Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Through my "Operation Knicks Knowledge" experiment, I've discovered that basketball rules evolve constantly—and one particular change reveals a profound truth about human nature. We manage what we monitor, and we encourage what we reward. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's …

In honor of our tenth anniversary, we revisit a fan-favorite episode: The one where Elizabeth talks about giving a Ped Egg to her mother-in-law. Many listeners cited this segment as one of the all-time funniest discussions on the show. We …

We explore a helpful approach for handling important tasks that can’t be dealt with at present, by stashing them in the metaphorical "messy closet" without guilt. Our happiness hack offers expert advice for managing social situations with difficult people. We …

During my family’s trip to Normandy, reading the D-Day guide for soldiers gave me the “America feeling.” Its plain words, aimed at soldiers headed to France, captured my dream for America. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn …

We share what's making us happier: Survivor Fantasy League and teachers herding middle schoolers on the subway. We discuss whether reading is having a cultural moment (we think so) and explore the differences between club soda, sparkling water, and seltzer. …

We explore the powerful practice of distilling your hard-earned observations into concise "Secrets of Adulthood,” such as "Working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination" and "The more I write, the more I write." We also talk about …

Three distinct childhood memories—from an art-carnival creator, a food writer, and a horror master—illuminate how the “luna parks” of our childhoods can live in our imaginations for our entire lives. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more …

For our 10th anniversary, we’re revisiting our very first episode of Happier. We discuss how the “one-minute rule” contributes to outer order and inner calm, the difference between a satisficer and a maximizer, and the one-coin loophole. Plus, for the …

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the podcast, we highlight our favorite ideas, hacks, and moments from the last decade. Everything from the “one-minute rule” to “clear the decks” to “give yourself a derby name” to Elizabeth’s famous recommendation of …

The inscription on an ancient Greek grave marker illustrates the purpose of preserving art across millennia. A grandmother's words about holding her beloved grandchild, both in life and death, bridge more than two thousand years. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit …