your dog [06:10] Four Tendencies Tip: We share strategies for helping a parent Upholder who is struggling to maintain her habits [15:23] Happiness Hack: Why a backpacking pack might be a better travel alternative to your roller bag [12:48] Listener Question: How do we get so much reading done? [19:57] Demerits & Gold Stars: Gretchen’s demerit: stalling out on family timeline project; Elizabeth’s Gold Star: all the monoculture events this summer [25:00] Mentioned in This Episode: Dog cave bed Patagonia Black Hole Convertible Carry-On Backpack This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage and Started My Life by Lyz Lenz (Amazon, Bookshop) Permanence by Sophie Mackintosh (Amazon, Bookshop) Secrets of Adulthood Substack Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wednesday · 37 min - HW
Little Happier: Have You Ever Felt Like the Little Red Hen?
A classic children’s fable is very relevant to the work of adults. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Monday · 5 min - HW
More Happier : Easing Painful Moments with Humor, Plus, Are Coasters Outdated?
A viral clip shows two NBA stars turning a painful mistake into a moment of friendship through humor. We also discuss a surprisingly divisive topic: coasters. Episode highlights: Something Making Us Happier: Running a mile in under 12 minutes, and weird soda flavors [00:41] I've Been Meaning to Tell You: How "joshing" and affectionate teasing helped two Knicks teammates reframe a painful playoff moment [03:57] Spotlight on a Tool: Sign up for my free newsletter for "Five Things to Try" [10:31] Are Coasters Still Useful? A listener argues coasters are outdated. [11:21] Mentioned in this episode: Jalen Brunson Trolls Josh Hart Missing Dunk Before OG's Tip-In - Bleacher Report Sign up for Gretchen's free newsletter, "Five Things to Try This Month" Subscribe to Lemonada Premium for ad-free listening Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify — it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 25 · 24 min - HW
Ep. 596: How Do People Learn the Things Everyone Already Knows? Plus a Ladder Warning
Listeners share the "everyone knows that" facts they learned the hard way and we share an important warning about falls. Episode highlights: Listener Follow-Up: Remember that even a small fall can lead to a big injury. [00:57] Lessons Learned the Hard Way—spare tires, elevator exit stars, gas tank arrows, and more [02:42] Try This at Home: We share listeners' examples of facts everyone else seemed to know--but they didn't. [15:05] Demerits & Gold Stars: Elizabeth’s demerit: late to fill out school health forms; Gretchen’s gold star: to Elizabeth’s family for making the long trip for the 4th of July [27:35] Mentioned in this episode: Food & Wine: What the Color of Your Bread Tag Really Means Gretchen's Reading Retreat guide: happiercast.com/readingretreat Who Needs Friends by Andrew McCarthy (Amazon, Bookshop) Virginia Woolf's Diary, Vol. 3 (Amazon, Bookshop) Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 22 · 35 min - HW
Little Happier: The Challenge of the “Help-Rejecting Complainer”
It’s very draining to deal with someone who complains and rejects any help that’s offered—but effective responses exist. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 20 · 4 min - HW
More Happier: Reading Hacks, Book Recommendations, and Finding Your Perfect Summer Read
We revisit a favorite Try This at Home tip for getting more reading done, share listener hacks for building a happier reading life, and discuss how to discover books you'll love. Plus: recommendations for fascinating books about how things work. Revisited Highlights: Try This at Home: Read More (episode 121) Happiness Hacks: Listener Question: How to Find Good Books to Read (episode 428) Listener Recommendations: Books on How Things Work (episode 481) Mentioned in This Episode: Tips for Reading More from “Better Than Before” Gretchen’s Favorite Children’s and Young-Adult Books The New York Times Book Review Podcast Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz → gretchenrubin.com/quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 18 · 34 min - HW
Ep. 595: Always RSVP, & Why We Should Stop Over-delivering
Gretchen and Elizabeth discuss why we should always RSVP, and how to stop a simple gathering from, over time, becoming too much work. Episode Highlights: Try This at Home: Always RSVP — Why responding promptly (even with a "no") makes us a better guest [05:49] Happiness Hack: Try a bag organizer insert — A simple way to keep a carry-on, tote, or structureless bag tidy and travel-ready. [14:22] Happiness Stumbling Block: Presentation Creep — How over-delivering can gradually turn a casual get-together into something burdensome. [16:00] Listener Update: Hearing Aids — Listeners share how hearing aids changed their lives, plus a practical tip on using Apple AirPods Pro as a starter hearing test. [01:44] Demerits & Gold Stars — Gretchen’s demerit: not enough watercoloring; Elizabeth’s gold star: for the friend who created "Trail and Talk" [21:29] Mentioned in This Episode: Bag organizer insert: [https://amzn.to/4oc1oPO] Five-Senses Journal (20% off with code HAPPIER20): More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen (Amazon, Bookshop) The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (Amazon, Bookshop) Listen to our Bookclub interview with Elizabeth Strout here! Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take the free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify — it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 15 · 31 min - HW
Little Happier: Why the King Paid Just as Much for Three Books as He Would Have Paid for Nine
A haunting story from ancient Rome remains relevant to our lives today. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 13 · 3 min - HW
Move Happier: Tips for Regular Exercise, How Walking Helps You Think, Plus Can Your Garden Be an Accountability Partner? (Bonus)
We discuss the biggest obstacles to moving more this summer with Sarah Fain from the “Happier in Hollywood” podcast, and share practical strategies for getting regular exercise. This special episode is part of the Move 26 in ‘26 challenge to help all of us find more ways to move every day. Try This at Home: Identify your biggest obstacle to movement — Figure out what's getting in the way of moving more, so you can find a solution that works for you. Deep Dive: Tips for getting regular exercise — we talk about practical strategies for making movement easier: scheduling workouts, lowering the bar, embracing accountability, convenience, and fresh starts. Take a Hike: Take a loop — Elizabeth and Sarah discuss why taking a short walk around the block can help you think more clearly, get unstuck, and return to your work with fresh ideas. Resources & links related to this episode: Join the Move 26 in '26 challenge here 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 12 · 36 min - HW
More Happier: Design Your Summer & Why a Teammate's Touch Can Change an Outcome
Practical ways to build more play into your summer and the surprising research on how physical touch improves athletic performance. Design Your Summer check-in: How Gretchen and Liz are spending their summers: reading lists, doodling-sketching, and no worry! [08:25] Spotlight on a Tool:Daily Recess: Adults need unstructured play too. How to figure out what kind of recess actually works for you [18:45] The Science of Touch: Research shows that in basketball, physical touch from teammates reduces stress and boosts performance [19:46] Mentioned in This Episode: Daily Recess guide with prompts and ideas Download the Happier app to track your Design Your Summer reading list Physical touch improves free-throw performance Tactile communication and NBA performance Josh Hart moment, Game Four Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz → gretchenrubin.com/quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 11 · 32 min - HW
Ep. 594: Try Becoming a Fan, Plus Tips for Dealing with Travel Bores
Becoming a fan—of sports or anything—can improve your happiness. We share listener tips for dealing with people who share every boring detail of their latest trip. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: Become a fan— Research shows that fandom reduces loneliness and gives your life more structure, connection, and ritual [04:37] Happiness Hack: Cross off the common denominator—When you're anxious about a decision, ask yourself: does this worry apply to every option? [14:45] Listener strategies for dealing with travel bores: How to redirect the conversation and ask targeted questions that make travel stories actually interesting. [17:41] Demerits & Gold Stars: Elizabeth's demerit: return timing regret; Gretchen's gold star: a perfect souvenir find. [25:03] Mentioned in this Episode: "Why Watching Sports Makes People Happy" — Time Magazine Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer by Warren St. John (Amazon, Bookshop) There's Only One Sin in Hollywood by Rasheed Newson (Amazon, Bookshop) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Amazon, Bookshop) Summer Bingo card + Design Your Summer tool — Happier App Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take the free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify — it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 8 · 36 min - HW
Little Happier: You Don’t Have to Be Good at Basketball to Be Good at Basketball
A star player for the NBA illustrates an important Secret of Adulthood: We don’t have to be good at something to be good at something. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 6 · 4 min - HW
Do You Need More Comfort or Adventure? Plus More Tips for Designing Your Summer
We revisit some of our favorite hacks and tips for designing a happier summer, including why you might choose a summer song, how to think about comfort versus adventure, and practical hacks for making summer more memorable, manageable, and fun. Resources & links related to this episode: Start Designing Your Summer on the Tools page of the Happier app, or download the app here 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 4 · 30 min - HW
Ep. 593: Ditch Your Storage Unit, Plus How to Start a New Tradition
Stop renting space for stuff you've forgotten. Plus a simple framework for starting a new tradition. Try This at Home: Make a new tradition — Why creating a deliberate, recurring ritual can strengthen relationships and make scheduling easier. [03:24] Happiness Hack: Treat yourself like your own daughter — The latest in the “treat yourself like a___” series. [11:41] Happiness Stumbling Block: Your storage unit is costing you more than you think. [12:52] Listener Question: How do you set aside worry for a whole season? [20:15] Demerits & Gold Stars: Gretchen's demerit: ongoing battle with foot exercises; Elizabeth's gold star: using the Design Your Summer tool in the Happier app. [28:30] Mentioned in This Episode: Design Your Summer tool Atlas Obscura app Habits for Happiness quiz The Wreck of the Mentor by Eric J. Dolin (Amazon, Bookshop) The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (Amazon, Bookshop) Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify — it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 1 · 38 min - HW
Little Happier: Why Winston Churchill Used Courteous Speech in a Letter About War
A letter from Churchill demonstrates the value of courtesy, even—or perhaps especially—at moments of highest battle. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 29 · 4 min - HW
More Happier: Get Better at Socializing & Make the Most of “Halfway Day”
Why summer is the perfect time to revisit your goals for the year. Gretchen and Elizabeth share a hack for making socializing easier. Build Your Social Muscles: The more you socialize, the less mental energy it costs [00:39] Spotlight on a Tool: July 2nd is the halfway point of the year, so it’s a great time to revisit the goals and lists you made in January [18:24] I've Been Meaning to Ask You: We talk about happiness all the time. Does we ever get tired of thinking about how to be happier? [10:56] I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You: Gretchen finds reassurance in Elizabeth’s recent take on the challenge of watching TV [19:14] Mentioned in this Episode: Design Your Year / Halfway Day resources When Zero Isn't Nothing: The Fresh Eyes of a Basketball Beginner Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 27 · 29 min - HW
Ep. 592: Reflect on “Halfway Day,” Plus How Abstainers Can Moderate
We’re halfway through the year. Gretchen and Liz share how to treat July 2 as a built-in reset to reflect on what's working and what isn't. Try This at Home: Prepare for Halfway Day — Use “Halfway Day” on July 2 to review your aims for the year [05:48] Happiness Hack: Name Your Days of the Week — To make work easier, give a name to each day of the week [21:34] Listener Question: When Abstainers Try to Moderate — Can an abstainer occasionally indulge in moderation? [24:29] Question for Listeners: What Works with Rebels? — If you live or work with a Rebel (or are one), what insights or strategies have made a difference? [30:18] Demerits & Gold Stars — Elizabeth's demerit: a missed opportunity to schedule doctor appointments. Gretchen's gold star: the New York Knicks [31:32] Mentioned in this Episode: Wedding readings collection You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate — (Amazon, Bookshop) The Virginia Woolf Diaries, Vol. 2 — (Amazon, Bookshop) Take the Four Tendencies quiz Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about the Four Tendencies framework and take the free quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 24 · 39 min - HW
Little Happier: An Important Creativity Lesson from “Green Eggs and Ham”
It may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s true: imagination is often sparked more by constraint than by freedom. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 22 · 3 min - HW
Halfway Day Check-In—Plus, How to Adjust Your Habits for Summer
We revisit a special audio episode from the “Habits for Happiness” course about adapting your habits for summer. With Halfway Day approaching on 7/2, it's a useful reminder that a small adjustment can help you get more out of the season and the second half of the year. Resources & links related to this episode: Check out the new Design Your Summer tool in the Happier app 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 20 · 29 min