Podcast Episodes

Little Happier: What Can You Do When You Live in a Crowded, Messy, Noisy House?

In a traditional Yiddish folk tale, a farmer complains about his crowded, noisy house—and his wise rabbi gives him a surprising solution.

Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com

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Published on 5 years, 3 months ago

Ep. 287: Steer Clear of Quicksand, Beware of Catastrophizing, a Whimsical Hack, and a Spotlight on Baratunde Thurston

Episode 287

We discuss why you should steer clear of quicksand, beware of the happiness stumbling block of “catastrophizing,” suggest an affordable, whimsical hack, and shine a spotlight on Baratunde Thurston. 

G…

Published on 5 years, 4 months ago

Little Happier: Bryan Stevenson Points Out a Question: Are We There to Speak, or Are We There to Listen?

In his brilliant memoir “Just Mercy,” Bryan Stevenson makes the distinction: Am I invited someplace to speak, or am I invited to listen?

Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; podcast@gretchenrubin.com

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Published on 5 years, 4 months ago

Ep. 286: September Is the Other January, Jay Shetty Explains How to Think Like a Monk, and a Spotlight on Colson Whitehead

Episode 286

Why we should remember that September is the other January; we have a conversation with podcaster and writer Jay Shetty about how to “think like a monk”; we suggest a surprisingly obvious kitchen hac…

Published on 5 years, 4 months ago

Little Happier: The More We Talk to Someone, the More We Have to Say.

In Karl Ove Knausgaard’s autobiographical novel My Struggle: Book Six, he reflects on the counter-intuitive truth that the more we talk to people, the more we have to say to them.

Get in touch: @gretc…

Published on 5 years, 4 months ago

Ep. 285: Why It’s a Good Idea to Create a Catch-All, a Spotlight on Virginia Hamilton, and a Conversation with Susan Burton About Her Brilliant Memoir “Empty.”

Episode 285

We discuss why it’s a great idea to create a catch-all to help boost creativity, memories, and inspiration, we shine a spotlight on children’s author 

Virginia Hamilton, and we talk to Susan Burton ab…

Published on 5 years, 4 months ago

Little Happier: How Eating a Second Ice-Cream Cone Can Be an Act of Obliger-Rebellion

In Karl Ove Knausgaard’s essay “Summer,” he perfectly describes an example of Obliger-rebellion that’s turned toward the self: he eats a second ice-cream cone in front of the envious eyes of his chil…

Published on 5 years, 4 months ago

Ep. 284: Why Buying Isn’t Doing, a Deep Dive into Ways to Display Your Favorite Quotations, and a Spotlight on Harriet Washington

Episode 284

We talk about why we shouldn’t confuse buying with doing, reveal a happiness hack for staying in touch with grandparents, review listeners’ suggestions for displaying terrific quotations, and shine a…

Published on 5 years, 4 months ago

Little Happier: A Lesson Learned from the End of Life: Make Time for the People Who Matter Most

Eugene O’Kelley’s account of his experience of the end of his life is a reminder that our time and energy are limited, and we need to make sure to give them to the people who matter most to us.

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Published on 5 years, 4 months ago

Ep. 283: Happier Podcast Book Club: Renowned Writer Ann Patchett Talks about Family, Forgiveness, and Memory in “The Dutch House”—and a Spotlight on Trevor Noah.

Episode 283

We talk to writer Ann Patchett about her powerful, compelling novel “The Dutch House.” Plus we shine a spotlight on Trevor Noah and his memoir “Born a Crime.” 

Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabeth…

Published on 5 years, 4 months ago