Happier In Hollywood

Now that we’re all (sort of) heading back to work after the pandemic, what does “the new normal” look like? Liz and Sarah discuss the pros and cons of a hybrid work environment. Pro: less snacking. Con: fewer jobs for support staff. Then Liz and Sarah respond to a Mailroom comment about how taking a leap into the unknown can lead one down unexpected paths… and to surprising success. Next, in Take A Hike, Sarah reveals she’s been talking to a therapist again and encourages Liz to do the same. Finally, you can use this week’s Hollywood Hack while you Zoom, and it’s great for tired feet: Shiatsu Air 2.0 Foot Massager with Heat.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 oth

In this C13Features podcast movie presentation of Ghostwriter, Kate Mara and Adam Scott star in a psychological thriller about a former journalist who reluctantly accepts a job ghostwriting a new murder mystery novel for an eccentric billionaire. Kate Michaels has been living a solitary life after a traumatic experience, but after pressure from her rational agent and candid best friend, she begrudgingly concedes that she needs the work. As she collaborates with the enigmatic James Webber on the project, she finds herself growing dependent on him and starts to suspect that something is wrong…deeply wrong. Will Kate be able to trust herself with James’ story, or even her own voice? Grab some popcorn, and get lost in your imagination in this gripping and suspenseful podcast movie experience, Ghostwriter, from C13Features.  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 o

Liz shares that while both she and Sarah embraced gratitude over Thanksgiving, Liz also felt another “g” emotion… guilt! Turns out it’s hard to enjoy a few days off when so much work looms on the horizon. One solution? Remember that relaxing now leads to more productivity later. Then, in L v. S (Liz versus Sarah), they debate the merits of sound baths. Liz finds a sound bath more soothing than a massage — Sarah can’t stand the high-pitched tone of singing bowls. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack could be life altering: When looking for a mentor, choose someone whose life you like.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 Gre

As Liz and Sarah begin writing Season Two of Fantasy Island, they’re determined to maintain work boundaries — at least for as long as they possibly can. One strategy? Wait to answer non-urgent emails. In The Mailroom, they answer a listener question about how to transition from unscripted to scripted television. Then Liz and Sarah talk to their brand new assistant, Lauren Conoscenti, about how her attitude toward her job garnered Lauren the best recommendations from her former bosses that Liz and Sarah have ever received. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Happier With Gretchen Rubin guest Larry Smith: Write a six word gratitude memoir. 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 l

Liz and Sarah analyze different kinds of decision making. Do you follow your gut? Take the path of least resistance? Make decisions by committee? Then, in From The Outer Office, they talk to their former assistant and current Executive Story Editor on Season Two of Fantasy Island, Brook Sitgraves Turner, about what it’s like to climb the Writers Room ladder. Her advice? Take an improv class. Brook also provides this week’s Hollywood Hack: Keep a blanket in your car.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, ple

Liz and Sarah share HUGE news! There will be a Season Two of Fantasy Island! Now that they’ve accomplished this major goal, what’s next? They’re setting their sights on making it to one hundred episodes. Or maybe seventy-five... In Hits & Bombs, they give a big Hit to two colleagues — Marie Jacobson and Ray Ricord of Sony Gemstone — for being such cheerleaders. They also give a Bomb to the bureaucratic hell that kept them from starting the writers room when they wanted to. This week, Liz and Sarah have two Hollywood Hacks. The first is a hiring hack: When you’re up for a job, ask former employers to send unsolicited praise to the people who might hire you. The second Hollywood Hack might keep you out of hot water: Instead of texting sensitive information, write it in a Google doc, then delete. Finally, Sarah had a Halloween Celebrity Sighting — singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb.Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://h

Season One of Fantasy Island was a sprint that left Liz and Sarah flat on the ground. As they look ahead to a possible Season Two, they discuss how to have their work life resemble a hike instead. Yes, it will be arduous, but they also want to enjoy the view. Then Liz answers a Mailroom question about her name. In a special L v. S (Liz versus Sarah), Liz announces that she has a new puppy — a Corgi named Nacho! And she concedes that Sarah has been right all along. Pets do make a person happier! Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your work communication dramatically: use clear email headers.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 pod

With Season Two of Fantasy Island  still up in the air, Liz and Sarah have decided to embrace Hiatus Mode! What does that mean? Going to their favorite hiatus restaurants (including Benihana), taking short trips to see friends, and — for Sarah — getting out her spinning wheel. In Take Two, they have MORE great gifts ideas for this holiday season. Thanks, Listeners, for all the suggestions! One popular Item? Salt! Then Liz and Sarah amplify the new season of a podcast that anyone who aspires to be in the entertainment business should listen to — the Catch A Break Podcast. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will help keep your car tidy: the Epauto Waterproof Car Trashcan.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

Liz and Sarah discuss how their immediate future resembles the 1998 movie Sliding Doors. There’s one reality if Fantasy Island gets picked up for Season Two, and a totally different reality if it doesn’t. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares how she’s using meditation to help her get through this stressful time. Her favorite tool? The Ten Percent Happier app from Dan Harris. Plus, she got chickens! So Ojai. This week’s Hollywood Hack turns any gathering into a special event: rent a photo booth. Finally, Celebrity Sightings are back! This week Liz and Sarah spotted comedian Fortune Feimster at Kiwami. 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—Happi

It’s not even Halloween yet, but Liz and Sarah are looking ahead to the holidays. Between supply chain problems and slow delivery, they’re shopping NOW! And they’ve got lots of great gift ideas. Need to buy for a colleague? They suggest a personalized Yeti rambler cup or a face mask chain from CandiceBDesigns on Etsy. Have a Happier lover in your life? Get a To Do Tackle Box from Gretchen Rubin. Liz and Sarah’s favorite gift this year? Smiley Face Slippers!Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comHappier 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 subsc

Liz and Sarah discuss a question put forth by their favorite author consultant, Crystal Ellefsen — what five things do they want to be known for? First on the list — writing interesting, complex female characters. Then they Amplify Dichos, an hilarious new web series from Fantasy Island Season One writer Mary Angelica Molina. This week’s Hollywood Hack is for the overbuyers out there: If you feel the need to buy something, buy a holiday gift. Finally, Sarah had her first Celebrity Sighting in Ojai. She saw Jason Segel walking into town. Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comLINKS:Crystal Ellefsen:https://crystalellefsen.com/Consulting For Authors:https://consultingforauthors.com/Mary Angelica Molina:https://www.maryangelicamolina.com/Dichos:https://www.dichosdichos.com/Jason Segel:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0781981/Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Happier i

Liz and Sarah are anxiously waiting to find out if there’s a future for Fantasy Island. They reveal one way they’re handling the stress — working on the network pitch for Season Two! In Hits & Bombs, Liz gives Sarah a Hit for how she’s dealing with the social slog in her new hometown of Ojai. And after watching the new Amazon docuseries LuLaRich, they both give a big Bomb to MLM’S — multilevel marketing companies. Liz even pledges to give up her beloved MLM skincare products. Then they answer a Mailbag question about the Fantasy Island logo — why is the “A” upside down? Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is a pro tip that took Liz and Sarah years to learn: Repeat after them. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comHappier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—

Liz and Sarah reveal what’s most pressing in their work psyches this week — nothing! As Season One of Fantasy Island comes to an end, they are making a conscious effort to take a mental break from the show. In Take Two, they revisit their post Puerto Rico reset plans. Did Sarah find good hiking trails in Ojai? Has Liz stopped eating after 10PM? Have they both managed to focus on their friendship? Then, in Take A Hike, Sarah discusses her recent decision to reframe certain big expenses — an insight which led Liz to feel better about the money she’s spending on making a will. Liz and Sarah also go Behind The Episode, discussing the Fantasy Island season finale, “Dia De Los Vivos,” which was written by Liz’s husband, Adam Fierro, and guest-stars the always fabulous Leslie Jordan. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack makes a great business gift, especially for somebody who spends a lot of time on sets: the Kinetic Sling Crossbody Bag from Athleta.Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood

Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of having a point of view at work. Your boss might not always agree with you, but that’s ok! In Behind The Episode, they talk about two episodes of Fantasy Island: “The Big Five Oh” and “The Romance & The Bromance.” One exciting detail? The casting! These episodes feature a Melrose Place reunion and an appearance by Roselyn Sanchez’s husband — Eric Winter! Then, in Amplify, Liz shares a must-see documentary — LFG — about the US Women’s Soccer Team’s fight for equity and fair pay. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack comes straight from Sarah’s move to a new house: Keep a stain stick wherever you undress. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comHappier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life bette

As the school year begins, Liz and Sarah take a cue from Violet's first day at her new school: Expect the worst, prepare for the best. It’s the opposite of the conventional wisdom, but it works! Then they answer a question from a listener who wants to know if their motto — It’s a fun job, and we enjoy it — still applies when it’s NOT a fun job. The answer? Yes! Next, they go behind the scenes on this week's Fantasy Island episode, "Twice in a Lifetime." Finally, they share a Hollywood Hack inspired by their fellow TV writer Bill Krebs: Give someone a Cameo. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comHappier 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

Liz and Sarah aren’t just TV writers — they’re podcasters! This week they discuss how they make Happier In Hollywood, and what elements they think are necessary for a good podcast. One rule? No aimless banter! In Behind The Episode, they talk about the Fantasy Island episode, “Once Upon a Time in Havana.” Then, in The Mailroom, they answer a listener question related to their “fun job” motto. How can a job be fun and not fun at the same time? Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack applies to everyone everywhere: Go as yourself. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comHappier 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 Everyth

Liz and Sarah discuss what they call, "the in-between time—“ Fantasy Island has premiered, but will there be a second season? Or not? The numbers (overnights, L3s, L7s, etc.) trickle in, but what do they mean? When will the future be clearer? No idea! Then they discuss the importance of asking for what you need. Both Liz and Sarah had to do this recently… and it made a HUGE difference. They also debut a brand new segment: Behind the Episode, in which they go behind-the-scenes of the Fantasy Island episode that aired that week. Finally, this week's Hollywood Hack is perfect for this particular pandemic moment: iPic theaters.Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comHappier 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 othe

After months of work (and stress) it happened — the premiere of Fantasy Island on FOX! Liz and Sarah discuss the press coverage, the presence of an Evil Donut Bringer in the pilot, and what Liz's sister-in-law, Olivia, thought about the character (loosely) inspired by her. Then it’s time for a Take a Hike double-feature! In the first, they talk about why writing is easier than... well, not writing. In the second, Sarah shares why her recent (very public) fall off of a piece of playground equipment was not necessarily a bad thing. Finally, this week's Hollywood Hack makes a fun and affordable gift: personalized pillows. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comHappier 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 On

As Liz and Sarah gear up for the premiere of Fantasy Island, they‘re doing a lot of press — which can be daunting. But they have a plan of action! Knowing what they want to say and remembering to express their passion are key. In Take a Hike, they reveal how they’re mentally preparing for the Fantasy Island reviews. It’s never easy! In Hits and Bombs, they give BOTH to the same thing — the cancelation of the Fantasy Island premiere party. (Yes, Covid strikes again.) This week's Hollywood Hack will be useful to anyone who doesn’t want to put something in writing: Set voice memos to delete after two minutes.Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comHappier 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 p

Liz and Sarah discuss their decision not to make work for themselves during their upcoming downtime. Instead, they’re going to focus on recuperating from an intense work schedule. Then, in Take A Hike, they reveal how they’re each commemorating Season One of Fantasy Island. Liz bought herself a necklace, and Sarah ordered her dream spinning wheel! Next, in their new Amplify segment, they talk about Deborah Copaken's new memoir, LADYPARTS. Finally, this week's Hollywood Hack will help you stand out at work : Have a Mary Poppins bag. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comLINKS:Liz’s necklace from Monica Rich Kosann: https://www.monicarichkosann.com/Sarah’s dream spinning wheel: https://www.schachtspindle.com/product/matchless-spinning-wheel/Ladyparts: A Memoir: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608181/ladyparts-by-debora