Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Latest Episodes:

More Happier: Ever Have a Foolish Desire to “Save” Things? And Why Coffee-Table Books? Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

We talk about the impulse to save things, such as stationery or fine china, even when it makes no sense. And we also talk about the puzzling popularity of coffee-table books.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Ep. 570: Very Special Episode: How Do We Deal with the Loss of Our Beloved Father? Advice & Insights Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we talk about the recent death of our beloved father, Jack Craft—what we’ve experienced, what we’ve learned. We also share many tender, practical suggestions from listeners about how to manage this kind of a profound loss.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Raymond Carver’s last book, A New Path to the Waterfall (Amazon, Bookshop)
One last reminder to sign up for The Happiness Project Revisited course
I Want You to Know: My Portrait of You
Obituary of John Charles Craft
Elizabeth is reading: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (Amazon, Bookshop)
Gretchen is rereading: American Gods by Neil Gaiman (Amazon, Bookshop)

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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A Little Happier: After My Beloved Father Died, My Mother, Sister, and I Wrote This Obituary Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

We worked for several days on this obituary for my father. We wanted to capture his extraordinary spirit.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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More Happier: Do You Find It Hard to Plan a Party? And the Problem with “Everybody Likes Salmon” Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

We talk about a hack from the world of the Real Housewives that makes party-giving easier and more fun. We also discuss the question, “What’s an ordinary food that most people seem to like—but not you?” Plus the pleasure of a better tennis bag.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Ep. 569: Do You Miss Having Time to Hang Out with Friends? Plus Listeners’ One-Word Themes Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

We explore the value of the German custom of the Stammtisch as a fun and easy way to strengthen friendships. We also share dozens of compelling one-word themes chosen by listeners for 2026—plus a strategy for elevating everyday life.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Learn more about Move 26 join us here
Elizabeth is reading: The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg (Amazon, Bookshop)
Gretchen is rereading: Christmas in Austin by Benjamin Markovits (Amazon, Bookshop)

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

A Little Happier: Do You Suffer from “Lost Wallet Syndrome?” I Do. Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

When we lose our wallet, we think finding it would make us happy forever, but once found, we quickly start taking it for granted again. Colette said of her life, "What a beautiful life. It's a pity I didn't notice it sooner." But we don’t have to lose our wallet to note the joy of possessing it.

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

More Happier: Navigating New Year Pressure with Gretchen Rubin on "The Lazy Genius" [Revisited] Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

Already exhausted by the new year? In this conversation on the "Lazy Genius" podcast, host Kendra Adachi and I explore why “fresh start” culture creates so much anxiety—and how being “lazy” about some things can help you focus on what truly matters in January.

Resources & links related to this episode:

The Lazy Genius Collective

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Move Happier: How to "Get It Done" and Finally Complete Your Dream Project [Bonus] Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

You have a big project you want to finish. So why can’t you get it done?

In my new Audible Original audiobook “Get It Done: How to Complete Your Dream Project,” I share a practical, research-backed approach to help you break a big project down, stay focused, and keep moving forward in a way that fits how you actually work.

This episode is part of the Move 26 in ’26 Challenge. Each month, I’m releasing a special bonus episode with audio you can listen to during your 26 minutes of daily movement.

For this month, you’ll hear the first chapter of “Get It Done.”

Find the full audiobook—plus the downloadable PDF workbook—at audible.com/getitdone. It’s included in the Plus Catalog for Premium and Plus members. Audible membership is $14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Produced by AT WILL MEDIA

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Ep. 568: Revealed! Our “26 for 2026” Lists Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

As one of the three “Design Your Year” exercises, we each wrote a list of 26 things we want to accomplish in 2026. Some repeats, some new.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Design Your Year hub
One last reminder to sign up for The Happiness Project Revisited course
I Want You to Know: My Portrait of You
Elizabeth is reading: Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company by Patrick McGee (Amazon, Bookshop)
Gretchen is rereading: The English Understand Wool by Helen Dewitt (Amazon, Bookshop)

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

A Little Happier: Why Would an Accomplished Juggler Deliberately Drop a Prop? Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

In his speaking, Winston Churchill often deliberately made mistakes. He understood that an imperfect speech would be more persuasive and moving than a perfect speech, and he chose to make his performance better by making it worse.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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