How To Own The Room

How do you swap a soul-crushing job for one that sustains you? Viv talks to the writer, Carrie Sun, whose new memoir, Private Equity, is about to be released in US and UK. The story draws on Carrie's own experience of being headhunted to be Executive Assistant to a billionaire. The competitive role was glamourous but 24/7, unrelenting and led to burnout in the face of a pitiless boss. Carrie critiques capitalism and systems of misogyny, giving extraordinary insight into extreme hustle culture within a closed world. Viv and Carrie unpick these complex threads and counsel keeping a sense of perspective and plotting a way out when you need to escape. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now. Find out more about Private Equity. @vivgroskop

How do you find the confidence to pursue the work you want and ace an interview? Viv chats to Kate Stephens, the CEO of Smart Works, an amazing charity with celebrity backers whose mission is to help marginalised women break the cycle of rejection and deprivation that comes from long-term unemployment. Since 2013 they've helped over 30,000 women prepare for job interviews by giving them coaching, styling and an outfit to wear at their interview chosen from new clothes donated by fashion brands and retailers. Kate tells Viv how respect and kindness can unlock confidence. Being welcomed and nurtured is key to enabling women to shine in an interview situation. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now. Find out more about Smart Works. @vivgroskop

How do you find the self-belief to pursue a brilliant idea, convince investors in your vision and pick yourself after setbacks? Viv chats to Joanna Jensen, the founder, former CEO and now brand ambassador of Child's Farm, a family skincare brand she developed from her kitchen table. It's an unabashed success story, built from the challenges of a recent divorce and two young children, and driven forward by Joanna's conviction and hard work. She tells Viv how necessity, belief in the product and utter determination was the rocket fuel that powered her along. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now. @vivgroskop

How do you connect with audiences on a deeper, truer level? Viv talks to award-winning journalist and author, Angela Saini, about combatting pseudo-science and reaching people by peeling back the layers of thinking. Her celebrated books include: Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong, Superior: The Return of Race Science and her latest The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule. Angela tells Viv how her grounding in news journalism in her 20s helped hone her skills to write succinctly, to deadline and to time in a way that helps her in every aspect of her work now – from writing to public speaking. There's a meticulousness to Angela's approach that combines keen organisation with keeping an open, ready to adapt and think differently. It's a winning formula that Viv delves into and pulls out some nuggets to take away. The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule by Angela Saini is out at the end of February 2024. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now.

How do you create the best panel experience? Viv talks to professional moderator, Alexandra Antwi-Boasiako, about managing nerves, getting the best out of interviewees on stage and handling feedback. Based in her home city of Hamburg, Germany, Alexandra hosts an array of sessions – from author interviews to tech start-up pitch events and festivals such as the African Book Festival in Berlin. It's about taking charge of a space in a way that makes everyone relax. And while it all seems to come naturally, Alexandra hasn't always been so confident in front of an audience. In fact at school she was known as the quiet kid. Find out what made the difference and set her on a different path, picking up some priceless tips along the way. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now. @vivgroskop

How do you learn to say no and do what makes you happy? Viv talks to the actress, Patsy Palmer, best-known for her role as Bianca Jackson in EastEnders, who now lives in Malibu, California. Exuding chill vibes from the sofa, Patsy talks to Viv about how finding her happy places – including weekly DJ sets - came from following her own instincts for joy and not living up to anyone else's expectations. Patsy is unapologetically content in her sunny slice of heaven where she lives with her husband, children and dogs and which couldn't be further from Albert Square. She is owning her sun-filled room most radiantly. Listen in to catch some of her rays! Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now. @vivgroskop    

How do you find your voice and your confidence when people expect you to be only one thing? How can you overcome thoughts that keep you small? Actress and writer Evanna Lynch joined the cast of the Harry Potter series as Luna Lovegood for the fifth film in 2006 at the age of 14. She went on to star in a number of independent films and in the TV crime series Silent Witness. In 2021 she published her debut memoir, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting, a candid account about her life focusing on fragility, creativity and how she put herself back together after overcoming an eating disorder. In this conversation on happy high status, we get into the subject of self-sabotage, why boundaries matter, how to find your voice as you get older and how sometimes confidence comes from a quiet place, even a boring place. Is it OK to say no to a lot of things? How can you feel confident about doing that? Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now. @vivgroskop Evanna Lynch's The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting is out now.

How do you bounce back from a major knock to your confidence? How do you maintain focus and poise even when you're exhausted or overwhelmed? In this fourth in our series of Happy High Status takeover episodes, Viv talks to Sophie Ellis-Bextor, singer/songwriter and the powerhouse behind one of the best things to come out of the pandemic: Kitchen Disco. Sophie first became known in the late 1990s as a teenager, as the singer of the indie rock band The Audience. The band was unceremoniously dropped by their label in 1999 and Sophie almost dropped out of music completely. But after bouncing back with a debut album that sold 1.5 million copies, she found her voice as an international dance/pop artist with another six albums, including her latest, Hana. All whilst casually having five children along the way. How do you find the energy to be confident when you're depleted? How do you handle criticism and rejection and stay positive? There's no better role model for fun happy high status than Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Viv's book Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident is out now.Sophie Ellis-Bextor's album Hana is out now.    

Can you be “too confident”? How entitled is too entitled? In this third of a series of Happy High Status takeover episodes, Viv talks to broadcaster and journalist James O'Brien, LBC presenter and author of How They Broke Britain (coming in Nov 2023), about challenging difficult and entitled people (especially certain privately-educated politicians), coming to terms with his own insecurities and finding a kind of humility after experiencing a major setback in his forties. Plus James reveals how he went from being someone who felt sick talking to people at parties to feeling comfortable in himself. Is it a good idea to put on your own “cloak of entitlement” when questioning someone who loves the sound of their own voice? What do you do when faced with people who are so confident that they're tipping into arrogance? And how can we all listen to each other a bit better and make space for different points of view?  Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now. @vivgroskop James O'Brien's new book How They Broke Britain is out in Nov 2023.

What happens when you swivel the lens away from yourself? In this second of a series of Happy High Status takeover episodes, Viv talks to Olympic athlete and world champion javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread, star of I'm a Celebrity and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Win and fundraiser for Action for Children. Fatima examines how the extremes of a difficult childhood and of athletic excellence in adulthood affected her confidence. Fatima was abandoned as baby and grew up in a series of children's homes where she experienced neglect and abuse before being adopted by her javelin tutor in her teens. She developed her confidence by identifying key people she could trust and by learning to “swivel the lens” away from herself and onto others, not only in order to feel less like a victim but as a way of building self-esteem. What if the key to self-assurance lies not in your relationship with yourself but in how much you can support and shine a light on others?  Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now. @vivgroskop To support Fatima Whitbread's latest fund-raising go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fatimawhitbread 

Can you be both insecure and confident at the same time? In this first of a series of Happy High Status takeover episodes, Viv talks to award-winning comedian Tom Allen, star of The Apprentice: You're Fired and Bake-Off: Extra Slice, about his life on and off stage and what he has learned about managing nerves, coping with the reactions of audiences and critics and, most of all, living with self-criticism. Tom tells Viv that it's a mistake to assume that comedians perform from a place of self-assurance: instead he has learned that his version of happy high status comes from being “confidently insecure." (Happy high status is a term from acting and comedy that is a sort of shorthand for “your best self.”) He shares tips on dressing for confidence (like Fred Astaire, please), how to avoid being apologetic around people when you really should be taking charge and how to feel entitled to speak. How do you “make space for yourself” in a hostile environment? How do you recover your confidence when it's at a low ebb? Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is out now. @vivgroskop For more on Tom Allen, for tour dates and his new book Too Much, go to www.tomindeed.com 

How do you achieve and stay authentic? Viv talks to Angela Cretu, CEO of Avon, one of the biggest beauty brands in the world. Growing up in Communist Romania she says she learnt about gender and social equality, while ideas of self-expression or personal ambition weren't present. After the revolution in 1989, Angela joined Avon at the age of 24 as the company moved into this emerging market and she flew - building new teams at home and internationally. She tells Viv how important it was for her to share insecurities with a mentor about facing confident male colleagues from the established western markets. Angela learnt that her voice mattered, her perspective mattered and finding strength in her own self while enabling others have proved to be key to her success. Before going on stage she recommends immersing yourself in the energy of the room. And Angela will always make sure her eyes look amazing. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

How do you follow a dream? Viv talks to the fashion legend, Lucinda Chambers, who worked at Vogue from the age of 21, eventually working her way up to become fashion director at the iconic magazine. Chatting in Lucinda's beautiful west London home, she tells Viv about how she learned graft in her childhood and about working hard to follow creative sparks. Despite being in the glamorous world of fashion, Lucinda reveals that she never took it for granted and made sure her feet stayed on the ground while the sparkles danced among the style and the glossy pages of the magazine. She's now co-founder of Collagerie, a curated online shopping platform for fashion and interiors, which she runs with former Vogue colleague Serena Hood. And her advice is simple… it's all in the baby steps.   Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

How do you simply get things done? Viv talks to the American writer, Curtis Sittenfeld, whose new novel, Romantic Comedy, is already a bestseller and has been selected for Reese Witherspoon's Book Club. They chat about feminist breakthroughs, navigating the room – literally and metaphorically, and what to do with your hands in a photoshoot with an A-list movie star. She tells Viv that it's a feminist act to assume knowledge by the women in your audience. And on the business of pushing projects forward she shares tips on separating your to do list and your emotions, and in the face of being overwhelmed, taking a moment to calmly ask the question - what do I need to do to get this done? Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

How do you nurture self-belief? Viv talks to the bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabel Wilkerson, about cultivating gentle trust in ourselves. The Pulitzer prize-winning writer of narrative nonfiction, whose latest book, Caste, explores the inner workings of an American hierarchy, talks to Viv about bringing your absolute all to the stage and creating an experience of communion with the audience. Such deep and generous sharing in this space is balanced, though, with a word of caution about keeping precious projects close in early stages, protecting them from those who might discourage you when they're most delicate. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

How do you keep going when your mouth turns ‘sticky'? Viv talks to the award-winning writer, Claire Fuller about lessons from life, digging back into tales from when Claire worked in marketing and a pitch ran aground. Offering tips and tricks for persevering through awkward moments, Viv celebrates Claire's honesty for admitting when things haven't gone well and also for celebrating the moments that most definitely have. They talk about carving out a writing career later in life, while working and bringing up children – ‘do it now, don't wait for perfection' - and the importance of helping others in the spirit of Viv's Lift as you Climb. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop  

Launching series 20 with a splash of colour and pizazz, Viv talks to fashion label guru, Marielle Wyse, about finding that thing you love and doing with all your heart. Having worked in TV documentaries, Marielle took time out to look after her small children and then found a spark, pursuing her own childhood passion for clothes and making, setting her on a new, exciting path, founding Wyse London. Marielle advises remembering the thing you used to run to as a child and reveals how the Covid lockdowns transformed her fashion business into an Instagram-first platform where she got to talk directly to her customers. Her lessons are the about the winning combination of joy, passion and focus. And not forgetting from her TV days the power of the edit and when to stop. And move onto the next thing. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

What is the secret of fearlessness? How do you focus if you're feeling nervous?   In this final episode of the How to Own the Room masterclass series, we dive back into the back catalogue for key tips and tricks on How to Be Confident. Actress Petra Massey (Sandstrom, Miranda) is best known for clowning and physical theatre - she carries herself with a profound inner confidence, and talks to Viv about channelling fear through her body in a productive way.  Another counter-intuitive trick for confidence, is using advocacy to empower others. Vanessa Sanyauke, CEO of Girls Talk Global, explains that when you act as an advocate for other people, it gives you a chance to use your voice and remind yourself of that true unshakeable confidence. As a performance poet, storyteller, best-selling author and co-writer on Beyoncé's visual album Black is King, Yrsa Daley-Ward performs a lot of her own words on stage and for film. She compares her performance to a jazz improvisation, that is more honest and authentically her. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

In this week's round-up of all the best tips and tricks for confidence and performance, we continue with the theme of preparation. Talking to actress Nicole Ansari (Deadwood) and her husband Brian Cox (Succession), Viv discusses their definitions of owning the room while involving other people. Former TV presenter turned best-selling author Dawn O'Porter talks very movingly about how easily we can get distracted by what is not working, while entrepreneur Sharmadean Reid, one of the first black women in the world to raise over a million pounds in venture capital for her digital platform Beautystack, talks about how she stays prepared and focused. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop Quick LinksGet Embed PlayerShare on SocialDownload Audio File  

Everyone loves to feel prepared, but what would happen if you didn't really prepare at all?   How do you prepare for the moments of pressure? In this masterclass, Viv is interested in our different relationships with preparation. Writer and commentator Bryony Gordon says if you're passionate about your subject, then you don't need a script, while Labour MP Jess Phillips thinks it's important to celebrate the imperfections in spoken delivery. Entrepreneur Debbie Wosskow is great at talking in a variety of high pressure situations.  She advises over-preparation, and that you should also be ready to talk about anything. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

Have you ever felt like you can't do certain things? What do you do to tackle your own self-doubt?  In this 3rd episode, Viv turns traditional thinking about imposter syndrome on its head, and considers alternative outlooks from her guests. Professor Mary Beard talks about the misogynistic origins of public speaking, dating back to the Roman Empire, and actress Katy Brand says that in her experience, confidence can ebb and flow.  If you find yourself feeling like an imposter,  Paula Hines says that might be because you're working in an area that you're not truly passionate about -  she knows this feeling first hand as she tells the story of moving from a career as a television producer to becoming a yoga teacher. Writer Kit de Waal shares the key to pushing back against moments of insecurity when you feel like a fraud, and sports presenter Gabby Logan says that it's important to be able to learn from your mistakes. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

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 go hand in hand.  From archive interviews, Viv's previous guests share their words of wisdom.  In the very first episode Nigella Lawson stresses that you don't need to be perfect. Since then we have had many other guests including Margaret Heffernan, business leader and bestselling author, Karen Gibson, leader of the Kingdom Choir who sang at Megan and Harry's wedding and DJ Cerys Mathews, who talks about forming the band Catatonia as a teenager and how to become comfortable in your own skin.  Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

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 next few weeks we're going to dig into our archive of over 150 interviews. In these weekly masterclasses, each episode will tackle the things that really matter: confidence, overcoming nerves, imposter syndrome. This week, Viv looks into what makes a great speech - or knowing what to say.  Hillary Clinton advises being self-deprecating and hopes that women can own their individuality, while tech activist Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon thinks about what she wants her audience to walk away with. For actress Meera Syal, the most important part of sharing stories is that it allows us to understand each other, share our empathy, experience, history and view of the world. Viv's new book, Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, is available for preorder. @vivgroskop

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. Dawn, who lives in LA with her husband the actor Chris O'Dowd and their two children, tells Viv with frank honesty about a dark time in her life when her TV career nosedived, how she lost her confidence and eventually wrote her way out of it. She shares her tips about holding onto self-worth when things aren't going the way you want them to. She urges listeners to give themselves credit for the things that are going right – a relationship, friendships, children, work - rather than obsessing over what is going wrong. Her advice for owning the room is cut yourself some slack and allow yourself to draw strength from what is good. And be prepared to take a different direction if the one you planned has taken you out of the room entirely. As she tells Viv, the path doesn't go in one direction and you may own and lose and own the room again. Find out more about Dawn O'Porter's latest novel, Cat Lady. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

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 the room you're in can make it a good experience for you and boost your voice within it. Catherine reveals that while she makes calculations about where to pitch her arguments, they all stay true to her beliefs. Catherine lost her husband, the musician, Andy Gill - a founding member of Gang of Four - in 2020 to suspected Covid-19 and she tells Viv how she's navigated grief over the last two years. Their interview is recorded at the Primadonna Festival, which was founded by Catherine in 2019.  Find out more about Catherine Mayer in her latest book, Good Grief: Embracing Life at a Time of Death A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

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 and commercial people. Elaine became the first woman in the top job at the Southbank Centre in 2017. She joined after a 30-year career in TV in which she developed shows such as The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, Saturday Night Takeaway, Love Island and I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Strictly Come Dancing. She tells Viv about the adrenaline highs of live broadcasting to primetime audiences and managing big teams with big budgets. And she shares the wise words of her Great Aunt Maggie on owning the room before it was even a twinkle in Viv's eye. Find out more about Elaine Bedell. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

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 2022. She tells Viv what it was like to start at Sky in her 20s when the channel was just four years old; presenting two live shows a day in a team formed of new voices and old hacks. Gabby shares some of the personal tragedies that have shaped her, such as the death of her younger brother, Daniel, when he was just 15 years old. And she reflects on how having children gave her a new found sense of perspective. The art of public speaking, Gabby believes, is just like sport – it's all in the preparation. And know your audience. Find out more about Gabby Logan in her memoir, The First Half A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

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 it for $53 million in 2017. Debbie hails from an entrepreneurial family and tells Viv how she's never been shy to talk about work, business and money. She reflects on how her family background helped to de-risk the idea of business. Together with her business partner, Anna Jones, Debbie reveals how they rehearse every aspect of what they do, gaming 'everything - from dresses to delivery'. Find out more in Debbie's co-authored book Believe. Build. Become. How to Supercharge Your Career A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

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 sent her spinning into panic. Elizabeth tells Viv how the spaces that allow her to write are the ones in which she's not needed by anyone. Riding the subway is good, but even better is her studio in Maine. Despite Elizabeth's success now seeming to come easily, she tells Viv that it has been hard won and how the intuition that penetrates her work has sometimes been painful to live with. She also shares some top tips on handling criticism or ungenerous remarks. Find out more about Elizabeth Strout's Booker Prize-shortlisted novel, Oh William! A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

Can you easily switch between private and public modes? Viv Groskop talks to the award-winning writer, Kamila Shamsie, about the different kinds of energy she needs in her life as a successful author. She tells Viv about the peace and solitude required for writing fiction and how audiences' curiosity fuels her public persona. Kamila shares with Viv her thoughts on the long history of patriarchy and the way it cuts across every facet of life. She reveals her thoughts on the power of her platform as a writer and how it compares with the reach of social media trolls. Kamila refuses to disengage and shares with Viv how she constantly challenges herself to ask – what needs to be done? Find out more about Kamila Shamsie's new novel: Best of Friends A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

How do you find your authentic voice? Viv Groskop talks to the writer, Kit de Waal, who found success later in life with her book My Name is Leon. Kit tells Viv how she reconciled the different parts of her Birmingham childhood, born to an Irish mother and African-Caribbean father, in her recent memoir - Without Warning and Only Sometimes: Scenes from an Unpredictable Childhood. Not expecting to even make it into adulthood, Kit says that every day has been a bonus. Although she was brought up in the ‘oppressive and joyless' Jehovah Witness religion, she tells Viv how it prepared her for one thing – and that was public speaking. Talking to a literary crowd was, however, another matter. Overcoming self-doubt and nerves, she shares her secret with Viv: know your subject, and the rest will flow. Find out more about Kit de Waal's memoir: Without Warning and Only Sometimes: Scenes from an Unpredictable Childhood. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

Do you believe in yourself? Viv Groskop talks to the musical theatre performer, Marisha Wallace, best-known for roles in Something Rotten, Dreamgirls, Waitress and Hairspray. Marisha tells Viv that she was drawn to London six years ago for work and has never left, enjoying the freedom it's given her to try different roles. She explains to Viv why she resists the ‘strong Black woman' stereotype and that it's ok not to be a superhero. Marisha nurtures her confidence by drawing on her spirituality, while leaving the more constraining aspects of the religion she was brought up with behind. Viv and Marisha reflect that bravery is feeling your insecurity and fear of judgment and putting yourself out there anyway. Find out more about Marisha Wallace on her website. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

Are you reluctant to be in the limelight? Viv Groskop talks to the writer, Sadie Jones, who made her name with The Outcast, winning Best First Novel in the Costa Book Awards. Sadie is a self-confessed introvert who would much rather not leave her room, and certainly not own public ones. But sometimes her job as a successful author requires her to do so. She shares with Viv the tricks and techniques that she's taught herself over the years to overcome her shyness and give back to readers who have come to hear her talk. Interestingly, she reveals how she even surprised herself during the pandemic by actually missing the nerves of going into a crowded room. Discover Sadie Jones' latest novel Amy and Lan. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

Can you manage your nerves? Viv Groskop talks to legendary actor, Dame Sheila Hancock, ahead of a theatre audience to share reflections from her second memoir Old Rage. Dame Sheila reveals how she has always suffered from chronic stage fright and remains terrified until the end. They discuss how nerves are normal and getting through them. Dame Sheila is frank about shocking stories of sexism in the stage and screen world with overwhelming pressures to conform to a typical look or height. She talks about the experience of being spotted by Theatre Workshop's Joan Littlewood and how it was a liberation to be herself. Viv reflects that it's a constant struggle not to pigeon-hole yourself and how important it is to resist that pressure, even if others around you are doing it for you. Find out more about Dame Sheila Hancock's Old Rage. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

Can you tell your own story? Viv Groskop talks to award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Abi Morgan, whose work includes The Split, The Iron Lady, The Hour and Suffragette. Abi has occupied and owned many rooms in her life and career – the solitary writer's room, the family rooms of bustle, the emergency hospital room, the space on set to direct. In all these arenas she's adapted herself while keeping a steady eye on maintaining space to tell the stories she wants to tell. Four years ago, Abi and her family's lives were blown apart by a devastating medical emergency suffered by her partner. How would this sudden and unwelcome plot twist affect Abi's life and writing? Channelling confusion and pain, Abi turned the lens onto her own life in This is Not a Pity Memoir. She reveals how a space to write has always been essential to her survival and none more so than in these crisis years. But having reached relative dry land, she tells Viv that it's not over yet. There are more rooms to own and more stories to tell. Listen to This is Not a Pity Memoir on BBC Radio 4 A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

What are you waiting for? Viv Groskop talks to writer, Ellen Nichols, author of Remember Whose Little Girl You Are. Now in her 70s, Ellen Nichols has published her first book – a memoir of growing up in the Deep South in the fifties and sixties. Ellen shares how her confidence to speak the truth was nurtured from a young age by her father, a Methodist preacher who spoke out against segregation in the face of vicious opposition. One memory of an encounter with the Ku Klux Klan as a young child imprinted itself on her mind forever and she discusses how her mantra: ‘just be honest' has guided her over the years. Ellen reminds us to seize the day and trust our instincts for using our voice to say things as we see them. Find out more about Ellen Nichols Remember Whose Little Girl You Are. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

Do you bring your true self to the table? Viv Groskop talks to CEO Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Founder and Executive Chair of the fintech Snoop. She was the CEO of Virgin Money from 2007 to 2018, working closely with Richard Branson, and was often the only woman in a man's world. Jayne-Anne discusses how she owns the room - sometimes using her full height to command authority - and sometimes showing openness and abandoning notes to connect with an audience. She asks what is true diversity? And discusses challenges with depression, including a recent revelation that has worked for her in treating it. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

What will your social legacy be? Viv Groskop talks to corporate high flyer Emily Chang about her philosophy which has inspired a unique way of life, where the spare room is always available to young people in need. As soon as she was able, Emily followed her instincts to offer help in the form of a place to stay to the most vulnerable young people whose lives she crossed. She explains how it is a practice she continues to this day and how it informs her work in the corporate world as well as in raising her daughter. You can find out more about Emily at social-legacy.com A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

Are you doing what is expected of you? Viv Groskop talks to writer Delia Ephron about following other people's rules. She explains how to blow it and still have a life. She talks about grief, about storytelling, about not having a strong sense of yourself - and about working out how to be true to yourself. It's not important to own the room, she says. It's important to own your own vision.   You can find out more about Delia on her website, and buy her book Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop  

Do you have a good relationship with yourself? Viv Groskop talks to psychotherapist and author Julia Samuel about how hard it is to own the room and relate well to others if you don't relate well to yourself. She talks about how our family history affects our confidence and how we are all haunted by the untold stories, the pain passed down through families. Julia reveals the "shame spiral" she herself experienced after appearing on the BBC's Desert Island Discs. And she explains the secret of instilling confidence in our children. You can find out more about Julia on her website and buy her latest book, Every Family Has a Story: How We Inherit Love and Loss A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop  

Have you stepped into your greatness? Viv Groskop talks to Vanessa Sanyauke, founder and CEO of Girls Talk London and expert in diversity, inclusion and sustainability in business. Vanessa celebrates uncertainty, curiosity - and never listening to your parents. She calls on us to move from being allies to advocates for marginalised communities - and reveals how important male allies have been to her journey. Oh, and she shares what Oprah Winfrey told her about how to look great in photos... You can find out more about Vanessa at vanessasanyauke.com  A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

Is your dream a nightmare? Viv Groskop talks to yoga teacher Paula Hines about giving up her dream job to take a different path as a yoga teacher, and the importance of trusting your instincts. She reveals how yoga can help you own the room, working with your own breath patterns, using simple exercises to release tension and not fixating on the perfect "yoga body". She explains the importance of paying attention to the space you are in and the reactions of the people in it. And she advises compassion when dealing with difficult people - while accepting a negative reaction may have nothing to do with you. You can find out more about Paula at ucanyoga.co.uk A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

Have you done your best? Viv Groskop talks to writer and second Children's Laureate Anne Fine, about the freedom of being well prepared. She says: if I've done my best and they don't like it, that's their problem. She talks about why she hates interactive talks and how much you can learn from bad speakers. And she argues you should never overestimate an audience's knowledge or underestimate their intelligence - particularly when talking to children. You can find out more about Anne Fine and her new book, Aftershocks here. A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop

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 Room is out now. @vivgroskop

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 is it Theresa May?) talks the power of the double act, the horror of writing - and the vital importance of doing things that scare you. You can follow Jan on social @thatjanravens   Viv's latest book, Lift As You Climb is out now. @vivgroskop

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 after broadcasters around she still gets asked: "do you actually like football?" You can find out more about Jules @JulesBreach Viv's latest book, Lift As You Climb is out now. @vivgroskop

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 can find out more about Kate's work including her latest book The City of Tears at her website katemosse.co.uk Viv's latest book, Lift As You Climb is out now. @vivgroskop

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 of keeping calm, speaking out - and owning the room in the face of the hostility which can be the price of confidence. Siri's latest book, Mothers, Fathers and Others is out now. You can find out more about Siri and her work at her website sirihustvedt.net Viv's latest book, Lift As You Climb is out now. @vivgroskop

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-compensating for having very fluffy hair - and what losing at tennis can teach you about winning at life. You can find out more about Amanda at Semble.org Viv's book, Lift As You Climb is out now. @vivgroskop

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...   You can find Helena's latest book, Style and Substance: A Guide for Women Who Want to Win at Work here. Viv's book, Lift As You Climb is out now. @vivgroskop

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 find out more about Yrsa and her work, including her latest book The How: Notes on the Great Work of Meeting Yourself, here. Viv's book, Lift As You Climb is out now. @vivgroskop