

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

Apr 11, 2019 • 34min
Ep. 100: 100th Episode Special: Gretchen Declutters The Office!
It’s the 100th episode of Happier in Hollywood! In television land, this would be the holy grail! To celebrate, special guest Gretchen Rubin declutters Liz and Sarah’s office on the Disney lot. Then in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah (& Gretchen) read (the very few) negative reviews for The Fix and discuss how they deal with public opinion. Finally, this week’s foot-friendly Hollywood Hack is perfect for work: keep a pair of flip flops in your bag to minimize time in blister-inducing heels. Links:The Fix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoVvpfVUqvAGretchen Rubin: https://gretchenrubin.com/Gretchen Rubin Resources: https://gretchenrubin.com/resourcesOuter Order, Inner Calm: https://gretchenrubin.com/books/outer-order-inner-calm/about-the-bookThe Shield: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286486/Best Exotic Baby Names: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Exotic-Baby-Names-Historical/dp/0965733823Rothys: https://rothys.com/womens/best-sellers?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand+RL+181128+l_TE1+e16aPhoto by Jason Leung 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 4, 2019 • 36min
Ep. 99: Eat It With Grace
Liz and Sarah talk to Hollywood career coach Carole Kirschner about having a game plan. Her advice? Have it on the stage and on the page! Then in Take Two, they revisit being rewritten — it’s not just a TV writer thing! Lawyers and other professionals experience it, too. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from The Fix writers’ assistant, Laura Snow: widen the net to further your career when you’re feeling stuck in an overcrowded field. Finally, Sarah reveals her horse stables Celebrity Sighting: Lisa Vanderpump! Links:The Fix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-ccM5kCarole Kirschner: https://www.carolekirschner.com/Hollywood Game Plan: https://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Game-Plan-Digital-Entertainment/dp/1615930868CBS Diversity Writers Mentoring Program: https://www.cbscorporation.com/diversity_institute/writers-mentoring-program/WGA Showrunner Training Program: https://www.wga.org/members/programs/showrunner-trainingJoss Whedon: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0923736/Angel: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162065/?ref_=nm_knf_t4Lisa Vanderpump: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0888838/?ref_=nv_sr_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.

Mar 28, 2019 • 34min
Ep. 98: What’s Your Role In The Workplace?
It happened! The Fix is on the air! Liz and Sarah discuss how they shook off the nerves of premiere night and enjoyed the moment. Then they discuss the various roles people play in a writers’ room including a Problem-solver, Amplifier, Builder, Analyzer, and more! Liz and Sarah talk to their assistant, Mary, about her upcoming first, big Hollywood meeting. Their advice? Go into the room with confidence! Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will up your photo-posing game: turn your head at an angle to show your jawline! The Fix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-ccM5kSugar Studios LA: http://sugarstudiosla.com/The Wiltern: http://www.wiltern.com/Idle Hour: https://www.idlehourbar.com/Ola Shokunbi: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8356628/Brook Sitgraves Turner: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8223801/?ref_=nv_sr_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.

Mar 21, 2019 • 25min
Ep. 97: Stay On Your Path
Liz and Sarah share why it’s important to stay on your path — and how they’re staying on their path during an unpredictable time. Then they answer a Mailroom question about how TV ratings are determined. In Take a Hike, Liz and Sarah discuss digital decluttering — unsubscribing from annoying emails and deleting apps. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from TV writer extraordinaire Jane Espenson: writing sprints! Finally, Liz and Sarah reveal their Fryman Canyon Celebrity Sighting: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey! Links:The Fix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-ccM5kThe Federal: http://thefederalnoho.com/Nielson: https://www.nielsen.com/us/en.htmlOuter Order, Inner Calm: https://www.amazon.com/Outer-Order-Inner-Calm-Declutter/dp/1984822802Jane Espenson: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0260870/Jane Espenson’s Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/JaneEspenson Buffy The Vampire Slayer: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118276/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_21Game of Thrones: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_11Angel: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162065/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_28Jenna Fischer: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0278979/Angela Kinsey: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1526554/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t6The Actor’s Guide: A Survival Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Actors-Life-Survival-Guide/dp/1944648224Photo by Karsten Würth (@inf1783) 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 14, 2019 • 30min
Ep. 96: Work From Home? Here Are The Essentials
Liz and Sarah talk to business owner and writer Crystal Ellefsen about working from home. Then they answer a Mailroom question about “beauty work” in Hollywood. Then Sarah discusses her recent solo trip to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. This week’s housing Hollywood Hack is affordable and great for making new friends: the Bungalow app! Finally, Liz and Sarah reveal their Kiwami Celebrity sighting: Nancy Carell! Links:The Fix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-ccM5kConsulting for Authors: http://consultingforauthors.com/Crystal Ellefsen’s Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/crystalellefsenSatellite Sisters Episode: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/satellite-sisters/id443780324?mt=2#episodeGuid=gid%3A%2F%2Fart19-episode-locator%2FV0%2FJnkQKn4MNQ9WrdTzN64HTuwlsDyIKVJEPW3-SbvGrZMBroadcast Standards & Practices: https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/topics/censorship-standards-practicesBest Friends Animal Sanctuary: https://support.bestfriends.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2884&mfc_pref=T&2884.donation=form1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZ3kBRCnARIsAIuAV_Skmn31sZ9RWwuw6B09MnuaPJEcWbjLXnrT4EQ0ddmHb3gHBoIVAHYaAtYqEALw_wcBNancy Carell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0909391/The Office: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386676/?ref_=nv_sr_1Steve Carell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0136797/?ref_=tt_ov_st_smKiwami: https://www.katsu-yagroup.com/kiwami-by-katsu-ya/Randy Jackson: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1193098/ Photo by Jeff Sheldon 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 7, 2019 • 32min
Ep. 95: Be All In: Ola Shokunbi Talks About Making The Leap From Lawyer To TV Writer
Liz and Sarah talk to Ola Shokunbi about his journey from representing pharmaceutical companies as a lawyer in D.C. to being a staff writer for The Fix. His advice on switching careers? Be all in! Then Sarah shares her airplane hit, and Liz has a post-surgery bomb. This week’s Hollywood Hack is all about self-pampering: invest in a paraffin wax bath. Finally, Mary shares her Big Little Lies Celebrity Sighting: Laura Dern!Links:Outer Order, Inner Calm: https://www.amazon.com/Outer-Order-Inner-Calm Declutter/dp/1984822802 The Fix: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-ccM5kOla Shokunbi: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8356628/?ref_=nv_sr_1Sade: https://deadline.com/2018/07/disney-sade-fairytale-african-princess-rick-famuyiwa-producing-1202434114/Paraffin Wax Bath: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/homedics-reg-paraspa-trade-pro-heat-therapy-paraffin-bath/1040811918?skuId=40811918&&mrkgcl=609&mrkgadid=3301588810&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_beautywellness_local&product_id=40811918&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&adpos=1o4&creative=232742510542&device=t&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6qHF0Y3p4AIVoRx9Ch3phw4SEAQYBCABEgJc-_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.dsLaura Dern: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000368/?ref_=nv_sr_1Mendocino Farms: https://www.mendocinofarms.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.

Feb 28, 2019 • 29min
Ep. 94: Good Work Doesn’t Happen After Dinner
Liz and Sarah discuss good (and bad) time management skills— for showrunners, and anyone else in a leadership position. A couple tips: give feedback instead of taking on the work yourself, and have an out time. Then, in Take Two, they revisit Sarah’s zen acceptance of L.A. traffic. This week’s business-savvy Hollywood Hack comes from Mandeville TV’s Director of Development, Lea Cuello: pre-Google the person you (or your boss) are meeting with! Finally, Liz shares her Fryman Canyon Celebrity Sighting: Kyle Richards!Links:WGA Showrunner Training Program: https://www.wga.org/members/programs/showrunner-trainingCarol Barbee: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0053322/Chris Cantwell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3437456/?ref_=tt_ov_wrChris Rogers: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4815022/?ref_=tt_ov_wrHalt and Catch Fire: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2543312/?ref_=nv_sr_1Joss Whedon: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0923736/?ref_=nv_sr_1Dollhouse: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135300/?ref_=nv_sr_1Mekhi Phifer: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001616/?ref_=nv_sr_1Lea Cuello: http://mandfilms.com/about/lea-cuello/Channing Dungey: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1055381/Kyle Richards: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724202/?ref_=nv_sr_1Photo by Julian Hochgesang 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 21, 2019 • 31min
Ep. 93: Be Yourself But Better: Prepping For Press
Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of doing press for their new show The Fix, and their recent Television Critics Association experience. Their advice? Be yourself... and Drybar! Also — know your talking points. Then they answer a listener question about building a social media presence. This week’s Hollywood Hack helps you find your favorite show online: JustWatch! Finally, Liz and Sarah (and Mary) share the many stars they saw at the Television Critics Association including Eva Longoria, Dax Shepard, Scott Foley, Lauren Cohan, Pam Grier, and Demian Bichir! Links: Happier in Hollywood Writer’s Retreat: Will be up Thursday! The Fix: https://abc.go.com/shows/abc-new-shows/news/shows/the-fix-coming-soon-to-abcMarcia Clark: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1133849/My Founder Story: myfounderstory.comPepper Reed: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4213808/Television Critics Association: http://tvcritics.org/Drybar: https://www.thedrybar.com/locations/?gclid=CjwKCAiA767jBRBqEiwAGdAOr56ltxmBRQjMz0xFQE6Hc5UnsTddQsfaYqnPur58fgPMw1tGECy67hoCQ9gQAvD_BwEJustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/appsEva Longoria: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0519456/?ref_=nv_sr_1Dax Shepard: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1009277/?ref_=nv_sr_1Scott Foley: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004930/?ref_=nv_sr_1Lauren Cohan: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1659348/?ref_=nv_sr_1Pam Grier: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000427/?ref_=nv_sr_1Demian Bichir: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0065007/?ref_=nv_sr_1Colton Underwood: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9846206/ 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 14, 2019 • 35min
Ep. 92: Ask Yourself: Does This Move The Needle?
Liz and Sarah discuss how they pick their battles when they're running a TV show. Their two most important questions: Is this inevitable? Does this move the needle? Then they call their agent, WME partner Matt Solo, to ask him a question from a listener whose dream is to be an agent herself. This week's Hollywood Hack was inspired by an Eco-friendly gift Sarah received: felted dryer balls. And finally, Liz and Sarah reveal this week's 80's Celebrity Sighting: Alan Ruck! Links:The Fix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-ccM5kLucia Apothecary: https://www.luciacompany.com/Default.aspWME: http://wmeentertainment.com/Alan Ruck: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001688/Ferris Bueller's Day Off: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/Succession: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7660850/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_6DIY Felted Dryer Balls: https://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-wool-dryer-balls/https://variety.com/exec/matt-solo/Photo by AbsolutVision 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 7, 2019 • 28min
Ep. 91: Irons In The Fire
Liz and Sarah discuss the pros and cons of having irons in the fire. Their advice? Have three to five GOOD irons in the fire at a time. Then they check in with their assistant Mary to talk about her adventures in stand-up comedy. This week’s Hollywood Hack is meaningful and fun: commission a piece of art. Finally, Liz and Sarah reveal The Fix editor’s restroom Celebrity Sighting: John Mayer! Ozark: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5071412/?ref_=nv_sr_1Mary’s Stand-up Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/discount-tickets-to-the-comedy-store-comedy-madness-show-tickets-55784357515Amy Smith: https://artbycolorscape.com/Todd Barry: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0058178/?ref_=nv_sr_1Harland Williams: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005558/The Comedy Store: https://thecomedystore.com/Chris Rock: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001674Larry David: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0202970/?ref_=nv_sr_1Ali Wong: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4399227/?ref_=nv_sr_1Jordan Peele: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1443502/?ref_=nv_sr_1Bo Burnham: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3102998/?ref_=nv_sr_1Jen Kirkman: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1327303/John Mayer: https://johnmayer.com/Brad Katz: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1375461/ 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.