

Happier in Hollywood
The Onward Project
Veteran TV writers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain demystify Hollywood by making career and personal struggles universal. Friends since high school and writing partners for over 20 years, Liz and Sarah have survived and thrived in Tinseltown’s male-dominated entertainment industry, guided by blind optimism and a Midwestern work ethic. Along the way they've learned a lot about kicking ass, kissing ass, and office yoga.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 28, 2025 • 28min
Ep. 433: Batching & Birthday Celebrations
This discussion dives into the art of batching tasks to boost productivity and creativity, especially for content creators. One host shares how planning a birthday celebration, featuring fondue, has sparked joy. They also explore strategies for setting manageable writing goals and the value of accountability in the creative process. A fun digital tool for gifting is introduced, and listeners get tips on improving their puzzling skills with a recommended game app. Don't miss the heartfelt book suggestion that reflects on personal growth.

Aug 21, 2025 • 31min
Ep. 432: Make A Laugh List & Councilman Nazarian on Bringing Back Production
Liz and Sarah talk to L.A. City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian about what he’s doing to bring production back to Los Angeles — including tax incentives, an easier permit process, and ending price gouging for crew parking. Then, in Take A Hike, Sarah shares why we should all make a Laugh List. This week Liz has a Hit for her recent experience getting blood drawn, and Sarah has a Bomb for the price of dry cleaning. This week’s Hollywood Hack is perfect for the end of summer: the Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker. Finally, Liz recommends two dating reality shows on Netflix — Perfect Match Season 3 and Love is Blind UK Season 2. Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! LINKS: Councilmember Adrin Nazarian: https://cd2.lacity.gov/about/Adrin-Nazarian Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker: https://amzn.to/3UzyFX9 Dash Heart Waffle Maker: https://amzn.to/4oYxPBt Perfect Match Season 3 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBjXB_l6GMo Love is Blink UK Season 2 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIHBRA4qoMASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 14, 2025 • 35min
Ep. 431: Navigating New Hollywood With Tepper
Liz and Sarah talk to social media star Kristen Tepper about navigating Hollywood from the point of view of a writer who’s kicking ass and making a name for herself while working toward her first big break as a screenwriter. How did she get her current job as a Showrunner’s assistant? How should reluctant writers approach the use of social media? Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they talk about why you can’t game the system — no matter how much you’d like to. This week’s Hollywood Hack (inspired by Liz’s recent closet purge) comes from listener Laurie: try the clothing swap app Lucky Sweater. Finally, Sarah recommends the (very dark) podcast Root of Evil. Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! LINKS: Tepper Talks on Substack: https://ktepper.substack.com/ Hollywood Hang podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hollywood-hang/id1805490059 Lucky Sweater: https://www.luckysweater.com/ Root of Evil podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root-of-evil-the-true-story-of-the/id1450277129?i=1000429776640See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 7, 2025 • 24min
Ep. 430: Feeling Invigorated & Oh Sh*t Moments
The hosts share their excitement about new creative projects and the joy of brainstorming. They discuss the importance of incorporating 'oh shit' moments in TV pitches to captivate executives. A fun gardening hack featuring a tiered planter makes an appearance. Sarah shares a thrilling celebrity sighting at a Blackpink concert, and Liz recommends the book 'Wild West Village.' They also introduce a new initiative for critiquing script first pages, aiming to enhance writing skills.

Jul 31, 2025 • 25min
Ep. 429: When Our Job Interferes With Our Career
The hosts discuss the challenges of balancing job duties with career aspirations in the fast-paced Hollywood landscape. They celebrate the joy of mentorship after witnessing a mentee's successful pitch. A heartfelt tribute to poet Andrea Gibson explores love and connection. Practical tips include using a foldable step stool for closet organization and refreshing summer wardrobes. Plus, there's excitement over a celebrity sighting, and a recommendation for homeschooling resources adds a personal touch to their journey.

Jul 24, 2025 • 32min
Ep. 428: Summer 2025 Listener Questions Episode!
Liz and Sarah are answering Listener Questions! How common are writing teams? If they weren’t writers, what other Hollywood job would they like to try? How do they deal with burnout? Has Liz been to Sarah’s house in Minnesota? They answer these questions and many more — Sarah even lists all of her twenty pets! Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! LINKS: Happier In Hollywood on Substack: https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza: https://amzn.to/4kNAAC2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 17, 2025 • 26min
Ep. 427: Don’t Delete & More Crying At Work
Liz and Sarah talk about why it’s important never to delete anything substantial. They never know when they’re going to want to put something back into a document. It happens! In Take A Hike, Sarah shares why being at her lake house in Minnesota made her realize it’s important to “look down.” Next, Liz and Sarah revisit the topic of crying at work in Take Two. Listeners have so many observations and insights! This week’s Hollywood Hack is great for summer — try mini soda cans. Finally, Sarah recommends the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery book series. Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below. https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/ LINKS: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: https://amzn.to/4lfLdi2 Diet Coke Mini-Can: https://amzn.to/4nzzEE0 The Murder of Mr. Wickham: https://amzn.to/4lDdoqX Photo by See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 10, 2025 • 28min
Ep. 426: Waiting For The Parade
Liz and Sarah discuss what their career has in common with the annual Ojai Fourth of July Parade. Then, in a Day In The Life segment, they share how they spent their Hive 25. There were many activities, including handing in a script and a trip to Sarah’s favorite stationary shop. In Hits & Bombs, they give two Hits — one to Jocelyn at the Blue Iguana Inn, and another to the people on Sarah’s flight from Los Angeles to Minneapolis. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from friend-of-the-pod Brook Sitgraves Turner: Google Doc Tabs. Finally, Liz recommends the Substack newsletter, Tepper Talks, for anyone who’s trying to make it in Hollywood. Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below. https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/ LINKS: Happier In Hollywood on Substack: https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: https://amzn.to/3FJwgWc Zaidee’s Bar & Grill: https://www.soulepark.com/facilities/restaurant Poketo Concept Planner: https://www.poketo.com/products/concept-planner Noted in Ojai: https://www.notedojai.com/ Blue Iguana Inn: https://www.blueiguanainn.com/ Waterpik Flossing Toothbrush https://amzn.to/4lC8Yk5 Brook Sitgraves Turner: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8223801/ Tepper Talks on Substack: https://ktepper.substack.com/about Photo by Nguyen Hoang Dieu Anh on Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 3, 2025 • 27min
Ep. 425: Novel July & Upside Of The Downslide
Liz and Sarah share their plan to spend all of July finishing a solid draft of their novel. It’s time to get it done! In Take A Hike, they talk about the upside of the downslide of Hollywood. When everything changes, new opportunities arise! In The Craft (& Fain), Sarah talks about the Poketo Concept Planner that’s helping her make headway on a creative project. This week’s Hollywood Hack is courtesy of Jessica Lahey from the #AmWriting podcast — set a UPS/FedEx alert so that you can preempt barking dogs. Finally, Sarah recommends the graphic novel Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls. Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! LINKS: Jessica Lahey of #AmWriting: https://www.jessicalahey.com/amwriting-podcast The Gift of Failure: https://amzn.to/4kRej7b The Addiction Inoculation: https://amzn.to/3FPiVvC Poketo Concept Planner: https://www.poketo.com/products/concept-planner Noted in Ojai: https://www.notedojai.com/ Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls: https://amzn.to/45Bz7ed Photo by S. Tsuchiya on Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 2025 • 50min
Instinct, Integrity, and Influence: Bruce Ramer's Hollywood Journey, from Superhero Leadership with Peter Cuneo
Sharing an episode of the Superhero Leadership podcast, hosted by Marvel's former CEO and legendary turnaround expert, Peter Cuneo. Each week, Peter is joined by top performers from business, media, and beyond, leaders who have mastered the art of impact, resilience, and vision. Together, they explore Peter’s 32 leadership essentials, revealing what it really takes to rise, inspire, and lead with purpose. In this episode, Bruce Ramer, one of Hollywood’s most respected entertainment attorneys, explores how leadership is less about learned strategy and more about instincts honed through life experience. Drawing from his astounding six-decade career, Bruce shares how adaptability, loyalty, and navigating strong personalities are essential leadership qualities, especially in high-pressure industries. His reflections reveal that true leadership is forged through integrity, respect, and the enduring power of trusted relationships. Listen to more Superhero Leadership episodes at https://link.mgln.ai/happierinhollywood. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.