Episode Summary: Begin 2026 with More Joy (with Gretchen Rubin)
Podcast: The Dan Buettner Podcast
Episode Title: Begin 2026 with More Joy (Happier with Gretchen Rubin)
Date: December 25, 2025
Host: Dan Buettner
Guests: Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft
Main Theme & Purpose
This special episode features Dan Buettner in conversation with Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft, co-hosts of the "Happier" podcast, for a New Year's special centered on powerful ways to begin the new year with intention, joy, and self-reflection. The focus is on choosing a "one word theme" for 2026—a guiding word or phrase that distills one’s aspirations into an inspirational anchor for decisions and personal growth throughout the year. The conversation offers practical tips, personal anecdotes, and memorable exchanges about finding more joy, resilience, and meaning in the coming year.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Power of a One Word Theme
[04:21]
- Concept Explanation: Choosing a single word or short phrase as the year’s theme helps clarify intentions and serves as a guiding north star. This complements other annual planning exercises (like "26 for 26" goals lists).
- Qualities of a Good Word Theme:
- Multiple layers of meaning (e.g., 'novel' meant writing a novel and seeking new experiences).
- Visual symbols reinforce memory (mugs, jewelry, T-shirts).
- Positivity and momentum over blandness.
- Concrete, vivid language is more impactful than abstract words.
- Past Examples Shared:
- Elizabeth Craft: Free, Style, Hot Wheels, Novel, Home, Control, Lighter, Butterfly, Step, Book, Bounce.
- Gretchen Rubin: Upgrade, Bigger, Lighten Up, Repurpose, Delegate, Infrastructure, Growth, Open, Salt, Wave, Door.
2. Reviewing 2025 Themes & Their Impacts
[06:57]
- Elizabeth's 2025 Theme (“Bounce”):
- Chosen for positivity and fun ("It's almost a goofy word" – Gretchen Rubin, 07:09).
- Symbolized by a kangaroo—resilient, always moving forward, energetic.
- Helped her focus on physical activity, career resilience post-Hollywood strike, and “bouncing into the future.”
- Gretchen's 2025 Theme (“Door”):
- Chosen for its symbolism around transition, openness, hospitality, and return.
- Inspired by her personal “season of the open door”—the empty nest rebranded as new possibility.
- Received a physical door symbol (a frame with a knocker) from a reader, making the theme tangible.
3. Unveiling 2026 Themes
[16:25]
-
Elizabeth’s 2026 Word: “X-ray”
- “Once this came to me, I immediately knew that was the word.” (Elizabeth, 17:24)
- Meanings:
- Looking inward for peace and happiness (“I really want to look within.” – 17:42)
- Looking ahead and seeing the future of Hollywood (“I want to have X-ray vision for the future.” – 18:03)
- Deepening perception: seeing beyond the surface, understanding underlying trends (“It's also about seeing below surfaces or not getting distracted by what's on the top, but really penetrating to what is the essence...” – Gretchen, 18:47)
- Symbol: A simple “X,” which also represents ‘X marks the spot’ for treasure and a kiss in letter-writing. Plans to get an “X” ring as a talisman.
- Memorable Quote:
- “To me, X-ray vision has a feel of the future.” (Elizabeth, 18:36)
- “It just keeps going. And that is the mark of a really good one word theme—multiple layers, many contexts.” (Gretchen, 21:32)
-
Gretchen’s 2026 Word: “Neighbor”
- Inspired by a desire for deeper community and connection after realizing its resonance in 2024.
- Goals Linked to Theme:
- Be more engaged in her local neighborhood—remembering neighbors, connecting beyond small talk.
- Foster human-level, cross-cultural connections (“I want to be friendlier and more open to strangers. I want to open myself up to the world... Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Gretchen, 24:31)
- Embrace cultural curiosity, broad-mindedness, and willingness to tolerate disagreement.
- “I feel like neighbor is what is called for now. I feel like the energy and focus that I want to put out into the world is neighbor.” (Gretchen, 23:01)
- Possible Visual Symbols Discussed:
- Mr. Rogers references (cardigan, trolley).
- “Cup of sugar” (as a neighborly gesture).
- “Welcome mat,” tying to her 2025 theme “door” (“I could literally get a welcome mat that says ‘welcome.’ Yes, that would be good... It ties to door.” – Gretchen, 32:51)
- Call for listener suggestions.
4. Symbols and Artifacts in Habit Formation
[08:53]
- Creating or finding visual reminders of one’s word (mug with kangaroo, welcome mat, bee ring) reinforces theme and sparks daily mindfulness.
- Artifacts act as continuity markers, carrying personal meaning year after year.
5. Team Themes
[34:41]
- Elizabeth’s Team (with Sarah): “Flower and Fly 2025—Bee as the symbol, hive meetups.”
- Gretchen’s Team: “Distill”—focus on extracting essentials and meaning for 2026, visually imagined as classic lab beakers.
- Both encourage teams to create their own shared themes to foster group focus.
6. Listener & Community Connection
[35:23]
- Listeners are invited to submit their own word themes and stories of how these guided their year.
- Encouragement to borrow and share themes for collective inspiration.
7. New Year’s Eve Hack
[38:58]
- Listener Misty’s tradition: small, meaningful New Year with a few close friends, drawing tarot cards for each month, reflecting on past and future, comfort food and wine.
- “It still feels like a party because it's a tradition we've done for several years in a row.” (Misty, 39:08)
- Affirmation that a “party spirit” is more essential than guest count and that rituals create significance.
8. Happiness Demerit & Gold Star
[40:15]
- Demerit: Gretchen forgetting to write down a great idea at night—repeats her lesson: “There is no idea that is so big that you will not forget it. That is just the truth.” (Gretchen, 41:26)
- Gold Star: Elizabeth recommends “Squid Game: The Challenge” on Netflix for its originality and binge-worthiness.
9. Resources & Reading
[42:47]
- Gretchen promotes her gift idea generator worksheet for meaningful gifting.
- Reading updates: Elizabeth’s daily “War and Peace”; Gretchen’s “Like Effect” by Cynthia Dupree Sweeney.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Theme Selection:
- “I love this, Gretchen.” (Elizabeth, on the yearly word tradition, 05:21)
- “If it was important to you one year, it's probably important to you forever.” (Gretchen, on keeping symbols, 09:41)
- On Multiple Meanings:
- “To me, X-ray vision has a feel of the future... It's envisioning the future but at the same time being good with what is.” (Elizabeth, 18:36)
- “That is the mark of a really good one word theme—is that it has multiple layers of meaning and can be invoked in many different contexts.” (Gretchen, 21:32)
- On Community:
- “I feel like the energy and focus that I want to put out into the world is neighbor.” (Gretchen, 23:01)
- “Every state is glorious in its own way.” (Elizabeth, 30:50)
- “It's more like the party spirit is the party spirit.” (Gretchen, 39:54)
- On Rituals:
- “What I love about it is I'll keep it probably forever, and it'll always remind me of the word bounce.” (Elizabeth, regarding her kangaroo mug, 08:53)
- “My daughters will often pull out one of our many photo books at random and pore over the photos from the previous years. It's always fun to scroll through the photos of the previous year and be reminded of all our adventures.” (Gretchen, 42:23)
- On Ideas:
- “There is no idea that is so big that you will not forget it. That is just the truth.” (Gretchen, 41:26)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Word Theme Introduction: 04:21
- Past Year Themes Recap: 06:57
- Elizabeth’s 2026 Word: 16:25
- Gretchen’s 2026 Word: 21:47
- Symbols & Artifacts: 08:53, 32:51
- Team Themes: 34:41
- Listener Invitation: 35:23
- New Year’s Eve Hack: 38:58
- Demerit/Gold Star: 40:15
- Resource/Reading: 42:47
Tone
Warm, encouraging, reflective, and occasionally playful—featuring sisterly banter, thoughtful insights, and genuine excitement about new beginnings.
For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In
Whether you’re a fan of Gretchen Rubin, Dan Buettner, or seeking inspiration for a fresh start in 2026, this conversation offers accessible wisdom on designing a joyful, purposeful year via a simple yet profound practice. Through personal stories and practical advice, you’ll learn how a single word can serve as a powerful compass—and the process might even spark your own “aha!” word for the year ahead.