Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project
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/
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 13, 2026 • 31min
Ep. 586: Treat Yourself Like a Grandchild, Plus a Hack for Sticking to Daily Habits
They explore playful metaphors for self-care, like treating yourself like a grandchild, toddler, puppy, professor, or factory. They share a simple wording hack to make daily habits feel less rigid and tips for flexible timing. Listener stories spark practical tricks for reading, flossing, and managing inner and outer expectations.
May 11, 2026 • 5min
Little Happier: My Favorite Formula for a Great Title
A clever formula for crafting compelling titles and why some titles arrive instantly while others take months. A playful pattern pairing industrial words with humanities ideas. The idea of collecting indirect prompts to break creative blocks. Inspiration struck during a museum visit that solved a naming puzzle for a card deck of creative prompts.
May 10, 2026 • 36min
Move Happier: Would You Spend a Week Hiding Out in the Metropolitan Museum?
Sophie Gee, English professor and host of The Secret Life of Books, leads a literary walk through the Metropolitan Museum tied to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. They explore the book's 1968 setting, narrative framing, and why it reads as both children's and adult literature. The tour highlights Egyptian galleries, memorable objects, museum lore, and clever hiding tactics.
May 9, 2026 • 28min
Live from Elizabeth’s Cluttered Closet!
A closet-clearing adventure that’s equal parts practical tips and comedic moments. They walk through sorting shoes, purses, hampers and medical supplies. Little rules like picking giveaway recipients first and ditching dry-cleaner hangers come up. The conversation highlights simple conveniences that make tidy living stick and the emotional lift that follows a cleared space.
10 snips
May 6, 2026 • 30min
Ep. 585: A Simple Way to Spark Better Conversations, Plus the End-of-History Illusion
They show how asking paired, opposite questions unlocks deeper, livelier conversations. A quick photo trick is shared to curb worry by capturing completed tasks. They unpack the end-of-history illusion and why we change more than we expect. Short stories about noticing beauty, solitude, and wardrobe quests add charm.
May 4, 2026 • 5min
Little Happier: How Do You Cure a Fear of Flying? Try a Hangover.
A quirky story about a massive hangover that unexpectedly cured a fear of flying. Discussion of teaching stories and what they reveal about human behavior. A look at the Four Tendencies framework and the key question about responding to expectations. Reflections on how the body can block anxiety and what that might mean for treatment.
May 2, 2026 • 26min
More Happier: When Does a New Place Feel Like Home? Plus an Excellent, Easy April Fool’s Prank & Lena Dunham
They chat about Lena Dunham’s return to the spotlight and revisiting her work. Childhood friendships and the easy comfort of reunion conversations get attention. Practical tips for scheduling group trips and a playful April Fools’ text prank pop up. They explore how transport, routines, and time shape when a new place starts to feel like home.
6 snips
Apr 29, 2026 • 34min
Ep. 584: Why It’s Helpful to Search for a Solution, Plus an Easy Hack for Staying Productive
They talk about actively searching for clever fixes to everyday annoyances, from armrest covers to Ikea shoe cabinets. They share simple, low-cost hacks for better video backgrounds and safer dog walks. They describe a productivity trick that creates a looming deadline, plus ways to build more movement into the day. They also explore how long it can take to feel at home after a move.
Apr 27, 2026 • 4min
A Little Happier: Do You Agree: Pregnancy and Volcanoes Seem Anachronistic
Short reflections on why everyday things can feel oddly out of time. A playful look at Warhol’s comment about pregnancy feeling anachronistic. Musings about work feeling easier with clear direction. A quirky list of modern oddities from volcanoes to museum guards and growing crops.
12 snips
Apr 25, 2026 • 36min
How to Stop Fighting with Your Family About Clutter
Why clutter causes so much household conflict and how differing preferences fuel tension. Short, practical fixes to reduce friction like hooks, bins, and lowered standards. Strategies for living with messy family members and handling sentimental keepers. Psychological ideas covered include Clutter-Blindness, the Endowment Effect, and the Four Tendencies.
