Happier in Hollywood

The Onward Project
Happier in Hollywood

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.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Ep. 391: Hollywood Present & Future With Carole Kirschner

    Liz and Sarah sit down with friend of the pod and Entertainment Career Coach, Carole Kirschner, to discuss the state of Hollywood and what the future might hold. Carole’s advice to struggling writers? Keep working on your craft and meet as many people as you can. The business WILL turn around — eventually. In Take a Hike, Liz talks about why sometimes it’s good to surround yourself with people who don’t do what you do — like she did at a recent high school reunion in Kansas City. This week’s Hollywood Hack is courtesy of a listener: Turn your hangers around to keep track of what you’ve worn. Finally, Sarah has a TV show recommendation — The Great British Baking Show on Netflix. LINKS: Hollywood Game Plan: How to Land a Job in Film, TV and Digital Entertainment: Kirschner, Carole M.: 9781615930869 The Great British Baking Show trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aceBovEmm3w 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! 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

    31 min
  2. Ep. 390: Fall 2024 Burning Listener Questions: Part Two

    31 OCT

    Ep. 390: Fall 2024 Burning Listener Questions: Part Two

    Liz and Sarah announce their HIH Book Club selection — We Solve Murders by Richard Osman. Then they dive into more listener questions! How do Liz and Sarah maintain their close friendship? What are Sarah’s favorite skincare products? Would Liz consider applying to be on Survivor? Is it possible to stay positive in Hollywood right now? They answer all of these burning questions — and 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, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! LINKS: We Solve Murders: A Novelamazon.com Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen - SPF 40-1.7 fl oz - Invisible, Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen - Weightless, Scentless, and Oil Free - For All Skin Types and Skin Tonesamazon.com Nécessaire The Hand Retinol. Anti-Age Repair Serum. For Crepiness, Wrinkles, Spots, Brittle Cuticles. 0.25% Pure Retinol. 5% AHA. Dermatologist-Tested. Hypoallergenic. Non-Comedogenic.amazon.com CeraVe Anti-Aging Face Cream SPF 30 | Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides | 1.76 ozamazon.com Skin'ce.uticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Serum, Normal/Dry Skin, Anti-Aging 1 oz/30 mlamazon.com Biossance Rapid Radiance Setamazon.com Photo: Alexander Mils For 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

    33 min
  3. Ep. 388: Some Notes Never Go Away

    17 OCT

    Ep. 388: Some Notes Never Go Away

    As Liz and Sarah rewrite their latest pilot script, they’re reminded that some notes never go away. From story area to outline to script, there may be an issue that keeps bumping readers. Eventually, a solution will present itself— but it may take layers of work to get there. In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about why her new Oura Ring is helping her be healthier. Then Liz and Sarah give themselves a joint Hit for writing a pitch while waiting for script notes. And Liz gives a Bomb to Real Housewives who overly produce themselves. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you shop your closet — take time to experiment with outfits. Finally, Liz recommends Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix.  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: Shop Oura Ring 4: Stealthouraring.com Jon Bernthal | Actor, Producer, Additional Crewimdb.com ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ is Coming Soonnetflix.com Photo: Meg Aghamyan For 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

    30 min
  4. Ep. 387: Pilot Progress & Taking A “Sick” Day

    10 OCT

    Ep. 387: Pilot Progress & Taking A “Sick” Day

    Liz and Sarah are making progress on their pilot script — it’s gone to the producer. In this uncertain time in Hollywood, they’re making a point to celebrate all the small victories on the development path, and this is one of them! In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about why sometimes we all need to take a “sick” day — even if we’re not actually sick. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about why they still ALWAYS print a script — nothing takes the place of actual paper. This week they Amplify the Netflix documentary Will & Harper, in which Will Ferrell takes a cross-country road trip with his longtime friend (and former SNL head writer) Harper Steele, who recently came out as a trans woman. The Hollywood Hack comes from an HIH listener: Roc Paper Straws. Finally, Sarah has a yummy recipe recommendation — GF Jules Gluten Free Apple Bread. 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: Will & Harper | Official Trailer | Netflixyoutube.com New Home Pagerocpaperstraws.com Gluten Free Apple Bread Recipe made with #1-rated gfJules Flourgfjules.com Photo by: Allison Saeng 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
  5. Ep. 386: The Ease Of One Thing

    3 OCT

    Ep. 386: The Ease Of One Thing

    Right now Liz and Sarah are totally focused on writing their pilot script, and they’re loving that their time isn’t bifurcated or trifurcated (or even quadfurcated). In Take A Hike, Sarah shares how a recent visit from a repairman reminded her that sometimes a band-aid is good enough. At least for now. Then Liz and Sarah discuss the October theme of The Happiness Project Revisited — mindful investment. What does it mean and how are they going to embrace it? (Hint: It involves Move October.) This week’s Hollywood Hack will help heal your skin: Bio-Oil Skincare Oil. Finally, Liz recommends watching Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos on MAX.  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:  Give to Hurricane Helene relief: pathwnc.org Bio-Oil Skincare Oil, Serum for Scars and Stretchmarks, Face Body Moisturizer Dry Skin, with Organic Jojoba Oil Vitamin E, Natural Rosehip For All Skin Types, 4.2 ozamazon.com Wise Guy David Chase and The Sopranos | Official Trailer | HBOyoutube.com Photo by Mae Mu 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

    28 min
  6. 26 SEPT

    Ep. 385: Blank Page Stress & Dressing Up

    As Liz and Sarah write the first draft of their new pilot script, they remember all over again how hard it is to face a blank page. Rewriting is so much easier than writing! In Take A Hike, they discuss why they enjoyed dressing up (and doing their hair and make up) for a recent night out together. Then, in The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a question about how they became friends with a showrunner at the beginning of their career. Sarah swears this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your nails: Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream. Finally, Sarah has a book recommendation — Lovely One: A Memoir by Ketanji Brown Jackson. 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: HeadCount Homeheadcount.org Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream with Coconut Scent, Nail Growth & Conditioning Cuticle Cream Stops Splits, Chips, Cracks & Strengthens Nails, 1 ozamazon.com Lovely One: A Memoiramazon.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

    24 min
  7. Ep. 384: Set A Fall Agenda & Talking Even The Rich

    19 SEPT

    Ep. 384: Set A Fall Agenda & Talking Even The Rich

    It’s September, and Liz and Sarah are setting their fall work agenda. They plan to write a pilot, pitch at least one show, finish their novel, and more. Ambitious? Yes. Doable? They’ll report back! Then they interview Brooke Siffrin and Aricia Skidmore-Williams, the cohosts of the mega popular podcast, Even The Rich, about why they’re not mean, what makes people succeed, and how they’ve forged their own path in Hollywood. This week’s Hollywood Hack is perfect for a lunch out: get a purse hook hanger. Finally, Liz recommends the docuseries Chimp Crazy on MAX. 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: Even The Rich wondery.com iHELIA Purse Hook Hanger for Table (Signature) - Premium Bag Holder w/ 90, 180 Degree Rotatable Function Design (Black)amazon.com Chimp Crazy | Official Trailer | HBOyoutube.com Photo by Stephen Ellis 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

    33 min

About

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.

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