Happier in Hollywood

Happier in Hollywood

Author: The Onward Project Language: English Episodes: 100
For over two decades, television writers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain have navigated the unique pressures of Hollywood as a team, and their Happier in Hollywood podcast pulls back the curtain on that journey. This isn't just industry gossip; it's a candid conversation between two friends who have built a career and a life inside a famously tough town. Each episode feels like grabbing a table at the commissary with them, where they translate their personal and professional hurdles into relatable lessons. You’ll hear how a blend of stubborn optimism and pragmatic Midwestern grit helped them thrive in a male-dominated field, offering tangible advice that goes far beyond writing a script. Their discussions tackle everything from navigating office politics and difficult conversations to the small, daily practices that maintain sanity. This Happier in Hollywood podcast, from The Onward Project, transforms specific Hollywood struggles into universal themes about resilience, partnership, and finding your footing in any high-stakes career. It’s about the unglamorous work behind the glamour-the ass-kicking, the occasional ass-kissing, and yes, even the office yoga-that actually makes a sustainable life possible. Tune in for a surprisingly grounded perspective from two veterans who have learned to carve out happiness on their own terms.
Episodes
Ep. 443: How To Be Pitch Perfect [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:13
Liz and Sarah have SO MANY pitches coming up! They decided to hire Pitch Coach, Jordana Oberman, to help them up their game. And they’re so glad they did. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares why a recent L.A. Zoo outing with Vi…
Ep. 442: Sucking It Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:40
After a recent rude encounter related to one of their projects, Liz and Sarah talk about how sometimes you just have to suck it up. (Being able to see your own facial expression on Zoom helps!) In honor of Halloween, the…
Ep. 441: More Notes & Celebrating Steps Along The Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:51
Recently Liz and Sarah discussed how the rubber was meeting the road on their Netflix pilot. They were sure they were done with the notes process and were now awaiting some kind of yay or nay on the project. But they wer…
Ep. 440: Pitch Decks & Meeting IRL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
Liz and Sarah talk about how they approach constructing pitch decks — finding the perfect photo is Sarah’s superpower! In Take A Hike, they discuss why it’s so important to take the time to meet people in person. Not onl…
Ep 439: Pitch Prep & Define Your Eras [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:20
Liz and Sarah delve into one of the key aspects of prepping for a TV pitch— the questions and answers that follow your presentation. Pro tip? Be ready to drill down on tone. In Take A Hike, inspired by Taylor Swift’s new…
Ep. 438: Convergence & The Control Your Algorithm Challenge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:22
Liz and Sarah have been pingponging around on various projects for months. Now several of their projects are converging, and it’s controlled chaos! In Take A Hike, they issue the Control Your Algorithm October Challenge.…
Ep. 437: The Curse Of Hearing Good Things & Pivoting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:50
Liz and Sarah are hearing a trickle of good things about their pilot script, which means… absolutely nothing. They discuss how to regulate their nervous systems and keep expectations low while the waiting continues. Then…
Ep. 436: Do Or Die Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:25
Liz and Sarah are waiting for a reaction to the latest draft of their Netflix pilot, and this is when the rubber hits the road. Either something good will happen… or the project will be dead. Wish them luck! In Take A Hi…
Ep. 435: TV Pitches & An Epic Mahjong Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:54
Liz and Sarah discuss the process of writing a new TV pitch and explain why it takes so damn long to get one done. In Take A Hike, they share listener Brandy’s HIH inspired Mahjong journey which exemplifies choosing the…
Ep. 434: AI Images & Living Vicariously [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:41
Liz and Sarah talk about how a recent survey from the WGA prompted them to try using AI to make images for their latest pitch deck. In Take A Hike, they recommend “living vicariously.” They are absolutely living vicariou…