Happier in Hollywood

Before Liz and Sarah dive into the episode, Liz shares the sad news of her dad’s recent death and thanks listeners for the outpouring of love and support. Then they talk about their Team Theme for 2026 and how they want it to relate to this year’s theme but also be more aggressive. They land on “Be the Bee,” and their symbol is the Killer Bee. In The Mailroom, they answer a layered question about whether or not too much pressure is put on new writers to deliver stellar spec pilot scripts. This week’s Hollywood Hack is to have multiples of certain items — including phone chargers, scissors, and reading glasses. Finally Liz recommends I Love LA on HBO Max. 

Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft

Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft

Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com

Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/

Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

LINKS:

Jack Craft obituary: 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansascity/name/jack-craft-obituary?id=60219609

 

I Love LA trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnBAmvw_Yow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Executive Coach and Friend of the Pod Michael Melcher joins Sarah to discuss the benefits of networking up. Making connections with higher ups is intimidating but worth it! Michael stays on as Guest Host to discuss the idea of an Admin Night— which is, essentially, a group Power Hour. Then, in Take Two, they discuss their current personal canaries in a coal mine. This week’s Hollywood Hack is Slidelock Carabiners! Finally, Sarah recommends the novel Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel and Simon Haisell’s accompanying Slow Read.

Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!

Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft

Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCra

Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/

Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

LINKS:

Michael Melcher:

https://m2leaders.com/team/michael-melcher/

 

Your Invisible Network, by Michael Melcher:

https://amzn.to/440xy87

 

Slidelock Carabiners:

https://amzn.to/4pHVLbs

 

Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel:

https://amzn.to/48u01Vj

 

Simon Haisell’s Footnotes and Tangents:

https://footnotesandtangents.substack.com

 

Photo by Thomas Le on Unsplash

Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Thanksgiving! Liz and Sarah share a veritable cornucopia of practical hacks from listeners. Some faves? Use a hotel room pants hanger to clip the curtains closed. Put whitening mouthwash in your water flosser. Attach a house key to your dog’s leash. And so many more! 

Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft

Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft

Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/

Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

 

Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!

LINKS: 

Luggage Strap: https://amzn.to/4r8kxD8

 

Plug-in Night Light: https://amzn.to/49rzIRM

 

Expo Markers: https://amzn.to/4icUQO2

 

Contact Lenses Cases: https://amzn.to/47Zo4uP

 

Satin Pillow Case: https://amzn.to/43D7LCH

 

Asobu Cold Brew Maker: https://amzn.to/47FiAqm

 

Cold Brew Pitcher: https://amzn.to/4iaZj3B

 

Rolling Cart: https://amzn.to/49JE9HR

 

Whimsical Binder Clips: https://amzn.to/4r4s2uY

 

Dryer Sheets: https://amzn.to/3JEDNYo

 

Roomba: https://amzn.to/3LNLFY4

 

Tackle Box: https://amzn.to/43yHghN

 

Whitening Moutwash: https://amzn.to/3LEDygB

 

Grooming Kit (for the car): https://amzn.to/4roSEar

 

VFM No Show Footie Sock: https://amzn.to/49Ps43G

 

Hulken Bag:  https://amzn.to/4r1HiIY

 

Universal Fit Car Gap Filler: https://amzn.to/4oKSTKS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every episode, Liz and Sarah refer to winning the “war of attrition.” Today they discuss concrete ways to get IN that war — you can’t win if you’re not in the fight! In Career Lessons With Laverne, they talk to career coach extraordinaire, Laverne McKinnon, about how to handle someone being incredibly rude. This week’s Hollywood Hack is for pet owners — Paw Inspired reusable crate liners/pee pads. Finally, Sarah recommends Burn It Down by Maureen Ryan.

Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft

Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCra

Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/

Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!

 

LINKS:

Jen Grisanti:

https://www.jengrisanti.com/

 

Carole Kirschner:

https://www.carolekirschner.com/

 

Jordana Oberman:

https://www.jordanaoberman.com/

 

Moonshot Mentor:

https://www.lavernemckinnon.com/

 

Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood by Maureen Ryan: https://amzn.to/3LUIiyx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Tis the season for gift giving! Liz and Sarah share their favorite gifts of 2025 — everything from a Hori Hori Knife to a Hot Potato Shock Game to Sarah’s new favorite hair product. 

Also? Here’s a special link for anyone who wants to give the gift of an Annual Happier In Hollywood Substack subscription — it includes 10% off and a free “It’s a Fun Job” tote bag!

https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/4153e071

 

Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft

Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft

Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com

Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/

Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

 

LINKS:

Happier In Hollywood Annual Subscription & “It’s a Fun Job” tote bag (Available until Jan. 5, 2026):

https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/4153e071

 

Roadom Portable CD Player: 

https://amzn.to/483lpl1

 

Shiatsu Back, Shoulder, and Neck Massager:

https://amzn.to/4nKdvBQ

 

LitONES:  https://amzn.to/43XXvF4

 

Aura Frame: https://amzn.to/47QYRTt

 

Hot Potato Shock Game: https://amzn.to/488FdCH

 

Left Right Center Game: https://amzn.to/3Xj4pRE

 

Ice Breaker Jenga Game: https://amzn.to/49HRUGJ

 

Juliska Isabella Acrylic Small Tumbler — https://amzn.to/3WGhjJk

Juliska Amalia Acrylic Wine Glass  — https://amzn.to/43XWPzw

 

Malin+Goetz Candle (Leather): https://amzn.to/3Lv3hYF

 

HiLife Portable Steamer: https://amzn.to/3JQFrWH

 

Crocs Slides: https://amzn.to/488J16X

 

Northface Women’s Aconcagua Park: 

https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/p/womens/womens-jackets-and-vests/womens-parkas-327273/womens-aconcagua-parka-NF0A88TA?color=JK3

 

Greenstalk Inventor’s Bundle

https://greenstalkgarden.com/products/inventors-bundle-evergreen-basic-texture?_pos=1&_psq=inventors+bundle&_ss=e&_v=1.0

 

Personalized Harvest Basket

https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/gardeners-harvest-basket?_br_psugg_q=harvest%2Bbasket

 

Cook’s Illustrated 

https://www.americastestkitchen.com/cooksillustrated

 

Good Things, by Samin Nosrat

https://amzn.to/3Lv2VBj

 

Hori hori knife:

https://amzn.to/441PdvU

 

Swiss Army knife:

https://amzn.to/47uMQEd

 

Feeding Ghosts,  by Tessa Hulls:

https://amzn.to/3LBH37f

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Memoir

 

Colored Television by Danzy Senna: 

https://amzn.to/4qOlDnB

 

Elsa Peretti Heart Bookmark from Tiffany: (80 dollars)

https://www.tiffany.com/home-accessories/desk-designs/sterling-silver-desk-designs-2543440917.html?omcid=ppc_google_TIFFANY_WJ_USA_NOBRID_HOM_HOME_OGOING_EC_BRAN_GTAD_CRD_ENG_USD_E&mkwid=s%7Cpcrid%7C708342824544%7Cpkw%7Ctiffany%20elsa%20peretti%20bookmark%7Cpmt%7Ce%7Cpdv%7Cc%7Cmtid%7C744dpc50313%7Cslid%7C%7Cproductid%7C%7Ctargetids%7Ckwd-2322982324764%7Cgroupid%7C166248212792%7C&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9616645864&gbraid=0AAAAAD-_9SBd2HDyyLBdpAe8_7g9zzHaK&gclid=CjwKCAiAzrbIBhA3EiwAUBaUdanDWSF6ML623eAMZOaCP5zVO9ANCt3k_Ewek9PrXHZ2s6V-6s2_LRoC_JsQAvD_BwE

 

Hair towel: https://amzn.to/3LlK8bF

 

Speks geode magnetic fidget toy:

https://amzn.to/3WKNBTA

 

Color WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray:

https://amzn.to/49H15Hs

 

Jisulife Hand Held Minifan:

https://amzn.to/4oWKvHZ

 

Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer:

https://amzn.to/49r4H0n

 

KIVA: https://www.kiva.org/

 

HIH 2024 Gift Guide:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happier-in-hollywood/id1236845161?i=1000676607073

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.