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

Little Happier: Michael Jordan Had a “Love of the Game” Clause 20.04.2020 3:12

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—and that’s why. I love this example of an outstanding athlete staying true to his love of the sport, and being so determined to play that he made sure it was written into his contract. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenru...

Ep. 269: Choose a COVID-19 Mantra, a Fun Way to Celebrate These Difficult Days, and Casey Schwartz Talks about “Attention.” 15.04.2020 42:41

We discuss why you might pick a mantra for the COVID-19 situation, propose a fun way to celebrate while safe at home, and talk to Casey Schwartz about the challenge of paying attention. 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://gretchenrubin.com/#newslett...

Little Happier: A Loud Noise Woke Me Up from a Sound Sleep in a Mississippi Hotel—and Made Me Very Happy. 13.04.2020 2:37

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—and that’s why. The sound of a train racing across the countryside, deep in the night, reminded me of my childhood visits to my grandparents in Nebraska. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagr...

Ep. 268: Limit Yourself to One Option, a Self-Care Solution, and Chris Guillebeau Talks about “The Money Tree” and Creating the Work Life We Want 08.04.2020 31:52

NOTE: These episodes were recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it’s jarring to hear us ignore it—and that’s why. We discuss why you might limit yourself to one option, we highlight a listener’s brilliant self-care solution for Obligers (the secret is a pillbox), and Chris Guillebeau joins us to talk about his new novel “The Money Tree.” Get in to...

Little Happier: How Do You Write a Letter of Recommendation for Someone You Can’t Honestly Recommend? 06.04.2020 3:17

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—and that’s why. When he was asked to write an informational letter about a difficult boss, my friend found an elegant way to be helpful, truthful, and prudent. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on I...

Ep. 267: Write a Letter of Congratulations to Your Future-Self, Solutions to School Spirit T-Shirt Overload, and Why I Should Check My Calendar 01.04.2020 32:33

NOTE: These episodes were recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it’s jarring to hear us ignore it—and that’s why. We discuss why writing a letter of congratulations to your future-self can help you stick to your good habits, do a deep-dive into the problem of T-shirt overload, and ask, “Would you rather have one very nice item, or many less expensi...

Little Happier: An Episode from the Life of Dr. Johnson Reminds Me to Do a Better Job of Staying Calm. 30.03.2020 3:41

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—and that’s why. I was deeply moved by composure shown by Dr. Johnson in such a terrifying moment. I get tremendously rattled when I can’t find my phone right away! This example reminds me of how I can face life with more equanimity. Get in touch: @gr...

Ep. 266: Beware the Myths of Spring Cleaning, Rusty O’Kelley Explains How to Ace a Job Interview, and a Reminder about REAL ID . 25.03.2020 40:10

NOTE: These episodes were recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it’s jarring to hear us ignore it—and that’s why. How to do spring cleaning more effectively, a reminder about REAL ID, and a conversation with Rusty O’Kelly about dealing with the common happiness stumbling block of interviewing for a job. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft...

Little Happier: A Dog’s Pleasure Can Remind Us All of the Joy of the Snow. 23.03.2020 2:53

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it may be jarring to hear me ignore it—and that’s why. What a wonderful phrase! The joy of the snow. It’s not always easy to feel the joy of the snow. Sometimes we’re able to see it better, when we can glimpse it through other people’s joyful eyes. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabeth...

Ep. 265: Give a Sensorium Gift, a Deep Dive into Suggestions to #Walk20in20, and a Conversation Hack 18.03.2020 40:13

NOTE: These episodes were recorded before the COVID-19 situation took hold. Given the rapidly changing situation, it’s jarring to hear us ignore it—and that’s why. Why you should give a “Sensorium Gift” and how to create one, a deep dive into listeners’ suggestions for walking 20 minutes every day in 2020, and a conversation hack. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubi...

Little Happier: The Joy of Listening to Music—Even for Someone Like Me. 16.03.2020 5:30

I’m thrilled that the copyright laws mean that now I’m able to play this beautiful song—George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”—for listeners. 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://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER O...

Bonus: Coping During COVID-19: How to Stay Happier and Calmer in Difficult Times 15.03.2020 33:40

In this time of COVID-19, we’re all feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and uncertainty. To stay calmer and happier, we discuss why you might keep some kind of journal during this period, and why you might create a three-tiered plan for projects – or, alternatively, write a “19 for COVID-19” list. We also explore two happiness stumbling blocks: uncertainty and exercise. Let’s keep our hands clean and...

Ep. 264: Keep a Stress Diary, Stop Rinsing Dirty Dishes, and Jordan Harbinger Explains How to Network Better 11.03.2020 37:44

Why you might keep a stress diary, why you can stop rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, and podcaster Jordan Harbinger explains how to network better. 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://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy o...

Little Happier: Why We Should Be Polite to the Person Sitting Next to Us on the Airplane. 09.03.2020 3:14

A story about Dick Bass and Neil Armstrong was a great illustration of an aphorism I wrote recently: Modestly and good manners can save us from a lot of embarrassment. 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://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of...

Ep. 263: What’s Your “Guiding Question,” a Twist on “20 for 20,” and Bestselling Author Dan Heath Talks about a Better Way to Solve Problems. 04.03.2020 43:08

Ask yourself, “What’s my guiding question?” an interesting twist on a “20 for 20” list, and we talk to bestselling author about his new book “Upstream.” 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://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new...

Little Happier: “I Remember Feeling the Warm Relief of Knowing What My Future Was.” 02.03.2020 3:16

This story from the life of the brilliant ad executive Mary Wells Lawrence is a great example of the fact that to discover the work that’s right for us, and to be able to pursue it, is one of the greatest sources of happiness that life can offer. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes...

BONUS Episode: To Celebrate Our Fifth Anniversary, A Blast from the Past! Listen to Our Very First Episode. 28.02.2020 28:31

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the “Happier” podcast, we’re presenting our very first episode, along with some commentary from us about everything that’s happened and what we’ve learned since that episode aired. 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: h...

Ep. 262: Fifth Anniversary Extravaganza! Our Favorite Moments from the Past Five Years 26.02.2020 37:05

To celebrate Happier’s fifth anniversary, we look back on some of our favorite try-this-at-homes, big milestones, and funniest moments. 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://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDE...

Little Happier: How Did This Stockbroker Make So Many Accurate Predictions? 24.02.2020 3:23

Learning about a clever and successful financial scam reminded me of how hard it is to know what I don’t know. 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://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDER, INNER CALM here: http:/...

Ep. 261: Improve Your Posture, a New Way to Celebrate Birthdays, and Tackling T-Shirt Troubles 19.02.2020 32:02

I explain the back exercises we do to improve posture, a listener suggests a great way for an introvert to celebrate a milestone birthday, and we discuss the question, “Do you relax better at home or away?” 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://gretch...

Little Happier: What’s Inconvenient for You Might Be Convenient for Me 17.02.2020 2:38

A friend’s remark reminded me that even when we’re coming together, we’re all coming from different places. 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://outerorderinnercalmbook.com Lea...

Ep. 260: In Honor of Valentine’s Day, Listeners Give Their Best Relationship Advice 12.02.2020 44:04

For our Very Special Episode, we asked listeners for their best advice about strengthening relationships, and we talked to Lori Gottlieb, author of the bestseller “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone.” 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://gretchenrubin....

Little Happier: Why Pickpockets Benefit from Signs that Warn “Beware of Pickpockets.” 10.02.2020 2:13

Beware of unintended consequences! Pickpockets use “Beware of Pickpockets” signs to pickpocket more effectively. 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://outerorderinnercalmbook.co...

Ep. 259: Happier Podcast Book Club: Adrienne Brodeur Talks About “Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me” 05.02.2020 43:46

For the Happier Podcast Book Club, we talk to Adrienne Brodeur about her page-turning memoir, “Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me.” 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://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Order a copy of Gretchen’s new book OUTER ORDE...

Little Happier: Teacher Anne Sullivan Writes About Hellen Keller’s Moment of Profound Realization 03.02.2020 4:22

In her 1887 letter, teacher Anne Sullivan recounts the moment when Helen Keller understood the secret of language. 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://outerorderinnercalmbook....