Best Gretchen Rubin The Onward Project Podcasts (2025)

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A Little Happier: A Teaching Story So Good That It Should Be True 3:00

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13m ago3:00

3:00

Sometimes a teaching story has such a great lesson that it doesn’t even matter if it’s not true. While the famous story of the sardines and the catfish turns out to be apocryphal, it illustrates a useful truth: Being in an environment where we need to show hustle can be better for us than quiet, stagnant surroundings. Get in touch: podcast@gretchen…

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More Happier: Deck the Halls! 24 Quick Tasks to Get Holiday-Ready [Revisited] 21:29

2d ago21:29

21:29

A twist on our “Clear the Decks” strategy—this episode guides you through a series of quick, one-minute tasks to help you get organized for the holidays. Resources & links related to this episode: Sign up to be an organ donor! We mention the Five-Senses Journal, which includes spaces to do five-senses portraits. To make it easier to identify good g…

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Ep. 559: Feel Lonely? Out of Touch? Try This. Plus the Beautiful Pressure to “Use It Up” 30:07

5d ago30:07

30:07

We talk about the value of having a party (a party that’s not family- or child-centric). We share an easy hack for assembling furniture. Plus listeners give their examples of how they feel the pressure to “use up”—the beautiful offerings of the world. Resources & links related to this episode: Here's a guide to help you generate thoughtful gift ide…

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A Little Happier: Surprise: Gossip Can Be Good for You 2:57

7d ago2:57

2:57

Despite its bad reputation, gossip is actually a ubiquitous and important feature of human communication. 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 the episode details…

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More Happier: Embrace the Immersive, Reflect on Your Algorithm & Clear Clutter to Boost Energy 25:25

9d ago25:25

25:25

We talk about why immersive experiences are so energizing and interesting. We also explore how we can know ourselves better by considering what the algorithm reflects back to us about our interests, and we talk about the satisfaction of clearing clutter. Resources & links related to this episode: Masquerade Viola's Room Life in Five Senses Titanic …

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Ep. 558: Have “One Big Thing” Holding You Back? Listeners Weigh In. Plus the Value of Making Space 35:04

12d ago35:04

35:04

We discuss why making space to put things away can free up your time, energy, and space—also, buying duplicates of necessary items can make life easier. Plus listeners give their answers about the “one big thing” they had to tackle, and how finally confronting that challenge made their lives happier. Resources & links related to this episode: Check…

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A Little Happier: A Story from Real Life: Sometimes, We Help Best by Hanging Back 3:09

15d ago3:09

3:09

Sometimes, helping can hurt. When people are struggling, our impulse is to try to pull them back on their feet, when what they really need is for someone to sit beside them and ask, "What do you need? What can I do?" Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The…

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More Happier: You Can’t Outrun Fate—and Other Haunting Truths [Revisited] 22:37

17d ago22:37

22:37

Sometimes, looking at what unsettles us gives us a clearer view of what matters most. In this Halloween episode, we revisit a collection of Little Happier stories about fate, superstition, loss, and the mysterious truths that shape our lives. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-sellin…

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Ep. 557: Happier Book Club: Liz Gilbert Talks About Love, Addiction & Grief in “All the Way to the River” 38:35

20d ago38:35

38:35

We talk to blockbuster bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert about her latest book —a compelling memoir that’s impossible to put down. Resources & links related to this episode: All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert Check out the new Happiness Project tools Liz Gilbert's Substack newsletter: Letters from Love Gretchen's Substack newsletter: …

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A Little Happier: A Counter-Intuitive Truth About How to Be a Good Guest 2:26

22d ago2:26

2:26

Observing my own parents—and realizing why they make sure good houseguests—helped me discover a Secret of Adulthood: “Be full of desires and easy to please.” 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 th…

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More Happier: The Joys of Working in an Office, Making Great Recommendations & Tom Cruise Cake 26:48

24d ago26:48

26:48

We talk about why working in an office can be a source of happiness—and why making a very successful recommendation is so satisfying. Plus we talk about why a quest is more fun than a jaunt. Resources & links related to this episode: Dog cave bed Visit happiercast.com/finishstrong to find your Tendency and get the tools you need to finish the year …

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Ep. 556: Schedule a Saturday Synch-up, Lessons About Getting a New Dog & How to Question a Questioner 34:07

27d ago34:07

34:07

We discuss why a weekly "Saturday Synch-up" can reduce squabbling and make coordinating schedules much easier. We also share happiness lessons learned from six months of living with a puppy. Plus, we answer a listener question about the best way for an Obliger to ask questions of a Questioner without causing resistance. Resources & links related to…

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A Little Happier: One Surprising Reason that the TV Show “Friends” Is So Popular 5:26

29d ago5:26

5:26

There are books, movies, and TV shows that we return to again and again—often because they include moments of transcendence, when the most enduring and important values are invoked. 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: How to Build Your Own Anxiety Emergency Kit [Revisited] 29:59

1M ago29:59

29:59

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed? This Revisited episode shares our Emergency Kit—small, practical strategies to interrupt the spiral when everything feels like too much. Resources & links related to this episode: Podcast 240: Very Special Episode: Use the Emergency Kit for Anxiety, Worry, and Stress. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gre…

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Ep. 555: Invest in Tools, an Orange Theory Hack & a Sobering Fact about Books 30:07

1M ago30:07

30:07

By Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project

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Little Happier: A Happiness Lesson from Author Kurt Vonnegut’s Uncle 4:04

1M ago4:04

4:04

Gratitude is a key to happiness, and while gratitude journals work for some, alternative practices also work—such as one simple approach suggested by author Kurt Vonnegut's uncle. 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: The Joy of Giving Away Toys, the Pleasure of Parasocial Relationships & TV Tourism 26:01

1M ago26:01

26:01

We talk about the energy (and space) gained from giving away items that others will appreciate, and we explore the surprisingly positive aspects of parasocial relationships with podcast hosts and TV personalities. Plus, we dive into the phenomenon of TV tourism. Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to the Since You Asked with Lori Gott…

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Ep. 554: Take the Trip, Get Something Valuable for Free, and Listeners Talk about Their “One Big Thing” 29:49

1M ago29:49

29:49

We discuss the value of taking the trip. We also reveal something very valuable that is available for free, if you know where to look, and we share listeners’ thought-provoking responses about the “one big thing” they’ve successfully tackled. Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to the new podcast Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and…

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Little Happier: Good Idea or Bad Idea? Do I Regret My Experience, or Not? I Can’t Decide. 3:25

1M ago3:25

3:25

A simple childhood memory of jubilation raises a lasting question: Is it better to persist with activities we dislike and struggle with, or pursue what comes naturally? 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 a…

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More Happier: Introducing “Since You Asked with Gretchen Rubin and Lori Gottlieb” 35:27

1M ago35:27

35:27

Introducing my new podcast: Since You Asked! This is the first episode of my new show with my friend, the therapist and author Lori Gottlieb. Each week, we tackle the daily problems of living—the pet peeve that’s annoyed you for years, the question you’re too embarrassed to ask, or the dilemma you just can’t solve. If you enjoy this episode, follow…

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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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…