Happier in Hollywood

Prompted by a listener question about living paycheck to paycheck in Hollywood, Liz and Sarah introduce a new listener questions segment called "The Mailroom." Then they discuss growing up in La La Land with Autumn Chiklis, actor and author of the new bestselling novel Smothered. Her advice to Liz and Sarah to keep their kids grounded? Be there! Finally, this week's Hollywood Hack: to remember som...

Liz and Sarah discuss the notion that you never know what's around the corner, so you might as well embrace the unknown and enjoy the small victories along the way. Then in Hits and Bombs, Sarah shares her play date fail, and Liz joins a mahjong group! This week's Hollywood Hack: targeted therapy. Finally, Sarah reveals her Celebrity Sighting from the farmer's market: Jason Schwartzman. Links:The...

Liz and Sarah have crushes -- professional crushes! Who are they, and why do they try to emulate them? Then Sarah shares why being less concerned about punctuality helps decrease stress, especially as a parent. Finally, this week's Hollywood Hack: keep a full makeup bag at work! Links:Marti Noxon: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0637497/Angel: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162065/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_20J...

Liz and Sarah discuss the art and science of staffing their writers' room on The Fix. What are they looking for? How many pages of a sample script do they usually read? What makes a writer stand out? Then they talk to their assistant Mary about her very "woo-woo" trip to the Integratron sound bath in Joshua Tree. Finally, this week's tech-savvy transaction Hollywood Hack: Venmo!  Kimonos:https://s...

Sparked by Roxane Gay's Nemesis Twitter, Liz and Sarah discuss nemeses and how they can serve as motivation. Then they talk about Sarah's recent "obligation vacation" and the many obligations we could all use a vacation from—  order a meal service for a week so you don't have to cook, take a break from cleaning your house, or ignore the mail for a few days. Finally, Liz and Sarah reveal this week'...

Why do we ignore red flags? Prompted by Liz's recent read of the book Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou, she and Sarah discuss how and why people dismiss red flags in their professional and personal lives. Then they interview TV/comic book writer Ben Blacker about his podcast The Writers Panel and his upcoming comic book Hex Wives. Finally, Liz reveals a par...

Liz and Sarah's dream guest doesn't disappoint! They talk to ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey about everything from the benefits of compartmentalizing, diversity in Hollywood, the famous Roseanne decision, to television development and why her notes are so good. Then Liz and Sarah share this week's fitness Hollywood Hack: get your coworkers to do a plank with you every hour. Finally, Li...

We want you to have a Happier Labor Day! This Labor Day, the Onward Project podcasts are all about improving your work life. (So be sure to listen to Episode 184 of Happier with Gretchen Rubin and Episode 611 of Side Hustle School!) Here on Happier In Hollywood we asked our listeners a question— does your job define you, and should it? And, wow, did you answer! We got tons of revealing responses—...

It's all about the "bullet train!" Liz and Sarah discuss the notion of quiddity (the inherent essence of someone or something) and how "bullet train" is the quiddity of The Fix. Then they share their hectic schedule on the first day of shooting -- and it's not all writing --  a 7am call time, a notes call, and a check-in with the lead actors all before 10:30am! This week's Hollywood Hack is sweepi...

Liz and Sarah share the lessons they learned writing The Fix episode 102. It's a tale of perseverance and a little bit of panic. Then they discuss a listener question about the pros and cons of getting a dog. (Spoiler alert: Liz is getting a dog. Well, thinking about it.) This week's Hollywood Hack: the on-demand massage app, Soothe! Finally, Liz and Sarah reveal a vicarious celebrity sighting fro...

You have questions -- Liz and Sarah have answers! What advice does Sarah have for choice moms? Why does Liz feel so strongly about writers' assistant notes?  How do you approach a supervisor when a job you want becomes available? How do the roles of directors and producers differ? They answer all these and more in this special listener questions episode! Links: Happier With Gretchen Rubin: https:/...

Liz and Sarah discuss Fun, Fun Fridays — what they are and why they’re bringing The Fix team together. Then Liz and Sarah reveal their enneagram results and talk to world-renowned executive coach Michael Melcher about how personality type influences leadership style. This week’s fashionable Hollywood Hack: get a signature belt. Finally, Liz’s celebrity sighting this week is Rachel Lindsay from The...

Liz and Sarah are stressed out! During this insanely busy time for their ABC show, The Fix, they discuss their go-to tools for managing stress -- and whether or not they're working. Then they talk to their favorite mogul David Hoberman, founder and co-owner of Mandeville Films and Television, about being a producer, the #MeToo movement, and how to resolve conflict on the job. Finally, Liz and Sara...

Happier in Hollywood is getting a new logo! Prompted by the graphic designer search, Liz and Sarah talk about why it's so important to ask for help in both professional and personal life. Then Sarah shares her puttering-filled weekend, and reveals why puttering is surprisingly productive and meditative. Finally, this week's Hollywood Hack will help you stand out in the office: quotes of the day! L...

Give people an out! Liz and Sarah talk about why it's important to let people save face -- at work and at home. Then they discuss the importance of living in an atmosphere of growth. One idea? Take a class! (Sarah's learning all about neoglucogenesis in her online nutrition class) Finally, as The Fix revs up, Liz and Sarah discover a Hollywood Hack to keep them active: Office yoga! Links:Los Angel...

Liz and Sarah talk about why it's important to be open to changing your mind at work. And Sarah shares how she changed her mind at home. Instead of getting a Flemish Giant rabbit, she got her daughter, Violet two guinea pigs. Then they answer a listener question about crying at the office, and disclose the times they've burst into tears in the writers' room. In Hits and Bombs, Liz reveals her hit...

All over Los Angeles, first-time Staff Writers are starting their new jobs in the writers’ room. Liz and Sarah talk to a first-time Staff Writer on their new show The Fix: Brook Turner, their former assistant! They encourage Brook— and everyone who’s landed a big break— to hit the ground running and not be afraid to make mistakes. Then they debate Sarah’s decision to get a Flemish Giant rabbit, wh...

Dress Up To Power Up! Can Liz and Sarah up their wardrobe game? As they prepare to run their new ABC show, The Fix, they’re determined to break out of their sweats and jeans rut and Dress Like A Boss. They also check in with their former assistant, Brook Turner, for some exciting news: Brook will be the writers' assistant on The Fix! Then, sparked by a listener question, Liz and Sarah talk about m...

Liz and Sarah discuss their Boss Goals and how they plan to run The Fix. Their philosophy? Be respectful of other people's time, be decisive, and no  "metaphoric" closed doors. Then they talk to film producer turned Montana cowgirl, Jeanne Allgood Gaisford about the 40 Bags in 40 Days Decluttering Challenge. Letting go of those fancy heels you'll never wear again can be tough. Finally, this week's...

Meet Happier in Hollywood's new producer, Chuck Reed! After a long and successful career in the music industry (where he worked with artists like Sting, Bono, Eminem and Dr. Dre— Liz and Sarah are only slightly intimidated), Chuck has spot-on advice for people who want to work in the music biz... or any other competitive industry. Then Sarah explains what a heavy metal detox is, why she did one, a...

Liz and Sarah's pilot The Fix has been picked up by ABC! After a trip to New York for Upfronts, Liz and Sarah discuss why it's so important to enjoy the moment. Then they talk to Happier in Hollywood's resident transformational psychic medium, Marla Frees, about her intuitive powers -- and how she predicted that The Fix would go to series! This week's Hollywood Hack: stay ten more minutes! Finally...

After an update on the "guys" debate, Liz and Sarah talk to authors and co hosts of the podcast #AmWriting KJ Dell'antonia and Jessica Lahey about the writer's life. It doesn't matter if you're in Hollywood or in the country as long as you get your butt in the chair and your head in the game. This week's Hollywood Hack will help you land any job: state the obvious! Finally, after the unexpected de...

Description: As Liz and Sarah finish their ABC pilot THE FIX, they take time out to discuss why it's so important to trust your gut. Then they answer a listener question about the financial burden of being a starving artist. Their advice? Get a day job, but keep working toward your goals in the meantime. In Hits and Bombs, Sarah has a crabby bomb, and Liz has a life-altering mantra hit courtesy of...

Update: Happier in Hollywood has a resident psychic -- and Liz has her to thank for a new positive attitude. Liz and Sarah discuss how to be in control of your own career. Nobody cares more about your success than you do. Then Liz and Sarah talk to co-owner of Inform Fitness Toluca Lake, Sheila Melody about the Power of Ten Workout and starting your own business after 40. (Make sure to check out S...

Today is all about you! It’s a listener question extravaganza! What do Liz and Sarah wish they’d known when they were starting out in Hollywood? Do Liz and Sarah have any all-time favorite TV shows? Are they aware of how much they use the word "guys?" And we have multiple Hollywood Hacks all from you: Hoopla, Dear Book Hoarder candles that smell like old books, and Vivian Lou insoles!  To learn mo...