Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Latest Episodes:

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

More Happier: Rethinking Resolutions with Gretchen Rubin on NPR’s “Life Kit” [Revisited] Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

Just in time for January, I joined NPR’s “Life Kit” to talk about New Year’s resolutions, why they fail, and a more effective way to build better habits and make real progress in 2026.

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. 567: Do You Feel Unprepared for the New Year? Plus Roller-Derby Names Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

We talk about a thought-provoking, helpful exercise to help prepare for the upcoming year. We also share an easy hack for making parties more fun, reflections on #Read25in25, and re-visit a whimsical know-yourself-better question.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Home cotton-candy machine
Listen to episode 355
Simon Haisell's Footnotes and Tangents on Substack
Last chance to sign up for The Happiness Project Revisited course
Elizabeth is reading: Full Tilt by Janet Evanovich (Amazon, Bookshop)
Gretchen is reading: The Rim of Morning by William Sloane (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: Warren Buffett Talks about Good Jockeys and Good Horses Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

With his characteristic skill, and with a powerful metaphor, Warren Buffett makes the point that even talented people won’t succeed if they’re working in very unfavorable conditions.

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