

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

Jan 17, 2019 • 27min
Ep. 88: To Do List, Or Not To Do List
Liz and Sarah are DONE with the first season of The Fix! They discuss how they’re managing their anxiety before the big premiere on March 18th. Some coping mechanisms: planning for Season Two, focusing on “life stuff,” and a potential trip to the Integratron. After their new segment Take Two, in which Liz and Sarah revisit Personal Symbols, they debate To Do Lists in a spirited L v. S. Finally, Sarah reveals this week’s Hollywood Hack: an email account for your child.Links:The Fix: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-ccM5kThe Fix Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/thefixabcThe Fix Writers Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/TheFixWritersBest Friends Animal Sanctuary: https://support.bestfriends.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2884&mfc_pref=T&2884.donation=form1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6brSnOrw3wIVzCCtBh0VnAswEAAYASAAEgJs1PD_BwEIntegratron: https://www.integratron.com/Levenger Next Level To-Do Organizer: https://www.levenger.com/circa-next-level-to-do-organizer-notebook-13655.aspxPhoto by Glenn Carstens-Peters 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 10, 2019 • 28min
Ep. 87: From The Mailroom: A Listener Questions Episode
Liz and Sarah answer all your questions about the entertainment industry in this very special Mailroom episode! What are some qualities of a script they can’t put down? How do they handle all the no’s that come before a yes? What does it mean to break a story? Liz and Sarah dive into all this and more! Links:The Happiness Project Experience: https://courses.gretchenrubin.com/happiness/?ref=8The Fix: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhXOz: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118421/All About Us: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0858424/The Shield: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286486/For the People: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6437276/Jane Espenson: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0260870/Photo by Samuel Zeller 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 3, 2019 • 31min
Ep. 86: Up Your Wardrobe Game!
Liz and Sarah talk to the queen of Costume Design: The Fix’s Allyson Fanger! Allyson shares which actor was the most fun to dress, how to build a character through wardrobe, and tips on how to up your own style game. Then Liz and Sarah discuss their recent Ojai getaway and how a change of scene can help you make a difficult decision. This week’s comfy Hollywood Hack is a must: get a lounge outfit. Finally, Sarah reveals her Christmas tree lot celebrity sighting: Viola Davis! Links:The Fix: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-Allyson Fanger: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0112999/Jane Fonda: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000404/?ref_=tt_cl_t2Lily Tomlin: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005499/?ref_=tt_cl_t3Grace and Frankie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3609352/Scott Cohen: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0169753/?ref_=nv_sr_1Ojai Valley Inn: https://www.ojaivalleyinn.com/Viola Davis: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205626/Photo by Gursimrat Ganda 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.

Dec 27, 2018 • 31min
Ep. 85: New Year’s Resolutions!
Liz and Sarah announce The Fix’s Premiere date! Tune in Monday, March 18th at 10pm! Then Liz and Sarah discuss their New Year’s resolutions for 2019. Liz vows to achieve her goal weight while Sarah wants to focus on progress not perfection. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Bob Fisher, co-writer of the hit comedies, Overboard and Wedding Crashers: they don’t remember late, they remember bad. Finally, in this week’s Celebrity Sighting, Liz and Sarah met Lea Thompson at a holiday party!Links:The Fix Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-ccM5kThe Fix Premiere Date Announcement: https://deadline.com/2018/12/abc-midseason-schedule-a-million-little-things-thursday-dacning-with-the-stars-off-break-whiskey-cavalier-the-fix-premiere-date-1202518178/Bob Fisher: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1462097Wedding Crashers: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0396269/?ref_=nv_sr_1Overboard: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1563742/?ref_=nm_knf_i4Lea Thompson: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000670/?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.

Dec 20, 2018 • 28min
Ep. 84: From Expand To Explode: Pick YOUR Theme For 2019
What’s Liz and Sarah’s team theme for 2019? EXPLODE! They reflect on the ways in which they expanded in 2018 and discuss how they’ll explode in 2019, including their goals of hosting a TV writing retreat, getting a Season 2 pickup for The Fix, and producing a fiction podcast. Then they answer a listener question about how to help launch a teenaged aspiring writer. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from The Fix’s Director of Photography, Bob Humphreys: be nice to everyone because you never know who will be your boss one day. Finally, in this week’s Celebrity Sighting, Liz and Sarah switch it up a bit and share all the hip places to spot celebrities in LA, such as the Studio City Farmers Market, Il Segreto, and Craig’s. Gift of Podcast: giftofpodcast.comAlex Cunningham: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1017827/Dirty John: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7945720/Connie Britton: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0110168/?ref_=nv_sr_1The Fix Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJhX-ccM5kHomecoming: https://www.gimletmedia.com/homecomingHarvard Lampoon: https://www.harvardlampoon.com/Il Segreto: http://www.ilsegretoristorante.com/Gwen Stefani: https://www.gwenstefani.com/Danny DeVito: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000362/Kyle Richards: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724202/Craig’s: https://craigs.la/James Gandolfini: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001254/Sky Zone: https://www.skyzone.com/Jason Bateman: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000867/Pinz: http://pinzla.com/Lisa Rinna: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005362/Harry Hamlin: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002122/Michael Chiklis: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004821/Mariah Carey: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001014/Gracias Madre: http://graciasmadreweho.com/Sugarfish: https://sugarfishsushi.com/our-locations/studio-cityThe Grove: https://thegrovela.com/Photo by Edewaa Foster 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.

Dec 13, 2018 • 27min
Ep. 83: Lightning Bolts and Daisies: Embrace Your Personal Symbol
Sparked by a gift from The Fix actor, Merrin Dungey, Liz has finally discovered her personal symbol: a lightning bolt! Liz and Sarah discuss what personal symbols are and how they inspire people to live up to their full potential. Then they answer a listener question about why Hollywood assistant salaries are so low. This week’s Hollywood Hack is fun and festive: have a work holiday party for your floor or building. Finally, in this week’s Celebrity Sighting, Liz was all a flutter when she and Sarah saw NUMEROUS Bravo celebrities including Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna, and Teddy Mellencamp at the AC2 event.Links:Gift of Podcast: giftofpodcast.comMerrin Dungey: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0242257/?ref_=nv_sr_1Electric Human: https://electrichuman.com/Randall Winston: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0935631/Tracey Robertson: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0732053/?ref_=nv_sr_1Larry Wilmore: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0932831/?ref_=nv_sr_1Bob Humphreys: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1338122/?ref_=nv_sr_2Sabrina Wind: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0934649/?ref_=nv_sr_1AC2: http://www.ac2live.com/Anderson Cooper: https://www.cnn.com/shows/ac-360Andy Cohen: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0169212/Kyle Richards: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724202/?ref_=nv_sr_1Teddi Mellencamp: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9487671/?ref_=nv_sr_1Lisa Rinna: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005362/?ref_=nv_sr_1Harry Hamlin: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002122/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Jeff Lewis: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2742730/?ref_=nv_sr_2Photo by Mélody P 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.

Dec 6, 2018 • 31min
Ep. 82: Put Yourself Out There (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)
What’s one secret to success? Put yourself out there! Liz and Sarah share how they recently put themselves out there — by speaking at a Women in Film Panel — and they’re glad they did! Then they answer a listener question about parenting an aspiring TV writer. Their advice? Back the “F” off... in the kindest way possible. In Hits and Bombs, Sarah shares her no-makeup bomb, and Liz gives a hit to The Fix’s music composer, Greg Tripi, who brought his Halo Handpan into the office. Finally, Happier in Hollywood producer Chuck Reed reveals this week’s password Hollywood Hack: One Safe!Links:Gift of Podcast: giftofpodcast.com Homecoming: https://www.gimletmedia.com/homecomingDirty John: https://wondery.com/shows/dirty-john/This is 50: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/sheri-salata/this-is-fifty-with-sheri-and-nancy/e/51192721Satellite Sisters: https://satellitesisters.com/Pod Save America: https://art19.com/shows/pod-save-americaSlow Burn: https://slate.com/slow-burn?utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Slow_Burn_S2&utm_content=Ad_4&utm_source=adwordsLittle Stories for Tiny People: http://www.littlestoriestinypeople.com/Brains On: https://www.brainson.org/Wow in the World: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-worldInside Julia’s Kitchen: https://heritageradionetwork.org/series/inside-julias-kitchen/Nichelle Tramble: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2838492/Women in Film: https://womeninfilm.org/Halo Handpan: https://www.pantheonsteel.com/One Safe: http://www.onesafe-apps.com/appsLast Pass: https://www.lastpass.com1Password: https://1password.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.

Nov 29, 2018 • 26min
Ep. 81: Holiday Giving Guide — Don’t Gift Up!
The Holidays are right around the corner! Liz and Sarah discuss holiday business gifts. From tassel key chains, to Sugarfina, to empowering socks, they’ve got suggestions for any budget. (But the big question is... what are they going to get for Marcia Clark!?) Then they talk about turning a negative into a positive after experiencing terrible traffic that eventually led to an impromptu writing partner dinner date with great wine. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from The Fix Executive Producer and director Michael Katleman: chew gum on set. Finally, Sarah reveals her celebrity sighting: Travis Barker! Angel: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162065Laurie Zaks: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1144175Leatherology: https://www.leatherology.comSugarfina: https://www.sugarfina.comThe Fix: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7942774/?ref_=nv_sr_1Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015382/?ref_=tt_cl_t2Note To Self Socks: https://www.notestoself.comClaire Vivier: https://www.clarev.comTopsy Popcorn: https://www.topsyspopcorn.comBurke Williams: https://burkewilliamsspa.com/giftcards/Oprah’s Favorite Things List: https://www.oprahmag.com/life/a24483259/oprah-favorite-things-2018Wallys: https://www.wallywine.comMarcia Clark: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1133849Farm Shop: http://farmshopca.comMichael Katleman: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0003150Travis Barker: https://www.travisbarker.comCrossroads: http://www.crossroadskitchen.coWeingut Michael Frohlich: https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/escherndorf+silvaner+trocken+michael+frohlichPhoto: Kira auf der Heide 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.

Nov 22, 2018 • 32min
Ep. 80: Power Down After Production!
What do you do when you're facing verbal abuse in the workplace? Liz and Sarah answer this listener question and call their friend Nichelle Tramble who experienced this early in her career. Her advice? She walked on out and never looked back. The good news? Nichelle is now a hugely successful TV writer. Then Liz and Sarah talk about the sense of relief they’re feeling now that Season One of The Fix is over. In Hits and Bombs, they share a collective hit: the crew pulled off production after the fires in Malibu. The bomb of the week: forgetting to put "Season One" on the crew gift hoodies.Links:Nichelle Tramble: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2838492/ Are You Sleeping: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7821582/?ref_=nv_sr_1Lizzy Caplan: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0135221/?ref_=tt_cl_t2Octavia Spencer: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0818055/?ref_=nv_sr_1The Good Wife: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442462/?ref_=nv_sr_1Justified: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/?ref_=nv_sr_1Women's Murder Club: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0955353/?ref_=nv_sr_1The Fix: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7942774/?ref_=nv_sr_1Honey Baked Ham: https://shophoneybaked.com/Photo by Malte Wingen 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.

Nov 15, 2018 • 30min
Ep. 79: Gratitude Is Good For You
Is it possible to break in to Hollywood after age 40? Liz and Sarah say it’s possible... but not easy. Note: Having undeniably great material is the important thing— at any age. Then they talk about why their happy Gratitude Month (November) followed their October Hell Month, and how being grateful can help everyone feel happier and more positive. This week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Sarah’s recent loss: sympathy cards. And finally, Mary reveals this week’s celebrity sighting on the Disney lot: Spike Lee!Links:The Fix: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7942774/Glory Days: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0281445/Kevin Williamson: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0932078/?ref_=tt_ov_wrJenna Fischer: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0278979/?ref_=nv_sr_1The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Actors-Life-Survival-Guide/dp/1944648224Choose to be Grateful. It will Make you Happier: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/opinion/sunday/choose-to-be-grateful-it-will-make-you-happier.htmlSpike Lee: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000490/?ref_=nv_sr_1Photo by Simon Maage 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.


