# Ep. 594: Try Becoming a Fan, Plus Tips for Dealing with Travel Bores

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/happier-with-gretchen-rubin-392423/ep-594-try-becoming-a-fan-plus-tips-for-dealing-with-travel-bores.md
Podcast: [Happier with Gretchen Rubin](https://stenobird.com/podcast/happier-with-gretchen-rubin-392423)
Published: 2026-07-08T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/594-try-becoming-a-fan-plus-tips-for-dealing-with-travel-bores
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/claritaspod.com/measure/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/491/traffic.megaphone.fm/LEME6011562379.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2161

## Resource

Becoming a fan—of sports or anything—can improve your happiness. We share listener tips for dealing with people who share every boring detail of their latest trip. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: Become a fan— Research shows that fandom reduces loneliness and gives your life more structure, connection, and ritual [04:37] Happiness Hack: Cross off the common denominator—When you're anxious about a decision, ask yourself: does this worry apply to every option? [14:45] Listener strategies for dealing with travel bores: How to redirect the conversation and ask targeted questions that make travel stories actually interesting. [17:41] Demerits & Gold Stars: Elizabeth's demerit: return timing regret; Gretchen's gold star: a perfect souvenir find. [25:03] Mentioned in this Episode: "Why Watching Sports Makes People Happy" — Time Magazine Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer by Warren St. John (Amazon, Bookshop) There's Only One Sin in Hollywood by Rasheed Newson (Amazon, Bookshop) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Amazon, Bookshop) Summer Bingo card + Design Your Summer tool — Happier App Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take the 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

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