Happier in Hollywood

Liz and Sarah delve into one of the key aspects of prepping for a TV pitch— the questions and answers that follow your presentation. Pro tip? Be ready to drill down on tone. In Take A Hike, inspired by Taylor Swift’s new album, they talk about why it can be helpful to define your eras. What do you want your next era to be? Next, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah share their favorite takeaways from their slow read of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. This week they have two Hollywood Hacks — try using a steering wheel desk and always wear the same outfit to travel. Finally, Sarah recommends Richard Osman’s new Thursday Murder Club book, The Impossible Fortune. 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:   The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift: https://amzn.to/4o4E2dC Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: https://amzn.to/46L14k8   EcoNour steering wheel desk: https://amzn.to/3KCGUjD   The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman:  https://amzn.to/4pYQduaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah have been pingponging around on various projects for months. Now several of their projects are converging, and it’s controlled chaos! In Take A Hike, they issue the Control Your Algorithm October Challenge. Stop doomscrolling and get more good in your feed! Next, Liz and Sarah introduce their brand new segment — Disproportionate Joy. Sarah’s getting joy from Violet’s new swim meet times and Liz is giddy about certain members of her Survivor Fantasy League. This week’s Hollywood Hack will save you money AND is good for the environment: Shop your favorite brand’s secondhand section. Finally, Liz recommends Lena Dunham’s Substack newsletter, Good Thing Going.  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: Legend Planner: https://amzn.to/3KN9q1K   Clare V Le Resale: https://leresaleclarev.com   Patagonia Worn Wear:  https://wornwear.patagonia.com   Apiece Apart Archive: https://archive.apieceapart.com/   Lululemon: https://likenew.lululemon.com/   Eileen Fisher Renew:  https://www.eileenfisherrenew.com/   The North Face Renewed: https://www.thenorthfacerenewed.com   Levi’s Secondhand: https://www.secondhand.levi.com/   Lena Dunham’s Good Thing Going newsletter: https://goodthinggoing.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips   Photo by Lance Grandahl on UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah are hearing a trickle of good things about their pilot script, which means… absolutely nothing. They discuss how to regulate their nervous systems and keep expectations low while the waiting continues. Then, in Career Lessons With Laverne, they talk to their favorite career coach, Laverne McKinnon, about how to know when it’s time to pivot in your career. One helpful tip? Recognize the difference between instinct and intuition. This week’s Hollywood Hack is for anyone getting professional photos taken: Bring the photographer examples of poses you like. Finally, Sarah recommends the books of British TV writer, Anthony Horowitz, including Magpie Murders and The Word is Murder. 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: Laverne McKinnon: https://www.lavernemckinnon.com/   Allie Coyle Photography: http://alliecoylephotography.com/category/allie-coyle-photography/   Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz: https://amzn.to/4pvZauN   The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz:  https://amzn.to/4gximEk   Photo by Aserusainhuu on Unsplash  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah face a pivotal moment as they await feedback on their Netflix pilot, a true do-or-die situation. Sarah shares the Finch app, a fun way to gamify self-care while bonding with her daughter. They dive into the art of giving and receiving notes, stressing the importance of kindness and reflection. Sarah also reveals how the GreenStalk Vertical Planter revolutionized her gardening efforts. Finally, they rave about Jeff Hiller’s memoir, praising its wit and audiobook charm.

Unravel the complexities of writing a TV pitch and why it can be a lengthy ordeal. Discover how one listener's Mahjong journey inspired community building and a bigger life at 62. The hosts vent their frustrations with pesky home printers, a relatable WFH struggle. Light up your space with the beautiful scent of a Malin & Goetz leather candle, perfect for non-floral fans. For a dose of joy, check out the father-child cooking videos from the Cooking for Levi Threads account that uplift spirits!

Liz and Sarah talk about how a recent survey from the WGA prompted them to try using AI to make images for their latest pitch deck. In Take A Hike, they recommend “living vicariously.” They are absolutely living vicariously through Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, and they are loving it! Next, Sarah and Liz give a Hit to the new NYT game, Pips, and a Bomb to the same game for being hard to figure out the first time. The solution? Sarah teaches Liz how to play live on the podcast! Liz wishes she’d had this week’s Hollywood Hack earlier in the summer: a self-tanning mitt. Finally, Liz recommends the fascinating new podcast Unicorn Girl. 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: Mr. Seifert and Miss Barker get engaged: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfIYDqSvnb0   Self-Tanning Mitt:  https://amzn.to/4lTVDmW   Sally Hansen Body Makeup: https://amzn.to/47onrfN   Unicorn Girl podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unicorn-girl/id1813180252?i=1000721964497See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, dedicated to revitalizing LA's film and TV production, discusses strategies like tax incentives and streamlined permits to attract filmmakers back to the city. Liz and Sarah emphasize the power of laughter, encouraging listeners to create a 'laugh list' for positivity. They also dive into amusing anecdotes about the high cost of dry cleaning and share summer recommendations, including a fun ice cream maker. Plus, they highlight binge-worthy dating shows on Netflix. This episode blends humor with insights on civic engagement!

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.

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.