Charles Bukowski’s The Laughing Heart
This is a favourite poem of mine at the moment, especially the last line. The Laughing Heart by Charles Bukowski Your life is your life Don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission. Be on the watch. There are ways …
19.2: Masterclass on How to Overcome Nerves
Where does confidence come from? What can you do if you’re very self-conscious and you feel really uncomfortable in front of others? In this second episode of weekly masterclasses, Viv talks about nerves and confidence, and how they really do …
Atwood live + How to Own the Room new series
How to Own the Room podcast is back! Our latest series will feature masterclasses on key topics like confidence, imposter syndrome and nerves as explored through our archive of over 150 guests. I know sometimes the advice in the podcast can …
19.1: Masterclass on Knowing What to Say
How do you work out what you want to say and what you think people are expecting? If you want to speak up, how do you know where to start? In this new batch of episodes coming up over the …
The antidote to International Women’s Day
If you have been doing a bit of an eye roll at International Women’s Day this week, can I recommend an antidote? Angela Saini’s new book The Patriarchs, a brilliant journalistic historical investigation of how power structures ended up the …
HELLO! Magazine’s Top 23 Reads for 2023
Cheers! And yippee! This week, ahead of International Women’s Day, I’m celebrating the fact that HELLO! magazine has included How to Own the Room in their Top 23 Reads for 2023 alongside Brene Brown, Elizabeth Gilbert, Michelle Obama and Fearne Cotton. Wow. …
Olia Hercules on the anniversary of the war on Ukraine
It’s the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This week’s best read? Ukrainian food writer and friend Olia Hercules (pictured), of course, on how her family has (barely) survived the last year. I take some heart from the BBC’s Steve …
Amy Bloom and the little tin can
I hope you’re cruising through February. I read this great interview with novelist Amy Bloom talking about her new book In Love. (Also: it’s not the most important thing but I completely love her hair and her look generally.) This led …
The voice of doubt and limitation
I’m preparing what I’ll be talking about for International Women’s Day during the first week of March. And I’ve been thinking a lot about this quote from Gabby Bernstein: “When the voice of doubt and limitation is holding you back. …
“When the good starts arguing with the bad”
From this week’s newsletter. I saw a couple of things this week on Instagram which really struck me. I use Insta a lot and I know it and I love it but I also acknowledge Insta can be a miserable …
18.8 Dawn O’Porter, Novelist and TV Presenter
How do you regain your confidence? Viv talks to the author, TV presenter, social media influencer and founder of fashion line Joanie, Dawn O’Porter, on finding your voice again.
18.7 Catherine Mayer, Writer and Activist
How can we thrive wearing many hats? Viv talks to the author and co-founder and President of the Women’s Equality Party, Catherine Mayer, about shifting emphasis to achieve greatest effect. Catherine shares how having an awareness of your audience and …
18.6 Elaine Bedell, Arts CEO
How do you bring together a winning team so that all voices can contribute to the room? Viv Groskop talks to the Chief Executive of the Southbank Centre, Elaine Bedell, on energy, stress and successfully leading teams of talented creative …
18.5 Gabby Logan, Broadcaster
What helps to build resilience? Viv Groskop talks to the broadcaster, Gabby Logan, who has pioneered sports presenting for women in the UK. Just this year she co-led the BBC’s coverage of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and Women’s Euro …
18.4 Debbie Wosskow OBE, Entrepreneur
How do you put on your game face every day? Viv Groskop talks to the co-founder of AllBright, Debbie Wosskow, on purpose, energy and drive. She launched the startup Love Home Swap, inspired by the film The Holiday, and sold …
AND BREATHE… WITH OUTDOOR SWIMMING
One of the things I love to do most in all the world is swim outdoors. During the lockdowns I went every day. Now I try to go a couple of times a week...
HOW TO OWN THE ROOM WITH ELIZABETH STROUT
How can you overcome stage fright? Viv Groskop talks to award-winning writer and nominee for this year’s Booker Prize, Elizabeth Strout, ahead of the ceremony. She reveals an intervention that enabled her to handle public events that would previously have …
NEW BOOK COMING JUNE 2023: HAPPY HIGH STATUS
Really excited to say that I’m working on a new book: Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident...
LIVE ON STAGE WITH DAN LEVY AND SCHITT’S CREEK
I recently had a blast interviewing Dan Levy about what it was like to work on Schitt’s Creek...
BOOK REVIEWS FOR ‘AU REVOIR, TRISTESSE’
The reviews are coming in for my latesr book, AU REVOIR, TRISTESSE: LESSONS IN HAPPINESS FROM FRENCH LITEREATURE, with reviews from The Times, The Sunday Timesand Wall Street Jo
New Podcast: We Can Rebuild Her
By the time you read this, we should have released two episodes of this brand new podcast, We Can Rebuild Her: designed for the post-pandemic era.