Podcast Episodes

Little Happier: Have You Ever Walked Along a Desire Path?

As we go through our days, we can look for “desire paths”—the natural paths that emerge as we try to find the quickest and easiest way to get where we’re going.

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Ep. 442: Take Over a Disliked Task, Check Your Passport, and When Not to Do Something for the First Time

Episode 442

We talk about why we might take over a task that someone else particularly

dislikes. We also mention that it’s a good idea to check passport expiration dates,

and when it’s a bad idea to do or try some…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Little Happier: You’re a Jerk, and I’m a Responsible Parent

Listening to the “Office Ladies” podcast reminds me of the psychological phenomenon of the fundamental attribution error. Both of which are good reminders not to judge others too quickly.

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Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

More Happier: How to Create Connections (Or, Butter People Up), Great TV, and Fun with the Five Senses

Episode 42

We talk about research into how people successfully flatter others, and how those insights can help us to build strong connections in our own relationships. We also talk about the fun TV show “Claim …

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Ep. 441: Escape Your Taste, an Easy Way to Remember Hard Names, and New Metaphors for “Empty Nest”

Episode 441

We talk about how we can boost our happiness by escaping from our own taste.

We also suggest an easy way to make it easier to remember challenging names,

and share the many terrific metaphors that list…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Little Happier: I’m Going to Take This Thing Home, Because Otherwise Someone Else Might Steal It

Idaho ghost towns have a problem with vandalism, because people think, “I’ll take this home so someone else doesn't steal it." I felt the same impulse when I visited a little unsupervised library dur…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Ep. 440: Very Special Episode: We Talk About Regret—Our Own Regrets and Listeners’ Regrets

Episode 440

In this Very Special Episode, we explore the subject of regret. We talk about the

most common categories of regrets and why reflecting on regret can help us

make our lives happier. We share some of our…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Little Happier: Would You Pay $500,000 for a Steve Jobs Paradox?

An amusing paradox arose in real life: Steve Jobs put his autograph on a letter to tell someone that he didn’t sign autographs. Sometimes, in the process of saying we won’t do something, we do it.

Get…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

More Happier: The Silver Lining of Summer Camp, a Happiness Bully for Writing, and Not Getting Choked Up

Episode 41

We talk about the silver lining of having a child away at summer camp. We also discuss how a happiness bully might “encourage” someone to work on their novel, and how to avoid choking up while giving…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Ep. 439: Suggest the Default Option, Skip a Year of an Activity You Enjoy, and More Everyday Luxuries

Episode 439

We talk about how we can make planning easier by suggesting the default option

of time and place when coordinating with other people. We also discuss the

suggestion to skip a year of an enjoyable activ…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago