The Onward Project
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/
1d ago
Liz and Sarah dive into the Mailroom with an all listener questions episode! What are their top tips for making sure your voice is heard in a meeting? Would Liz rather be a Traitor or a Faithful? Where in the world does Sarah most want to shoot a show? What do they think about the sale of WBD? They answer all these questions and many more! 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: A Man on the Inside Season Two trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6UXdDbuNFc The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: https://amzn.to/4aeLcZa Actress of a Certain Age by Jeff Hiller: https://amzn.to/4s6AoD1 How to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast: https://amzn.to/3MC5emG Squid Game: The Challenge Season Two trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ4D7HA7Ov4 War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy: https://amzn.to/4j8nOPy Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel: https://amzn.to/48u01Vj Simon Haisell’s Footnotes and Tangents: https://footnotesandtangents.substack.com We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade by Elyse Arons: https://amzn.to/4j2mxtl Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/hollywood/ #rulapod #ad See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 11
Before Liz and Sarah dive into the episode, Liz shares the sad news of her dad’s recent death and thanks listeners for the outpouring of love and support. Then they talk about their Team Theme for 2026 and how they want it to relate to this year’s theme but also be more aggressive. They land on “Be the Bee,” and their symbol is the Killer Bee. In The Mailroom, they answer a layered question about whether or not too much pressure is put on new writers to deliver stellar spec pilot scripts. This week’s Hollywood Hack is to have multiples of certain items — including phone chargers, scissors, and reading glasses. Finally Liz recommends I Love LA on HBO Max. Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com . It will come right to your inbox! 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: Jack Craft obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansascity/name/jack-craft-obituary?id=60219609 I Love LA trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnBAmvw_Yow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 4
Executive Coach and Friend of the Pod Michael Melcher joins Sarah to discuss the benefits of networking up. Making connections with higher ups is intimidating but worth it! Michael stays on as Guest Host to discuss the idea of an Admin Night— which is, essentially, a group Power Hour. Then, in Take Two, they discuss their current personal canaries in a coal mine. This week’s Hollywood Hack is Slidelock Carabiners! Finally, Sarah recommends the novel Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel and Simon Haisell’s accompanying Slow Read. 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: Michael Melcher: https://m2leaders.com/team/michael-melcher/ Your Invisible Network, by Michael Melcher: https://amzn.to/440xy87 Slidelock Carabiners: https://amzn.to/4pHVLbs Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel: https://amzn.to/48u01Vj Simon Haisell’s Footnotes and Tangents: https://footnotesandtangents.substack.com Photo by Thomas Le on Unsplash Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below. https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 27
Happy Thanksgiving! Liz and Sarah share a veritable cornucopia of practical hacks from listeners. Some faves? Use a hotel room pants hanger to clip the curtains closed. Put whitening mouthwash in your water flosser. Attach a house key to your dog’s leash. And so many more! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft 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! Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com . It will come right to your inbox! LINKS: Luggage Strap: https://amzn.to/4r8kxD8 Plug-in Night Light: https://amzn.to/49rzIRM Expo Markers: https://amzn.to/4icUQO2 Contact Lenses Cases: https://amzn.to/47Zo4uP Satin Pillow Case: https://amzn.to/43D7LCH Asobu Cold Brew Maker: https://amzn.to/47FiAqm Cold Brew Pitcher: https:// amzn.to/4iaZj3B Rolling Cart: https://amzn.to/49JE9HR Whimsical Binder Clips: https://amzn.to/4r4s2uY Dryer Sheets: https://amzn.to/3JEDNYo Roomba: https://amzn.to/3LNLFY4 Tackle Box: https://amzn.to/43yHghN Whitening Moutwash: https://amzn.to/3LEDygB Grooming Kit (for the car): https://amzn.to/4roSEar VFM No Show Footie Sock: https://amzn.to/49Ps43G Hulken Bag: https://amzn.to/4r1HiIY Universal Fit Car Gap Filler: https://amzn.to/4oKSTKS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 20
Every episode, Liz and Sarah refer to winning the “war of attrition.” Today they discuss concrete ways to get IN that war — you can’t win if you’re not in the fight! In Career Lessons With Laverne, they talk to career coach extraordinaire, Laverne McKinnon, about how to handle someone being incredibly rude. This week’s Hollywood Hack is for pet owners — Paw Inspired reusable crate liners/pee pads. Finally, Sarah recommends Burn It Down by Maureen Ryan. 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! Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com . It will come right to your inbox! LINKS: Jen Grisanti: https://www.jengrisanti.com/ Carole Kirschner: https://www.carolekirschner.com/ Jordana Oberman: https://www.jordanaoberman.com/ Moonshot Mentor: https://www.lavernemckinnon.com/ Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood by Maureen Ryan: https://amzn.to/3LUIiyx See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 13
‘Tis the season for gift giving! Liz and Sarah share their favorite gifts of 2025 — everything from a Hori Hori Knife to a Hot Potato Shock Game to Sarah’s new favorite hair product. Also? Here’s a special link for anyone who wants to give the gift of an Annual Happier In Hollywood Substack subscription — it includes 10% off and a free “It’s a Fun Job” tote bag! https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/4153e071 Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com . It will come right to your inbox! 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: Happier In Hollywood Annual Subscription & “It’s a Fun Job” tote bag (Available until Jan. 5, 2026): https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/4153e071 Roadom Portable CD Player: https://amzn.to/483lpl1 Shiatsu Back, Shoulder, and Neck Massager: https://amzn.to/4nKdvBQ LitONES: https://amzn.to/43XXvF4 Aura Frame: https://amzn.to/47QYRTt Hot Potato Shock Game: https://amzn.to/488FdCH Left Right Center Game: https://amzn.to/3Xj4pRE Ice Breaker Jenga Game: https://amzn.to/49HRUGJ Juliska Isabella Acrylic Small Tumbler — https://amzn.to/3WGhjJk Juliska Amalia Acrylic Wine Glass — https://amzn.to/43XWPzw Malin+Goetz Candle (Leather): https://amzn.to/3Lv3hYF HiLife Portable Steamer: https://amzn.to/3JQFrWH Crocs Slides: https://amzn.to/488J16X Northface Women’s Aconcagua Park: https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/p/womens/womens-jackets-and-vests/womens-parkas-327273/womens-aconcagua-parka-NF0A88TA?color=JK3 Greenstalk Inventor’s Bundle https://greenstalkgarden.com/products/inventors-bundle-evergreen-basic-texture?_pos=1&_psq=inventors+bundle&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Personalized Harvest Basket https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/gardeners-harvest-basket?_br_psugg_q=harvest%2Bbasket Cook’s Illustrated https://www.americastestkitchen.com/cooksillustrated Good Things, by Samin Nosrat https://amzn.to/3Lv2VBj Hori hori knife: https://amzn.to/441PdvU Swiss Army knife: https://amzn.to/47uMQEd Feeding Ghosts, by Tessa Hulls: https://amzn.to/3LBH37f Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Memoir Colored Television by Danzy Senna: https://amzn.to/4qOlDnB Elsa Peretti Heart Bookmark from Tiffany: (80 dollars) https://www.tiffany.com/home-accessories/desk-designs/sterling-silver-desk-designs-2543440917.html?omcid=ppc_google_TIFFANY_WJ_USA_NOBRID_HOM_HOME_OGOING_EC_BRAN_GTAD_CRD_ENG_USD_E&mkwid=s%7Cpcrid%7C708342824544%7Cpkw%7Ctiffany%20elsa%20peretti%20bookmark%7Cpmt%7Ce%7Cpdv%7Cc%7Cmtid%7C744dpc50313%7Cslid%7C%7Cproductid%7C%7Ctargetids%7Ckwd-2322982324764%7Cgroupid%7C166248212792%7C&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9616645864&gbraid=0AAAAAD-_9SBd2HDyyLBdpAe8_7g9zzHaK&gclid=CjwKCAiAzrbIBhA3EiwAUBaUdanDWSF6ML623eAMZOaCP5zVO9ANCt3k_Ewek9PrXHZ2s6V-6s2_LRoC_JsQAvD_BwE Hair towel: https://amzn.to/3LlK8bF Speks geode magnetic fidget toy: https://amzn.to/3WKNBTA Color WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray: https://amzn.to/49H15Hs Jisulife Hand Held Minifan: https://amzn.to/4oWKvHZ Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer: https://amzn.to/49r4H0n KIVA: https://www.kiva.org/ HIH 2024 Gift Guide: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happier-in-hollywood/id1236845161?i=1000676607073 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 6
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 Violet reminded her to talk to strangers. Then Sarah gives Violet a Hit for getting Sarah to go to concerts, and Liz gives herself a Bomb for bailing on an event last minute. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Liz’s ongoing search for the perfect Zoom lighting — LitONES Model F630 desk lamps. Finally, Sarah recommends the new Louise Penny book, The Black Wolf. 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! Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/hollywood #rulapod LINKS: Jordana Oberman: https://www.jordanaoberman.com/ Eloise the Orangutan: Https://youtu.be/0xdY3Fzu5vo?si=px4XIBg6kRkbOHPy All the Way to the River: Love, Loss and Liberation by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://amzn.to/3LlR5t8 LitONES Model 630 desk lamps: https://amzn.to/3X9j4if The Black Wolf by Louise Penny: https://amzn.to/4hMlPzE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 30
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, they share their personal horror stories and discuss why it’s good to laugh at yourself. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they explore what you want your sample script to show about your skills as a TV writer. This week’s Hollywood Hack is affordable and comfortable — H & M Wide-Leg Joggers. Finally, Liz recommends the documentary series The Last Wright: Building the Final Home Design of America’s Greatest Architect on HBO Max. 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 & @LizCraft 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: H & M Wide-Leg Joggers: https://www2.hm.com/en_us/search-results.html?q=women%27s%20wide-leg%20joggers The Last Wright trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMsHoavzs8Y See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.