More Happier: Get Better at Socializing & Make the Most of “Halfway Day”

Summary

Podcast Summary: "More Happier: Get Better at Socializing & Make the Most of 'Halfway Day'"

Happier with Gretchen Rubin – June 27, 2026
Hosts: Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft
Episode Theme:
In this episode, Gretchen and Elizabeth explore the intentional pursuit of happiness and habit formation, focusing on building the “social muscle,” reflecting on intentional life design through rituals like “Halfway Day,” and embracing both the logistics and mindset of living a happier, more vivid life.

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Episode Overview

The episode is a relaxed, reflective conversation between sisters Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft. They discuss how being intentional about happiness does (or doesn’t) ever feel tiresome, share practical insights about social engagement, and riff on how small practicalities—like the difficulty of using modern TVs—intertwine with overall happiness. Listeners are encouraged to rethink their approach to socializing, mid-year goals, and the role of lighthearted rituals.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Building Your "Social Muscle"

• Elizabeth’s Happiness Booster: Socializing more frequently and recognizing that it gets easier the more you do it.
  • “You can build your social muscles…The more you do it, the easier it gets. And it really is building that muscle and then it takes less room in your brain.” (Elizabeth, 01:57)
  • The anticipation of social events feels less exhausting once you’re in the habit.
  • “If you do things, then other people will invite you to other things. If you host, then they invite you.” (Gretchen, 03:18)
• The Multiplying Effect of Showing Up: Being present leads to more opportunities.
  • "When people are together, they start thinking about other things to do together…You want to be there when those other plans are being made." (Elizabeth, 03:48)
• Spontaneous Group Fun: Example of Gretchen’s children's literature group sneaking off to see the “Golden Compass” movie, which wasn’t good—but the experience was memorable because of the group’s energy (04:54–05:58).

Notable Takeaway:

• Socializing becomes easier and more habitual; being present at gatherings creates its own momentum for future connections and joy.

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Embracing New Interests: The Knicks Phenomenon

• Gretchen’s Newfound Sports Fandom: Despite no previous interest in professional sports, Gretchen has dived deep into New York Knicks basketball, connecting with her husband and community.
  • “I’ve never really been interested in sports at all…But I thought, could I just decide to be interested in something?” (Gretchen, 07:10)
  • “My timing was impeccable…The minute you started paying attention, you started rooting for the Knicks, all of a sudden, they have these incredible runs.” (Gretchen, 07:18)
• Connecting Through Fandom: Shared enthusiasm has strengthened relationships and a sense of belonging.
• Observing Team Rituals: Gretchen is fascinated by sports rituals, such as physical touch among players, and wonders, “Why don’t we do this in meetings?” (Gretchen, 09:55)
• Joy of Shared Public Moments: Public celebrations, singing, and the joy of group identity during the Knicks' successful season.

Notable Quote:

• “I was swept up in the passion of the fans. I was rooting for the fans as well as the team. It was just so big.” (Elizabeth, 09:18)

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Is Focusing on Happiness Tiring?

• Do They Ever Get Tired of All This Planning? Gretchen asks whether Elizabeth is ever exhausted by their constant focus on happiness plans and rituals.
  • “Do you ever get tired of all this planning and talking? It’s just happiness, happiness, happiness.” (Gretchen, 15:47)
• Elizabeth’s Balanced Approach:
  • She wears the plans “somewhat lightly,” not stressing about needing to do everything perfectly: “If I don’t do it, then my life is over… I don’t beat myself up.” (Elizabeth, 15:57)
• Gretchen’s Perspective:
  • “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good...Making the plans and aiming, it just keeps something top of mind.” (Gretchen, 16:39)
• Intentional Joy: Even whimsical traditions (like Elizabeth’s “Off White Delight” summer wardrobe theme) add meaning and fun.
  • “If we didn’t do Designer Summer, in a million years, it would never have occurred to me, hey, I’m going to try this fun thing of wearing white all summer.” (Elizabeth, 18:30)

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Rituals for a Happier Life: Lists, Challenges & Theming

• Elizabeth’s Engagement with Themes: Team traditions like “Killer Bees” at work—complete with bee rings, themed Zoom hours—make work more meaningful and fun (19:49–20:35).
• Gretchen’s Favorites: One-word themes for the year, challenges, and “Design Your Summer” rituals.
  • “The word is always very significant for me. Like this year being it, ‘neighborhood’…It’s like the neighborhood feeling that the Knicks give the city.” (Gretchen, 21:10)
• Small Rituals, Large Impact: Rituals don’t have to be high-stakes; “it gives me a little bit of pep in my step and flair for summer 26.” (Elizabeth, 18:14)

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Halfway Day: The Mid-Year Reset

• What is Halfway Day? July 2 marks the year’s midpoint—a chance to reflect on and adjust personal goals (“26 for 26” lists), habits, and routines.
  • “Schedules change, energies change, routines change often in the summer…I put together a collection of resources about reevaluating your aims and adapting your habits for summer.” (Gretchen, 23:29)
• Listener Invitation: Review your list, adapt, and remember there’s plenty of time for new growth.

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The TV Conundrum: Small Obstacles, Real Friction

• Modern TV Troubles: Elizabeth admits that, despite being a TV writer/producer, she struggles with actually turning on and watching television due to confusing remotes and systems.
  • “I hadn’t been able to turn on any of the TVs in our house for, like, two years…I have been doing it, but it’s still sort of me just pushing buttons to find what I need to find.” (Elizabeth, 27:03–27:08)
• Instructions Are Gold: Gretchen’s meticulously written guest instructions helped Elizabeth successfully watch TV at Gretchen’s house—“I couldn’t believe. It was like, wow, that’s impressive.” (Elizabeth, 29:55–30:23)
• Universal Problem: Even TV-savvy relatives rely on “muscle memory” or trial-and-error. Everyone can relate to the friction (logistical or psychological) that small obstacles add to daily happiness.

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Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Socializing:
  • “You can build your social muscles…the more you do it, the easier it gets.” (Elizabeth, 01:57)
• On Joyful Fandom:
  • “I’ve managed to take an interest in the Knicks... It’s brought me closer to so many people and allowed me to participate joyfully and sincerely.” (Gretchen, 08:09)
• On Ritual & Not Perfection:
  • “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Because I think if people are too hard on themselves or extremely stressed out, then that can work against your happiness.” (Gretchen, 16:39)
• On Intentional Life Design:
  • “I just find it so fun to be like a part of something like that. You know, it just makes life richer and I don’t know, I just love it.” (Elizabeth, 20:35)
• On Small Frictions:
  • “It’s that little bit of friction…or that thing where it signs you out and then you have to sign in again every so often.” (Gretchen, 33:10)

Weekly Quote:

• “Glass is the best of all decorations, holding the light and changing it.” — Virginia Woolf, quoted by Gretchen (32:11)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Building Your Social Muscle: 01:57–06:15
• The Knicks & Joyful Fandom: 07:06–11:57
• Do You Get Tired of Happiness Rituals? 15:24–19:25
• Rituals: Lists, Themes, and Team Traditions: 19:25–21:42
• Halfway Day & Mid-Year Review: 22:47–23:29
• TV Watching Confusion: 26:35–32:07
• Virginia Woolf Quote & Episode Close: 32:11–32:27

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Tone and Language

Friendly, honest, sometimes whimsical; the sisters blend practical advice with self-awareness, humor, and genuine affection for ritual and experimentation.

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Final Thoughts

This episode emphasizes that happiness, connection, and meaning grow best when intentionally nurtured—though those intentions should be held lightly, without perfectionism. Whether it’s building your “social muscle,” picking a summer theme, or just figuring out how to use the TV, the little rituals, adjustments, and mutual encouragement all add up to a more vivid and satisfying life.

Transcript

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[A]

Hello, we're here for More Happier, a

[B]

podcast where we get happier. Join us for some weekend listening. It's observations and reflections, but we're kicking back with the looser vibe. Hey, Elizabeth.

[C]

Hey, Gretch.

[B]

Today we'll talk about whether we get tired of thinking about how to be happier. And I'll also ask Elizabeth about something she said on Happier in Hollywood that amazed me. But first, something making us happier. Elizabeth, what is something making you happier?

[C]

Well, Gretch, I've talked a lot about how I've been socializing more lately, seeing more people going out more. And what I've realized that is making me happier is that you can build your social muscles so it can feel so effortful to socialize. And like, it's so exhausting and the idea of doing it is overwhelming. But the more you do it, the easier it gets. And it really is building that muscle and then it takes less room in your brain. Sort of before, like thinking, oh my gosh, I have something on the calendar. Tuesday, how am I gonna handle it? I'm gonna be so tired. But no, once you go out and start doing it more, then it's just easier to do so many things.

[B]

The more you do it, the more you do it. You're just sort of in the habit of it. It doesn't feel like such a big deal that one week you went out, what'd you go? You had like four plans in one week.

[C]

Yes. And then once you've done four in a week, well, then doing one thing In a week seems like nothing seems so doable.

[A]

Right.

[C]

So again, it's like that muscle. And I think it's just a relief or comforting to me to know it does become more incorporated into life and easier and more manageable when you do it more. Also, it encourages me to keep doing it so that I don't let my social muscles atrophy.

[B]

Well, and the thing about socializing, too, is if you do things, then other people will invite you to other things. If you host, then they invite you. And then if you show up, then people are like, oh, she's interested in this kind of thing. I think then on the margins, maybe you'll go to things that. That maybe you wouldn't have otherwise gone to. You're so like, yeah, maybe I'll go.

[A]

But it's funny how taking the room in your brain, it is the kind of thing where with some events, I don't think about them at all. But there are other ones where it just. It feels like it takes a lot out of you before you even go.

[C]

Right.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Right. Another thing that is true, and I don't know if this is exactly on the topic of building your social muscles, but when you say, like, going out leads to more invitations, et cetera, I also find that often when people are together, they start thinking about other things to do together.

[A]

That is such a great point. That is so true. So often. No. Or you go to an event and then you're like, oh, we should get together for lunch. And so then you have a lunch with somebody that you haven't seen in a year.

[C]

Yes. And so you wanna be there when those other plans are being made. Cause often those are really fun things.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So that's a reason to go. You know, we're always saying, just show up, or, you know, say yes, even if you wanna say no, and follow through and all sorts of tips and tricks for doing social things. And so one of them is, be there when the plans are getting made. You know, someone's coming up with a fun weekend away. You want to be one of the people on the planning end.

[A]

Well, one of the funniest things, and this was a long time ago now,

[B]

that's an example of this.

[A]

So, you know, I have my children's literature reading groups.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

So a towering classic of modern children's literature is Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Sequence. Everybody in this kidlake group knows these books because they are these towering classics, and they're so good. And so there came the day when this was a long time ago when the first movie of the Golden Compass came out and we were all there, and we're like, let's all go. And of course, all these people, like, had work, but we just picked a day and all these people played hooky from work and we all snuck out and watched the Golden Compass. Now, that first Golden Compass movie was no good. So we didn't enjoy the movie and we were rolling our eyes the whole time. But it was just such a fun thing. And it was just this spontaneous thing, like, ooh, can we all just make this secret plan and meet at the movie? And then we met in the movie theater in the middle of a work day. It felt. I mean, I still remember it because it felt so illicit. Oh, my gosh. It was like, you know, ditch day in high school or something like that.

[B]

It was so fun.

[A]

But it just came out of that group because I would never on my own have done that or thought to say to somebody, let's do it.

[B]

It came out of just the energy

[A]

of being together in the group.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

And it was so fun.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So that is really giving me a lot of happiness. And it's also. It feels very summery going out and building my social muscle.

[A]

So this feels like such a big idea to me. I think that we should do a whole Try this at home about build your social muscle.

[C]

Oh, I love it.

[A]

And really think about what is it? I think this idea of if you've done four, then one seems more manageable. If you're in the habit of it, it gets easier if you're there. Plans lead to more plans. Plans lead to reciprocal plans. So anyway, listeners, if you have any thoughts about building the social muscle and how build the social muscle. It's interesting, Liz, that this is like one of our major themes right now,

[C]

which is it's connection.

[B]

The connection association.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Maybe it's also because people work from home, the idea of planning a social life or even networking events and things like going to conferences, all these things, they just seem like you have to

[B]

be more deliberate about it.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Interesting.

[C]

Yes. Well, I can't wait to hear what people suggest for building your social muscle.

[A]

Okay, well, that's a very happiness boosting realization.

[B]

You can build your social muscle.

[C]

What about you, Gretch? What's making you happier?

[A]

Oh, I have to say it again. It's the Knicks. I mean, I know.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Can I just say that this is the bonkers thing is I've never really been interested in sports at all, but sort of as the empty nest, something Jamie, he had these friends. They decided, okay, let's share these season tickets. And Jamie said to me, okay, now you're gonna have to get interested in the Knicks. And at first I was like, no, I'm not going to. And then I thought, no, that's a great idea. I've always wanted to know. Could I just decide to be interested in something? Okay. My timing was impeccable. In fact, several friends of mine are saying to me, gretchen, you should take credit for this, because the minute you started paying attention, you started rooting for the Knicks. All of a sudden, they have these incredible runs. I'm, like, managing to take an interest in the Knicks. It couldn't be easier because it's such a great team and they're all such good guys, and it's all so exciting and fun, and New York City is so enthusiastic, and the games are so much fun, and the New York City spirit is so high. Patting myself on the back, that I've managed to take an interest in the Knicks. But, Elizabeth, you know me. I mean, you see how out of character this is for me. Yes, this is a stretch. Yes, this is a stretch goal for me. Right.

[C]

And to be clear, you didn't just, like, happily go along to the games and not complain. I mean, you did your homework. You were learning about the players, thinking about trades, worried about somebody's injury. I mean, you really went in and learned.

[A]

Yeah, when Thibodeau got fired, I was very concerned. But it's funny, the things that interest me. Jamie's like, that's not really very important. I did a whole little happier on having your number be zero in a lawyer like way. I said to Jamie, I simply don't understand how zero can be a number for the purposes of a basketball jersey. And he's like, a lot of people have zero or double zero as their jersey. And I'm like, how can that be? I did a whole deep dive, if you want a link to that. Little happier where I go into the mysteries of zero and why people choose zero. But anyway, so that's not the kind of thing Jamie spends any time thinking about. But I have gotten much more into it, and I'm so happy because it's brought me closer to so many people and allowed me to participate joyfully and sincerely on things where I think in the past, I would have been like, oh, go, Nicks. And tried to change the subject as soon as somebody started talking about it.

[C]

Well, Gretchen, can I point out, I think the NYX amazing performance in this finals has made lots of people happier around the country. Because just watching something so joyful is happy inducing. Yes, it's made me happier. I was completely into it. And not even because I'm such a Knicks fan or have ever watched basketball, but because I was swept up in the passion of the fans. I was rooting for the fans as well as the team. It was just so big.

[B]

But so here's something that's very interesting that I've noticed. I keep thinking if I were writing a PhD paper, and I think there actually is a paper that I want to look at, which is touching, the practice of touching and how basketball players touch each other. There's this whole thing if you take a free throw and then like, even if you miss your free throw, all your players come and they touch their hands and stuff. I wish people would do this in a meeting all the time. If my co workers were giving me a pat on the back every time, I honestly think I would be doing a better job. But one of the things that was interesting to me is when they won, how often people said to the players, tell me how you feel. Explain your feelings. And Jalen Brunson was like, I can't explain my feelings. And Mike Brown said, who's the coach? It's surreal. And then even when some of the players did say it, you kind of get the feeling that they were saying the thing that you would obviously say. Like, we've been working so hard and it's a dream come true, and we're so glad to do it for the fans. And it's interesting because I think people really are like, let me come into this moment with you. It is such a moment of happiness and such joy and relief and teamwork and tell me how you feel. But that's a very hard thing to do to convey that. And I think sometimes the players were just. Were baffled.

[A]

They're like, I just can't.

[B]

It doesn't feel real.

[C]

Yes. And I love seeing New Yorkers who are so diverse and from all different walks of life, hugging each other and celebrating together. And it's just a feel good moment. Moment.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

It's funny because also New York has all these songs.

[A]

You'll have like a giant crowd of

[B]

people and they're all singing New York, New York.

[A]

And then there's a giant crowd of people and they're all singing Empire State of Mind.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

And then there's the Go New York,

[A]

Go song that now everybody's like, what's

[B]

the origin of the Go New York, Go song?

[A]

It's just really fun.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So that's making me happier. And my goodness. Jamie. He is a lifelong Knicks fan. This has been his dream since he

[B]

was like, 4 years old.

[A]

So he is. He's like, we gotta do something big to mark the moment. Like what? He's like, I'm thinking about it. So our whole family is like, okay, what are we gonna do to mark the moment? It's gonna be big. It's gonna be epic.

[C]

I can't wait to hear about it. All right, Gretch, coming up, there's something you've been meaning to ask me. But first, this break.

[B]

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[B]

Okay, Elizabeth, there's something that I've been meaning to ask you, and this goes to your position. Volunteer or recruited to be a happiness guinea pig alongside me with all of these ideas. And I just was starting to wonder. We have halfway day. We have design year, summer. We have designer year. We have the challenges, we have demerits. We have gold stars. All these things you have Happier in Hollywood Too, which is a whole other podcast.

[A]

Do you ever get tired of all

[B]

this planning and talking? It's just happiness, happiness, happiness.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

What do you think? What's your experience?

[C]

You know, Gretch, I don't really get tired of it, but I think I wear it somewhat lightly. In other words, I don't feel that I have to do every single thing we talk about or make it. Like, if I don't do it, then my life is over. Like, I feel like I'm not an upholder like you.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So I'm not as rigid. But yet having the plans, making the lists, coming up with the themes, as an obliger, it really helps me to sort of have that accountability. But if sometimes I fall down on the accountability, I don't beat myself up, if that makes sense.

[B]

I feel like that's the perfect thing because it's sort of like, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Because I think if people are too hard on themselves or extremely stressed out, then that can work against your happiness. But making the plans and aiming, it's funny because there's a whole line of

[A]

thinking and happiness, and this includes some of the greatest minds in history. So I don't minimize this.

[B]

If you try to be happier, you're

[A]

getting to get in your own way. And that a happy life is one where people don't think about being happy.

[B]

In my mind, people don't hit a

[A]

target by not aiming at it.

[C]

Right.

[A]

And when people argue this to me, they say things like, well, I don't

[B]

worry about having a happy life. That's not what's important to me. I want a life of purpose, connection with other people, vitality and curiosity. And I'm like, well, what do you think it would look like to try to have a happier life exactly that way? I just wondered because it seems to me like you have fun with it. It's like off White Delight. Oh, that's fun. But then do you get stressed out thinking like, oh, my goodness.

[C]

Well, I mean, I think just certain things hit really hard. We always do design your summer. That's a good point. You know, years are different. Some years it's not important. Other years it is. This year, as you mentioned, for Design youn Summ Summer, I just, on a whim, without spending five seconds thinking about it, said to myself, this summer, I'm gonna wear off white all summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as often as I can whenever I'm out. And I'm gonna call it my summer of Off White Delight. And once I said it in my mind and then to you, it became a fact written in stone. Written in the color stone.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And I've really embraced it. I mean, I bought these, you know, off white pieces, putting together different outfits. I've been taking my picture in the outfits. I've been logging it in the happier app, the design your summer section.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So that I have really gotten into. And it's just like certain things you're really going to get into, whether it's because the way it is calls to me or the time of life or whatever. But here's what I know. If we didn't do that, like, if we didn't do Designer Summer in a million years, it would never have occurred to me, hey, I'm gonna try this fun thing of wearing white all summer. Now, is it important in the world that I wear white all summer? No. But does it give me a little bit of pep in my step and flair for summer 26? Yes, it does. So it's the mindfulness thing. Right. If we're not putting our mind to it, it's just not gonna happen, at least for me. And I am not the person that would create a ritual or come up with a theme or all of that if I weren't actively doing it because of the podcast.

[B]

Well, yeah. And it's kind of like the thing about the podcast in general or my books where I'm thinking, it's not that it's rocket science. It's not that somebody couldn't do it on their own. It just doesn't occur to you, Right. You don't think, oh, well, I could do xyz. You miss an opportunity, not because you're not willing to do it, but just because you hadn't thought of it.

[A]

And then you just.

[B]

If you cross something off the list, that's very satisfying. It keeps something top of mind.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

For instance, Sarah and I, because you and I would come up with themes for the year, then Sarah and I had the idea of coming up with a team theme, team symbols and all of this. We came up this year with Being the Killer Bees. Now that's led to every Friday we have a killer bee work hour on Zoom where we invite people to work with us. We both have bee rings that we wear especially, you know, for, like, big meetings. We'll wear our bee rings, which, you know, nobody knows we're doing, but it's just our little.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

We had last year Hive 25, where we got together, you know, for 25 hours and worked every so often. So it expands into this whole world. And I just find it so fun.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

To be like a part of something like that. You know, it just makes life richer and I don't know, I just love it.

[B]

Yeah. No, I agree. It just makes life more vivid and more interesting.

[C]

Yes. More vivid.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Here's a question. What is your favorite thing of the year that we do like? Your word of the year. Your list of things. Design your summer. I feel like I'm moving into a phase where I'm really gonna try to start embracing Design youn Summer.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

I feel like this year is the first year I really embraced it. You know, I want that to build Interesting.

[A]

I love the three Design youn Year challenge. I found the one word theme really creatively interesting. I really love that. And the word is always very significant for me. Like this year being it. Being neighborhood. I mean, talk about the Knicks.

[B]

That's part of the Knicks.

[A]

It's like the neighborhood feeling that the Knicks give the city.

[B]

And then door was huge.

[A]

Wave was huge.

[B]

Salt.

[A]

I mean, salt might be my all time favorite one. The imagination of it. I love the list. I do feel like I get a lot of things done that I really

[B]

want to do because they're on the list.

[A]

Because I just really want to cross things off the list. And then I love the challenge. The challenge is always fun. We've had amazing challenges.

[C]

Well, see, again, I wouldn't do any of that if we didn't have a challenge. Yeah, but do you ever get tired of thinking of these things and being in charge of them?

[A]

I don't. I love it. I find it endlessly fascinating, I have to say. And I go through the world con. You know what it's like, Eliza, I'm always like, oh, I gotta write that down. Oh. Like, oh, hold on to that thought. Or we gotta do that here, do that here. Do that here. Oh, no, no. I find it immensely satisfying to have a place to put all these things because I love. Remember the thing with the ladders? All of a sudden I was just like, oh, my gosh, ladders. Ladders are so dangerous. How do I spread the word? I just stumbled across it. So I was so happy to be like, oh, my gosh, this is a big happiness stumbling block. People beware of the ladder. And so to me, it was immensely satisfying. So to me, and then with my books and stuff, and then even, like, five things making me happier, I love having a place for all these ideas to go. So I don't get tired of it. Oh, good.

[B]

So it's good. We both enjoy it. Well, that's good. Since we're both doing it. Excellent.

[C]

Wonderful. That's a good thing. Yeah. It would be hard if we didn't.

[B]

If we didn't. Yeah. That would not be a happy existence. And now for a spotlight on a tool. Halfway day is coming up soon. Halfway day is July 2nd. That makes it a very useful time to review your 26 for 26 list. We all made these lists at the beginning of the year, but, you know, sometimes our aims change over the course of the year. Sometimes you have to adjust them for the summertime because schedules change, energies change, routines change often in the summer. I put together a collection of resources about reevaluating your aims and adapting your habits for summer and, you know, figuring out how to keep it going for the second half of the year because, you know, there's plenty of time. Keep going. All that can be [e-mail] DesignYourYear all

[C]

right, Gretch, coming up, there's something you've been meaning to tell me. But first, this break.

[B]

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[B]

to say yes more to little adventures. Nothing huge, just getting out of the routine and going somewhere different for the day. And it really makes you appreciate having a car that feels solid and comfortable where you're not thinking about the drive, you're just focused on where you're going. That's what stood out to me about the Defender. It has that rugged design, but it also feels really thoughtful inside and I like that There's a full lineup from the 2 door 90 to the 110 and the 130 with seating for up to 8 so it really fits different kinds of plans and it's built with

[C]

those durable, purposeful materials so you can actually use it without worrying about every little thing. It also has features that make driving feel easier like Clearsight technology and the PIVI Pro system so you can keep track of where you're going and everything you want to listen to along the way. Plus, with up to 89 cubic feet of cargo space and available three rows, it gives you a lot of flexibility depending on what you're bringing with you. Explore the full Defender [e-mail] Summer always

[B]

changes what I want to wear. I stop reaching for anything heavy or complicated and just want pieces that that feel light, comfortable and easy from the, you know, the first second I put them on. That's why I keep coming back to Quints. Their linen pieces especially have become my default this time of year. I have a linen button down from Quince that you know, it's one of those pieces that works for everything. For travel, for dinner, for weekends. It feels much more expensive than it is. I love that Quince uses high quality materials like European linen and organic cotton, but everything is priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands because they work directly with ethical factories.

[C]

Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.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. Quince.com Gretchen okay, listen.

[B]

There was something that you and Sarah were talking about unhappier in Hollywood. I was absolutely flabbergasted because I think of you as being a true TV person. I mean, obviously you write for TV and you create shows for tv, but you also love tv. And you mentioned that you have trouble with the mechanics of watching tv. And I was so staggered by this, but also so relieved because I'm like, why is it so hard sometimes to just watch tv?

[C]

Yes. I was talking about how I hadn't been able to turn on any of the TVs in our house for, like, two years.

[B]

So how do you watch TV? You watch TV?

[C]

So I had been watching everything on my iPad, or if Adam and I were watching together, you know, then on the tv, but he would have turned it on. I will say once it's on, I could navigate. You know, I can find Survivor. It's just getting it on and in the right place to do what needs to be done. And I feel like for years our TVs have been getting more and more confounding. And I feel like every time we make a move to make it simple, it gets more confusing. Like, I'll never forget when we got our first universal remote. That was supposed to be, like, the thing that changed the game, that made all the things coming together so easy. I never figured out the universal remote. And we ended up deciding we had a very bad universal remote. But that was the beginning of the end for me. We have so many different remote controls, I can't remember what turns on what, what order. Now, I will say, Gretchen, because I was talking about this and because it came up. Cause there was something I really wanted to watch live on tv, which I will admit was the Summer House reunion. There's a big scandal going on at Summer House. Adam figured out how to turn on the TV in the office and taught me to do it. Although I will say I have been doing it, but it's still sort of me just pushing buttons to find what I need to find. So I am turning it on, but then I still have, like, a random pushing of buttons until I get to where I need to go.

[B]

So when Adam does it, is he also kind of doing that? Or does he like push, push, push, and it comes on easily.

[C]

So certain TVs, he knows confidently how to get them on, but others, he has to do a little experimentation. If it's not one he uses very often.

[B]

Yeah. Okay, here's a note to all of you who are good at this kind of thing, which is if you're good at this kind of thing and somebody says to you, please show me how to do it, it is very nice when they will show you how to

[A]

do it, and they tell you in

[B]

a way so that you can learn. Because in my household, people just rip

[A]

it out of my hand and are just like, I'll do it, but I want to learn how to do it. But I want you to tell me how to do it. But then they often are like, well, I don't even know. I just push a bunch of buttons and it comes on. I'm like, but you seem to know how to push those buttons.

[C]

It's like muscle memory.

[A]

It's muscle memory. It's almost like typing. Like, if somebody said, how do you type the word bunny? I would have to be like, okay, will you use your index finger? And like, I don't know. But people will continue to pester you if you do not teach a man to fish or something. Like, teach a person to use the remote control, and then they won't badger you to help them use the remote control.

[C]

Well, Gretch, can I give you a gold star? Because at your house in the country, you have a big tv, very complicated, and you wrote out instructions for guests, very specific, very precise to follow to turn on the TV and find what you want to find. And Adam and I followed the instructions and found what we wanted to find, and it was so great.

[A]

Can I just say, when you did that, I was astonished. I really, truly didn't believe that that would actually work. I don't know why I wrote out the directions if I didn't think that they would actually work. If somebody followed the directions, I was like, how did you turn on the tv? And you said, we just follow the directions. I couldn't believe. It was like, wow, that's impressive. Yeah, just following the direction sometimes feels very hard. So anyway, I was very encouraged by that because I was like, what's my problem? Like, everybody else knows how to do this. Our mother is great with tv. She's a button pusher like all the rest of them. She knows how to do it well.

[C]

And Sarah keeps telling me that if you just get a Roku tv, it's as easy as any. Like, old school tv. But I am just not willing to get a new tv. I don't want to get a new tv.

[A]

So here's my ignorance. If you Get a Roku tv. Does that mean literally it is the screen or it's a thing that is part of the tv?

[C]

I don't even know with the screen

[A]

or is it a platform? I don't know.

[C]

I don't know. Next time I'm at Sarah's, I'll take a look. But again, I don't want to get a new TV. I resent that you keep having to get new TVs with this changing of the remote system. So I don't know.

[A]

Well, and getting a new TV is so elaborate now. It used to be you just. It was just like came in a box and you plugged it into wall. Now it's a whole to do.

[C]

But it's funny, Gretchen, because I always am saying to Jack, why are you watching shows on your phone? How can you watch Game of Thrones on your phone? And then here I am watching on my iPad, which isn't that different. I mean, yes, it's bigger, but it's not that big, so.

[B]

Oh, that's so funny.

[C]

I should let Jack do what he wants.

[B]

Interesting. Okay. Well, anyway, it made me feel better and reassured that you also have trouble. The sheer mechanics of watching tv.

[C]

Yes. All right, Gretchen, what is our quote this week?

[B]

Well, this comes from Virginia Woolf's diaries. Because one of the things I'm doing to design my summer is I'm reading Virginia Woolf's diaries. She wrote, glass is the best of all decorations, holding the light and changing it. So, Elizabeth, are you feeling happier?

[C]

Yes, I am feeling happier. Thank you to Chuck. Bye.

[B]

Grad by Elizabeth. The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago. The second best time is now, Elizabeth. I wonder if part of the reason that I haven't started watching Girls yet is because I'm just like, ugh, gosh, I'm gonna have to turn on the TV because Jamie doesn't want to watch it with me. So it's something that I need to watch by myself.

[C]

Aha.

[B]

And I'm like, I can turn on the T. Yes. I just have to, you know, push around until I get it. But it's just that little bit of friction, I think.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Or that thing where it signs you out and then you have to sign in again every so often.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Just that little bit of friction. Yep.

[D]

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