• 32 minutes 37 seconds
    Ep. 603: Avoid the Sunk-Cost Fallacy, and Why it’s Hard to Plan for Emergencies

    We talk about how to avoid the mental trap of the “sunk-cost fallacy.” Plus, why it’s so hard to plan for emergencies and the biases that keep us from preparing for risk. 


    Episode highlights:

    • Try This at Home: Avoid the sunk-cost fallacy—the mental trap that keeps us committed because of the time, money, or energy we’ve already spent [04:57]
    • Happiness Hack: Create a personal reading syllabus with deadlines to help you read more [12:58]
    • Happiness Stumbling Block: Six common biases that make it difficult to assess and prepare for rare but serious emergencies [16:03]
    • Demerits and Gold Stars: Gretchen’s Demerit: Turning into a Knicks bore; Elizabeth’s Gold Star: To her friend Mindy for a new exercise experience [24:11]


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

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    9 September 2026, 7:00 am
  • 3 minutes 17 seconds
    Little Happier: After His Death, I Can Still Learn More About My Beloved Father

    Even after a person has died, we can continue to understand them in new ways.


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


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    7 September 2026, 7:00 am
  • 26 minutes 5 seconds
    More Happier: How Do People Know What To Do? Plus Making Friends at the Gym

    We discuss how people know what to do in certain situations. Plus why you might–or might not–make friends at the gym. 


    Episode highlights:

    • Something Making Us Happier: Elizabeth finds connection to our beloved father through reading history. Gretchen delights in discovering Jamie’s rock-skipping skills [00:48]

    • I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You: How do people know what to do in certain situations? [07:29]

    • Spotlight on a Tool: Check out my free 7-day email challenge designed to help you head into fall with more energy [13:03]

    • I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You: Do you make friends at the gym? [14:40]

    Mentioned in this episode:

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


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    5 September 2026, 7:00 am
  • 36 minutes 45 seconds
    Ep. 602: Spend Your Money at Home Instead of Away, and Why You Should Delegate

    Why you might consider spending your vacation money on a home experience that you’ll enjoy for years, and why delegating tasks is more important–and harder–than it may seem.


    Episode highlights:

    • Try This at Home: Why you might "spend out" on your space, instead of on vacation, to give yourself fun and comfort at home [02:35]

    • Happiness Hack: A listener's three-system method for documenting daily life and family milestones [13:14]

    • Happiness Stumbling Block: Why we avoid delegating and how to let go, especially during the empty-nest years [17:25]

    • Demerits & Gold Stars: Elizabeth’s Demerit: still need to visit the Encino Mah Jong parlor; Gretchen’s Gold Star: Winsteads! The ice! The lacy burgers!  [25:57]

    Mentioned in this episode:

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

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    2 September 2026, 7:00 am
  • 3 minutes 22 seconds
    Little Happier: Why the Knicks Play Basketball with the Attitude of “Zero-Zero.”

    With a simple answer of “Zero-zero,” Jalen Brunson communicated the attitude of his team as they pushed toward the NBA Championship.


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


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    31 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 33 minutes 44 seconds
    More Happier: Try These 7 Habit Strategies for a Fresh Start This September

    September is the other January. We revisit seven of our favorite habit strategies to help you get back into your routines after summer and build habits that actually stick.


    Episode Highlights:


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

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    29 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 33 minutes 34 seconds
    Ep. 601: Try "Do-Spend September," Plus a Five-Senses Hack For a Memorable Vacation

    A counterpart to No-Spend February, "Do-Spend September" helps us spend what we have. We also share a five-senses hack for planning vacations that are much more fun.


    Episode highlights:

    • Try This at Home: Observe a "Do-Spend September," the counterpart to No-Spend February [03:06]

    • Fun with the Five Senses: We share a listener's Five Senses hack for turning a familiar long weekend into a fresh, memorable vacation [15:55]

    • Happiness Hack: The joys of a dolly. [12:28]

    • Demerits and Gold Stars: Gretchen’s Demerit: dust bunnies in the office; Elizabeth’s Gold Star: Marathon Month at Orange Theory [20:08]

    Mentioned in this episode:

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    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. 


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    26 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 6 minutes 5 seconds
    Little Happier: NBA Players on the “Today” Show: When Lighthearted Humor Is Better than Sympathetic Silence

    An exchange between Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart illustrates the fact that sometimes, we’re better off treating a painful subject with lighthearted humor rather than sympathetic silence.


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    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. 

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    24 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 33 minutes 12 seconds
    Move Happier: Clear the Decks for September with 26 Quick Tasks (Bonus)

    It's time to clear the decks for September. Here are 26 quick tasks to get you moving while you refresh your space for fall.

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

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    23 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 26 minutes 27 seconds
    More Happier: What Tattoo Would You Get? Plus How to Give Yourself Permission to Play

    When relaxing feels like wasting time, you can trick yourself into enjoying it anyway. Plus, 16 things to try for happier, calmer parenting. 


    Episode highlights:

    • Something Making Us Happier: Gretchen shares Chuck's tip for an ultra-quiet desk fan, plus more things we didn’t know [00:00]

    • I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You: We don’t personally like tattoos, but what would we get?[00:00]

    • Spotlight on a Tool—Gretchen's article on 16 things to try instead of yelling, just in time for back-to-school [00:00]

    • I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You: When rest feels like wasting time, you might have to trick yourself [00:00]

    Mentioned in this episode:

    • Rowenta Ultra Quiet Desk Fan: https://amzn.to/3TEZgEZ

    • "How to Be a Happier, Calmer Parent: 16 Things to Try Instead of Yelling": happiercast.com/parenting

    • Burning the Days by James Salter

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    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. 

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    22 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 34 minutes 27 seconds
    Ep. 600: 600 Episodes of Happier! Listeners Share the Ideas that Stuck

    Listeners share the insights and suggestions that have resonated with them most over the past 600 episodes.


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    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.

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    19 August 2026, 7:00 am
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