Happier in Hollywood

Vacation is officially over. Sarah and Liz are clearing their white boards and diving into a new project (or maybe two) while they wait for Fantasy Island Season Three to get the green light. How are they getting into the right mindset? And do they feel ready to tackle something new? In Take A Hike, Sarah discusses the hypnotherapy she’s been doing to improve her mood. Then Sarah has a Hit for her...

Liz and Sarah discuss what they should be doing during their downtime. Coming up with TV show ideas? Writing a novel? Working on a new podcast? Or maybe... nothing at all? Then they Amplify a new TV show starring Roselyn Sanchez — ‘Til Jail Do Us Part. In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah share a tip they learned from an essay on writing by Ann Patchett — don’t let yourself start a new novel until...

Liz and Sarah talk to TV writer Niceole Levy about her fantastic new book, The Writers’ Room Survival Guide. Practical tips about topics like what to do before the job even starts, how to navigate a toxic environment, and what to expect when you’re writing your first script make this book essential for anyone interested in a TV career. Then, in Take A Hike, Sarah shares that she’s been using Gretc...

Stepping OFF The Treadmill Desk & A Call With Our Manager Dianne Fraser Liz and Sarah discuss the anxiety of stepping OFF the treadmill desk during their vacation. Then they share their vacation Hits and Bombs. Sarah gives Violet a Hit for trying escargot in Paris and a Bomb to the guy who smelled really bad on the plane ride home. Liz gives Jack a hit for going snorkeling, and she gives herself a...

Liz and Sarah received so many great questions from listeners that they decided to devote another episode to answering them. What does Liz have to say about Survivor? Why didn’t Liz and Sarah have an office for Season Two of Fantasy Island? Now that Sarah is catching up on recent pop culture, what are some of her favorite current TV shows? They also explain why everyone should watch The Shield, ta...

Liz and Sarah answer listener questions! Is being a showrunner what they expected? How do they come up with fantasies for Fantasy Island? Has Sarah ever considered taking up quilting? What is Liz’s favorite Real Housewives franchise? And so many more!  Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood....

This week, Liz and Sarah reveal what they’ve learned about themselves when they’re not buried in work. Then they talk with showrunner and author Rasheed Newson about his new novel, My Government Means to Kill Me. How did he write a book while running a show? What advice does he have for aspiring writers? Finally, Rasheed provides this week’s Hollywood Hack: on Zoom, minimize your screen and put yo...

Liz and Sarah share some key takeaways from the excellent Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging training they recently attended, including how their personal identifiers impact their leadership styles — in both positive and negative ways. They also discuss the concept of STUFF, which stands for Stress, Time, Uncertainty, Fear, & Fatigue. When we experience STUFF it can be harder to effective...

Liz and Sarah discuss the upcoming Apple TV+ show, Bad Sisters. They developed the same show (based on a Flemish series) twice for ABC, but it (rightly) never got past the script stage. Now they’re excited to see how Sharon Horgan brings it to life. In Take A Hike, they offer three strategies for dealing with “crazy.” Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz gives Sarah a hit for using her alone time well when...

This week, Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of spending time with their TV writer friends! Then, in Amplify, Liz and Sarah recommend fellow showrunner and author Rasheed Newson’s new book, My Government Means to Kill Me. In The Mailroom, they answer a listener question on how books become movies or shows. Finally, their assistant Lauren is back with this week’s Hollywood Hack: be an inviter! G...

This week, Liz and Sarah are passing off their worry to the experts! They share how trusting your team can take the weight off. Then—one, two, three—in Take A Hike, they talk about how keeping a daily count can help mark each day with gratitude. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss the difference between big bullseyes and small bullseyes, and how shows likeBarryandYellowjacketshit their targe...

This week, Liz and Sarah have an update on their company, Fun Job Productions—after two years, did they decide to keep their fiction podcast company going? Then, Liz and Sarah are joined by author and fellow podcaster Lian Dolan! They talk about Lian’s latest novel, Lost and Found in Paris, her writing process, and how to dive into that book project you’ve been wanting to start. Finally, this week...

This week, Liz and Sarah have a reality check for aspiring TV writers. From making less money to doing free work, the business has gotten even more brutal. Their advice? Follow your dreams, but know what you’re in for. In Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah talk about the importance of work traditions—how they mark milestones, help them bond, and make hard work more fun. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they a...

Even though Liz and Sarah are still in the middle of post production for Season 2 of Fantasy Island, they discuss how they feel like they’re on vacation! In Take A Hike, they reveal their summer themes: Liz is planning a Summer of Health, and Sarah is looking forward to a Summer of Settling (in a good way). Next, in Amplify, they spotlight the delightful Gordita Chronicles, a new show on HBOMax th...

Liz and Sarah celebrate wrapping production on Season Two of Fantasy Island! They discuss the Season Two “production curse” and how knowing even The Godfather faced challenges was a comfort. In The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer TWO listener questions—how they approach being career-oriented moms and how to give great notes. Then, in Hits & Bombs, Sarah has a Bomb for the guy in the NRA T-shirt at...

It’s time for Spring Listener Questions: Part 2! What do Liz and Sarah wish they knew about life—and Hollywood—when they graduated high school? Did they ever have a crush on the same person? Get the scoop on everything from insider details on working with a lean budget to bunnies and Corgis to where they’re shopping for clothes! Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch o...

It’s time for Spring Listener Questions: Part 1! Besides the writing, what parts of showrunning do Liz and Sarah particularly enjoy? Why do TV shows today show so… much… vomit?! Liz and Sarah answer your burning questions on all things from Fantasy Island to reality TV to “practical pants.”  Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit...

Liz and Sarah have a new strategy: You Ain’t Gonna Need It! YAGNI—a tip from a listener—is helping Liz and Sarah think about work differently. One example? Not spending energy on projects before they’re done deals. In Take Two, listeners share times in their lives that give them the same feeling of euphoria that Liz and Sarah get from handing in the last script of the season. Then in HIH WFH they...

Liz and Sarah have—knock on wood—finished writing Season Two of Fantasy Island! They discuss the euphoria they felt after turning in the last Studio/Network draft and share how they celebrated. What compares? Finishing a trial, the last day of school, giving birth… Next, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah dub themselves The Queens of Cutting! They reveal the tricks—removing couplets, focusing on...

Liz and Sarah have news—the Big Summer Fun of Fantasy Island is now Big Fall (Or Winter) Fun on FOX! They discuss getting the call and what the move to in-season means for the show. Spoiler alert—it’s good! Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah have acquired new writers’ room lingo! What’s a front porch? Back porch? How about funneling? Then, in HIH WFH, they share a wellness concern—the lack...

This week, Liz and Sarah discuss wrapping the Writers’ Room for Season Two of Fantasy Island! Now they have Senioritis, but there’s still so much to do... They also announce that Season Two premieres Tuesday, May 31st at 9/8c on FOX—save the date! Then, in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah discuss strategies for getting good sleep while stressed—L-Theanine pills, a muslin blanket, bamboo sleep pants, pod...

This week, Liz and Sarah have a special guest co-host, friend of the pod and camp owner extraordinaire, Audrey Monke! The three deep dive into grit—how grit helps at work, growing your grit, and why stepping out of your comfort zone is key to gritty resilience. Then, in Take A Hike, EVERYTHING has been going wrong on Season Two of Fantasy Island. Liz and Sarah run through the problems—rain, COVID,...

What’s missing around your workspace? Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of having solid basics—Sarah needs a good chair, Liz needs pens! Then, in A Day In The Life, Liz and Sarah take listeners through a typical day of showrunning Season Two of Fantasy Island. From cut notes to COVID hurdles to delivering scripts on tight deadlines, this year has been all about staying nimble. Finally, this wee...

This week, Liz and Sarah share wisdom gleaned from Twitter—specifically, insights for lower level writers from TV writer Jeane Wong. One piece of advice? Think of the writers room as a dinner party. Next, in Take A Hike, they recommend a tried and true tactic to make a deadline more fun—have a work slumber party! Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz and Sarah give a Hit to Fantasy Island composer Genevieve...

With three episodes left to break for Season Two of Fantasy Island, how do Liz and Sarah handle a morale killer? The short answer – they lean on their team and get to work. Then, in Take Two, Liz and Sarah revisit busy bragging. In Amplify, Liz shouts out the Netflix reality series, Deaf U, for both its unique look into Deaf culture and its soapy excellence. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack wil...