In this Special Episode, Liz and Sarah revisit some of their most “Hollywood” Hollywood moments, from getting yelled at by famous actors to spotting A-list stars in line at the pharmacy. They’ve driven around town to look at billboards of their shows, had breakfast at The Polo Lounge with a con man, and been fired (twice.)

Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft

Get in touch on Instagram: @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, Side Hustle School, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah talk to best-selling author and friend of the pod, Melissa de la Cruz, about the state of publishing, her new novel When Stars Align, and her passion for fashion. In Take A Hike, inspired by her recent trip to the Renaissance Fair, Sarah shares why you should attend an Immersion Event. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you understand fandom better (your own and other people’s) — a breakdown of the five kinds of fans. Finally, Sarah recommends going to a honey tasting at the Heavenly Honey Company of Ojai. 

 

Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at  https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com.

 

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!

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/

 

LINKS:

When Stars Align by Melissa de la Cruz:

https://amzn.to/43bOJlN

 

Melissa de la Cruz:

https://melissa-delacruz.com/

 

Heavenly Honey Company:

https://heavenlyhoneycompany.com/

 

Photo by Sarah Lee on Unsplash 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah talk about one of Liz’s biggest work hurdles — mild face blindness. It can be quite awkward when she doesn’t recognize someone they just had a meeting with! Then they introduce an exciting new segment — Career Lessons With Laverne — in which Career Coach extraordinaire, Laverne McKinnon, shares her insights about career grief, career pivots, and career transitions. Today’s topic? Sprouting versus blossoming. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you bond with coworkers: Create inside jokes. Finally, Liz recommends The Four Seasons on Netflix. 

 

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 & @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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

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/

LINKS:

Happier In Hollywood on Substack:

https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

 

Laverne McKinnon — Moonshot Mentor:

https://www.lavernemckinnon.com/

 

The Four Seasons trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKTwtIL4xyk

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah discuss how watching their former co-worker, actor Walton Goggins, “go for it” on screen makes them want to go for it in their writing. Letting go of boundaries can lead to powerful art. In The Craft (& Fain), they talk about what makes a great work bio. Next, Liz gives a Hit to her sister Gretchen for convincing her to get rid of her giant computer monitor, and Sarah has a Bomb for Douglas from Facebook Marketplace who failed to show up for their appointment. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your work life — use a bag organizer. Finally, Sarah recommends Holy Honey. 

Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at  https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com.

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!

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/

 

LINKS:

Walton Goggins:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0324658/

 

The Shield trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klSVH4dJrGU

 

Sarah’s bag organizer from Etsy: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1823579579/boat-and-tote-compatible-extra-large-xl

 

Givlefly Handbag Organizer:

https://amzn.to/42GIxDs

 

Holy Honey:

https://www.holyhoney.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah talk about how to figure out if something in your work life is an albatross, and what you can do to get rid of it. One tip? Force yourself to have an uncomfortable conversation. In Take A Hike, they share a fun AI exercise from the M(AI)VENS Substack — make a family crest. Then in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about the importance of saying the obvious thing when giving notes. This week’s Hollywood Hack will extend the life of your office chair — armrest covers. Finally, Liz recommends The Studio, starring Seth Rogen, on Apple+.

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 & @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!

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/

LINKS:

Happier In Hollywood on Substack:

https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

 

Clue Trails & Crime-Lines Mystery Screenwriting Workshop:

https://www.howtoliz.com/home/classes-and-consults

 

M(AI)VENS Substack:

https://womenai.substack.com/

 

Soft Neoprene Chair Arm Pad Covers:

https://amzn.to/4lRJxvX

 

Isccdy Soft Chair Arm Pad Covers:

https://amzn.to/4lPSXYP

 

The Studio trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIQuE7JGXU8 

Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah talk to Hollywood manager, Executive Director of The Julia Child Foundation, and friend-of-the-pod Todd Schulkin about strategic planning. What is it? Why should they do it? And what is a SWOT analysis? Todd has answers! In The Craft (& Fain), they share an insight from fellow writer and Substacker Bill Gullo — writing is different than talking is different than thinking. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you network: the HiHello business card app. Finally Sarah shares a true crime podcast recommendation — Murder 101. 

Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s newsletter at [email protected]. 

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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

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/

 

LINKS:

Todd Schulkin: 

http://schulkinmanagement.com/about.html

 

The Julia Child Foundation:

https://juliachildfoundation.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12864069783&gbraid=0AAAAABcKBvXlfeoLI5DANczF6cKuM5gF2

 

Storytellers Social Club:

https://bgullo.substack.com/

 

HiHello: 

https://www.hihello.com/

 

Murder 101 podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-murder-101/id1724019923?i=1000640430098

 

Photo by Wim van 't Einde on Unsplash

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah continue to embrace this year’s team theme — Flower & Fly 2025 — by thinking of themselves as busy bees. Their organized buzzing has put them in a state of flow. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares why “art yarn” is a great metaphor for fighting perfectionism. In Take Two, they revisit the topic of muses and decide they’re going to start asking themselves, “What is your creative priority?” This week’s Hollywood Hack will make you smell good: Morton Essentials stick deodorant. Finally, Liz has two reality competition show recommendations for people who are missing Traitors — Million Dollar Secret on Netflix and Got To Get Out on Hulu.

Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s newsletter at [email protected]. 

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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

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/

LINKS:

Happier In Hollywood on Substack:

https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

 

Fain’s Honey Vintage Patch Hat: https://fainshoney.com/shop/ols/products/gray-fains-honey-hat

 

CALPAK Terra 35L Water Resistant Zippered Tote Bag:

https://www.calpaktravel.com/products/terra-35l-water-resistant-zippered-tote-bag/juniper

Amplify Planner:

https://www.amplifyplanner.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop7j8kFvguFn83s9FdJWGXSFgNoCxcjCe13l1OPaWMKCXFZwe5c

Legend Planner:

https://amzn.to/3RPIoXU

Expertly Dyed blog:

https://expertlydyed.com/blog

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

https://amzn.to/3FAN1lP

Morton Essentials deodorant:

https://mortonessentials.com/products/sensitive-skin-orange-vanilla-deodorant-stick

Got To Get Out trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MRebuiHW5I

Million Dollar Secret trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daeL3XxrS-c

Photo: David FoodphototastyFor Unsplash+

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah share networking event tips for those who don’t particularly like networking events. Some ideas? Look at the guest list beforehand, get there early, and try to connect with deeper conversation. In Hits & Bombs, Sarah gives a Hit to the neighbors who bandaged her bleeding finger, and Liz gives a Bomb to how long it took her to relax during her Palm Springs getaway. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah choose a Team Muse! (Their 15-year-old selves.) This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from friend-of-the-pod Karine — keep an apron in your car. Finally, Sarah recommends the incredibly compelling book Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams.

Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s newsletter at [email protected]. 

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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

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/

LINKS:

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King:

https://amzn.to/4lfZFH9

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale  of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams: https://amzn.to/4hYAE0o

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah are getting ready to pitch a show, and they’re battling the bad feeling that nothing will sell. They remind themselves that no matter the climate in Hollywood, their work stays the same. The outcome will be what it will be. In Take A Hike, they discuss why their slow read of Stephen King’s memoir (with pens and highlighters in hand) is giving them a collective pep in their step. Next, The Craft (& Fain) is inspired by the revisions they did of their pitch — try swapping the beginning and ending of whatever you’re writing. Sarah uses this week’s Hollywood Hack whenever she washes her hair: the Kosmu Hair Towel. Then Liz recommends the limited series ZeroZeroZero on Amazon Prime. Finally, Liz had a Celebrity Sighting — Kyle Richards from RHOBH. 

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 & @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!

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/

LINKS:

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

https://amzn.to/3FAN1lP

Kosmu Hair Towel:

https://amzn.to/4icfBIM

ZeroZeroZero trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HoRfUKcvdY

Kyle Richards: 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724202/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah talk to Pulitzer Prize winning writer, Charles Duhigg, about his fantastic book Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection. One piece of advice? Ask the deep question. Then, in Day In The Life, they share a typical day in their work life right now. They’re kind of all over the place — in a good way! This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Charles’ Substack newsletter, The Science of Better — to improve a meeting, serve spicy food and pass out Vitamin D supplements. Finally, Sarah recommends the Charleston Artist Collective.

Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s newsletter at [email protected]. 

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!

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/

LINKS:

 

Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection:

https://amzn.to/4kw64h8

 

The Science of Better Substack newsletter:

https://charlesduhigg.substack.com/

 

Charleston Artist Collective:

https://charleston.artistcollectives.org/

 

Chris Dahlquist: 

https://chrisdahlquist.com/

Photo by Upsplash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.