Best Help Desk Central Podcasts (2025)

1
More Happier: Get Ready for Fall in Just 30 Minutes [Revisited] 24:24

Play Pause

5h 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…

1
Ep. 549: Make a Love List, Back-to-School Hacks & How to Learn Someone’s Real Opinion 29:50

3d 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…

1
How to digest 36 weekly podcasts without spending 36 hours listening | Tomasz Tunguz (Theory Ventures) 35:14

3d ago35:14

35:14

Tomasz Tunguz is the founder of Theory Ventures, which invests in early-stage enterprise AI, data, and blockchain companies. In this episode, Tomasz reveals his custom-built “Parakeet Podcast Processor,” which helps him extract value from 36 podcasts weekly without spending 36 hours listening. He walks through his terminal-based workflow that downl…

1
Little Happier: A Happiness Lesson from the Friends’ Central Perk Coffee Shop 2:33

5d 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…

1
More Happier: Talking Romance Writing with Stacey Abrams and Lori Gottlieb 36:43

7d 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…

1
Ep. 548: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, Surprising Fun & Solving Rebel Resistance to Something Desirable 31:48

10d 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…

1
Using Veo 3 to create AI-generated music videos, like a Tiny Desk Concert with Notorious B.I.G. and Kurt Cobain 43:00

10d ago43:00

43:00

Anish Acharya is an entrepreneur and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, focusing on consumer investing and AI-native products. In this episode, he demonstrates how AI can be used for creative and personal projects beyond typical work applications. He walks through creating an AI-generated Tiny Desk Concert for Notorious B.I.G. and Kurt Cobain,…

1
A Little Happier: Mega-Star Taylor Swift Chooses the Right Tool to Suit Her Work 2:18

12d 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 …

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

14d 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…

1
Ep. 547: Beware the Impulse to Disengage, Planning Themed Retreats & How to Know Yourself Better. 29:45

17d 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…

1
How Amplitude built an internal AI tool that the whole company’s obsessed with (and how you can too) | Wade Chambers 40:26

17d ago40:26

40:26

Wade Chambers, Chief Engineering Officer at Amplitude, shares how his team built Moda—an internal AI tool that gives employees access to enterprise data across multiple systems, enabling faster product development and decision-making while fostering cross-functional collaboration. What you’ll learn: 1. How Amplitude built a powerful internal AI too…

1
A Little Happier: Keep an Empty shelf—and Also Keep a Junk Drawer. 3:37

19d 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…

1
More Happier: Real Housewives & Bad Apologies, the Empty Nest & Parenting Secrets of Adulthood 25:03

21d 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.…

1
Bonus: We Tried a New Tool to Grow Closer—Here’s What Happened 22:15

22d 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…

1
An exclusive inside look at GPT-5 40:11

21d ago40:11

40:11

In this episode, I share my hands-on experience with OpenAI’s GPT-5, the company’s new frontier model. As one of the first users outside of OpenAI to test the model, I put GPT-5 head-to-head with GPT-4.1 across real-world product use cases—from writing PRDs to generating code to assisting with visual design work. This is my unfiltered look at what …

1
Ep. 546: Embrace Regret, Sticker Hacks for Back-to-School & Is Upholder-Rebellion Real? 32:50

24d 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…

1
How a VC and tech founder used AI to launch a brick-and-mortar business in their spare time | Andrew Mason (CEO of Descript) & Nabeel Hyatt (Partner at Spark Capital) 48:54

26d ago48:54

48:54

Andrew Mason (founder of Groupon, now CEO of Descript) and Nabeel Hyatt (General Partner at Spark Capital) teamed up to open a physical board-game social club in Berkeley, with AI as their business partner. In this episode, they break down how they used Claude to generate a full business plan, model financials, plan the space layout, navigate Berke…

1
A Little Happier: The Fun of Phrases and the Delight of Wordplay 3:31

26d 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…

1
More Happier: 7 Happiness Myths—and What’s Actually True [Revisited] 25:00

28d 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…

1
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…

1
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…

1
How Block’s custom AI agent supercharges every team, from sales to data to engineering | Jackie Brosamer & Brad Axen 46:31

1M ago46:31

46:31

VP of engineering Jackie Brosamer and principal engineer Brad Axen join me to demo Goose, Block’s open-source AI agent that runs locally, plugs into your existing tools through model context protocol (MCP) servers, and peels away the rote parts of work so people can focus on insight and impact. This episode is packed with in-depth demos: starting w…

1
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…

1
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…

1
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…

1
Successfully coding with AI in large enterprises: Centralized rules, workflows for tech debt, and training your team | Zach Davis (Director of Engineering at LaunchDarkly) 44:56

1M ago44:56

44:56

Zach Davis is a product-minded engineering leader and builder at heart, with over 12 years of experience building high‑performing teams and crafting developer tools at companies like Atlassian and LaunchDarkly. In this episode, he shares how he’s helping his 100-plus-person engineering team successfully adopt AI tools by creating centralized docume…

1
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…

1
More Happier: Traveling Soon? 30 Hacks for a Happier Trip [Revisited] 32:54

1M 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…

1
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…

1
How this PM streamlines 60k-page FDA submissions and saves millions with Claude, Streamlit, and clever AI workflows | Prerna Kaul 45:12

2M ago45:12

45:12

Prerna Kaul is a product and platform leader who has spent over 14 years turning machine-learning research into consumer and B2B products at Amazon Alexa, AGI, Moderna, and now Panasonic Well. In today’s episode, she explains how she’s using AI to slash some of the most time-consuming, expensive tasks in life sciences—from generating 60,000-page FD…

1
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 …

1
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…

1
Ep. 542: Point to Your Ugliest Thing, Use Photos to Save Memories & Understand Obliger-Rebellion 28:20

2M 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…

1
Mastering ChatGPT: Advanced techniques for workplace communication and productivity | Hiten Shah 42:53

2M ago42:53

42:53

Hiten Shah is a serial founder who has started several analytics and security companies, including Crazy Egg and KISSmetrics. The latest one, Nira, was acquired by Dropbox in 2024. In this episode, he shares how he turns ChatGPT from a simple chatbot into a personal workplace coach, sales strategist, and productivity multiplier. What you’ll learn: …

1
Little Happier: "Love Is Unconditional, and Love is Demanding” & Other Secrets of Adulthood for Parents 5:18

2M 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…

1
More Happier: Talking Secrets of Adulthood with Shannon Watts 24:11

2M 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…

1
Ep. 541: Try These Parenting Hacks from Listeners, Manage Your Own Worry & an Easy Packing Hack 33:25

2M 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…

1
How to build prototypes that actually look like your product | Colin Matthews (Product leader, AI prototyping instructor at Maven) 32:07

2M ago32:07

32:07

Colin Matthews is a product manager, founder, and hobbyist engineer. After spending the past eight years in healthtech, he recently left his role as a PM at Datavant to go full-time on building his own products. He is currently a top Maven instructor, helping PMs build their first AI prototype. In this episode, he shares a step-by-step workflow for…

1
Little Happier: Is it a Bug? Is it a Feature? It Depends on You 2:48

2M 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…

1
More Happier: No “Guilty” Pleasures & Returning to the Treadmill Desk 25:03

2M 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,…

1
Ep. 540: Very Special Episode: Treasure Trove of Easy Ideas to Add Whimsy to Daily Life 30:15

2M 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…

1
How a 91-year-old vibe coded a complex event management system using Claude and Replit | John Blackman 40:28

2M ago40:28

40:28

John Blackman, a 91-year-old retired electrical engineer, shares how he used Claude and Replit to build a complex application for his church’s community service events—with no prior software development experience and for less than $350. His app allows event organizers to create events, recruit volunteers, and manage sign-ups, with a standout featu…

1
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…

1
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…

1
Ep. 539: Don't Disparage What Matters, Funny Travel Trends & Handling Hurtful "Jokes" 28:17

2M ago28:17

28:17

We discuss why we shouldn't downplay things that are actually important to us (such as saying “I don’t care about my birthday” if you do care). We also review some fun new travel terms, such as "townsizing" and "JOMO travel," and we address the problem of waiting until we're ready to make big decisions. Plus, we tackle a listener's question about d…

1
A designer's guide to Cursor: How to build interactive prototypes with sound, explore visual styles, and transform data visualizations | Elizabeth Lin 35:07

3M ago35:07

35:07

Elizabeth Lin is an independent design educator who has crafted learning experiences for Khan Academy, Primer, and Lambda School. She currently runs design is a party, an alternative online design school where she teaches courses like The Art of Visual Design and Prototyping with Cursor. In this episode, she shares how designers can leverage Cursor…

1
Little Happier: Paris, Rose, a Fortune Cookie—an Anniversary Toast to My Husband Jamie 4:39

3M ago4:39

4:39

A double anniversary (of a wedding and of a life-saving medical cure) inspired this toast—with allusion to Gertrude Stein, Wendell Berry, and “The Office.” Resources & links related to this episode: The most purely happy day of my life Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books…

1
More Happier: Gretchen on Totally Booked with Zibby Owens 32:22

3M ago32:22

32:22

We bring you a conversation with my friend Zibby Owens on her podcast Totally Booked. Taped in front of a life studio audience, we discuss my new book, Secrets of Adulthood, the beauty of frameworks, and why you should label your next email "confidential." Resources & links related to this episode: Zibby Owens Totally Booked Get in touch: podcast@g…

1
Ep. 538: Set a Tripwire, Decide If You Need the Storage Unit & Do You Use that Gizmo? 31:16

3M ago31:16

31:16

We talk about why it can be helpful to set a tripwire for making a decision or moving forward. We also discuss a Secret of Adulthood that’s very relevant to the practice of keeping a storage unit (even one that’s not really needed), and a know-yourself-better question related to the use of gadgets and gizmos. Resources & links related to this episo…

1
Gamma’s head of design shares how his small team uses AI to synthesize feedback, generate on-brand imagery, and maintain design quality while serving users in 60+ countries | Zach Leach 36:20

3M ago36:20

36:20

Zach Leach, head of design at Gamma, reveals how his small team uses AI to analyze global feedback, create on-brand imagery, and maintain design quality while serving users in more than 60 countries. What you’ll learn: How Gamma analyzes feedback from their 60% international user base using ChatGPT’s deep research capabilities How to transform hund…