How To Own The Room

Do you know what you're talking about? Viv Groskop talks to author Lucy Foley about squeaky voices, head girl energy and never quite feeling you are a "proper" person. They explore judicious giving up, failing better - and just how you take the plunge and become a full time writer. You can pre-order Lucy Foley's book, The Paris Apartment now. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Roo...

Do you have the confidence to fail? Viv Groskop talks to Jan Ravens, the actress and impressionist. Jan (or is it Liz Truss?) talks about exploring the space between vulnerability and control. She recalls the way mental illness (and the stigma around it) shaped her family life, and reveals how working with others gave her back a sense of control after the strange end of her first marriage. She (or...

Can you laugh at yourself? Viv Groskop talks to Jules Breach, presenter for BT Sport, Premier League Productions and the Football Ramble podcast. She says knowledge is power when it comes to dealing with the whirlwind of live TV. But keeping it real matters even more. She reveals that as a woman in sport she is still far more scrutinised than her male colleagues, and even as one of the most sought...

Can women win? Viv Groskop talks to writer Kate Mosse, founder director of the Women's Prize for Fiction, and founder of the global Woman In History campaign. They discuss playing by your own rules - and winning. They talk ambition, feminism, being a carer and the horror of reading your own books. And Kate recalls actor Juliet Stevenson's advice: if you see a closed door, go round the side. You ca...

Are you too polite? Viv Groskop talks to writer and public intellectual Siri Hustvedt about sexism, misogyny and why she believes politeness is a bad policy. She recalls being a child whose illness and "Alice in Wonderland syndrome" altered her perception of the world. She describes being an adult drawn to break down the traditional boundaries between ways of thinking. And she reveals the secrets...

Do you believe your own story? Viv Groskop talks to Amanda Horton-Mastin, formerly senior director at Comic Relief and current CEO of Semble, which connects companies and communities to drive positive change. They explore how conviction can be contagious, whether you are fundraising or networking. They talk sickening nerves, and the power of pretending everything is fine. They talk over-compensati...

Have you asked? Viv Groskop talks to financier and campaigner Helena Morrissey DBE about the power of just asking for what we want and need. They explore the value of expressing your true self as opposed to trying to fit in. Opting for personality rather than perfection. Embracing your own style rather than mimicking a traditional pinstripe. And why even she struggles to call herself ambitious......

Could it be like jazz? Viv Groskop talks to writer, poet and performer Yrsa Daley-Ward about allowing a bit of improvisation into your performance, so that you can respond to the energy in the room. They talk shyness, nerves - and bringing the realest, clearest, most honest version of yourself. Don't look for perfection, she says. There's always another chance to create something new.   You can fi...

Do you feel lucky? Viv Groskop talks to actress Dame Eileen Atkins about how owning the room is sometimes about being open to chance. They explore the genuine terror of the first night, the horror of being publicly judged, and why your own opinion is what matters. And there are room-owning anecdotes aplenty, starring the likes of Sir Laurence Olivier... Dame Eileen's book, Will She Do? Act One of...

Could you be a rebel? Viv Groskop talks to former French teacher and climate activist Anne Taylor about joining Extinction Rebellion to fight the climate emergency. They explore getting arrested, speaking in court and how to communicate with people who don't want to listen. They talk about quietness, passion, privilege - and discovering that a vital cause can drive you to own the room in ways you...

Are you homely or buccaneering? Viv Groskop talks to broadcasters Fi Glover and Jane Garvey, co-hosts of the Fortunately podcast and authors of Did I Say That Out Loud? Notes on the Chuff of Life. They explore the horror of bar stools, the power of pinching yourself and the nervous nosebleed. They discuss being small, being authentic and why the show must not go on in all cases. And why Boris John...

What's the worst that could happen? Viv Groskop talks to the lawyer, TV host and motivational speaker Mel Robbins about facing bankruptcy, unemployment and divorce - and how she completely turned her life around to become one of the top speakers on the circuit and a viral sensation. They talk the five second rule, the high five habit, and why your new mantra should be: "Usually, I'm double". Oh, a...

Are you missing the bleeding obvious? Viv Groskop talks to Nayna McIntosh, founder and CEO of Hope Fashion, about how we can be  so unused to saying what we really want - that we can miss our true calling. She explains that her first retail job was on her mum's market stall, how she went on to work at M&S, Per Una, Next and Asda - and how starting a business is like jumping off a cliff. And she re...

Are you a work in progress? Viv Groskop talks to writer and journalist Cathy Rentzenbrink about the power of seeing yourself as an ongoing project, free from constant judgement. They explore how the right time to do something may not be the first time you try, and how writing can teach you about yourself. Oh, and the horror of the "participatory chair"... You can find out more about Cathy's work a...

Need to dig yourself out of a hole? Viv Groskop talks to Indra Nooyi, the former chair and CEO of PepsiCo. She may be regularly listed as one of the world's most powerful woman, but as a woman of colour she explains how she always felt like she started at a disadvantage, in a hole that she had to dig herself out of. She explains how important it is to avoid anything that takes the focus away from...

Fat cow, fat chance? Viv Groskop talks to the writer, journalist and broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray, the former presenter of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour. They talk being nosy, being prepared and why you must NEVER say "tell me about..." They discuss appearance, being criticised by your mother, and Dame Jenni's latest book on the science and psychology of size. Oh, and how she tackled an interview wi...

Do you have the authority? Viv Groskop talks to Jackie Weaver; viral internet sensation, author of the book You Do Have the Authority Here! and chief officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils. They discuss difficult meetings (no, really) as well as zoom etiquette, how to prepare, and how to keep calm in the face of aggression. Jackie considers why men bully, why women don't apply for j...

Are you posh? Or do you just like olives? Viv Groskop talks to Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding. They talk olives, going viral and why a joke will help get your point across. Jess reveals how she learned to communicate working in a pub, how showing confidence gives others confidence, and how other people saying stupid things...

What's your armour? Viv Groskop talks to Jane Shepherdson, chair of My Wardrobe HQ, former chief exec of Whistles and brand director at TopShop. They discuss the way clothes can make you feel powerful- and how "rent-a-porter" can rekindle a fashion love affair without sacrificing the planet (or costing the earth). Jane reveals how she found her purpose and reinvented her career. And she explains h...

Is this visceral? Viv Groskop talks to author, businesswoman and chocolatier Chantal Coady about how to deploy the senses to beguile, comfort and delight. She talks about the importance of theatre, and deploying visuals to hold attention. She recalls how how her mother leveraged the family home to help her start her business, and how that spurred her to make it a success. She talks about the murky...

Are you sitting comfortably? Viv Groskop talks to Dame Stephanie "Steve" Shirley CH, the businesswoman, philanthropist and technology pioneer. They explore why she changed her name - and why she brought her kitchen stool to America to give her TED talk in front of Bill Gates. Dame Stephanie argues that women must learn to ask for money: our input won't be valued if we don't value ourselves. She re...

Can you take criticism? Viv Groskop talks to Paula Hawkins, author of (among others) the global phenomenon The Girl on The Train. They explore how to gain the confidence to embrace what you really care about, and how to say: "I can do that, it's not just for others." They consider the value of routine, the value of saying no and the value of indulging in darkness. And why you must read the bad rev...

Why not? Viv Groskop talks to beauty journalist Funmi Fetto, Contributing Editor at British Vogue and Beauty Director at the Observer Magazine. Funmi argues that the risk of rejection is not worth missing opportunities, and explores the ongoing process of finding your voice, the double edged sword that is beauty, the role of faith and prayer in building confidence - and the joy of index cards. Fin...

What if you'd never heard of imposter syndrome? Viv Groskop talks to Lorraine Candy, columnist and former Editor in Chief from Style magazine, Elle UK and Sunday Times Style. They discuss owning the room, whether it's filled with Taylor Swift or Rupert Murdoch. They discuss what younger women can teach older women about self care - and how cold water can make you better at your job. They discuss n...

Have you felt small lately? Viv Groskop talks to journalist, author and broadcaster Julia Baird about the value of shrinking, and how feeling small can inspire wonder. She talks about learning to be yourself, learning not to freak out about swallowing, and the number of accomplished women who won't appear on her show because they feel fat. She asks - why do we have to be perfect before we're allow...