Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Health EN ↓ 1338 episodes

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/

Author

Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project

Episodes

Ep. 306: Choose Your One-Word Theme for 2021, a New Year’s Hack, and Listeners’ Suggestions for Ways to Show Love and Support from Far Away 30.12.2020 40:04

We choose our one-word themes for the year, and encourage listeners to choose their own theme for 2021, we discuss a hack for heading into the new year (plus a bonus wrapping-paper hack), and listeners suggest many practical, helpful ways to show love and support to someone who’s far away. Registration is still open for The Happiness Project Experience 2021. If you want to join a community focused...

Little Happier: What We See Depends Very Much on Where We Stand. 28.12.2020 3:12

As several examples illustrate, it’s easy to forget that the way we see the world is very much shaped by our own perspective. One person’s reason for taking medication is another person’s negative side effect. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter...

Ep. 305: We Share Listeners’ Success Stories from “Walk 20 in 2020” and Reveal Our Challenge for 2021 23.12.2020 35:07

As 2020 draws to a close, we share many terrific success stories from listeners about their experiences following the “Walk 20 in 2020” challenge, and we reveal our challenge for 2021. (Hint: It’s fun.) Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenru...

Little Happier: After His Death, Actor Yul Brynner Made an Unforgettable Plea. 21.12.2020 3:53

The simplicity and power of Yul Brynner’s anti-smoking ad, aired after his death, makes it unforgettable. This ad transformed his suffering into a story that could save the lives of others. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretch...

Ep. 304: We Reveal How We Did with Our “20 for 2020” Lists, Plus a Hack for Not Forgetting Items. 16.12.2020 37:32

We review our “20 for 2020” lists and reveal what we did—and didn’t—get done in this strange year. We also talk about an easy hack to avoid leaving something behind, and Elizabeth gives herself a decorations demerit. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: htt...

Little Happier: The Lesson I Learned from the Thumbtack in My Shoe. 14.12.2020 3:36

I had a pain in my foot, and I blamed my foot—until a friend pointed out that I had a tack in my shoe. Whenever I get frustrated, I remind myself that I shouldn’t be too quick to hold myself responsible for the problem. Sometimes the problem is me. But sometimes the problem is something else. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the...

Bonus Episode: Gretchen Rubin Reads Charles Dickens’s Timeless Story, “A Christmas Carol.” Part II. 11.12.2020 1:34:06

As a holiday gift for listeners, I read a story: Charles Dickens’s timeless ghost story, “A Christmas Carol.” These days, while many people have a general impression of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts , they probably haven’t actually read or heard the story. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubi...

Bonus Episode: Gretchen Rubin Reads Charles Dickens’s Timeless Story, “A Christmas Carol.” Part I. 10.12.2020 1:19:22

Ep. 303: Find a Ritual to “Exorcise 2020,” a Sleep Hack, and Tips for Sticking to a Schedule When Working from Home 09.12.2020 38:12

We discuss why you might want to create a ritual to “Exorcise 2020” and share terrific suggestions from listeners, and our own ideas, for how to bid farewell to 2020. We also talk about a tech -related hack that makes it easier to fall asleep, and discuss ways for people to stick to a schedule when working from home. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in t...

Little Happier: “To Succeed in Business, Plan to Publish Bestsellers Only.” 07.12.2020 3:28

Book-industry people love to tell this old (probably apocryphal) story, because it illustrates the temptation, and the folly, of deciding that your plan for business success is to do only those ventures that will be highly successful. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretche...

Ep. 302: Revisit a Book You Remember from High School or College, Ask Yourself, “Is There a Food I Enjoy Only When It’s Made the Way My Family Makes It?” and Why It’s a Good Idea to Run Errands in the Morning 02.12.2020 30:03

We suggest revisiting a book that you still remember from high school or college (and reveal the books that we plan to revisit), discuss a funny food-related Know-Yourself-Better question, and explain why, during the winter months, it’s a good idea to run errands in the morning; plus, a listener asks for suggestions about how to give long-distance love and support to a parent with cancer. Get in t...

Little Happier: When the Student Is Ready, the Teacher Appears. 30.11.2020 3:04

When I articulate very clearly in my own mind what I’m seeking to learn, that’s when I start to see the teachers. Teachers are out there—it’s myself that I need to make ready, by acknowledging and defining what I want to learn. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin....

Ep. 301: Embrace an Attitude of Gratitude for What This Unprecedented Season Offers, a Deep Dive into Listeners’ Personal Policies, and a Money Hack 25.11.2020 35:35

We discuss why it’s helpful to embrace an attitude of gratitude for what this unprecedented Thanksgiving holiday offers; we do a deep dive into listeners’ useful personal policies; we share an easy money-related hack; and Gretchen gives herself a clutter-related demerit. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft G...

Little Happier: If You Have a Fur Coat, You Don’t Need Snow Pants. 23.11.2020 4:09

In the wonderful children’s book “Little Bear,” Mother Bear takes away Little Bear’s hat, coat, and snow pants so that he can be warm in the fur coat in which he was born. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTE...

Ep. 300: Very Special Episode 300: Ask Us Anything! 18.11.2020 40:44

With every 100th episode, we have a very special episode where listeners can ask us anything. We discuss how we were raised, how we prepare to record the podcast, tips for Obligers, why Elizabeth has such a deep love of reality TV, and more. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by e...

Little Happier: In a World Full of Suffering and Injustice, Is It Morally Appropriate to Work to Be Happier? 16.11.2020 3:23

We don’t have to choose between working toward being happier ourselves and working to increase the happiness of others. The two states reinforce each other. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER...

Ep. 299: Review How You’re Doing in the “Essential 7” Areas for Habits, a Hack to Make Thanksgiving More Memorable, and an Interview with Chef Carla Hall about How to “Say Yes!” 11.11.2020 40:07

Review how you’re doing in the “Essential 7” areas for Habits, a fun, easy way to celebrate Thanksgiving, and an interview with renowned chef Carla Hall about the power of food, why it’s important to say yes and to say no, and why she doesn’t listen to music in the kitchen. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraf...

Little Happier: What We Can Learn from Mark Twain’s Cat Who Sat on a Hot Stove 09.11.2020 3:58

It’s important to make sure that we don’t learn the wrong lessons from pain, frustration, criticism, or failure. Like a cat, we want to learn not to sit on a hot stove—but maybe we still want to be able to sit on a stove that’s cold. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchen...

Ep 298: Award Yourself with a Sticker, A Memory Hack, and a Conversation with Rachel Hollis About Dealing with Unexpected Challenges 04.11.2020 39:17

Inspired by “I Voted” stickers, we discuss why you might award yourself a sticker to mark an important accomplishment, talk about a hack for remembering forgotten details, and talk to bestselling writer Rachel Hollis about her new book, “Didn’t See That Coming.” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the po...

Little Happier: Sometimes, Transcendent Forces Seem to Enter the World. 02.11.2020 4:41

Sometimes, the transcendent seems to appear in the concreate, ordinary world—in a conversation, in an experience, or even in a person. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http://oute...

Ep. 297: Happier Podcast Book Club: Author Yaa Gyasi Talks about Family, Faith, Science, and Belonging in “Transcendent Kingdom” 28.10.2020 43:43

We talk to writer Yaa Gyasi about her compelling bestselling novel “Transcendent Kingdom.” Join my brand-new Outer Order Inner Calm 30-Day SMS Challenge! You’ll get daily text messages with an audio message from me that gives you a simple challenge to create more outer order in your home. Learn more: http://gretchenrubin.com/sms Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin....

Little Happier: A Pediatrician Shows How Well She Understands How Children Think. 26.10.2020 3:05

My daughter’s pediatrician asked a question that showed how well she understand the way children’s minds work. Join my brand-new Outer Order Inner Calm 30-Day SMS Challenge! You’ll get daily text messages with an audio message from me that gives you a simple challenge to create more outer order in your home. Learn more: http://gretchenrubin.com/sms Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrub...

Ep. 296: Establish Your Personal Policy, a Reading Hack, a Deep Dive into Listeners’ Hidden Delights, and a Demerit That’s Common These Days 21.10.2020 33:03

We discuss why you might want to establish your personal policy, I share a reading hack, we take a deep dive into listeners’ hidden delights, and Elizabeth gives herself a demerit related to the pandemic. Join my brand-new Outer Order Inner Calm 30-Day SMS Challenge! You’ll get daily text messages with an audio message from me that gives you a simple challenge to create more outer order in your h...

Little Happier: Building More Roads Won’t Relieve Traffic—Literally and Figuratively. 19.10.2020 2:59

Despite urban planner Robert Moses’s attempts to relieve congestion on New York City’s road, the traffic just got worse. The lesson of “induced travel demand” is something that can apply in our own lives. Join my brand-new Outer Order Inner Calm 30-Day SMS Challenge! You’ll get daily text messages with an audio message from me that gives you a simple challenge to create more outer order in your ho...

Ep. 295: Do Something Familiar in a New Way, an Easy Hack to Control Snacking, and a Conversation with Al Roker About Work and Life 14.10.2020 33:45

We talk about why we should do something familiar in a new way, share a hack from a listener that makes it easier to control impulse snacking, and have a conversation with legendary broadcaster Al Roker about “true stories of absurdity and success.” Join my brand-new Outer Order Inner Calm 30-Day SMS Challenge! You’ll get daily text messages with an audio message from me that gives you a simple ch...