Liz and Sarah are happy to report that a feeling of positivity (at least regarding their life in Hollywood) has descended upon them in 2026. So far the evidence is just anecdotal, but it feels like things are getting better! And in a recent meeting, actor Joy Bryant offered a perfect 2026 slogan — Remix ‘26! In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah share their inclination to protect characters and how it (negatively) impacts storytelling. Don’t do it! Then, in Take A Hike, Sarah explains how she realized that gardening is her meditation practice. (Is Liz’s listening to Real Housewives podcasts?) This week’s Hollywood Hack is so obvious and yet many of us didn’t know about it — schedule your texts. Finally, Liz recommends the comedy special Robby Hoffman: Wake Up 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 & @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:

Joy Bryant:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0117146/

 

Robby Hoffman: Wake Up trailer: 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lTpP-tU_p7c

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hacks, hacks, and more hacks! Liz and Sarah have been saving up Hollywood Hacks, and today they reveal them all! Looking for an inexpensive Chardonnay? Tired of carrying around your laptop? From Sarah’s new food dehydrator to the personalized candle holders Liz is lusting after, there’s something for everyone. 

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, ’S please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!

 

LINKS:

Sous vide immersion circulator: 

https://amzn.to/3NjzSBE

 

Food dehydrator Psiidan:

https://amzn.to/4pJifZw

 

Kirkwood Signature Chardonnay at Costco:

https://sameday.costco.com/store/costco/products/19232553-kirkland-signature-chardonnay-sonoma-750ml-750-ml

 

Rhode Pocket Blush:

https://amzn.to/49pGneU

 

Il Makiage Power Camo Redness Defense Primer Treatment:

https://amzn.to/3YL14f0

 

Bandolier:

https://www.bandolierstyle.com/products/remi-magnet-wallet-crossbody-phone-case-black-gold

 

Bandolier AirPod Case:

https://www.bandolierstyle.com/products/avery-airpod-pouch-with-connector-black-gold?variant=39661605912612

 

Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad: 

https://amzn.to/49FqoYO

 

Effing Candle Co:

https://effingcandleco.com/collections/all?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19728636645&gbraid=0AAAAAoOI0LJqw9gzaJ-_UX7xz8IQxEG_s&gclid=CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTf5WMuVUCGZtfUJKmPKgHv43m0woB1bR8nYwSDwQxWuWfYIGl894VWRoCeIEQAvD_BwE

 

Personalized Candle Holders:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1629885648/your-favorite-person-as-a-candle-holder?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAiA64LLBhBhEiwA-Pxgu1Mvk7c-ggPeLOraabanutHFGR-qvZzy16xAhHhBl8BkYYiqkE_hshoCrj8QAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_21500568447_167985813319_716809480477_pla-303628061699_c__1629885648_12768591&utm_custom2=21500568447&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21500568447&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRLD7WyANrolfkMUNCMSL4VtH&gclid=CjwKCAiA64LLBhBhEiwA-Pxgu1Mvk7c-ggPeLOraabanutHFGR-qvZzy16xAhHhBl8BkYYiqkE_hshoCrj8QAvD_BwE

 

Curifurn Collapsible Rain Barrel:

https://amzn.to/4pyosXX

 

Marley’s Monsters Bowl Covers:

https://amzn.to/3NomzQn

 

Honeycomb Luxury Bamboo Toilet Paper: honeycombluxury.com/products/honeycomb-eco-friendly-toilet-tissue-24-rolls-box

 

Hydro Flask Micro Bottle:

https://amzn.to/3LfgIMI

 

Miss Mary of Sweden Bras: 

https://amzn.to/4bCbyVv

 

Forme Power Bra:

https://forme.science/collections/womens-tops/products/power-bra?tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=22353733358&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22353736001&gbraid=0AAAAABwYagDOubc5A1ubbWmb6a3Ep965B&gclid=CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTfzU5KS_dt7BRk7JYnXWBlYldWFR01BD8n9mmLNp4rdRRdRTEV0hqlxoCwawQAvD_BwE

 

Vibration Plate:

https://amzn.to/4sGmveL

 

Weighted Vest:

https://amzn.to/4qo258P

 

Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack:  https://happierinhollywood.substack.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah discuss their recent ChexMix ‘26 at the Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai. They covered everything from how to tackle getting a draft of their novel finished to prioritizing their 2026 slate to the possibility of getting into microdramas. Next: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to collaborate on a creative project? Now you can find out! In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah reveal a new feature they’re offering on Substack — BTS: Working Lunch. Every week, they’ll go live to let viewers drop in while they work on various projects. It may not be pretty, but it’s real! Next, in the Mailroom, they answer a question about why it seems like fewer shows are being greenlit. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Liz and Sarah’s amazing manager, Dianne Fraser: Easy Plant. Finally, Liz recommends the hotel bar and restaurant at the new El Roblar in Ojai. 

 

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:

Emerald Iguana Inn:

https://www.emeraldiguana.com/

 

Easy Plant:

https://easyplant.com/

 

El Roblar:

https://theroblar.com/dining-experiences/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah discuss what they learned about New Hollywood in 2025 and how those lessons are impacting their approach to 2026. The key? Buy in! In Take Two, Liz grills Sarah about her Year of No Buying. How did it go? Is she still an overbuyer? In Hits & Bombs, Liz gives a Hit to Sarah for introducing her to the wonders of Legend Planner, and Sarah gives a Hit to Violet for her skill at gift-giving. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your shower experience — Kitsch shampoo and conditioner bags. Finally, Sarah has an exciting recommendation related to her plan to roast a chicken every week in 2026 — her new Substack newsletter Chickening Out.

 

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:

Legend Planner: https://amzn.to/4ssHNww

 

Kitsch Bar Shampoo & Conditioner: https://amzn.to/4pqAB1c

 

Kitsch Bar Soap Saver Bags: https://amzn.to/4sqJNW5

 

Chickening Out Substack:  https://happierinhollywood.substack.com

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah are continuing their tradition of Roar ‘24 and Hive ‘25 with ChexMix ‘26. In a few days, they’ll spend the night at the Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai and plot the next year of their career. Also? They’ll drink wine. In Take A Hike, they each share a new practice for 2026. Inspired by the book I Remember by Joe Brainard, Liz is going to record memories about her beloved dad. Sarah is going to roast a chicken every week — and use items from her own garden to season it! Next, in Take Two, Sarah shares what she’s learned about her algorithm after their recent Alter Your Algorithm Challenge. This week’s Hollywood Hack is pure whimsy: Hinge Heads. Finally Liz recommends the new season of Vanderpump Rules on Bravo. 

 

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:

Emerald Iguana Inn:

https://www.emeraldiguana.com/

 

I Remember by Joe Brainard:

https://amzn.to/3MRFL8Q

 

Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell:

https://amzn.to/4j7q61a

 

Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein:

https://amzn.to/3MLnyKd

 

Hinge Heads:

Mushrooms: https://amzn.to/4pXnwh4

Chickens:https://amzn.to/4983t8c

Cats:https://amzn.to/4qr0HSM

 

Vanderpump Rules Season 12 trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oKgvwAFpHTE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah are celebrating 450 episodes of Happier In Hollywood by sharing listeners’ favorite takeaways (and a few of their own). Some winners? Volunteers not recruits. People succeed in groups. Show up as yourself. And everyone’s favorite “get to steppin’” story from friend-of-the-pod Nichelle Tramble Spellman. Also Liz manages to squeeze in a bonus recommendation — Heated Rivalry 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:

Lizness School podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lizness-school/id1775855173?i=1000724051123

 

Hard As Hoof: https://amzn.to/3MNqE0c

 

Giftful: https://giftful.com/

 

Ojai Olive Oil Company:

https://ojaioliveoil.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqbhG3DkQfiymLw1jcSSBpV9fH5oOg0hxWjQ37jq7JFiRuH0yn9

 

Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil:

https://freshpressedoliveoil.com/home/c/WA_GA_Q421_BRAND/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC_BRAND&utm_campaign=WA_GA_Q421_BRAND&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22221901806&gbraid=0AAAAADoizYfrLRUUFOb4CkqSC_Sa-fEUN&gclid=CjwKCAiA9aPKBhBhEiwAyz82J6_kErMjcVt0mo-aOsf5Enk4CqFZJEwSCfbOQbibUWv4o8ag81L8IxoCdgMQAvD_BwE

 

Fearless Negotiating: The Wish-Want-Walk Method to Reaching Solutions That Work by Michael Donaldson:

https://amzn.to/44JTW66

 

Heated Rivalry trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKO26odltss

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz and Sarah dive into the Mailroom with an all listener questions episode! What are their top tips for making sure your voice is heard in a meeting? Would Liz rather be a Traitor or a Faithful? Where in the world does Sarah most want to shoot a show? What do they think about the sale of WBD? They answer all these questions and many more!

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:

A Man on the Inside Season Two trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6UXdDbuNFc

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman:

https://amzn.to/4aeLcZa

Actress of a Certain Age by Jeff Hiller:

https://amzn.to/4s6AoD1

How to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast:

https://amzn.to/3MC5emG

Squid Game: The Challenge Season Two trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ4D7HA7Ov4

War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy:

https://amzn.to/4j8nOPy

Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel:

https://amzn.to/48u01Vj

Simon Haisell’s Footnotes and Tangents:

https://footnotesandtangents.substack.com

We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade by Elyse Arons: https://amzn.to/4j2mxtl

Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/hollywood/   #rulapod #ad

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.