Podcast Episodes

Ep. 553: Ask for Clarification, an Easy Way to Unclutter & a “Use It Up” Epiphany

Episode 553

We talk about why asking for clarification is so important—yet it’s an easy step to skip. We also mention a listener’s great hack for nudging her kids to unclutter, and we discuss the urge to “use it…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Little Happier: Andy Warhol, Woolworth’s, Air Conditioning, and Roasted Peanuts

Our five senses constantly make adjustments and compromises—an observation that explains a cryptic comment by Andy Warhol.

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn mo…

Published on 2 months, 4 weeks ago

More Happier: For Travel, Familiarity or Novelty? Plus a Flossing Hack & the Pleasure of Routine

We explore whether it's better to seek out new experiences or enjoy familiar favorites when traveling. Plus, we share a surprising hack about alternatives to flossing, and how we’re approaching fall …

Published on 3 months ago

Ep. 552: Start Your 100-Day Countdown, Try Substack & the Power of Engaging

Episode 522

There are about 100 days left in the year, and we discuss why starting your 100-day countdown can make you happier. We also explore a hack that will help you read, learn, and get entertained, and we …

Published on 3 months ago

Little Happier: A Surprising and Subtle Way to Change Your Habits: Consider Texas

Texas’s extremely successful anti-littering campaign illustrates an important principle about habit change: Sometimes changing our habits requires us first to change our identity.

Get in touch: podca…

Published on 3 months ago

More Happier: Returning to Routine? 7 Strategies to Make it Easier [Revisited]

Feeling the end-of-summer slump? In this revisited episode, we share 7 practical strategies that can help you rebuild your routine for fall—especially if you're dragging your feet. September is the o…

Published on 3 months, 1 week ago

Ep. 551: Question Assumptions, College Drop-Off Hacks & Rebelling Against an Unappreciative Family

Episode 551

We talk about why it can be very valuable to question our assumptions, and we also share hacks for helping a child moving into a college dorm.  Plus we discuss a listener’s feelings of Obliger-rebell…

Published on 3 months, 1 week ago

Little Happier: Why Is Making Partner in a Law Firm Like Winning a Pie-Eating Contest?

A teaching joke from the legal world captures an important lesson: Sometimes the reward for an achievement is simply a bigger helping of the same challenge.

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Vi…

Published on 3 months, 1 week ago

More Happier: Listen In! Recording from Our Reading Retreat (and Closet Clearing)

During our recent Reading Retreat 2025, we made voice memos to record our sisterly adventure. We talk about our reading, plus we also report on the evening we spent clearing out a very crowded closet…

Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Ep. 550: Very Special Episode: Now Is the Time to Tackle That One, Big, Hard Thing

Episode 550

Sometimes, to be happier, we need to confront one enormous, daunting goal that we would really prefer to avoid. We discuss what those kinds of intimidating goals might be, offer suggestions for how t…

Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago