About this episode

Viv Groskop discusses the challenges women face in being heard and shares techniques for effective communication.

Many of us, particularly women, experience endless frustration because we don’t feel heard. At work and at home, it seems like we are constantly interrupted and rarely feel in control of a conversation. This week Viv Groskop, journalist, podcaster, stand-up comedian and author of How to Own The Room and Lift As You Climb, talks with Andrew about how to speak so that people will listen. Diving into the world of stand-up taught Viv about pacing, pausing and gauging people’s reactions; but most importantly, about quieting your own ego and tuning into your audience. Andrew and Viv discuss why exactly it is that many women struggle to be heard. At the practical level, it is crucial to enter the discussion assertively. We also need to make sure we are not self-sabotaging by pre-judging our own contribution as “not good enough”. Viv Groskop hosts the chart-topping podcast How to Own The Room. She has written five books and this year will be a judge for the International Booker Prize. She is a regular guest presenter on BBC Radio 4 and has appeared on Woman’s Hour, Today and Front Row. Viv is also a fluent Russian speaker and is a trustee of Pushkin House, the independent centre for…

People in this episode

Host: Andrew G. Marshall

Guest: Viv Groskop

Topics covered

• communication
• assertiveness
• women's issues
• self-sabotage
• public speaking

Keywords

• communication skills
• women's voices
• assertiveness
• public speaking
• self-confidence

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4, Pushkin House

Books & works: How to Own The Room, Lift As You Climb

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