Ep. 601: Try "Do-Spend September," Plus a Five-Senses Hack For a Memorable Vacation

More from Happier with Gretchen Rubin All episodes →

1. 

   E60202 · 7 Sep 2026 · 3 min

   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. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2. 

   E60201 · 5 Sep 2026 · 26 min

   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]…

3. 

   E602 · 2 Sep 2026 · 37 min

   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…

4. 

   E60102 · 31 Aug 2026 · 3 min

   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. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5. 

   E60101 · 29 Aug 2026 · 34 min

   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: Episode 360: Want to Change a Habit? Start with These 7 Strategies Mentioned in this Episode: Back-to-Routine resources The 21 Strategies for Habit Formation Better Than Before Checklist for Habit Change Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on…

6. 

   E60002 · 24 Aug 2026 · 6 min

   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. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz 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. Learn more about your ad…

7. 

   E60003 · 23 Aug 2026 · 33 min

   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. Mentioned in This Episode: The Move 26 in ‘26 Challenge: https://gretchenrubin.com/move26in26/ Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz 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. Learn…

8. 

   E60001 · 22 Aug 2026 · 26 min

   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…

9. 

   E600 · 19 Aug 2026 · 34 min

   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. Mentioned in this episode: Power Hour (Apple, Spotify) Ta-Da Lists (Apple, Spotify) Outer Order, Inner Calm (Amazon, Bookshop) Reframing (Apple, Spotify) The Strategy of Pairing (Apple, Spotify) Half-Way Day (Apple, Spotify) Why Scheduling is Life (Apple, Spotify) My America Feeling (Apple, Spotify) Tackle One Big Hard Task (Apple, Spotify) The Right Thing to Say When Someone Makes a Bad Mistake (Apple, Spotify) The Four Tendencies Gretchen’s Halloween Photo Display Read 21 in 2021 Are…

10. 

    E59902 · 17 Aug 2026 · 6 min

    Little Happier: Why NBA Star Jalen Brunson Values Persistence over Pyrotechnics

    NBA star Jalen Brunson gives a surprising answer to the question, “What play best embodies this entire title run?” Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices