
NBA star Jalen Brunson gives a surprising answer to the question, “What play best embodies this entire title run?”
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Email: [email protected]
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz
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Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.
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Aug 17
5 min

We revisit one of our favorite happiness ideas: Treat Yourself Like a _____. Over the years, we've explored many variations on this theme, including treating yourself like a toddler, a dog, a teenager, and a professor. Sometimes it's easier to recognize what we need when we imagine we're taking care of someone else.
Revisited Highlights:
Episode 7: Treat Yourself Like a Toddler
Episode 243: Treat Yourself Like a Dog
Episode 438: Treat Yourself Like a Teenager
Episode 467: Treat Yourself Like a Professor
Get 20% off with code HAPPIER20:
Know Yourself Better Journal
Embracing Change Journal
Building Connections Journal
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
Aug 15
33 min

Why you should treat your home like a hotel, and a common blindspot that can lead to unnecessary conflict. Plus a relationship hack.
Episode highlights:
Try This at Home: treat your home like a hotel—declutter, fix small annoyances, and add small touches of luxury. [03:10]
Happiness Hack: A listener shares a tip on making helpful introductions [11:14]
Happiness Stumbling Block: Are you arguing that you are “right,” when you’re really talking about preferences? [04:20]
Demerits & Gold Stars: Gretchen's demerit: not taking away her old camera; Elizabeth's gold star: to her son Jack for his first solo flight [21:47]
Mentioned in this episode:
Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
The “Strategy of the Lightning Bolt”
Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin
Good Time Girls by Lael Morgan (Amazon, Bookshop)
House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds (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
Aug 12
32 min

Many players and teams struggle during clutch time—but not every player or team faces that challenge. Never assume that your problems are the same as other people’s.
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
Aug 10
4 min

Gretchen shares a recent insight on feeling "anonymous" versus "present." We also discuss a lesson for Upholders and gift-worthy pop-up books.
Episode Highlights
Something Making Us Happier—Elizabeth's new Wordle streak milestone and Gretchen’s favorite pop-up books [00:36]
I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You— Gretchen’s insight on feeling “anonymous” vs. “present.” And a lesson for Upholders [12:01]
Spotlight on a Tool: Sign up for Gretchen’s Five Things newsletter! [12:44]
Mentioned in This Episode
Robert Sabuda pop-up books:
Peter Pan (Amazon, Bookshop)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Amazon)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Amazon)
Winter's Tale (Amazon, Bookshop)
The Night Before Christmas (Amazon)
The Twelve Days of Christmas (Amazon, Bookshop)
America the Beautiful (Amazon, Bookshop)
Peter Dahmen Pop Up Sculptures
Sign up for Gretchen's free newsletter, Five Things Making Me Happy
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
Aug 8
31 min

“Treat yourself like…a person of interest” and try a month-long “self-stakeout” to track your habits. We also share an easy way to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit in your head. Plus we discuss three broad categories of empty nesters.
Episode highlights:
Try This At Home— Do a "self-stakeout": Imagine you're a detective and tail yourself for a month. What will you find? [06:43]
Happiness Hack— An easy trick for converting Celsius to Fahrenheit [12:08]
Know Yourself Better: We discuss three "empty nester" types: Relaxers, Rekindlers, and Reinventors [13:44]
Demerits & Gold Stars: Elizabeth’s Demerit: not reading as much this summer as planned; Gretchen’s Gold Star: staying calm during a keyboard malfunction [20:23]
Mentioned in this Episode:
This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage and Started My Life by Lyz Lenz (Amazon, Bookshop)
The Diary of Virginia Woolf, Vol. 3 by Virginia Woolf (Amazon, Bookshop)
Free bingo cards and other resources
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
Aug 5
34 min

George Orwell’s observation about work performed by machines is very relevant to our discussions of AI.
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
Aug 3
4 min

We revisit listener-favorite hacks for cultivating summer fun. If you want to make the most of the weeks ahead, these practical ideas can help you add more fun, adventure, and whimsy to everyday life.
Revisited Highlights:
Episode 146: Introduce a note of whimsy
Episode 178: Schedule a weekly playdate with yourself
Episode 98: Give yourself a quest
Episode 477: Embrace fun plans
Mentioned in This Episode:
Share your Summer Recap in the Happier App
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 1
35 min

August is “Dogust,” so we talk about celebrating the dogs in our lives. Plus, we answer a listener question about our reading habits.
Episode Highlights:
Try This at Home: Celebrate "Dogust" with five easy ways to celebrate your dog [06:10]
Four Tendencies Tip: We share strategies for helping a parent Upholder who is struggling to maintain her habits [15:23]
Happiness Hack: Why a backpacking pack might be a better travel alternative to your roller bag [12:48]
Listener Question: How do we get so much reading done? [19:57]
Demerits & Gold Stars: Gretchen’s demerit: stalling out on family timeline project; Elizabeth’s Gold Star: all the monoculture events this summer [25:00]
Mentioned in This Episode:
Dog cave bed
Patagonia Black Hole Convertible Carry-On Backpack
This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage and Started My Life by Lyz Lenz (Amazon, Bookshop)
Permanence by Sophie Mackintosh (Amazon, Bookshop)
Secrets of Adulthood Substack
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
Jul 29
37 min

A classic children’s fable is very relevant to the work of adults.
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
Jul 27
5 min
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