Happier with Gretchen Rubin

We discuss ways to use the “Four Tendencies” personality profiles to communicate more effectively to the children in your life, whether as a parent, teacher, or coach. We talk about an easy hack to show our loving concern for someone, and we interview graduating senior Eleanor Rubin about her advice for other students navigating high school. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social...

A yachtsman refused to learn to swim, so that if ever found himself in the water, he’d cling to the wreckage—why?  Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Five Senses to see how she...

We talk about why having a dishtowel at the right moment brought me an irrational boost in happiness. We also discuss a suggestion for enjoying some quality screen time, and I share a moment when outer order gave me some much-needed inner calm. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram...

We discuss a counter-intuitive and creative way to boost our spirits, and talk about a terrific hack for people who need to decide where to move. Also, we share many listener suggestions about how to communicate effectively with a Rebel father who won’t use his wheelchair or his medical-alert device. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @Gretche...

If I’m complaining about a problem and asking other people to help me solve it, I should ask myself: Have I, myself, actually taken the time and energy to focus on the problem, to try to solve it? Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast....

Happier Podcast Book Club: We have a conversation about “Life in Five Senses”—abandoned titles, most surprising lessons, material that was cut out, the origin of the “What’s Your Neglected Sense?” quiz, and more. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by em...

The famous “Monkey Business Illusion” video and the memoir of magician Darren Brown point to a similar conclusion: When we pay too much attention to something small, we may miss something big. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/...

We talk about a fun, thought-provoking question to pose when we’re trying to make conversation, we discuss an astonishing fact about where we each live, and share a useful framework to decide whether we’re taking refuge in work when we should be dealing with the challenges of personal life. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on...

As we do each year, we consider how we plan to design our summer. We also discuss a hack from a food-scientist listener about an easy way to have more fun with the sense of taste, and we talk to Sarah LaFleur, founder and CEO of M.M.LaFleur, about the pleasures of clothes. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRu...

Tens of thousands of people have now taken the “What’s Your Neglected Sense?” quiz. The results are unexpected. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Five Senses to see how she dis...

For this Very Special Episode, we discuss dozens of hacks for entertaining, suggested by listeners and ourselves. We have suggestions and tips for making tasks easier, lowering the bar, doing preparations efficiently, and generally having more fun. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instag...

During my daily visits to the Metropolitan Museum, I noticed something about staircases that underscored a truth I already knew: the same experience can be drastically changed by design, and even a subtle difference can have a dramatic consequence. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the...

Elizabeth talks about the experience of being on strike as a Hollywood TV writer (and, relatedly, working on her new novel), and she also reveals her new insight about how she wants to live her life. Plus we discuss people’s enthusiastic responses to the “What’s Your Neglected Sense?” quiz. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on...

We talk about why and how we should try the Strategy of Unpairing when trying to change a habit. We also discuss an easy way to get more exercise while traveling, and how to know when to accept ourselves—and when to expect more from ourselves. Plus a listener asks for suggestions for dealing more effectively with a Rebel father who resists help. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on so...

A conversation with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor made me realize: it must be very odd to be a historic figure. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Five Senses to see...

As a thank-you to “Happier with Gretchen Rubin” listeners, this bonus episode features an excerpt from the audiobook of Gretchen Rubin’s new book, “Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World.” Narrated by Gretchen Rubin. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @Li...

We talk about how and why we should try to be a source of opportunity for others. We also discuss listeners’ suggestions for how to deal with family members who won’t control their dogs, as well how we get recommendations for books to read. Plus we suggest new dates for the Calendar of Catalysts which are based on the five senses. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @Gr...

An old joke illustrates an important truth: When we’re searching for a solution, it’s often tempting to look where we can see more clearly, rather than to look to look into obscurity—even if it’s more likely that we’ll find our answer there. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast...

During our recent time together in Los Angeles, we did many things that made us happy: hike, clear Elizabeth’s office, and drink lots of coffee. We also talk about a little-discussed explanation for why “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” and “Mad Men” are such enjoyable TV shows, and about the ripple effect of a personal upgrade. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @Gr...

We talk about why, when we’re encouraging someone else to do something, we should consider doing it ourselves. We also discuss a hack to make networking easier, as well as the helpful know-yourself-better question: “Are you a finisher or an opener?” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Insta...

A story about Queen Elizabeth II and her offer to feed her corgis illustrates how the same situation can be interpreted in different ways. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Fiv...

We talk about why it’s useful to consider the five senses as we’re tackling a project or challenge—it’s a way to boost creativity and unlock ideas. We also discuss how we can heighten our appreciation for our five senses by using our non-dominant hand and by asking the know-yourself-better question, “What is luxury?”  Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin o...

In his terrific book On Writing, Stephen King recounts how a certain place from his childhood recurs repeatedly in his fiction, under different names. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book...

Because the book “Life in Five Senses” is just a few days away from being published, we talk about ways to deal with the anxiety of putting a big piece of work out into the world—personal mantras, hacks, and strategies. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram Get the podcast show note...

We discuss why it’s helpful to touch someone during a tough conversation (if appropriate, of course). We mention why closing your eyes in a store dressing room can make it easier to make good buying decisions, and we take a deep dive into listeners’ answers to two common questions from Questioners. We also raise a listener question: “My relatives won’t restrain their dogs, who, while friendly, are...