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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
Chicago
Nostalgia
Nerdette
Communication

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes667Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTechnology

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Happy To Be Here

Latest Episodes

Host Greta Johnsen talks to two of her favorite readers -- MJ Franklin, an editor at the New York Times Book Review and host of The Book Review Book Club podcast, and Traci Thomas, who hosts the wonderfully bookish podcast The Stacks.

Even though th... more

WXPN morning host and assistant music director Kristen Kurtis offers host Greta Johnsen three songs to enjoy this summer, and they are all BOPS:

• Zinadeplhia, “River”

• Parlor Greens, “Eat Your Greens”

• Allison Russell, “Cold April” ft. Kara Jac... more

Host Greta Johnsen talks with profesisonal organizer Kelly Brask about how Swedish death cleaning can help you live better by getting rid of the things that no longer fit int your life and keeping the things that are useful and joyul for you. She als... more

Host Greta Johnsen talks with T Kira Madden, whose novel Whidbey is the GRETAGRAM Book Club selection for May. (TW: Child sexual abuse.)

Whidbey is told from the points of view of three women who are all connected to Calvin, a sexual precator: Mary ... 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

MJ Franklin
Editor at the New York Times Book Review and host of the Book Review Book Club Podcast
New York Times Book Review
Episode: 9 books to read this summer
Kristen Kurtis
Morning show host and assistant music director at WXPN in Philadelphia
WXPN (Philadelphia)
Episode: Swoony songs for summer
Kelly Brask
Certified professional organizer based in Chicago
Kelly Brask Organizing
Episode: Swedish Death Cleaning 101
T. Kira Madden
Author of Whidbey
Episode: T Kira Madden on 'Whidbey'
Roxana Jullapat
Head baker and co-owner of Friends & Family, Los Angeles
Friends & Family Bakery
Episode: Chocolate for breakfast with Roxana Jullapat
Rufi Thorpe
Author of Margo's Got Money Troubles; executive producer on the adaptation
Episode: The 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' TV show is very good, and Rufi Thorpe agrees
Kate Schatz
Writer and activist, author of Rad American Women and Where the Girls Were
Author and activist
Episode: Reproductive freedom with Kate Schatz
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!

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 States2 months 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 States2 months 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 States2 months 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 States5 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
    Canada5 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

The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas!iHeartPodcasts
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Chicks in the Office
Chicks in the OfficeBarstool Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Swedish Death Cleaning 101
Q: What is the balance between sentiment and practicality when deciding what to keep?
Keep items that hold meaning or memories, but also be willing to let go of things that no longer serve a purpose or bring joy to anyone in the family, using a box with notes for future disposal as needed.
Swedish Death Cleaning 101
Q: Do you have any recommendations for how to broach the topic of Swedish death cleaning with aging parents?
Approach the subject gently, acknowledge different family dynamics, and frame it as a practical conversation about memories and future ease for their kids, rather than a critique of current possessions.
The 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' TV show is very good, and Rufi Thorpe agrees
Q: How involved did you want to be in the next iteration of the project?
I didn't feel a need to control every detail and was open to the show finding its own voice within the adaptation, weighing in where it made sense but not trying to copy the book slavishly.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 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. The Stacks
2. Pop Culture Happy Hour
3. Unladylike
4. The Sam Sanders Show
5. Vibe Check

How many episodes of Happy To Be Here are there?

Happy To Be Here launched 13 years ago and published 667 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.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Happy To Be Here from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Happy To Be Here?

Recent guests on Happy To Be Here include:

1. MJ Franklin
2. Kristen Kurtis
3. Kelly Brask
4. T. Kira Madden
5. Roxana Jullapat
6. Rufi Thorpe
7. Kate Schatz
8. Shilpa Uscocovic

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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