Happier In Hollywood

Liz and Sarah talk to TV writer Nadia Abass-Madden about how she switched careers from being a real life 911 operator to writing for FOX’s hit show 9-1-1. It’s a dream-come-true-story to inspire all of us during this stressful time! Then, in Take A Hike, Liz discusses why it’s a good idea to reconnect with old friends if you’re feeling adrift. This week’s Hollywood Hack will revolutionize your kitchen experience: Marley’s Monsters Unpaper Towels. Finally, Sarah recommends the podcast Ologies hosted by Alie Ward.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, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

In this Special Episode, Liz and Sarah share some of their most “Hollywood” Hollywood moments, from getting yelled at by famous actors to spotting A-list stars in line at the pharmacy. They’ve driven around town to look at billboards of their shows, had breakfast at The Polo Lounge with a con man, and been fired (twice.)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, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://

Liz and Sarah talk to one of their best friends, Karine Rosenthal, about what it means to be a Number Two on a TV show. What are the duties? How does she get into the mind of the Showrunner? Then they answer a Mailroom question about how they would have dealt with Season Three of Fantasy Island, given that there’s a WGA strike going on. This week Hollywood Hack comes from Executive Producer Chuck Reed and is useful for summer travel: the Tripsy app. Finally, Liz has a premium buttered popcorn TV show recommendation — love & death on MAX.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, and Every

Liz and Sarah have officially started writing their novel, and they’re gaining momentum. They have the first forty pages! Yes, it needs rewriting but they love where it’s going. In Hits & Bombs, they give a joint Hit to all the agents and managers who are showing up on the picket line to support the WGA. And Liz gives a Bomb to the end of “Succession“ — it was an incredible finale but she’s so sad the show is over. Then, in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah discuss the different approaches people have to picketing. Want to chat? Walk alone? Stick to the same studio? Bop around? You do you! Sarah offers this week’s Hollywood Hack, which was a recommendation from a listener: the Dip Tangerine & Honeydew Conditioner bar. Finally, Sarah has a TV recommendation — Season Two of “Somebody Somewhere” on MAX. 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/Happi

Liz and Sarah talk to director (and one of Liz’s best friends) Caroline Suh about “Working: What We Do All Day,” the gripping new documentary series she made with President Barack Obama. What do we need to be happy at work? What was it like to collaborate with a former President? What role do unions play in the United States? Then Liz and Sarah answer a Mailroom question about whether or not they ever “lose” ideas. Yes, they do! This week they’re asking listeners to help with a Hollywood Hack — what’s the perfect T-shirt? Finally, Liz recommends a podcast: Corporate Gossip. 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 Ru

Liz and Sarah discuss that sad news that Fantasy Island has been canceled. Why do they think it happened and how are they feeling about it? Then they reveal what they had planned for Season Three — including what was behind the door at the end of Episode 207. In Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah talk about strike silver linings, including meeting podcast listeners on the picket line. This week’s Hollywood Hack supports the community impacted by the WGA Strike: buy strike merch that supports the Entertainment Community Fund. Finally, Sarah recommends an audio book — The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.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—Happie

Liz and Sarah discuss the WGA strike with their friend Nicole Yorkin, who is a member of the WGA Negotiating Committee. Why do writers view this moment in the business as existential? What is the AMPTP’s stance on AI? How will the unity among all the entertainment unions impact this labor action? Then, in The Craft & Fain, Liz and Sarah talk about how they’re “getting down to business” on their novel. They’ve each committed to writing five hundred words a day, five days a week. This week’s Hollywood Hack will make it easier to share expenses with friends and family: the Tricount app. Finally, Liz recommends a book — Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy by James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams.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

Liz and Sarah answer more fantastic listener questions! Do they ever pay podcast guests? Why are television seasons fewer episodes than they used to be? How does Sarah being an only parent impact their team decision making? How do they navigate friendships in Hollywood? What advice do Liz and Sarah have for a first time mom who’s a writer? Answer: It’s all about boundaries! 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, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:Jennette McCurdy:I'm Glad My Mom Diedsimonandsch

Liz and Sarah are answering listener questions! Is Sarah still a vegan? What five things are they both hoping to accomplish before they retire? How do actors memorize their lines? What’s the silliest thing Liz and Sarah have every argued about? (Answer: trashcans.) They discuss these questions and so many more!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, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.

Liz and Sarah talk about the inspiration for their new team development motto — Premium Buttered Popcorn. In Take A Hike, they ask listeners to weigh in on whether their current state of not wanting to do anything (that involves work) is healthy or unhealthy. Then they answer a Mailroom question about the role that enthusiasm plays when pitching to executives. Is it possible to be TOO enthusiastic? This week’s Hollywood Hack has helped Sarah finally achieve the perfect ponytail: the INH Quick Slick Hair Finishing Stick. Finally, this week Sarah recommends a gripping thriller — I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai.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

Liz and Sarah discuss the mental gymnastics of going down two possible roads at once as they try to prepare themselves for a possible WGA strike. Yes, they’re used to their future being uncertain, but this is on a whole other level. Then they interview filmmaker Colin Campbell about his beautiful new book, Finding The Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose, which he wrote after his two teenaged children, Ruby and Hart, were killed by a drunk driver. This week’s Hollywood Hack also deals with grief and comes from Liz and Sarah’s friend, Nichelle Tramble Spellman: Send a special photo. Finally, Liz recommends the reality competition show, The Traitors, on Peacock. 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 Rubi

Liz and Sarah discuss a topic that’s on their minds and the minds of so many TV writers — the frustration of free work. What can writers do to combat this problem? One solution— ask for transparency. In The Craft (& Fain), they reveal why they decided to “just start” their thriller novel. This week’s Mailroom question is all about the various credits at the end of a TV show. And Sarah has a hair Hollywood Hack: shampoo bars. Finally, Sarah recommends the Flutter Experience for anyone in or near Los Angeles. 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, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

As the TV business continues to rapidly evolve, Liz and Sarah have decided to embrace an “oh, what the hell” attitude when it comes to development. If they love a project and want to do it, they’re going to do it — because at this point it’s impossible to judge what will or won’t have a chance for success. In The Craft (& Fain), they branch out from the writing craft to discuss color correction, a process that has a big impact on how a show looks and feels. In Hits & Bombs, they give a Hit to the WGA and especially to the WGA Negotiating Committee. Then they have a Bomb for all the recent rain in LA. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from a listener — use rubbing alcohol to remove old dry erase marker. Finally, this week Liz recommends a beautiful new book — Finding The Words by Colin Campbell. 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/Happi

Liz and Sarah talk about how a recent conversation about a former development project reminded them that “no now doesn’t mean no forever.” In Take A Hike, Liz discusses why you might want to do your own version of her Fryman 50. Then they answer a question from The Mailroom about whether they’ve ever written for a show they didn’t like — and if so how did they handle it? This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Sarah’s recent purchase: Try an electric car. Finally, Sarah recommends Shrinking on Apply TV+.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, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you

Liz and Sarah share what tools they consider essential for their job as TV writers. On the list? Final Draft, Google Docs, dry erase board tiles, the reMarkable Tablet, and more. In A Day In The Life, they run through what a typical day is during development. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Liz’s mom: Put a number on it. Finally, Liz recommends Season Two of Sex/Life on Netflix. 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, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:ReMarkable Tablet:Homeremarkable.comS

Liz tells Sarah she realized that she’s been going on endless rants about the state of TV writers in Hollywood — and she’s vowing to stop! From now on, Liz is going to be positive and try to manifest good things. Will it work? Keep listening to find out! In Take A Hike, Sarah shares how her wood burning stove has helped her see that little things can be big things. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah reveal what they’ve learned about scenes that are particularly hard to write. This week’s Hollywood Hack is an old favorite: Say “fuck” in a meeting. Finally, Sarah recommends one of her favorite stores in Ojai — Cercana.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

Liz and Sarah talk to H Schuster about her plan to democratize and diversify access to the entertainment industry. The mission of H’s new company HUSSLUP is to transform Hollywood’s old clique with one click. Then, in The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a question about TV writer Elisabeth Finch who notoriously lied her way up the ladder on hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Vampire Diaries. This week’s Hollywood Hack will make working out more fun: Fitness Dice. Finally, Liz has three podcast recommendations — Two T’s In A Pod, Bachelor Party, and A Little Bit Culty.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

Liz and Sarah are deep into the first draft of the pilot they’re writing — and discovering all over again how hard it is to write a pilot. Creating something out of nothing is never easy! In Take A Hike, Liz talks about how she decided to set aside worry during her recent glamping trip. The result? She was fully present and had an amazing time. Next, in Take Two, Liz and Sarah share more ways to listen to Audio books. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your bedtime routine: the Peryton Sleep Headphones Wireless, Bluetooth Sports Headphones. And finally Sarah recommends the iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso from Starbucks.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 o

As Liz and Sarah continue to work on the novel they plan to write, they realize that for once they’re in total control of their fate. That’s exciting — but also scary. There’s no one to blame but themselves if they don’t finish it! In The Craft (& Fain) they talk about how sometimes you should “do a little before you do a lot.” Then Sarah gives Connie a Hit for doing Violet’s hair and make up for her first school dance. And Liz gives herself a Bomb for still not understanding football. (Yay Chiefs!) This week’s Hollywood Hack will make going to a potluck less stressful: be like Sarah and have a party go to. For her? It’s Pavlova. Finally, Liz recommends watching Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence, a three part docuseries on Hulu.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

Liz and Sarah celebrate the 300th episode of Happier In Hollywood! What are some of listeners’ favorite moments of the podcast? Volunteers not recruits. Get to steppin’. Identify your personal canary in a coal mine. And so much more! For Liz and Sarah, the best part of the podcast is… you! They’re so grateful for the incredible HIH community. 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!Links:Nichelle D. Tramble: Nichelle D. Trambleimdb.comFearless Negotiati