Happier in Hollywood

The Onward Project
  • 4.8 (2.4K)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Happier in Hollywood Podcast

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. 4 HR. AGO

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

    SEP 19

    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
  3. Ep. 383: Embrace The Heads Up

    SEP 12

    Ep. 383: Embrace The Heads Up

    Liz and Sarah talk about getting a “heads up” before a notes call, and why having notes in advance is so helpful to the development process. In Take A Hike, they share why they’ve decided to start every workday with a ten minute meditation. Next, Liz and Sarah share two productivity tips in The Craft (& Fain). One: Label the days of the week on the calendar. Two: Set the meeting (even if you’re not ready). This week’s Hollywood Hack is a free feature on your iPhone: background noise. Finally, Sarah recommends the NPR podcast Code Switch. 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: npr.org Photo by Maria Lupan 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

    30 min
  4. Ep. 382: Work Together Wednesdays

    SEP 5

    Ep. 382: Work Together Wednesdays

    Based on the level of productivity and flow they had during their recent time together in Ojai, Liz and Sarah are determined to spend more time in the same room — thus, they are starting Work Together Wednesdays. In HIH WFH (Happier In Hollywood Work From Home), they have a rant about wanting to return to an office. Liz is ready to wear real outfits, and Sarah is tired of sitting in her bedroom all day. Then Sarah gives herself and Violet a Hit for making the most of their summer. Liz gives herself a Bomb for letting various invites get lost in her inbox. This week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Sarah’s recent birthday — take advantage of birthday freebies! Finally, Liz recommends watching Love Is Blind UK on Netflix for some end-of-summer viewing fun.  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: 201 Birthday Freebies For Adults & Kids in 2024! (Treat Yourself)thefrugalgirls.com Watch Love Is Blind: UK | Netflix Official Sitenetflix.com Photo by engin akyurt 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

    31 min

  5. AUG 29

    Ep. 381: Million Dollar Advice!

    Want to know how to deal with a toxic work environment? Curious about the best way to give feedback to a Gen Z staffer? Wondering if you should change jobs? This is the episode for you! Today Liz and Sarah talk to Kim Lessing and Kate Arend, the Co-Heads of Film and TV at Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions, about their funny, insightful podcast — Million Dollar Advice. This week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Sarah’s recent outing to see the original Footloose: Find out if your local movie theater has special releases. Finally, Sarah recommends watching Oprah Winfrey’s DNC speech. 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: Million Dollar AdvicePineapple Street Studios and Paper Kite Podcasts Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Ups Kate Arend & Kim Lessing As Brooke Posch Departsdeadline.com WATCH: Oprah Winfrey's full speech urging voters to choose joy by choosing Harris at the DNCyoutube.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

    33 min

  6. AUG 22

    Ep. 380: Revisiting Upward Spirals & Skinny Versus Fat IP

    Liz and Sarah recently met with a development executive who pointed out that no matter how chaotic Hollywood gets, the work we do is the same. They discuss how this notion helps them stay calm this time of anxiety. In a Take Two about Upward Spirals, Sarah reveals what she’s doing to get back into Upward Spiral mode. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they talk about skinny vs. fat IP. Which do they prefer, and why? This week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Sarah’s new interest in coffee: the Aromaster Burr Coffee Grinder. Finally, Liz recommends the book Cue The Sun! The Invention of Reality TV by Emily Nussbaum.  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: Aromaster Burr Coffee Grinder, Coffee Bean Grinder with 25 Grind Setting, Espresso Grinder with 51-53mm Portafilter Holder, 2-12 Cups Timer, Conical Coffee Grinders for Home Use/Pour Over/French Pressamazon.com Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TVamazon.com Photo by Jan Canty 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

  7. AUG 15

    Ep. 379: Being Consequential & Sarah’s Wellness Journal

    Liz and Sarah use several criteria when choosing which TV projects they want to pursue — a world they love, interesting characters, stories with legs. Now they’re adding a new one… is the material consequential? And what does that mean to them? In Take A Hike, Sarah shares how her new Wellness Journal is helping on her health quest. In Hits & Bombs, Liz and Sarah give a Hit to the Olympics. And then Liz gives Sarah a Hit for organizing her bedroom closet, and Sarah gives Liz a Hit for making two trips to Ojai. This week’s Hollywood Hack is an inexpensive way to protect your privacy: a computer camera cover. Finally, Sarah recommends the TV show McDonald & Dodds on Britbox. 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: IMNEXT2U Laptop Camera Cover Slide Cute Ultra Thin Webcam Cover Phone Camera Blocker to Protect Privacy for Computer, iPhone, Desktop, Tablet, Chromebook, PC - Daisyamazon.com McDonald & Dodds - Mysterybritbox.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

    28 min

  8. AUG 8

    Ep. 378: Double Roar 24!

    In honor of All Work August, Liz and Sarah started the month with an intense two days of work at Sarah’s house in Ojai. They realized all over again how productive they are when they’re in the same room, and they’re determined to make it happen more often in the months to come. In Take Two, they revisit the topic of to dream crush or not to dream crush when giving advice about making it in Hollywood. Next they share why work can be a useful form of procrastination in The Craft (& Fain). This week’s Hollywood Hack was inspired by Liz and Sarah’s recent viewing of the Suits pilot: Don’t assume you know (what something is). Finally, Liz recommends a book for anyone interested in upping their entertaining game — That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life: Creative Gatherings and Self-Care with the Cheese by Numbers Method by Marissa Mullen. 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: Suits trailer: Suits: Season 1 Traileryoutube.com That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life: Creative Gatherings and Self-Care with the Cheese By Numbers Methodamazon.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

    30 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
2,379 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    The Onward Project
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2024
  • Episodes
    393
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 588793
  • Show Website
    Happier in Hollywood

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