Podcast Episodes

Little Happier: To Calm Myself, I Imagine a Traffic Light in a Thunderstorm.

When I’m feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or unhappy, I sometimes conjure up an image in my mind—an oak tree in Iowa, or a traffic light in a thunderstorm—to help me to feel calmer.

Get in touch: @gretch…

Published on 4 years, 11 months ago

Ep. 306: Choose Your One-Word Theme for 2021, a New Year’s Hack, and Listeners’ Suggestions for Ways to Show Love and Support from Far Away

Episode 306

We choose our one-word themes for the year, and encourage listeners to choose their own theme for 2021, we discuss a hack for heading into the new year (plus a bonus wrapping-paper hack), and listene…

Published on 4 years, 11 months ago

Little Happier: What We See Depends Very Much on Where We Stand.

As several examples illustrate, it’s easy to forget that the way we see the world is very much shaped by our own perspective. One person’s reason for taking medication is another person’s negative si…

Published on 4 years, 11 months ago

Ep. 305: We Share Listeners’ Success Stories from “Walk 20 in 2020” and Reveal Our Challenge for 2021

Episode 305

As 2020 draws to a close, we share many terrific success stories from listeners about their experiences following the “Walk 20 in 2020” challenge, and we reveal our challenge for 2021. (Hint: It’s fu…

Published on 4 years, 11 months ago

Little Happier: After His Death, Actor Yul Brynner Made an Unforgettable Plea.

The simplicity and power of Yul Brynner’s anti-smoking ad, aired after his death, makes it unforgettable. This ad transformed his suffering into a story that could save the lives of others.

Get in tou…

Published on 5 years ago

Ep. 304: We Reveal How We Did with Our “20 for 2020” Lists, Plus a Hack for Not Forgetting Items.

Episode 304

We review our “20 for 2020” lists and reveal what we did—and didn’t—get done in this strange year. We also talk about an easy hack to avoid leaving something behind, and Elizabeth gives herself a dec…

Published on 5 years ago

Little Happier: The Lesson I Learned from the Thumbtack in My Shoe.

I had a pain in my foot, and I blamed my foot—until a friend pointed out that I had a tack in my shoe. Whenever I get frustrated, I remind myself that I shouldn’t be too quick to hold myself responsi…

Published on 5 years ago

Bonus Episode: Gretchen Rubin Reads Charles Dickens’s Timeless Story, “A Christmas Carol.” Part II.

As a holiday gift for listeners, I read a story: Charles Dickens’s timeless ghost story, “A Christmas Carol.” These days, while many people have a general impression of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, …

Published on 5 years ago

Bonus Episode: Gretchen Rubin Reads Charles Dickens’s Timeless Story, “A Christmas Carol.” Part I.

As a holiday gift for listeners, I read a story: Charles Dickens’s timeless ghost story, “A Christmas Carol.” These days, while many people have a general impression of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, …

Published on 5 years ago

Ep. 303: Find a Ritual to “Exorcise 2020,” a Sleep Hack, and Tips for Sticking to a Schedule When Working from Home

Episode 303

We discuss why you might want to create a ritual to “Exorcise 2020” and share terrific suggestions from listeners, and our own ideas, for how to bid farewell to 2020. We also talk about a tech -relat…

Published on 5 years ago