Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Channel Details
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen&rs...
Recent Episodes
1288 episodes![More Happier: How to Stick to an Exercise Habit with the Four Tendencies [Revisited]](https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/796469f9-ea34-46a2-8776-ad0f015d6beb/e1b22d0b-6974-4bb8-81ba-b2480119983c/f3f67020-1146-451c-a340-b405016bdaa2/image.jpg?t=1772834804&size=Large)
More Happier: How to Stick to an Exercise Habit with the Four Tendencies [Revisited]
Why is it so hard to keep an exercise habit, even when we want to? We discuss what the Four Tendencies reveals about finding the approach that works f...
Ep. 577: How Well Do You Know Yourself? Plus Hacks for Staying Warm & Putting Down Your Phone
We talk about the value of self-knowledge and explore some of our favorite online personality quizzes and assessments. We also share listeners’ sugges...
A Little Happier: Is There Anything Special About Human Beings?
Is there anything special about human beings? A long list of characteristics—some obvious, some surprising—sets humans apart from other creatures. (Wh...
Move Happier: How Do You Move On After College Drop-Off? with Author Ben Markovits
As part of the Move 26 in ’26 Challenge, we’re sharing a bonus episode designed to pair with your 26 minutes of daily movement.
In this episode,...
More Happier: Do You Ever Have Post-Party Blues? Plus the Raymond Carver/Chandler Problem
We discuss the fact that when we extend ourselves—when we put ourselves out into the world—we can expect sometimes to feel awkward, remorseful, or fru...
Ep. 576: What Was the Value of Our “No-Spend February?” Plus a Warning About Social-Media Stories
We reflect on No-Spend February—what we didn’t buy, what we did buy, and what we learned. We also share a hack for successfully mixing friendship and...
A Little Happier: What Makes a Face Stand Out from a Crowd?
Seeing my beloved father as a patient in the hospital reminded me of looking at class photos of young children. Among a sea of faces, it’s my love tha...
![More Happier: Four Tendencies for Obligers—3 Challenges and How to Handle Them [Revisited]](https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/796469f9-ea34-46a2-8776-ad0f015d6beb/e1b22d0b-6974-4bb8-81ba-b2480119983c/5a80c79d-86b5-421f-92be-b3e801137f6b/image.jpg?t=1770309911&size=Large)
More Happier: Four Tendencies for Obligers—3 Challenges and How to Handle Them [Revisited]
Some people have no trouble meeting expectations for others but struggle to follow through on what they want for themselves. If that sounds familiar,...
Bonus: How to Make Progress on What Matters to You (Even If You Feel Stuck) with Mimi Bouchard
Struggling to make progress on a habit? This episode offers a different approach—get a 14-day free trial of Activations (plus a big discount) at activ...
Ep. 575: Our 11th Anniversary! Favorite Moments from the Past Year
In honor of our “Steel” anniversary, we share some of our favorite suggestions, insights, hacks, and highlights from the previous year.
Resource...
A Little Happier: A Very Surprising Truth that I Learned in Law School
I learned something surprising in law school: To a great extent, we can’t be forced to follow the law; we must decide to follow the law.
Resourc...
More Happier: Does Money Stress You Out? Mrs. Dow Jones & Reema Khrais on What Helps
For many people, money is a source of anxiety and guilt. In this Roundtable conversation, we explore why the subject of money is so challenging, and a...
Ep. 574: Are You Already Falling Behind on Your New Year’s Resolutions? Plus Ideas for “Move 26”
We talk about how we’re using Determination Day (February 28) to reengage with our “26 for ’26” list. We also share listeners’ excellent suggestions f...
A Little Happier: When I Called the Emergency Veterinarian, She Asked a Question that Made the Answer Obvious
When I called the emergency vet to ask a question about my dog Barnaby, her answer gave me an important insight into the challenge of decision-making....
Move Happier: Why Does Movement Matter? Michelle Obama Weighs In
As part of the Move 26 in ’26 Challenge, we’re sharing a listen-along episode to pair with your 26 minutes of daily movement. Michelle Obama and her b...
Ep. 573: Do You Avoid Failure & Rejection? Plus the Joy of a Same-Day Book
We talk why it’s valuable to “go for the no” instead of avoiding rejection and failure. Plus we give our suggestions for excellent same-day books and...
A Little Happier: Who Has More Power—You or the Banker to Whom You Owe Ten Million Dollars?
A famous quip illustrates an important point: Small debts burden the borrower; big debts burden the lender.
Resources & links related to this ep...
More Happier: Are You Scared by the Sound of a Siren? And a Reflection from “Little Women”
We talk about the power of reframing—specifically, reframing the meaning of a siren. We also talk about a passage from the novel “Little Women” that i...
Ep. 572: Want to Make a Little Money and Also Clear Clutter? Plus an Insight About Estrangement
In honor of No-Spend February, we talk about why it’s a good time to turn in your coins and to use up your gift cards. We also talk about the juggler...
A Little Happier: Do You Get Rattled Before Starting a Journey? Consider This Ritual.
The traditional Russian practice of “sitting on suitcases” is an excellent ritual for anyone setting off on a trip.
Resources & links related to...
![More Happier: Start and Stick to Anything using the Four Tendencies [Revisited]](https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/796469f9-ea34-46a2-8776-ad0f015d6beb/e1b22d0b-6974-4bb8-81ba-b2480119983c/ef5edbaa-e0f4-4218-817c-b3de0170262e/image.jpg?t=1769466543&size=Large)
More Happier: Start and Stick to Anything using the Four Tendencies [Revisited]
Why is it so hard getting yourself to do what you want to do? This overview of the Four Tendencies explains why motivation works differently for diffe...
Ep. 571: Want to Join Us for a No-Spend February? Plus a Better Word for “Squats”
We share our plans for our next “No-Spend February”—our rules, our exceptions, and what we hope to learn. We also share a more elegant term for “squ...
A Little Happier: Would You Do For Someone Else What You Wouldn’t Do for Yourself?
A modern fable is an excellent illustration of a very popular loophole used to justify breaking good habits.
Resources & links related to this e...
More Happier: Ever Have a Foolish Desire to “Save” Things? And Why Coffee-Table Books?
We talk about the impulse to save things, such as stationery or fine china, even when it makes no sense. And we also talk about the puzzling popularit...
Ep. 570: Very Special Episode: How Do We Deal with the Loss of Our Beloved Father? Advice & Insights
In this episode, we talk about the recent death of our beloved father, Jack Craft—what we’ve experienced, what we’ve learned. We also share many tende...
A Little Happier: After My Beloved Father Died, My Mother, Sister, and I Wrote This Obituary
We worked for several days on this obituary for my father. We wanted to capture his extraordinary spirit.
Resources & links related to this epis...
More Happier: Do You Find It Hard to Plan a Party? And the Problem with “Everybody Likes Salmon”
We talk about a hack from the world of the Real Housewives that makes party-giving easier and more fun. We also discuss the question, “What’s an ordin...
Ep. 569: Do You Miss Having Time to Hang Out with Friends? Plus Listeners’ One-Word Themes
We explore the value of the German custom of the Stammtisch as a fun and easy way to strengthen friendships. We also share dozens of compelling one-wo...
A Little Happier: Do You Suffer from “Lost Wallet Syndrome?” I Do.
When we lose our wallet, we think finding it would make us happy forever, but once found, we quickly start taking it for granted again. Colette said o...
![More Happier: Navigating New Year Pressure with Gretchen Rubin on "The Lazy Genius" [Revisited]](https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/796469f9-ea34-46a2-8776-ad0f015d6beb/e1b22d0b-6974-4bb8-81ba-b2480119983c/5b803ceb-3feb-4c6e-9230-b3bb014001be/image.jpg?t=1768504952&size=Large)
More Happier: Navigating New Year Pressure with Gretchen Rubin on "The Lazy Genius" [Revisited]
Already exhausted by the new year? In this conversation on the "Lazy Genius" podcast, host Kendra Adachi and I explore why “fresh start” culture creat...
![Move Happier: How to "Get It Done" and Finally Complete Your Dream Project [Bonus]](https://www.omnycontent.com/d/programs/796469f9-ea34-46a2-8776-ad0f015d6beb/e1b22d0b-6974-4bb8-81ba-b2480119983c/image.jpg?t=1767619189&size=Large)
Move Happier: How to "Get It Done" and Finally Complete Your Dream Project [Bonus]
You have a big project you want to finish. So why can’t you get it done?
In my new Audible Original audiobook “Get It Done: How to Complete Your...
Ep. 568: Revealed! Our “26 for 2026” Lists
As one of the three “Design Your Year” exercises, we each wrote a list of 26 things we want to accomplish in 2026. Some repeats, some new.
Resou...
A Little Happier: Why Would an Accomplished Juggler Deliberately Drop a Prop?
In his speaking, Winston Churchill often deliberately made mistakes. He understood that an imperfect speech would be more persuasive and moving than a...
![More Happier: Rethinking Resolutions with Gretchen Rubin on NPR’s “Life Kit” [Revisited]](https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/796469f9-ea34-46a2-8776-ad0f015d6beb/e1b22d0b-6974-4bb8-81ba-b2480119983c/00e6c26e-dc31-45c2-8438-b3bd016f9c98/image.jpg?t=1768201416&size=Large)
More Happier: Rethinking Resolutions with Gretchen Rubin on NPR’s “Life Kit” [Revisited]
Just in time for January, I joined NPR’s “Life Kit” to talk about New Year’s resolutions, why they fail, and a more effective way to build better habi...
Ep. 567: Do You Feel Unprepared for the New Year? Plus Roller-Derby Names
We talk about a thought-provoking, helpful exercise to help prepare for the upcoming year. We also share an easy hack for making parties more fun, ref...
A Little Happier: Warren Buffett Talks about Good Jockeys and Good Horses
With his characteristic skill, and with a powerful metaphor, Warren Buffett makes the point that even talented people won’t succeed if they’re working...
More Happier: Do You Need Help Taking a Good Photo? Or Making a Tough Decision?
We talk about a whimsical way to take better photographs, a useful question for making a hard decision, and the joy of field trips.
Resources &...
Ep. 566: Do You Ever Think “This Is Not Good; I Could Do This Better?” Plus Accountability Hacks
We talk about why the realization “I could this this task better myself” can help us identify possible opportunities. We also talk about how to give a...
A Happier Holiday Reading: “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
As a gift to listeners, I read O. Henry’s classic "The Gift of the Magi"—a timeless reminder of what really matters most for our happiness during the...
A Little Happier: A Few Extra Words from Winston Churchill Make a Big Difference
When we’re quoting someone who has articulated an important idea, it’s important to make sure that we’re quoting their entire point. Winston Churchill...