Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 582: Are You Pushing People Away? Plus an Easy Way to Make a Room More Inviting Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

We discuss the seven deadly sins of disconnection—the habits that push others away. We also share an easy hack for making an environment more appealing, and answer a listener's question about reality TV.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Try my new "Happiness Helpline" on gretchenrubin.com by clicking the icon in the bottom right-hand corner, or find it in the Happier app.
Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections by Anna Goldfarb (Amazon, Bookshop)
Dimmer switches for lamps
Use this guide to set up your No-Spend Month
Elizabeth: The All-or-Nothing Marriage: How the Best Marriages Work by Eli Finkel (Amazon, Bookshop)
Gretchen: All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore (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.

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A Little Happier: How I Found My Way to a Beautiful Piece of Music Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

By reading a novel, I learned to appreciate a celebrated piece of music.

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.

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

Stop Clutter from Coming Back with the One-Minute Rule Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

The One-Minute Rule is one of the most popular organization hacks ideas we've ever shared—and if you've used it, you know why. But over the years it's inspired a few other additional rules that are just as useful, including one that kept Elizabeth's closet floor clean for the first time in years. In this episode we bring them all together.

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.

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

Ep. 581: Narcissist? Codependent? Panic Attack? Maybe Not. Plus a Quick Cure for Worry Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

We talk about why it’s a good idea to avoid self-diagnosis. We also suggest an easy hack for people prone to worry, and share our progress on “Design Your Year” aims now that we’ve reached Day 100 of the year.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Visit the Design Your Year hub
26 for 2026 list
Choose your One Word Theme
Join the Move 26 Challenge
Take the Four Tendencies Quiz
Check out my book Forty Ways to Look at JFK here
Elizabeth: The Client by John Grisham (Amazon, Bookshop)
Gretchen: Joyful Anyway by Kate Bowler (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: The Met Is My Metaphor Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

I am the laboratory, I am the notebook, and I am the museum.

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: What Can the Real Housewives Teach Us About Hope? Plus the New Hollywood Trend Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

We discuss the Real Housewives and their lessons in time, hope, and perseverance. Plus we explore a new trend sweeping the world of Hollywood, and a hack for spring cleaning.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Join My Color Pilgrimage on Substack
Check out the Declutter Scavenger Hunt I created with Clutterbug
Mating by Norman Rush (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

Ep. 580: Very Special Episode! Ask Us Anything Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

In this Ask Us Anything episode, we tackle everything from sibling competition to book clubs to our family custom of not saying “I love you.”

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

A Little Happier: The Effort Doesn’t Get Easier, But You Get Stronger. Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

As an eight-year-old, my daughter Eleanor made a remark that is a reassuring reminder for many challenges we face.

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

How to Reduce Relationship Conflict with the Four Tendencies Mar 28, 2026

Show notes

Conflict with a sweetheart or a child can be hard to resolve. In this Revisited episode, we share some of our most useful conversations for using the Four Tendencies to stop the same fights from happening again.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Take the Four Tendencies Quiz here

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. 579: Do You Have Trouble Making Plans with Friends? And How to Question a Questioner Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

We talk about why proposing an anchor date makes it easier to set plans with friends. We also include answers from Questioners about why they don’t like to answer questions—and how to get them to answer questions. Plus helpful ideas for grappling with grief.

Resources & links related to this episode: