Becoming a parent can be one of the most transformative, and instructive, experiences of our lives. These four “Secrets of Adulthood” examine some of the most important lessons parenthood can teach us.

Resources & links related to this episode:
Open-door stage
Secrets of Adulthood
A version of this piece was originally published on the CNBC site.


Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 

Becoming a parent can be one of the most transformative, and instructive, experiences of our lives. These four &ldquo;Secrets of Adulthood&rdquo; examine some of the most important lessons parenthood can teach us.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/forecast-your-foibles-a-big-life-change-amp-the-correct-way-to-load-a-dishwasher/" data-wplink-edit="true">Open-door stage</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/books/secrets-of-adulthood/">Secrets of Adulthood</a></li>
<li>A version of this piece was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/11/i-am-a-mom-and-happiness-researcher-life-lessons-about-how-to-be-happy-parents.html">originally published</a>&nbsp;on the CNBC site.</li>
</ul>
 Get in touch: <a href="mailto:podcast@gretchenrubin.com">podcast@gretchenrubin.com</a>
Visit<a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/">&nbsp;Gretchen's website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the&nbsp;Happier&nbsp;app.
Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.&nbsp;

Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen’s cohost and guinea pig is her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles, who (lovingly) refers to Gretchen as her happiness bully. 

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen&rsquo;s cohost and guinea pig is her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles, who (lovingly) refers to Gretchen as her happiness bully.&nbsp;
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

How to Build Happier Habits into Your Daily Life

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Little Happier: Four Helpful “Secrets of Adulthood” for Parents

We explore the value of the German custom of the Stammtisch as a fun and easy way to strengthen friendships. We also share dozens of compelling one-word themes chosen by listeners for 2026—plus a strategy for elevating everyday life.

Resources & links related to this episode:
Learn more about Move 26 join us here
Elizabeth is reading: The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg (Amazon, Bookshop) 
Gretchen is rereading: Christmas in Austin by Benjamin Markovits (Amazon, Bookshop) 


Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 

We explore the value of the German custom of the Stammtisch as a fun and easy way to strengthen friendships. We also share dozens of compelling one-word themes chosen by listeners for 2026&mdash;plus a strategy for elevating everyday life.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://happiercast.com/move26">Learn more about Move 26 join us here</a></li>
<li>Elizabeth is reading: The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/4szMgNX">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9780593133866">Bookshop</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Gretchen is rereading: Christmas in Austin by Benjamin Markovits&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/4qxRo3X">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9780571365968">Bookshop</a>)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
 Get in touch: <a href="mailto:podcast@gretchenrubin.com">podcast@gretchenrubin.com</a>
Visit<a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/">&nbsp;Gretchen's website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the&nbsp;Happier&nbsp;app.
Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.&nbsp;

Ep. 569: Do You Miss Having Time to Hang Out with Friends? Plus Listeners’ One-Word Themes

When we lose our wallet, we think finding it would make us happy forever, but once found, we quickly start taking it for granted again. Colette said of her life, "What a beautiful life. It's a pity I didn't notice it sooner." But we don’t have to lose our wallet to note the joy of possessing it.

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 

When we lose our wallet, we think finding it would make us happy forever, but once found, we quickly start taking it for granted again. Colette said of her life, "What a beautiful life. It's a pity I didn't notice it sooner." But we don&rsquo;t have to lose our wallet to note the joy of possessing it.
Get in touch: <a href="mailto:podcast@gretchenrubin.com">podcast@gretchenrubin.com</a>
Visit<a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/">&nbsp;Gretchen's website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the&nbsp;Happier&nbsp;app.
Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.&nbsp;

A Little Happier: Do You Suffer from “Lost Wallet Syndrome?” I Do.

Already exhausted by the new year? In this conversation on the "Lazy Genius" podcast, host Kendra Adachi and I explore why “fresh start” culture creates so much anxiety—and how being “lazy” about some things can help you focus on what truly matters in January.

Resources & links related to this episode:
The Lazy Genius Collective 

Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 

Already exhausted by the new year? In this conversation on the "Lazy Genius" podcast, host Kendra Adachi and I explore why &ldquo;fresh start&rdquo; culture creates so much anxiety&mdash;and how being &ldquo;lazy&rdquo; about some things can help you focus on what truly matters in January.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/">The Lazy Genius Collective&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
Get in touch: <a href="mailto:podcast@gretchenrubin.com">podcast@gretchenrubin.com</a>
Visit<a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/">&nbsp;Gretchen's website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the&nbsp;Happier&nbsp;app.
Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.&nbsp;

Little Happier: Four Helpful “Secrets of Adulthood” for Parents

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