The Onward Project

Happier in Hollywood

Business EN ↓ 488 episodes

Veteran TV writers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain demystify Hollywood by making career and personal struggles universal. Friends since high school and writing partners for over 20 years, Liz and Sarah have survived and thrived in Tinseltown’s male-dominated entertainment industry, guided by blind optimism and a Midwestern work ethic. Along the way they've learned a lot about kicking ass, kissing ass, and office yoga. Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Author

The Onward Project

Category

Business

Podcast website

www.happierinhollywood.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Ep 62: SOS: It's Okay To Ask For Help! 19.07.2018

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...

Ep. 60: When In Doubt, Give An Out 05.07.2018

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...

Ep. 59: The One Where Sarah Changes Her Mind About The Flemish Giant Rabbit (And Why Changing Your Mind Can Be A Good Career Move) 28.06.2018

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...

Ep. 58: How To Make The Most Of Your Big Break 21.06.2018

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...

Ep. 57: Dress Up To Power Up! 14.06.2018

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...

Ep. 56: #BossGoals 07.06.2018

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...

Ep. 55: Chuck Reed’s Secret To Success: No Job Too Small 31.05.2018

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...

Ep. 54: The Fix Is Going To Series! 24.05.2018

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...

Ep. 53: Get Your Butt In The Chair 17.05.2018

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...

Ep. 52: Trust Your Instincts 10.05.2018

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...

Ep. 51: You're In Charge Of Your Own Career 03.05.2018

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...

Ep. 50: No One Knows Anything In Hollywood — A Listener Questions Episode 26.04.2018

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...

Ep. 49: Lessons Learned From The Vibrant Life Of Suzanne Patmore Gibbs 19.04.2018

Liz and Sarah pay tribute to Suzanne Patmore Gibbs, the head of TriStar television, and share the many lessons they learned from her vibrant life. Then Liz and Sarah discuss their self-care getaway weekends after pilot production... and how they were sort of successful, sort of not. This week we have two Hollywood Hacks to up your selfie game: have the tallest person in the group take the selfie a...

Ep. 48: Pick Your Battles With ABC Studios Exec Juan Alfonso 12.04.2018

Liz and Sarah are in post production! They discuss the crazy schedule, how they're sitting around A LOT, and the excruciating focus group testing process. In Name That Hollywood Job, ABC Studios VP of Drama Development Juan Alfonso discusses the development process. His advice to writers working with a network or studio: Don't come in with an "us vs. them" attitude. Finally, this week's Hollywood...

Ep. 47: "Live" From The Hollywood Forever Cemetery 05.04.2018

Liz and Sarah are on location at Hollywood Forever Cemetery! They answer a listener question about how best to support a partner going through pilot production. Then they sit down with Marcia Clark to discuss the art of collaboration -- including how it can go oh so wrong. In Name That Hollywood Job, location manager Veronique Vowell shares the creative and logistical challenges of finding just th...

Ep. 46: Liz Hasn't Showered In Days 29.03.2018

Liz and Sarah discuss the things they AREN'T doing while making their pilot: showering, flossing, exercising, and dropping their kids off at school. Then in a new segment called "Name That Hollywood Job," Liz and Sarah interview Warner Brothers story analyst Sherry Carnes. What does Sherry look for in a script or book? Finally, this week's Hollywood Hack is all over the set of The Fix: the Lucky C...

Ep. 45: Swing Sets And Stunning Couture 22.03.2018

Liz and Sarah report on the status of their New Year's Resolutions. So far, so good -- Sarah is living sugar-freely and Liz is weighing daily! Then they dive deep into the pilot production glossary: Swing sets, story conference, and design meeting. what are the key terms to know while doing a pilot? Finally, this week's Hollywood Hack helps you look fabulous for less: Rent the Runway!  To learn mo...

Ep. 44: Sugar Detox And Hankering For A Hotel Bar 15.03.2018

Liz and Sarah examine the pros and cons of doing a pilot in LA vs. out of town. Shooting in LA means they can sleep in their own beds and drop their kids off at school, but there's no hotel bar. Then Liz and Sarah talk to Certified Nutrition Consultant and New York Times best-selling author Diane Sanfilippo about how to avoid hidden sugar, eat whole foods while socializing, and prepare meals ahead...

Ep. 43: Slap Happy In Hollywood 08.03.2018

As Sarah and Liz prepare to shoot their pilot, Sarah reveals everything that’s in her set bag: snacks, keys, glasses, and even rain pants! Then Liz and Sarah check in with their assistant and pilot virgin Mary to hear what she’s learned so far during the pilot process — be meticulous about everything you write, revise the script to fit within the budget, and be aware of clearances. This week’s mea...

Ep. 42: We Want Volunteers, Not Recruits! 01.03.2018

It's pilot production time! As Liz and Sarah prepare to shoot their pilot for ABC, The Fix, they share their hiring philosophy: "Volunteers, Not Recruits!" Only hire people who WANT to be there -- not people who have to be convinced. Then they discuss how -- from the mundane to the cosmic -- timing is everything. Finally, Liz and Sarah reveal this week's old fashioned Hollywood Hack: get a library...

Ep. 41: Deep In The Pilot Crazy 22.02.2018

Liz and Sarah’s pilot got picked up by ABC! As they dive into production, they share the lessons they’ve learned on past pilots: if something is inevitable don't resist it, never test more than three roles at once, and always write in a horse because at some point you're going to be glad you have a cowboy. Then Liz and Sarah answer a listener question about why networks are all about reboots right...

Ep. 40: Perfection Is Boring And Liz Is An Hysterical Female 15.02.2018

Liz gets real about her fear of public speaking with speech coach extraordinaire Barbara Seymour Giordano. Barbara shares her tips on how to overcome fear and take control. She also talks about the importance of finding the love in your story. This week’s Hollywood Hack is chemical free and restores your natural hair color: Hairprint. Finally, in Hits and Bombs, Liz confesses her “hysterical femal...

Ep. 39: Taste Success, Not Failure 08.02.2018

Sparked by a listener email, Liz and Sarah revisit the topic of freezing your eggs. Then they discuss Hollywood producing legend Robert Evans’ advice on making it: “You learn from success, kid, not failure.” Then Sarah shares how the three tiny diamonds on a ring helped her through challenging times— professionally and personally. This week's Hollywood Hack reduces motion sickness without medicati...

Ep. 38: Only In Hollywood Do You Pray For Hell 01.02.2018

Liz and Sarah discuss the rollercoaster that is pilot pick up season -- including the nail-biting anticipation that keeps them up for nights on end. In what other industry does so much ride on one phone call? Then they talk to Hollywood doctor and board certified physician nutrition specialist Melina Jampolis about her new book Spice Up, Slim Down. Who knew that adding a few spices to your diet co...

Ep. 37: Sorry, Not Sorry! 25.01.2018

Liz and Sarah discuss the common phenomenon of over-apologizing. When SHOULD you say you're sorry? Then they debate the pros and cons of overbuying versus underbuying -- and share what compelled Sarah to buy a puppy stroller. This week's Hollywood Hack makes investing simple and easy -- the Robinhood app! Finally, Liz shares her Game of Thrones celebrity sighting: Peter Dinklage!  To learn more ab...

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