How To Own The Room – Details, episodes & analysis

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

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 hope in these desperate times, and how we can't afford to be tired. 

You can find out more about Valerie including her book Finding My Voice at valeriejarettbook.com

Viv's books, including How to Own the Room, are out now.

And you can subscribe now to Viv's new podcast, We Can Rebuild Her; a series of intimate conversations about reinventing yourself in the age of pandemic.

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 books, including How to Own the Room, are out now.

And you can subscribe now to Viv's new podcast, We Can Rebuild Her; a series of intimate conversations about reinventing yourself in the age of pandemic.

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 more about Tara's work on her website.

Viv's books, including How to Own the Room, are out now.

Twitter: @vivgroskop 

Insta: @vivgroskop

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 that disastrous school talk into a triumph.

Laura's latest book, Men Who Hate Women, 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 podcast, We Can Rebuild Her; a series of intimate conversations about reinventing yourself in the age of pandemic.

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.

Viv's books, including How to Own the Room, are out now.

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.