How To Own The Room

Want to find your fierce? Viv Groskop talks to Brita Fernandez-Schmidt, women's empowerment advocate and executive director at Women for Women International. Brita reveals the secret to finding human connection, from boardrooms to galas to war zones. She explains how she draws strength from the people in the boardroom of her heart.... and from eye-catching and uplifting clothes. Brita's new new bo...

Are you blocked? Viv Groskop talks to the teacher, writer and creativity guru Julia Cameron about liberating people to tap into their own creative power. She talks about prayer, vulnerability, the magic of her "morning pages" technique and the power of disarming an audience with the unexpected. Oh, and how to squash your inner critic (hers is called Nigel). Julia's new book, The Listening Path  is...

Are you underperforming because you are over-preparing? Viv Groskop talks to writer and mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon about the power that comes from showing your vulnerability, the buzz of disproving the doubting voices in your head and the authenticity of not preparing too much. Oh, and putting Aquafresh on your spots. Bryony's new book, No Such Thing as Normal is out now.  Viv's books,...

Have you learned to stop worrying and love the video conferencing technology? No? Come this way. In this second special masterclass edition Viv Groskop answers listener questions about owning the room remotely. From ring lights and hairstyles and cracked iPads to the conundrum of sightlines and the importance of listening not looking. If you're battle-scarred by months of 4 hour Zoom meetings - or...

Are you agreeing to conflict? Viv Groskop talks to novelist Charlotte Wood about how liberating it is not to be nice - and the revelation that no one can be in conflict with you without your participation. They discuss taking control of your own worth, not abusing the power of the microphone - and playing the Sydney Opera House in lockdown. Charlotte's latest book The Weekend is available now. Viv...

Have you had a good lunch? Viv Groskop talks to journalist and Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman about doorstepping, sisterhood, nearly getting run over on live TV and the importance of keeping your team well fed (even if your team is just you). Cathy's latest book It Takes Two: A History of the Couples Who Dared to Be Different is available now. Viv's books, including  How to Own the Room , a...

Is your passion showing? Viv Groskop talks to historian and author Rochelle Rowe about leaving space for the audience, about inclusion and how to be a good ally, about reminding yourself you have earned your place - and about how showing your passion can hide your nerves. You can find out more about Rochelle at her website, rochellerowe.com Viv's books, including  How to Own the Room , are out now...

Are you telling your story? Viv Groskop meets Valerie Jarrett, businesswoman, lawyer and senior adviser to US President Barack Obama. She talks about living a purposeful life, and the mistake of hiding your true self from your work world. She talks about meeting a young Michelle Obama and persuading her to accept a job (no matter what her opinionated fiance thought) She talks about what gives her...

Are you scared to take risks? Viv Groskop talks to violinist Tasmin Little about creativity, performance pressure, and how you reach perfection by risking it all. Tasmin reveals the punishing logistics of a performing life, the ironic potential for cultural starvation, and her need to avoid being defined by her performance. You can find out more about Tamsin at her website, tasminlittle.com Viv's...

Been wolf whistled by 400 boys? Viv Groskop talks to Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project and author of Men Who Hate Women: From Incels to Pickup Artists, the Truth about Extreme Misogyny and how it Affects Us All. Laura talks about anger, fear, shame and hope. About how facts are her friends, about TV interviews with men who want to "rip you to shreds" - and about how she turned th...

Are you an arrogant idiot? Viv Groskop talks to Tara Mohr, expert in women's leadership and wellbeing, and author of Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women who Want to Speak Up, Create and Lead. Listen and learn how to ditch "good girl habits", how to be more improvisational, more self-trusting, more authentic. And how liberating it is to think just a little more like an arrogant idiot. Find out...

How can we be together, apart? Facilitator, strategic adviser and author Priya Parker talks to Viv Groskop about the art of gathering and why it matters. They explore the value of a proper introduction, the crime of apologising for speaking, and why so much of a successful event has been determined before it even begins. Oh, and why being a "chill host" is such a  bad idea...

Is your skin too thick? Feminist, activist and founding leader of the Women's Equality Party Sophie Walker talks to Viv Groskop about coping with hostility and the value of being thin-skinned. She talks pacing, breathing, how fitness will help you rouse the rabble, how young women will inspire you - and why amid all the shouting you must remember the effect your words are having on the quiet ones....

Are you on mute? Viv Groskop reveals How to Own the Zoom (it had to be done) In a special Masterclass edition, Viv talks camera position, game face, breathing through your feet, engaging an audience you can't see, dealing with a screen-hogger - and the cheering fact that even Zoom's CEO has been known to accidentally hit the mute button... Viv's books, including  How to Own the Room , are out now.

Are you feeling the fear? Actor, writer and comedian Katy Brand talks to Viv Groskop about the myth of natural confidence, how to work your best angle on camera, and how fear is just a chemical response - no more. Oh, and Nicola Horlick... Katy's latest book, I Carried a Watermelon , is out now. Viv's books, including How to Own the Room , are also out now. And you can subscribe now to Viv's new p...

Are you not "a natural"? Director Coky Giedroyc talks to Viv Groskop about building the long road to self belief, the power of lowering your voice, why she's fierce with young directors - and why it's time for men to step aside. Coky's latest film, How to Build a Girl , based on the novel by Caitlin Moran, is out now. Viv's books, including How to Own the Room , are also out now.

Are you embarrassed even when you are alone? Writer Kiley Reid, author of Such a Fun Age , talks to Viv Groskop about coming to terms with your own creativity and ambition, "woke scolding", changing the world - and why she would love to be the sort of person who enjoys karaoke.

Do you know the rules? In a special masterclass episode,  Viv Groskop distils her own experience and the wisdom of previous guests from Sandi Toksvig to Mary Portas, revealing the three key rules to owning the room. Do check out Viv's new book Lift As You Climb

Are you the one aiming at the moon? Or the one with the plan to get there? Teachers Natalie Chama-Pupé and Karl Pupé talk to Viv Groskop about respect, discipline, humour - and about how they inspire and ground each other. Do check out Karl Pupé's book The Action Hero Teacher And Viv's new book Lift As You Climb .

Could you work with your family? Tricia Cusden, Anna Cusden and Suzy Stern are the mother and daughters team behind beauty brand Look Fabulous Forever. They talk to Viv Groskop about boundaries, communication, the trick to grabbing an audience by the first impression - and why you must never say hello-my-name-is... Do check out Look Fabulous Foreve r, and Viv's new book Lift as You Climb

Do you need a mentor? At Google, Yonca Dervişoğlu is Chief Marketing Officer for EMEA and Matt Brittin is President of Business and Operations, EMEA. Together they talk to Viv Groskop about owning what makes you remarkable, owning your instincts, owning your gender - and why you must never ask someone to be your mentor.

What makes a good ally? Actors Brian Cox and Nicole Ansari talk to Viv Groskop about female oppression, male insecurity, the difficult delight of performing and how the secret to a happy marriage is separate bedrooms. Nicole Ansari is currently appearing in the UK premiere of Joshua Sobol's play "Sinners - The English Professor", directed by Brian Cox.

What if you don't want to own the room? Author and food writer Sophie Dahl talks to Viv Groskop about making it work even if you don't want to. They talk embracing nuance, deflecting questions and what to do when you're interviewing Philip Pullman and your earpiece falls down your jumper.

Would you rather be right, or happy? Writer, broadcaster and comic Natalie Haynes talks to Viv Groskop about taking up space, facing your fears, the intoxicating magic of making people laugh - and the liberation of not needing to be liked. Oh, and the kindness of Gyles Brandreth.

Are you binary enough? Serial entrepreneur Shaa Wasmund talks to Viv Groskop about being poor, making money, cracking Facebook Lives, winning at conferences - and committing everything to what you love. Oh, and the joys of a garden office.