Happier with Gretchen Rubin
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/
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.
Lear...
More Happier : Easing Painful Moments with Humor, Plus, Are Coasters Outdated?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:
Mentioned in this episode:
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 Elizabe...
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.
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:
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 heari...
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 mor...
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...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:
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...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...
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 Happie...
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 H...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.
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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: Gretche...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 insi...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
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.
Ep. 591: How to Fight Perfectionism—Plus a Simple Happiness Hack That Really Matters
We discuss how perfectionism is driven not by high standards but by anxiety—and how embracing imperfection is a great way to overcome it. We also share an important reminder about hearing health and why it matters so much for our happiness and wellbeing.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Cass Aarssen—Clutterbug Life in Five Senses (Amazon, Bookshop) Check out the Don't Break the Chain Habit Tracker in The Happiness Project Shop Elizabeth: Rewilding by Jane Green (Amazon, Bookshop) Gretchen: The Diary of Virginia Wolfe volume 1 (Amazon, Bookshop)
Get in touc...
Little Happier: A Valuable Lesson in Happiness from the 2014 London Tube Strike
Studies from commuter patterns after the 2014 London Underground Strike illustrate an important point: even when we resist change, it holds the possibility of making our lives better.
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
More Happier: Are People Socializing More? Plus, Things That Have Achieved Perfection
We explore familiar objects that have achieved perfection—from blue jeans to the perfume bottle—and which ones resonate with us most. We also explore whether people are socializing more since Covid, or if it's just to Elizabeth.
Resources & Links Related to this episode:
Check out my free newsletter, “5 Things Making Me Happy” Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin (Amazon, Bookshop) Everybody's Autobiography by Gertrude Stein (Amazon, Bookshop)
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...
Move Happier: The Perfect (Free) Audiobook Listen for Your Next Walk
We're excited to join Libro.fm's Audiobook Walk on June 13, a celebration of getting outside, moving your body, and listening to great books. Learn more: blog.libro.fm/audiobookmonth.
To celebrate, we're sharing the first 26 minutes of Louise Erdrich's "The Mighty Red," a darkly funny novel about love and survival on the American prairie. If you enjoy it, get the full audiobook from Libro.fm—a perfect companion for the “Move 26 in '26” Challenge.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 590: Very Special Episode! 20 Practical Strategies for Managing Worry
We tackle a big happiness stumbling block: worry. We share 20 practical strategies for managing worry—from scheduling time to worry, to recognizing when a worry isn't “ripe,” to making a list, and more.
Resources & links related to this episode:
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 Podcas...
Little Happier: A Skyscraper Crisis Holds a Valuable (and True) Lesson
A crisis involving the design of the 59-story Citicorp Center illustrates lessons in creativity and the value of constant reevaluation.
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
Travel Hacks for a Happier Summer
We revisit 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 & links related to this episode:
You can start Designing Your Summer on the Tools page of the Happier app, or download the app hereGet 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 detail...
Ep. 589: Reflect on a Bittersweet Milestone Moment, Plus a New Addition to Our "Treat Yourself Like" Series
We discuss why reflecting on a milestone moment—even a difficult one—can be a meaningful happiness practice. We also add a new suggestion to our "treat yourself like" series, and explore a know-yourself-better question about the patterns we fall into before a big trip or challenge.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Visit Gretchen's website to learn mo...
Little Happier: The Hard Lesson I Learned from My Daughter’s Tattoo
My daughter’s tattoo taught me an important lesson in parenthood: nothing can become between me and my daughters and cast a shadow.
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
More Happier: Dinner for Breakfast? Plus A Basic Question About Very Basic Questions
We explore a surprisingly divisive question: would you eat dinner for breakfast? We also discuss how people learn the unwritten rules of everyday life. Plus, the pleasure of being able to watch, listen, and read as many times as you like.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Life in Five Senses (Amazon, Bookshop) Quiz: What's Your Most Neglected Sense? "Design Your Summer"—download the Happier app Ann Truitt, Turn: The Journal of an Artist (Amazon)Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-sell...
Ep. 588: Find More Time for Fun During the Work Week, Plus a Common Activity That's Riskier Than You Think
We discuss how to make the most of your weekday evenings by setting small, intentional plans. We also talk about an everyday activity that feels so familiar that it (wrongly) feels safe.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Laura Vanderkam, Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance (Amazon, Bookshop) Before Breakfast and Best of Both Worlds podcasts hosted by Laura Vanderkam Check out my free newsletter, “5 Things Making Me Happy.” Elizabeth: Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow (Amazon, Bookshop) Gretchen: The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis (Amazon, Bookshop)Get in touch: pod...
Little Happier: When We Give More to Ourselves, We Can Ask More from Ourselves
We should give ourselves healthy treats because when we give more to ourselves, we can ask more from ourselves.
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
More Happier: Caregiving Roundtable: How Do We Embrace Elder Care Without Losing Ourselves?
In this Roundtable Conversation, we discuss caregiving. With actress and podcast host Yvette Nicole Brown, author and podcaster Courtney Martin, and AARP’s senior director of caregiving Rita Choula, we talk about the challenges and satisfactions of caregiving, and how planning can help.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Yvette Nicole Brown, Squeezed Courtney Martin, The Wise Unknown Rita ChoulaGet 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 transcri...
Ep. 587: Design Your Summer! We Share Our Plans—Plus the Fun of Creating a Signature Drink
We share our "Design Your Summer" plans—an annual tradition. We also discuss a common happiness stumbling block–an item that’s too nice for its purpose—as well as a know-yourself-better question related to chores.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Download the Design Your Summer guide here Start Designing Your Summer here on the Happier app Elizabeth: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (Amazon, Bookshop) Gretchen: Casting Off by Elizabeth Jane Howard, which is part of the Cazalet Chronicles (Amazon, Bookshop)Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gr...
Little Happier: Why You Shouldn’t Comfort a Scared Puppy
A trainer gave us good advice about our new puppy, Taffy: sometimes, a casual attitude is more calming than the most earnest reassurance.
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.
More Happier: Embracing Whimsy, Plus Our “Move 26” Progress & a Great April Fool’s Prank
We check in on our “Move 26 in ‘26” progress and discuss adding more whimsy to the month of May–plus a clever April Fools prank. We also highlight a helpful tool to get started on spring cleaning.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Click here if you'd like to join "Move 26 in '26" Here are easy and fun ways to start decluttering Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple (Amazon)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...
Ep. 586: Treat Yourself Like a Grandchild, Plus a Hack for Sticking to Daily Habits
We talk about why you should treat yourself like a grandchild (or a toddler, puppy, professor, or factory), and we share a helpful tip if you’re trying to do certain things every day. Plus we discuss a listener’s question about meeting inner and outer expectations as an Upholder.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Little Happier: My Favorite Formula for a Great Title
A surprising formula to create a compelling title provides the name for a card deck of creative inspiration.
Resources & links related to this episode:
If you’d like to look at the Muse Machine, and maybe even buy one for yourself, you can check it out 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 Ap...
Move Happier: Would You Spend a Week Hiding Out in the Metropolitan Museum?
As a part of the “Move 26” challenge, podcaster (“The Secret Life of Books”) and professor Sophie Gee joins for a literary walk. We explore the Metropolitan Museum together and look for items related to the iconic children's novel “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.”
Resources & links related to this episode:
Secret Life of Books podcast, hosted by Sophie Gee and Jonty Claypole From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg (Amazon, Bookshop) Join the "Move 26" challenge in the Happier appGet in touch: podcast@gretc...
Live from Elizabeth’s Cluttered Closet!
We’re revisiting a listener-favorite episode from 2015, recorded as we cleared out Elizabeth’s closet. It's a hilarious discussion of many clutter-clearing ideas you can use right away.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Check out the Organization Hub on my website dedicated to my favorite tips, hacks, and advice for getting organizedGet 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...
Ep. 585: A Simple Way to Spark Better Conversations, Plus the End-of-History Illusion
We explore how asking paired questions can lead to more open, engaging conversations. We also discuss the “end-of-history illusion”; we keep changing more than we expect. Plus we share a simple hack for using photos to reduce worry.
Resources & links related to this episode:
Michael Melcher Writes Substack newsletter The House by the Sea by May Sarton (Amazon, Bookshop) Sign up for the "5 Things Making Me Happy" newsletter Elizabeth: Liars by Sarah Manguso (Amazon, Bookshop) Gretchen: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (Amazon, Bookshop)Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Visit Gre...
Little Happier: How Do You Cure a Fear of Flying? Try a Hangover.
A massive hangover cured someone of her fear of flying. What’s the lesson?
Resources & links related to this episode:
Four Tendencies personality framework You can take my quiz here to find your tendency.Happier at Home
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.
