How To Own The Room - podcast cover

How To Own The Room

Inspirational women share advice on presenting and confidence, with comedian and writer Viv Groskop. Want to learn the secrets of brilliant public speaking? Each episode, Viv chats to a guest about what owning the room means to them. What is their approach to commanding attention and respect in the workplace, and beyond? This is the place to hear personal experiences of wonderful women at the top of their game, as they talk all things power, presence and performance. You'll find lots of practical advice for developing great presentation skills, finding your voice and turbo-charging confidence. Plus masterclasses with tips and tricks on overcoming nerves, curing imposter syndrome, and knowing how to prepare. Our agenda is to inspire every woman to shine in the spotlight and push outside her comfort zone. Guests have included Hillary Clinton with her thoughts on public speaking (and pant suits!); broadcaster Gabby Logan on building resilience and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Isabel Wilkerson on cultivating self-belief. Not to mention the likes of Margaret Atwood, Professor Mary Beard and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. You'll find words of wisdom from entrepreneurs and CEOs; award-winning writers, actors and activists; politicians and therapists. Check out the back catalogue: it's an amazingly rich resource that's built up since the podcast started in 2018, with Nigella Lawson as our first guest! How to Own the Room is the brainchild of presenter Viv Groskop, an award-winning writer, comedian, broadcaster and performance coach. She switched from journalism to stand-up comedy in her late thirties and became fascinated by stereotypical ideas around women and performance. She passionately believes that being yourself in front of other people is a skill we can all master, to enrich our emotional and practical lives. She is one of the most sought-after speakers for stand-up, MCing, awards hosting and keynote speaking. Viv's best-selling 'How to Own the Room: Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking' formed the basis for this podcast. Her other titles include 'Lift As You Climb: Women and the Art of Ambition' and 'Happy High Status: How to be Effortlessly Confident'. www.vivgroskop.com
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Episodes

Series 3 Ep 2 - Trinny Woodall

Are you sitting comfortably? Well, stop it. Beauty entrepreneur Trinny Woodall makes HTOTR history by telling Viv Groskop to Sit Up Straight! That done, the pair explore the joy of the ad lib, the value of being your own mentor, and the secrets of limitless energy.

Jun 07, 201932 minSeason 3Ep. 2

Series 3 Ep 1 - Madeline Miller

Do you "leave it all on the court"? Viv Groskop talks to novelist Madeline Miller about the speaking secrets of teachers, what you can learn from watching others, and how Bruce Springsteen inspires her to hold nothing back.

May 31, 201934 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Series 2 Ep 9 - Catherine Tate

Do you suffer from nerves? Become a professional performer! Viv Groskop talks to comedian, actress and writer Catherine Tate about why she hates flattery, her enthusiasm for extreme adventure, and - yes - how performing cured her anxiety. Plus she reveals the killer secret of dealing with Q&As...

May 03, 201936 minSeason 2Ep. 9

Series 2 Ep 8 - Meera Syal

What if it's not all about you? Viv Groskop talks to writer, actor, comedian and producer Meera Syal about fighting for diversity, failing in front of Victoria Wood and the peril and power of representing others when you speak.

Apr 26, 201934 minSeason 2Ep. 8

Series 2 Ep 7 - Sabrina Cohen-Hatton

How do you choose your words when lives are at stake? Viv Groskop talks to Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, a Deputy Assistant Commissioner and one of the most senior female firefighters in the UK, about self-belief, communicating under pressure and the way social conditioning effects the confidence of girls and women.

Apr 19, 201935 minSeason 2Ep. 7

Series 2 Ep 6 - Elizabeth Day

Do you know how to fail? Viv Groskop talks to author, journalist and podcaster Elizabeth Day about how to pull off a killer career pivot, how to survive a wardrobe crisis and how to fail brilliantly.

Apr 12, 201936 minSeason 2Ep. 6

Series 2 Ep 5 - Nicola Mendelsohn

What's the worst that could happen? Viv Groskop talks to Nicola Mendelsohn, Facebook's Vice-President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa about salary negotiation, not assuming people can read your mind and the importance of not living life wondering what if...

Apr 05, 201926 minSeason 2Ep. 5

Series 2 Ep 4 - Josie Rourke

Feel awkward about being, well, um, GOOD at what you do? Viv Groskop talks to Josie Rourke, film and theatre director, about owning your own fluency, the power of "messy spaces" and why we must never assume women are struggling to find a voice.

Mar 29, 201937 minSeason 2Ep. 4

Series 2 Ep 3 - Margaret MacMillan

Does your voice go up at the end of a sentence? Always? Viv Groskop talks to bestselling historian Margaret MacMillan about conquering uptalk, the power of storytelling and the importance of trusting your team. Plus some brilliant advice for anyone shy at parties...

Mar 22, 201934 minSeason 2Ep. 3

Series 2 Ep 2 - Rosena Allin-Khan

This girl is ON FIRE! Viv Groskop talks to MP for Tooting (and practising doctor) Rosena Allin-Khan about how faith, facts and funky music help boost her confidence.

Mar 15, 201933 minSeason 2Ep. 2

Series 2 Ep 1 - Stacey Dooley

What if this was easy? Viv Groskop talks to documentary filmmaker Stacey Dooley about the power of going with the flow, the value of staying true to your own voice - and what still makes her nervous.

Mar 08, 201922 minSeason 2Ep. 1

How to Own the Room 2 Trail

Brilliant women reveal the secrets of brilliant speaking, with comedian and TV and radio presenter Viv Groskop

Mar 05, 20191 min

Episode 7 - Mary Beard

Want to know what really scares Professor Mary Beard? Want to know how her experience can transform your own? Or just curious why this interview is happening at 70 mph on the M4? Viv Groskop talks to "Britain's best-known classicist" about swearing, flirting, Boris Johnson - and why speech is still men's business.

Dec 03, 201833 minEp. 7

Episode 6 - Jessie Burton

Do men have more authority than women? Viv Groskop talks to bestselling author Jessie Burton about the male voice, the dangers of discussing your creativity, and why she wears an invisible Scooby-Doo villain costume to all speaking engagements.

Nov 26, 201830 minEp. 6

Episode 5 - Anne-Marie Imafidon

"Who knew, young black women from East London who love Nandos can speak well!" Viv Groskop talks to Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, computing, maths and language prodigy and co-founder of the STEMettes, about under-dressing, turning the stage into your living room and just how important (and unusual) it is to know the point of your talk.

Nov 19, 201832 minEp. 5

Episode 4: Yana Peel

Have you ever said no, when you should have said yes? Viv Groskop talks to Yana Peel, CEO of Serpentine Galleries, about listening to your gut, knowing your audience and deploying the power of intimacy.

Nov 12, 201833 minEp. 4

Episode 3: Mary Portas

Ever suffered from "goat voice"? Viv Groskop talks to retail guru Mary Portas about radical candour, the power of silence and the surprising ways in which a speech is like a ball game.

Nov 05, 201833 minEp. 3

Episode 2: Sam Baker

Have you got "happy high status"? Viv Groskop talks to Sam Baker, digital entrepreneur and co-founder of The Pool, about powerpoint, fairydust and really hating public speaking.

Oct 28, 201829 minEp. 2

Episode 1: Nigella Lawson

In the very first episode of How to Own the Room, Viv Groskop talks to food writer and broadcaster Nigella Lawson about being shy, making mistakes - and the armour of professional hair and makeup.

Oct 28, 201825 minEp. 1

How to Own the Room Trail

Comedian and TV and radio presenter Viv Groskop sets off on her mission to reveal how you too can own the room.

Oct 22, 20181 min
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