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 &...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Liz and Sarah are back from their trip to Seattle, where they were researching a new pilot project. They discuss the many benefits of immersing themselves in research, including having ideas they never would have had at home in their offices. Plus, they both slept GREAT. In Take A Hike, they reflect on No Spend February. Sarah’s main takeaway? She needs to “store it at the store.” In Hits & Bombs, Liz and Sarah give Seattle listeners a big Hit for showing up to the HIH meet up at The...

Liz and Sarah talk about how they’re coping with what they call “priority whiplash.” They have to be ready to jump off one work project and onto another when opportunity arises. Next, they interview author Chelsey Goodan about her new book, Underestimated: The Wisdom And Power Of Teenage Girls. What’s the best way to give a compliment? What is the Feelings Wheel? And how should we reframe worry to keep it from becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy? This week’s Hollywood Hack is for everyone...

Liz and Sarah have a ton of work to do, but they’re having trouble getting into “the flow.” How can they stop being distracted by ping ponging projects and focus on one thing at a time? In Take A Hike, Liz shares her happiness dilemma. She loves being social but she always dreads whatever plan she’s made once she’s made it. Then Sarah talks about why she created a “cloffice,” and how it has transformed her work life. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help with flow: use a 2 cup thermal coffee...

When it comes to pitching, Liz and Sarah are usually the ones who are talking rather than listening. Today they share what they learned when they listened to another writer’s pitch. In The Happiness Project Revisited segment, Sarah shares what she’s doing for the February theme of energy — including going to bed by 10:30PM, the Prolon fast, and Pilates. Next, in They will Craft (& Fain) Liz and Sarah talk about Dabble Writer, which they’ve started using to write their novel. This week’s...

Liz and Sarah discuss how a great meeting with an executive made them realize how much their perception shapes their reality. Even though technically nothing has changed in terms of Hollywood “getting back to normal,” it suddenly feels like it has. And that’s a good thing! In Take A Hike, Sarah describes the benefits of Kirtan Kriya meditation. Then Liz and Sarah answer a Mailroom question about how ethical writers were (or weren’t) during the strike. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you...

Liz and Sarah headed to The Emerald Iguana Inn for their first “Roar 24,” an intense, twenty-four hour work session. They finished a draft of their latest pitch and made (some) headway on their novel. In Take A Hike, they discuss why it’s fun to “embrace your core.” Are you Cottagecore like Sarah? Or maybe Valleymomcore like Liz? Define your own core! In Hits & Bombs, Liz and Sarah give a Hit to the 2024 Grammys and Bomb to themselves for deciding to change all of their characters’ names...

Liz and Sarah had an insight after a recent notes call about a pitch they’re working on— it’s a lot easier to give good notes on good material. If you’re getting bad notes, examine your project to determine if you need to make a fundamental change. In Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah share why they’re doing No Spend February and reveal exactly what items are included. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss why you might want to come up with a tagline for your project — whether it’s a TV...

Liz and Sarah are celebrating the 350th episode of HIH with Winter Listener Questions. Why did Liz’s mom have Liz and Gretchen six years apart? What tips does Sarah have for adding a new puppy to the family? Will Liz and Sarah host a NON-writing HIH retreat? What writers room from the past do they wish they could go back and be a part of? Liz and Sarah answer all these questions and so many more! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain &...

Liz and Sarah discuss what they learned by reading the full first draft of their novel. Lesson One? Don’t waste time trying to make it perfect! Then friend of the pod Brook Sitgraves Turner joins Liz and Sarah to talk about her latest project — the amazing documentary, Brief Tender Light, directed by Arthur Musah. Next they introduce a new monthly segment for 2024 — The Happiness Project: Revisited. This month Sarah shares her 24 for 24 list. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you smell...

All of Sarah and Liz’s New Year momentum has been sucked away by Influenza A and Covid-19. To regain their sense of purpose, they’ve decided that January 16 will be their new New Year’s Day. In Take A Hike, they discuss how asking how decision making is made easier by asking yourself, “Is it a 10?” Pondering a rich dessert? Is it a 10? Contemplating a new side project? Is it a 10? Then they answer a Mailroom question about why there might be multiple projects about the same subject matter....

Now that it’s 2024, Liz and Sarah are outlining their goals for the year — as a team and as individuals. First on the list? Sell their novel! In Take A Hike, Sarah announces that she intends to use her new Pilates reformer one hundred and fifty times this year, and Liz says she’s going to take fifty classes at Orange Theory. In The Mailroom, they respond to a listener who wants to know what they mean when they talk about “breaking” an episode. This week Sarah has a Hollywood Hack that will...

Liz loves reality TV, so today she’s in for a treat! Liz and Sarah talk to non-fiction showrunner Rebecca Graham Forde about all things reality TV. How is showrunning a non-fiction show different from a drama? How is it the same? And is it really REAL? Then, in The Mailroom, Rebecca answers a question from a listener who wants to pitch a show about kittens in New York City. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you get dressed in the morning: Remind yourself what you have in your closet....

Fifteen years ago, Gretchen Rubin’s book The Happiness Project changed Sarah’s life—it helped her decide to have her amazing daughter, Violet. Now Sarah wants to get happier again with Gretchen’s new course The Happiness Project: Revisited. Gretchen joins Liz and Sarah to talk about what Sarah can expect from the course in the year ahead. One thing? More energy! Then Gretchen has a Hollywood Hack that will definitely make all of us happier: Suit yourself! Don’t get discouraged when something...

As 2023 comes to an end, Liz and Sarah discuss their favorite everything from the year. From Liz’s favorite Real Housewives podcast (Drama Darling) to Sarah’s favorite little thing that had a big impact (her gorgeous new salad bowl), to their favorite team activity (the HIH Retreat at the Johnny Cash Ranch), they cover it all!  Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook...

Liz and Sarah share their Team Theme for 2024 — Hear Us Roar 2024! They also reveal their personal words for the year. Sarah’s is “steps” and Liz’s is “book.” In Take Two, they revisit the topic of Sarah making salads, which has sparked a major discussion in the HIH FB group! This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you impress when entertaining: Don’t be afraid to prepare for an occasion early. Possibly years early. Finally, Sarah recommends watching the documentary series Beckham on...

Christmas is coming, and Liz and Sarah are determined to finish a first draft of their novel. But they’ve made a slight adjustment to their plan — since so much is changing, they’re going to leave the last third of the book in outline form until the next the draft. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares an idea that listener Laura discovered on TikTok — plan a 90 Day Dinner with friends when times are tough. In Hits & Bombs, Sarah gives listener Melissa a Hit for being Sarah’s salad tutor. And Liz...

The Holiday Season is upon us! Liz and Sarah share their favorite gifts for 2023, including Cal Pak’s water bottle sling, puzzle sorting trays, dry erase wall dots, Oofos slides, and gift boxes from the Women’s Bean Project. Plus, so much 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...

Liz and Sarah talk to one of their oldest friends, Todd Schulkin, who is a manger, producer, and Executive Director of The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy. He’s also the guy who got them their first agent in Hollywood, and he has tips for pre-WGA writers about how to land an agent or manager. (Spoiler alert: A coherent logline is key.) Then they have a Hollywood Hack that will help you turn off the TV and go to sleep: When you’re binging a show, watch the teaser for the next episode,...