

Happier in Hollywood
The Onward Project
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/
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 28, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 259: Back To Basics
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 week’s Hollywood Hack is earth-friendly (and easy!): the Lomi Kitchen Composter.LINKSHappier Podcast 95: Practice Mise-En-Placehttps://gretchenrubin.com/podcast-episode/podcast-95-mis-en-place/Happier in Hollywood Episode 241: The Nimble Lifehttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode241/Lomi Kitchen Composterhttps://pela.earth/lomiGet in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 21, 2022 • 26min
Ep. 258: Dinner Parties and Slumber Parties!
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 Vincent and a Bomb to there being no direct flights from Los Angeles to Puerto Rico. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is a healthy treat for sun-deprived writers: keep Vitamin D gummies on your desk!Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKSJeane Wong IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2777027/Jeane Wong Twitterhttps://twitter.com/jeanedevivreJeane Wong Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/jeanedevivre/Genevieve Vincent IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2933205/Nature’s Bounty Vitamin D Gummieshttps://www.naturesbounty.com/our-products/letter-vitamins/vitamin-d/vitamin-d-gummies/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 14, 2022 • 23min
Ep. 257: Momentum Matters
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 will help you work smarter, not harder: use a mini leaf blower!Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKSDeaf Uhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt13070478/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_3Audiblehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt12771540/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_2Greenworks 24-volt 320-CFM 90-MPH Handheld Cordless Electric Leaf Blowerhttps://www.lowes.com/pd/Greenworks-Greenworks-24V-Axial-Blower-90-MPH-320-CFM-Battery-Not-Included-BL24B02/1003139730 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 7, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 256: Call In Reinforcements
In the thick of double days and double deadlines, Liz and Sarah call in reinforcements! They’ve added their good friend and TV writer Karine Rosenthal to the Fantasy Island S2 Writers’ Room. Liz and Sarah discuss delegating writing tasks so they can branch off to deliver documents and cuts and how fresh eyes later in the season really help! Then, in L v S, are Liz and Sarah guilty of “busy bragging”? Next, in The Craft (and Fain), they discuss how cutting extra words from scripts always makes them better. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Sarah’s recent move: Get new dishes (or underwear)!Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKSKarine Rosenthalhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1926243/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0Farmhouse White Dinner Plateshttps://www.crateandbarrel.com/farmhouse-white-dinner-plate/s203766 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 31, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 255: Leaning Into A Lean Budget
Liz and Sarah share strategies for making a lean TV budget work and discuss putting them into action on Fantasy Island. At every stage of the process, there are ways to make smart adjustments—from keeping above-the-line costs down, to writing to locations, to shooting double up days, to accepting they’ll never have a recognizable needle drop. Limitations foster creativity…right?! Then, in HIH WFH, Liz and Sarah share their favorite technique for staying sane during all-day Zooms: schedule breaks. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will help you meet your next big deadline: book a hotel stay!Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKSEpisode 241: The Nimble Lifehttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode241/Episode 246: Take the Room & Fantasy Island Music Supervisor Melany Mitchellhttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode246/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 24, 2022 • 27min
Ep. 254: How To Be A Pro
What does it mean to be a professional? Liz and Sarah deep dive into what pros do differently. From how they communicate, to anticipating needs, to seeing the void and filling it—professionals make it easy to work with them. Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz gives hits to two TV shows—The Dropout and Dopesick—and a bomb to herself for (a lack of) home office organization. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will keep your supplements a simple spin away: get a Lazy Susan!Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKSKelly and Rose Boutiquehttps://www.kellyandrose.comJames Averyhttps://www.jamesavery.comThe Dropouthttps://www.hulu.com/series/13988f84-f1c8-40dd-a73c-4e71ab4bbe63Dopesickhttps://www.hulu.com/series/227de06a-d3d4-42e0-9df1-bb5495e1738dLazy Susan - Hearth & Hand™ with Magnoliahttps://www.target.com/p/lazy-susan-hearth-hand-with-magnolia/-/A-82289605?preselect=54509247#lnk=sametab To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 17, 2022 • 24min
Ep. 253: Embrace The Suck & More Travel Hacks!
Liz and Sarah embrace the fact that sometimes things just suck. Sarah moved last weekend—and, yep, it sucked. But acknowledging the suck and not trying to put a spin on it somehow made it easier. In Take Two, Liz and Sarah share a supersized list of travel hacks from a former flight attendant. Small things—a white noise machine, smoothies, a pre-written checklist—can make your next trip, well, not suck! Then, in the Mailroom, they answer a question about whether or not Hollywood writers ever buy ideas from people outside the business. The short answer—no. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is a conversation starter: create a wristscape.Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!Links:Atlanta Meal Prephttps://atlantamealprep.comTravelpro FlightCrew5 Crew Coolerhttps://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/11044?gclid=CjwKCAiAgvKQBhBbEiwAaPQw3O_hlZ_SpzDLfcThgDC_XhQwuoOUEOanbkOa1faFrLHqOzowYLKW4BoCGIwQAvD_BwEIce Cold Pack Ohuhu Reusable Ice Baghttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AADOZCU/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_i_8Y6VRKBC0DEEFXA8YM1MEnergy Superfood Smoothie Blendhttps://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/product/blendtopia-energy-superfood-smoothie-blend-7-oz-b07cc49t64Sowtech Espresso Machinehttps://www.walmart.com/ip/126476128Instacarthttps://www.instacart.com/Uber Eatshttps://www.ubereats.com/Poo Pourrihttps://pourri.com/Seropy Clothes Drying Rackhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B09376ZTN2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_i_4HHGZ3K24WSK01SJ09RNSource Naturals Wellness Formulahttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GFPD10/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_i_SW68JRG47GYKTWH2M04V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1Zicam Cold Remedy Oral Zinchttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B089TQDCJ6/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_i_0Q2YFBZBWS06BTZDWGY7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 10, 2022 • 34min
Ep. 252: Money Matters & Tackling The Sunday Night Blues
How do creative people budget? Creatively! Liz and Sarah talk MONEY—and how to manage it—with financial coach Dylan Snowden. Dylan shares how his background in the arts informs his work today, common mistakes, and how to set yourself up for financial success. Then, in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah tackle the Sunday Night Blues. Listeners had lots of great suggestions—from planning a Sunday Spa, to meal prepping, to evening walks with friends. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your next potentially unpleasant hotel stay: change rooms!Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKSDylan Teaches Financehttps://www.dylanteachesfinance.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 3, 2022 • 27min
Ep. 251: Re-entry, Crunch Time, & Compliments!
Liz and Sarah are back from Puerto Rico! They discuss how being on location can be a (busy!) break from reality and how they’re tackling re-entry to their lives in Los Angeles and Ojai. Then, in Take A Hike, it’s crunch time on Fantasy Island. Liz and Sarah explain what double days are—two crews shooting two episodes at the same time—and how they’re managing the pressure with breathing techniques, meal kits, and Corgis! Next, from the Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a listener question about how to figure out your pilot story—focus on character intros, story structure, conflict, and twists. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will brighten your day and someone else’s: pass on a compliment!Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKSBox Breathinghttps://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-box-breathingGobblehttps://www.gobble.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 24, 2022 • 32min
Ep. 250: Our 250th Episode!
It’s the 250th episode of Happier In Hollywood! Liz and Sarah celebrate by recapping their twenty-five favorite topics featured on the podcast. From their very first Hollywood Hack—saying “fuck” in a meeting—to revelatory conversations with guests like Channing Dungey, Marcia Clark, Annie Duke, and more. Favorite pointers include “be an insulator,” the value of the “boulder pusher,” what to wear on Zoom, and asking: “Does this move the needle?” If you’ve been listening from the beginning, join Liz and Sarah as they look back; if you’re new here, this episode is a great place to start—and welcome!Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKSEpisode 248: Embrace A New Identityhttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode248/Episode 27: Jenna Fischer Talks Party Crashing, Pottery Barn Tears, and Patiencehttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode27/The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide by Jenna Fischerhttps://www.amazon.com/Actors-Life-Survival-Guide/dp/1944648224Episode 69: Our Dream Guest! An Interview With ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungeyhttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode69/Channing Dungeyhttps://variety.com/exec/channing-dungey/Bonus Episode: Liz and Sarah’s “American Beauties” Pitchhttps://happierinhollywood.com/bonus-episode-american-beauties-pitch/Episode 47: “Live” From The Hollywood Forever Cemeteryhttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode47/Marcia Clarkhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1133849/The Fixhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt7942774/Episode 144: What’s Your Personal “Canary In A Coal Mine?”https://happierinhollywood.com/episode144/Episode 156: Dressing For Zoom Meetings With Emmy-Nominated Costume Designer Allyson Fanger https://happierinhollywood.com/episode156/Episode 212: Be A Boulder Pusherhttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode212/Episode 98: What’s Your Role In The Workplace?https://happierinhollywood.com/episode98/Episode 147: Wrestling With Schrodinger’s Cathttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode147/Episode 179: The Strategy Of Decision Making With Annie Dukehttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode179/Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Dukehttps://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Bets-Making-Smarter-Decisions/dp/0735216355Episode 136: Down With Exclamation Points!https://happierinhollywood.com/episode136/Episode 37: Sorry, Not Sorry!https://happierinhollywood.com/episode37/Episode 107: Wish/Want/Walk Negotiation With Entertainment Attorney Michael Donaldsonhttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode107/Episode 214: Be An Insulatorhttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode214/Episode 92: Ask Yourself: Does This Move The Needle?https://happierinhollywood.com/episode92/Episode 209: Sometimes It’s Not A Fun Job, And We Don’t Enjoy Ithttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode209/Episode 1: Picking A New Work Mantrahttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode1/Episode 42: We Want Volunteers, Not Recruits!https://happierinhollywood.com/episode42/Episode 5: Release The Banana!https://happierinhollywood.com/episode5/Ep. 242: What Would Dolly Do 2022!https://happierinhollywood.com/episode242/Episode 4: What’s Your Story?https://happierinhollywood.com/episode4/Episode 80: Power Down After Production!https://happierinhollywood.com/episode80/Episode 20: Liz and Sarah Take On Office Birthdayshttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode20/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


