Stay ConnectedVeteran 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/
Copyright: © 588793
After a recent rude encounter related to one of their projects, Liz and Sarah talk about how sometimes you just have to suck it up. (Being able to see your own facial expression on Zoom helps!) In honor of Halloween, they share their personal horror stories and discuss why it’s good to laugh at yourself. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they explore what you want your sample script to show about your skills as a TV writer. This week’s Hollywood Hack is affordable and comfortable — H & M Wide-Leg Joggers. Finally, Liz recommends the documentary series The Last Wright: Building the Final Home Design of America’s Greatest Architect on HBO Max.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
H & M Wide-Leg Joggers:
https://www2.hm.com/en_us/search-results.html?q=women%27s%20wide-leg%20joggers
The Last Wright trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMsHoavzs8Y
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recently Liz and Sarah discussed how the rubber was meeting the road on their Netflix pilot. They were sure they were done with the notes process and were now awaiting some kind of yay or nay on the project. But they were wrong! They’re getting more notes, a reminder that predicting the future in Hollywood is impossible. In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about how making a meal from her garden made her realize it’s important to celebrate steps along the way. Next they answer a Mailroom Question from a listener who does NOT enjoy being inundated by Substack newsletters. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your pictures — use the Clean Up feature in Apple photos. Finally, Sarah recommends An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace by Tamar Adler.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCra
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
GreenStalk Garden:
Orange Theory Fitness:
https://www.orangetheory.com/en-us
An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah talk about how they approach constructing pitch decks — finding the perfect photo is Sarah’s superpower! In Take A Hike, they discuss why it’s so important to take the time to meet people in person. Not only is it fun, it makes working together so much easier. Then they share moments of Disproportionate Joy from listeners and share a couple of their own. This week’s Hollywood Hack helps transform a non-work space into a workspace for all of you floor-sitters: a foldable coffee table. Finally, Liz and Sarah recommend the 1987 movie Baby Boom starring the late, great Diane Keaton.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Clues by Sam game:
Foldable Coffee Table:
Meditation Seat:
Baby Boom trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdzKN8T0c_Q
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah delve into one of the key aspects of prepping for a TV pitch— the questions and answers that follow your presentation. Pro tip? Be ready to drill down on tone. In Take A Hike, inspired by Taylor Swift’s new album, they talk about why it can be helpful to define your eras. What do you want your next era to be? Next, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah share their favorite takeaways from their slow read of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. This week they have two Hollywood Hacks — try using a steering wheel desk and always wear the same outfit to travel. Finally, Sarah recommends Richard Osman’s new Thursday Murder Club book, The Impossible Fortune.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift:
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott:
EcoNour steering wheel desk:
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah have been pingponging around on various projects for months. Now several of their projects are converging, and it’s controlled chaos! In Take A Hike, they issue the Control Your Algorithm October Challenge. Stop doomscrolling and get more good in your feed! Next, Liz and Sarah introduce their brand new segment — Disproportionate Joy. Sarah’s getting joy from Violet’s new swim meet times and Liz is giddy about certain members of her Survivor Fantasy League. This week’s Hollywood Hack will save you money AND is good for the environment: Shop your favorite brand’s secondhand section. Finally, Liz recommends Lena Dunham’s Substack newsletter, Good Thing Going.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Legend Planner:
Clare V Le Resale:
Patagonia Worn Wear:
https://wornwear.patagonia.com
Apiece Apart Archive:
https://archive.apieceapart.com/
Lululemon:
https://likenew.lululemon.com/
Eileen Fisher Renew:
https://www.eileenfisherrenew.com/
The North Face Renewed:
https://www.thenorthfacerenewed.com
Levi’s Secondhand:
https://www.secondhand.levi.com/
Lena Dunham’s Good Thing Going newsletter:
https://goodthinggoing.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips
Photo by Lance Grandahl on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah are hearing a trickle of good things about their pilot script, which means… absolutely nothing. They discuss how to regulate their nervous systems and keep expectations low while the waiting continues. Then, in Career Lessons With Laverne, they talk to their favorite career coach, Laverne McKinnon, about how to know when it’s time to pivot in your career. One helpful tip? Recognize the difference between instinct and intuition. This week’s Hollywood Hack is for anyone getting professional photos taken: Bring the photographer examples of poses you like. Finally, Sarah recommends the books of British TV writer, Anthony Horowitz, including Magpie Murders and The Word is Murder.
Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Laverne McKinnon:
https://www.lavernemckinnon.com/
Allie Coyle Photography:
http://alliecoylephotography.com/category/allie-coyle-photography/
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz:
The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz:
Photo by Aserusainhuu on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah are waiting for a reaction to the latest draft of their Netflix pilot, and this is when the rubber hits the road. Either something good will happen… or the project will be dead. Wish them luck! In Take A Hike, Sarah shares Finch, a self-care app that’s been making her (and Violet) happier. Who doesn’t love to tend a virtual pet “birb?” Then in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss one of their favorite subjects — giving and getting notes. Remember— listen and be gentle! This week’s Hollywood Hack has transformed Sarah’s gardening experience: the GreenStalk Virtual Planter. Finally Liz recommends the memoir Actress of a Certain Age by Jeff Hiller.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Finch:
GreenStalk Vertical Planter:
https://greenstalkgarden.com/products/inventors-bundle-blackberry-basic-texture
Actress of a Certain Age by Jeff Hiller
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah discuss the process of writing a new TV pitch and explain why it takes so damn long to get one done. In Take A Hike, they share listener Brandy’s HIH inspired Mahjong journey which exemplifies choosing the bigger life and so many other happiness boosting principles. Then Liz and Sarah vent about their frustration with printers in HIH WFH (Work From Home). This week’s Hollywood Hack will make your house smell good: the Malin & Goetz leather candle. Finally Sarah recommends “Cooking for Levi” on Threads.
Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Brandy’s mahjong site:
Malin & Goetz leather candle:
Cooking for Levi: @cookingforlevi
Photo by Jing Bo Wang on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah talk about how a recent survey from the WGA prompted them to try using AI to make images for their latest pitch deck. In Take A Hike, they recommend “living vicariously.” They are absolutely living vicariously through Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, and they are loving it! Next, Sarah and Liz give a Hit to the new NYT game, Pips, and a Bomb to the same game for being hard to figure out the first time. The solution? Sarah teaches Liz how to play live on the podcast! Liz wishes she’d had this week’s Hollywood Hack earlier in the summer: a self-tanning mitt. Finally, Liz recommends the fascinating new podcast Unicorn Girl.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/
LINKS:
Mr. Seifert and Miss Barker get engaged:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfIYDqSvnb0
Self-Tanning Mitt:
Sally Hansen Body Makeup:
Unicorn Girl podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unicorn-girl/id1813180252?i=1000721964497
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inspired by recent conversations with other Content Creators, Liz and Sarah talk about their determination to start “batching,” especially when it comes to all of their non-TV work. In Take A Hike, Sarah reveals why planning a celebration for her recent birthday has made her happier. Spoiler alert: fondue is involved. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they share listener Kayla’s advice to drastically lower their daily goals as they work on their novel. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your puzzling: The NYT Games app. Finally, Sarah recommends the memoir How To Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast
Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join 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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Stay In LA:
The Melting Pot:
https://www.meltingpot.com/thousand-oaks-ca/
How To Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast:
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
