Rhubarb December 2025

You published your bestselling book, Smarter , in November 2024 – combating burnout and the ‘more is more’ philosophy.Was this a response to specific professional experiences you’ve had? How was the experience of writing your first book? Smarter was a deeply personal response to a culture I was both shaped by and exhausted by. I’d spent over a decade sprinting – founding EMERGE, advising global brands, pitching, writing, building. And somewhere along the way, I realised I was part of a system that rewards burnout but doesn’t provide a blueprint for anything else.The book came from a desire to reframe productivity – not as martyrdom, but as intentionality. Smarter is for anyone who wants to succeed but stay sane. It’s not about doing less – it’s about doing it smarter.Writing it was one of the hardest and most clarifying things I’ve ever done. It forced me to distil years of experience, failure and insight into a framework that could actually help people – and I’m incredibly proud of that. How do you maintain the balance between your professional and personal life – what do you most enjoy doing in your spare time outside of work? And which part of your work do you find most fulfilling? I don’t believe balance is static. For me, it’s more about rhythm than symmetry. Some weeks are full-on – pitch decks, late nights, product launches – and others are quieter, more spacious. I’m a huge believer in managing energy, not time (a big principle in the book).That means being clear on when I work best, when I need rest, and how I recharge. I also consider rest as a critical part of my working life. Outside of work, I love walking with a coffee and a podcast, being in nature, scribbling ideas in notebooks, reading non-fiction at a pace that would horrify speed readers. Listening to an audio book, exploring. The most fulfilling part of my work is being adjacent to, and part of, some of the most exciting ideas on the planet. Whether working with a founder, a brand, or a reader – I try to articulate who they are and what they stand for, in a way that’s both sharp and human. At Teddies, I saw that leadership wasn’t about being the loudest in the room – it was about listening, observing, and knowing when to step forward. “ Alongside your book, you also run a podcast – The Smarter Podcast . Has hosting the series taught you lessons you’ve applied to your own life? So many. Every guest teaches me something new – not just about success, but about failure, self-awareness, and the hidden costs of building anything meaningful. One standout moment ”

was speaking with Conna Walker who said she only takes advice from people she’d switch lives with. That really landed. It’s such a powerful filter – The podcast has also taught me to listen better. I’ve always loved asking questions, but the discipline of truly listening, without filling the silence, has been and one I’ve started using.

INTERVIEW

Recording the ‘Smarter’ Podcast series.

transformative – professionally and personally. And it’s made me realise that the people you admire most are rarely the loudest.They’re the ones who’ve done the work – quietly, consistently, with purpose. You are the Strategic PR Advisor to UN Women UK – what was your journey to working with the UN and what have you found most fulfilling about this role? What would your biggest piece of advice for the next generation of female professionals be? It came through work we’d done at EMERGE on campaigns around gender equality. I’d always admired the UN’s mission – and when the opportunity came to contribute, I didn’t hesitate. The most fulfilling part has been helping shape narratives that elevate unheard voices and shift public perception. It’s an immense privilege and responsibility to work on causes that matter on a global scale. To the next generation of women? Don’t water yourself down. Advocate for your worth.Trust your gut, even when it’s inconvenient. And remember: your job is not to be liked – it’s to be respected. Liking often follows. A self-founded PR agency, bestselling book and podcast – it’s been a busy few years.What’s next for you? I’m focused on building the Smarter brand into something that lives far beyond the page.Workshops, digital tools, content platforms – things that help people work, lead, and live more intentionally. I’m exploring international growth, early conversations about book two, and continuing to grow the podcast. But more than anything, I want to continue asking better questions – about success, ambition, energy, equity – and building platforms that help other people do the same. And I’m trying to take my own advice: celebrate the wins before rushing to the next milestone. Sometimes progress looks like pausing. Sometimes doing nothing is the smartest move you can make.

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