371 episodes

Veteran TV writers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain demystify Hollywood by making career and personal struggles universal. Friends since high school and writing partners for over 20 years, Liz and Sarah have survived and thrived in Tinseltown’s male-dominated entertainment industry, guided by blind optimism and a Midwestern work ethic. Along the way they've learned a lot about kicking ass, kissing ass, and office yoga.

Happier in Hollywood The Onward Project

    • Business
    • 4.9 • 125 Ratings

Veteran TV writers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain demystify Hollywood by making career and personal struggles universal. Friends since high school and writing partners for over 20 years, Liz and Sarah have survived and thrived in Tinseltown’s male-dominated entertainment industry, guided by blind optimism and a Midwestern work ethic. Along the way they've learned a lot about kicking ass, kissing ass, and office yoga.

    Ep. 363: Liz Friedman on The Good Doctor (And Other Stuff)

    Ep. 363: Liz Friedman on The Good Doctor (And Other Stuff)

    Liz and Sarah talk to The Good Doctor’s Co-Showrunner, Liz Friedman, about how she approached the end of the beloved series. In Take A Hike, they discuss the nature of friendship. What is the “one essential quality” that Liz and Sarah each value in the other? This week’s Hollywood Hack makes cleaning easy: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Finally, Sarah recommends a special episode of Bluey on Disney +.
    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!
    LINKS:
    Liz Friedman:
    Liz Friedman | Producer, Writer, Additional Crewimdb.com

    The Good Doctor:
    The Good Doctor (TV Series 2017–2024)  8.0 | Dramaimdb.com

    Mr. Clean Magic Eraser:
    Mr Clean Magic Eraser Original Cleaning Pads – Durable Melamine Sponges with Moofin Hand Sanitizer Dispenser - 2 Pads Magic Eraser for Walls, Floors, Kitchen Stains & Tough Messes ~ [Pack of 3]amazon.com

    Bluey:
    Bluey Official Website | Play Games, Watch Videos & More!bluey.tv

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

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    • 32 min
    Ep. 362: The Futility Of Attachment (Or Freedom From Fretting)

    Ep. 362: The Futility Of Attachment (Or Freedom From Fretting)

    Liz and Sarah talk about a Hollywood phenomenon that can be seen as positive or negative — everything changes all the time. Depending on their state of mind they call this “the futility of attachment” or “freedom from fretting.” In Take Two, Liz and Sarah share listener thoughts on True Fun, and answer a question about whether working on their novel is true fun for them. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you look more polished on Zoom — Quince Mongolian Cashmere sweaters. Then Sarah has a bonus hair Hollywood Hack — the L’Ange Le Volume 2-in-1 Titanium Brush Dryer. Finally, Liz recommends the MAX documentary series Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV.
    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!

    LINKS: 

    Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater:
    The $50 Cashmere Crewneck Sweaterquince.com

    Le Volumelangehair.com

    QUIET ON SET: THE DARK SIDE OF KIDS TV | Official Trailer (2024) | DOCUMENTARY| Film Threat Trailersyoutube.com

    Photo by Alicja Gancarz on Unsplash

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 25 min
    Ep. 361: Boundaries & (Orange) Theories

    Ep. 361: Boundaries & (Orange) Theories

    Liz and Sarah often talk about the importance of drawing boundaries. Today they pat themselves on the back for drawing a boundary at work — but can they maintain it in the future? In Take A Hike, inspired by Liz finally trying an Orange Theory Fitness class, they discuss the benefits of doing something you’ve been putting off. Then Liz and Sarah answer a Mailroom Question about how they stay (at least somewhat) upbeat on the podcast when they’re going through tough stuff. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you read more — the Kindle Paperwhite. Finally, Sarah has an old school recommendation: Smithsonian Magazine.
    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!
    LINKS:
    Orange Theory Fitness:
    Group Fitness Classes & Heart –Rate-Based Interval Trainingorangetheory.com

    Kindle Paperwhite:
    Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) – Now with a larger display, adjustable warm light, increased battery life, and faster page turns – Agave Greenamazon.com

    Smithsonian Magazine:
    Explore History, Science, Arts & Culturesmithsonianmag.com

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 27 min
    Ep. 360: A Special Episode: How To Be On Set

    Ep. 360: A Special Episode: How To Be On Set

    In this special episode, Liz and Sarah talk about a TV writer/producer’s role on set. Why are you there? (To help execute the Showrunner’s vision.) What should you do to prepare? (Go to lots of meetings!) What should you do during shooting? (Communicate with the director.) They also have several set Hollywood Hacks — wear layers, bring rain pants, avoid Craft Services, get a brightly colored bag, and wear Hokas! Finally, Liz recommends (again) a book by veteran Showrunner Jeff Melvoin, Running The Show: Television From The Inside. 
    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!

    LINKS:
    Jeff Melvoin:
    Jeff Melvoinjeffmelvoin.com

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 32 min
    Ep. 359: Big Boo To Bake Offs!

    Ep. 359: Big Boo To Bake Offs!

    Liz and Sarah talk about bake offs — what are they, and why do TV writers hate them? So many reasons! In Take A Hike, they talk about the art of taking compliment. Just say “thank you.” Then they give a Hit to IATSE and the Teamsters, who are in the middle of contract negotiations with the AMPTP. And Sarah gives a Bomb to electric car infrastructure. We need more chargers! This week’s Hollywood Hack will make your brows beautiful: Elf Brow Mascara. Finally, Sarah recommends the decluttering episode of the podcast Ologies, and Liz recommends Kara Swisher’s new book — Burn Book: A Tech Love Story
    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!
    LINKS:
    Dabble: 
    Dabble | Craft your Storydabblewriter.com

    Jill Whelan:
    Jill Whelan | Actress, Writer, Producerimdb.com

    Elf Brow Mascara:
    e.l.f. Clear Lash & Brow Mascara 2-Pack, Conditioning Clear Brow & Lash Gel For Grooming, Defining & Separating, Long-Lasting, Vegan & Cruelty-Freeamazon.com

    Ologies podcast:

    Oikology (DECLUTTERING) Encore with Jamie & Filip Hord + Joe FerrariOlogies with Alie Ward · March 12, 2024

    Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher:
    Burn Booksimonandschuster.com

    Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 25 min
    Ep. 358: Great Expectations & True Fun

    Ep. 358: Great Expectations & True Fun

    Liz and Sarah are writing the second draft of their novel, and it’s getting so much better. But now that they feel the book has the potential to be great, the pressure is on! They just have to remember that writing is rewriting. In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about True Fun as defined by Catherine Price’s book The Power of Fun. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve the look of any room — add some unexpected red! Finally, Liz recommends Masters of the Air on Apple TV. 
    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!

    LINKS:

    True Fun:
    The Power of Fun Hubcatherineprice.com


    Unexpected Red:
    Designers say ‘unexpected red’ really works. Here’s how to use it.washingtonpost.com


    Masters of the Air trailer:
    Masters of the Air — Official Trailer | Apple TV+youtube.com

    Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe on Unsplash

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
125 Ratings

125 Ratings

Cate-F. ,

Love this podcast!

It’s one of my favourites I’ve never not liked an episode and I adore both Sarah & Liz!

SenseiBat ,

One of my favourite podcasts

This podcast such fun. I never miss a weekly episode and never have a back log as I enjoy it so much. Even if you are not a tv writer there is so much to get out of the ideas.

lucyinedinburgh ,

So interesting, even for someone not in Hollywood

Love the practical advice from Liz and Sarah - a great listen!

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