Best Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project Podcasts (2025)

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Little Happier: Sometimes, Life Feels Like Art. Recently I Felt Like Reciting Poetry to a Crowd 4:29

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1d ago4:29

4:29

Sometimes life achieves the formal perfection of art, or a moment can seem so transcendent that only art can allow us to express what we feel. Get in touch: [email protected] 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 fo…

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More Happier: Get Ready for Fall in Just 30 Minutes [Revisited] 24:24

3d ago24:24

24:24

Clear the Decks! We revisit one of our most popular episodes to help you prepare for the return to routine after summer—or anytime you’re gearing up for a change. Resources & links related to this episode: Sign up for the "5 Things Making Me Happy" newsletter. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gret…

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Ep. 549: Make a Love List, Back-to-School Hacks & How to Learn Someone’s Real Opinion 29:50

6d ago29:50

29:50

We explore the power of creating a "love list" to help us stay connected with the people who matter most. We share a clever way for getting someone’s honest opinions, plus, we dive into listeners' most practical back-to-school tips. Resources & links related to this episode: Order my new book Secrets of Adulthood Request a signed bookplate here Eli…

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Little Happier: A Happiness Lesson from the Friends’ Central Perk Coffee Shop 2:33

9d ago2:33

2:33

A touch of levity can help us navigate awkward or painful situations by making it easier for people to hear difficult things—as illustrated by a funny moment from the popular TV show Friends. Resources & links related to this episode: The One Where Monica and Richard Are Friends Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to le…

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More Happier: Talking Romance Writing with Stacey Abrams and Lori Gottlieb 36:43

11d ago36:43

36:43

In this Roundtable discussion, we explore the role of romance in fiction and real life. Author and political leader Stacey Abrams explains how she weaves it into her suspense novels by focusing on authentic human connection, while therapist Lori Gottlieb brings her perspective on love off the page. Together, we look at how romance is imagined, expe…

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Ep. 548: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, Surprising Fun & Solving Rebel Resistance to Something Desirable 31:48

14d ago31:48

31:48

We explore how we can signal dedication to an aim by putting our money where our mouth is—though it’s important to note that merely spending money isn’t enough. We also share listeners' delightfully surprising answers about what they do for fun. Plus we tackle a fascinating Rebel dilemma: having a spirit of resistance against something she actually…

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A Little Happier: Mega-Star Taylor Swift Chooses the Right Tool to Suit Her Work 2:18

16d ago2:18

2:18

Super-star musician Taylor Swift has three categories of imaginary pens that she uses to write her songs. Having the right tools helps to make work a joy—and in Taylor Swift’s case, even imaginary tools help to make work a joy. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more …

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More Happier: Gretchen Joins the Podcast “10% Happier with Dan Harris” 1:06:11

18d ago1:06:11

1:06:11

From Dan Harris’s podcast, 10% Happier—a conversation about how to remember and use what truly makes us happier. We talk about why it’s so easy to forget helpful ideas, what to notice when you’re hiding something, and a simple habit that can strengthen your relationships. Resources & links related to this episode: Dan and I talk Secrets of Adulthoo…

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Ep. 547: Beware the Impulse to Disengage, Planning Themed Retreats & How to Know Yourself Better. 29:45

21d ago29:45

29:45

We discuss why we should beware of the impulse to disengage when we feel lonely, purposeless, or overwhelmed by bad news. We also share listener responses about creative themed-retreat ideas, such as a heal-the-heartache getaway. Plus we discuss an interesting know-yourself-better question. Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to episo…

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A Little Happier: Keep an Empty shelf—and Also Keep a Junk Drawer. 3:37

23d ago3:37

3:37

Creating an orderly environment can be surprisingly energizing and mood-boosting. And while an empty shelf holds invitation and promise, so does a junk drawer. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Pro…

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More Happier: Real Housewives & Bad Apologies, the Empty Nest & Parenting Secrets of Adulthood 25:03

25d ago25:03

25:03

We talk about the joys of summer and of navigating airports and subways. We also discuss how the Real Housewives can set a bad example (surprise!), and we grapple with how parenthood changes during the empty-nest/open-door transition. Resources & links related to this episode: Get a free month of the Happier app Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.…

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Bonus: We Tried a New Tool to Grow Closer—Here’s What Happened 22:15

26d ago22:15

22:15

Strong relationships are essential for happiness—but they can be hard to maintain. In this bonus episode, we try something totally new: a live experiment using LG’s “Radio Optimism” platform. Can a simple creative gesture actually make us feel closer? We wanted to find out. Try it yourself at https://RadioOptimism.LG.com Get in touch: podcast@gretc…

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Ep. 546: Embrace Regret, Sticker Hacks for Back-to-School & Is Upholder-Rebellion Real? 32:50

28d ago32:50

32:50

We discuss why embracing regret can help us make our lives happier, by helping point the way to a life that better reflects our values. We also share a listener's hack for using customized stickers to label children's belongings. Plus, we explore whether Upholders can experience Upholder-rebellion. Resources & links related to this episode: Take th…

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A Little Happier: The Fun of Phrases and the Delight of Wordplay 3:31

30d ago3:31

3:31

This humorous collection of phrases, puns, and other kinds of wordplay is a good reminder of the delights of language. Resources & links related to this episode: Secrets of Adulthood Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and…

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More Happier: 7 Happiness Myths—and What’s Actually True [Revisited] 25:00

1M ago25:00

25:00

“Money can’t buy happiness.” “It’s selfish to try to be happier.” These familiar ideas seem wise—but they often hold us back. This week, we revisit 7 common happiness myths and share how letting go of them can help us use our time, energy, and attention more effectively. Resources & links related to this episode: The Happiness Project by Gretchen R…

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Ep. 545: Consider a Themed Retreat, Stay Safe in Crowds & a Cold-Water Solution 31:16

1M ago31:16

31:16

We discuss why a themed retreat can boost our happiness, and talk about different possible themes. We also share safety tips for staying safe when caught in a crowd, plus we explore a very simple solution for making water activities more enjoyable. Resources & links related to this episode: Neoprene Wet Suit Gretchen Rubin's Secrets of Adulthood ne…

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Introducing: The Deep Dive 1:00:44

1M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Each week, comedians and best friends Jessica St. Clair and June Diane Raphael take a ‘deep dive’ into their real lives and discuss a wide range of topics including how to pursue joy amidst the insanity of motherhood and family, grief and loss, sh*t they put on their faces, and why they refuse to check their voicemails or unpack their suitcases. Th…

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A Little Happier: A True Story About Friendship at the Olympics—and We’re More Free Than We Think 1:55

1M ago1:55

1:55

The extraordinary story of two Olympics-prize-winners Japanese pole vaulters is a testament to the power of friendship—and also a great reminder that if we don't like the decisions being made around us, we may, with our own ingenuity and initiative, be able to find a different outcome. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: podcas…

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More Happier: A New Barbie, Quality Screen Time & the Joy of Working on a Porch 22:54

1M ago22:54

22:54

We discuss the fact that a new Barbie has the gear of a Type 1 diabetic. We also talk about how having an additional monitor makes writing more enjoyable and a new TV show that we’ve both been watching. Plus we talk about Barnaby’s recovery from surgery, and the challenge of helping dogs heal when they don’t understand what’s happening to them. Res…

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Ep. 544: ”25 for ’25 List” Mid-Year Check-In—How Are We Doing? 36:04

1M ago36:04

36:04

The year is half over, and we review our “25 for 2025 Lists” to see what progress we’ve made—and to remind ourselves of our unfinished aims for the year. There’s still plenty of time to get a lot done. Resources & links related to this episode: Simon Haissel's Footnotes and Tangents newsletter on Substack Liz Craft and Sarah Fain's Happier in Holly…

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A Little Happier: The Parable of the Raft, or, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There 4:20

1M ago4:20

4:20

Important truths endure. Three different teachers across the centuries have commented, in their own way, on an important aspect of the human experience. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Co…

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More Happier: Traveling Soon? 30 Hacks for a Happier Trip [Revisited] 32:54

2M ago32:54

32:54

We’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes—our travel hacks extravaganza. These 30 tips range from the obvious (check the weather!) to the oddly specific (pack Downy Wrinkle Releaser), and as we get ready for our first-ever sisters reading retreat, we’re realizing how many of these tricks we’ve forgotten—and how helpful they still are. Some thin…

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Ep. 543: Make a Decision and Make It Work, a Text-Scheduling Hack & Following Up on Mean "Jokes" 34:37

2M ago34:37

34:37

We discuss how to make use of counterintuitive research that shows that our ability to change our minds often makes us less satisfied with our choices. We share a helpful smartphone hack for scheduling text messages. Plus we continue our discussion about handling a spouse who makes hurtful "jokes," with practical advice from listeners who've succes…

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A Little Happier: What Happened When Steve Jobs’s Question Was Dismissed. 5:20

2M ago5:20

5:20

In the “Four Tendencies” personality framework, tech legend Steve Jobs was a Questioner. At a crucial moment, his question was ignored—with profound consequences. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness …

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More Happier: Watercoloring, Novel-Writing & 80’s Bestsellers 26:29

2M ago26:29

26:29

We discuss how we’re doing on some items from our “25 for ’25 lists,” and how book writing is going for both of us. Plus we talk about the joys of reading commercial fiction from the 1980s. Resources & links related to this episode: Sign up for the 30-day summer reading challenge at gretchenrubin.com For the Love with Jen Hatmaker Get in touch: pod…