Episodes

  • Do You Need More Comfort or Adventure? Plus More Tips for Designing Your Summer

    Do You Need More Comfort or Adventure? Plus More Tips for Designing Your Summer
    Jul 4 2026
    We revisit some of our favorite hacks and tips for designing a happier summer, including why you might choose a summer song, how to think about comfort versus adventure, and practical hacks for making summer more memorable, manageable, and fun. Resources & links related to this episode: Start Designing Your Summer on the Tools page of the Happier app, or ⁠download the app here⁠ Get in touch: ⁠podcast@gretchenrubin.com⁠ Visit⁠ Gretchen's website⁠ to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Ep. 593: Ditch Your Storage Unit, Plus How to Start a New Tradition

    Ep. 593: Ditch Your Storage Unit, Plus How to Start a New Tradition
    Jul 1 2026
    Stop renting space for stuff you've forgotten. Plus a simple framework for starting a new tradition. Try This at Home: Make a new tradition — Why creating a deliberate, recurring ritual can strengthen relationships and make scheduling easier. [03:24] Happiness Hack: Treat yourself like your own daughter — The latest in the “treat yourself like a___” series. [11:41] Happiness Stumbling Block: Your storage unit is costing you more than you think. [12:52] Listener Question: How do you set aside worry for a whole season? [20:15] Demerits & Gold Stars: Gretchen's demerit: ongoing battle with foot exercises; Elizabeth's gold star: using the Design Your Summer tool in the Happier app. [28:30] Mentioned in This Episode: Design Your Summer tool Atlas Obscura app Habits for Happiness quiz The Wreck of the Mentor by Eric J. Dolin (Amazon, Bookshop) The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (Amazon, Bookshop) Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify — it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Little Happier: Why Winston Churchill Used Courteous Speech in a Letter About War

    Little Happier: Why Winston Churchill Used Courteous Speech in a Letter About War
    Jun 29 2026
    A letter from Churchill demonstrates the value of courtesy, even—or perhaps especially—at moments of highest battle. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • More Happier: Get Better at Socializing & Make the Most of “Halfway Day”

    More Happier: Get Better at Socializing & Make the Most of “Halfway Day”
    Jun 27 2026
    Why summer is the perfect time to revisit your goals for the year. Gretchen and Elizabeth share a hack for making socializing easier. Build Your Social Muscles: The more you socialize, the less mental energy it costs [00:39] Spotlight on a Tool: July 2nd is the halfway point of the year, so it’s a great time to revisit the goals and lists you made in January [18:24] I've Been Meaning to Ask You: We talk about happiness all the time. Does we ever get tired of thinking about how to be happier? [10:56] I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You: Gretchen finds reassurance in Elizabeth’s recent take on the challenge of watching TV [19:14] Mentioned in this Episode: Design Your Year / Halfway Day resources When Zero Isn't Nothing: The Fresh Eyes of a Basketball Beginner Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • Ep. 592: Reflect on “Halfway Day,” Plus How Abstainers Can Moderate

    Ep. 592: Reflect on “Halfway Day,” Plus How Abstainers Can Moderate
    Jun 24 2026
    We’re halfway through the year. Gretchen and Liz share how to treat July 2 as a built-in reset to reflect on what's working and what isn't. Try This at Home: Prepare for Halfway Day — Use “Halfway Day” on July 2 to review your aims for the year [05:48] Happiness Hack: Name Your Days of the Week — To make work easier, give a name to each day of the week [21:34] Listener Question: When Abstainers Try to Moderate — Can an abstainer occasionally indulge in moderation? [24:29] Question for Listeners: What Works with Rebels? — If you live or work with a Rebel (or are one), what insights or strategies have made a difference? [30:18] Demerits & Gold Stars — Elizabeth's demerit: a missed opportunity to schedule doctor appointments. Gretchen's gold star: the New York Knicks [31:32] Mentioned in this Episode: Wedding readings collection You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate — (Amazon, Bookshop) The Virginia Woolf Diaries, Vol. 2 — (Amazon, Bookshop) Take the Four Tendencies quiz Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about the Four Tendencies framework and take the free quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • Little Happier: An Important Creativity Lesson from “Green Eggs and Ham”

    Little Happier: An Important Creativity Lesson from “Green Eggs and Ham”
    Jun 22 2026
    It may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s true: imagination is often sparked more by constraint than by freedom. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    4 mins
  • Halfway Day Check-In—Plus, How to Adjust Your Habits for Summer

    Halfway Day Check-In—Plus, How to Adjust Your Habits for Summer
    Jun 20 2026
    We revisit a special audio episode from the “Habits for Happiness” course about adapting your habits for summer. With Halfway Day approaching on 7/2, it's a useful reminder that a small adjustment can help you get more out of the season and the second half of the year. Resources & links related to this episode: Check out the new Design Your Summer tool in the Happier app Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com. Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Ep. 591: How to Fight Perfectionism—Plus a Simple Happiness Hack That Really Matters

    Ep. 591: How to Fight Perfectionism—Plus a Simple Happiness Hack That Really Matters
    Jun 17 2026
    We discuss how perfectionism is driven not by high standards but by anxiety—and how embracing imperfection is a great way to overcome it. We also share an important reminder about hearing health and why it matters so much for our happiness and wellbeing. Resources & links related to this episode: Cass Aarssen—Clutterbug Life in Five Senses (Amazon, Bookshop) Check out the Don't Break the Chain Habit Tracker in The Happiness Project Shop Elizabeth: Rewilding by Jane Green (Amazon, Bookshop) Gretchen: The Diary of Virginia Wolfe volume 1 (Amazon, Bookshop) Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins