

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

Feb 23, 2023 • 21min
Ep. 302: First Draft Difficulty & Setting Aside Worry
Liz and Sarah are deep into the first draft of the pilot they’re writing — and discovering all over again how hard it is to write a pilot. Creating something out of nothing is never easy! In Take A Hike, Liz talks about how she decided to set aside worry during her recent glamping trip. The result? She was fully present and had an amazing time. Next, in Take Two, Liz and Sarah share more ways to listen to Audio books. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your bedtime routine: the Peryton Sleep Headphones Wireless, Bluetooth Sports Headphones. And finally Sarah recommends the iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso from Starbucks.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:Cloud Library:Cloudlibrarycbcpubliclibrary.netHoopla:audiobooks, ebooks, movies, tv and comics.hoopladigital.comLibro.fm:Same audiobooks. Different story.libro.fmPeryton Sleep Headphones:Perytong Sleep Headphones Wireless, Bluetooth Sports Headband Headphones with Ultra-Thin HD Stereo Speakers Perfect for Sleeping,Workout,Jogging,Yoga,Insomnia, Air Travel, Meditation, Greyamazon.comPhoto by Tonik 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.

Feb 16, 2023 • 25min
Ep. 301: The Thrill (& And Terror) Of Being In Control
As Liz and Sarah continue to work on the novel they plan to write, they realize that for once they’re in total control of their fate. That’s exciting — but also scary. There’s no one to blame but themselves if they don’t finish it! In The Craft (& Fain) they talk about how sometimes you should “do a little before you do a lot.” Then Sarah gives Connie a Hit for doing Violet’s hair and make up for her first school dance. And Liz gives herself a Bomb for still not understanding football. (Yay Chiefs!) This week’s Hollywood Hack will make going to a potluck less stressful: be like Sarah and have a party go to. For her? It’s Pavlova. Finally, Liz recommends watching Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence, a three part docuseries on Hulu.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:Pavlova recipe:Pavlovakingarthurbaking.comStolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence:Hulu’s ‘Stolen Youth’ Sensitively Tells the Harrowing Story of the Sarah Lawrence Cult: TV Reviewvariety.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.

Feb 9, 2023 • 28min
Ep. 300: Celebrating 300 Episodes!
Liz and Sarah celebrate the 300th episode of Happier In Hollywood! What are some of listeners’ favorite moments of the podcast? Volunteers not recruits. Get to steppin’. Identify your personal canary in a coal mine. And so much more! For Liz and Sarah, the best part of the podcast is… you! They’re so grateful for the incredible HIH community. 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:Nichelle D. Tramble: Nichelle D. Trambleimdb.comFearless Negotiating by Michael Donaldson: Fearless Negotiating|Paperbackbarnesandnoble.comPhoto by Will Myers 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.

Feb 2, 2023 • 27min
Ep. 299: The Excellence Of An Espresso Martini
Liz and Sarah share an email from a listener that outlines the differences between writing a mystery and a thriller. One key takeaway? Curiosity fuels a mystery. Anxiety drives a thriller. Then they go Behind The Scenes of Episodes 203 and 204 of Fantasy Island. How does the crew deal with wind? Do Fantasy Island writers get ideas from their therapy sessions? How did they come up with the surreal jungle game show? Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your next getaway: pick a “vacation drink.” Liz and Sarah’s drink on their recent cruise? The Espresso Martini.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:Dessert Drinks We Love: The Espresso Martiniliquor.comPhoto by Armin Lotfi 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.

Jan 26, 2023 • 33min
Ep. 298: Liz & Sarah’s 20th Anniversary Trip (Finally!)
Liz and Sarah are finally celebrating their 20th anniversary of being a writing team with a Caribbean cruise on the Regal Princess. Yes, they’re working onboard but they’re having plenty of fun too — including snorkeling over a shipwreck in Grand Cayman. As they look back over twenty years, they reveal the top three things they’ve learned. Most important? The war of attrition never ends, so keep the faith. They also talk about some career highs (collaborating with Marcia Clark) and lows (getting fired from the first show they created, Women’s Murder Club). And this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your tropical vacation: get a prescription snorkel mask. 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! 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.

Jan 19, 2023 • 24min
Ep. 297: The Challenge Of Setting Our Own Deadlines
Liz and Sarah are setting their own deadlines on a current project - and that can be a challenge for these two Obligers. How will they manage to stay on track? In Take A Hike, Sarah reveals how the recent rains in Southern California made her realize it’s a good idea to practice for an emergency. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss the importance of doing your research before diving into a new genre. And this Hollywood Hack is changing Liz’s life: the Apple Magic Keyboard.LINKS:Apple Magic Keyboard:https://www.apple.com/ipad-keyboards/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! 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.

Jan 12, 2023 • 29min
Ep. 296: Back To Work & Behind The Scenes
Liz and Sarah discuss what makes them feel like they’re back to work after a long break. For Liz, it’s getting on her treadmill desk. For Sarah, it’s setting an alarm. Then they go Behind The Scenes of Episode 201 of Fantasy Island. The rain on screen was fake, the real rain was a real problem. This week’s Hollywood Hack is helping Liz listen to more books: the Libby app! It takes less than a minute to set up, and it’s so worth it. Finally, Sarah recommends Wednesday on Netflix for the whole family. 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:Episode 201 of Fantasy Island:https://www.tvfanatic.com/2023/01/watch-fantasy-island-online-season-2-episode-1/Wednesday:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13443470/ 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.

Jan 5, 2023 • 29min
Ep. 295: What Barbara Walters Meant To Us & New Year’s Resolutions
Liz and Sarah pay tribute to the legendary Barbara Walters, whose career was an inspiration to both of them. Then they reveal their 2023 New Year’s resolutions. Liz is going to weigh herself every day. Sarah is making a 23 for 23 list focused entirely on herself. In Take Two, they revisit the idea of a clothing swap party. And finally this week’s Hollywood Hack will help if you have any final holiday presents to get: give a theme gift.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:https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/30/business/media/barbara-walters-dead.html 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.

Dec 29, 2022 • 31min
Ep. 294: Liz & Sarah’s Team Motto 2023!
Liz and Sarah reveal (and explain) their Team Motto for 2023 — “Alt Ending Thelma & Louise!” They’re anticipating a difficult year but they’re in it together, just like ride or die pals Thelma and Louise. Then they revisit 2022 in a special Take Two. In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah discuss how they use visuals when they pitch a new show. The process has changed — for the better — since before pandemic times. Finally this week’s Hollywood Hack got Sarah to finally read The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan — read a book that you’ve been putting off reading.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:Thelma & Louise:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103074/Unsplash:https://unsplash.com/The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan:https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Luck-Club-Novel/dp/0143038095Alaska by James Michener: https://www.amazon.com/Alaska-James-A-Michener-audiobook/dp/B011D90LDC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AWFPYSL1FRJ3&keywords=alaska+by+james+michener&qid=1671511898&s=books&sprefix=Alaska+by+Ja%2Cstripbooks%2C234&sr=1-1 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.

Dec 22, 2022 • 24min
Ep. 293: They Got Dressed Up And Went!
Recently, Liz and Sarah talked about how they were “all dressed up with no place to go” when a pitch meeting was cancelled last minute. Well, they got dressed and they went! Did they sell their pitch in the Zoom Room? Listen to find out. In Take Two, they share stories from listeners in other careers who have also experienced very frustrating last minute cancellations. Then, in Take A Hike, Liz talks about “the joy of getting into it,” even if “it” is out of your comfort zone. Warning: the segment involves discussion of a custom Corgi Christmas sweater. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack might help you sleep better: use a wedge pillow.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:HIH Episode — All Dressed Up & Freudenfreude:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happier-in-hollywood/id1236845161#episodeGuid=0937b8b0-3687-11ec-accf-cbc7758ab2baCustom Christmas sweater/sweatshirt:https://pawsionate.com/products/christmas-dog-pattern-personalized-custom-all-over-print-sweatshirtHelix Wedge Pillow:https://helixsleep.com/products/wedge-pillow 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.