Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Becoming a fan—of sports or anything—can improve your happiness. We share listener tips for dealing with people who share every boring detail of their latest trip.

Episode highlights:


Try This at Home: Become a fan— Research shows that fandom reduces loneliness and gives your life more structure, connection, and ritual [04:37]


Happiness Hack: Cross off the common denominator—When you're anxious about a decision, ask yourself: does this worry apply to every option? [14:45]


Listener strategies for dealing with travel bores: How to redirect the conversation and ask targeted questions that make travel stories actually interesting. [17:41]


Demerits & Gold Stars: Elizabeth's demerit: return timing regret; Gretchen's gold star: a perfect souvenir find. [25:03]

Mentioned in this Episode:

"Why Watching Sports Makes People Happy" — Time Magazine


Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer by Warren St. John (Amazon, Bookshop) 


There's Only One Sin in Hollywood by Rasheed Newson (Amazon, Bookshop)


The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Amazon, Bookshop)

Summer Bingo card + Design Your Summer tool — Happier App

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Website: gretchenrubin.com

Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft

Take the free Four Tendencies quiz

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify — it helps other listeners find the show!

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A star player for the NBA illustrates an important Secret of Adulthood: We don’t have to be good at something to be good at something.

Connect with Us:


Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com


Website: gretchenrubin.com


Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft


Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz.

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 

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

We revisit some of our favorite hacks and tips for designing a happier summer, including why you might choose a summer song, how to think about comfort versus adventure, and practical hacks for making summer more memorable, manageable, and fun.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Start Designing Your Summer on the Tools page of the Happier app, or ⁠download the app here⁠

Get in touch: ⁠podcast@gretchenrubin.com⁠

Visit⁠ Gretchen's website⁠ to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 

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

Stop renting space for stuff you've forgotten. Plus a simple framework for starting a new tradition.


Try This at Home: Make a new tradition — Why creating a deliberate, recurring ritual can strengthen relationships and make scheduling easier. [03:24]


Happiness Hack: Treat yourself like your own daughter — The latest in the “treat yourself like a___” series. [11:41]


Happiness Stumbling Block: Your storage unit is costing you more than you think. [12:52]


Listener Question: How do you set aside worry for a whole season? [20:15]


Demerits & Gold Stars: Gretchen's demerit: ongoing battle with foot exercises; Elizabeth's gold star: using the Design Your Summer tool in the Happier app. [28:30]

Mentioned in This Episode:

Design Your Summer tool

Atlas Obscura app

Habits for Happiness quiz


The Wreck of the Mentor by Eric J. Dolin (Amazon, Bookshop) 


The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (Amazon, Bookshop) 

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Website: gretchenrubin.com

Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft

Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies framework and take the free quiz.

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify — it helps other listeners find the show!

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A letter from Churchill demonstrates the value of courtesy, even—or perhaps especially—at moments of highest battle.

Connect with Us:


Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com


Website: gretchenrubin.com


Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft


Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz.

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show!

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 

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