Ep. 451: ChexMix ‘26 — Looking Back & Looking Forward

Ep. 451: ChexMix ‘26 — Looking Back & Looking Forward

Author: The Onward Project January 1, 2026 Duration: 30:36
Liz and Sarah are continuing their tradition of Roar ‘24 and Hive ‘25 with ChexMix ‘26. In a few days, they’ll spend the night at the Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai and plot the next year of their career. Also? They’ll drink wine. In Take A Hike, they each share a new practice for 2026. Inspired by the book I Remember by Joe Brainard, Liz is going to record memories about her beloved dad. Sarah is going to roast a chicken every week — and use items from her own garden to season it! Next, in Take Two, Sarah shares what she’s learned about her algorithm after their recent Alter Your Algorithm Challenge. This week’s Hollywood Hack is pure whimsy: Hinge Heads. Finally Liz recommends the new season of Vanderpump Rules on Bravo.    Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will 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. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! LINKS: Emerald Iguana Inn: https://www.emeraldiguana.com/   I Remember by Joe Brainard: https://amzn.to/3MRFL8Q   Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell: https://amzn.to/4j7q61a   Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein: https://amzn.to/3MLnyKd   Hinge Heads: Mushrooms: https://amzn.to/4pXnwh4 Chickens:https://amzn.to/4983t8c Cats:https://amzn.to/4qr0HSM   Vanderpump Rules Season 12 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oKgvwAFpHTE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happier in Hollywood
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 379: Being Consequential & Sarah’s Wellness Journal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:03
Liz and Sarah use several criteria when choosing which TV projects they want to pursue — a world they love, interesting characters, stories with legs. Now they’re adding a new one… is the material consequential? And what…
Ep. 378: Double Roar 24! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:57
In honor of All Work August, Liz and Sarah started the month with an intense two days of work at Sarah’s house in Ojai. They realized all over again how productive they are when they’re in the same room, and they’re dete…
Ep. 377: All Work August! (And Liz’s Hiking Gear) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:32
Liz and Sarah had a delightful No Work July, but it’s time to put their noses to the grindstone — thus, it’s All Work August. They’re writing an outline, developing two pitches, continuing on their novel, and more. In Ta…
Ep. 376: No Work July! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
For years Liz and Sarah have fantasized about taking the month of July off work. This year they’re actually having No Work July, and it’s amazing! In Hits & Bombs, Sarah gives herself a Bomb for not doing car maintenance…
Ep. 375: To Dream Crush Or Not To Dream Crush? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:30
Liz and Sarah debate whether they should be cheerleaders or naysayers when offering advice and insight to people thinking about starting a career in Hollywood. To dream crush or not to dream crush? Inspired by her recent…
Ep. 374: To Adapt Or Not To Adapt? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
Right now, Hollywood is all about intellection property. Liz and Sarah discuss what they look for in a book (or any other kind of material) when they’re considering whether or not to adapt it for TV. Is there a specific…
Ep. 372: The Joy Of A Consuming Phase [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:15
Liz and Sarah discuss the current phase of their work cycle — consuming. With an eye toward developing IP, they’re reading, listening, and watching everything that comes their way. And they love it! In Take A Hike, Liz t…
Ep. 371: The Power Of Encouragement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:07
Liz and Sarah discuss the incredible power of encouragement — especially right now. Times are tough in Hollywood (and many places), but hearing that you’re on the right path can make all the difference. In The Mailroom,…

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