Podcast Summary: Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Episode: More Happier: Ever Have a Foolish Desire to “Save” Things? And Why Coffee-Table Books?

Release Date: January 24, 2026
Hosts: Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft

Episode Overview

In this “More Happier” weekend bonus episode, Gretchen Rubin and her sister/cohost Elizabeth Craft dive into two playful “ordinary puzzles”: Why do we have the strange compulsion to save things like new cords or nice t-shirts for “special occasions,” and what is up with the existence—and purpose—of coffee-table books? They also share what’s currently making them happier, discuss their “No Spend February” challenge, and spotlight a quirky, happiness-related personal philosophy. Their tone is conversational, warm, with an undercurrent of practical wisdom—and plenty of laughter.

What’s Making Us Happier (02:24–14:03)

Elizabeth: The Move 26 in 26 Challenge & Treadmill Desk

• The challenge (26 minutes of movement each day in 2026) helps Elizabeth reinstate her treadmill desk habit.
  • “Once you’re walking on the treadmill desk, it is so effortless to get 26 minutes—and more.” (03:19, Elizabeth)
• She reminisces about past routines with writing partner Sarah, underscoring how easily important habits can fade, even ones central to self-identity.
• Small adjustments, like deciding to wear Croc slides instead of athletic shoes on the treadmill, removed obstacles to action.
  • “Any little impediment … can hurt the chances of you doing it. … I’ve just decided changing into running shoes is not necessary.” (06:25, Elizabeth)
• Accountability is crucial; Elizabeth logs her progress in her planner.

Gretchen: Discovering Heated Throw Blankets

• Gretchen, perennially cold, bought her mother an electric blanket but then discovered “heated throw blankets.”
• Enthusiastically recommends a faux fur model, noting it's “delicious,” stylishly camouflages the wires, and brings comfort during New York’s winter.
  • “I was dumbfounded. I had never heard of this thing of a heated throw blanket … and oh my goodness, this thing is amazing!” (09:20, Gretchen)
• Unexpected benefit: it’s cozy for the whole family, including their dog Barney.

Memorable Quote

• “You can question your assumptions: It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to get done.” (Elizabeth and Gretchen, 07:10)

No Spend February Announcement (14:05–15:42)

• The annual “No Spend February” challenge returns; listeners are encouraged to join and define their own reasonable exceptions (e.g., gifts, toothpaste).
  • “It was like, no food delivery … or no just buying a random Diet Coke.” (15:00, Elizabeth)
• Listeners are invited to contribute questions and ideas for the upcoming episode.

Ordinary Item Mystery: What’s the Deal with Coffee-Table Books? (17:02–23:33)

Gretchen’s Puzzle

• Gretchen asks: Why do coffee-table books exist?
  • “It’s a book nobody’s expected to read—so why go to all the trouble?” (17:24, Gretchen)
  • Wonders if their primary purpose is decorative, noting, “Books furnish a room. I love having books in a room … but do they just sit there?”

Elizabeth’s Thoughts

• Points out their use in interior design—adding visual height and layers to surfaces.
• Pre-cell phone era: Coffee-table books were actual browsing material in waiting rooms and living spaces.
  • “Before cell phones, people probably looked at coffee table books a lot more…” (19:14, Elizabeth)

Coffee-Table Books as Signifiers

• They're “identity items”—reflecting the owner’s interests, status, or connections (“This is our family!”).
• Could serve as conversation starters and a subtle form of social signaling.
  • “If someone sees a coffee-table book about mid-century architecture, it says: I’m interesting.” (20:23, Elizabeth)
• Gretchen admits her unease: as a book-lover, she feels coffee-table books want to be read and might “feel neglected and hurt.” (22:15, Gretchen)
• Elizabeth promises to flip through them next time, so “they have served their purpose.” (22:39)

Notable Moment

• “If you think of [coffee-table books] as objects as much as books … they have two ways of achieving their purpose. That’s very comforting to me.” (23:13, Gretchen)

Spotlight on a Tool: Four Tendencies LinkedIn Learning Course (23:37–24:37)

• Gretchen announces a new LinkedIn Learning course about her “Four Tendencies” personality framework, now tailored to workplace dynamics.
  • “I decided, let me just put this out into the world … about how knowing your own tendency can help you at work, and also understanding the tendencies of other people you work with.” (24:00, Gretchen)
• Course available at LinkedIn.com/fourtendencies.

Foolish Desire to “Save” Things (24:56–29:02)

The Compulsion to Save

• Gretchen, referencing her “12 Commandments,” shares how she unconsciously saved new phone chargers (“perfect, pristine, still with the twist ties”), even though that’s wasteful.
  • “Unconsciously, I know I was like: I’m going to keep it new and untouched, until I looked at them and thought: this makes no sense whatsoever.” (25:20, Gretchen)
• Elizabeth totally relates—finding it hard to break the “pristine” state.
  • “Taking off the paper is always such a sad moment; it’s never going to be perfect again.” (26:21, Elizabeth)
• They reflect on the futility of saving everyday useful things: “The fact is, you can’t have too many chargers. … These just become obsolete.” (27:15, Gretchen)
• Pro-tip: Use stickers/personalized markers to avoid family “charger swaps.” Gretchen promises to use her special sticker from the Met museum to label her charger.

Notable Quote: On Color

Source: John Ruskin, The Two Paths (29:08)

“It is the best possible sign of a color when nobody who sees it knows what to call it or how to give an idea of it to anyone else. … The most precious purples will look brown beside pure purple and purple beside pure brown. The most precious green will be called blue if seen beside pure green and green if seen beside pure blue.”

Elizabeth responds: “I love that insight.” (29:42)

Closing (29:44–31:03)

• The sisters wrap up, affirming that these small comforts and perspective shifts are making them “more happier.”
  • “The best time to start a Happiness Project is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” (29:52, Gretchen)
• Brief postscript: Elizabeth raises a reflective question about engaging in beloved but risky activities—“Do you stop because it’s dangerous, or keep playing because you love it?”—leaving it for further pondering.

Timestamps to Key Segments

• Move 26 & Treadmill Desk Revival: 02:24–08:16
• Heated Throw Blanket Joy: 08:21–14:03
• No Spend February Returns: 14:05–15:42
• Coffee-Table Books Deep Dive: 17:02–23:33
• Four Tendencies Course Announcement: 23:37–24:37
• Compulsion to Save Things: 24:56–29:02
• Ruskin on Color Quote: 29:08–29:44

Episode Highlights: Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

• (03:19, Elizabeth): “It’s just this instant reward. You instantly feel good about yourself for doing it.”
• (09:20, Gretchen): “I was dumbfounded. I had never heard of this thing of a heated throw blanket…”
• (22:15, Gretchen): “I feel like the coffee-table books feel neglected and hurt that they’re just sitting there and nobody’s paying attention to them.”
• (26:21, Elizabeth): “Taking off the paper is always such a sad moment; it’s never going to be pristine and perfect again.”
• (29:52, Gretchen): “The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Tone & Takeaway

Casual and self-aware, the episode encourages listeners to examine their habits and assumptions, to claim little comforts, and to laugh at their own “foolish” impulses. Expect relatable confessions, design tips, productivity hacks, and the simple pleasure of hearing two sisters cheer each other—and us—on toward “more happier” living.