Turn party-planning stress into fun with a theme, and why one person downplaying can lead the other to overreact. Episode highlights: Something Making Us Happier: Embrace a party theme. [00:40] I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You: Gretchen’s Perfume Party [10:42] I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You: Gretchen’s insight on a comment that Elizabeth’s son, Jack, made about communication [19:41] Mentioned in this episode: Move 26 in '26 bingo card in The Happier app PLOT TWIST by Harlan Coben (⁠Amazon⁠, ⁠Bookshop⁠) Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] 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

Here’s what we learned from our own Do-Spend September, and how to get a luxury-resort experience for a fraction of the cost. Plus: really, what can go in a microwave? Episode highlights: Try This at Home— Reflect on Do-Spend September  [03:10] Happiness Hack— Buy a hotel-pool day pass for a luxury "staycation" at a fraction of the cost of a room [11:24] Happiness Stumbling Block: Settling confusion on what can and can't go in the microwave [14:07] Demerits & Gold Stars: Elizabeth's demerit: not talking to friends on the phone enough; Gretchen's gold star: a surprise hoodie [21:33] Mentioned in this episode: Mercer Culinary bread knife Real Simple/Whirlpool guide to what you can microwave Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe (Amazon, Bookshop) Virginia Woolf by Mary Ann Caws (Amazon) Gretchen's free 7-Day Email Challenge, Boost Your Energy Through Movement PLOT TWIST by Harlan Coben Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies 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

Remembering the gracious words Dolly Parton used to decline a statue in her honor—and how that moment captured her humility, her love for Tennessee, and her commitment to doing good. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] 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

We revisit some of our most useful Four Tendencies conversations about Rebels, including listener advice for navigating school and ADHD, what actually motivates Rebels, and practical habit strategies shared by Rebels themselves. Mentioned in This Episode: The Four Tendencies in Action Workbook The Four Tendencies Quiz Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies 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

We discuss why we should make an effort to leave the house. Plus, a stumbling block related to “having a take,” and a simple hack for reconnecting with people. Episode highlights: Try This At Home—Why leaving the house, even briefly, has a big effect on happiness [06:42] Happiness Hack: a tip for reconnecting with people you haven't talked to in a while [15:30] Happiness Stumbling Block— We don't have to have an opinion on everything [21:00] Demerits and Gold Stars: Gretchen’s Demerit: Leaving her shoe in a cab—Gold Star to the cab company! Elizabeth’s Gold Star: Dinner at the Garland Hotel [23:56] Mentioned in this episode: Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft by Harlan Coben — upcoming book club pick  Kate Bowler's "Everything Happens" newsletter  Free 7-Day Email Challenge: Boost Your Energy Through Movement  Blacktail by Scott Hawkins (Amazon, Bookshop)  Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] 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

Whether through science, personal observation, or humor, short statements of these human “laws” help us understand that world we live in. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies 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

What reality TV can teach us about miscommunication, plus a simple tool for dealing with shared work based on your tendency. Episode highlights: Something Making Us Happier: Elizabeth's first-ever September getaway to Nantucket, and Gretchen's trusty sweatshirt [00:33] I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You: A grammar rule Gretchen’s been pondering [08:33] Spotlight on a Tool: 13 strategies for handling shared work based on the Four Tendencies [17:09] A Lesson from Reality TV— How often are conflicts a simple miscommunication? [18:15] Mentioned in this Episode: 13 strategies for splitting chores by Tendency Take the free Four Tendencies quiz Audition by Katie Kitamura (Amazon, Bookshop) Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies 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

Clear clutter fast with a courtroom-inspired trick, and we discuss how Upholders might set boundaries for unwanted accountability partners.  Episode highlights: Try This at Home: A hack for decluttering by issuing an “order to show cause" [04:34] Idea for Do-Spend September— A listener’s Do-Spend September upgrade turns into a housewide "Upgrade Week" [01:57] Four Tendencies Tip: How Upholders might set boundaries with Obligers looking for accountability partners [12:11] Happiness Hack: A clever way to repurpose empty Altoid tins [09:54] Fun with the Five Senses: The nostalgia and whimsy of Jello [20:35] Demerits & Gold Stars: Elizabeth’s Demerit: fallen off on dog-walking duties; Gretchen’s Gold Star: reviewed many books and podcasts [24:26] Mentioned in this episode: Altoid Tin Organizer Insert Take the free Four Tendencies quiz Rest Jump-Start Challenge on the Happier app Dakota Born by Debbie Macomber (Amazon, Bookshop) Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor (Amazon, Bookshop) Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies 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

As the World Cup illustrated, in the happy moments of scoring a goal or celebrating, we may find it hard to stay focused on our aims. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies 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

Not sticking to a habit that’s important to you? Dan Harris and Laurie Santos join Gretchen to share how to spot what's holding you back — and get moving again. Mentioned in This Episode: 10% Happier podcast  10% with Dan Harris app  The Happiness Lab podcast  Move 26 challenge & seasonal bingo card in the Happier app  The Move 26 in ‘26 Challenge Connect with us: Email: [email protected] 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