

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

Oct 6, 2022 • 23min
Ep. 282: Picking A Team Talisman & Wearing Comfortable Shoes
Liz and Sarah are back in work mode, and they went on an overnight retreat at the Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai to brainstorm in person. The result? A hugely productive twenty-four hours and a new Team Talisman — the iguana. In Take A Hike, they discuss their decision to wear comfortable shoes at the first work party they’ve gone to in three years. Good thing too — they ended up walking three miles. Then Liz and Sarah share a a writing tip in The Craft (& Fain): Be a sponge. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is a writing tool that’s improved A LOT over the last few decades — erasable pens.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:Emerald Iguana Inn: https://www.emeraldiguana.com/FriXion Erasable Pens: https://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Erasable-Assorted-Mistakes-Disappear/dp/B07D9Z7GYL/ref=asc_df_B07D9Z7GYL/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241949413146&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9002247102977948537&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031190&hvtargid=pla-524507779421&psc=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.

Sep 29, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 281: Clearing The White Board & Sarah Does Hypnotherapy
Vacation is officially over. Sarah and Liz are clearing their white boards and diving into a new project (or maybe two) while they wait for Fantasy Island Season Three to get the green light. How are they getting into the right mindset? And do they feel ready to tackle something new? In Take A Hike, Sarah discusses the hypnotherapy she’s been doing to improve her mood. Then Sarah has a Hit for her step mother, and Liz gives herself a Bomb. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your Zoom meetings: To eliminate ring light reflection in your glasses, use a ring light on either side of your screen instead of one in front of it.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:Puerto Rico Hurricane Fiona relief:@hasercambioHASER - community networkhttps://www.hasercambio.org@casapuebloorgCasa Pueblo - Adjuntashttps://casapueblo.org@tallersalud****Taller Salud - Loízahttps://www.tallersalud.com@fundacion bucarabonFundación Bucarabón - Maricaohttps://www.fundacionbucarabon.org@a_goycoTaller Comunidad La Goyco - Santurcehttps://www.lagoyco.org@elpuentepresenteEl Puente - community networkhttps://elpuente.us@lafonditadejesusLa Fondita de Jesús- San Juanhttps://lafonditadejesus.orgAnimal Orgs—@Santuario.sasfapr - Cabo Rojo@RabitoKontento - Hatillo@EIFosterClub - Todo PR@FaroDeLosAnimales - Humacao@HuellitasDePuertoRico - Jayuya@PetFriendlyPR - Todo PR@saveasatopuertorico - San Juan 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.

Sep 22, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 280: What Should We Be Doing Right Now?
Liz and Sarah discuss what they should be doing during their downtime. Coming up with TV show ideas? Writing a novel? Working on a new podcast? Or maybe... nothing at all? Then they Amplify a new TV show starring Roselyn Sanchez — ‘Til Jail Do Us Part. In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah share a tip they learned from an essay on writing by Ann Patchett — don’t let yourself start a new novel until you’ve finished the one you’re writing. (This happens to apply to ALL creative projects.) Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is good for the environment: use the Ecosia search engine.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:‘Til Jail Do Us Part:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14177208/These Precious Days by Ann Patchett:https://www.parnassusbooks.net/search/site/These%20Precious%20DaysThis Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett: https://www.parnassusbooks.net/search/site/This%20Is%20the%20Story%20of%20a%20Happy%20MarriageThe Getaway Car by Ann Patchett:https://www.writermag.com/writing-inspiration/products-for-writers/the-getaway-car/https://www.ecosia.org/?tt=cd24c447&gclid=CjwKCAjwyaWZBhBGEiwACslQo-RAvjcCJt57rSvVgXZ21JdbnLKHRpoUvQv1rMmwIym9LLrbi7GkABoCdNUQAvD_BwEEcosia:https://www.ecosia.org/?tt=cd24c447&gclid=CjwKCAjwyaWZBhBGEiwACslQo-RAvjcCJt57rSvVgXZ21JdbnLKHRpoUvQv1rMmwIym9LLrbi7GkABoCdNUQAvD_BwE 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.

Sep 15, 2022 • 33min
Ep. 279: The Writers’ Room Survival Guide with Niceole Levy
Liz and Sarah talk to TV writer Niceole Levy about her fantastic new book, The Writers’ Room Survival Guide. Practical tips about topics like what to do before the job even starts, how to navigate a toxic environment, and what to expect when you’re writing your first script make this book essential for anyone interested in a TV career. Then, in Take A Hike, Sarah shares that she’s been using Gretchen’s One-Sentence Journal and Don’t Break The Chain Habit Tracker to boost her health and well-being. This week’s Hollywood Hack is a must during the heat wave: the Comlife Bladeless Neck Fan.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:The Writers’ Room Survival Guide by Niceole Levy:https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Room-Survival-Guide-Screw/dp/1615933468One-Sentence Journal:https://the-happiness-project.com/products/one-sentence-journalDon’t Break The Chain Habit Tracker:https://the-happiness-project.com/products/dont-break-the-chain-habit-trackerComlife Bladeless Neckfan:https://www.amazon.com/Bladeless-Necklace-Rechargeable-Hands-Free-Activities/dp/B08Z45WLH8/ref=asc_df_B08Z45WLH8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507477922458&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5699097266310958415&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031190&hvtargid=pla-1291329748051&psc=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.

Sep 8, 2022 • 28min
Ep. 278: Stepping OFF The Treadmill Desk & A Call With Our Manager Dianne Fraser
Stepping OFF The Treadmill Desk & A Call With Our Manager Dianne FraserLiz and Sarah discuss the anxiety of stepping OFF the treadmill desk during their vacation. Then they share their vacation Hits and Bombs. Sarah gives Violet a Hit for trying escargot in Paris and a Bomb to the guy who smelled really bad on the plane ride home. Liz gives Jack a hit for going snorkeling, and she gives herself a Bomb for not trying paddle boarding. Then, in Call Your Manager, they talk to Dianne Fraser about the differences between managers, agents, and lawyers. Finally, Dianne has a Hollywood Hack: buy $35.00 box seats at the Ahmanson Theatre. 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:Dianne Fraser:http://fraserentertainmentgroup.com/Ahmanson Theatre:http://www.ahmansontheatre.net/ 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.

Sep 1, 2022 • 29min
Ep. 277: Another Summer Listener Questions Episode!
Liz and Sarah received so many great questions from listeners that they decided to devote another episode to answering them. What does Liz have to say about Survivor? Why didn’t Liz and Sarah have an office for Season Two of Fantasy Island? Now that Sarah is catching up on recent pop culture, what are some of her favorite current TV shows? They also explain why everyone should watch The Shield, talk about whether they’ve been impacted by the Great Resignation, and so much more! Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack makes travel easier: Make a QR code photo album on your phone.LINKS: Survivor: https://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/The Shield Season One trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm6ZQjIupn0Get 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.

Aug 25, 2022 • 27min
Ep. 276: Summer Listener Questions!
Liz and Sarah answer listener questions! Is being a showrunner what they expected? How do they come up with fantasies for Fantasy Island? Has Sarah ever considered taking up quilting? What is Liz’s favorite Real Housewives franchise? 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, 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 141: A Very Personal Episode: Sarah’s Mom Story & Liz’s Voice Challenge https://happierinhollywood.com/episode141/ 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.

Aug 18, 2022 • 29min
Ep. 275: Air Dancers & Bel-Air’s Rasheed Newson
This week, Liz and Sarah reveal what they’ve learned about themselves when they’re not buried in work. Then they talk with showrunner and author Rasheed Newson about his new novel, My Government Means to Kill Me. How did he write a book while running a show? What advice does he have for aspiring writers? Finally, Rasheed provides this week’s Hollywood Hack: on Zoom, minimize your screen and put yourself on mute!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!LINKSFOX | Fantasy Islandhttps://www.fox.com/fantasy-island/Rasheed Newsonhttps://www.rasheednewson.com/My Government Means to Kill Mehttps://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250833525/mygovernmentmeanstokillmeRasheed Newson on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/RasheedNewsonRasheed Newson on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/rasheed.newson.author/Peacock | Bel-Airhttps://www.peacocktv.com/watch/asset/tv/bel-air/5827147521039228112Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft 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.

Aug 11, 2022 • 27min
Ep. 274: Being Mindful Of STUFF — Stress, Time, Uncertainty, Fear, & Fatigue
Liz and Sarah share some key takeaways from the excellent Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging training they recently attended, including how their personal identifiers impact their leadership styles — in both positive and negative ways. They also discuss the concept of STUFF, which stands for Stress, Time, Uncertainty, Fear, & Fatigue. When we experience STUFF it can be harder to effectively process opinions different from our own — but there ARE ways to make sure everyone still gets heard. In The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a question about the TV trend of rebooting shows that have been off the air for less than a decade. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack applies to everyone everywhere: Remember to be a tourist in your own hometown. 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:Jones Inclusive:https://jonesinclusive.com/about-jones/our-ceo/How To Become an Inclusive Leader by Dr Steven Joneshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He9498nKyRw 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.

Aug 4, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 273: Bad Sisters & How To Deal With “Crazy”
Liz and Sarah discuss the upcoming Apple TV+ show, Bad Sisters. They developed the same show (based on a Flemish series) twice for ABC, but it (rightly)never got past the script stage. Now they’re excited to see how Sharon Horgan brings it to life. In Take A Hike, they offer three strategies for dealing with “crazy.” Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz gives Sarah a hit for using her alone time well when Violet was at camp. And together they give a Bomb to the Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack offers an affordable source of trendy but well-made clothes: Universal Thread at Target. 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:Bad Sisters: https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2022/07/apple-tv-debuts-trailer-for-new-dark-comedy-bad-sisters-from-award-winning-creator-and-star-sharon-horgan/Sharon Horgan: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1279721/Olivia Julianna (@Oliviajulianna): https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/07/30/body-shame-win-teenager-gaetz/Deadline letter signed by female showrunners:https://deadline.com/2022/07/female-writers-showrunners-abortion-rights-letter-to-hollywood-studios-1235080241/Universal Thread: https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=Univeral+Thread 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.