Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Latest Episodes:

Little Happier: The Paradox at the Heart of the Open-Door Stage Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

I've come to see a great paradox at the heart of the "Open Door" stage: I want my daughters to know they're essential to my happiness, and also that my happiness doesn't depend on them.

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

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

Use Daylight Savings to Rethink Your Morning Routine Oct 24, 2026

Show notes

A round-up of ideas for creating new morning habits, how to help your family form better morning habits, and why rethinking your daily routines can add more happiness and energy to your life.

Episode highlights

Get early morning light to reset your body clock (01:11)
Set a bedtime alarm (04:49)
Stop the morning snooze battle (09:42)
Build a rest ritual of 3-5 calming actions done before bed(22:38)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Chasing the Sun by Linda Geddes (Amazon, Bookshop)
Better Than Before (Amazon, Bookshop)
Alarmy alarm clock app

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

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

A Secret to Creativity? Cultivate a Magpie Mind Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

A brilliant hack for getting more help with dinner, why a quest is more fun than a jaunt, and how we feel about desks.

Episode highlights:

Try This At Home: Cultivate a magpie mind [07:10]
Happiness Hack—Rename a chore to make it more appealing[16:00]
Know Yourself Better— How do you like to work? [26:00]
Demerits and Gold Stars: A sisterly trip to Dollywood [30:00]

Mentioned in this Episode:

Download the Creativity Bingo here
Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft by Harlan Coben (Amazon, Bookshop)
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (Amazon, Bookshop)
SongTeller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton (Amazon, Bookshop)

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

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

Little Happier: A Superstar's Unforgettable Thank-You Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

I get such pleasure of thinking about iconic super-star Brad Pitt paying tribute to Chuck Palahniuk, and realizing what a gift he’d been given for his work.

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

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

Exercise Tips from NPR’s LifeKit: Could Watching TV Actually Help You Get Moving? Oct 18, 2026

Show notes

For “Move Happier,” Gretchen talks with Marielle Segarra, host of NPR’s Life Kit, about ditching the all-or-nothing rule, making the most of everyday activities, and the importance of smell and lighting.

Episode highlights:

Reduce friction: set out your gear the night before [00:00]
The five-minute rule: tell yourself you only have to move for five minutes, and momentum carries you [00:00]
Strength training basics: bodyweight moves like air squats and wall push-ups, no equipment needed [00:00]
Why strength work matters for bone density, brain function, and joint health [00:00]

Mentioned in this Episode:

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

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

More Happier: Do you “Get to” or do you “Have to?” Oct 17, 2026

Show notes

We discuss the happiness of a trip with old friends, a way to reframe the task of taking our pills, and a surprising fact about GLP-1s.

Episode highlights

Something Making Us Happier—Say “I’ve made this plan, come if you can,” & reframe prescriptions as “I’m lucky to live when my health issues can be fixed,” not “I have to take lots of pills”[00:00]
I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You: Perfume sales and GLP-1s[00:00]
Spotlight on a Tool—Find the full collection of Darker Secrets of Adulthood: Uncomfortable Truths for Our Complex Lives on Substack [00:00]

Mentioned in this Episode

NYT: “Rise of GLP-1s Leaves Food Industry Holding Party-Size Bag” [Insert Link]
Secrets of Adulthood (Gretchen’s Substack, including the Darker Secrets of Adulthood collection, Oct 21) [Insert Link]
Secrets of Adulthood book [Insert Link]

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

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. 608: Have You Ever Regretted a Good Decision? (Temporarily) Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

A listener shares a Know Yourself Better discovery, Elizabeth reports on what she learned from her Summer of Off-White Delight, and a recommendation for a new daily game.

Episode highlights:

Try This at Home— Figure out your Tendency [02:10]

Happier Highlights— Elizabeth’s verdict on her Summer of Off-White Delight [15:34]

Know Yourself Better: Listener describes her “new-pet regret” [21:30]

Demerits and Gold Stars: Elizabeth’s Demerit: skipping posture exercises; Gretchen’s Gold Star: sticky notes [23:39]

Mentioned in this Episode:

⁠Anthropeum, the daily Met art guessing game⁠

⁠Try the Happier app monthly jump-start challenge⁠ (this month: 7 quick wins to clear the decks)

Sister Light, Sister Dark by Jane Yolen (⁠Amazon⁠, ⁠Bookshop⁠)

⁠Take the Four Tendencies quiz for free ⁠

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Website: gretchenrubin.com

Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft

⁠Learn more about Gretchen’s Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz.⁠

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. It helps other listeners find the show!

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

Little Happier: What Seems Important Isn't Always What Is Important Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Aphorisms are short, sharp, and easy to remember, and here are four surprising examples of one of my own: "What seems important isn't always what is important."

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

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

More Happier: Lean into Fall with the Five Senses Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

We revisit some of our favorite try-this-at-home tips for tapping into our five senses this fall. Some ideas might turn into new annual traditions; others might be fun for this year as a way to make the most of the season.

Episode Highlights:

Choose a signature color for little bursts of happiness [01:20]
Celebrate a minor holiday with a fast, low-effort breakfast [06:38]
Make a five senses portrait to notice what's familiar [11:10]
Organize a tasting for whiskey, tea, chocolate, or vanilla ice cream [22:56]
Collect gratitude leaves each Thanksgiving [24:07]

Mentioned in this Episode:

Better Than Before (Amazon, Bookshop)
The Happiness Project (Amazon, Bookshop)
Pantone color finder

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

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. 607: Do You Love Whimsy? Celebrate a New Holiday with Us Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

We discuss how we’re using whimsy to find the right date to celebrate our “How do we learn what everyone knows?” day, and listeners share their brilliant tips for elevating your home and how to stop working against yourself (or others).

Episode highlights:

Try this at home: Listeners propose imaginative dates for "What People Know" day [05:10]
Four Tendencies Tips for Rebels: Personal policies, identity, and choosing instead of being told [15:55]
Treat Your House like a Hotel—Add an outdoor shower or a backyard garden [01:35]
Demerits and Gold Stars: Gretchen’s Demerit: stopped a health habit; Elizabeth’s Gold Star: Ferment statue in Kansas City [24:17]

Mentioned in this Episode: