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.
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Liz and Sarah examine what’s working (and what’s not) over on their HIH Substack. They love live videos but are wary about overloading readers’ inboxes. In their new segment in honor of Dolly Parton, Cup of Ambition, they talk about why it’s important to define your ambition. What is it you actually WANT? Then Liz gives a Hit to the fearless Megan Stalter, and Sarah gives herself a Bomb for being inconsistent with her Chickening Out newsletter. This week’s Hollywood Hack is great for organization and pleasing to look at: the Steele Canvas Elevated Truck. Finally, Sarah recommends Whistler by Ann Patchett.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com and Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. They’ll come right to your inbox!
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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, ’S please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Megan Stalter:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11005835/
Steele Canvas Elevated Truck:
https://www.steelecanvas.com/products/elevated-truck-permanent-canvas-3bu?variant=712931675&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cse&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23507190718&gbraid=0AAAAACaJfDslJgf3Y7ScpNxDpGRkpaktT&gclid=CjwKCAjwwrPVBhA1EiwAv_YO-VIQ2f2GtPNBnX4NcoLeAJKjfpjxstk2J92-qJx0XJDiVXBXEWXe0BoCTDMQAvD_BwE
Whistler by Ann Patchett:
https://link.amazon/B0eeK2FzQ
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 489: Feeling Less Fractured & Giving Good Logline
Episode 489
Thursday, September 24, 2026 • Duration 31:20
Liz and Sarah often talk about feeling pulled in a thousand directions during their work day. But lately, they’ve been significantly less fractured — and it’s great! The only problem? It won’t last. In Take A Hike, they revisit the subject of Season of Sacrifice. Sarah is in one with her new puppy, Pumpkin Spice. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about what makes a good logline and read a couple of their past favorites. This week’s Hollywood Hack will keep your floors clean: the Tineco Floor One Stretch S6 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner. Finally, Liz recommends The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCra
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. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Tineco Floor One Stretch S6 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner: https://link.amazon/B07Om51K6
Bissell TurboClean Pet Upright:
https://link.amazon/B08JM4NHK
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah:
https://link.amazon/B0gBgCIgr
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 488: No Wallowing Policy & Start In Neutral
Episode 488
Thursday, September 17, 2026 • Duration 31:47
Liz and Sarah have discovered that, for them, productivity is the best medicine. After a major disappointment they thought about taking the day off and wallowing in bed. Instead, they had an incredibly productive work day and felt SO MUCH better. From now on, they’re going to implement a No Wallow Policy. In Take A Hike, Liz shares Jack’s advice to “start in neutral.” Then they answer a Mailroom question about their writing nemeses — both as a team and as individuals. Liz shares this week’s makeup Hollywood Hack: the Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick. Finally, Sarah recommends the book Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.
LINKS:
You Can See Everything documentary trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGJSRFWALTI
Dior Forever Skin Perfect Stick:
https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/dior-forever-skin-perfect-stick?ID=5222087&swatchColor=0.5N+Neutral
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee:
https://link.amazon/B0iSQj47G
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com and Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. They’ll come right to your inbox!
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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 487: Killin’ It Killer Bee Style
Episode 487
Thursday, September 10, 2026 • Duration 33:01
Liz and Sarah check in on their 2026 Team Theme “Be the Bee,” and decide to update it to “Be the Killer Bee.” In Take A Hike, Liz shares a strategy for putting yourself in the right mindset for the day. Then they answer a Mailroom question about how they battle internal doubt about whether an idea “has already been done.” This week’s Hollywood Hack is for all the bread bakers: the Mercer Culinary Bread Knife. Finally, Liz recommends the drama Drops of God on Apple TV.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCra
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. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
LINKS:
Dry Erase Dots: https://amzn.to/4iLrto0
Lian Dolan:
https://www.liandolan.com/
Liz Dolan:
https://satellitesisters.com/about-lian-liz-and-julie-dolan/
Mercer Culinary Bread Knife: https://amzn.to/4h9vwJG
Drops of God Season 1 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XxSeLUwRDM
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 486: What Will We Do Without Dolly?
Episode 486
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • Duration 29:38
In honor of the incredible life and legacy of Dolly Parton, Liz and Sarah are doing an all-Dolly episode! In From The Treadmill Desks Of, they reveal how they wish they’d had Dolly’s backbone when they caved on a business decision that is having ramifications today. In Take A Hike, they discuss how Dolly lived her values. Then they introduce a new segment, Cup Of Ambition, in which they’ll talk about how to maintain healthy ambition — just like Dolly did. This week’s Hollywood Hack is a summer grown up glitter make up trend that Dolly would approve of — L’Oreal Le Shadow Stick. Finally, they recommend the classic 1980 Dolly Parton movie 9 to 5 and a tribute to Dolly as a writer from Tressie McMillan Cottom.
LINKS:
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library:
https://imaginationlibrary.com/
Happier In Hollywood Episode 242:
https://happierinhollywood.com/ep-242-what-would-dolly-do-2022/
The Values Bridge:
https://www.becomingyou.com/values-bridge
1977 Dolly Parton interview with Barbara Walters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-poIrpApkw
L’Oreal Le Shadow Stick:
https://amzn.to/3UnA06z
9 to 5 trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qni6HOyPNBA
“Loving Dolly Was Easy, Understanding Her Was Hard,” by Tressie McMillan Cottom:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/opinion/dolly-parton-appalachia-legacy.html
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com and Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. They’ll come right to your inbox!
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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, ’S please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 485: Chaos Vibes & The Joy Of Rehashing
Episode 485
Thursday, August 27, 2026 • Duration 34:38
Liz and Sarah discuss that one of the biggest advantages of having a writing partner is being able to take turns bringing each other up when one is down. Right now, Sarah is feeling the chaos of their career, but Liz is calm and optimistic. Next month? It will likely be the opposite! In Take A Hike, they talk about how their recent visit to KCON made them appreciate the joy of rehashing. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah explore how getting granular with their characters’ wardrobe is bringing clarity to their latest pilot. This week’s Hollywood Hack is giving Sarah joy in the kitchen: the Cuisinart Custom Convection Bread Maker. Finally, Liz recommends the current season of Married At First Sight on Peacock.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCra
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. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
LINKS:
KCON USA:
https://kconusa.com/
Cuisinart Custom Convection Bread Maker:
https://www.cuisinart.com/custom-convection-bread-maker/CBK-210NAS.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaignname%7D&utm_term=&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A21470027214%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=8527973&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=CBK-210NAS&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21480652252&gbraid=0AAAAADFjouLkCDUQb6gHEBcKQXUClZOVC&gclid=CjwKCAjw7p_UBhBlEiwAhpIs7-bFC97gBSwmlijUmvWbDLJ94YpMcod6nLuELFkSyjqPyZUmikkKbhoCJA4QAvD_BwE
Married At First Sight Season 20 trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxO1zuoQtyA
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 484: The Talk-Through Step & Monday Morning Steps
Episode 484
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • Duration 30:35
Liz and Sarah have added a useful new step to their pitch writing process — the talk-through step. If they’re working with someone they trust, they’ve discovered it’s super helpful to talk through what they’re thinking for a pitch before actually writing it. In Take A Hike, they reveal their new back-to-school plan to carve out every Monday morning for exercise. In The Mailroom, they answer a question from a listener who wants to know whether Liz and Sarah invested in various products they were curious about. This week’s Hollywood Hack makes sitting outside more pleasant: the Mosiller Electric Fly Swatter. Finally, Sarah recommends The Parian Heist by Jo Piazza.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com and Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. They’ll come right to your inbox!
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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, ’S please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Miss Mary of Sweden Bra:
https://amzn.to/4x32hh2
Mosiller Electric Fly Swatter:
https://amzn.to/4zbSqqR
The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza:
https://amzn.to/3UoxvRk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 483: A Tough Hollywood Lesson & Making It Happen (Casting Edition)
Episode 483
Thursday, August 13, 2026 • Duration 29:29
Liz and Sarah discuss how their recent disappointment over a project that went up in smoke has once again taught them not to invest too heavily emotionally (or practically) in something until business affairs is involved. Then, in a new segment, Making It Happen, Liz and Sarah talk to veteran casting director Candice Bernstein about how she set about conquering the world of verticals casting. This week’s Hollywood Hack is great for anyone whose seatbelt drives them nuts: Leather Fixing Clips.
Finally, Liz recommends the memoir Adult Braces: Driving Myself Sane by Lindy West.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCra
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. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Hoffman Bernstein casting:
https://www.hoffmanbernsteincasting.com/
Leather Fixing Clips:
https://amzn.to/4q5PKXw
Adult Braces: Driving Myself Sane by Lindy West:
https://amzn.to/45ipWhu
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 482: Word Count Accountability (& Chuck Dances!)
Episode 482
Thursday, August 6, 2026 • Duration 29:02
Liz and Sarah are using a new accountability method to power through the pages of their novel Bad Trip. Every day, they’re writing down their respective word counts in their planners, even if it’s zero, and then reporting the number to each other the following morning. And it’s working! In Take A Hike, they discuss the question — how much of your day do you actually enjoy? Then, in Hits & Bombs, Sarah gives Liz a hit for helping Sarah and Violet during a tough time, and Liz gives Chuck a Hit for going to a very-out-of-his-comfort-zone dance class. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from a listener— try “location scouting” in your own neighborhood. Finally, Sarah recommends the TV show Ride or Die on Prime Video.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com and Sarah’s Chickening Out Substack at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. They’ll come right to your inbox!
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, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
“This Is Your Home on GLP-1’s” by Elyse Moody:
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/this-is-your-home-on-glp1s
Alec Cohen dance classes:
https://www.werk.dance/gaychoreographer
Ride or Die trailer:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg_m61kBW0E&ra=m
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep. 481: AI Work Flow & Plus One With Lisa And Morgan
Episode 481
Thursday, July 30, 2026 • Duration 34:57
Liz and Sarah are experimenting with AI to make their work flow more productive. Will their new Chat GPT Work-generated schedule help them keep their project priorities straight? Next they interview Lisa Joyner (married to Jon Cryer aka Ducky from Pretty In Pink)and Morgan Walsh (married to Matt Walsh of Veep and UCB fame) from the fascinating new podcast, Plus One with Lisa and Morgan. How do they deal with having a partner who’s (usually) the one in the spotlight? Is it hard to maintain their own sense of self? This week’s Hollywood Hack is practical and pink — the Anker Zolo power bank. Finally, Liz recommends Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America, the new book from Andrew McCarthy (aka Blane from Pretty In Pink.)
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCra
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. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
Sign up for Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter Chickening Out at https://happierinhollywood.substack.com. It’ll come right to your inbox!
LINKS:
Plus One with Lisa and Morgan:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plus-one-with-lisa-and-morgan/id1896944012?i=1000777680587
Pretty In Pink trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRLQUGq8eE8
Veep trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--Mo61W9e-8
Two and a Half Men trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIP2xlGnOEs
Anker Zolo power bank in pink:
https://amzn.to/4pIgkpq
Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America by Andrew McCarthy:
https://amzn.to/4fys6y3
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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