In the sixth season of How to Build a Village, we’re taking our time with trips. We’re going to embark on journeys by sea and rail, exploring travel with stunning scenery and surroundings. This marks a change for me. I’m used to counting the minutes......
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She was born 250 years ago and died aged just 41, but Jane Austen’s work is treasured around the world – and her brand is worth hundreds of millions of dollars today. Her six novels are studied in schools, critiqued by academics, dramatised by filmmakers......
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I love Angie Thomas’s books, especially The Hate U Give, a powerful story about social justice, belonging and friendships. I was thrilled to interview Angie for a BBC article. I hope you enjoy our conversation about relating to readers in-person and virtually as much as......
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I met Betsy in New York City in the late 1990s, when we both lived in Morningside Heights. I have always been so impressed by her bravery, her travels and her wide circle of wonderful friends. In our conversation, she shared her work as a......
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I always loved Liz Landau’s work, from her science reporting, to her fabulous podcast, Pod Paper Scissors. We met through CNN’s digital team, but Liz is also a fabulous teacher; she shared key career tips and lively science stories with my journalism students at Emory......
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I had the privilege of working with British visibility coach Penny Haslam at the BBC a few years back. I was so impressed by her presence, her unflappability, and her confidence. I was further wowed when I watched her perform a standup comedy routine in......
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I’ve loved getting to know Ginanne Brownell through a London book club over the past six years. I’ve also been riveted by her writing, particularly when she describes her path to motherhood, through IVF and surrogacy. It’s a tough topic she handles with candid warmth......
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I met Helen and Shaninga Marasha at a fundraiser for their wonderful charity, BIGKID Foundation, about five years ago. I was so impressed by how their charity offers young people opportunities to develop leadership skills and a sense of belonging through sports, media, the arts......
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I love working out in Atlanta with Saidah. We met when our daughters were in the same nursery school class, then Saidah became my coach, my friend and my mentor. I have learned so much about healthy living from her. During the lockdown, Saidah’s online......
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I enjoyed interviewing Hazel Sheffield for the Financial Times for an article about changing funding models in journalism. I was so impressed by her enterprising reporting, not to mention her entrepreneurialism. She finds amazing tales of social entrepreneurs all over Britain, like her FT report......
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Michelle Jana Chan travels all over the world for her work as a travel writer. I feel like I am traveling with her when I read her articles, because of her exquisite vivid details. I was so excited to read her debut novel, “Song.” It’s......
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Joe Lynam is an amazing storyteller, as well as a seasoned broadcaster. I greatly enjoyed working with him at the BBC in London, where he was always ready with an amazing anecdote. I hope you enjoy hearing Joe’s memories of Dublin and his observations on......
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I had the privilege of meeting American diversity and inclusion executive Allyson Zimmermann through my work for the BBC. Her calm and charismatic presence impressed me, so I was thrilled when she agreed to share her tips on meditation in this episode. I loved hearing......
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I loved hearing how Misha Santa Barbara, an accomplished technology executive and busy parent, volunteered her time at the Rio Paralympics in 2016. She blogged about her experience here. I hope you enjoy hearing about the community of volunteers who come together from all over......
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I had the privilege of appearing on Evelini Quarrell’s Foreign Mum podcast. Her story of following in her father’s broadcasting footsteps, and forging her own podcasting path, inspired me. I loved hearing how she has made London her home, after moving here from Fortaleza, Brazil.......
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I love books, and I love music, so for me, Kris Kosach’s Los Angeles podcast, Text, Prose & RocknRoll – the book club that rocks – is the best. I am proud to say that in addition to her role as prolific podcast host, she......
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I love the Wimbledon tennis championships. My son and I managed to get returned tickets after standing in line on the second Wednesday of the tournament two years ago (see above). We got to wander the grounds, watch some veterans play (Martina and Mary Joe!),......
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I’ve loved following June Angelides’s journey from Lagos to London. We met at a screening of “Hidden Figures,” the fabulous film about the true story of the African American data scientists at NASA in the 1960s. June spearheaded the screening, and has continued to inspire......
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Does this beautiful photo, courtesy of the fabulous Tara Duffy, show Ireland, or Taiwan? You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out! was always so impressed by how peaceful Tara Duffy appeared when we met at CNN in London more than 20 years......
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Angela Tucker is inspiring. I loved hearing how she built her career as a filmmaker, writing, directing and teaching. We met in Drama Club at Chapin in New York City many years ago, so it was great to re-connect virtually for this episode. Angela tells......
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I’ve always been impressed by how my friend Katie Pisa has moved around the world, from Kuala Lumpur to Athens, making it look easy, with three kids in tow. She is a great resource and friend for me, and invited me to join a fabulous......
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I learned so much from Dr. Jelena Subotić, who taught a compelling course on human rights that I took while working towards my MA degree at Georgia State University. Dr. Subotić covered tough topics with compassion. I am privileged to call her a friend, as......
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