

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

May 4, 2023 • 29min
Ep. 312: Spring Listener Questions Episode: Part Two
Liz and Sarah answer more fantastic listener questions! Do they ever pay podcast guests? Why are television seasons fewer episodes than they used to be? How does Sarah being an only parent impact their team decision making? How do they navigate friendships in Hollywood? What advice do Liz and Sarah have for a first time mom who’s a writer? Answer: It’s all about boundaries! Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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:Jennette McCurdy:I'm Glad My Mom Diedsimonandschuster.comPhoto by Brett Jordan 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.

Apr 27, 2023 • 27min
Ep. 311: Spring Listener Questions: Part One
Liz and Sarah are answering listener questions! Is Sarah still a vegan? What five things are they both hoping to accomplish before they retire? How do actors memorize their lines? What’s the silliest thing Liz and Sarah have every argued about? (Answer: trashcans.) They discuss these questions and so many more!Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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!Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya 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.

Apr 20, 2023 • 25min
Ep. 310: Our New Development Motto: Premium Buttered Popcorn
Liz and Sarah talk about the inspiration for their new team development motto — Premium Buttered Popcorn. In Take A Hike, they ask listeners to weigh in on whether their current state of not wanting to do anything (that involves work) is healthy or unhealthy. Then they answer a Mailroom question about the role that enthusiasm plays when pitching to executives. Is it possible to be TOO enthusiastic? This week’s Hollywood Hack has helped Sarah finally achieve the perfect ponytail: the INH Quick Slick Hair Finishing Stick. Finally, this week Sarah recommends a gripping thriller — I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai.Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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:Daisy Jones & the Six — Official Trailer:Daisy Jones & the Six - Official Trailer | Prime Videoyoutube.comYellowjackets Season One trailer: A YELLOWJACKETS Trailer (2021)youtube.comYou Season One trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY55ig5js6IINH Quick Slick Hair Finishing Stick:INH Quick Slick Hair Finishing Stick, Peach, Keratin Serum Conditioning Fly Away Tamer Styling Gel, Non-Greasy Flyaway Frizz Control Cream with Avocado and Jojoba, Hydrates and Holds Broken, Edge and Baby Hairs All Day 18mlamazon.comI Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai:I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai: 9780593490143penguinrandomhouse.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.

Apr 13, 2023 • 37min
Ep. 309: Finding The Words With Colin Campbell
Liz and Sarah discuss the mental gymnastics of going down two possible roads at once as they try to prepare themselves for a possible WGA strike. Yes, they’re used to their future being uncertain, but this is on a whole other level. Then they interview filmmaker Colin Campbell about his beautiful new book, Finding The Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose, which he wrote after his two teenaged children, Ruby and Hart, were killed by a drunk driver. This week’s Hollywood Hack also deals with grief and comes from Liz and Sarah’s friend, Nichelle Tramble Spellman: Send a special photo. Finally, Liz recommends the reality competition show, The Traitors, on Peacock. Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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:Finding The Words by Colin Campbell:Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purposeamazon.comNichelle Tramble Spellman:Nichelle Tramble Spellmanen.wikipedia.orgThe Traitors trailer:The Traitors (TV Series 2023– )imdb.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.

Apr 6, 2023 • 27min
Ep. 308: The Frustration Of Free Work & Why We Decided To Just Start
Liz and Sarah discuss a topic that’s on their minds and the minds of so many TV writers — the frustration of free work. What can writers do to combat this problem? One solution— ask for transparency. In The Craft (& Fain), they reveal why they decided to “just start” their thriller novel. This week’s Mailroom question is all about the various credits at the end of a TV show. And Sarah has a hair Hollywood Hack: shampoo bars. Finally, Sarah recommends the Flutter Experience for anyone in or near Los Angeles. Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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:Kitsch Shampoo Bars:hair accessories, hair care + beautymykitsch.comFlutter Experience:FLUTTERflutterexperience.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.

Mar 30, 2023 • 25min
Ep. 307: Oh, What The Hell!
As the TV business continues to rapidly evolve, Liz and Sarah have decided to embrace an “oh, what the hell” attitude when it comes to development. If they love a project and want to do it, they’re going to do it — because at this point it’s impossible to judge what will or won’t have a chance for success. In The Craft (& Fain), they branch out from the writing craft to discuss color correction, a process that has a big impact on how a show looks and feels. In Hits & Bombs, they give a Hit to the WGA and especially to the WGA Negotiating Committee. Then they have a Bomb for all the recent rain in LA. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from a listener — use rubbing alcohol to remove old dry erase marker. Finally, this week Liz recommends a beautiful new book — Finding The Words by Colin Campbell. Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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:Why There Is Talk of a Writers’ Strike in Hollywood:Why There Is Talk of a Writers’ Strike in Hollywoodnytimes.comFinding The Words by Colin CampbellFinding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purposeamazon.comPhoto by Tobias Rademacher 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.

Mar 23, 2023 • 24min
Ep. 306: No Now Doesn’t Mean No Forever
Liz and Sarah talk about how a recent conversation about a former development project reminded them that “no now doesn’t mean no forever.” In Take A Hike, Liz discusses why you might want to do your own version of her Fryman 50. Then they answer a question from The Mailroom about whether they’ve ever written for a show they didn’t like — and if so how did they handle it? This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Sarah’s recent purchase: Try an electric car. Finally, Sarah recommends Shrinking on Apply TV+.Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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:Shrinking trailer:Shrinking — Official Trailer | Apple TV+youtube.comPhoto by Jon Tyson 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.

5 snips
Mar 16, 2023 • 27min
Ep. 305: Our Essential Tools & Put A Number On It
Liz and Sarah share what tools they consider essential for their job as TV writers. On the list? Final Draft, Google Docs, dry erase board tiles, the reMarkable Tablet, and more. In A Day In The Life, they run through what a typical day is during development. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Liz’s mom: Put a number on it. Finally, Liz recommends Season Two of Sex/Life on Netflix. Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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:ReMarkable Tablet:Homeremarkable.comSex/Life Season Two:Sex/Life: Season 2 | Official Trailer | Netflixyoutube.comPhoto by Nick Fewings 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.

Mar 9, 2023 • 25min
Ep. 304: Liz Vows To Be Positive (No Matter What)
Liz tells Sarah she realized that she’s been going on endless rants about the state of TV writers in Hollywood — and she’s vowing to stop! From now on, Liz is going to be positive and try to manifest good things. Will it work? Keep listening to find out! In Take A Hike, Sarah shares how her wood burning stove has helped her see that little things can be big things. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah reveal what they’ve learned about scenes that are particularly hard to write. This week’s Hollywood Hack is an old favorite: Say “fuck” in a meeting. Finally, Sarah recommends one of her favorite stores in Ojai — Cercana.Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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:The Girls by Emma Cline:Cults and Carnage in the Summer of ’69newyorker.comCercana:cercanaojai.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.

Mar 2, 2023 • 33min
Ep. 303: Why We Should All HUSSLUP
Liz and Sarah talk to H Schuster about her plan to democratize and diversify access to the entertainment industry. The mission of H’s new company HUSSLUP is to transform Hollywood’s old clique with one click. Then, in The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a question about TV writer Elisabeth Finch who notoriously lied her way up the ladder on hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Vampire Diaries. This week’s Hollywood Hack will make working out more fun: Fitness Dice. Finally, Liz has three podcast recommendations — Two T’s In A Pod, Bachelor Party, and A Little Bit Culty.Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraftGet in touch on Instagram: @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, Do The Thing, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!LINKS:HUSSLUP:Transforming Hollywood From Clique To Clickhusslup.comElisabeth Finch:The 'Grey's Anatomy' Liar Confesses it Allgoogle.comFitness Dice:Fitness Dice | workoutuncommongoods.comTwo T’s In A Pod:Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra JudgeiHeartPodcastsBachelor Party:Bachelor PartyThe RingerA Little Bit Culty:A Little Bit Culty with Sarah and Nippy.alittlebitculty.comPhoto by Alexander Grey 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.