Happier in Hollywood

A recent pitch reminded Liz and Sarah that there are many ways to win at work. Maybe they’ll sell their project, maybe they won’t. But either way it’s meaningful to connect with executives — both ones they’ve known for years and ones they’ve never met before. In Take A Hike, they talk about Purge November! What are the questions Sarah is asking herself when deciding what to do with an item? This week’s Hollywood Hack is courtesy of grief counselor and career strategist Laverne McKinnon: Remind yourself, “Pleasure doesn’t have to be earned by solving all my problems first.” Finally, Liz recommends the new hit documentary You Can See Everything about Elizabeth Holmes. 

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

Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll 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. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

LINKS:

This is Grief Too with Laverne McKinnon podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1671938716?i=1000798170764

You Can See Everything trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvW_N5p1q44

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah discuss excising a pain point from their latest TV pitch — they’ve cut the pilot description WAY down, which is always the hardest to write and the least fun to listen to. Then, in Take A Hike, Sarah shares why it’s a good idea to buy season tickets. In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about their decision to drill down on the beginning of their novel. This week’s Hollywood Hack is perfect for holiday travel: the Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Small Weekender bag. Finally, Liz and Sarah have a joint recommendation — the October 20th, 2026 episodes of the MeSsy podcast, hosted by Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler. 

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 and Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. They’ll 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, ’S please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

LINKS:

Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Small Weekender:

https://www.loandsons.com/products/catalina-deluxe-small-eco-friendly-canvas-deep-navy?variant=42412045828192&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=Catalina_Deluxe&=utm_term=&tw_source=google&tw_adid=826744390444&tw_campaign=24310967696&tw_kwdid=aud-536150889810:pla-2379794906601&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24310967696&gbraid=0AAAAADogCDNSlL8_VYfRP8OiCTbq6ijIB&gclid=CjwKCAjwl4HXBhAjEiwAHlpWhNsbbenXluiGlYavGDz_4c81HXjd3yZyP7HyzJQrEHuuFRsO_RbRkxoCiGcQAvD_BwE

Helen Jon Mahj Tote:

https://www.helenjon.com/products/mahj-tote-fatigue

MeSsy podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/messy-with-christina-applegate-jamie-lynn-sigler/id1734318382?i=1000797230355

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What did the Elizabeth Holmes documentary leave out about the Theranos scandal? Just 34 days before reporting to federal prison, Elizabeth Holmes invited a documentary crew into her life. Now, the new Nathan Fielder documentary, You Can See Everything, is raising even more questions about one of the most infamous fraud cases in recent history.

In this special feed drop from Lemonada Media's new true crime podcast, Criminally Online, Manhattan public defender Eliza Orlins and criminal law professor Thea Johnson break down the documentary, the Theranos controversy, and the legal questions taking over the internet. Was Holmes a calculating fraudster or a victim of an abusive relationship? Did having children influence public sympathy? And how much of a criminal conviction can hinge on a single word: "can"?

From the Theranos trial to the internet's latest theories, Eliza and Thea separate legal facts from speculation and unpack what the documentary doesn't tell you.

Love what you hear? Follow Criminally Online on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts for more true crime, trending legal cases, and pop culture controversies explained by actual legal experts.

Spoiler Warning: This episode contains spoilers for You Can See Everything.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah are psyching themselves up for free range writing! They’re about to start a draft of their spec pilot, Angry, Unlikable, Women, and they want to write like nobody’s watching. Then, in Making It Happen, they talk to romantasy novelist Amy Suto about how she successfully pivoted from a burgeoning television career to writing novels and a hit Substack. One piece of advice? Find your superpower and lean into it. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you pronounce tricky names and words: youglish.com. Finally, Liz recommends the new HBO Max show, War.

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

Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll 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. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

LINKS:

Amy Suto:

https://www.amysuto.com/

Write for Money & Power by Amy Suto:

https://link.amazon/B0gihe9yv

Youglish:

https://youglish.com/

Wells Adams:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8141895/

War trailer:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah discuss the joy they’re getting from their work — which is helping Sarah cope with her puppy-related Season of Sacrifice. Then they talk to grief coach and career strategist Laverne McKinnon about the grief of getting rid of stuff. Should Liz let go of her work momentos? Is it disrespectful of Sarah to get rid of her grandmother’s china? Laverne has advice! This week’s Hollywood Hack makes a tedious task easy: the Ogee Makeup Brush Cleaner. Finally, Sarah recommends the 3Racha Sessions Podcast featuring Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. 

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 and Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. They’ll 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, ’S please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

LINKS:

This Is Grief Too:

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

Laverne McKinnon:

https://www.lavernemckinnon.com/

Ogee Makeup Brush Cleaner: 

https://link.amazon/B09Ew4R6N

3Racha Sessions Podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsRe1HOD2e0

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah discuss the anxiety surrounding the Paramount/Warner Brothers merger that has all of Hollywood speculating about where the chips will fall. In Take A Hike, Sarah reveals why she’s decided to take silent showers from now on. Then, in HIH WFH (Happier In Hollywood Work From Home), they talk about the downsides of working in bed. This week’s multi-product Hollywood Hack is for anyone with a puppy: Paw Inspired Washable Crate Liners, Woof Pupcicles, Kong Knot dog toys, and Martingale collars. Finally, Liz recommends the book Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe.

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. 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’ll come right to your inbox!

Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!

LINKS:

Paw Inspired Washable Crate Liners: https://link.amazon/B01JofQBI

WOOF Pupsicle Dog Treat Toy:https://link.amazon/B048sqrQr

WOOF Pupsicle Balanced Belly Mix: https://link.amazon/B0cVHhbOU

Kong Floppy Knots Rope and Plush Dog Toy (Hippo): https://link.amazon/B0ed0EoDK

Martingale Dog Collar: https://link.amazon/B0g7Ag5Am

Jean Smart:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005443/

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty: https://link.amazon/B0dFC1oNi

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah examine what’s working (and what’s not) over on their HIH Substack. They love live videos but are wary about overloading readers’ inboxes. In their new segment in honor of Dolly Parton, Cup of Ambition, they talk about why it’s important to define your ambition. What is it you actually WANT? Then Liz gives a Hit to the fearless Megan Stalter, and Sarah gives herself a Bomb for being inconsistent with her Chickening Out newsletter. This week’s Hollywood Hack is great for organization and pleasing to look at: the Steele Canvas Elevated Truck. Finally, Sarah recommends Whistler by Ann Patchett.

Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at ⁠⁠https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com⁠⁠ and Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack at ⁠⁠https://happierinhollywood.substack.com⁠⁠. They’ll 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, ’S please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

LINKS:

Megan Stalter:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11005835/

Steele Canvas Elevated Truck:

https://www.steelecanvas.com/products/elevated-truck-permanent-canvas-3bu?variant=712931675&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cse&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23507190718&gbraid=0AAAAACaJfDslJgf3Y7ScpNxDpGRkpaktT&gclid=CjwKCAjwwrPVBhA1EiwAv_YO-VIQ2f2GtPNBnX4NcoLeAJKjfpjxstk2J92-qJx0XJDiVXBXEWXe0BoCTDMQAvD_BwE

Whistler by Ann Patchett:

https://link.amazon/B0eeK2FzQ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah often talk about feeling pulled in a thousand directions during their work day. But lately, they’ve been significantly less fractured — and it’s great! The only problem? It won’t last. In Take A Hike, they revisit the subject of Season of Sacrifice. Sarah is in one with her new puppy, Pumpkin Spice. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about what makes a good logline and read a couple of their past favorites. This week’s Hollywood Hack will keep your floors clean:  the Tineco Floor One Stretch S6 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner. Finally, Liz recommends The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah.

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

Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll 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. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

LINKS:

Tineco Floor One Stretch S6 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner: https://link.amazon/B07Om51K6

Bissell TurboClean Pet Upright:

https://link.amazon/B08JM4NHK

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah:

https://link.amazon/B0gBgCIgr

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah have discovered that, for them, productivity is the best medicine. After a major disappointment they thought about taking the day off and wallowing in bed. Instead, they had an incredibly productive work day and felt SO MUCH better. From now on, they’re going to implement a No Wallow Policy. In Take A Hike, Liz shares Jack’s advice to “start in neutral.” Then they answer a Mailroom question about their writing nemeses — both as a team and as individuals. Liz shares this week’s makeup Hollywood Hack: the Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick. Finally, Sarah recommends the book Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. 

LINKS:

You Can See Everything documentary trailer:

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

Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick: 

⁠https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/dior-forever-skin-perfect-stick?ID=5222087&swatchColor=0.5N+Neutral⁠

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee:

⁠https://link.amazon/B0iSQj47G⁠

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 and Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack at ⁠https://happierinhollywood.substack.com⁠. They’ll 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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah check in on their 2026 Team Theme “Be the Bee,” and decide to update it to “Be the Killer Bee.” In Take A Hike, Liz shares a strategy for putting yourself in the right mindset for the day. Then they answer a Mailroom question about how they battle internal doubt about whether an idea “has already been done.” This week’s Hollywood Hack is for all the bread bakers: the Mercer Culinary Bread Knife. Finally, Liz recommends the drama Drops of God on Apple TV.

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. 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’ll come right to your inbox!

Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!

LINKS:

Dry Erase Dots: https://amzn.to/4iLrto0

Lian Dolan:

https://www.liandolan.com/

Liz Dolan:

https://satellitesisters.com/about-lian-liz-and-julie-dolan/

Mercer Culinary Bread Knife: https://amzn.to/4h9vwJG

Drops of God Season 1 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XxSeLUwRDM

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices