Happier in Hollywood artwork

Happier in Hollywood

365 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 2.4K ratings

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.

Careers Business Education Self-Improvement health business entrepreneur entrepreneurship leadership interview productivity women family science
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Ep. 356: Coping With “Priority Whiplash”

March 07, 2024 08:00 - 29 minutes

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 who...

Ep. 355: Failing At Flow

February 29, 2024 08:00 - 31 minutes

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 p...

Ep. 354: What We Learned From Listening

February 22, 2024 08:00 - 28 minutes

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 Holly...

Ep. 353: Nothing Changed But Everything Changed

February 15, 2024 08:00 - 29 minutes

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 ...

Ep. 352: Our First “Roar 24” & Embrace Your Core

February 08, 2024 08:00 - 29 minutes

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 befo...

Ep. 351: Bad Work = Bad Notes & No Spend February

February 01, 2024 08:00 - 27 minutes

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 pitch or...

Ep. 350: 2024 Winter Listener Questions Episode!

January 25, 2024 08:00 - 31 minutes

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 & @LizCraft Visit o...

Ep. 349: Novel Lessons!

January 18, 2024 08:00 - 35 minutes

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 goo...

Ep. 348: A New New Year!

January 11, 2024 08:00 - 30 minutes

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. Sa...

Ep. 347: 2024 Goals And More Goals!

January 04, 2024 08:00 - 26 minutes

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 ke...

Ep. 346: Getting Real About Reality TV

December 28, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes

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. Final...

Ep. 345: Sarah’s Getting Happier With Gretchen Rubin

December 21, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes

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 ...

Ep. 344: Liz & Sarah’s 2023 Favorites!

December 14, 2023 08:00 - 34 minutes

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 group: ht...

Ep. 343: Liz & Sarah’s 2024 Team Theme!

December 07, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes

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 Netflix. Ge...

Ep. 342: Novel Plans & An Unsubscribe Spree

November 30, 2023 08:00 - 28 minutes

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 give...

Ep. 341: Liz & Sarah’s 2023 Gift Guide!

November 23, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes

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 ‘The Onwar...

Ep. 340: Julia Child & How To Get A Rep With Manager Todd Schulkin

November 16, 2023 08:00 - 37 minutes

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, th...

Ep. 339: Forging A Path Through Chaos

November 09, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes

Liz and Sarah discuss their plan to forge a clear path amidst the post-WGA strike chaos. That includes committing to finishing a first draft of their novel before Christmas! In Take A Hike, they talk about the benefit of creating a discussion agenda. Then Liz and Sarah give themselves a Bomb for letting the HIH website falter, and listener Laura gets a Hit for reaching out about fixing it. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your Zoom meetings: put parchment over your ring light to preven...

Ep. 338: Creativity Begets Creativity

November 02, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes

When Liz and Sarah sat down to discuss ideas for their next HIH retreat, they realized having one idea made it easier to have another and another. Creativity begets creativity! In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about the benefit of knowing your neighbors. She even borrowed an actual cup of sugar from someone on her cul-de-sac! Liz and Sarah answer a question about how to know if your child might be a future writer in The Mailroom. (Note: Asking for a typewriter is a definite sign.) This week’s Holl...

Ep. 337: The HIH Retreat Retro!

October 26, 2023 07:00 - 33 minutes

The Happier In Hollywood Retreat 2023 is in the books! It was a huge success, and now Sarah and Liz are discussing what was fantastic (the people, the place, the sound bath, the conversation) and what they’d change for the next one (less food). In Take A Hike, inspired by the weekend, they talk about the Magic of Community. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they share a writing exercise (suggested by a retreat attendee) designed to help you tell your story in meetings. This week’s Hollywood Hack w...

Ep. 336: All The Scary Things Rolled Into One Retreat

October 19, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes

Liz and Sarah are prepping for the 2023 HIH Retreat. It’s all the scary things rolled into one — entertaining, public speaking, meeting new people. They’re excited but nervous! In Take A Hike, Sarah discusses why she’s happy she found a volunteer opportunity that works for her (spoiler alert: dogs are involved). This week’s Hollywood Hack makes working at home more pleasant and quite possibly more productive: Try a work change of scene in your home. Then Liz had another Celebrity Sighting: Ti...

Ep. 335: The Beauty Of Busy-Ness

October 12, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes

Liz and Sarah are back to work on several development projects, and after such a long strike they are very much appreciating the beauty of being busy. In A Day In The Life, they talk about how they’re spending their time now that life for WGA writers is getting back to “normal.” One thing they’re happy about? They’re still making time to do things they care about outside of work. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they talk about why they always take their own notes. This week’s Hollywood Hack is a...

Ep. 334: Getting Our Work Legs Back

October 05, 2023 07:00 - 25 minutes

The WGA strike is over! Liz and Sarah discuss how they’re getting their work legs back as they pick up projects where they left off five months ago. One essential step? Setting deadlines for themselves! In Take A Hike, they talk about why they’ve created a one-time book group to discuss Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Dr. Peter Attia. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Sarah: get your local farm box. In Celebrity Sightings, Liz reveals that she saw Nicole Richie and husband Joel...

Ep. 333: Celebrating The End Of The WGA Strike!

September 28, 2023 07:00 - 27 minutes

Liz and Sarah are ecstatic! The WGA strike is FINALLY coming to an end! They discuss how it feels to be on the other side of the battle, and what they’re looking forward to in the weeks and months to come. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares why she had a Gratitude Day, and Liz decides to have one too. Then they answer a Mailroom question about whether they get segment ideas from listeners. The answer? Yes! To illustrate the point, Liz and Sarah share a bunch of fantastic recommendations they recent...

Ep. 332: Time To Pause And Reconnect

September 21, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes

Liz and Sarah are halfway through a draft of their novel. Yay! They explain why they’ve decided to take a moment to pause and reconnect with the characters before they plow forward to the finish line. In The Mailroom, they answer a question about how to finish a pitch meeting. Then they have a WGA strike Hit and a WGA strike Bomb. This week’s Hollywood Hack is something Sarah discovered when she moved into her house in Ojai — fridge organizers. Finally, Liz recommends The Retrievals podcast. ...

Ep. 331: Turn A Chore Into A Pleasure & Set A New Goal

September 14, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes

As the WGA strike continues to drag on, Liz and Sarah each offer a Take A Hike idea to boost mental, physical, and spiritual health. Sarah’s suggestion? Turn a chore into a pleasure by using it as time to connect with someone. Meanwhile, Liz decided to set a new goal to distract herself from strike stress — she’s upped her Fryman 50 to Fryman 100! In the Mailroom, they answer a question about how to deal with financial instability as a writer. Then this week’s Hollywood Hack comes from a list...

Ep. 330: Running The Show With Jeff Melvoin

September 07, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes

Liz and Sarah talk to veteran showrunner Jeff Melvoin about his new book, Running The Show: Television From The Inside. What’s the biggest mistake first time showrunners make? How does he approach delegating? This book is essential reading for anyone who aspires to be a showrunner. This week’s Hollywood Hack is great for those looking to collaborate: Canva for Teams. Plus, Liz had a Celebrity Sighting — Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson! Finally, Liz recommends Mindhunter on Netflix.  Get...

Ep.329: A Johnny Cash Ranch Retreat & Getting Back On The Horse!

August 31, 2023 07:00 - 30 minutes

Liz and Sarah discuss how the benefits of spending time together (actually in the same room for a whole day) led them to their big announcement: They’re hosting an HIH Retreat at the Johnny Cash Ranch in Ojai October 2–22! Email them at [email protected] for more details! In Take A Hike, they resolve to get back on the health horse now that summer is over. On the list? Hiking, eating well, writing, and meditation for Sarah. They also answer a Mailroom question about how they approa...

Ep. 328: Summer 2023 Listener Questions!

August 24, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes

As Summer 2023 winds down, Sarah and Liz are answering listener questions. What do they think will happen when the strike is over? Does Sarah refuse to cuddle any of Violet’s “icky” pets? Did Liz and Sarah have sleepovers with each other when they were younger? They discuss all this and so much more— including their upcoming HIH Retreat in Ojai!  Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our...

Ep. 327: Burn It Down With Mo Ryan

August 17, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes

Liz and Sarah talk to journalist Maureen Ryan about her incredible new book — Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call For Change In Hollywood. What was the emotional impact of writing about toxicity in Hollywood? What concrete steps can be taken to make the entertainment industry better for everyone? This week’s Hollywood Hack is a video that will keep you healthier on the picket line — WGA Picket Line Warm Up! (And Cool Down) on YouTube from WGA member Sheila Callaghan. Finally Sarah has...

Ep. 326: Fresh Perspective & “Franking”

August 10, 2023 07:00 - 25 minutes

Liz and Sarah discuss how 100 days of being on strike has a silver lining — it’s given them fresh perspective on a project that was feeling stale. In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about her Do Nothing Day. Sometimes doing nothing is everything. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they offer tips for coming up with character names. This week’s Hollywood Hack will be helpful for anyone worried about no new TV this fall: read a book series. Finally, Liz has a podcast recommendation — Spellcaster: The Fall O...

Ep. 325: On Being Creative Entrepreneurs

August 03, 2023 07:00 - 25 minutes

Liz and Sarah talk about being Creative Entrepreneurs. How can they expand their vision of their career? What elements will strengthen their two person small company? Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss whether they want to continue writing their novel in the past tense, or whether they’d rather change to the present tense. In The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a question from a Pre-WGA writer about how to approach an established writer with helpful information. This week’s Hollywood Ha...

Ep. 324: Build A Frog Pond

July 27, 2023 07:00 - 28 minutes

Even though it’s the last thing they feel like talking about, Liz and Sarah discuss the ongoing WGA strike and how it feels like it’s lasting forever. In Take A Hike, Sarah reveals why the concept of “building a frog pond” (both literally and metaphorically) is helping her cope. Then Sarah has a Hit for Escape Rooms, and they both give a Bomb to the heatwave in Los Angeles. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from the FB group: When in doubt, write a note. And finally, Sarah has a perfect summer...

Ep. 323: Strike News & Formatting Fun

July 20, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes

Liz and Sarah discuss SAG-AFTRA going out on strike. Will actors on strike pressure the AMPTP to come back to the table? They sure hope so. Then they Amplify a new book from journalist Maureen Ryan — Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about what they’ve learned about creative formatting while working on their novel. Small changes can make a big impact on the reader. This week’s Hollywood Hack is a low tech way to help...

Ep. 322: Threads & The Perfect Tee

July 13, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes

Liz and Sarah have joined the new social media platform, Threads, and they think you should too! Getting onboard early makes a difference — so don’t delay. This week’s Hollywood Hack is deep dive into The Perfect Tee. Liz and Sarah asked listeners for suggestions and got so many great ideas! Then Liz had a Celebrity Sighting (Alan Ruck) while dropping Jack off at camp. And Sarah recommends seeing Pixar’s new movie, Elemental.  Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touc...

Ep. 321: That Summer Vacation Feeling

July 06, 2023 07:00 - 30 minutes

Liz and Sarah are both experiencing that summer vacation feeling — which means they DON’T feel like working. How can they harness the delight of summer but still make progress on their novel? In The Mailroom, they answer a question about how good material needs to be before showing it to a person with hiring power. Answer — pretty damn good. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from a listener: Take the necessary extra steps to make your tech (or anything else) work for you. And Celebrity Sightin...

Ep. 320: Liz & Sarah’s “Before I Die” Pitch

June 29, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes

In this Special Episode, Liz and Sarah share their CBS pitch “Before I Die,” about three older women solving crimes in Miami. Then they talk about the notes they received from network executives and how they incorporated those notes into their pilot script. Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywo...

Ep. 319: A Hollywood Dream Come True!

June 22, 2023 07:00 - 35 minutes

Liz and Sarah talk to TV writer Nadia Abass-Madden about how she switched careers from being a real life 911 operator to writing for FOX’s hit show 9-1-1. It’s a dream-come-true-story to inspire all of us during this stressful time! Then, in Take A Hike, Liz discusses why it’s a good idea to reconnect with old friends if you’re feeling adrift. This week’s Hollywood Hack will revolutionize your kitchen experience: Marley’s Monsters Unpaper Towels. Finally, Sarah recommends the podcast Ologies ...

Ep. 318: Liz & Sarah’s Most “Hollywood” Hollywood Moments

June 15, 2023 07:00 - 28 minutes

In this Special Episode, Liz and Sarah share some of their most “Hollywood” Hollywood moments, from getting yelled at by famous actors to spotting A-list stars in line at the pharmacy. They’ve driven around town to look at billboards of their shows, had breakfast at The Polo Lounge with a con man, and been fired (twice.) Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group...

Ep. 317: Being A Number Two

June 08, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes

Liz and Sarah talk to one of their best friends, Karine Rosenthal, about what it means to be a Number Two on a TV show. What are the duties? How does she get into the mind of the Showrunner? Then they answer a Mailroom question about how they would have dealt with Season Three of Fantasy Island, given that there’s a WGA strike going on. This week Hollywood Hack comes from Executive Producer Chuck Reed and is useful for summer travel: the Tripsy app. Finally, Liz has a premium buttered popcorn...

Ep. 316: Novel Progress & You Do You Picketing

June 01, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes

Liz and Sarah have officially started writing their novel, and they’re gaining momentum. They have the first forty pages! Yes, it needs rewriting but they love where it’s going. In Hits & Bombs, they give a joint Hit to all the agents and managers who are showing up on the picket line to support the WGA. And Liz gives a Bomb to the end of “Succession“ — it was an incredible finale but she’s so sad the show is over. Then, in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah discuss the different approaches people ha...

Ep. 315: “Working” With Director Caroline Suh

May 25, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes

Liz and Sarah talk to director (and one of Liz’s best friends) Caroline Suh about “Working: What We Do All Day,” the gripping new documentary series she made with President Barack Obama. What do we need to be happy at work? What was it like to collaborate with a former President? What role do unions play in the United States? Then Liz and Sarah answer a Mailroom question about whether or not they ever “lose” ideas. Yes, they do! This week they’re asking listeners to help with a Hollywood Hack...

Ep. 314: RIP FI & Strike Silver Linings

May 18, 2023 07:00 - 27 minutes

Liz and Sarah discuss that sad news that Fantasy Island has been canceled. Why do they think it happened and how are they feeling about it? Then they reveal what they had planned for Season Three — including what was behind the door at the end of Episode 207. In Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah talk about strike silver linings, including meeting podcast listeners on the picket line. This week’s Hollywood Hack supports the community impacted by the WGA Strike: buy strike merch that supports the Ente...

EP. 313: WGA Strike Talk With Negotiating Committee Member Nicole Yorkin

May 11, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes

Liz and Sarah discuss the WGA strike with their friend Nicole Yorkin, who is a member of the WGA Negotiating Committee. Why do writers view this moment in the business as existential? What is the AMPTP’s stance on AI? How will the unity among all the entertainment unions impact this labor action? Then, in The Craft & Fain, Liz and Sarah talk about how they’re “getting down to business” on their novel. They’ve each committed to writing five hundred words a day, five days a week. This week’s Ho...

Ep. 312: Spring Listener Questions Episode: Part Two

May 04, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes

Liz and Sarah answer more fantastic listener questions! Do they ever pay podcast guests? Why are television seasons fewer episodes than they used to be? How does Sarah being an only parent impact their team decision making? How do they navigate friendships in Hollywood? What advice do Liz and Sarah have for a first time mom who’s a writer? Answer: It’s all about boundaries!  Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website:...

Ep. 311: Spring Listener Questions: Part One

April 27, 2023 04:00 - 29 minutes

Liz and Sarah are answering listener questions! Is Sarah still a vegan? What five things are they both hoping to accomplish before they retire? How do actors memorize their lines? What’s the silliest thing Liz and Sarah have every argued about? (Answer: trashcans.) They discuss these questions and so many more! Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://...

Ep. 310: Our New Development Motto: Premium Buttered Popcorn

April 20, 2023 07:00 - 27 minutes

Liz and Sarah talk about the inspiration for their new team development motto — Premium Buttered Popcorn. In Take A Hike, they ask listeners to weigh in on whether their current state of not wanting to do anything (that involves work) is healthy or unhealthy. Then they answer a Mailroom question about the role that enthusiasm plays when pitching to executives. Is it possible to be TOO enthusiastic? This week’s Hollywood Hack has helped Sarah finally achieve the perfect ponytail: the INH Quick...

Ep. 309: Finding The Words With Colin Campbell

April 13, 2023 07:00 - 39 minutes

Liz and Sarah discuss the mental gymnastics of going down two possible roads at once as they try to prepare themselves for a possible WGA strike. Yes, they’re used to their future being uncertain, but this is on a whole other level. Then they interview filmmaker Colin Campbell about his beautiful new book, Finding The Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose, which he wrote after his two teenaged children, Ruby and Hart, were killed by a drunk driver. This week’s Hollywood H...

Ep. 308: The Frustration Of Free Work & Why We Decided To Just Start

April 06, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes

Liz and Sarah discuss a topic that’s on their minds and the minds of so many TV writers — the frustration of free work. What can writers do to combat this problem? One solution— ask for transparency. In The Craft (& Fain), they reveal why they decided to “just start” their thriller novel. This week’s Mailroom question is all about the various credits at the end of a TV show. And Sarah has a hair Hollywood Hack: shampoo bars. Finally, Sarah recommends the Flutter Experience for anyone in or ne...

Ep. 307: Oh, What The Hell!

March 30, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes

As the TV business continues to rapidly evolve, Liz and Sarah have decided to embrace an “oh, what the hell” attitude when it comes to development. If they love a project and want to do it, they’re going to do it — because at this point it’s impossible to judge what will or won’t have a chance for success. In The Craft (& Fain), they branch out from the writing craft to discuss color correction, a process that has a big impact on how a show looks and feels. In Hits & Bombs, they give a Hit to...

Guests

Felicia Day
2 Episodes
Audrey Monke
1 Episode
Gretchen Rubin
1 Episode
Melissa de la Cruz
1 Episode
Sheri Salata
1 Episode

Twitter Mentions

@ssliz 2 Episodes
@thegoonieslive 2 Episodes
@copyrightguide 1 Episode
@janeespenson 1 Episode
@thefixabcthe 1 Episode
@thefixwriters 1 Episode
@thefixabc 1 Episode
@audreymonke 1 Episode
@rgay 1 Episode
@copyrightguiden 1 Episode
@rasheednewson 1 Episode
@ricogagliano 1 Episode
@jeanedevivre 1 Episode
@crystalellefsen 1 Episode
@thefixwritersbe 1 Episode
@thegooniesliveg 1 Episode