Everyone’s Talking About the Same Movie, and We Love It

During a recent trip to Dollywood, we recorded voice notes about what Dolly Parton teaches us about ambition, “Dolly droppings,” a travel hack for when you’re meeting people, why we wanted to visit Dollywood, and more. Episode Highlights Give a big idea a 24-hour deadline [01:32] Travel hack: Is it better to check or carry on if you’re meeting someone at the airport? [04:39] What Dolly Parton’s career shows us about ambition [08:29] Our tip for how to make the most of a big theme park [15:14] What Dolly’s consistent style teaches us about self-knowledge [16:00] Mentioned in this Episode Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa  Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics (Amazon, Bookshop)  Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones by Dolly Parton(Amazon, Bookshop)  Heidi Parton’s A Christmas to Remember Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft ⁠Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz⁠ Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer Wendy Molyneux put her own quirks to good use, turning a passionate dislike of Entourage into a fundraiser for a cause close to her heart. Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk to Colleen Dennis of CareScout about how to start the tough conversations about aging, care, and family responsibility, and the dos and don’ts of holiday visits. Episode highlights How to approach conversations about in-home help with loved ones [03:25] Long-term care costs and financial readiness [07:47] Dividing caregiving fairly between siblings [13:30] Red flags to look for at home during a holiday visit [21:49] Mentioned in this episode CareScout, the episode sponsor, helps families understand care needs, plan ahead, find quality care, and think through funding: carescout.com Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you’re facing a full social calendar, interacting with challenging relatives, or missing a loved one, we share our favorite insights on navigating this sometimes-difficult season. Episode Highlights: Say yes to holiday invitations when you can [01:14] Make room for grief during the holidays[05:28] Why doing what’s right doesn’t always feel happy [09:26] Try This at Home: set a realistic holiday intention [11:49] Mentioned in this episode: The Eight Splendid Truths of Happiness The Strategy of Safeguards Write your own Personal Commandments Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why lowering your standards isn’t the answer, how to call friends without making it weird, and does it matter if everyone orders the same thing at a restaurant? Episode highlights Try This at Home: Right-size your expectations. [00:14] Know Yourself Better: Do you split dishes with your dining partner, or order the same thing? Plus, a few restaurant hacks [00:24] Demerits & Gold Stars: Gretchen left her backpack in an Uber [00:50] Mentioned in this Episode Notarize, an online notary service  Ep. 602, on spending money at home instead of on a vacation Take the Five-Senses Quiz Take the Gift-Giving Quiz Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin (Amazon, Bookshop)  Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen by Bob Greene  (Amazon, Bookshop) 1873: The Rothschilds, the First Great Depression, and the Making of the Modern World by Liaquat Ahamed  (Amazon, Bookshop) Dad, Love, Me by Matthew Quick  (Amazon, Bookshop) Connect with Us: Email: [email protected] Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices