Happier in Hollywood

The hosts discuss their novel and the need to pause and reconnect with the characters. They also answer a question about finishing a pitch meeting. A Hollywood Hack is shared about fridge organizers. The hosts recommend The Retrievals podcast. Other topics include pitching TV show ideas and expressing gratitude during a strike.

As the WGA strike continues to drag on, Liz and Sarah each offer a Take A Hike idea to boost mental, physical, and spiritual health. Sarah’s suggestion? Turn a chore into a pleasure by using it as time to connect with someone. Meanwhile, Liz decided to set a new goal to distract herself from strike stress — she’s upped her Fryman 50 to Fryman 100! In the Mailroom, they answer a question about how to deal with financial instability as a writer. Then this week’s Hollywood Hack comes from a listener: bringfido.com. Finally, Sarah has a jigsaw puzzle recommendation - wooden puzzles from Liberty Puzzles.Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftGet in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin 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, Side Hustle School, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:Bringfido.comLiberty Puzzles:Wooden Jigsaw Puzzleslibertypuzzles.comPhoto by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah talk to veteran showrunner Jeff Melvoin about his new book on television. They discuss the biggest mistake first-time showrunners make and how he approaches delegating. The Hollywood Hack is Canva for Teams, and Liz shares a celebrity sighting. Liz recommends the TV show Mindhunter on Netflix.

Liz and Sarah discuss how the benefits of spending time together (actually in the same room for a whole day) led them to their big announcement: They’re hosting an HIH Retreat at the Johnny Cash Ranch in Ojai October 2–22! Email them at happierinhollywood@gmail.com for more details! In Take A Hike, they resolve to get back on the health horse now that summer is over. On the list? Hiking, eating well, writing, and meditation for Sarah. They also answer a Mailroom question about how they approach research. This week’s Hollywood Hack will transform your Zoom meetings: the Saiji Tablet Stand Holder. And finally, Sarah recommends Dan Harris’ Ten Percent Happier app. Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftGet in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin 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, Side Hustle School, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:Johnny Cash Ranch:https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/step-inside-johnny-cashs-former-california-homeSaiji Tablet Stand Holder:https://www.amazon.com/SAIJI-Adjustable-Rotating-Aluminum-Samsung/dp/B07GR37JY1/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=YJ7MUI5EREWD&keywords=saiji%2Btablet%2Bstand%2Bholder&qid=1693340076&sprefix=Saiji%2Btab%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1Saiji Tablet Stand Pillow:https://www.amazon.com/Tablet-SAIJI-Adjustable-Flexible-Stand-Grey/dp/B09JK3WPKS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=18CQO6NJYV300&keywords=saiji%2Btablet%2Bstand%2Bpillow&qid=1693340135&sprefix=saiji%2Btablet%2Bstand%2Bpillow%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1Ten Percent Happier:https://www.tenpercent.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hosts answer listener questions about the strike, discuss finding side jobs during the strike, share their preferences for pets and talk about household recycling. They also recommend their favorite podcasts, talk about their decision-making process, and reminisce about high school sleepovers and their favorite SNL skit.

Liz and Sarah talk to journalist Maureen Ryan about her incredible new book — Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call For Change In Hollywood. What was the emotional impact of writing about toxicity in Hollywood? What concrete steps can be taken to make the entertainment industry better for everyone? This week’s Hollywood Hack is a video that will keep you healthier on the picket line — WGA Picket Line Warm Up! (And Cool Down) on YouTube from WGA member Sheila Callaghan. Finally Sarah has a book rec — How to Survive Middle School: U.S. History.Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftGet in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin 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, Side Hustle School, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call For Change:Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywoodamazon.comWGA Picket Line Warm Up! (And Cool Down):WGA Picket Line Warm Up! (And Cool Down)youtube.comHow to Survive Middle School: U.S. HistoryHow to Survive Middle School: U.S. History: A Do-It-Yourself Study Guide (HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL books)amazon.comPhoto by Claire Rush on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah discuss how 100 days of being on strike has a silver lining — it’s given them fresh perspective on a project that was feeling stale. In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about her Do Nothing Day. Sometimes doing nothing is everything. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they offer tips for coming up with character names. This week’s Hollywood Hack will be helpful for anyone worried about no new TV this fall: read a book series. Finally, Liz has a podcast recommendation — Spellcaster: The Fall Of Sam Bankman-Fried.Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftGet in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin 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, Side Hustle School, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:Book Series For Adults:20 Best Book Series for Adultstckpublishing.comSpellcaster: The Fall Of Sam Bankman-Fried:Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Friedwondery.comPhoto by Teodor Drobota on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah talk about being Creative Entrepreneurs. How can they expand their vision of their career? What elements will strengthen their two person small company? Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss whether they want to continue writing their novel in the past tense, or whether they’d rather change to the present tense. In The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a question from a Pre-WGA writer about how to approach an established writer with helpful information. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from a listener: the Bite Away Insect Sting & Itch Relief Stick. Finally, Sarah has a whimsical recommendation — follow the Whitney Museum on Threads.Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftGet in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin 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, Side Hustle School, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:Bite Away:bite away Insect Sting & Itch Relief Stick, Chemical-Free Treatment with Heat for Symptom Relief from Mosquito and Bug Bites, 2 Devicesamazon.comWhitney Museum on Threads:@whitneymuseumPhoto by Sascha Bosshard on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even though it’s the last thing they feel like talking about, Liz and Sarah discuss the ongoing WGA strike and how it feels like it’s lasting forever. In Take A Hike, Sarah reveals why the concept of “building a frog pond” (both literally and metaphorically) is helping her cope. Then Sarah has a Hit for Escape Rooms, and they both give a Bomb to the heatwave in Los Angeles. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from the FB group: When in doubt, write a note. And finally, Sarah has a perfect summer movie recommendation — Joy Ride. Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraftGet in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin 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, Side Hustle School, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:Joy Ride trailer:Joy Ride (2023) Official Red Band Trailer - Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, Sabrina Wuyoutube.comPhoto by Zdeněk Macháček on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah discuss SAG-AFTRA going out on strike. Will actors on strike pressure the AMPTP to come back to the table? They sure hope so. Then they Amplify a new book from journalist Maureen Ryan — Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about what they’ve learned about creative formatting while working on their novel. Small changes can make a big impact on the reader. This week’s Hollywood Hack is a low tech way to help pass time while you wait — keep a deck of playing cards in the car. Finally, Liz has a controversial TV recommendation: The Idol on MAX.Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram and Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraftVisit our website: https://happierinhollywood.comJoin 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, Side Hustle School, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:Burn It Down by Maureen Ryan:Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywoodamazon.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.