Podcast episodes

Liz shares that while both she and Sarah embraced gratitude over Thanksgiving, Liz also felt another “g” emotion… guilt! Turns out it’s hard to enjoy a few days off when so much work looms on the horizon. One solution? Remember that relaxing now leads to more productivity later. Then, in L v. S (Liz versus Sarah), they debate the merits of sound baths. Liz finds a sound bath more soothing than a massage — Sarah can’t stand the high-pitched tone of singing bowls. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack could be life-altering: When looking for a mentor, choose someone whose life you like.

As Liz and Sarah begin writing Season Two of Fantasy Island, they’re determined to maintain work boundaries—at least for as long as they possibly can. One strategy? Wait to answer non-urgent emails. In The Mailroom, they answer a listener question about how to transition from unscripted to scripted television. Then Liz and Sarah talk to their brand-new assistant, Lauren Conoscenti, about how her attitude toward her job garnered Lauren the best recommendations from her former bosses that Liz and Sarah have ever received. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Happier With Gretchen Rubin guest Larry Smith: Write a six word gratitude memoir. 

Listen to episode 237

Liz and Sarah analyze different kinds of decision making. Do you follow your gut? Take the path of least resistance? Make decisions by committee? Then, in From The Outer Office, they talk to their former assistant and current Executive Story Editor on Season Two of Fantasy Island, Brook Sitgraves Turner, about what it’s like to climb the Writers Room ladder. Her advice? Take an improv class. Brook also provides this week’s Hollywood Hack: Keep a blanket in your car.

Listen to episode 236

Liz and Sarah share HUGE news! There will be a Season Two of Fantasy Island! Now that they’ve accomplished this major goal, what’s next? They’re setting their sights on making it to one hundred episodes. Or maybe seventy-five… In Hits & Bombs, they give a big Hit to two colleagues—Marie Jacobson and Ray Ricord of Sony Gemstone—for being such cheerleaders. They also give a Bomb to the bureaucratic hell that kept them from starting the writers room when they wanted to. This week, Liz and Sarah have two Hollywood Hacks. The first is a hiring hack: When you’re up for a job, ask former employers to send unsolicited praise to the people who might hire you. The second Hollywood Hack might keep you out of hot water: Instead of texting sensitive information, write it in a Google doc, then delete. Finally, Sarah had a Halloween Celebrity Sighting—singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb.

Listen to episode 235

Season One of Fantasy Island was a sprint that left Liz and Sarah flat on the ground. As they look ahead to a possible Season Two, they discuss how to have their work life resemble a hike instead. Yes, it will be arduous, but they also want to enjoy the view. Then Liz answers a Mailroom question about her name. In a special L v. S (Liz versus Sarah), Liz announces that she has a new puppy—a Corgi named Nacho! And she concedes that Sarah has been right all along. Pets do make a person happier! Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your work communication dramatically: use clear email headers.

Listen to episode 234

With Season Two of Fantasy Island still up in the air, Liz and Sarah have decided to embrace Hiatus Mode! What does that mean? Going to their favorite hiatus restaurants (including Benihana), taking short trips to see friends, and—for Sarah—getting out her spinning wheel. In Take Two, they have MORE great gifts ideas for this holiday season. Thanks, Listeners, for all the suggestions! One popular Item? Salt! Then Liz and Sarah amplify the new season of a podcast that anyone who aspires to be in the entertainment business should listen to—the Catch A Break Podcast. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will help keep your car tidy: the Epauto Waterproof Car Trashcan.

Listen to episode 233