Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin, an American author, blogger, and speaker, embarked on a unique journey that saw her transition from a promising legal career to becoming a revered author, unlocking the mysteries of happiness and human nature through her words. Born on December 14, 1965, in Kansas City, Missouri, Rubin's early education unfolded at The Pembroke Hill School. She later pursued her undergraduate and law degrees from Yale University, with her legal acumen landing her the position of editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal and winning the Edgar M. Cullen Prize​​.

As a budding legal professional, Rubin clerked for Judge Pierre N. Leval of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and later, for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court between 1995 and 1996. Post her clerkships, she served as a chief adviser to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Reed Hundt, and also spent some time lecturing at Yale Law School and the Yale School of Management​2​.

However, Rubin's true calling resided in the realm of writing. Her insatiable curiosity about human happiness led her down a path less traveled by someone with a solid legal background. Her bestselling book "The Happiness Project" not only catapulted her into the limelight but revolutionized the way people approach personal development. This book, exploring her year-long endeavor to increase her own happiness, resonated with readers globally and topped the New York Times #1 bestseller list in 2009​3​.

Rubin's writing journey didn't stop there. She penned several other acclaimed books including "Happier at Home", "Better Than Before", and "The Four Tendencies", each delving into different facets of happiness, habits, and human nature. Her unique ability to convey complex ideas with levity and clarity has made her a beloved figure among readers and listeners of her weekly podcast, "Happier with Gretchen Rubin", which she co-hosts with her sister Elizabeth Craft. The podcast has been recognized with the 2016 Academy of Podcasters award for the best health and fitness podcast and was a finalist in 2017​2​.

Rubin's influence extends beyond books and podcasts. In 2017, she was instrumental in creating the "Joy Index", a compilation of the ten "most joyous" places to visit based on several "happiness factors". Moreover, her continuous exploration of the connection between personal habits and happiness was again showcased in her 2019 book, "Outer Order: Inner Calm"​​.

With a rich history of writing and an ever-evolving understanding of human nature, Gretchen Rubin continues to inspire individuals to pursue happiness through self-reflection, habit transformation, and a deeper understanding of human nature​. Her narrative, a blend of personal experiences, scientific insights, and a dash of humor, continues to engage, educate, and inspire audiences worldwide.