Best Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 553: Ask for Clarification, an Easy Way to Unclutter & a “Use It Up” Epiphany 31:56

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2h ago31:56

31:56

We talk about why asking for clarification is so important—yet it’s an easy step to skip. We also mention a listener’s great hack for nudging her kids to unclutter, and we discuss the urge to “use it up.” Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to the new podcast Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin Elizabeth is reading: …

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Little Happier: Andy Warhol, Woolworth’s, Air Conditioning, and Roasted Peanuts 3:21

2d ago3:21

3:21

Our five senses constantly make adjustments and compromises—an observation that explains a cryptic comment by Andy Warhol. 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 for this episode on th…

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More Happier: For Travel, Familiarity or Novelty? Plus a Flossing Hack & the Pleasure of Routine 23:56

4d ago23:56

23:56

We explore whether it's better to seek out new experiences or enjoy familiar favorites when traveling. Plus, we share a surprising hack about alternatives to flossing, and how we’re approaching fall routines. Resources & links related to this episode: Learn your Tendency and learn more about the "Four Tendencies" framework "Dentists know you hate f…

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Ep. 552: Start Your 100-Day Countdown, Try Substack & the Power of Engaging 32:56

7d ago32:56

32:56

There are about 100 days left in the year, and we discuss why starting your 100-day countdown can make you happier. We also explore a hack that will help you read, learn, and get entertained, and we share interesting responses from listeners about the power of engaging. Resources & links related to this episode: For the Happier Podcast Book Club: A…

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Little Happier: A Surprising and Subtle Way to Change Your Habits: Consider Texas 4:06

9d ago4:06

4:06

Texas’s extremely successful anti-littering campaign illustrates an important principle about habit change: Sometimes changing our habits requires us first to change our identity. 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 th…

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More Happier: Returning to Routine? 7 Strategies to Make it Easier [Revisited] 28:00

11d ago28:00

28:00

Feeling the end-of-summer slump? In this revisited episode, we share 7 practical strategies that can help you rebuild your routine for fall—especially if you're dragging your feet. September is the other January, and this “starter kit” for habit change will help you reset without forcing it. Resources & links related to this episode: Better Than Be…

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Ep. 551: Question Assumptions, College Drop-Off Hacks & Rebelling Against an Unappreciative Family 31:43

14d ago31:43

31:43

We talk about why it can be very valuable to question our assumptions, and we also share hacks for helping a child moving into a college dorm. Plus we discuss a listener’s feelings of Obliger-rebellion due to the unacknowledged work she does for her family. Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to the new podcast Since You Asked with Lo…

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Little Happier: Why Is Making Partner in a Law Firm Like Winning a Pie-Eating Contest? 3:01

16d ago3:01

3:01

A teaching joke from the legal world captures an important lesson: Sometimes the reward for an achievement is simply a bigger helping of the same challenge. 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…

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More Happier: Listen In! Recording from Our Reading Retreat (and Closet Clearing) 35:44

18d ago35:44

35:44

During our recent Reading Retreat 2025, we made voice memos to record our sisterly adventure. We talk about our reading, plus we also report on the evening we spent clearing out a very crowded closet. Listen in and follow along as we report from Los Olivos and Encinco, California. Resources & links related to this episode: Read 25 in '25 Elizabeth'…

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Ep. 550: Very Special Episode: Now Is the Time to Tackle That One, Big, Hard Thing 32:13

21d ago32:13

32:13

Sometimes, to be happier, we need to confront one enormous, daunting goal that we would really prefer to avoid. We discuss what those kinds of intimidating goals might be, offer suggestions for how to approach them, and share many encouraging examples from listeners. Resources & links related to this episode: Are you a marathoner or a sprinter, in …

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

23d 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

25d 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

28d 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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…