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
Feb 21, 2026 • 32min
More Happier: Does Money Stress You Out? Mrs. Dow Jones & Reema Khrais on What Helps
Reema Khrais, Marketplace journalist and host of This Is Uncomfortable, explores how money shapes life and feelings. Haley Sachs (Mrs. Dow Jones), financial educator and author, breaks down practical money habits for millennials and Gen Z. They discuss why money causes shame, how childhood messages shape choices, small realistic changes like automation and friction, and simple ways to start a 'good enough' financial plan.
Feb 18, 2026 • 31min
Ep. 574: Are You Already Falling Behind on Your New Year’s Resolutions? Plus Ideas for “Move 26”
They introduce Determination Day to reboot stalled New Year’s resolutions and share strategies for follow-through. Listeners suggest creative “Move 26” challenges like walking twice daily and running 26 miles a month. Stories explore reframing unpleasant experiences, reducing conflict using personality tendencies, and clever completion hacks like reading summaries to move on.
Feb 16, 2026 • 5min
A Little Happier: When I Called the Emergency Veterinarian, She Asked a Question that Made the Answer Obvious
A short story about a sick dog sparks a wider look at decision-making. Practical questions and strategies for tough choices are highlighted. The idea that your feelings and clarifying questions can point to the right move is explored. Real-life examples show how a simple question can make an answer obvious.
16 snips
Feb 14, 2026 • 32min
Move Happier: Why Does Movement Matter? Michelle Obama Weighs In
Michelle Obama, former First Lady and health advocate, champions movement through initiatives like Let’s Move and Move 26. She and Craig Robinson discuss why daily movement matters for heart and mental health. Short clips touch on sports, equity in athletics, tech’s impact on energy, and recognizing high-functioning depression. Perfect for a 26-minute walk or workout.
Feb 11, 2026 • 31min
Ep. 573: Do You Avoid Failure & Rejection? Plus the Joy of a Same-Day Book
They explore the value of deliberately seeking rejection to overcome fear and build resilience. They share a reading challenge centered on books you can finish in a day and offer many speedy recommendations. They reveal a practical email-folder hack to tame inbox clutter. Short, actionable ideas about habits, reading, and productivity abound.
Feb 9, 2026 • 2min
A Little Happier: Who Has More Power—You or the Banker to Whom You Owe Ten Million Dollars?
A reflection on how size of commitment shifts bargaining power in money and relationships. A kitchen renovation shows how escalating investment hands control to the other party. A paradox about small versus massive debts and who ultimately bears risk. Everyday workplace slipups reveal surprising flips in accountability and job security.
Feb 7, 2026 • 26min
More Happier: Are You Scared by the Sound of a Siren? And a Reflection from “Little Women”
A warm chat about reframing the meaning of a siren from threat to comfort. Reflections on a passage from Little Women that sheds light on coping with a father’s death. Conversations about Substack projects, community work hours, and small sensory pleasures like department store lunches and ritualized routines.
Feb 4, 2026 • 26min
Ep. 572: Want to Make a Little Money and Also Clear Clutter? Plus an Insight About Estrangement
They kick off No-Spend February and trade practical hacks for turning coins and gift cards into tidy cash. They debate jugglers vs aerialists and how to balance different paces in relationships. They explore estrangement through the Four Tendencies framework. Short anecdotes and reader stories add warmth and concrete tips.
Feb 2, 2026 • 3min
A Little Happier: Do You Get Rattled Before Starting a Journey? Consider This Ritual.
A cozy piece on a Russian travel ritual where family members sit on suitcases to calm nerves before departing. Short reflections on shared slow-reading of War and Peace and how rituals help with transitions. Practical benefits like checking belongings and offering brief loving words are highlighted.
Jan 31, 2026 • 42min
More Happier: Start and Stick to Anything using the Four Tendencies [Revisited]
A lively tour of the Four Tendencies framework and why following through feels so hard. Short quizzes and quick tells help spot your tendency in everyday situations. Practical strategies for motivating different types of people, from accountability tricks to rebel-friendly approaches. Stories and listener hacks show how to tailor circumstances to make habits stick.
