More Happier : Easing Painful Moments with Humor, Plus, Are Coasters Outdated?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Episode: More Happier—Easing Painful Moments with Humor, Plus, Are Coasters Outdated?

Date: July 25, 2026
Hosts: Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft

---

Episode Overview

In this lively weekend episode, Gretchen Rubin and her sister/cohost Elizabeth Craft dive into how humor can be used to ease painful moments, illustrated by a recent viral basketball interview. They also spark a playful debate on whether household coasters are a fading tradition or still essential. The conversation blends practical wisdom, personal anecdotes, and their trademark light, engaging banter.

---

Highlights & Key Discussion Points

1. What’s Making Us Happier? (02:29 – 05:43)

Elizabeth’s Cardio Breakthrough (02:29)

• Elizabeth shares her recent personal accomplishment: jogging a full mile in 12 minutes at Orange Theory, a first for her.
  • “I did it in 12 minutes, which I thought was pretty darn good.” — Elizabeth (02:49)
  • She repeated the feat, proving it wasn’t a fluke and felt measurable progress was “extremely satisfying.”

Gretchen’s Odd Soda Flavors (04:33)

• Gretchen finds joy in trying “odd, offbeat soda flavors,” sharing her love for Cherry Coke Zero, Lime Diet Coke, and memories of Crystal Pepsi.
  • “I love an off the beaten track diet soda.” — Gretchen (05:09)
• Elizabeth recommends a peach Fresca she spotted, which leads to enthusiastic soda banter.

---

2. Easing Painful Moments with Humor: The Knicks Example (05:47 – 12:00)

The Set-Up: Knicks’ Dramatic Win & The Missed Layup (05:47)

• Gretchen recounts attending a stunning Knicks comeback during the championship—highlighting Josh Hart’s “humiliating” missed layup in the final moments and the subsequent victorious OG Anunoby tip-in.
  • “Right in the final moments, they had clawed their way back from being 29 points behind. Josh Hart misses an easy layup that would have put the Knicks in the lead.” — Gretchen (06:45)

Humor in the Face of Pain (07:56)

• During a celebratory Today Show interview, teammate Jalen Brunson jokes about the missed layup (“a lot of great things happen there when you’re down one and you miss wide open layups”)—but in an affectionate, arm-around-his-friend way.
  • “He has his arm around Josh Hart. He’s joshing him, as our father would say.” — Gretchen (08:54)
• Josh Hart joins in, taking the sting from the mistake by humorously reframing it as setting up the epic winning play.
  • “I was willing to sacrifice that layup so OG could get this tip in. I was trying to be a good teammate.” — Josh Hart, as recounted by Gretchen (09:21)

The Insight (09:58)

• Gretchen reflects: Humor, when used lovingly, “can be more helpful than tactful avoidance.”
• Elizabeth notes that bringing up “the elephant in the room” and joking about it “loses its power.”
  • “By doing that, it loses its power.” — Elizabeth (10:13)
• Hosts underscore the nuance: Humor from close friends with positive intent can heal, while in the wrong hands it can hurt.
  • “Everything about him is saying, I’m joshing. This is not a passive aggressive dig.” — Gretchen (11:09)
• Even if one can’t use humor, Elizabeth says discussing the pain still “takes the sting out.”
  • “Avoiding it is almost never a good idea.” — Elizabeth (11:39)
• Memorable moment: Gretchen promises to link the interview (the layup exchange is around minute 6:50 in the Today Show broadcast).

---

3. The Coaster Controversy: Are Coasters Outdated? (16:24 – 23:11)

A Millennial Weighs In (16:44)

• Listener Marley writes in declaring coasters “outdated,” comparing them to “travel slideshows... Rolodex, map books, landline phones.” Marley never uses coasters, nor does anyone she knows, suggesting this shift is generational.
  • “I am a 33 year old millennial and I don’t see their purpose at all…perhaps part of it is that my generation’s furniture is not as well built or as precious.” — Marley (edited for brevity)

Hosts React and Discuss (18:05)

• Elizabeth finds the note “hilarious,” wondering if Marley is right about a generational shift.
• Gretchen’s adult daughters initially say “everyone uses coasters”—but after polling friends, realize they might be coaster-users only due to their upbringing.
• Elizabeth and Gretchen offer the “rule”: If coasters are present, use them—it signals the owner values their furniture.
  • “If there are coasters there, it means whoever’s space that is thinks coasters are necessary, and likely they are necessary.” — Elizabeth (19:00)

Why Coasters Still Matter (19:15)

• Unlike other obsolete objects, coasters lack a digital substitute; for certain wood or untreated surfaces, only a coaster prevents permanent damage.
• Elizabeth shares a story: a hot pizza box permanently damaged her dining table, requiring replacement.
  • “We spent years trying different things to get rid of the big mark left from the hot pizza box, and we never did.” — Elizabeth (20:42)
• Hosts muse about “finicky” table surfaces and conclude: Know your surfaces, use coasters when prudent, and don’t assume what might damage furniture.
  • “If it’s something you need to be careful…use a coaster.” — Gretchen (22:37)

---

4. Coasters as Meaningful, Personal Objects (26:19 – 27:44)

• Listener Tara shares she bought a locally-made coaster as a memento (and practical office accessory) while traveling—a happiness hack Gretchen previously recommended.
• Elizabeth views coasters as expressions of personality, sentiment, and whimsy.
  • “You can do anything with a coaster, and it can really be an expression of yourself.” — Elizabeth (27:23)
• Gretchen jokes about how Elizabeth’s “Real Housewife mugshot coasters” reveal her character to visitors.

---

5. Notable Quote of the Week (27:59)

• Virginia Woolf, Diary, August 22, 1922:
  • “Never have I been so happy in my life. The day was like a perfect piece of cabinet making, beautifully fitted with beautiful compartments.”
    —Read by Gretchen (28:18)
  • Reaction: “What a great simile.” — Elizabeth (28:21)

---

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “You wanted to work on your cardio and you are doing it. Excellent.” — Gretchen to Elizabeth (04:24)
• “I love a bold new Fresca flavor or new to LA, at least.” — Elizabeth (05:28)
• “If you can find the loving teasing, the joshing, that can be more helpful than tactful avoidance.” — Gretchen (09:33)
• “If there are coasters there, that is your sign that you should use a coaster.” — Gretchen (22:37)
• “I will be sad if coasters die out, Gretch. I love my coasters.” — Elizabeth (29:17)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:29] What’s making us happier: Elizabeth’s mile & Gretchen’s soda flavors
• [05:47] Knicks basketball, humor, and managing painful moments
• [09:58] Host reflections: talking vs. avoiding the painful or awkward
• [16:44] Are coasters obsolete? Millennial feedback sparks debate
• [20:42] Furniture cautionary tales (the pizza box story)
• [26:19] Coasters as travel souvenirs and personal touches
• [27:59] Quote of the Week: Virginia Woolf on happiness and compartmentalized joy

---

Final Thoughts

This episode blends practical happiness strategies (use humor to soften awkward moments and address, rather than avoid, pain), affectionately nerdy discussions (coaster etiquette!), and plenty of laughs. Both hosts encourage curiosity about everyday objects, self-compassion during mishaps, and finding small joys—whether in personal fitness goals or a peach-flavored soda.

Listeners are invited to share their thoughts and join the ongoing dialogue about what really makes us "more happier."

---

(Note: All timestamps in MM:SS; ads have been skipped as requested.)

Transcript

[Elizabeth Craft]

Lemonade.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You can focus on exercise, nutrition, all the things you're supposed to do for your health. But if you are not sleeping well, it is very hard to feel refreshed,

[Elizabeth Craft]

especially when you wake up overheated in the middle of the night. That completely affects my sleep, which is why I Love the Chilipad 2.0 by Sleep Me. It is a water based mattress topper that controls your sleep temperature and works with your existing matt. And if one person sleeps hot and the other sleeps cold, and that's Adam and me, each side can have its own temperature setting, which is amazing.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah. And I also love that it automatically starts when you get into bed, so it feels seamless. Visit www.sleep.me Gretchen to get up to $255 off your Chilipad 2.0 with code Gretchen. This special offer is available for happier listeners and only for a limited time. Order it today with free shipping and try it out for 30 days. You can return it for free. You don't like it with their sleep trial? Visit www.sleep s l e e p.me Gretchen and see why cold sleep is your ultimate ally in performance and recovery.

[Olivia from Olli]

Hey friends. Olivia from Olli. Between new routines and the ultimate group project known as parenting, you need science backed solutions that work with your life. That's where Ollie comes in. Start your mornings off right with multis made to support nutrition and immune health. Choose from our lineup of gut supporting probiotics and we've got occasional sleep support to help the whole their big dreams. Head back to class with the number one Gummy supplement brand. Stock up on ollie.com today. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Hello, we're here for more Happier, a podcast where we get happier. It's the weekend. It's observations and reflections with a looser vibe. Hey, Elizabeth.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Hi, Gretch.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Today we'll talk about an example that I just saw and that I love of people using humor to take the sting out of a painful topic. And we explore the surprisingly controversial subject of coasters. But first, something making us happier. Elizabeth, what is something making you happier?

[Elizabeth Craft]

All right, Gretch, well, this is Orange Theory related, okay? So bear with me. I started doing Orange Theory because I really wanted to up my cardio. I felt like my cardio was not good and I wanted to improve because there's a lot of running at Orange Theory. And so what is making me happier is recently, a few weeks ago, for the first time I think in my life, I ran a mile straight, or jogged, I should say, not ran. I did it in 12 minutes, which I thought was pretty darn good.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes, well done.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, so I did it once. I was very proud of myself. And then I went to a treadmill class. They have some classes that are just treadmill or just strength training. Yeah, I like to do treadmill classes. And part of the agenda of the day was run 12 minutes and see how much distance you can get. So I set a goal for myself of doing the mile again, jogging the whole time, and I did it again. So then I felt like, okay, this wasn't just a one time thing. Now I've done it twice. And then in that same class, I got another mile in 12 minutes. Although that time, I have to admit, I kind of ran and walked. So I ran faster, but then I would walk for 30 seconds part of the time. So it wasn't a straight jog, which is what I'm most proud of, is just a straight jog. But, you know, it's improvement that I can see and measure, and it's extremely satisfying.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Wait, so you did it twice in one class?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Wow. So you went from never having ever done it at all to doing it three times in quick succession and twice in one class?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. Although again, the second time in the same class, it was, yes, a mile and 12 minutes, but it was up and down on pace, whereas the other two times I just ran the same pace the whole time. 5.4.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, well done, Elizabeth. Gold star to you. That is very impressive. You wanted to work on your cardio and you are doing it. Excellent.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Okay, Gretch, what is making you happier?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, this is. This is a lot less exciting than what you have, but I was just thinking how much I enjoy odd soft drink flavors. You know, I'm a big fan of Diet Coke, Diet Dr. Pepper Fresca, and I really enjoy Cherry Coke Zero or a Lime Diet Coke. I liked crystal. Pepsi or Pepsi? Crystal, whatever that was when they had that. I like an odd, offbeat soda flavor. So whenever I spot those in the grocery store or wherever I am, I love it. I love a off the beaten track diet soda.

[Elizabeth Craft]

It's funny you mention this, because I have seen recently, I think it's a peach Fresca that I keep thinking about trying.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh, my gosh.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I'm not sure if I'm going to like peach.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Where can I get that? Well, because Fresca is very grapefruit.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Right.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So what is that? I don't know. I Must get my hands on it. I have not seen that.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes, it is a bold new fresco flavor or new to la, at least. I had never seen it before.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay.

[Elizabeth Craft]

But, yeah, I am also up often for trying an interesting soda flavor. Okay.

[Gretchen Rubin]

It's the little things.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. Okay, Gretch. And now there is something you've been meaning to tell me.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay. Yes. So you know the Knicks, Operation Knicks knowledge. I'm really into the Knicks. The Knicks just had this stunning win, this championship win. Everybody's super excited. Been watching all these clips of interviews or really the whole interview. And there was this moment. It was a very lighthearted moment. It was very funny. But it really seemed like a very sophisticated use of humor to take the sting out of a difficult subject. Because, listen, we've talked a lot about how if you can use humor, that is often the best thing to do. But it's hard. It's hard sometimes to find a way to be funny and lighthearted. Not mean. Not teasing in a cruel way, but finding a way to take the sting out of something. Okay, so to set the stage, it's the Knicks game four. I was there in person. It was gonna be like a highlight of my whole life. It was an extraordinary game. And right in the final moments, they had clawed their way back from being 29 points behind. Josh Hart misses an easy layup that would have put the Knicks in the lead.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I remember the moment. And we were all saying, this is one of the worst moments of his life, and if they don't win, this is gonna haunt him for the rest of his life.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah. So one thing to know is that Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson are really, really good friends. They played together at Villanova along with Mikal Bridges, and the three of them were being interviewed on the Today show. So it was Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, who are these? Really, really two good friends. And then also Mikhail Bridges, very close to them. And then the host, Jenna Bush Hager, is asking them various questions. So just to set the scene of what happens. So Josh Hart misses the layup. It's a disaster. It's a humiliating miss because he absolutely should have made it. And then it seems like all have lost. But even when there are fewer seconds left, Jalen Brunson shoots a ball that's clearly not going to be a basket. And somehow their player, OG Anunoby, sprints from across the floor, leaps into the fray and tips the ball in the. They pull ahead. They win. It is spectacular. High point moment. Jamie has it on his Lock screen of his phone. It's just this triumphant moment for OG Anunoby. It's one of the biggest highlights of all time. They go on to win the championship. Okay, so there they are being interviewed on the Today show, and, you know, just kind of a lighthearted interview. This is before the Taylor Swift Travis Kelce wedding. And it's just the rumor has been out that maybe they're gonna get married at Madison Square Garden. So she says, do you think that would be a good place for. For a wedding? And Jalen Brunson, who is the MVP and the team captain, clearly the leader of the team and a really good friend of Josh Hart for a long time, says, a lot of great things happen there when we're down one and you miss wide open layups. But as he's saying this and as he's reminding everybody about this missed layup, he's smiling. He has his arm around Josh Hart. He's joshing him, as our father would say. Our father loved to say people were joshing. And then Josh Hart comes back. So he's using humor to tease Josh Hart. And then Josh Hart comes back. He says, well, for me, I wanted to set up an epic last possession. We wouldn't have had that OG tip in without the miss layup. I was willing to sacrifice that layup so OG could get this tip in. I was trying to be a good teammate. And then Mikhail Bridges is tapping his head like, oh, yeah, good thinking. And so here they are, these two friends, and they're talking about this extremely painful moment. They're joshing about it, and so they take the sting out of it. Watching that Lizzo, I think that sometimes for me, I will often avoid something painful. If I think something is painful to somebody or something happened where, like, oh, it went so wrong, I really step away from it. But I now believe that if you can find the loving teasing, the joshing, that can be more helpful than tactful avoidance, which then just makes it seem like it's something that can't be spoken and gives it a weight. Whereas this way, it's light, it's out in the open, we're all laughing together. Josh Hart gets to put his own funny spin on it.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, well, I think it's interesting that Jalen Brunson brought it up because it's the elephant in the room. And so this way he was saying, we are gonna own this. We are gonna talk about it, we are gonna make it not a big deal. By doing that, it loses its power.

[Gretchen Rubin]

It's funny. You know, nominative determinism is when you take on a behavior or profession because of your name, like your last name is Bones. So you become an orthopedist. That's nominative determinism.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah. And it's funny.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Josh Hart is known for being really funny, very prankish. So he is a big Josher himself. But I thought they've put their stamp on it. They're on it. I just thought this was such an outstanding example of how humor can be used so beautifully.

[Elizabeth Craft]

It can also be used in a really hurtful way. And so much of it is who it's coming from and the intention behind it, because if they weren't friends and they didn't have good intentions, he could have said the same thing and have it land very differently. So.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And he literally put his arm around Josh's shoulders. Yeah, he literally is smiling. He's looking at him. He's got his arm around his shoulder.

[Elizabeth Craft]

He's.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Everything about him is saying, I'm joshing. This is not a passive aggressive dig. This is not, oh, I'm just being funny. Oh, can't you take a joke? It's nothing like that. And that's why it's so difficult, because it has to be done in the right way for that lightness to help and not to somehow become some kind of cruel taunt.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Gretch, I would also say even if you can't pull off humor, I still think it holds true that talking about something.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Takes the sting out anytime.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Absolutely.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Avoiding it is almost never a good idea.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. It does not come naturally to me, so it's good. I need these reminders if you want to watch this interview.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Of course.

[Gretchen Rubin]

The whole episode is incredibly charming. I'll post a link to it in the show notes. And this exchange comes around minute six, 50, right. Almost at the seven minute mark where they're talking about the layout.

[Elizabeth Craft]

All right, Gretch. Coming up, we are going to talk about coasters. But first, this break. A new school year always feels like a fresh start. Every child learns a little differently. And I think one of the most exciting things for families today is having more options to find the learning environment that best fits their child. That's why we want to tell you about K12 powered schools.

[Gretchen Rubin]

K12 powered schools offer tuition free accredited online public education for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. They've been a leader in online education for more than 25 years with flexible learning options tailored to each student's needs, interests, and future goals. Students get support from dedicated teachers trained in virtual instruction, plus opportunities to connect with peers through extracurricular activities and a vibrant online community, all in a setting that works for your family. See how K12 powered schools can help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll online [e-mail] happier that's the letter K the number 12.com happier k12.com happier

[Elizabeth Craft]

I recently wanted to refresh a corner of our house. We had these two chairs that were absolutely destroyed by the sun and we just had to get new ones and looked on. Wayfair. Sure enough, found two gorgeous chairs for a great price and they were delivered within days.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I also like that Wayfair Verified makes shopping feel a lot easier because their team has already vetted products for quality, functionality and ease of assembly. And with millions of customer reviews, you can see how pieces look in real homes before you buy. If a friend told me they were putting off updating their space because they didn't know where to start or they thought it would cost too much, I would tell them to check out Wayfair Elizabeth, you love your two new chairs and everything on this site is great. Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. That's W A Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair Every style, every Home this episode of Happier with Gretchen Rubin is brought to you by Alloy Health. Let's be honest. Aging can come with some unwelcome changes. Sleep disruptions, hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, and decreased libido can hit us hard. Menopause is inevitable, but it's also treatable. That's where Alloy comes in. Alloy is a digital health platform that connects you with a menopause specialized doctor to help you feel and look your best in midlife. Everything is done online, so after completing a simple intake, you're matched with a prescribing physician who creates a personalized treatment plan. If you're approved, your prescription is delivered right to your door with automatic refills. It's a really convenient way to get expert support without waiting for appointments or standing in line at the pharmacy.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Join the 95% of women who tried aloe and saw relief in the first two weeks. Head to myalloid.com and use the code Happier and tell them all about your symptoms, and you'll get a fully customized treatment plan and unlimited messaging with your doctor. Plus, you'll get $20 off your first order today. Head to my A L l o y do and use code happier to get $20 off your first order. Okay, Gretch, we're back. Before we get into our discussion on coasters, what is our spotlight on a tool this week?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, if you like this podcast, you might like my free newsletter too. I love writing my newsletter. Every month I share five things to try. This month I have five things making me happy. That's my weekly, but every month it's five things to try. One of my recent suggestions was a travel hack that I love, which is to have a toiletry K that you just use for travel and that you don't unpack so that you only restock it if it's going low. Because I feel like that's when I make really bad mistakes is when I'm repacking and moving. It's like this way, it's just ready to toss every time you travel. If you like travel tips like that, or just practical tips in general, you can sign [e-mail] Newsletter Again, that's totally free.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And listen, there's something that we've been meaning to talk about. We got this very interesting response to our discussion of coasters from Marley and this was when I was just saying how much I appreciated coasters. I thought coasters were just so good at their little jobs and they made good gifts and they made good souvenirs. I love a coaster. You love a coaster too. Well, Marley has a very different point of view.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes, Marley said. I'm just listening to the latest podcast and the section about coasters. You state that coasters are always needed and they do their job well. However, I am a 33 year old millennial and I don't see their purpose at all. I don't use coasters and I don't know anyone who does and don't come across them in everyday life. I feel like they are outdated and an item people are moving away from. Like other small parts of culture that fade away with the generations, eg the travel slideshow, the Rolodex, map books, alarm clocks, TV guides, recipe books, phone books, landline phones, physical tickets, video stores, DVDs. You don't notice how much they are fading. Households got rid of them bit by bit and one by one until they are no longer a thing. I know what coasters are and have used them when I was younger having meals with older generations. I have seen them on shows like Friends. I understand that they are to prevent rings on furniture. Is that only for hot drinks? If it is like a placemat to avoid spills Personally, I would just wipe the place afterwards. Perhaps part of it is that my generation's furniture is not as well built or as precious, so we might not be as worried about rings in the same way. Anyway, that is my thoughts on coasters, and I would love to know what others think. Well, Gretch, this just cracked me up.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh, my gosh. Hilarious, right?

[Elizabeth Craft]

And I'm sure she's right. Maybe a lot of young people don't use coasters.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, it's interesting because I asked Eliza and Eleanor because they're young people, and I was like, what do you think about coasters? What was funny is they both immediately were like, of course everybody uses coasters. But then Eleanor asked a few friends, and she's like, well, hang on. Maybe we've just been indoctrinated into coasters by you. And other people don't use coasters. And a friend says, no, I don't really use coasters. But then she said, I'm not in a place where I would think that I would use a coaster. What do you think, Elizabeth? I mean.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, I think a lot of it probably is the nature of furniture. I think a lot of furniture now is maybe laminate or something that's synthetic, and so it doesn't get rings as easily. So it really doesn't need a coaster. But I will say, if you are somewhere and coasters are available.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Then use the coaster. Because if there are coasters there, it means whoever space that is thinks coasters are necessary, and likely they are necessary, and you can do a lot of damage that absolutely cannot be removed.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And I think that's what's different from the examples that Marlee gives. The Rolodex, the map books, the TV guide, landline phones, physical tickets. These are things that are no longer necessary because we have digital ways of doing the same thing. That is not true for a coaster. And if you have furniture that can get a ring, let's say you have a wood table that hasn't been treated by something. If it's just the way most people have wood furniture, and you put down a drink, you can leave a ring, and as you say, you will completely ruin it. It's not something like, oh, you just wipe it up later, it is ruined. And yes, it can be from a hot drink that can leave a certain kind of mark, but it can also be a cold drink that has condensation on it.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Let's say you have a plastic Starbucks cup, and it's condensed on the outside. If you put that on a wooden table and there's water on it, or you've been drinking out of it. And so, like, it's dripping in some way that will leave a mark. And it's a permanent mark.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. And it happens fairly quickly. So it's not like you just, oh, let me put it down, and then I'll wipe it up. No, that would be way too risky.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah. So part of it is maybe it's the furniture that you're around. If you're in a conference room in a shared office space, it's probably not gonna be a surface because they'll think people aren't gonna use coasters. We can't trust these people with a nice table. Or maybe it's what some people think of as nice as, like, a wood table that could be damaged. So you may just not be as aware of the fact that some furniture does need these special safeguards.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. And, Gretchen, I can speak from experience, not with a drink being put on a dining room table, but I had someone put a hot pizza box on our dining room table. It was new at the time, and. And we spent years trying different things to get rid of the big mark left from the hot pizza box, and we never did. And we ended up ultimately getting a new dining room table. But that's one of those things where if you don't know that that will happen, it wouldn't occur to you, oh, I need to put something under this hot pizza box. Which also goes with our recent talking Gretch, about things that people know or don't know. And how do you learn things? Well, this is my PSA that a hot pizza box will damage a table.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Let's say you had sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving. I would know not to put those right down on a table, but I don't know that I would have thought of a hot pizza box as something that might be hot on the bottom. You think of it as the box is there. I don't think about that. It kind of reminds me of in the. How do people know things where it's, like, know your surface. If you know that something is susceptible to damage, just be very careful. Whereas if something is stone or all the different special treatments that are impervious, really, then you don't have to be careful. But if it's something that you need to be careful. In fact, why do we have these tables that are so finicky? It's not a good idea.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I know. It is funny.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Why would we have this? This is hilarious.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, it is rather ridiculous and isn't sort of the rule of thumb that the more natural a product is, the more suscept susceptible it is to staining. Like you mentioned stone. I think if you have untreated stone that's very susceptible to, like, staining. If it's a composite, that's when it starts to become a lot more durable.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And that's why people like those, because they've been treated so that they're much more impervious. So I guess the bottom line is just think about the material because you may be in a place where you don't need a coaster, in which case, yeah, you don't need a coaster. But I think a good rule as solicitous is like, if there are coasters, that is your sign that you should use a coaster. And how do people know about coasters? Some things don't need a coaster, but some things do need a coaster.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Now for a quick ad break.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Have you ever noticed that some of the most meaningful moments in life come from helping someone else? It's easy to think that changing the world requires doing something extraordinary. But sometimes lasting change begins with something much smaller. Helping one child overcome the barriers that stand between them and an education. That's what Children Incorporated has been doing for more than 60 years.

[Gretchen Rubin]

By partnering with trusted volunteer coordinators who know the children and families in their own communities, Children Incorporated helps provide essentials like clothing, shoes, nutritious food, school supplies and hygiene items, giving children the support they need to stay in school and build brighter futures. The surprising thing about generosity is that it changes everyone involved. If you've been looking for a simple, meaningful way to make a lasting difference, visit childrenincorporated.org to choose a child to sponsor today. One thing I've learned about summer dressing is that the pieces you love most are usually the simplest ones, the things you reach for again and again because they're comfortable, versatile and always seem to work. That's why we keep coming back to Quince. I've been especially loving their European linen pieces. They're lightweight, easy to wear, and somehow look polished without requiring any effort.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Quince makes elevated essentials using premium materials like European linen, organic cotton and washable silk, but without the traditional markup. Their linen pants, dresses and tops start at just $32, and their soft denim and organic cotton sweaters are perfect for cooler summer evenings. I love their 14 karat gold jewelry, simple pieces that instantly pull an outfit together make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to quint.com Gretchen for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N c e.com Gretchen for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quint.com Gretchen I had one of those

[Gretchen Rubin]

weeks where the to do list just kept growing. Little repairs, things to mount, random projects I kept putting off, and eventually it all starts taking up mental space even when you're not doing it. And that's why I've been using TaskRabbit. You can book a skilled tasker for furniture assembly, home repairs, mounting, yard work, whatever you need help with.

[Elizabeth Craft]

And you can search based on reviews, availability and costs so you feel good about who's showing up. App I finally handed off a project I had been avoiding and let me tell you, it was such a relief just to have it done. I use TaskRabbit and you should too. When life happens, your to do list grows. Get ahead of it now and get 15 off your first [e-mail] or on the TaskRabbit app using code HAPPIER. That's $15 off your first task using promo code HAPPIER with the TaskRabbit app or at taskrabbit.com

[Gretchen Rubin]

Speaking of coasters, we got this from Tara. She said after hearing a listener's tip to buy something you need for your home when on vacation. I decided I would use this happiness hack on my trip to Dauphin Island. I selected a coaster with a picture of a blue heron that was painted by a local artist. The coaster is useful on my office desk, and it reminds me of the blue heron flying low over my head when I was swimming in the ocean. I smiled when I heard the podcast this morning extolling the utility of coasters. So this is right if you need a coaster. I have a coaster right here on my office desk. I have like a white thing to cover my desk, and I don't want the white thing to get stained. So I have a coaster to protect. It's like a plastic cover, but I want to keep my plastic cover unstained, so I got a coaster for that. But it's fun to have a coaster with such a happy memory. That's lovely.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. What I love about coasters, Gretch, aside from their utility, is they are a way of really personalizing a space. Yeah, you can do anything with a coaster, and it can really be an expression of whimsy or an expression of yourself.

[Gretchen Rubin]

No. Anybody who walks into your office, Elizabeth, and they're like, this is somebody who has a treadmill desk with Real Housewife mugshot coasters on it. It's gonna just know a lot about you right then and there.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Say no more. I have a big insight into Elizabeth Craft.

[Elizabeth Craft]

That's right.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, let us know, listeners. What do you think about coasters?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Are we right? Are these outmoded? Are these going the way of the Philo facts, or do people enjoy their coasters? We didn't see this coming. Fascinating.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. Love hearing from people. Okay, Gretch, what is our quotation this week?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, no surprise. This comes from one of the diaries of Virginia Woolf. This comes from August 22, 1922. She wrote, Never have I been so happy in my life. The day was like a perfect piece of cabinet making, beautifully fitted with beautiful compartments.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Wow. What a great simile.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah. What a great image. So, Elizabeth, are you feeling happier?

[Elizabeth Craft]

I am feeling happier. Thank you to Chuck. If you haven't subscribed to Lemonada Premium yet, now is the perfect time. You can listen totally ad free. Just tap the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts or go to lemonadapremium.com. bye, Gretch.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Bye, Elizabeth. The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago. The second best time is now. Oh, Elizabeth. The coaster on my desk is a coaster that a friend gave me after Life in Five Senses came out because it looks like it's this pebbly stone, but then when you run your hands over it, smooth. So it's a little bit surprising, but it's also very pleasing to run your fingers over it. So very Five Senses.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah. I will be sad if coasters die out, Gretch. I love my coasters.

[Gretchen Rubin]

No, we're gonna maintain the coasters. We will hold on to our coasters.

[Wayfair Announcer]

That refresh you've been putting off until the right deal came along. It's here. Wayfair's Black Friday in July sale is happening now, so you can finally get the style you've been waiting for for less. Get up to 80% off area rugs and up to 60% off outdoor and bedroom furniture. Shop Wayfair's huge selection of styles and find the piece to fit your style, budget and space, plus free shipping. Black Friday in July ends July 27th. Shop [e-mail] Wayfair Every style, every home.