Happier in Hollywood

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 432: Make A Laugh List & Councilman Nazarian on Bringing Back Production Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah talk to L.A. City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian about what he’s doing to bring production back to Los Angeles — including tax incentives, an easier permit process, and ending price gouging for crew parking. Then, in Take A Hike, Sarah shares why we should all make a Laugh List. This week Liz has a Hit for her recent experience getting blood drawn, and Sarah has a Bomb for the price of dry cleaning. This week’s Hollywood Hack is perfect for the end of summer: the Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker. Finally, Liz recommends two dating reality shows on Netflix — Perfect Match Season 3 and Love is Blind UK Season 2.

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:

Councilmember Adrin Nazarian:

https://cd2.lacity.gov/about/Adrin-Nazarian

Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker:

https://amzn.to/3UzyFX9

Dash Heart Waffle Maker:

https://amzn.to/4oYxPBt

Perfect Match Season 3 trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBjXB_l6GMo

Love is Blink UK Season 2 trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIHBRA4qoMA

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Ep. 431: Navigating New Hollywood With Tepper Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah talk to social media star Kristen Tepper about navigating Hollywood from the point of view of a writer who’s kicking ass and making a name for herself while working toward her first big break as a screenwriter. How did she get her current job as a Showrunner’s assistant? How should reluctant writers approach the use of social media? Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they talk about why you can’t game the system — no matter how much you’d like to. This week’s Hollywood Hack (inspired by Liz’s recent closet purge) comes from listener Laurie: try the clothing swap app Lucky Sweater. Finally, Sarah recommends the (very dark) podcast Root of Evil.

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:

Tepper Talks on Substack:

https://ktepper.substack.com/

Hollywood Hang podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hollywood-hang/id1805490059

Lucky Sweater:

https://www.luckysweater.com/

Root of Evil podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root-of-evil-the-true-story-of-the/id1450277129?i=1000429776640

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 430: Feeling Invigorated & Oh Sh*t Moments Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah discuss feeling invigorated by the new slate of projects they’re working on. Right now they’re basking in a creative bubble — the hard part comes later. In The Craft (& Fain), they share wisdom from one of their favorite producers, Michael Goldstein — to make a TV pitch land with executives, the Pilot and Season One should each have two or three “oh shit” moments. Next, Liz and Sarah announce The First Five, a new Substack offering in which they critique the First Five pages of scripts from annual subscribers. This week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Sarah’s journey into gardening — the Vigoro 3-tier stackable planter. Then Sarah shares a recent Celebrity Sighting. She and Violet saw Megan and Yoonchae from the group Katseye in the audience at the Blackpink concert. Finally, Liz recommends the book Wild West Village by Lola Kirke.

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/

LINKS:

Michael Goldstein:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0326285/

The First Five:

https://open.substack.com/pub/happierinhollywoodpod/p/introducing-the-first-five?r=23d20&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Vigoro Stackable Planter:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-6-in-W-x-17-in-H-3-Tier-Stackable-Black-Indoor-Outdoor-Plastic-Decorative-Pot-MT5100953/331433433

“Gnarly” video by Katseye:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2-yomhYAj4

Wild West Village by Lola Kirke:

https://amzn.to/3ULA8K2

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 429: When Our Job Interferes With Our Career Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah talk about how lately their job has been interfering with their career. So many Zooms! They realize that the new Hollywood definitely has its own learning curve. In Take A Hike, they discuss how watching Brook do an amazing pitch made them appreciate the joy of mentorship. Then they Amplify late poet Andrea Gibson’s “Love Letter From the Afterlife.” This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you organize your closet: a foldable step stool. Plus, Liz had a WNBA Celebrity Sighting — Candace Parker and Anna Petrakova. Finally, Sarah recommends Homeschooling 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started.

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:

Brook Sitgraves Turner:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8223801/

Andrea Gibson’s “Love Letter From the Afterlife”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmZHLvq-gDg

Closet Stool: https://amzn.to/4lTn4hM

Candace Parker:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candace_Parker

Anna Petrakova:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Petrakova

Homeschooling 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Homeschool-101-EBook-13953504

Photo by Indrajeet Choudhary on Unsplash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 428: Summer 2025 Listener Questions Episode! Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah are answering Listener Questions! How common are writing teams? If they weren’t writers, what other Hollywood job would they like to try? How do they deal with burnout? Has Liz been to Sarah’s house in Minnesota? They answer these questions and many more — Sarah even lists all of her twenty pets!

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/

LINKS:

Happier In Hollywood on Substack:

https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza:

https://amzn.to/4kNAAC2

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Ep. 427: Don’t Delete & More Crying At Work Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah talk about why it’s important never to delete anything substantial. They never know when they’re going to want to put something back into a document. It happens! In Take A Hike, Sarah shares why being at her lake house in Minnesota made her realize it’s important to “look down.” Next, Liz and Sarah revisit the topic of crying at work in Take Two. Listeners have so many observations and insights! This week’s Hollywood Hack is great for summer — try mini soda cans. Finally, Sarah recommends the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery book series.

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/

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:

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott:

https://amzn.to/4lfLdi2

Diet Coke Mini-Can:

https://amzn.to/4nzzEE0

The Murder of Mr. Wickham:

https://amzn.to/4lDdoqX

Photo by

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 426: Waiting For The Parade Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah discuss what their career has in common with the annual Ojai Fourth of July Parade. Then, in a Day In The Life segment, they share how they spent their Hive 25. There were many activities, including handing in a script and a trip to Sarah’s favorite stationary shop. In Hits & Bombs, they give two Hits — one to Jocelyn at the Blue Iguana Inn, and another to the people on Sarah’s flight from Los Angeles to Minneapolis. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from friend-of-the-pod Brook Sitgraves Turner: Google Doc Tabs. Finally, Liz recommends the Substack newsletter, Tepper Talks, for anyone who’s trying to make it in Hollywood.

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/

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:

Happier In Hollywood on Substack:

https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott:

https://amzn.to/3FJwgWc

Zaidee’s Bar & Grill:

https://www.soulepark.com/facilities/restaurant

Poketo Concept Planner:

https://www.poketo.com/products/concept-planner

Noted in Ojai:

https://www.notedojai.com/

Blue Iguana Inn:

https://www.blueiguanainn.com/

Waterpik Flossing Toothbrush

https://amzn.to/4lC8Yk5

Brook Sitgraves Turner:

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8223801/

Tepper Talks on Substack:

https://ktepper.substack.com/about

Photo by Nguyen Hoang Dieu Anh on Unsplash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 425: Novel July & Upside Of The Downslide Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah share their plan to spend all of July finishing a solid draft of their novel. It’s time to get it done! In Take A Hike, they talk about the upside of the downslide of Hollywood. When everything changes, new opportunities arise! In The Craft (& Fain), Sarah talks about the Poketo Concept Planner that’s helping her make headway on a creative project. This week’s Hollywood Hack is courtesy of Jessica Lahey from the #AmWriting podcast — set a UPS/FedEx alert so that you can preempt barking dogs. Finally, Sarah recommends the graphic novel Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls.

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:

Jessica Lahey of #AmWriting:

https://www.jessicalahey.com/amwriting-podcast

The Gift of Failure:

https://amzn.to/4kRej7b

The Addiction Inoculation:

https://amzn.to/3FPiVvC

Poketo Concept Planner:

https://www.poketo.com/products/concept-planner

Noted in Ojai:

https://www.notedojai.com/

Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls:

https://amzn.to/45Bz7ed

Photo by S. Tsuchiya on Unsplash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 424: Crying At Work & Transition Rituals Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah discuss whether or not it’s okay to cry at work. Does Gen Z feel crying is more acceptable? And what does it have to do with sexism? In their new segment, Career Lessons With Laverne, they talk to Career Coach Laverne McKinnon about the importance of career transition rituals. Laverne reveals why she turned one of her expensive suits into a puppet. This week’s Hollywood Hack will make your summer more fun— get a sea scooter for the pool. Finally, Liz recommends Stick, starring Owen Wilson, on Apple TV+.

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/

LINKS:

Happier In Hollywood on Substack:

https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott:

https://amzn.to/3FJwgWc

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King:

https://amzn.to/441n1sC

Laverne McKinnon:

https://www.lavernemckinnon.com/

Nautica Navigator:

https://amzn.to/4466146

Stick trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72oB_zVF_6o

Photo by Mathilde Langevin on Unsplash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 423: No Right Way & Revisiting Whimsy Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Liz and Sarah discuss how writing the third draft of their pilot has made them realize there’s no right way to do something creative. There are MANY right ways. In Take Two, they revisit “whimsy” and share listener suggestions of whimsical items that bring joy. This week’s tip in The Craft (& Fain) makes a scene better AND shorter — lop off the first few lines and/or the last few lines. Then they share a summer travel Hollywood Hack: buy your airplane snacks before you go to the airport. Finally, Sarah recommends the Gardeners’ Question Time podcast from BBC Radio 4.

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/

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:

Midori paper clips:

https://amzn.to/3FZBIEr

Potato Clips:

https://amzn.to/4kTtHAg

Shreve, Crump, & Low Original Gurgling Cod

https://shrevecrumpandlow.com/product/large-greige-gurgling-cod?srsltid=AfmBOoo72ZMQ0EGNLm6Ri31vzTtU8aq58tIa24Cai-JwRfndEQ1mXJGx

Rifle Paper Co.

https://riflepaperco.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopT7dL2l8LH74MEpruph9iwSsI1uHQfkPL_XcofXDbpGv5BWXS8

Calliope Paperie:

https://calliopepaperie.com/