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Artwork for Happy To Be Here

Happy To Be Here

Greta Johnsen
My So-Called Life
87% Club
Teen Drama
Friendship
Perfectionism
Mental Health
Angela Chase
Teenage Emotions
Productivity
Jordan Catalano
Parental Dynamics
Pumpkin Pie Cookies
Art Activism
Sharon Chirsky
Teenage Independence
Kin
Nostalgia
Nerdette
Communication
Halloween

Happy To Be Here is a new interview podcast for the recovering perfectionist and the perpetually curious, full of conversations that make you feel right at home and allow you to learn a little bit about almost anything.

Host Greta Johnsen (formerly of Nerdette) invites you to meet journalists, chefs, authors, and all kinds of excellent humans who will delight and inspire you. Packed with recomme... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes662Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTechnology

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Happy To Be Here

Latest Episodes

Host Greta Johnsen talks to author Rufi Thrope, whose novel Margo’s Got Money Troubles was just adapted into a series on Apple TV+.

The show’s cast is stacked -- it stars Elle Fanning as Margo, a young woman who becomes pregnant after an affair with... more

Greta’s guest today will be familiar to longtime Nerdette listeners -- her name is Kate Schatz, and she’s an activist and author. She co-wrote Do the Work: An Antiracist Activity Book with W Kamau Bell, and she’s the author of Rad American Women A-Z ... more

An unimportant investigation into the difference between cupcakes and muffins with Bon Appetit test kitchen editor Shilpa Uscocovic.

SHOW CREDITS

Creator and host: Greta Johnsen

Senior Producer: Ben Goldberg

Composers: Ross Bellenoit and Jeremy T... more

For this deep-dive discussion of Tayari Jones’ novel Kin, host Greta Johnsen talks with Traci Thomas, who hosts The Stacks podcast.

They talk about the exquisite pleasure of reading a book that does exactly what it sets out to do, the beauty of fem... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Shilpa Uscocovic
Senior test kitchen editor at Bon Appetit
Bon Appetit
Episode: What's the difference between cupcakes and muffins?
Traci Thomas
Host of The Stacks Podcast
The Stacks
Episode: GRETAGRAM book club: 'Kin,' discussed!
Winnie Holzman
Creator of My So-Called Life
My So-Called Life/ Wicked
Episode: MSCL TV Club: Duh squared (Episode 19)
Linda Holmes
Host, NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour
NPR
Episode: MSCL TV Club: Duh squared (Episode 19)
Soraya Roberts
Culture writer and Defector contributor; author of In My Humble Opinion, My So-Called Life
Defector; ECW Press (publisher)
Episode: MSCL TV Club: Best weekend ever (Episodes 17 and 18)
Jenn White
Journalist and host of the radio show and podcast 1A
WAMU / 1A
Episode: MSCL TV Club: Angel Science (Episodes 15 and 16)
Tayari Jones
Author of Kin
Author
Episode: GRETAGRAM book club: Tayari Jones on 'Kin'
Margaret Willison
Culture writer and podcaster who covers arts and media
Independent
Episode: MSCL TV Club: Nothing dies harder than potential (Episodes 13 and 14)
Christina Tucker
Brilliant podcaster and writer; co-host of Wait, Is This A Date?
Wait, Is This A Date?
Episode: MSCL TV Club: IS IT A HANG OR A DATE? (Episodes 11 and 12)

Hosts

Greta Johnsen
Host focusing on culture, books, and thoughtful conversations with a friendly, welcoming style.
Kristen Meinzer
Co-host with a background in pop culture analysis and enthusiasm for books, TV, and human stories.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Listen Immediately!!

    This podcast is like a warm hug from a friend. Greta has the best taste in everything—books, TV, recipes! Always uplifting, but never afraid of confronting difficult realities, this podcast always makes me feel less alone and leaves me thoughtful and inspired! Greta has really built a beautiful community that extends beyond the podcast too! Come join the fun!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    amnick7
    United Statesa month ago
  • I’m So Happy to Be Here

    I loved Nerdette and was so sad when it got cancelled. I’m thrilled that Greta was able to bring it back to life because we need this community more than ever right now.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cdreincarnate
    United Statesa month ago
  • Listen! So good

    Greta has interesting takes on life. I have often written down quotes from her because she can express what I am thinking about this modern life. Listen and enjoy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sf_solar_girl
    United Statesa month ago
  • Hooray for the 87% Club!

    It’s so good to hear from Greta Johnsen again! Her episode on the 87% Club resonated so strongly, I could listen to an entire series on that topic alone. But for now, it was a great reminder about how well Greta understands her audience.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cute dots
    United States3 months ago
  • Happy to be here!!

    So glad to have Greta back in my podcast feed. If you missed Nerdette (of course you did) come get your smart, delightful conversations at Happy to Be Here- positive and never Pollyanna 😍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katherine Boothe
    Canada3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A warm, thoughtful blend of culture, media, and life advice.
Hosts feel like close friends discussing smart ideas and great books.
This show makes complex topics feel accessible and friendly.
Guests bring fresh perspectives that enrich the conversations.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

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Stuff You Should Know
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The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Focus: Adults in the Room
Focus: Adults in the RoomKUOW News and Information
Khloé in Wonder Land
Khloé in Wonder LandKhloé Kardashian
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What's the difference between cupcakes and muffins?
Q: Would you eat a cupcake for breakfast?
Yes, depending on the cupcake's flavor (e.g., a banana bread cupcake with cream cheese frosting could work as a breakfast treat); it's all contextual and about judgment and timing.
What's the difference between cupcakes and muffins?
Q: Do you have a personal preference between cupcakes and muffins?
She prefers muffins when she wants something more breakfast-like or less frosting-heavy, but enjoys cupcakes when she's in the mood for a cake-like treat; it's about context and mood.
What's the difference between cupcakes and muffins?
Q: What is the difference between a cupcake and a muffin?
The guest explains that frosting, inclusions, and how the batter is treated (and sometimes the vessel) are key cues, with cupcakes typically having icing and fewer mix-ins, while muffins tolerate more chunks and fruit, and generally have a different sugar-to-flour balance.
MSCL TV Club: Angel Science (Episodes 15 and 16)
Q: Did you hate this episode less on rewatch, and what stood out to you now that you've seen it again?
Jenn explains that while the episode is emotionally heavy and includes problematic elements, the broader ensemble and the portrayals of care and community offer meaningful insights, and the show's place in TV history becomes clearer with distance.
MSCL TV Club: Angel Science (Episodes 15 and 16)
Q: What were you like in high school, and which character do you think you would have been most similar to?
Jenn reflects on herself as a mix of internal theater kid energy and external social engagement, identifying with multiple characters and acknowledging how her perspective on the show has evolved with age.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Happy To Be Here

What is Happy To Be Here about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show blends thoughtful cultural critique with warm, conversational interviews. Episodes commonly explore books, TV, film, food, and music through a lens of humane curiosity, often inviting authors, journalists, chefs, and culture critics to unpack themes like identity, creativity, and modern life. The host's approachable style and guests' diverse expertise create a space that's welcoming to curious listeners who enjoy smart takes, personal stories, and practical recommendations for reading, eating, and watching—often with a playful, down-to-earth energy that makes complex topics feel accessible. A standout thread across episodes is a willingness to blend nostalgia with sharp critique, balancing lighthearted banter with candid conversat... more

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How many listeners does Happy To Be Here get?

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How many subscribers and views does Happy To Be Here have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Happy To Be Here has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Happy To Be Here?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Happy To Be Here:

1. It's Been a Minute
2. The Stacks
3. Pop Culture Happy Hour
4. Culture Study Podcast
5. Code Switch

How many episodes of Happy To Be Here are there?

Happy To Be Here launched 13 years ago and published 662 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Happy To Be Here?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Happy To Be Here?

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What guests have appeared on Happy To Be Here?

Recent guests on Happy To Be Here include:

1. Shilpa Uscocovic
2. Traci Thomas
3. Winnie Holzman
4. Linda Holmes
5. Soraya Roberts
6. Jenn White
7. Tayari Jones
8. Margaret Willison

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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