Best Gretchen Rubin The Onward Project Podcasts (2023)

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: What’s the Real Lesson from the Tortoise and the Hare? It’s Not What You Think 3:54

1h ago3:54

3:54

The familiar fable of “The Tortoise and the Hare” offers many possible lessons, and the most common moral—“Slow and steady wins the race”--actually isn’t the most apt. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podca…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 448: Start Your 100 Day Countdown, Try the Library, and a Deep Dive into Issues for Rebels and School: ADHD & College 32:56

1d ago32:56

32:56

There are 100 days left until the end of the year, so if something needs to get done, start the countdown! We also read a listener’s suggestion for another reason to visit your local library, and we take a deep dive into listeners’ responses to two listener questions related to Rebels and school: How to help a Rebel child with ADHD, and how to help…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: Do You Like the Idea of a “Happiness Project”—or Does It Remind You of Homework? 2:58

3d ago2:58

2:58

Our attitude toward a habit or an activity can be dramatically changed by the words we use to describe it. I love the idea of a “happiness project,” but to some people, that sounds too much like homework. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @G…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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More Happier: A Case of Obliger-Rebellion, Advice About Waking Up a Child, and Do Spoilers Spoil Stories? 28:02

5d ago28:02

28:02

A Case of Obliger-Rebellion, Advice About Waking Up a Child, and Do Spoilers Spoil Stories? We talk about Elizabeth’s rare episode of Obliger-rebellion (spoiler: it involved a box of chocolates) and about advice for helping children get themselves out of bed in the morning. Speaking of spoilers, we discuss surprising research, and our own views, ab…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 447: Give a Meaningful Compliment, Protect Your Privacy, and What’s the Least-You Thing You Do? 31:21

8d ago31:21

31:21

We talk about why we should pay someone a meaningful complement, and we share many wonderful, moving compliments received by listeners. We also highlight a quick, easy hack that can protect your digital privacy and discuss an amusing (and also enlightening) know-yourself-better question. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social medi…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: Opportunity Cost and Abstainers: A New Term Can Help Us See the World in a New Way 3:30

10d ago3:30

3:30

New terms allow us to understand the world in a deeper way. Opportunity cost, abstainers vs. moderators, finishers vs. openers—sometimes, having the right vocabulary helps us see more clearly. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 446: Re-Think Our Daily Routine, Recognize the Warning Signs of Obliger-Rebellion, and a Back-to-School Demerit 33:20

15d ago33:20

33:20

We talk about why it’s a good idea to re-examine our personal, work, and family routines to look for opportunities to improve. We also discuss how Obligers can recognize when they’re entering the state of Obliger-rebellion, and we answer a listener question about our reading habits. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @G…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: As an Upholder, I Needed an Obliger Friend to Tell Me the Right Thing to Do 6:49

18d ago6:49

6:49

During the covid period, my daughter Eliza returned to live on campus for her final semester of college. She was told to pack lightly, and as an Upholder, I took that to mean that she should pack very, very lightly. But an Obliger friend had a wiser approach. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube …

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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More Happier: The Anniversary of a Favorite Book, a Lesson in Standing Up, and the Joy of Clearing Clutter 24:43

20d ago24:43

24:43

We talk about the eleventh anniversary of “Happier at Home,” which is Elizabeth’s favorite book written by Gretchen. We also discuss a lesson in standing up for yourself, and about the energy that comes from getting rid of clutter. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @Gr…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 445: Have a Happier Labor Day, Nominate Someone, and Manage the Line Between Work and Leisure 35:07

23d ago35:07

35:07

We reflect on two questions that can help us make our work lives happier, more productive, and more creative. We also talk about why it’s a good idea to nominate people for awards, and how to manage the breakdown of the line between work time and leisure time. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: When Do We Say “I’m Finished” and When Do We Say “I Can Still Make It Better?” 5:02

25d ago5:02

5:02

A story from the life of writer Shirley Hazzard illustrates the conundrum: When do we think, “It can still be better,” and when do we decide, “It’s finished?” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show n…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 444: Benefit from Tools You Already Use, a Gift Idea, and Traditions for the Other “New Year” 25:49

30d ago25:49

25:49

We talk about why and how we might try to get more benefit from a tool we already use, and share an idea for a gift that’ very valuable to the recipient, but doesn’t cost any money. We also share listeners’ traditions to prepare for the other “new year” of September. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on …

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: A Story About a Man Who Couldn’t Resist Tempting Food—Until He Could 4:38

1M ago4:38

4:38

I never forgot a story I read about a man and his eating habits, and how it illustrated an essential lesson: What we think is not possible may be possible, through the power of an idea. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Thr…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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More Happier: A Surprising Benefit of Daily Visits to the Met, a Funny Sign from the Hollywood Picket Line, and a Same-Day Book 22:17

1M ago22:17

22:17

We talk about how making daily visits to the Metropolitan Museum have had unintended consequences. We also discuss a funny sign from the Hollywood picket line that plays on a famous scene from “Mad Men,” and how there’s a special pleasure in starting and finishing a book in a single day. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social medi…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 443: Clear the Decks! We Try Something New to Get Ready for September, the Other New Year 31:37

1M ago31:37

31:37

We’re trying something new for this episode: a fun “Clear the Decks” exercise. This time, e’re using it to help prepare to return to the usual routines after the summer, but it can be used any time we need to gear up for a change or challenge. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin o…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: Have You Ever Walked Along a Desire Path? 3:04

1M ago3:04

3:04

As we go through our days, we can look for “desire paths”—the natural paths that emerge as we try to find the quickest and easiest way to get where we’re going. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 442: Take Over a Disliked Task, Check Your Passport, and When Not to Do Something for the First Time 25:58

1M ago25:58

25:58

We talk about why we might take over a task that someone else particularly dislikes. We also mention that it’s a good idea to check passport expiration dates, and when it’s a bad idea to do or try something for the first time Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @Gretchen…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: You’re a Jerk, and I’m a Responsible Parent 3:29

2M ago3:29

3:29

Listening to the “Office Ladies” podcast reminds me of the psychological phenomenon of the fundamental attribution error. Both of which are good reminders not to judge others too quickly. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on T…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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More Happier: How to Create Connections (Or, Butter People Up), Great TV, and Fun with the Five Senses 23:09

2M ago23:09

23:09

We talk about research into how people successfully flatter others, and how those insights can help us to build strong connections in our own relationships. We also talk about the fun TV show “Claim to Fame” and insights from the fun “What’s Your Neglected Sense?” quiz. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin …

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 441: Escape Your Taste, an Easy Way to Remember Hard Names, and New Metaphors for “Empty Nest” 27:59

2M ago27:59

27:59

We talk about how we can boost our happiness by escaping from our own taste. We also suggest an easy way to make it easier to remember challenging names, and share the many terrific metaphors that listeners suggested as alternatives to the “empty nest.” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @Gretc…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: I’m Going to Take This Thing Home, Because Otherwise Someone Else Might Steal It 3:38

2M ago3:38

3:38

Idaho ghost towns have a problem with vandalism, because people think, “I’ll take this home so someone else doesn't steal it." I felt the same impulse when I visited a little unsupervised library during college. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Insta…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 440: Very Special Episode: We Talk About Regret—Our Own Regrets and Listeners’ Regrets 35:39

2M ago35:39

35:39

In this Very Special Episode, we explore the subject of regret. We talk about the most common categories of regrets and why reflecting on regret can help us make our lives happier. We share some of our own regrets, and also listeners’ regrets. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin o…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Little Happier: Would You Pay $500,000 for a Steve Jobs Paradox? 2:28

2M ago2:28

2:28

An amusing paradox arose in real life: Steve Jobs put his autograph on a letter to tell someone that he didn’t sign autographs. Sometimes, in the process of saying we won’t do something, we do it. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram Get the po…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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More Happier: The Silver Lining of Summer Camp, a Happiness Bully for Writing, and Not Getting Choked Up 24:40

2M ago24:40

24:40

We talk about the silver lining of having a child away at summer camp. We also discuss how a happiness bully might “encourage” someone to work on their novel, and how to avoid choking up while giving a commencement address. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRu…

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 439: Suggest the Default Option, Skip a Year of an Activity You Enjoy, and More Everyday Luxuries 33:53

2M ago33:53

33:53

We talk about how we can make planning easier by suggesting the default option of time and place when coordinating with other people. We also discuss the suggestion to skip a year of an enjoyable activity, if it starts to feel onerous, as a way to keep it fun. Plus we review even more everyday luxuries suggested by listeners. Get in touch: podcast@…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Gretchen Rubin The Onward Project Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project

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Little Happier: What’s the Real Lesson from the Tortoise and the Hare? It’s Not What You Think 3:54

1
Ep. 448: Start Your 100 Day Countdown, Try the Library, and a Deep Dive into Issues for Rebels and School: ADHD & College 32:56

1
Little Happier: Do You Like the Idea of a “Happiness Project”—or Does It Remind You of Homework? 2:58

1
More Happier: A Case of Obliger-Rebellion, Advice About Waking Up a Child, and Do Spoilers Spoil Stories? 28:02

1
Ep. 447: Give a Meaningful Compliment, Protect Your Privacy, and What’s the Least-You Thing You Do? 31:21

1
Little Happier: Opportunity Cost and Abstainers: A New Term Can Help Us See the World in a New Way 3:30

1
Ep. 446: Re-Think Our Daily Routine, Recognize the Warning Signs of Obliger-Rebellion, and a Back-to-School Demerit 33:20

1
Little Happier: As an Upholder, I Needed an Obliger Friend to Tell Me the Right Thing to Do 6:49

1
More Happier: The Anniversary of a Favorite Book, a Lesson in Standing Up, and the Joy of Clearing Clutter 24:43

1
Ep. 445: Have a Happier Labor Day, Nominate Someone, and Manage the Line Between Work and Leisure 35:07

1
Little Happier: When Do We Say “I’m Finished” and When Do We Say “I Can Still Make It Better?” 5:02

1
Ep. 444: Benefit from Tools You Already Use, a Gift Idea, and Traditions for the Other “New Year” 25:49

1
Little Happier: A Story About a Man Who Couldn’t Resist Tempting Food—Until He Could 4:38

1
More Happier: A Surprising Benefit of Daily Visits to the Met, a Funny Sign from the Hollywood Picket Line, and a Same-Day Book 22:17

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Ep. 443: Clear the Decks! We Try Something New to Get Ready for September, the Other New Year 31:37

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Little Happier: Have You Ever Walked Along a Desire Path? 3:04

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Ep. 442: Take Over a Disliked Task, Check Your Passport, and When Not to Do Something for the First Time 25:58

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Little Happier: You’re a Jerk, and I’m a Responsible Parent 3:29

1
More Happier: How to Create Connections (Or, Butter People Up), Great TV, and Fun with the Five Senses 23:09

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Ep. 441: Escape Your Taste, an Easy Way to Remember Hard Names, and New Metaphors for “Empty Nest” 27:59

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Little Happier: I’m Going to Take This Thing Home, Because Otherwise Someone Else Might Steal It 3:38

1
Ep. 440: Very Special Episode: We Talk About Regret—Our Own Regrets and Listeners’ Regrets 35:39

1
Little Happier: Would You Pay $500,000 for a Steve Jobs Paradox? 2:28

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More Happier: The Silver Lining of Summer Camp, a Happiness Bully for Writing, and Not Getting Choked Up 24:40

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Ep. 439: Suggest the Default Option, Skip a Year of an Activity You Enjoy, and More Everyday Luxuries 33:53

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