Shows / Happier in Hollywood
Happier in Hollywood
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. Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Episodes
Happier in HollywoodEp. 260: You Gotta Have Grit
This week, Liz and Sarah have a special guest co-host, friend of the pod and camp owner extraordinaire, Audrey Monke! The three deep dive into grit—how grit…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 259: Back To Basics
What’s missing around your workspace? Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of having solid basics—Sarah needs a good chair, Liz needs pens! Then, in A Day In…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 258: Dinner Parties and Slumber Parties!
This week, Liz and Sarah share wisdom gleaned from Twitter—specifically, insights for lower level writers from TV writer Jeane Wong. One piece of advice? Think…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 257: Momentum Matters
With three episodes left to break for Season Two of Fantasy Island, how do Liz and Sarah handle a morale killer? The short answer – they lean on their team and…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 256: Call In Reinforcements
In the thick of double days and double deadlines, Liz and Sarah call in reinforcements! They’ve added their good friend and TV writer Karine Rosenthal to the…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 255: Leaning Into A Lean Budget
Liz and Sarah share strategies for making a lean TV budget work and discuss putting them into action on Fantasy Island. At every stage of the process, there…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 254: How To Be A Pro
What does it mean to be a professional? Liz and Sarah deep dive into what pros do differently. From how they communicate, to anticipating needs, to seeing the…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 253: Embrace The Suck & More Travel Hacks!
Liz and Sarah embrace the fact that sometimes things just suck. Sarah moved last weekend—and, yep, it sucked. But acknowledging the suck and not trying to put…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 252: Money Matters & Tackling The Sunday Night Blues
How do creative people budget? Creatively! Liz and Sarah talk MONEY—and how to manage it—with financial coach Dylan Snowden. Dylan shares how his background in…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 251: Re-entry, Crunch Time, & Compliments!
Liz and Sarah are back from Puerto Rico! They discuss how being on location can be a (busy!) break from reality and how they’re tackling re-entry to their…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 250: Our 250th Episode!
It’s the 250th episode of Happier In Hollywood! Liz and Sarah celebrate by recapping their twenty-five favorite topics featured on the podcast. From their very…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 249: HIH WFH—Work From… Hotel!
Liz and Sarah discuss how taking a moment to add a personal touch to your work can make a big impact. One example? The necessities-filled beach bags that…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 248: Embrace A New Identity
TV writers wear many hats, and it’s important for writers of all levels to have the chance to wear them. Liz and Sarah share how getting to do ALL parts of the…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 247: The Power Of Positive Feedback
A kind word goes a long way! As Season Two of Fantasy Island takes shape, Liz and Sarah discuss how getting positive feedback on their work energizes them to…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 246: Take The Room & Fantasy Island Music Supervisor Melany Mitchell
Do you have a room in your home that’s reserved for guests? Liz and Sarah discuss the merits of staking a claim and taking up space. Then, in Hollywood Jobs…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 245: Miracles, Imposters, & Wordle!
Movie – and TV! – magic means making miracles happen each day, but sometimes those miracles aren’t enough. Liz and Sarah reflect on a remark from famed…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 244: Working Weekends & Trying Versus Doing
Liz and Sarah have a confession to make — despite swearing Season Two of Fantasy Island will be different, they’re already working weekends. Arg! Then, in…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 243: Liz & Sarah Answer Listener Questions!
Liz and Sarah open the floor to listener questions! Hot topics include: parenting, chickens, Corgis, and more! How do Liz and Sarah know if a story has “legs”?…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 242: What Would Dolly Do 2022!
Liz and Sarah reveal their team motto for the new year — What Would Dolly Do 2022! Their goal is to harness Dolly Parton’s spirit of strength, fun, and…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 241: The Nimble Life
Liz and Sarah discuss the necessity of staying nimble as they write and produce Season Two of Fantasy Island. “Lean TV” requires a lot of juggling! Then, in…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 240: Be The Calm In The Storm
Let’s face it— sometimes things go wrong. Liz and Sarah discuss how when they had to manage a recent snafu, they took a lesson in leadership from Captain Lee…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 239: The New Normal?
Now that we’re all (sort of) heading back to work after the pandemic, what does “the new normal” look like? Liz and Sarah discuss the pros and cons of a hybrid…
Happier in HollywoodC13Features Presents: Ghostwriter, Starring Kate Mara and Adam Scott
In this C13Features podcast movie presentation of Ghostwriter, Kate Mara and Adam Scott star in a psychological thriller about a former journalist who…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 238: Liz Washes Away Guilt with a Sound Bath
Liz shares that while both she and Sarah embraced gratitude over Thanksgiving, Liz also felt another “g” emotion… guilt! Turns out it’s hard to enjoy a few…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 237: Liz & Sarah Set Boundaries!
As Liz and Sarah begin writing Season Two of Fantasy Island, they’re determined to maintain work boundaries — at least for as long as they possibly can. One…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 236: What Kind Of Decision Maker Are You?
Liz and Sarah analyze different kinds of decision making. Do you follow your gut? Take the path of least resistance? Make decisions by committee? Then, in From…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 235: Liz & Sarah Celebrate Season Two of Fantasy Island!
Liz and Sarah share HUGE news! There will be a Season Two of Fantasy Island! Now that they’ve accomplished this major goal, what’s next? They’re setting their…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 234: Hike Versus Sprint (And Liz Has Big News)
Season One of Fantasy Island was a sprint that left Liz and Sarah flat on the ground. As they look ahead to a possible Season Two, they discuss how to have…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 233: Embracing Hiatus Mode
With Season Two of Fantasy Island still up in the air, Liz and Sarah have decided to embrace Hiatus Mode! What does that mean? Going to their favorite hiatus…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 232: Sliding Doors & Sarah Gets Chickens
Liz and Sarah discuss how their immediate future resembles the 1998 movie Sliding Doors. There’s one reality if Fantasy Island gets picked up for Season Two…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 231: Hollywood Holiday Gift Guide!
It’s not even Halloween yet, but Liz and Sarah are looking ahead to the holidays. Between supply chain problems and slow delivery, they’re shopping NOW! And…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 230: What Five Things Do You Want To Be Known For?
Liz and Sarah discuss a question put forth by their favorite author consultant, Crystal Ellefsen — what five things do they want to be known for? First on the…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 229: The Waiting Game
Liz and Sarah are anxiously waiting to find out if there’s a future for Fantasy Island. They reveal one way they’re handling the stress — working on the…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 228: Resetting, Reframing, & The Finale
Liz and Sarah reveal what’s most pressing in their work psyches this week — nothing! As Season One of Fantasy Island comes to an end, they are making a…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 227: The Power Of A POV
Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of having a point of view at work. Your boss might not always agree with you, but that’s ok! In Behind The Episode, they…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 226: Expect the Worst, Prepare for the Best!
As the school year begins, Liz and Sarah take a cue from Violet's first day at her new school: Expect the worst, prepare for the best. It’s the opposite of the…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 225: The Art of the Podcast
Liz and Sarah aren’t just TV writers — they’re podcasters! This week they discuss how they make Happier In Hollywood, and what elements they think are…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 224: The In-Between Time (And a Brand New Fantasy Island Segment!)
Liz and Sarah discuss what they call, "the in-between time—“ Fantasy Island has premiered, but will there be a second season? Or not? The numbers (overnights…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 223: Writing Is Easier Than Not Writing (And The Premiere of Fantasy Island!)
After months of work (and stress) it happened — the premiere of Fantasy Island on FOX! Liz and Sarah discuss the press coverage, the presence of an Evil Donut…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 222: Prepping For Press & Braving Reviews
As Liz and Sarah gear up for the premiere of Fantasy Island, they‘re doing a lot of press — which can be daunting. But they have a plan of action! Knowing what…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 221: Deciding NOT To Work
Liz and Sarah discuss their decision not to make work for themselves during their upcoming downtime. Instead, they’re going to focus on recuperating from an…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 220: Senioritis!
As they near the end of production, Liz and Sarah talk about their bad case of senioritis: the writing is done, shooting is almost done, but there’s still work…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 219: Climb The Wall And Enjoy The View
Liz and Sarah talk about hitting the wall — and then climbing on top of it to enjoy the view. They’ve accomplished a lot in the last few months! In Take a…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 218: A Summer Listener Questions Episode!
It's time for the Summer Listener Questions episode! Who does the music on a show? How did the current reboot of Fantasy Island come about? How does money work…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 217: A Conversation with Sony Casting EVP Dawn Steinberg!
Liz and Sarah chat with Dawn Steinberg, EVP of Worldwide Talent and Casting at Sony Pictures Television, about her career, the advice she has for actors, and…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 216: Tackling The Tedious
Liz and Sarah talk about how they’re trying to stay zen during endless Zoom meetings as they move into the post production phase of Fantasy Island. In theIr…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 215: Accepting We Don’t Have Control
As Liz and Sarah start to hand over cuts of Fantasy Island to the studio and network, they have to accept they don’t have control over how other people react…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 214: Be An Insulator
Liz and Sarah discuss a great compliment they received from one of the Fantasy Island writers— they’re insulators as opposed to conductors when it comes to…
Happier in HollywoodPresenting: No Place Like Home
Do you remember the first time you watched The Wizard of Oz? Those famous red ruby slippers are some of the most iconic objects in Hollywood history that still…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 213: Spice Up, Live Long & Completing Phase One of Fantasy Island
Liz and Sarah have completed Phase One of Fantasy Island — all of their story areas for the season have been approved! There’s still LOTS of work to do, but…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 212: Be A Boulder Pusher
Liz and Sarah discuss why, in a group setting, it’s important to be a person who pushes the boulder up the hill. And if you can’t push the boulder up the hill…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 211: Everyone Is Right
Liz and Sarah discuss how, when working in a highly collaborative environment, everyone can be right at the same time, which can sometimes make things feel oh…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 210: Cussing and Discussing
Liz and Sarah share a listener’s suggestion about how to frame potentially difficult work conversations so that they stay light-hearted and productive — let…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 209 Sometimes It's Not A Fun Job, And We Don't Enjoy It
Liz and Sarah are in the thick of production on Fantasy Island, and they discuss how sometimes it's not a fun job, and they don't enjoy it. But that’s ok! In…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 208: The Gift Of Other People’s Productivity
As work on Fantasy Island continues to become more and more intense, Liz and Sarah discuss their gratitude for the gift of other people’s productivity. Without…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 207: To Be Or Not To Be Indecisive
Liz and Sarah pride themselves on making decisions quickly — it’s a big part of being a showrunner. But sometimes it’s better NOT to make a decision until more…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 206: Location, Location, Location!
Liz and Sarah discuss how being in a great location can impact the experience of work. Can't go to a tropical island? Try sitting in front of a window. Then in…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 205: What Happens To Good Intentions When The Shit Hits The Fan
Liz and Sarah are in Puerto Rico to shoot Fantasy Island! And all of their good intentions to sleep, exercise, and eat right have gone by the wayside. Right…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 204: It's Time For The Spring Listener Questions Episode!
When will Fantasy Island air? What's so great about Ojai? If Liz and Sarah could change careers, what would they pick? And most importantly, what pants did Liz…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 203: A Good Reason to Embrace the Hate
Liz and Sarah discuss their recent realization that eight months ago, Fantasy Island wasn’t even on their project list— and now it’s their whole lives! If…