Happier with Gretchen Rubin
by 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/
Episodes
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Blockbuster Author Harlan Coben on Why Memory Is Partly Fiction
Ep. 610: Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author with over 100 million books in print and many hit TV adaptations, talks about his new book, Plot Twist, messy first drafts, how fiction is memoir, and the simple trick that leaves him with no excuses. Episode highlights Why...
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Little Happier: The Paradox at the Heart of the Open-Door Stage
I've come to see a great paradox at the heart of the "Open Door" stage: I want my daughters to know they're essential to my happiness, and also that my happiness doesn't depend on them. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin |...
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Use Daylight Savings to Rethink Your Morning Routine
A round-up of ideas for creating new morning habits, how to help your family form better morning habits, and why rethinking your daily routines can add more happiness and energy to your life. Episode highlights Get early morning light to reset your body clock (01:11) Set a bedtime alarm (04:49)...
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A Secret to Creativity? Cultivate a Magpie Mind
A brilliant hack for getting more help with dinner, why a quest is more fun than a jaunt, and how we feel about desks. Episode highlights: Try This At Home: Cultivate a magpie mind [07:10] Happiness Hack—Rename a chore to make it more appealing[16:00] Know Yourself Better— How do you like to…
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Little Happier: A Superstar's Unforgettable Thank-You
I get such pleasure of thinking about iconic super-star Brad Pitt paying tribute to Chuck Palahniuk, and realizing what a gift he’d been given for his work. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four...
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Exercise Tips from NPR’s LifeKit: Could Watching TV Actually Help You Get Moving?
For “Move Happier,” Gretchen talks with Marielle Segarra, host of NPR’s Life Kit, about ditching the all-or-nothing rule, making the most of everyday activities, and the importance of smell and lighting. Episode highlights: Reduce friction: set out your gear the night before [00:00] The…
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More Happier: Do you “Get to” or do you “Have to?”
We discuss the happiness of a trip with old friends, a way to reframe the task of taking our pills, and a surprising fact about GLP-1s. Episode highlights Something Making Us Happier—Say “I’ve made this plan, come if you can,” & reframe prescriptions as “I’m lucky to live when my health issues…
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Ep. 608: Have You Ever Regretted a Good Decision? (Temporarily)
A listener shares a Know Yourself Better discovery, Elizabeth reports on what she learned from her Summer of Off-White Delight, and a recommendation for a new daily game. Episode highlights: Try This at Home— Figure out your Tendency [02:10] Happier Highlights— Elizabeth’s verdict on her Summer…
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Little Happier: What Seems Important Isn't Always What Is Important
Aphorisms are short, sharp, and easy to remember, and here are four surprising examples of one of my own: "What seems important isn't always what is important." Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free...
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More Happier: Lean into Fall with the Five Senses
We revisit some of our favorite try-this-at-home tips for tapping into our five senses this fall. Some ideas might turn into new annual traditions; others might be fun for this year as a way to make the most of the season. Episode Highlights: Choose a signature color for little bursts of…
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Ep. 607: Do You Love Whimsy? Celebrate a New Holiday with Us
We discuss how we’re using whimsy to find the right date to celebrate our “How do we learn what everyone knows?” day, and listeners share their brilliant tips for elevating your home and how to stop working against yourself (or others). Episode highlights: Try this at home: Listeners propose...
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Little Happier: A New Moral for An Old Fable
I've always loved Aesop's fables, but I've come to think the accepted morals don't always fit the stories. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a...
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More Happier: Embrace a Party Theme, Plus a Lesson About How to Fight Right
Turn party-planning stress into fun with a theme, and why one person downplaying can lead the other to overreact. Episode highlights: Something Making Us Happier: Embrace a party theme. [00:40] I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You: Gretchen’s Perfume Party [10:42] I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You…
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Ep. 606: What We Learned from “Do-Spend September,” Plus What’s Safe in the Microwave & Try a Day Pass
Here’s what we learned from our own Do-Spend September, and how to get a luxury-resort experience for a fraction of the cost. Plus: really, what can go in a microwave? Episode highlights: Try This at Home— Reflect on Do-Spend September [03:10] Happiness Hack— Buy a hotel-pool day pass for a…
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Little Happier: Dolly Parton Always Knew Just What to Say
Remembering the gracious words Dolly Parton used to decline a statue in her honor—and how that moment captured her humility, her love for Tennessee, and her commitment to doing good. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft...
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More Happier: Helping Rebel Kids with School—and Other Rebel Questions Answered
We revisit some of our most useful Four Tendencies conversations about Rebels, including listener advice for navigating school and ADHD, what actually motivates Rebels, and practical habit strategies shared by Rebels themselves. Mentioned in This Episode: The Four Tendencies in Action Workbook…
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Ep. 605: Why You Should Leave the House, Plus Why Sometimes You Don’t Need to Have an Opinion
We discuss why we should make an effort to leave the house. Plus, a stumbling block related to “having a take,” and a simple hack for reconnecting with people. Episode highlights: Try This At Home—Why leaving the house, even briefly, has a big effect on happiness [06:42] Happiness Hack: a tip for...
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Little Happier: Some of My Favorite Rules, Paradoxes, Laws, and Razors
Whether through science, personal observation, or humor, short statements of these human “laws” help us understand that world we live in. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz...
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More Happier: A Lesson from the Real Housewives, Plus a Tool for Dealing with Shared Work
What reality TV can teach us about miscommunication, plus a simple tool for dealing with shared work based on your tendency. Episode highlights: Something Making Us Happier: Elizabeth's first-ever September getaway to Nantucket, and Gretchen's trusty sweatshirt [00:33] I’ve Been Meaning to Tell...
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Ep. 604: Clear Clutter With a Courtroom Hack, Plus How to Decline a Request for Accountability
Clear clutter fast with a courtroom-inspired trick, and we discuss how Upholders might set boundaries for unwanted accountability partners. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: A hack for decluttering by issuing an “order to show cause" [04:34] Idea for Do-Spend September— A listener’s Do-Spend...
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Little Happier: A Lesson from the World Cup: Danger and Temptation Don’t Always Appear When We Expect
As the World Cup illustrated, in the happy moments of scoring a goal or celebrating, we may find it hard to stay focused on our aims. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz…
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Move Happier: Getting Unstuck: A Fresh Start for Your Move 26 Habit
Not sticking to a habit that’s important to you? Dan Harris and Laurie Santos join Gretchen to share how to spot what's holding you back — and get moving again. Mentioned in This Episode: 10% Happier podcast 10% with Dan Harris app The Happiness Lab podcast Move 26 challenge & seasonal bingo card...
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More Happier: Four Tendencies Solutions to Real-Life Problems
We revisit some of our most useful Four Tendencies listener questions, including how to help a Rebel stick to exercise, work with a Questioner boss, and keep Obliger people-pleasing from getting in the way of dating. Revisited Highlights: Episode 43: Listener Round-Up of the Four Tendencies…
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Ep. 603: Avoid the Sunk-Cost Fallacy, and Why it’s Hard to Plan for Emergencies
We talk about how to avoid the mental trap of the “sunk-cost fallacy.” Plus, why it’s so hard to plan for emergencies and the biases that keep us from preparing for risk. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: Avoid the sunk-cost fallacy—the mental trap that keeps us committed because of the time,...
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Little Happier: After His Death, I Can Still Learn More About My Beloved Father
Even after a person has died, we can continue to understand them in new ways. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or...
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More Happier: How Do People Know What To Do? Plus Making Friends at the Gym
We discuss how people know what to do in certain situations. Plus why you might–or might not–make friends at the gym. Episode highlights: Something Making Us Happier: Elizabeth finds connection to our beloved father through reading history. Gretchen delights in discovering Jamie’s rock-skipping...
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Ep. 602: Spend Your Money at Home Instead of Away, and Why You Should Delegate
Why you might consider spending your vacation money on a home experience that you’ll enjoy for years, and why delegating tasks is more important–and harder–than it may seem. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: Why you might "spend out" on your space, instead of on vacation, to give yourself fun...
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Little Happier: Why the Knicks Play Basketball with the Attitude of “Zero-Zero.”
With a simple answer of “Zero-zero,” Jalen Brunson communicated the attitude of his team as they pushed toward the NBA Championship. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed...
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More Happier: Try These 7 Habit Strategies for a Fresh Start This September
September is the other January. We revisit seven of our favorite habit strategies to help you get back into your routines after summer and build habits that actually stick. Episode Highlights: Episode 360: Want to Change a Habit? Start with These 7 Strategies Mentioned in this Episode:...
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Ep. 601: Try "Do-Spend September," Plus a Five-Senses Hack For a Memorable Vacation
A counterpart to No-Spend February, "Do-Spend September" helps us spend what we have. We also share a five-senses hack for planning vacations that are much more fun. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: Observe a "Do-Spend September," the counterpart to No-Spend February [03:06] Fun with the…
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Little Happier: NBA Players on the “Today” Show: When Lighthearted Humor Is Better than Sympathetic Silence
An exchange between Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart illustrates the fact that sometimes, we’re better off treating a painful subject with lighthearted humor rather than sympathetic silence. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram:...
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Move Happier: Clear the Decks for September with 26 Quick Tasks (Bonus)
It's time to clear the decks for September. Here are 26 quick tasks to get you moving while you refresh your space for fall. Mentioned in This Episode: The Move 26 in ‘26 Challenge: https://gretchenrubin.com/move26in26/ Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com...
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More Happier: What Tattoo Would You Get? Plus How to Give Yourself Permission to Play
When relaxing feels like wasting time, you can trick yourself into enjoying it anyway. Plus, 16 things to try for happier, calmer parenting. Episode highlights: Something Making Us Happier: Gretchen shares Chuck's tip for an ultra-quiet desk fan, plus more things we didn’t know [00:00] I’ve Been...
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Ep. 600: 600 Episodes of Happier! Listeners Share the Ideas that Stuck
Listeners share the insights and suggestions that have resonated with them most over the past 600 episodes. Mentioned in this episode: Power Hour (Apple, Spotify) Ta-Da Lists (Apple, Spotify) Outer Order, Inner Calm (Amazon, Bookshop) Reframing (Apple, Spotify) The Strategy of Pairing (Apple,...
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Little Happier: Why NBA Star Jalen Brunson Values Persistence over Pyrotechnics
NBA star Jalen Brunson gives a surprising answer to the question, “What play best embodies this entire title run?” Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode?…
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More Happier: Take Better Care of Yourself—Treat Yourself Like a Toddler, Dog, Teenager, and Professor
We revisit one of our favorite happiness ideas: Treat Yourself Like a _____. Over the years, we've explored many variations on this theme, including treating yourself like a toddler, a dog, a teenager, and a professor. Sometimes it's easier to recognize what we need when we imagine we're taking...
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Ep. 599: Treat Your Home Like a Hotel, Plus a Common Relationship Blindspot
Why you should treat your home like a hotel, and a common blindspot that can lead to unnecessary conflict. Plus a relationship hack. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: treat your home like a hotel—declutter, fix small annoyances, and add small touches of luxury. [03:10] Happiness Hack: A...
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Little Happier: Are You a Clutch Player or a Fast Starter?
Many players and teams struggle during clutch time—but not every player or team faces that challenge. Never assume that your problems are the same as other people’s. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about...
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More Happier: Have You Ever Felt Anonymous? Plus a Lesson for Upholders
Gretchen shares a recent insight on feeling "anonymous" versus "present." We also discuss a lesson for Upholders and gift-worthy pop-up books. Episode Highlights Something Making Us Happier—Elizabeth's new Wordle streak milestone and Gretchen’s favorite pop-up books [00:36] I’ve Been Meaning to...
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Ep. 598: Spy on Your Own Habits, and Discover Your Empty-Nest Personality
“Treat yourself like…a person of interest” and try a month-long “self-stakeout” to track your habits. We also share an easy way to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit in your head. Plus we discuss three broad categories of empty nesters. Episode highlights: Try This At Home— Do a "self-stakeout"…
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Little Happier: Why People Don't Ride Horses If They Can Take a Bus
George Orwell’s observation about work performed by machines is very relevant to our discussions of AI. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the...
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More Happier: Introduce Whimsy, Schedule a Personal Playdate, and Embrace Fun Plans
We revisit listener-favorite hacks for cultivating summer fun. If you want to make the most of the weeks ahead, these practical ideas can help you add more fun, adventure, and whimsy to everyday life. Revisited Highlights: Episode 146: Introduce a note of whimsy Episode 178: Schedule a weekly...
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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...
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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: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode?…
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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...
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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…
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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: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality...
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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...
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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...
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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: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this…
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About this show
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/
Hosted by
Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project
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