Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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: 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

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: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

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: 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

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: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

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: 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