Best Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project Podcasts (2025)

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

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5h 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

11h 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

12h 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. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn m…

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

2d 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

3d 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

5d 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

8d 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

9d 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

10d 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

16d 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

17d 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

21d 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

19d 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

26d 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

24d 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

26d 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…

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Ep. 542: Point to Your Ugliest Thing, Use Photos to Save Memories & Understand Obliger-Rebellion 28:20

29d ago28:20

28:20

We discuss why it’s useful to identify the "ugliest thing" in your life—i.e., what aspect needs the most attention? We also share an easy hack about enhancing family memories, and we explore a Four-Tendencies situation involving a young-adult son's surprising reaction to his father's lateness. We wrap up with listener suggestions for creative befor…

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Little Happier: "Love Is Unconditional, and Love is Demanding” & Other Secrets of Adulthood for Parents 5:18

1M ago5:18

5:18

With time and experience, we learn “Secrets of Adulthood,” and parenthood teaches us many of those lessons. 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 the Happ…

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More Happier: Talking Secrets of Adulthood with Shannon Watts 24:11

1M ago24:11

24:11

In a recent Secrets of Adulthood Substack Live conversation, I talked to the terrific Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action (the nation’s largest grassroots group fighting gun violence. We discuss insights from her latest book and how we've arrived at several of our own Secrets of Adulthood, including why it’s important to ask yourself wheth…

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Ep. 541: Try These Parenting Hacks from Listeners, Manage Your Own Worry & an Easy Packing Hack 33:25

1M ago33:25

33:25

We share a treasure trove of creative, easy parenting hacks from our listeners, as well as a happiness hack about creating a "prep station" bin to stay organized for trips and special events. In our "Know Yourself Better" segment, we explore how the desire to manage our own worry can lead us to burden or try to control others. Plus, we share some i…

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Little Happier: Is it a Bug? Is it a Feature? It Depends on You 2:48

1M ago2:48

2:48

The familiar proverb “It’s not a bug, it’s a feature” is a reminder that one person may seek out a product, an experience, or a situation for the very reason that someone else avoids it. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, prod…

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More Happier: No “Guilty” Pleasures & Returning to the Treadmill Desk 25:03

1M ago25:03

25:03

We talk about why it can helpful to trust our interests and inclinations about what to read, watch, or listen to, without imposing a lot of judgment on our choices. Resources & links related to this episode: Elizabeth's treadmill desk Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books,…

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Ep. 540: Very Special Episode: Treasure Trove of Easy Ideas to Add Whimsy to Daily Life 30:15

1M ago30:15

30:15

In this Very Special Episode, we share dozens of ideas from listeners—and ourselves—about how to add an element of whimsy to everyday life, without needing to spend much time, energy, or money. Resources & links related to this episode: Order your copy of Secrets of Adulthood My article: Why Whimsy Is Having a Moment Elizabeth's newsletter: Happier…

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Little Happier: “New Yorker” Covers and My Peculiar Yearning for a City I Already Have 2:20

2M ago2:20

2:20

New Yorker magazine covers capture something both true and elusive about the city, by distilling New York in single images, so that the place feels simultaneously familiar and out of reach. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collecti…

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More Happier: Bestselling Novel "The Ministry of Time" Audiobook Preview 39:53

2M ago39:53

39:53

In honor of our upcoming Read 25 Day, we are excited to share an audiobook preview of bestselling novel "The Ministry of Time" from Lemonada's own "Your Next Listen" podcast. More about the book: This genre-bending time-travel sci-fi slash romance slash mystery slash spy thriller was a breakout hit for debut author Kaliane Bradley. It’s been recomm…