

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 26, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 263: Euphoric Relief & The Queens of Cutting
Liz and Sarah have—knock on wood—finished writing Season Two of Fantasy Island! They discuss the euphoria they felt after turning in the last Studio/Network draft and share how they celebrated. What compares? Finishing a trial, the last day of school, giving birth… Next, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah dub themselves The Queens of Cutting! They reveal the tricks—removing couplets, focusing on concise thoughts—that helped them cut nineteen pages from the Season Two finale script. Then, in Take Two, more writers’ room lingo! What’s “first thought theater”? Does your writing have “a hat”? Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is a versatile way to carry your essentials: the Sherpani Soleil AT in Sterling.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!LINKSSherpani | Soleil AT in Sterlinghttps://sherpani.com/collections/travel/products/soleil-at-3?variant=32510735056993FOX | Fantasy Islandhttps://www.fox.com/fantasy-island/Happy Campershttps://sunshine-parenting.com/happy/ 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.

May 19, 2022 • 26min
Ep. 262: Big News, Room Lingo, & Loops
Liz and Sarah have news—the Big Summer Fun of Fantasy Island is now Big Fall (Or Winter) Fun on FOX! They discuss getting the call and what the move to in-season means for the show. Spoiler alert—it’s good! Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah have acquired new writers’ room lingo! What’s a front porch? Back porch? How about funneling? Then, in HIH WFH, they share a wellness concern—the lack of the loop—and consider options to replace their former walks around studio lots. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack helps take the pressure off: you don’t HAVE to have the answer.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/DEADLINE | ‘Fantasy Island’ & ‘Lego Masters’ Move From Summer To In-Season At Foxhttps://deadline.com/2022/05/fantasy-island-lego-masters-from-move-summer-fox-inseason-1235024560/TVLINE | Fantasy Island Delayed: Season 2 Bumped From Summer to Fall at Foxhttps://tvline.com/2022/05/16/fantasy-island-season-2-rescheduled-fall-2022-fox/Mark Rutmanhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2843229/Episode 212: Be A Boulder Pusher https://happierinhollywood.com/episode212/Cozy Earthhttps://cozyearth.com/collections/beddingHappy Campershttps://sunshine-parenting.com/happy/ 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.

May 12, 2022 • 23min
Ep. 261: Senioritis & Sleeping While Stressed
This week, Liz and Sarah discuss wrapping the Writers’ Room for Season Two of Fantasy Island! Now they have Senioritis, but there’s still so much to do... They also announce that Season Two premieres Tuesday, May 31st at 9/8c on FOX—save the date! Then, in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah discuss strategies for getting good sleep while stressed—L-Theanine pills, a muslin blanket, bamboo sleep pants, podcasts, and more! Next, in The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a listener question about industries/disciplines that serve them as TV writers and showrunners. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will safeguard your valuables: a fireproof document box!Get 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/L-Theanine Pillshttps://www.healthline.com/health/l-theanineMuslin Comforthttps://muslincomfort.com/Gordon Lightfoothttps://gordonlightfoot.com/Magnesiumhttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/magnesiumNYT Wirecutter | The Best Fireproof Document Safehttps://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-fireproof-document-safe/Honeywell’s 1114 Lightweight Fire and Waterproof Chesthttps://www.newegg.com/p/113-00KS-00001?nm_mc=AFC-RAN-COM&cm_mmc=AFC-RAN-COM&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-The+Wirecutter&AFFID=3249826&AFFNAME=The+Wirecutter&ACRID=1&ASUBID=AwEAAAAAAAAAAfXY&ASID=&ranMID=44583&ranEAID=3249826&ranSiteID=7m8EnekPF5E-BXR90drVebG8VxEsdZSQ3gGet 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.

May 5, 2022 • 35min
Ep. 260: You Gotta Have Grit
This week, Liz and Sarah have a special guest co-host, friend of the pod and camp owner extraordinaire, Audrey Monke! The three deep dive into grit—how grit helps at work, growing your grit, and why stepping out of your comfort zone is key to gritty resilience. Then, in Take A Hike, EVERYTHING has been going wrong on Season Two of Fantasy Island. Liz and Sarah run through the problems—rain, COVID, food poisoning, no plane (no plane!)—and discuss how they look for the silver linings. Next, in Hits & Bombs, Audrey has a Hit for health checks and a Bomb for burning time and energy. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will help kids and adults articulate their emotions: use the phrases “red zone” and “blue zone” to indicate you need a break from a conversation.Get 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!LINKSHollywood Hates Cancer Charity Buzz Auction: Virtually Meet Writers/Showrunners Liz Craft & Sarah Fainhttps://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/auction-virtually-meet-writers-showrunners-liz-craft-2389065?preview=1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editor_notify_specialist_email&utm_content=editor_notify_specialist_email+ID_3ad5df6c-ad97-4e26-b176-d34aaf433c2f&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=Click%20hereAudrey Monkehttps://twitter.com/audreymonkeGold Arrow Camphttps://goldarrowcamp.com/Happy Campers: 9 Summer Camp Secrets for Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults by Audrey Monkehttps://sunshine-parenting.com/happy/Get 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.

Apr 28, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 259: Back To Basics
What’s missing around your workspace? Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of having solid basics—Sarah needs a good chair, Liz needs pens! Then, in A Day In The Life, Liz and Sarah take listeners through a typical day of showrunning Season Two of Fantasy Island. From cut notes to COVID hurdles to delivering scripts on tight deadlines, this year has been all about staying nimble. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is earth-friendly (and easy!): the Lomi Kitchen Composter.LINKSHappier Podcast 95: Practice Mise-En-Placehttps://gretchenrubin.com/podcast-episode/podcast-95-mis-en-place/Happier in Hollywood Episode 241: The Nimble Lifehttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode241/Lomi Kitchen Composterhttps://pela.earth/lomiGet 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.

Apr 21, 2022 • 26min
Ep. 258: Dinner Parties and Slumber Parties!
This week, Liz and Sarah share wisdom gleaned from Twitter—specifically, insights for lower level writers from TV writer Jeane Wong. One piece of advice? Think of the writers room as a dinner party. Next, in Take A Hike, they recommend a tried and true tactic to make a deadline more fun—have a work slumber party! Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz and Sarah give a Hit to Fantasy Island composer Genevieve Vincent and a Bomb to there being no direct flights from Los Angeles to Puerto Rico. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is a healthy treat for sun-deprived writers: keep Vitamin D gummies on your desk!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!LINKSJeane Wong IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2777027/Jeane Wong Twitterhttps://twitter.com/jeanedevivreJeane Wong Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/jeanedevivre/Genevieve Vincent IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2933205/Nature’s Bounty Vitamin D Gummieshttps://www.naturesbounty.com/our-products/letter-vitamins/vitamin-d/vitamin-d-gummies/ 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 14, 2022 • 23min
Ep. 257: Momentum Matters
With three episodes left to break for Season Two of Fantasy Island, how do Liz and Sarah handle a morale killer? The short answer – they lean on their team and get to work. Then, in Take Two, Liz and Sarah revisit busy bragging. In Amplify, Liz shouts out the Netflix reality series, Deaf U, for both its unique look into Deaf culture and its soapy excellence. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will help you work smarter, not harder: use a mini leaf blower!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!LINKSDeaf Uhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt13070478/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_3Audiblehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt12771540/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_2Greenworks 24-volt 320-CFM 90-MPH Handheld Cordless Electric Leaf Blowerhttps://www.lowes.com/pd/Greenworks-Greenworks-24V-Axial-Blower-90-MPH-320-CFM-Battery-Not-Included-BL24B02/1003139730 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 7, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 256: Call In Reinforcements
In the thick of double days and double deadlines, Liz and Sarah call in reinforcements! They’ve added their good friend and TV writer Karine Rosenthal to the Fantasy Island S2 Writers’ Room. Liz and Sarah discuss delegating writing tasks so they can branch off to deliver documents and cuts and how fresh eyes later in the season really help! Then, in L v S, are Liz and Sarah guilty of “busy bragging”? Next, in The Craft (and Fain), they discuss how cutting extra words from scripts always makes them better. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Sarah’s recent move: Get new dishes (or underwear)!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!LINKSKarine Rosenthalhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1926243/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0Farmhouse White Dinner Plateshttps://www.crateandbarrel.com/farmhouse-white-dinner-plate/s203766 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 31, 2022 • 25min
Ep. 255: Leaning Into A Lean Budget
Liz and Sarah share strategies for making a lean TV budget work and discuss putting them into action on Fantasy Island. At every stage of the process, there are ways to make smart adjustments—from keeping above-the-line costs down, to writing to locations, to shooting double up days, to accepting they’ll never have a recognizable needle drop. Limitations foster creativity…right?! Then, in HIH WFH, Liz and Sarah share their favorite technique for staying sane during all-day Zooms: schedule breaks. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will help you meet your next big deadline: book a hotel stay!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!LINKSEpisode 241: The Nimble Lifehttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode241/Episode 246: Take the Room & Fantasy Island Music Supervisor Melany Mitchellhttps://happierinhollywood.com/episode246/ 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 24, 2022 • 27min
Ep. 254: How To Be A Pro
What does it mean to be a professional? Liz and Sarah deep dive into what pros do differently. From how they communicate, to anticipating needs, to seeing the void and filling it—professionals make it easy to work with them. Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz gives hits to two TV shows—The Dropout and Dopesick—and a bomb to herself for (a lack of) home office organization. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will keep your supplements a simple spin away: get a Lazy Susan!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!LINKSKelly and Rose Boutiquehttps://www.kellyandrose.comJames Averyhttps://www.jamesavery.comThe Dropouthttps://www.hulu.com/series/13988f84-f1c8-40dd-a73c-4e71ab4bbe63Dopesickhttps://www.hulu.com/series/227de06a-d3d4-42e0-9df1-bb5495e1738dLazy Susan - Hearth & Hand™ with Magnoliahttps://www.target.com/p/lazy-susan-hearth-hand-with-magnolia/-/A-82289605?preselect=54509247#lnk=sametab 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.