1 00:00:10,614 --> 00:00:13,334 Speaker 1: You're listening to a Mother Mea podcast. 2 00:00:14,134 --> 00:00:17,214 Speaker 2: Momma Mea acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters 3 00:00:17,254 --> 00:00:19,734 Speaker 2: that this podcast is recorded on Hi. 4 00:00:19,934 --> 00:00:23,494 Speaker 1: I'm Grace Ruefrey. This is MoMA Mes twice daily news podcast, 5 00:00:23,574 --> 00:00:26,854 Speaker 1: The Quickie, dropping into your ears with a very special 6 00:00:26,974 --> 00:00:30,454 Speaker 1: listening recommendation for you. We want to share with you 7 00:00:30,494 --> 00:00:33,374 Speaker 1: an episode from our sister podcast, But Are You Happy? 8 00:00:33,654 --> 00:00:36,214 Speaker 1: Claire Stephens sits down with people who seem to have 9 00:00:36,294 --> 00:00:39,174 Speaker 1: it all, but in reality face the same problems we 10 00:00:39,214 --> 00:00:42,134 Speaker 1: all have, and better yet, they've got tons of advice 11 00:00:42,174 --> 00:00:45,134 Speaker 1: on how to deal with it. Check out this episode 12 00:00:45,174 --> 00:00:48,894 Speaker 1: with Zoe foster Blake, the owner of massively popular Go 13 00:00:48,974 --> 00:00:53,174 Speaker 1: to Skin, is a self described perfectionist, and while she 14 00:00:53,214 --> 00:00:56,334 Speaker 1: doesn't always see that as a positive trait, Zoe shares 15 00:00:56,374 --> 00:01:00,774 Speaker 1: with Claire the things she's learned about embracing failure, recognizing 16 00:01:00,774 --> 00:01:04,054 Speaker 1: when she needs space to recharge, and all the offers 17 00:01:04,174 --> 00:01:06,694 Speaker 1: she turns down for the sake of her mental health. 18 00:01:07,054 --> 00:01:10,254 Speaker 1: So is Zoe foster Blake happy find out. 19 00:01:12,254 --> 00:01:14,854 Speaker 2: I am a perfectionist. I don't think that's a positive thing. 20 00:01:15,374 --> 00:01:19,534 Speaker 2: I think it's actually really fear masquerading as perfectionism. I 21 00:01:19,574 --> 00:01:22,454 Speaker 2: think sometimes the times when everything's meant to be perfect 22 00:01:23,134 --> 00:01:25,054 Speaker 2: and you feel like it built it up so much 23 00:01:25,054 --> 00:01:27,974 Speaker 2: in your mind and it fails. It's not a failure. 24 00:01:27,974 --> 00:01:29,734 Speaker 2: It's a lesson that's always meant to be. 25 00:01:37,854 --> 00:01:40,374 Speaker 3: Hello and welcome to but are you happy? The podcast 26 00:01:40,494 --> 00:01:43,054 Speaker 3: that asks the questions you've always wanted to know from 27 00:01:43,054 --> 00:01:46,214 Speaker 3: the people who appear to have it all. I'm Claire Stevens, 28 00:01:46,414 --> 00:01:48,814 Speaker 3: and today's guest is one who has been at the 29 00:01:48,934 --> 00:01:51,574 Speaker 3: very top of my wish list since I first had 30 00:01:51,694 --> 00:01:54,614 Speaker 3: the idea for this show. In terms of people with 31 00:01:54,734 --> 00:01:57,774 Speaker 3: aspirational lives, Zooey Foster Blake is in a league of 32 00:01:57,774 --> 00:02:01,334 Speaker 3: her own. She's an author of fiction and nonfiction and 33 00:02:01,414 --> 00:02:05,334 Speaker 3: children's books, a skincare founder, and an entrepreneur, and as 34 00:02:05,334 --> 00:02:08,534 Speaker 3: a fixture of Australian media, she's known for her warm, 35 00:02:08,854 --> 00:02:12,374 Speaker 3: handid funny tone, one that is profoundly distinct to her. 36 00:02:13,334 --> 00:02:16,334 Speaker 3: I read Zoe's novels in my twenties. She's written a 37 00:02:16,334 --> 00:02:18,374 Speaker 3: lot of them and they're the kinds of stories that 38 00:02:18,414 --> 00:02:21,894 Speaker 3: feel like a cozy, comfortable hug from a friend. She 39 00:02:22,014 --> 00:02:26,534 Speaker 3: then launched Go to Skincare, an iconic now international skincare company, 40 00:02:27,134 --> 00:02:29,454 Speaker 3: and while I don't know a lot about business and 41 00:02:29,534 --> 00:02:33,654 Speaker 3: stakes and shares, it's worth many, many, many ends of 42 00:02:33,734 --> 00:02:39,894 Speaker 3: million dollars. So obviously I have a million questions for her, 43 00:02:40,214 --> 00:02:43,054 Speaker 3: because she really does have the secret source. Un Lucky 44 00:02:43,094 --> 00:02:46,014 Speaker 3: for us, Zoe is not into gatekeeping. She's one of 45 00:02:46,014 --> 00:02:49,094 Speaker 3: those people who really does believe that there's enough success 46 00:02:49,134 --> 00:02:52,934 Speaker 3: for everyone, and she likes to teach. Over the years, 47 00:02:53,054 --> 00:02:55,934 Speaker 3: Zoe Foster Blake has taught me about vitamin C and 48 00:02:56,014 --> 00:02:59,694 Speaker 3: face oils and hyaluronic acid, and I distinctly remember a 49 00:02:59,774 --> 00:03:02,574 Speaker 3: mind blowing makeup tutorial where she put blush on her 50 00:03:02,654 --> 00:03:04,974 Speaker 3: nose and it really does brighten up your whole faith. 51 00:03:05,374 --> 00:03:07,934 Speaker 3: But in this interview, she taught me a lot more 52 00:03:08,414 --> 00:03:13,454 Speaker 3: about boundaries, about success, about drive, about creativity, and of 53 00:03:13,534 --> 00:03:20,294 Speaker 3: course about happiness. He is Zoey Foster Black. You in 54 00:03:20,334 --> 00:03:24,294 Speaker 3: your early career, like me, you worked for Mayor Friedman. 55 00:03:24,854 --> 00:03:27,774 Speaker 3: Tell me when you were in your early twenties working 56 00:03:27,814 --> 00:03:31,574 Speaker 3: at Cosmo and then Harpers Bizarre. Who were you at 57 00:03:31,574 --> 00:03:32,654 Speaker 3: that stage in your life? 58 00:03:32,694 --> 00:03:35,334 Speaker 2: Oh, it was such a great time. I came in 59 00:03:35,374 --> 00:03:39,774 Speaker 2: at twenty three knowing nothing about beauty editing at all, 60 00:03:39,894 --> 00:03:42,654 Speaker 2: but I'd worked in kids' mags and music mags before then, 61 00:03:42,694 --> 00:03:44,654 Speaker 2: so I'd grow on my teeth a little bit, but 62 00:03:44,694 --> 00:03:46,614 Speaker 2: i'd just come out of a big breakup, and I 63 00:03:46,694 --> 00:03:48,934 Speaker 2: really felt like it was my Carry Bradshaw moment because 64 00:03:48,974 --> 00:03:51,774 Speaker 2: I was suddenly in this glamorous job, at this glamorous building. 65 00:03:51,854 --> 00:03:53,774 Speaker 2: All of these glamorous women who I'd looked up to 66 00:03:53,854 --> 00:03:56,214 Speaker 2: for so long, you know, just pinched me a moment, 67 00:03:56,534 --> 00:03:59,934 Speaker 2: and so I embraced it. I started dressing up for work, 68 00:03:59,974 --> 00:04:04,654 Speaker 2: which you had to anyway, and my confidence really bloomed, 69 00:04:04,654 --> 00:04:07,174 Speaker 2: and I was the first time I really felt like 70 00:04:07,294 --> 00:04:10,014 Speaker 2: part of a team and part of something bigger. And 71 00:04:10,214 --> 00:04:12,534 Speaker 2: I had not had a great relationship with other women 72 00:04:13,334 --> 00:04:16,214 Speaker 2: before that. I had a really good best female friend 73 00:04:16,214 --> 00:04:17,654 Speaker 2: at school, but I had a lot of male friends. 74 00:04:17,694 --> 00:04:20,134 Speaker 2: I just thought they were easier, less bullshit, and we 75 00:04:20,294 --> 00:04:23,774 Speaker 2: just would be idiots together, and there was more emphasis 76 00:04:23,774 --> 00:04:27,414 Speaker 2: on comedy with the boys. So it was the first 77 00:04:27,414 --> 00:04:29,494 Speaker 2: time I fell in love with women really and saw 78 00:04:29,534 --> 00:04:33,214 Speaker 2: them not as competitors or as boring and whatever I 79 00:04:33,294 --> 00:04:35,454 Speaker 2: thought of them during school, and just fell in love 80 00:04:35,494 --> 00:04:39,814 Speaker 2: with women and being part of something really fun. 81 00:04:40,534 --> 00:04:43,414 Speaker 3: When you were a beauty editor, did you feel like 82 00:04:44,774 --> 00:04:47,614 Speaker 3: it was enough, like when you were You're at that 83 00:04:47,734 --> 00:04:52,014 Speaker 3: stage in your career and you are getting all these 84 00:04:52,054 --> 00:04:54,534 Speaker 3: opportunities and you're writing about beauty and really making a 85 00:04:54,614 --> 00:04:57,894 Speaker 3: name for yourself. Were you more ambitious than that? 86 00:04:58,654 --> 00:05:02,294 Speaker 2: Yes? And the proof came quickly because Mia quickly put 87 00:05:02,334 --> 00:05:04,414 Speaker 2: me in church lifestyle as well, and I started writing 88 00:05:04,454 --> 00:05:06,814 Speaker 2: dating columns. I had all of the time in the 89 00:05:06,814 --> 00:05:09,934 Speaker 2: world and all of the energy, and I just wanted 90 00:05:09,974 --> 00:05:12,814 Speaker 2: to do everything. Started a beauty blog, so I'd write 91 00:05:12,854 --> 00:05:14,894 Speaker 2: that in the mornings before work, jump on the bus, 92 00:05:14,974 --> 00:05:17,894 Speaker 2: drive in to go into work, then go to events afterwards. 93 00:05:17,894 --> 00:05:20,934 Speaker 2: And then I remember sort of feeling like I needed 94 00:05:20,974 --> 00:05:22,974 Speaker 2: to move on, like I've been at Cosmo for a 95 00:05:22,974 --> 00:05:25,694 Speaker 2: few years, and it was actually me who said, just 96 00:05:25,774 --> 00:05:28,454 Speaker 2: can you write a book or something like? Just stay here, 97 00:05:28,494 --> 00:05:30,734 Speaker 2: but do something else to keep you busy. And I'd 98 00:05:30,734 --> 00:05:33,094 Speaker 2: always thought I might write fiction. My father's an author, 99 00:05:33,454 --> 00:05:35,654 Speaker 2: and I thought beauty editing was just this mad world, 100 00:05:35,694 --> 00:05:37,934 Speaker 2: like I can believe it existed. I could get sent 101 00:05:37,974 --> 00:05:40,294 Speaker 2: stuff to play with and that's your job. That's actually 102 00:05:40,294 --> 00:05:42,574 Speaker 2: your job, and you get to take it home. So yeah, 103 00:05:42,734 --> 00:05:46,254 Speaker 2: So I was blogging, working full time, writing a column 104 00:05:46,414 --> 00:05:48,694 Speaker 2: and writing a book and that was just enough. 105 00:05:49,574 --> 00:05:54,694 Speaker 3: And Maya approached you at one stage for the deputy editor. 106 00:05:54,614 --> 00:05:56,894 Speaker 2: Job, or was sometime at a promotion. 107 00:05:57,174 --> 00:06:02,294 Speaker 3: Yeah, and you said no because it would involve people 108 00:06:02,334 --> 00:06:06,094 Speaker 3: management and leaning more into the business side. And you 109 00:06:06,134 --> 00:06:08,694 Speaker 3: probably don't know this, but Maya uses you as an 110 00:06:08,734 --> 00:06:12,414 Speaker 3: example a lot of like mentoring conversations where she's like, 111 00:06:12,534 --> 00:06:14,934 Speaker 3: which path do you want to go down? She calls 112 00:06:14,974 --> 00:06:17,614 Speaker 3: it like the ladder or the lattice. Yeah, and she's like, 113 00:06:18,014 --> 00:06:20,054 Speaker 3: she offers you as one option, and it's like, well, 114 00:06:20,134 --> 00:06:21,854 Speaker 3: no one's gonna want to go down the other line. 115 00:06:21,894 --> 00:06:25,214 Speaker 3: Everyone just wants to be zooie. So she says, how 116 00:06:25,294 --> 00:06:28,374 Speaker 3: you said no to that because you didn't want to 117 00:06:28,374 --> 00:06:29,454 Speaker 3: do that. 118 00:06:29,934 --> 00:06:31,054 Speaker 2: There was hard role. 119 00:06:31,494 --> 00:06:33,854 Speaker 3: Yeah, and you would have been sacrificing your creativity. 120 00:06:33,974 --> 00:06:34,894 Speaker 2: Yeah. 121 00:06:34,934 --> 00:06:37,934 Speaker 3: How were you so self assured at that point to 122 00:06:37,974 --> 00:06:38,454 Speaker 3: say no? 123 00:06:38,774 --> 00:06:41,534 Speaker 2: Ubris? I really think it was hubris, because there is 124 00:06:41,574 --> 00:06:43,494 Speaker 2: a lot of creativity in being an editor or a 125 00:06:43,494 --> 00:06:47,094 Speaker 2: director of something because you ultimately, now as a founder ancident, 126 00:06:47,134 --> 00:06:50,134 Speaker 2: you're setting the visionary tone, you can shape a magazine. 127 00:06:50,614 --> 00:06:53,254 Speaker 2: You're pulling a team together to create something incredible together. 128 00:06:53,934 --> 00:06:56,294 Speaker 2: But at that time I saw them, it just as 129 00:06:56,294 --> 00:06:59,014 Speaker 2: a management role and a business role and a meetings 130 00:06:59,094 --> 00:07:01,654 Speaker 2: and only writing you did was the ads letter. I 131 00:07:01,694 --> 00:07:03,654 Speaker 2: was like, oh god, no, I'm a writer, and I 132 00:07:03,694 --> 00:07:06,534 Speaker 2: am a writer. Writing informs everything I do if you 133 00:07:06,574 --> 00:07:09,534 Speaker 2: really drill down on it. So I saw that pretty clear, 134 00:07:10,174 --> 00:07:12,214 Speaker 2: and it probably was pretty offensive back then at like 135 00:07:12,214 --> 00:07:16,374 Speaker 2: twenty six to say oh thanks. I just knew that, Yeah, 136 00:07:16,414 --> 00:07:17,694 Speaker 2: wouldn't be enough writing for me. 137 00:07:18,334 --> 00:07:19,614 Speaker 3: Are you good at saying no? 138 00:07:19,974 --> 00:07:22,894 Speaker 2: And also being an editor seemed really stressful? Yeah, a 139 00:07:22,894 --> 00:07:25,254 Speaker 2: lot of public facing stuff. Yeah, that scared the shit 140 00:07:25,334 --> 00:07:26,934 Speaker 2: out of me. Even as a bidiad you would have 141 00:07:26,934 --> 00:07:30,134 Speaker 2: to present to brand and it just ough heart. 142 00:07:29,974 --> 00:07:32,054 Speaker 3: Attacks, which is ironic now given what you. 143 00:07:32,014 --> 00:07:33,294 Speaker 2: Do, I still get heart attacks. 144 00:07:34,134 --> 00:07:36,654 Speaker 3: But yeah, when you said no to that? Is that 145 00:07:36,734 --> 00:07:39,614 Speaker 3: something you're good at saying no when things come up? 146 00:07:39,654 --> 00:07:41,094 Speaker 2: That just not yes? 147 00:07:41,174 --> 00:07:44,094 Speaker 3: Something that serves you. I love no And how do 148 00:07:44,174 --> 00:07:44,614 Speaker 3: you say no? 149 00:07:45,934 --> 00:07:47,494 Speaker 2: It took me a while to learn it, but it 150 00:07:47,534 --> 00:07:50,214 Speaker 2: is a real skill. And there are a few key 151 00:07:50,654 --> 00:07:53,134 Speaker 2: thinkers that I always looked to, like Kevin Kelly and 152 00:07:53,174 --> 00:07:55,774 Speaker 2: Seth God, who I just firm believers in. You know 153 00:07:55,814 --> 00:07:57,494 Speaker 2: that old adage when you say no to then you're 154 00:07:57,494 --> 00:07:59,934 Speaker 2: saying yes to you. But it's really about the more 155 00:07:59,974 --> 00:08:03,614 Speaker 2: busy you get, having children, having a business, trying to 156 00:08:03,654 --> 00:08:05,894 Speaker 2: feed all these different rounds, you just have to be 157 00:08:05,934 --> 00:08:07,894 Speaker 2: a lot more careful about what you say yes to. 158 00:08:08,774 --> 00:08:13,094 Speaker 2: And saying yes to a gig or a job or something. 159 00:08:13,374 --> 00:08:16,174 Speaker 2: It's never just that two hours on stage, as you know, 160 00:08:16,214 --> 00:08:19,254 Speaker 2: there's a lot of admin and emailing and sorting out 161 00:08:19,254 --> 00:08:22,294 Speaker 2: and contracts and travel and all of those things. And 162 00:08:23,094 --> 00:08:24,894 Speaker 2: it's a real privilege to be able to say no 163 00:08:24,974 --> 00:08:27,894 Speaker 2: to a lot of stuff now. But I have reached 164 00:08:27,894 --> 00:08:30,134 Speaker 2: that point because I've done the twenty years earlier of 165 00:08:30,174 --> 00:08:34,654 Speaker 2: building up that confidence but also that comfortable position to 166 00:08:34,654 --> 00:08:36,494 Speaker 2: be able to have my own business and writing books 167 00:08:36,494 --> 00:08:37,974 Speaker 2: in my family and that's all I do. 168 00:08:38,494 --> 00:08:42,654 Speaker 3: How do you say no? Because I I'm such a 169 00:08:42,694 --> 00:08:45,494 Speaker 3: people plaser and it's probably one of my big issues 170 00:08:45,614 --> 00:08:48,894 Speaker 3: is that please yourself. Please yourself at this time, I know, 171 00:08:49,694 --> 00:08:52,414 Speaker 3: But like if somebody comes to you and you say no, 172 00:08:52,894 --> 00:08:55,014 Speaker 3: and then they do that thing of like coming back 173 00:08:55,054 --> 00:08:56,814 Speaker 3: to you with more reasons why. 174 00:08:56,654 --> 00:08:59,574 Speaker 2: You can't give You can't give an explanation, So what's 175 00:08:59,614 --> 00:09:01,854 Speaker 2: the one sentence? Though we fostered Blake way to say 176 00:09:01,894 --> 00:09:03,774 Speaker 2: not you just say thank you so much. Sounds great. 177 00:09:03,814 --> 00:09:05,414 Speaker 2: I can't be there, but I hope it goes really 178 00:09:05,414 --> 00:09:08,894 Speaker 2: well because if you say, oh, I can't do it 179 00:09:08,934 --> 00:09:11,254 Speaker 2: that week, they were like, oh, what dates are you free? 180 00:09:11,294 --> 00:09:14,894 Speaker 2: Then never explain. Just say it's a no, and with kindness, 181 00:09:14,894 --> 00:09:16,854 Speaker 2: because you're like, thank you so much for thinking for me, 182 00:09:17,614 --> 00:09:19,254 Speaker 2: this is going to be a great event, but it's 183 00:09:19,254 --> 00:09:22,054 Speaker 2: not for me. And I think it's that really firm boundary. 184 00:09:22,214 --> 00:09:24,214 Speaker 2: It's not rude, it's just it's a no. 185 00:09:24,934 --> 00:09:27,574 Speaker 3: And I guess that's the only way that you're able 186 00:09:27,614 --> 00:09:30,454 Speaker 3: to focus on the stuff yeap, that really matters to 187 00:09:30,534 --> 00:09:33,694 Speaker 3: you and to do the really really big projects like 188 00:09:33,774 --> 00:09:35,774 Speaker 3: building a huge business. 189 00:09:35,414 --> 00:09:37,694 Speaker 2: And that is it. And I think also you get 190 00:09:37,694 --> 00:09:39,494 Speaker 2: to a point where, like you either remember if you're 191 00:09:39,494 --> 00:09:42,734 Speaker 2: saying yes to someone that's beneficial to them, that's helping 192 00:09:42,774 --> 00:09:45,374 Speaker 2: their brand and their moment. I would rather help my 193 00:09:45,494 --> 00:09:48,774 Speaker 2: brand and my team. Yeah, and what I'm doing over here. 194 00:09:48,974 --> 00:09:50,734 Speaker 2: So that's the choice you make too. You're like, oh, 195 00:09:50,734 --> 00:09:51,494 Speaker 2: I'm back myself. 196 00:09:53,134 --> 00:09:56,334 Speaker 3: I have a theory that the world lies to us 197 00:09:56,454 --> 00:09:59,614 Speaker 3: a bit about happiness and that often the moments that 198 00:09:59,654 --> 00:10:02,734 Speaker 3: we expect to be the happiest actually aren't. And that's 199 00:10:02,774 --> 00:10:05,454 Speaker 3: sort of what this podcast is about, that there are 200 00:10:05,774 --> 00:10:09,454 Speaker 3: these times where we have all these ideas about how 201 00:10:10,054 --> 00:10:12,814 Speaker 3: something should feel, and things might look really, really, really 202 00:10:12,854 --> 00:10:16,694 Speaker 3: shiny from the outside, and that's not the reality. Do 203 00:10:16,734 --> 00:10:20,694 Speaker 3: you have an example of a time where externally things 204 00:10:20,734 --> 00:10:22,614 Speaker 3: looked great, but under the surface they. 205 00:10:22,534 --> 00:10:28,174 Speaker 2: Worked probably, although a hand on heart. I try never 206 00:10:28,214 --> 00:10:34,014 Speaker 2: to be disingenious, and I'd rather omit than pretend. I 207 00:10:34,054 --> 00:10:38,294 Speaker 2: don't think it's helpful to portray that perfection. I know 208 00:10:38,374 --> 00:10:40,974 Speaker 2: that's obviously a lot of what social media is about, 209 00:10:41,254 --> 00:10:42,494 Speaker 2: and I know there are a lot of people now 210 00:10:42,494 --> 00:10:44,734 Speaker 2: how are being very open about their vulnerabilities and their 211 00:10:44,734 --> 00:10:46,374 Speaker 2: mental health, and I think it's very helpful for a 212 00:10:46,414 --> 00:10:51,054 Speaker 2: lot of people to see that. I can honestly say 213 00:10:51,134 --> 00:10:54,414 Speaker 2: that that doesn't happen for me very often. There's certainly 214 00:10:54,414 --> 00:10:56,774 Speaker 2: been big pockets of my life where things were meant 215 00:10:56,814 --> 00:11:00,574 Speaker 2: to be fantastic and amazing, but that's always not really 216 00:11:00,614 --> 00:11:03,534 Speaker 2: about the outside observer going, hey, this looks perfect, but 217 00:11:03,694 --> 00:11:06,694 Speaker 2: me placing those expectations on it and going, you should 218 00:11:06,694 --> 00:11:09,134 Speaker 2: be having the time of your life. Because I've worked 219 00:11:09,134 --> 00:11:11,334 Speaker 2: so hard to make it perfect. In my mind, I 220 00:11:11,374 --> 00:11:13,774 Speaker 2: am a perfectionist. I don't think that's a positive thing. 221 00:11:14,334 --> 00:11:18,374 Speaker 2: I think it's actually really fear masquerading as perfectionism. A 222 00:11:18,414 --> 00:11:21,654 Speaker 2: big one was the arrogance of taking a gap year 223 00:11:21,694 --> 00:11:24,094 Speaker 2: after year twelve and sort of telling ever rue in 224 00:11:24,094 --> 00:11:25,694 Speaker 2: my small town I'm going in the big city. You know, 225 00:11:25,734 --> 00:11:29,214 Speaker 2: I need a break from study. Oh my god, and 226 00:11:29,334 --> 00:11:31,814 Speaker 2: taking a year off before going to UNI and moving 227 00:11:31,814 --> 00:11:35,414 Speaker 2: to Sydney in a gust of like speed. I was seventeen. 228 00:11:35,494 --> 00:11:37,854 Speaker 2: I had no money, nothing, nothing saved. I wasn't going 229 00:11:37,854 --> 00:11:41,134 Speaker 2: to Africa to help orphanages. I wasn't going to work 230 00:11:41,174 --> 00:11:43,574 Speaker 2: overseas or travel. I didn't have a job. I just 231 00:11:43,614 --> 00:11:45,774 Speaker 2: moved to Sydney in a sharehouse and I only had 232 00:11:45,774 --> 00:11:49,094 Speaker 2: my grandma and my sister in Sydney, and I had 233 00:11:49,134 --> 00:11:56,374 Speaker 2: the most miserable, broke, sad, pathetic year of my life. 234 00:11:56,574 --> 00:11:59,774 Speaker 2: And I would go home for birthdays or twenty first 235 00:11:59,854 --> 00:12:01,974 Speaker 2: or whatever and had to pretend that everything was going great. 236 00:12:02,014 --> 00:12:04,134 Speaker 2: For example, I was working in the dungeon of the 237 00:12:04,174 --> 00:12:08,334 Speaker 2: Intercontinental selling their loyalty card as a telemarketer for zero dollars, 238 00:12:08,654 --> 00:12:10,654 Speaker 2: and so I'd tell everyone. I was working at the Intercontinental. 239 00:12:11,334 --> 00:12:13,134 Speaker 2: I was also a nightpacker at Coles like I was. 240 00:12:13,254 --> 00:12:16,014 Speaker 2: I did a lot of terrible jobs. But I now 241 00:12:16,174 --> 00:12:19,574 Speaker 2: am so grateful for that year, because without the depths 242 00:12:19,614 --> 00:12:23,494 Speaker 2: of being super duper broke and having not a friend 243 00:12:24,254 --> 00:12:27,774 Speaker 2: and no clue and just being aimless, I would never 244 00:12:27,814 --> 00:12:30,614 Speaker 2: allow myself to feel like that again. I just really 245 00:12:30,654 --> 00:12:32,334 Speaker 2: realized that I need to be busy, I need to 246 00:12:32,334 --> 00:12:34,454 Speaker 2: have some purpose, I need to have friends, and I 247 00:12:34,494 --> 00:12:35,254 Speaker 2: need to have some money. 248 00:12:35,374 --> 00:12:35,694 Speaker 3: M M. 249 00:12:36,374 --> 00:12:39,254 Speaker 2: So I think that year even that was silly, yeah, 250 00:12:39,294 --> 00:12:41,494 Speaker 2: and some could say a waste of a year, but 251 00:12:41,534 --> 00:12:43,334 Speaker 2: because I was also so young, it didn't really matter. 252 00:12:43,334 --> 00:12:46,494 Speaker 2: I still started union everybody else. But yeah, I think 253 00:12:46,574 --> 00:12:50,014 Speaker 2: sometimes the times when everything's meant to be perfect and 254 00:12:50,294 --> 00:12:51,854 Speaker 2: you feel like you built it up so much in 255 00:12:51,894 --> 00:12:54,774 Speaker 2: your mind and it fails, it's not a failure. It's 256 00:12:54,774 --> 00:12:56,334 Speaker 2: a lesson that's always meant. 257 00:12:56,094 --> 00:13:00,934 Speaker 3: To be in your new novel. Things will calm down soon. 258 00:13:01,614 --> 00:13:04,094 Speaker 3: Something I really took away from it was the kind 259 00:13:04,134 --> 00:13:09,654 Speaker 3: of unrelenting pressure of being a founder and how you 260 00:13:09,774 --> 00:13:14,294 Speaker 3: have these achievements that I just cannot even imagine in 261 00:13:14,334 --> 00:13:17,334 Speaker 3: terms of what you've built yet at the same time, 262 00:13:17,534 --> 00:13:19,894 Speaker 3: you kind of can't sit there to take it in 263 00:13:20,094 --> 00:13:22,814 Speaker 3: never because there's always a million other things you need 264 00:13:22,854 --> 00:13:25,974 Speaker 3: to be doing. Have you had that experience with business 265 00:13:25,974 --> 00:13:29,614 Speaker 3: sometimes that you look around and think this is incredible, 266 00:13:29,654 --> 00:13:31,414 Speaker 3: but I'm not able to feel it. 267 00:13:31,734 --> 00:13:34,014 Speaker 2: And I think anyone who works in like media where 268 00:13:34,014 --> 00:13:35,494 Speaker 2: you're always thinking about the next show or the next 269 00:13:35,574 --> 00:13:39,414 Speaker 2: magazine or the next whatever, where always working, you haven't 270 00:13:39,454 --> 00:13:42,214 Speaker 2: many months ahead. Yeah, it's it's a real trap because 271 00:13:42,214 --> 00:13:44,494 Speaker 2: you never take a moment to stop and think. It's 272 00:13:44,534 --> 00:13:46,374 Speaker 2: only having a few times over the years, and it's 273 00:13:46,414 --> 00:13:48,894 Speaker 2: like it was seeing our products and Saphora in the States, 274 00:13:49,814 --> 00:13:52,614 Speaker 2: and it's always the Christmas party where I stop and 275 00:13:52,654 --> 00:13:55,414 Speaker 2: look around and go, oh my god, these people, I 276 00:13:55,454 --> 00:13:57,974 Speaker 2: love them, Look what they've done, Look what we've created together. 277 00:13:58,694 --> 00:14:02,654 Speaker 2: Or feedback from customers where you know, whether it's at 278 00:14:02,574 --> 00:14:06,134 Speaker 2: an airport or an email, and it's just that pure 279 00:14:07,054 --> 00:14:09,494 Speaker 2: thank you. This has changed my skin, And I think 280 00:14:09,614 --> 00:14:12,734 Speaker 2: those little reminders. People might not give founders feedback because 281 00:14:12,774 --> 00:14:14,574 Speaker 2: they expect that they'll get it all the time, but 282 00:14:14,694 --> 00:14:18,214 Speaker 2: we really need it because it's a really kind of 283 00:14:18,614 --> 00:14:21,494 Speaker 2: busy and lonely position. A lot of the time. You're 284 00:14:21,574 --> 00:14:23,454 Speaker 2: the director and you're meant to have all the ideas 285 00:14:23,454 --> 00:14:25,974 Speaker 2: and you have this eternal type of creativity and excitement 286 00:14:26,014 --> 00:14:29,014 Speaker 2: and you're public facing. But well, you do get the 287 00:14:29,014 --> 00:14:32,494 Speaker 2: good jobs thumbs ups, but you you yourself will never 288 00:14:32,534 --> 00:14:35,094 Speaker 2: actually take a moment to stop. Yeah, and you've got 289 00:14:35,134 --> 00:14:36,534 Speaker 2: to force yourself to do it. And I think the 290 00:14:36,574 --> 00:14:38,054 Speaker 2: Christmas party is always a good one for me. 291 00:14:38,974 --> 00:14:43,774 Speaker 3: Does your business like at that go to Christmas party? 292 00:14:43,934 --> 00:14:46,974 Speaker 3: When you see your products in Sephora that. 293 00:14:47,094 --> 00:14:48,814 Speaker 2: Was in the States, Yeah, we're in Meca. 294 00:14:48,654 --> 00:14:54,574 Speaker 3: And yeah, when you have those moments, is it happiness 295 00:14:54,694 --> 00:14:57,374 Speaker 3: that you feel or is it something else? Like? What 296 00:14:57,414 --> 00:14:59,254 Speaker 3: does business give you? 297 00:15:00,014 --> 00:15:02,174 Speaker 2: I think it might be a sin. But pride, I 298 00:15:02,214 --> 00:15:05,454 Speaker 2: feel proud. I feel proud that I didn't know anything 299 00:15:05,494 --> 00:15:08,854 Speaker 2: about business, and I didn't know anything about creating a 300 00:15:08,894 --> 00:15:12,614 Speaker 2: team and a world place and a culture and satisfying 301 00:15:12,614 --> 00:15:14,934 Speaker 2: a customer. I had done it a little bit through 302 00:15:14,974 --> 00:15:18,094 Speaker 2: my writing, I guess, creating a project that people can 303 00:15:18,094 --> 00:15:21,174 Speaker 2: hold in their hands and enjoy. But it's pride, and 304 00:15:21,174 --> 00:15:23,134 Speaker 2: it's always a bit of how did you get here? 305 00:15:23,534 --> 00:15:25,854 Speaker 2: I wouldn't say it's imposter syndrome. I don't I'm past 306 00:15:25,934 --> 00:15:28,574 Speaker 2: that for that, But it's pride and a little bit 307 00:15:28,614 --> 00:15:31,934 Speaker 2: of fascination. It's go cow, but smile. 308 00:15:32,414 --> 00:15:36,654 Speaker 3: Do you get the sense of like I'm leaving a 309 00:15:36,734 --> 00:15:39,854 Speaker 3: legacy and I've created something bigger than myself as some 310 00:15:39,974 --> 00:15:41,654 Speaker 3: like almost immortality there. 311 00:15:42,254 --> 00:15:44,454 Speaker 2: I wouldn't have said yes to that because it feels 312 00:15:44,494 --> 00:15:47,334 Speaker 2: silly for a skincare brand to have a legacy. But 313 00:15:47,494 --> 00:15:50,454 Speaker 2: when I was buying my company back last year, this 314 00:15:50,934 --> 00:15:53,414 Speaker 2: huge maternal instinct came in and I just felt so 315 00:15:53,494 --> 00:15:58,774 Speaker 2: protective of what fills my cupboard. I would be bereft 316 00:15:58,814 --> 00:16:00,694 Speaker 2: if I had no more go to let alone the 317 00:16:00,734 --> 00:16:02,654 Speaker 2: millions of customers who love it and use it every 318 00:16:02,734 --> 00:16:06,334 Speaker 2: day and our team, and I just thought, this is 319 00:16:06,374 --> 00:16:09,814 Speaker 2: something that enhances people's lives, that they really enjoy a 320 00:16:09,814 --> 00:16:13,814 Speaker 2: little moment without getting to this is saving the earth. 321 00:16:13,974 --> 00:16:16,094 Speaker 2: It's just a nice moment for people that they like 322 00:16:16,254 --> 00:16:17,974 Speaker 2: and it filled a gap and I'm proud of that. 323 00:16:18,574 --> 00:16:22,654 Speaker 2: Don't fuck it up, don't ruin it. It's really really 324 00:16:22,694 --> 00:16:25,974 Speaker 2: hard to get a brand that people resonate with. It's 325 00:16:26,014 --> 00:16:28,374 Speaker 2: really hard to get that stickiness and that loyalty in 326 00:16:28,414 --> 00:16:32,734 Speaker 2: their community. How dare you ruin that? Like you're so lucky. 327 00:16:33,374 --> 00:16:36,574 Speaker 2: So yeah, I really just went into full speed mode 328 00:16:36,734 --> 00:16:39,454 Speaker 2: and sixth year and just went at all costs. Yeah, 329 00:16:39,494 --> 00:16:41,814 Speaker 2: this must keep going. We want to be a household 330 00:16:41,854 --> 00:16:44,174 Speaker 2: name in Australia. That's our goal. Our big goal is 331 00:16:44,214 --> 00:16:47,454 Speaker 2: to be your household name in Australia. And we can 332 00:16:47,494 --> 00:16:49,694 Speaker 2: do it. We've been in BIS for ten years and 333 00:16:50,654 --> 00:16:51,494 Speaker 2: I think we'll get there. 334 00:16:53,254 --> 00:16:55,814 Speaker 3: After the break, Zoe and I talk about her strengths 335 00:16:55,814 --> 00:16:59,214 Speaker 3: and weaknesses as a business founder, and more about her 336 00:16:59,214 --> 00:17:01,934 Speaker 3: book and why she'd be happy to just sit and 337 00:17:01,974 --> 00:17:11,294 Speaker 3: write for the rest of her life. What do you 338 00:17:11,374 --> 00:17:13,774 Speaker 3: think is your biggest strength as a founder? 339 00:17:17,334 --> 00:17:21,894 Speaker 2: I think creativity, but also coupled with risk. I'm not 340 00:17:21,934 --> 00:17:24,094 Speaker 2: averse to risk. I think you have to lean into 341 00:17:24,174 --> 00:17:28,854 Speaker 2: risk and be really okay with both outcomes. And they're 342 00:17:28,894 --> 00:17:31,094 Speaker 2: not always going to be great. You won't hear about 343 00:17:31,214 --> 00:17:33,494 Speaker 2: the bad outcomes, you'll only see the good ones. But 344 00:17:34,214 --> 00:17:36,694 Speaker 2: take the chance. And that's what I love about us being, 345 00:17:36,814 --> 00:17:39,774 Speaker 2: you know, privately owned again and small and nimble, is 346 00:17:39,894 --> 00:17:41,894 Speaker 2: there is no bureaucracy. We can do whatever we want, 347 00:17:42,054 --> 00:17:44,454 Speaker 2: and I think sometimes we forget that. And I think 348 00:17:44,454 --> 00:17:46,214 Speaker 2: when you're trying too hard to think about what the 349 00:17:46,254 --> 00:17:48,734 Speaker 2: customer is thinking. You're overthinking it and you need to 350 00:17:48,774 --> 00:17:50,694 Speaker 2: go back to what we're thinking. Because when I started 351 00:17:50,694 --> 00:17:52,214 Speaker 2: the brand, I had blinkers on. I didn't care about 352 00:17:52,214 --> 00:17:55,014 Speaker 2: what every other brand was doing. That was twelve years ago. 353 00:17:55,174 --> 00:17:58,174 Speaker 2: Now it's a really saturated landscape, and when you're in 354 00:17:58,214 --> 00:18:01,134 Speaker 2: retail like Mecca and you're up against these beautiful international brands, 355 00:18:01,134 --> 00:18:03,574 Speaker 2: you have to be a bit o mindful about what 356 00:18:03,574 --> 00:18:07,214 Speaker 2: you're up against and how you can stand out. So 357 00:18:07,414 --> 00:18:10,414 Speaker 2: I like that. I think within discipline there's freedom, and 358 00:18:10,454 --> 00:18:12,254 Speaker 2: I like those boundaries because it allows me to be 359 00:18:12,254 --> 00:18:14,174 Speaker 2: more creative and push against things a bit more. 360 00:18:14,214 --> 00:18:14,294 Speaker 3: So. 361 00:18:14,294 --> 00:18:16,414 Speaker 2: I'm always reminding the team to be cheekier, be a 362 00:18:16,494 --> 00:18:18,894 Speaker 2: bit naughtier, where the rogue tra like, we take beauty 363 00:18:18,934 --> 00:18:21,494 Speaker 2: not too seriously. It's allowed to be fun, and we 364 00:18:21,614 --> 00:18:23,294 Speaker 2: like to make things fun that have no right to be. 365 00:18:24,014 --> 00:18:25,854 Speaker 2: It's like on the back of the packaging and little 366 00:18:25,854 --> 00:18:27,974 Speaker 2: moments on the website, we're like, that's allowed. No one 367 00:18:27,974 --> 00:18:31,294 Speaker 2: said you can't have fun. So I think being cheeky 368 00:18:31,494 --> 00:18:33,614 Speaker 2: and taking risks is probably what I bring. 369 00:18:34,294 --> 00:18:38,654 Speaker 3: Is that similar to how you approach creativity in general, 370 00:18:39,094 --> 00:18:43,614 Speaker 3: like in terms of writing, in terms of every creative 371 00:18:43,614 --> 00:18:47,654 Speaker 3: project you've embarked on, do you kind of have that 372 00:18:48,254 --> 00:18:53,014 Speaker 3: cheekiness risk taking, a bit of like a no fear Yeah. 373 00:18:53,054 --> 00:18:55,134 Speaker 2: And it's funny because I don't think of myself as fearless. 374 00:18:55,174 --> 00:18:58,614 Speaker 2: I'm a quite anxious person, but I think with creative projects, 375 00:18:58,734 --> 00:19:01,134 Speaker 2: I do feel pretty reckless, and I think that's a 376 00:19:01,134 --> 00:19:04,054 Speaker 2: good place to be in. And maybe I wouldn't have 377 00:19:04,054 --> 00:19:06,214 Speaker 2: at the start with my earlier novels because I really 378 00:19:06,214 --> 00:19:08,414 Speaker 2: needed them to work so that would validate me and 379 00:19:08,494 --> 00:19:10,254 Speaker 2: get me to do another one. That would like, oh, 380 00:19:10,334 --> 00:19:11,934 Speaker 2: if that works and I get to do another one. 381 00:19:12,094 --> 00:19:13,654 Speaker 2: I still feel that if this works, I get to 382 00:19:13,654 --> 00:19:15,974 Speaker 2: do another one. Is kind of my barometer of success 383 00:19:16,654 --> 00:19:18,374 Speaker 2: as well as how it resonates with the reader. So 384 00:19:18,374 --> 00:19:20,934 Speaker 2: it's a funny thing because you sort of there's a 385 00:19:20,974 --> 00:19:23,054 Speaker 2: selfishness to writing a piece of work that you're really 386 00:19:23,094 --> 00:19:27,254 Speaker 2: happy with and you love because I guess human to 387 00:19:27,294 --> 00:19:29,534 Speaker 2: be writing for the reader. But I can't write for 388 00:19:29,574 --> 00:19:31,254 Speaker 2: the reader because I don't know what they want and 389 00:19:31,294 --> 00:19:33,774 Speaker 2: what they're thinking, So I have to try and assume 390 00:19:33,854 --> 00:19:37,014 Speaker 2: that what I like is good taste. Yeah, and that's arrogant, 391 00:19:37,054 --> 00:19:40,494 Speaker 2: I guess but I feel confident enough at forty four 392 00:19:40,534 --> 00:19:43,014 Speaker 2: in my taste and in my work to be able 393 00:19:43,014 --> 00:19:45,214 Speaker 2: to work on it to a point where I feel 394 00:19:45,214 --> 00:19:47,854 Speaker 2: like it's good enough to go out there and I 395 00:19:47,894 --> 00:19:49,614 Speaker 2: could edit for ten years. I really could, and I 396 00:19:49,614 --> 00:19:52,494 Speaker 2: could hone and hone and hone. But yeah, so I 397 00:19:52,534 --> 00:19:54,694 Speaker 2: feel fearless and I loved Things Will Come Down Soon 398 00:19:54,734 --> 00:19:58,134 Speaker 2: because to me it felt genuinely innovative in terms of 399 00:19:58,214 --> 00:20:00,214 Speaker 2: it's not a business book, but you can learn so 400 00:20:00,334 --> 00:20:02,894 Speaker 2: much about business in it. And I just thought that 401 00:20:02,974 --> 00:20:06,014 Speaker 2: ven diagram a crossover of a founder who's an active founder, 402 00:20:06,814 --> 00:20:10,534 Speaker 2: a proven entrepreneur, and a fiction writer coming together to 403 00:20:10,574 --> 00:20:15,534 Speaker 2: offer something unique, something for everyone hopefully. So yeah, I 404 00:20:15,534 --> 00:20:16,374 Speaker 2: think you got to back. 405 00:20:16,214 --> 00:20:23,094 Speaker 3: Yourself as somebody who knows absolutely nothing about business, reading 406 00:20:23,334 --> 00:20:27,094 Speaker 3: Things Will Come Down Soon was so fascinating and you 407 00:20:27,134 --> 00:20:30,494 Speaker 3: could really feel the stakes. I don't think I've ever 408 00:20:31,534 --> 00:20:34,854 Speaker 3: felt stakes like that because you don't really read books 409 00:20:34,974 --> 00:20:37,934 Speaker 3: about business and especially women in business. 410 00:20:37,974 --> 00:20:38,974 Speaker 2: Yes, you so. 411 00:20:39,094 --> 00:20:43,734 Speaker 3: Rarely read those stories. Yet it feels very of the 412 00:20:43,814 --> 00:20:47,614 Speaker 3: moment because there are so many female entrepreneurs, there are 413 00:20:47,614 --> 00:20:53,334 Speaker 3: so many women building their own things. How did you 414 00:20:53,414 --> 00:20:57,334 Speaker 3: decide because as a reader, part of my fascination is 415 00:20:57,454 --> 00:21:01,894 Speaker 3: trying to work out parallels and who's who and looking 416 00:21:01,934 --> 00:21:06,134 Speaker 3: at all the characters, how did you creatively break your 417 00:21:06,174 --> 00:21:10,894 Speaker 3: own experience and writing some thing that was going to 418 00:21:10,934 --> 00:21:15,574 Speaker 3: be very very distinct and not kind of make people 419 00:21:15,614 --> 00:21:16,854 Speaker 3: look at your life and one of. 420 00:21:17,614 --> 00:21:20,294 Speaker 2: Oh and they will, that's okay. The reason I love 421 00:21:20,374 --> 00:21:24,934 Speaker 2: fiction is very freeing and it's very liberating. And God, 422 00:21:24,974 --> 00:21:27,454 Speaker 2: I remember even back in their Kiss's days talking to 423 00:21:27,454 --> 00:21:30,014 Speaker 2: me about it, going, oh, I might write like it's 424 00:21:30,054 --> 00:21:34,094 Speaker 2: a bit of a autobiographic. Are you insane? You're twenty five, 425 00:21:35,294 --> 00:21:37,414 Speaker 2: You're going to burn all your bridges way too early. 426 00:21:37,494 --> 00:21:37,974 Speaker 3: Yeah. 427 00:21:38,014 --> 00:21:41,094 Speaker 2: And my father as well, He's like, fiction is so 428 00:21:41,254 --> 00:21:44,494 Speaker 2: fun because you can mutate ten people into one to 429 00:21:44,534 --> 00:21:48,054 Speaker 2: get the perfect person with the perfect idiosyncrasies. And so 430 00:21:48,334 --> 00:21:52,574 Speaker 2: for me, each character works hard in this book to 431 00:21:52,854 --> 00:21:55,534 Speaker 2: pull the narrative through. There's no fat in there. They're 432 00:21:55,534 --> 00:21:58,974 Speaker 2: all there to support kids trajectory and to show the 433 00:21:59,014 --> 00:22:03,454 Speaker 2: different facets of her life and her personality. So I 434 00:22:03,494 --> 00:22:05,134 Speaker 2: can hand on heart say this is not my life 435 00:22:05,174 --> 00:22:08,614 Speaker 2: and these are not my people, but certainly there's aspects 436 00:22:08,774 --> 00:22:12,094 Speaker 2: of these people that I've known. And also I meant 437 00:22:12,094 --> 00:22:13,694 Speaker 2: to a lot of young founders, and I've heard their 438 00:22:13,694 --> 00:22:16,294 Speaker 2: horror stories and so a lot of that have come in. 439 00:22:16,374 --> 00:22:18,214 Speaker 2: I didn't want to write my deal. My deal is 440 00:22:18,294 --> 00:22:22,174 Speaker 2: unique and circumstantial, and it's been written about, and I 441 00:22:22,214 --> 00:22:25,414 Speaker 2: wanted to create something new. And also, every deal and 442 00:22:25,494 --> 00:22:29,174 Speaker 2: every business is so specifically impersonal, and it's a moment 443 00:22:29,214 --> 00:22:33,374 Speaker 2: in time, and you know, there's so many factors that 444 00:22:33,414 --> 00:22:36,334 Speaker 2: come into the success of a business. So I didn't 445 00:22:36,334 --> 00:22:38,774 Speaker 2: want to necessarily replicate my own story. 446 00:22:39,294 --> 00:22:43,214 Speaker 3: I think what makes the book so vivid, and you 447 00:22:43,294 --> 00:22:48,334 Speaker 3: become so in Kit's world because your creativity and marketing 448 00:22:48,414 --> 00:22:50,614 Speaker 3: brain is all over it. Because even the business that 449 00:22:50,734 --> 00:22:54,054 Speaker 3: Kit has, which is second day Hair, you can't help 450 00:22:54,054 --> 00:22:56,374 Speaker 3: but be like, can somebody invent that? 451 00:22:56,494 --> 00:22:58,854 Speaker 2: I know, I'm thinking about it genuinely. 452 00:22:58,974 --> 00:23:00,814 Speaker 3: I was like, did you get halfway through the book 453 00:23:00,814 --> 00:23:03,734 Speaker 3: and think, oh wait, maybe I should also invent the product? 454 00:23:03,934 --> 00:23:05,054 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's trademarked. 455 00:23:06,054 --> 00:23:10,374 Speaker 3: Is it actually your site? It was like, maybe I 456 00:23:10,374 --> 00:23:11,014 Speaker 3: should steal that. 457 00:23:11,094 --> 00:23:14,294 Speaker 2: I did not the first I mean, there are products 458 00:23:14,294 --> 00:23:17,814 Speaker 2: out there that exist like this, but it couldn't be skin. Yeah, 459 00:23:17,814 --> 00:23:19,854 Speaker 2: And I didn't want to do makeup hair. I'm obsessed 460 00:23:19,894 --> 00:23:23,174 Speaker 2: with hair and hair products styling, and I know honestly 461 00:23:23,214 --> 00:23:25,174 Speaker 2: about six or seven styles who become good friends, who 462 00:23:25,174 --> 00:23:27,094 Speaker 2: all want to have their own brand or have started, 463 00:23:27,294 --> 00:23:30,414 Speaker 2: and so it made perfect sense. But the product itself 464 00:23:30,414 --> 00:23:34,974 Speaker 2: had to be something that doesn't exist really and could 465 00:23:35,014 --> 00:23:37,174 Speaker 2: be very sort to a lot of people. So of course, 466 00:23:37,214 --> 00:23:39,014 Speaker 2: you know, lived experience. I'm going to put a bit 467 00:23:39,054 --> 00:23:40,854 Speaker 2: of myself in there and what I would do if 468 00:23:40,894 --> 00:23:43,894 Speaker 2: I was a founder, But yeah, kidn exists as my 469 00:23:43,974 --> 00:23:47,374 Speaker 2: parable to show everything I've learned. And after my deal, 470 00:23:47,414 --> 00:23:50,534 Speaker 2: I honestly sat down and went, I feel the duty 471 00:23:50,734 --> 00:23:53,934 Speaker 2: of taking everything I've learned from these very expensive lawyers 472 00:23:53,934 --> 00:23:58,294 Speaker 2: and advisors to share that knowledge with people who like 473 00:23:58,374 --> 00:24:01,014 Speaker 2: meat perhaps and are creative and have no clue about 474 00:24:01,014 --> 00:24:03,494 Speaker 2: this stuff. And I ran my gamut for a year 475 00:24:03,534 --> 00:24:05,454 Speaker 2: and I'm like, Okay, here's what I learned, guys quick. 476 00:24:05,454 --> 00:24:06,574 Speaker 2: I needed to get it all down. 477 00:24:07,454 --> 00:24:11,974 Speaker 3: Obviously, it's an amazing book and its page turner, and 478 00:24:12,054 --> 00:24:14,814 Speaker 3: I read it so bloody quickly. But I also think 479 00:24:14,854 --> 00:24:20,174 Speaker 3: that there's something quite altruistic about it, because as a 480 00:24:21,454 --> 00:24:26,054 Speaker 3: woman who I can be kind of creative, the idea 481 00:24:26,174 --> 00:24:31,774 Speaker 3: of owning anything doesn't come naturally, and the idea of 482 00:24:32,054 --> 00:24:37,134 Speaker 3: trying to build something for yourself doesn't come naturally, and 483 00:24:37,174 --> 00:24:41,854 Speaker 3: so reading somebody's story where she does that, and then 484 00:24:42,134 --> 00:24:45,214 Speaker 3: all the nuances of how you set up the company 485 00:24:45,254 --> 00:24:48,534 Speaker 3: and what that then means down the line, and having 486 00:24:48,614 --> 00:24:53,374 Speaker 3: to have really difficult conversations. Even the role modeling of 487 00:24:53,454 --> 00:24:59,894 Speaker 3: the difficult conversations that King had was actually incredibly insightful. 488 00:25:01,374 --> 00:25:04,534 Speaker 3: Is there anyone who's going to read your book and 489 00:25:06,014 --> 00:25:07,494 Speaker 3: see themselves or be pissed off? 490 00:25:08,294 --> 00:25:12,334 Speaker 2: No? You know, it shouldn't feel like that sort of 491 00:25:12,334 --> 00:25:16,214 Speaker 2: book where like I'm scorched earth about anything, all of 492 00:25:16,214 --> 00:25:18,534 Speaker 2: the stressing kickets last she brought on herself. Yeah, yea, 493 00:25:19,334 --> 00:25:21,414 Speaker 2: she shouldn't do that. The lessons that I put in 494 00:25:21,454 --> 00:25:24,854 Speaker 2: there were kind of really dramatized in terms of like equity, 495 00:25:24,894 --> 00:25:27,854 Speaker 2: giving away too much equity to start, or selling to 496 00:25:27,934 --> 00:25:30,614 Speaker 2: people who didn't really have your best interests at heart. 497 00:25:30,734 --> 00:25:34,454 Speaker 2: And I think I got to these positions or pivotal 498 00:25:34,454 --> 00:25:36,894 Speaker 2: moments in my business career where I could have made 499 00:25:36,894 --> 00:25:39,014 Speaker 2: those mistakes, and so I put them in the story 500 00:25:39,054 --> 00:25:42,174 Speaker 2: to factors protection and go did maybe not do that? 501 00:25:42,934 --> 00:25:45,614 Speaker 2: So that was the real head fuck when we with 502 00:25:45,694 --> 00:25:47,534 Speaker 2: Kit was like, do I want to show her making 503 00:25:47,574 --> 00:25:50,134 Speaker 2: all the wrong decisions or do I want to show 504 00:25:50,134 --> 00:25:51,694 Speaker 2: her making the right decisions? But how do we learn 505 00:25:51,774 --> 00:25:54,294 Speaker 2: from that? So I had to find that sweet spot 506 00:25:54,334 --> 00:25:58,094 Speaker 2: where she falters. But you know, anyway, I went to spilet. 507 00:25:58,254 --> 00:26:00,894 Speaker 2: But certainly she's learning as she goes, which I did too. 508 00:26:01,774 --> 00:26:04,414 Speaker 3: How do you go with being a perfectionist and being 509 00:26:04,454 --> 00:26:04,814 Speaker 3: a writer. 510 00:26:05,974 --> 00:26:08,174 Speaker 2: I think it's a skill. I don't see it as 511 00:26:08,174 --> 00:26:11,814 Speaker 2: a negative until submission time, and that's when a good 512 00:26:11,894 --> 00:26:14,374 Speaker 2: editor and a good copy of art are really vital. 513 00:26:14,454 --> 00:26:18,374 Speaker 2: Because I over wrote by thirty thousand words, which is 514 00:26:18,414 --> 00:26:23,454 Speaker 2: classic me the problem problem, well sort of, but then 515 00:26:23,614 --> 00:26:25,334 Speaker 2: you know, and then I remember shaving off like a 516 00:26:25,454 --> 00:26:28,054 Speaker 2: thousand and getting it back and going, guys, it's don't worry, 517 00:26:28,174 --> 00:26:32,694 Speaker 2: it's ready tend to print. Then they're like, you're cute, 518 00:26:33,294 --> 00:26:34,374 Speaker 2: and then I think we had to get rid of 519 00:26:34,374 --> 00:26:37,854 Speaker 2: at least another twenty thousand. So at that point, though, 520 00:26:37,894 --> 00:26:40,094 Speaker 2: I just realized I'm in the hands of professionals, and 521 00:26:40,814 --> 00:26:42,934 Speaker 2: I don't fight them on it. There's a few lines. No, 522 00:26:43,014 --> 00:26:44,854 Speaker 2: that's a really good line, Please come we keep that? 523 00:26:45,294 --> 00:26:47,094 Speaker 2: So yeah, I think you're going to hand it over 524 00:26:47,094 --> 00:26:49,494 Speaker 2: at one point. Otherwise you'll just you'll be paralyzed forever. 525 00:26:50,134 --> 00:26:53,774 Speaker 3: Is the perfectionism paralyzing in the first instance, Like when 526 00:26:53,814 --> 00:26:57,014 Speaker 3: you sit down to write. You wrote a blog post 527 00:26:57,094 --> 00:27:00,774 Speaker 3: in twenty twenty two called the Writer who Doesn't or 528 00:27:00,774 --> 00:27:04,174 Speaker 3: the Writer who isnt something like that, and you wrote 529 00:27:04,214 --> 00:27:06,774 Speaker 3: about how you wanted to establish a writing habit. 530 00:27:06,614 --> 00:27:07,654 Speaker 2: And you'll notice I haven't. 531 00:27:08,574 --> 00:27:11,174 Speaker 3: That was like the last Well, you wrote that blog 532 00:27:11,214 --> 00:27:14,174 Speaker 3: and now you've got an you did I did something else. 533 00:27:14,574 --> 00:27:18,654 Speaker 3: But I can imagine you've got your business, you've got family, 534 00:27:18,734 --> 00:27:20,774 Speaker 3: you've got all this stuff going on. Sit down in 535 00:27:20,774 --> 00:27:24,214 Speaker 3: front of your computer. Does the perfectionism emerge? 536 00:27:24,254 --> 00:27:28,254 Speaker 2: Then? No, not till the end. And I'm so down 537 00:27:28,294 --> 00:27:32,014 Speaker 2: with the rewrite if it's not working. There are a 538 00:27:32,094 --> 00:27:34,614 Speaker 2: couple of camps of writers. There are the writers who 539 00:27:34,654 --> 00:27:36,854 Speaker 2: say it's very hard, and I sit down, I really 540 00:27:36,974 --> 00:27:40,694 Speaker 2: and I get typewriter dior here. I just once the 541 00:27:40,774 --> 00:27:43,294 Speaker 2: idea has marinated for long enough, it's all there and 542 00:27:43,334 --> 00:27:45,614 Speaker 2: it's just a case of getting it out. Hence the 543 00:27:45,774 --> 00:27:49,414 Speaker 2: thirty thousand overright. So for me, my problem is more like, 544 00:27:49,974 --> 00:27:53,134 Speaker 2: don't overrite. You're just wasting your time. This is not good, 545 00:27:53,174 --> 00:27:56,334 Speaker 2: but I like to explore every character and every subplot 546 00:27:56,454 --> 00:27:59,694 Speaker 2: to give more reflection back to my protagonist. And then 547 00:27:59,734 --> 00:28:01,494 Speaker 2: in the end, if we realize we don't need that, 548 00:28:01,494 --> 00:28:04,454 Speaker 2: that and that can go. And I also really love dialogue, 549 00:28:04,454 --> 00:28:06,734 Speaker 2: and dialogue is hard to keep brief because real life 550 00:28:06,774 --> 00:28:10,454 Speaker 2: conversations are super wordy, and I think you learn a 551 00:28:10,494 --> 00:28:13,574 Speaker 2: lot about characters and conversations with others. So I love diaralog, 552 00:28:13,654 --> 00:28:16,654 Speaker 2: but no, my perfectionism comes in the end. I love 553 00:28:16,694 --> 00:28:19,134 Speaker 2: the edit. Some people hate it. It is quite mathematical, 554 00:28:19,414 --> 00:28:23,094 Speaker 2: which is not my normal brain superpower. Because you've got 555 00:28:23,174 --> 00:28:25,174 Speaker 2: the hard copy, this soft copy of the line edit 556 00:28:25,294 --> 00:28:28,254 Speaker 2: that comments underline like it's a lot from my brain, 557 00:28:28,854 --> 00:28:30,654 Speaker 2: but I know we're shaving it off to get to 558 00:28:30,654 --> 00:28:31,854 Speaker 2: the good stuff underneath. 559 00:28:32,934 --> 00:28:35,934 Speaker 3: When you look at all these different things you do, 560 00:28:36,934 --> 00:28:40,134 Speaker 3: where does your kind of a liveness come from? Is 561 00:28:40,134 --> 00:28:41,414 Speaker 3: it business or is it writing? 562 00:28:42,254 --> 00:28:46,134 Speaker 2: Writing is business for me, so really go to for 563 00:28:46,174 --> 00:28:47,854 Speaker 2: a few reasons exist, but one of them was like 564 00:28:47,854 --> 00:28:50,374 Speaker 2: I wanted to be a copywriter and I wasn't, so 565 00:28:50,414 --> 00:28:51,814 Speaker 2: I thought, oh, make a brand. Then I get to 566 00:28:51,814 --> 00:28:53,574 Speaker 2: do my own ads. I get to do my own 567 00:28:53,614 --> 00:28:56,214 Speaker 2: marketing and copy as well. As the fact that that 568 00:28:56,494 --> 00:28:59,774 Speaker 2: sort of range for cutting out the beauty editor was 569 00:28:59,854 --> 00:29:01,374 Speaker 2: what I wanted to do by making a range that 570 00:29:01,374 --> 00:29:03,414 Speaker 2: anyone could pick up and understand instantly, and it was 571 00:29:03,534 --> 00:29:07,734 Speaker 2: just genuinely very useful and effective. But I love recommendations 572 00:29:07,734 --> 00:29:09,854 Speaker 2: and I love saving people time and money. I use 573 00:29:09,934 --> 00:29:11,294 Speaker 2: this one. And that's what I've done is a beauty 574 00:29:11,374 --> 00:29:14,334 Speaker 2: edit for ten years. But the writing, so I still 575 00:29:14,334 --> 00:29:17,414 Speaker 2: write all the copy on primary and secondary vessels for 576 00:29:17,494 --> 00:29:20,414 Speaker 2: the brand. Whatever you've hold in your hands, I've written. 577 00:29:21,014 --> 00:29:23,254 Speaker 2: I have an amazingly talented team who do all the 578 00:29:23,454 --> 00:29:25,614 Speaker 2: emails and social and everything. They're great at that. But 579 00:29:26,174 --> 00:29:28,094 Speaker 2: if you're holding it, I've written it because I love 580 00:29:28,174 --> 00:29:29,854 Speaker 2: that stuff, that little moment in the shower where you 581 00:29:29,894 --> 00:29:32,734 Speaker 2: get a little giggle. So I am a writer no 582 00:29:32,774 --> 00:29:35,494 Speaker 2: matter what I'm doing. Really, that's the essence of it all. 583 00:29:35,894 --> 00:29:38,574 Speaker 2: Whether it's Instagram, I'm a writer, the picture it's secondary, 584 00:29:39,134 --> 00:29:42,374 Speaker 2: it's anything. Children's books, you know, even though they are 585 00:29:42,374 --> 00:29:46,494 Speaker 2: literally called picture books, I still want the writing to 586 00:29:46,534 --> 00:29:50,774 Speaker 2: really sing. And of course novels, so the perfectionism it 587 00:29:50,894 --> 00:29:51,654 Speaker 2: runs through everything. 588 00:29:52,974 --> 00:29:56,174 Speaker 3: How do you go about because obviously, when may I 589 00:29:56,254 --> 00:30:01,614 Speaker 3: offered you the deputy editor job. You weren't into people managing? 590 00:30:02,574 --> 00:30:03,974 Speaker 3: Have you had to people manage? 591 00:30:04,614 --> 00:30:06,334 Speaker 2: Not really? And this is one of the things I 592 00:30:06,414 --> 00:30:08,134 Speaker 2: put in things will come down soon, is that it's 593 00:30:08,614 --> 00:30:13,894 Speaker 2: often feels Curdie. Founders often hire junior to start off 594 00:30:13,934 --> 00:30:17,014 Speaker 2: with to help them with admin or menial tasks. But 595 00:30:17,494 --> 00:30:19,934 Speaker 2: as Kit does, she hires very seen you, very early on. 596 00:30:20,054 --> 00:30:23,094 Speaker 2: And I think that's a good move because I know 597 00:30:23,174 --> 00:30:25,374 Speaker 2: what I'm good at and it's not people management, and 598 00:30:25,414 --> 00:30:28,654 Speaker 2: it's not running in a team and logistics and that 599 00:30:28,734 --> 00:30:31,214 Speaker 2: sort of thing. So I have a CEO and a 600 00:30:31,254 --> 00:30:33,094 Speaker 2: CIMO and I have grown ups in there doing that. 601 00:30:33,494 --> 00:30:35,614 Speaker 2: And that was a big important step in our growth 602 00:30:35,694 --> 00:30:39,294 Speaker 2: about five years in where I'm like, there was ten 603 00:30:39,334 --> 00:30:42,054 Speaker 2: of us, say, doing everything and not all of it great, 604 00:30:42,134 --> 00:30:44,054 Speaker 2: and so we brought into grown ups we always say, 605 00:30:44,334 --> 00:30:47,094 Speaker 2: and they're fantastic. So no, no, I think you can 606 00:30:47,214 --> 00:30:49,414 Speaker 2: know what you're good at and invest in what you're 607 00:30:49,414 --> 00:30:49,934 Speaker 2: not good at. 608 00:30:50,414 --> 00:30:56,374 Speaker 3: How do you go being Zoe Foster Blake the founder 609 00:30:56,414 --> 00:31:01,134 Speaker 3: and person working in this business and Zoe Foster Blake 610 00:31:01,214 --> 00:31:04,014 Speaker 3: the brand, Like, are you conscious when you come into 611 00:31:04,054 --> 00:31:08,254 Speaker 3: work that maybe you've got less of a margin of 612 00:31:08,414 --> 00:31:11,374 Speaker 3: error in terms of you how you behave that day totally. 613 00:31:11,854 --> 00:31:14,494 Speaker 2: I think that's when you become a public figure. That's 614 00:31:14,574 --> 00:31:17,294 Speaker 2: always in your mind anywhere you go and whatever you do, 615 00:31:17,934 --> 00:31:21,494 Speaker 2: particularly when your husband's a beacon for that stuffs, so 616 00:31:22,294 --> 00:31:23,414 Speaker 2: you get used to being. 617 00:31:24,814 --> 00:31:25,254 Speaker 3: Watched. 618 00:31:26,214 --> 00:31:28,814 Speaker 2: I don't think my team do that. You know, we're 619 00:31:28,854 --> 00:31:31,534 Speaker 2: good people, we're all in it together. But I think 620 00:31:31,574 --> 00:31:34,454 Speaker 2: the public facing aspect of being a brand founder is 621 00:31:34,934 --> 00:31:37,534 Speaker 2: pretty highly scrutinized, particularly in beauty. It never used to be, 622 00:31:37,614 --> 00:31:40,494 Speaker 2: but it's become very studied. 623 00:31:42,054 --> 00:31:45,454 Speaker 3: And does that scare you? Does it give you anxiety? 624 00:31:45,654 --> 00:31:49,494 Speaker 2: Yeah, totally, and it's an ongoing learning curve for me. 625 00:31:50,694 --> 00:31:52,134 Speaker 2: I think a lot of it comes back to my 626 00:31:52,214 --> 00:31:54,334 Speaker 2: mental health at that point and how capable I am 627 00:31:54,454 --> 00:31:58,054 Speaker 2: of dealing this shit. So if I'm getting into trouble 628 00:31:58,054 --> 00:32:01,454 Speaker 2: online about something that we've done as a brand, if 629 00:32:01,494 --> 00:32:04,494 Speaker 2: I've not been sleeping, if I'm super stressed and already pushed, 630 00:32:05,254 --> 00:32:09,254 Speaker 2: that affects me really a lot more, of course, But 631 00:32:09,374 --> 00:32:11,534 Speaker 2: I'm in a good, clean state of mind and I've 632 00:32:11,534 --> 00:32:14,374 Speaker 2: been looking after myself. It's amazing the difference you can do. 633 00:32:14,574 --> 00:32:16,734 Speaker 2: So that will always happen. It's just how I can 634 00:32:16,774 --> 00:32:19,974 Speaker 2: react to it. And that's my goal in terms of 635 00:32:19,974 --> 00:32:24,214 Speaker 2: personal improvement as to not being so reactive and recognizing 636 00:32:24,214 --> 00:32:27,654 Speaker 2: at a moment in time my people pleasing anxious side 637 00:32:27,694 --> 00:32:30,294 Speaker 2: wants to fix it immediately, and I'm always I want 638 00:32:30,294 --> 00:32:32,614 Speaker 2: to write back and defend ourselves. That's my first thing 639 00:32:32,614 --> 00:32:34,014 Speaker 2: I'm going to do, and that's the first thing you 640 00:32:34,014 --> 00:32:37,934 Speaker 2: shouldn't do. It's never defend yourself. You know, people will 641 00:32:37,934 --> 00:32:41,254 Speaker 2: be upset about things, and you have to be respectful 642 00:32:41,294 --> 00:32:44,814 Speaker 2: and also know what you know to be right. So 643 00:32:44,894 --> 00:32:49,414 Speaker 2: it's always going to be complicated that parasocial sort of relationship, 644 00:32:49,654 --> 00:32:51,614 Speaker 2: particularly if you feel like you're in trouble, because I 645 00:32:51,614 --> 00:32:53,774 Speaker 2: don't like feeling like I'm in trouble like most people, 646 00:32:53,854 --> 00:32:55,814 Speaker 2: particularly if you don't feel like you've done the wrong thing. 647 00:32:56,214 --> 00:32:59,174 Speaker 3: There are examples in the book where there will be 648 00:32:59,374 --> 00:33:03,774 Speaker 3: certain things going on online or even there's like, you know, 649 00:33:03,934 --> 00:33:08,654 Speaker 3: tiny doses of cancel culture sprinkled throughout, which is so 650 00:33:08,814 --> 00:33:11,214 Speaker 3: clever because that is part of what it is to 651 00:33:11,214 --> 00:33:13,934 Speaker 3: be a founder in this. 652 00:33:13,854 --> 00:33:14,574 Speaker 2: Day and age. 653 00:33:15,214 --> 00:33:18,214 Speaker 3: I know that sometimes you'll read something about yourself and 654 00:33:18,214 --> 00:33:20,814 Speaker 3: you're like, eh, whatever, I don't care, And then there 655 00:33:20,814 --> 00:33:23,214 Speaker 3: are things that really upset you, and sometimes you can't 656 00:33:23,214 --> 00:33:27,974 Speaker 3: even articulate why what hurts. In the book, there's certain 657 00:33:27,974 --> 00:33:30,614 Speaker 3: things you can see that really get under kit skin. 658 00:33:30,934 --> 00:33:32,814 Speaker 3: Are there things that get under your skin? 659 00:33:33,534 --> 00:33:36,974 Speaker 2: I think it's assuming our intentions were other than what 660 00:33:37,014 --> 00:33:40,014 Speaker 2: they were. So for me, it's everything we do as 661 00:33:40,054 --> 00:33:45,054 Speaker 2: a brand is intended and designed and carefully calculated to 662 00:33:45,174 --> 00:33:50,534 Speaker 2: be joyful and educational and nurturing. That's what our company does, 663 00:33:50,574 --> 00:33:52,694 Speaker 2: and that's why we put all this effort into producing 664 00:33:52,734 --> 00:33:57,094 Speaker 2: products and marketing them. So when people say that you've 665 00:33:57,134 --> 00:34:00,814 Speaker 2: done otherwise, it shouldn't get under my skin, but it 666 00:34:00,854 --> 00:34:03,854 Speaker 2: really does. Because one of my key areas to work 667 00:34:03,894 --> 00:34:08,534 Speaker 2: on is being defensive when I feel caught out or 668 00:34:08,614 --> 00:34:11,054 Speaker 2: when i'm being a here's something I don't think I did. 669 00:34:11,934 --> 00:34:17,694 Speaker 2: That's my husband. That's fun. So you know, and there's 670 00:34:17,734 --> 00:34:21,174 Speaker 2: a group of founders that I have that when one 671 00:34:21,214 --> 00:34:23,134 Speaker 2: of us are going through something, we'll all check in 672 00:34:23,174 --> 00:34:26,414 Speaker 2: and just say, hey, remember this is not real. This 673 00:34:26,534 --> 00:34:30,534 Speaker 2: is just work and it will pass, and all of 674 00:34:30,574 --> 00:34:34,534 Speaker 2: those wisdom advices that don't really help, but you've got 675 00:34:34,534 --> 00:34:36,534 Speaker 2: to say it so that you know the inn alone. 676 00:34:37,094 --> 00:34:40,254 Speaker 2: So for me, it's just trying not to be absorb 677 00:34:40,294 --> 00:34:41,294 Speaker 2: them so easily. 678 00:34:42,374 --> 00:34:46,414 Speaker 3: When people are talking about Zoe Foster Blake online, is 679 00:34:46,494 --> 00:34:49,934 Speaker 3: that you I heard a podcast recently where someone described 680 00:34:49,974 --> 00:34:53,854 Speaker 3: it as a shadow self, Like you're online person. The 681 00:34:53,894 --> 00:34:55,734 Speaker 3: person you are online is not actually who you are. 682 00:34:55,774 --> 00:34:58,174 Speaker 3: It's a shadow self, and if people are attacking that person, 683 00:34:58,934 --> 00:35:01,294 Speaker 3: you can differentiate because you go, that's not actually me, 684 00:35:01,534 --> 00:35:05,254 Speaker 3: that's some avatar image of me that they don't actually know. 685 00:35:05,854 --> 00:35:09,134 Speaker 3: Are you good at that? Or because you're so authentic 686 00:35:09,214 --> 00:35:14,294 Speaker 3: online and you've built your identity with authenticity, is it 687 00:35:14,334 --> 00:35:15,614 Speaker 3: easy to get it confused? 688 00:35:15,894 --> 00:35:18,014 Speaker 2: It's fie, I think because you're right, it is an avatar. 689 00:35:18,494 --> 00:35:22,894 Speaker 2: And I generally use social just for work now and 690 00:35:22,934 --> 00:35:29,294 Speaker 2: my cats because I don't feel inspired to share much 691 00:35:29,334 --> 00:35:30,974 Speaker 2: more of my life than that. I don't think I 692 00:35:31,054 --> 00:35:33,054 Speaker 2: need to, and that's why I write fiction, so that 693 00:35:33,094 --> 00:35:35,814 Speaker 2: I can experiences that I have I can weave into 694 00:35:35,814 --> 00:35:38,174 Speaker 2: stories and that's the fun of it. I also don't 695 00:35:38,174 --> 00:35:40,774 Speaker 2: think I'm that interesting, so I don't know why I 696 00:35:40,774 --> 00:35:43,774 Speaker 2: would want to share anything more than I do. I 697 00:35:43,774 --> 00:35:48,734 Speaker 2: think we take it personally just because we're human beings, right, 698 00:35:48,974 --> 00:35:51,174 Speaker 2: and I don't want to ever misstep because it's not 699 00:35:51,214 --> 00:35:54,414 Speaker 2: worth the hassle. But I also am aware that it's 700 00:35:54,454 --> 00:35:56,894 Speaker 2: not a real world. You know, put you feet in 701 00:35:56,934 --> 00:35:58,974 Speaker 2: the grass and need a banana, Just go and be 702 00:35:59,054 --> 00:36:00,934 Speaker 2: back in the real world, play with the kids and 703 00:36:01,094 --> 00:36:03,574 Speaker 2: remember what's really happening. And it's funny because something will 704 00:36:03,574 --> 00:36:07,374 Speaker 2: blow up and you'll be so convinced that everyone's thinking 705 00:36:07,414 --> 00:36:09,014 Speaker 2: about or talking about it, and you'll talk to a 706 00:36:09,094 --> 00:36:11,294 Speaker 2: friend and that like, what what do you trying to 707 00:36:11,334 --> 00:36:13,534 Speaker 2: do that? And I love those moments because I was like, yes, 708 00:36:13,614 --> 00:36:15,774 Speaker 2: snap out of it, Okay, head out of your ass 709 00:36:15,814 --> 00:36:18,574 Speaker 2: and get back into nature or whatever's going to help. 710 00:36:18,974 --> 00:36:20,974 Speaker 2: So yeah, they come and go pretty quick. I'm pretty 711 00:36:20,974 --> 00:36:23,854 Speaker 2: good at just going that's not really real life. That's 712 00:36:23,894 --> 00:36:25,374 Speaker 2: not my real life. I'm at home in my tractor 713 00:36:25,414 --> 00:36:27,734 Speaker 2: pants with my kids making dinner. And that's a shiny, 714 00:36:27,734 --> 00:36:31,534 Speaker 2: glamorous girl that someone's got an idea about two different things. 715 00:36:33,494 --> 00:36:36,214 Speaker 3: After the break, Zey talks about the moments where she 716 00:36:36,294 --> 00:36:39,694 Speaker 3: feels the happiest and why there are certain interviews she 717 00:36:39,774 --> 00:36:51,254 Speaker 3: doesn't want to do. Are you happiest when you're writing? 718 00:36:52,014 --> 00:36:54,974 Speaker 2: I am really happy when I'm writing, but I'm like 719 00:36:55,014 --> 00:36:57,654 Speaker 2: a little squirrel who needs treats all the time. So 720 00:36:57,734 --> 00:37:00,654 Speaker 2: I can do deep writing for like maybe an hour 721 00:37:00,734 --> 00:37:03,214 Speaker 2: or two and I feel the same. Then I need something, 722 00:37:04,134 --> 00:37:09,494 Speaker 2: maybe it's a scroll, maybe it's an actual physical scroll. 723 00:37:10,534 --> 00:37:11,894 Speaker 2: And then by the end of the day I'm dying 724 00:37:11,934 --> 00:37:13,534 Speaker 2: for the gigs to get home because I'm literally I 725 00:37:13,574 --> 00:37:16,574 Speaker 2: need to talk to someone and engage. So I love 726 00:37:16,654 --> 00:37:19,374 Speaker 2: the balance and in fact my perfect sort of days 727 00:37:19,814 --> 00:37:23,334 Speaker 2: a bit of family, bit of social as in social interaction, 728 00:37:23,614 --> 00:37:27,214 Speaker 2: bit of riding, and some nature. You know, family time 729 00:37:27,294 --> 00:37:30,734 Speaker 2: is beautiful and built in. I also really love riding 730 00:37:30,814 --> 00:37:33,214 Speaker 2: bikes with my family. I've really found that to be 731 00:37:33,254 --> 00:37:36,174 Speaker 2: a happy place because I can't relax. But that's active 732 00:37:36,214 --> 00:37:39,254 Speaker 2: relaxation for me. I cannot sit still. I don't like 733 00:37:39,374 --> 00:37:42,494 Speaker 2: not being productive. It's a problem I have. So being 734 00:37:42,574 --> 00:37:46,414 Speaker 2: physically moving but in nature and relaxing with my family 735 00:37:46,494 --> 00:37:47,574 Speaker 2: just tick so many boxes. 736 00:37:48,734 --> 00:37:55,134 Speaker 3: You strike me as someone who's somewhat introverted. Oh yes, 737 00:37:55,254 --> 00:38:00,454 Speaker 3: And yet your life is so public and there are 738 00:38:00,894 --> 00:38:03,014 Speaker 3: all sorts of aspects to what you do as a 739 00:38:03,094 --> 00:38:09,534 Speaker 3: career that public facing requires some level of social energy. 740 00:38:11,134 --> 00:38:13,654 Speaker 3: Even as a beauty editor went to like fancy events 741 00:38:13,694 --> 00:38:16,934 Speaker 3: and now you'll be at the logies, You'll be at 742 00:38:16,974 --> 00:38:23,894 Speaker 3: all these very highly social situations. How do you find those? 743 00:38:24,174 --> 00:38:26,374 Speaker 2: We don't get a mini at all if you actually 744 00:38:26,374 --> 00:38:28,414 Speaker 2: think about it, like we'd go to the logis and 745 00:38:28,694 --> 00:38:32,454 Speaker 2: maybe yeah, that's it. Yeah, it does really exhaust me. 746 00:38:32,534 --> 00:38:34,494 Speaker 2: And I probably had a lot more energy for it 747 00:38:34,494 --> 00:38:36,534 Speaker 2: when I was in my twenties and thirties being beater 748 00:38:36,574 --> 00:38:40,214 Speaker 2: and so on, But now I really noticed that drain. 749 00:38:40,974 --> 00:38:43,014 Speaker 2: It's only because of thank you to social media, like 750 00:38:43,014 --> 00:38:45,454 Speaker 2: the language around everything, for me to understand that I'm 751 00:38:45,454 --> 00:38:49,254 Speaker 2: a highly social, skilled introvert, and I can come in 752 00:38:49,294 --> 00:38:52,014 Speaker 2: big and do the thing, and I can be on 753 00:38:52,054 --> 00:38:54,734 Speaker 2: stage and do a signing and whatever and film things, 754 00:38:54,774 --> 00:38:58,334 Speaker 2: and then I'm like shell. Like a lot of us, 755 00:38:58,334 --> 00:38:59,974 Speaker 2: we'd have to go home, put myself clothes on and 756 00:39:00,014 --> 00:39:02,574 Speaker 2: not talk to anybody. What I realized as I got 757 00:39:02,574 --> 00:39:05,094 Speaker 2: older is just just leaving time in between those things 758 00:39:05,134 --> 00:39:07,934 Speaker 2: to regroup, because if I don't look after myself, I'm 759 00:39:07,974 --> 00:39:10,094 Speaker 2: no good to anybody. So even with this to her, 760 00:39:10,694 --> 00:39:12,294 Speaker 2: I was like, I'm not doing back to back events. 761 00:39:12,774 --> 00:39:16,054 Speaker 2: I'd rather take more time and give more, give a 762 00:39:16,054 --> 00:39:18,094 Speaker 2: better version of myself to people than be this tired 763 00:39:18,134 --> 00:39:21,334 Speaker 2: which he's not stringing two words together. I don't know 764 00:39:21,374 --> 00:39:24,974 Speaker 2: how like proper successful famous people do it, like doing 765 00:39:24,974 --> 00:39:28,214 Speaker 2: a full press tour for like a month, or musical 766 00:39:28,214 --> 00:39:30,094 Speaker 2: theater people have to be on stage every night. I 767 00:39:30,174 --> 00:39:32,174 Speaker 2: just yeah, I didn't have it in me at all. 768 00:39:32,374 --> 00:39:34,574 Speaker 3: I'm so fascinated about it. I've always said my worst 769 00:39:34,654 --> 00:39:37,214 Speaker 3: nightmare I think would be being in the Big brother 770 00:39:37,294 --> 00:39:39,054 Speaker 3: House think about it all. 771 00:39:38,934 --> 00:39:41,654 Speaker 2: The time, or Survivor or alone. I have a lot 772 00:39:41,654 --> 00:39:44,054 Speaker 2: of shows I would never go on because. 773 00:39:43,814 --> 00:39:46,574 Speaker 3: I'm like, oh my god, imagine having to be just 774 00:39:46,694 --> 00:39:49,574 Speaker 3: on and then it's like I'm like, I'd probably come 775 00:39:49,614 --> 00:39:52,694 Speaker 3: across as quite cold. But it's not coldness. 776 00:39:52,774 --> 00:39:55,174 Speaker 2: It's just tired, yes, and anxiety about what I'm going 777 00:39:55,254 --> 00:39:57,614 Speaker 2: to say. Did I say yeah? Did I say the 778 00:39:57,614 --> 00:39:58,614 Speaker 2: wrong thing? I say too much? 779 00:39:58,774 --> 00:39:59,134 Speaker 1: My god. 780 00:39:59,534 --> 00:40:02,574 Speaker 2: So yeah, I am pretty socially anxious. Even in my 781 00:40:02,574 --> 00:40:05,414 Speaker 2: own office with my team. I just yeah, I'm a 782 00:40:05,414 --> 00:40:07,014 Speaker 2: bit of a geice actually at the heart of it. 783 00:40:07,454 --> 00:40:10,014 Speaker 2: But I can do it good in short pists and 784 00:40:10,054 --> 00:40:11,894 Speaker 2: I'm like, I just get that short burst out. I'll 785 00:40:11,934 --> 00:40:15,014 Speaker 2: be right. Do you like interviews, Well, I used to 786 00:40:15,054 --> 00:40:17,094 Speaker 2: be on the other side of them, which is probably 787 00:40:17,134 --> 00:40:19,614 Speaker 2: a bit easier. I don't mind them if it's about 788 00:40:19,614 --> 00:40:22,134 Speaker 2: the work, No, I love I can go so deep 789 00:40:22,174 --> 00:40:25,374 Speaker 2: talking about creativity and marketing and ideas and writing. I 790 00:40:25,414 --> 00:40:27,574 Speaker 2: really love that stuff. I don't get asked it very often, though, 791 00:40:28,654 --> 00:40:30,974 Speaker 2: it's not usually the questions that people want to. 792 00:40:31,054 --> 00:40:33,534 Speaker 3: Yeah, people are like, let me ask you about the 793 00:40:33,574 --> 00:40:44,254 Speaker 3: gossip your career. It spans so many creative industries. And 794 00:40:45,614 --> 00:40:49,574 Speaker 3: do you worry in terms of looking at the future 795 00:40:50,934 --> 00:40:53,774 Speaker 3: where to put your energy and that it's going to 796 00:40:53,854 --> 00:40:58,254 Speaker 3: be finite, Like if you look at the next couple 797 00:40:58,254 --> 00:41:01,854 Speaker 3: of decades, does it feel like you really have to 798 00:41:01,894 --> 00:41:05,254 Speaker 3: intentionally choose where to put your energy? 799 00:41:05,494 --> 00:41:08,174 Speaker 2: I guess you should, but I don't. I love the 800 00:41:08,374 --> 00:41:10,854 Speaker 2: surprise and delight of life life like it could be 801 00:41:10,974 --> 00:41:14,854 Speaker 2: that my all, my husband's work could change big time 802 00:41:14,854 --> 00:41:16,774 Speaker 2: at any point, we could move and we could like 803 00:41:16,854 --> 00:41:20,014 Speaker 2: anything could happen. I also love that writing has no 804 00:41:20,134 --> 00:41:22,014 Speaker 2: expiration date and I can still be doing it when 805 00:41:22,014 --> 00:41:24,974 Speaker 2: it's seventy five unless AI comes in and does a 806 00:41:24,974 --> 00:41:27,734 Speaker 2: better job of it. Be nervous about that. So I 807 00:41:27,734 --> 00:41:33,214 Speaker 2: feel like I'm able to always have that work. Thankfully, 808 00:41:33,494 --> 00:41:36,174 Speaker 2: I don't need to be young or glamorous for it. 809 00:41:36,214 --> 00:41:38,654 Speaker 2: I can just always write, and same with running a 810 00:41:38,694 --> 00:41:40,174 Speaker 2: business and doing it well as long as I have 811 00:41:40,214 --> 00:41:42,454 Speaker 2: the ideas, and I do have so many ideas. It's 812 00:41:42,494 --> 00:41:45,134 Speaker 2: that not the lack of ideas, it's the follow through 813 00:41:45,134 --> 00:41:47,494 Speaker 2: in the execution and which ones are actually worth backing 814 00:41:48,014 --> 00:41:50,414 Speaker 2: is probably the big question for us. So now I 815 00:41:50,454 --> 00:41:52,774 Speaker 2: get excited about what's next. You never know what could happen. 816 00:41:52,814 --> 00:41:56,094 Speaker 2: I was just like, I'll be doing my fifties sixties, 817 00:41:56,174 --> 00:41:58,814 Speaker 2: and I'm like, who knows, who cares? Like, just go 818 00:41:58,934 --> 00:42:02,254 Speaker 2: for it, Like could be writing for TV or I 819 00:42:02,254 --> 00:42:02,934 Speaker 2: have no idea. 820 00:42:03,454 --> 00:42:08,054 Speaker 3: I love that when you think about your life, what 821 00:42:08,294 --> 00:42:11,814 Speaker 3: do you think is the thing that when you're an 822 00:42:11,894 --> 00:42:15,374 Speaker 3: old woman, I'm going to say like one hundred and 823 00:42:15,414 --> 00:42:17,894 Speaker 3: twenty because about how old is going to live too? 824 00:42:19,174 --> 00:42:21,814 Speaker 3: What is it when you look back on your life 825 00:42:22,094 --> 00:42:25,374 Speaker 3: that will have made you happy, Like when you really 826 00:42:25,494 --> 00:42:29,494 Speaker 3: zoom out, what is it that is the happiness? 827 00:42:29,734 --> 00:42:33,854 Speaker 2: I think it's human connection. I put that to being 828 00:42:33,894 --> 00:42:37,454 Speaker 2: a good partner, being the kind of parent who doesn't 829 00:42:37,454 --> 00:42:40,134 Speaker 2: fuck up their kids too much. No, I'm going to 830 00:42:40,214 --> 00:42:43,374 Speaker 2: do it without knowing what I'm doing, but that legacy 831 00:42:43,454 --> 00:42:46,974 Speaker 2: of parenting well, which is a full time job now. 832 00:42:47,494 --> 00:42:50,294 Speaker 2: As we all know, my Mum's always like, God, your generation, 833 00:42:50,494 --> 00:42:52,974 Speaker 2: you really deep dive on this stuff, and I'm like, yeah, 834 00:42:52,974 --> 00:42:58,734 Speaker 2: well do I. And the connections that I have with 835 00:42:59,094 --> 00:43:01,294 Speaker 2: friends and people in the world. I really think that 836 00:43:01,414 --> 00:43:04,894 Speaker 2: human connection and community also that purpose. Someone asked me 837 00:43:04,934 --> 00:43:06,494 Speaker 2: that what do you think your purpose is? And it 838 00:43:06,574 --> 00:43:09,014 Speaker 2: is a great question, and I'm not still confident in 839 00:43:09,014 --> 00:43:11,014 Speaker 2: the answer, but I think it might be teaching, and 840 00:43:11,134 --> 00:43:17,094 Speaker 2: not teaching in terms of teaching, but teaching people how 841 00:43:17,094 --> 00:43:19,854 Speaker 2: to look after the skin, teaching people how to do 842 00:43:19,974 --> 00:43:22,534 Speaker 2: a business, teaching people how to all the romans and 843 00:43:22,574 --> 00:43:26,134 Speaker 2: writing relationships stuff I did, or even with the picture books, 844 00:43:26,134 --> 00:43:29,174 Speaker 2: teaching kids how to write funny stories. I don't know, 845 00:43:29,294 --> 00:43:32,054 Speaker 2: but vaguely I feel like that's sort of the thread 846 00:43:32,094 --> 00:43:35,374 Speaker 2: through all of them is just that, and not because 847 00:43:35,374 --> 00:43:38,014 Speaker 2: I'm in the position of expertise, but just because I 848 00:43:38,054 --> 00:43:39,894 Speaker 2: also love the example of just being a rap from 849 00:43:39,934 --> 00:43:43,094 Speaker 2: the bush who's come in and with no clue and 850 00:43:43,374 --> 00:43:46,214 Speaker 2: accidentally done a good job of business. I think that's 851 00:43:46,694 --> 00:43:49,374 Speaker 2: something to be proud of, because I know a lot 852 00:43:49,374 --> 00:43:51,414 Speaker 2: of people put a lot more time and energy into 853 00:43:51,454 --> 00:43:55,774 Speaker 2: learning how to business and I somehow snug through and 854 00:43:55,854 --> 00:43:56,534 Speaker 2: did it too. 855 00:43:57,054 --> 00:44:00,854 Speaker 3: Really, that's really interesting, that idea of teaching. And I 856 00:44:00,894 --> 00:44:04,134 Speaker 3: do think that that is a thread through your entire 857 00:44:04,214 --> 00:44:07,334 Speaker 3: career because so many people I know who love you. 858 00:44:08,214 --> 00:44:10,654 Speaker 3: People have come in at different moments and like, I've 859 00:44:10,694 --> 00:44:13,374 Speaker 3: got a friend who went through a breakup and you 860 00:44:13,534 --> 00:44:17,254 Speaker 3: were her absolute All she talked about was how you 861 00:44:17,334 --> 00:44:20,614 Speaker 3: were her guru. And when I was pregnant, I had 862 00:44:20,694 --> 00:44:22,614 Speaker 3: all with pelvic pais. 863 00:44:22,374 --> 00:44:24,054 Speaker 2: Oh my god, I'm so sorry. 864 00:44:24,334 --> 00:44:27,374 Speaker 3: I went so deep. I'm like, like, what do you do? 865 00:44:27,374 --> 00:44:28,534 Speaker 2: Okay? 866 00:44:28,214 --> 00:44:31,414 Speaker 3: Like, there are all these different avenues where people connect 867 00:44:31,454 --> 00:44:34,494 Speaker 3: to you, and I think it's because you're very generous 868 00:44:34,734 --> 00:44:37,894 Speaker 3: with what you share and how you share it, and 869 00:44:38,454 --> 00:44:44,654 Speaker 3: recommendations and being honest about the things that maybe people 870 00:44:44,974 --> 00:44:47,614 Speaker 3: aren't always honest about. It's like, especially when it comes 871 00:44:47,654 --> 00:44:49,894 Speaker 3: to something like business at the moment, like that, so 872 00:44:49,974 --> 00:44:55,694 Speaker 3: many people are quite they gay cape gaykeepe the business information. 873 00:44:55,854 --> 00:44:58,214 Speaker 2: It's weird, isn't that There's a very specific character in 874 00:44:58,254 --> 00:45:01,094 Speaker 2: the book who is really generous and she's got an 875 00:45:01,094 --> 00:45:04,214 Speaker 2: American sensibility to business which is very different to Australian, 876 00:45:04,614 --> 00:45:06,974 Speaker 2: which is, oh, I know a guy, I'll hook you up. 877 00:45:07,094 --> 00:45:09,934 Speaker 2: Oh no, it is and often unfortunately in Australia when 878 00:45:09,934 --> 00:45:13,294 Speaker 2: I was starting out, no one would share their chemist 879 00:45:13,454 --> 00:45:16,974 Speaker 2: or their factories or anything they're packaging people. Now, of 880 00:45:16,974 --> 00:45:19,014 Speaker 2: course you've got full service companies that will do that 881 00:45:19,054 --> 00:45:22,374 Speaker 2: all for you. It's changed so much. But I don't 882 00:45:22,374 --> 00:45:23,774 Speaker 2: want to be that guy. I want to be the 883 00:45:23,814 --> 00:45:26,294 Speaker 2: guy that helps everybody. There is enough pie for everybody, 884 00:45:26,334 --> 00:45:30,734 Speaker 2: and I think a greedy gatekeeping mindset it will only 885 00:45:30,734 --> 00:45:34,574 Speaker 2: come back to you. Generosity doesn't cost anything. You're helping 886 00:45:34,574 --> 00:45:36,574 Speaker 2: so many people. I get tearing when people come up 887 00:45:36,614 --> 00:45:38,174 Speaker 2: to me and say, oh I read record boss, and 888 00:45:38,214 --> 00:45:39,814 Speaker 2: then I gave it to seven of my friends. It 889 00:45:39,894 --> 00:45:42,534 Speaker 2: really really helped, or thank you your face helped my 890 00:45:42,574 --> 00:45:45,174 Speaker 2: exmorer whatever it may be, because I'm like, I didn't 891 00:45:45,174 --> 00:45:47,614 Speaker 2: intend for that to be the outcome, but so that 892 00:45:47,774 --> 00:45:49,894 Speaker 2: I did. Or even like I took your restaurant recommendation 893 00:45:49,934 --> 00:45:52,534 Speaker 2: with Queenstown, I'm like, great, I saved you some time 894 00:45:52,934 --> 00:45:55,014 Speaker 2: and you had a good meal off that. I love 895 00:45:55,094 --> 00:45:57,094 Speaker 2: that because I wish for that. I just want the 896 00:45:57,214 --> 00:45:59,614 Speaker 2: edit of life. Please? Can I have the edit? What 897 00:45:59,734 --> 00:46:02,174 Speaker 2: supplement do I take? What's the meditation app that I 898 00:46:02,214 --> 00:46:04,614 Speaker 2: should be using what's the book to read? Like clear 899 00:46:04,654 --> 00:46:06,894 Speaker 2: the clutter and just let me get to it. And 900 00:46:06,934 --> 00:46:10,814 Speaker 2: it's also a bit of a fast track to human connection. 901 00:46:11,134 --> 00:46:14,414 Speaker 2: I think it is is that you're able to like 902 00:46:14,454 --> 00:46:16,854 Speaker 2: I went to read a book the other day and 903 00:46:16,894 --> 00:46:18,374 Speaker 2: I'm like, oh, yeah, it's got recommended to me. 904 00:46:18,374 --> 00:46:20,494 Speaker 3: And I'm like, I saw it old Zami's Instagram. 905 00:46:21,454 --> 00:46:24,214 Speaker 2: It's not recommended. What was it? Do you love it? 906 00:46:24,214 --> 00:46:28,814 Speaker 3: It's the Taffy Yeah, I was like, oh I loved 907 00:46:28,854 --> 00:46:29,374 Speaker 3: her first book. 908 00:46:29,414 --> 00:46:31,294 Speaker 2: I must read it. Yes, and she's Brilli. 909 00:46:31,414 --> 00:46:33,174 Speaker 3: But it is that idea of having somebody you can 910 00:46:33,214 --> 00:46:36,574 Speaker 3: trust and you know their recommendations have served you well 911 00:46:36,574 --> 00:46:39,534 Speaker 3: in the past. You feel connected to them again. 912 00:46:39,574 --> 00:46:41,694 Speaker 2: It's the hoobers because I'm like, who's to say my 913 00:46:41,814 --> 00:46:44,294 Speaker 2: taste is your taste? But it's not like I chose 914 00:46:44,334 --> 00:46:46,254 Speaker 2: that book out of like the usually prized. When it's 915 00:46:46,614 --> 00:46:49,534 Speaker 2: very I'm like, if you haven't read this, you do, 916 00:46:49,934 --> 00:46:53,014 Speaker 2: it's amazing. But yeah, I like the time saving aspect, 917 00:46:53,494 --> 00:46:55,094 Speaker 2: and it's really just putting out what I want to 918 00:46:55,134 --> 00:46:58,134 Speaker 2: get back, which is now you recommend me something, you 919 00:46:58,174 --> 00:46:59,414 Speaker 2: won't help each other out. 920 00:46:59,934 --> 00:47:02,414 Speaker 3: What currently keeps you from happiness? 921 00:47:02,934 --> 00:47:07,654 Speaker 2: Keeps me from happiness. I think it's usually sleep. I 922 00:47:07,654 --> 00:47:09,894 Speaker 2: think sleep. It's very well known for a lot of 923 00:47:09,934 --> 00:47:14,534 Speaker 2: people that sleep is my number one mental health kryptonite. 924 00:47:15,054 --> 00:47:19,974 Speaker 2: So I prioritize it all costs. And if I've slept, 925 00:47:19,974 --> 00:47:22,614 Speaker 2: I can do anything. I haven't slept on a monster, 926 00:47:23,214 --> 00:47:26,254 Speaker 2: And I've become very good at power napping to get 927 00:47:26,294 --> 00:47:28,774 Speaker 2: back on track, like to start the day again, to 928 00:47:28,814 --> 00:47:31,774 Speaker 2: take the nap to start fresh, which I think there's 929 00:47:31,974 --> 00:47:34,414 Speaker 2: napping's got a bad stigma, but a lot of writers nap. 930 00:47:34,534 --> 00:47:37,374 Speaker 2: It's better than their fourth coffee, or it's a twenty 931 00:47:37,414 --> 00:47:41,214 Speaker 2: minute meditation, or you're gonna do something. So sleep is 932 00:47:41,214 --> 00:47:44,934 Speaker 2: what keeps me from happiness. And probably fear a little 933 00:47:44,934 --> 00:47:47,534 Speaker 2: bit just what we're going back to before about like 934 00:47:48,094 --> 00:47:50,694 Speaker 2: putting things out into the world and hoping that it hits. 935 00:47:51,334 --> 00:47:53,214 Speaker 2: And in the amount of times we put up a 936 00:47:53,254 --> 00:47:55,614 Speaker 2: new product or launch or something, and I'm waiting for 937 00:47:55,694 --> 00:47:58,254 Speaker 2: the thing we did wrong? What's going to blindside me here? 938 00:47:58,894 --> 00:48:01,414 Speaker 2: Even with the book, I'm like, oh, you know, have 939 00:48:01,494 --> 00:48:04,134 Speaker 2: I offended someone? Or have I that world we live 940 00:48:04,134 --> 00:48:06,774 Speaker 2: in now where I'm on edge of that vigilance of 941 00:48:06,814 --> 00:48:10,014 Speaker 2: like what can they get me for here, which is 942 00:48:10,094 --> 00:48:14,174 Speaker 2: very telling, I think. So I'm always aware that that's 943 00:48:14,214 --> 00:48:17,614 Speaker 2: going to happen without trying to preempt it or manifest it. 944 00:48:17,614 --> 00:48:20,374 Speaker 2: It's a fine line. Yeah, I think I'm happy to 945 00:48:20,414 --> 00:48:22,214 Speaker 2: take risks, but I'm also aware that it's not for everyone, 946 00:48:22,254 --> 00:48:24,494 Speaker 2: and that's okay. I don't want to be for everyone. No. 947 00:48:24,694 --> 00:48:26,734 Speaker 2: I think there's that saying that if you try and 948 00:48:26,814 --> 00:48:31,334 Speaker 2: be for everyone, you are by definition average. So definitely, yeah, 949 00:48:31,414 --> 00:48:33,934 Speaker 2: definitely just find your people and write for them. 950 00:48:35,174 --> 00:48:39,014 Speaker 3: In terms of sleep, because I think maybe a lot 951 00:48:39,054 --> 00:48:41,614 Speaker 3: of people realize the importance of sleep when they have 952 00:48:41,974 --> 00:48:44,574 Speaker 3: a child for the first time, and you're like, oh, yeah, 953 00:48:44,574 --> 00:48:48,654 Speaker 3: I thought i'd been I strived before. No lack of sleep. 954 00:48:48,694 --> 00:48:50,774 Speaker 3: How does that manifest in terms of mental health? 955 00:48:50,974 --> 00:48:55,934 Speaker 2: I'm a bitch, I'm snappy with my children, my anxiety ramps, 956 00:48:56,254 --> 00:49:00,494 Speaker 2: I can't write. My dopamine hunting is increased one hundred 957 00:49:00,494 --> 00:49:04,854 Speaker 2: folds by food, by scrolling, by just silly tasks that 958 00:49:04,854 --> 00:49:08,694 Speaker 2: don't actually need doing. I just feel wayward. So I 959 00:49:08,694 --> 00:49:11,454 Speaker 2: don't have that focus and I really need that. And 960 00:49:11,494 --> 00:49:13,454 Speaker 2: I think, you know, I'm forty four, so perimenopause is 961 00:49:13,454 --> 00:49:17,494 Speaker 2: a real thing. The anxiety and the sleeplessness big thing. 962 00:49:17,774 --> 00:49:21,574 Speaker 2: So I've I've had my diagnostics and I've got something 963 00:49:21,574 --> 00:49:27,454 Speaker 2: to help me sleep now and it's medicinal CBD and fabulous, 964 00:49:27,654 --> 00:49:30,694 Speaker 2: Hi the right and yeah, so I just needed to 965 00:49:31,574 --> 00:49:34,574 Speaker 2: sort that out. Like I said before, anything else would 966 00:49:34,694 --> 00:49:37,734 Speaker 2: work because I have this limit of three nights bad sleep, 967 00:49:37,814 --> 00:49:40,414 Speaker 2: and yeah, I will book a fucking hotel. Yeah, I 968 00:49:40,494 --> 00:49:44,214 Speaker 2: need to sleep. Something's got to give. So yeah, I've 969 00:49:44,254 --> 00:49:46,134 Speaker 2: never got to that stage, but that's how I feel. 970 00:49:46,614 --> 00:49:49,374 Speaker 3: Yeah, because one night you can one night adrenaline. Yeah, 971 00:49:49,374 --> 00:49:51,774 Speaker 3: two nights you feel terrible. Three nights I'm a rash. 972 00:49:52,414 --> 00:49:55,454 Speaker 3: I've lost all rationality. And then I actually start convincing 973 00:49:55,494 --> 00:49:57,614 Speaker 3: myself I don't need sleep, and that's when you know 974 00:49:57,734 --> 00:50:00,494 Speaker 3: you've gone nuts. If you're like sleep, who needs sleep? 975 00:50:00,614 --> 00:50:01,774 Speaker 3: And then you're like I need. 976 00:50:04,214 --> 00:50:06,294 Speaker 2: That's very hard. With growing child, it's very hard. And 977 00:50:06,294 --> 00:50:09,014 Speaker 2: I had my anxiety only started when I had children. 978 00:50:09,534 --> 00:50:11,654 Speaker 2: I have characterized myself as an anxious person prior to that, 979 00:50:11,694 --> 00:50:14,414 Speaker 2: but a baby who I had to keep alive was 980 00:50:14,454 --> 00:50:18,414 Speaker 2: a big deal and sleep was not great. No bad 981 00:50:18,494 --> 00:50:20,134 Speaker 2: cycle contributes. 982 00:50:19,614 --> 00:50:26,134 Speaker 3: To it when you are tired, getting defensive, not being 983 00:50:26,134 --> 00:50:30,054 Speaker 3: your best self. Are there people around you? Because I 984 00:50:30,054 --> 00:50:34,694 Speaker 3: think sometimes in terms of our happiness, sometimes we're not 985 00:50:34,814 --> 00:50:38,854 Speaker 3: even the best person to know how to make ourselves happy. 986 00:50:38,894 --> 00:50:41,174 Speaker 3: Sometimes the people around us are way better at saying 987 00:50:41,174 --> 00:50:44,414 Speaker 3: things objectively. Are there people who call you out and 988 00:50:44,414 --> 00:50:45,134 Speaker 3: pull you into line? 989 00:50:45,374 --> 00:50:48,854 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, my husband, he's a very lovely man, and 990 00:50:48,894 --> 00:50:51,534 Speaker 2: it's not his first instinct who usually cop a few 991 00:50:51,534 --> 00:50:54,334 Speaker 2: blows before I'll be like, what's wrong with you? But 992 00:50:54,334 --> 00:50:56,534 Speaker 2: I would have already prefaced it. I'm like, I'm tired, 993 00:50:56,974 --> 00:50:59,294 Speaker 2: I didn't say the worst sleep last night. Why did 994 00:50:59,294 --> 00:51:01,094 Speaker 2: the garbage man come at five in the morning? You know? 995 00:51:01,214 --> 00:51:04,974 Speaker 2: La la la, So I've already let everybody know. Yeah yeah, 996 00:51:05,014 --> 00:51:07,494 Speaker 2: so yeah he calls me and of course and my 997 00:51:07,654 --> 00:51:13,014 Speaker 2: kids were just heartbreaking, like are you being so snappy? 998 00:51:14,374 --> 00:51:17,894 Speaker 2: That's horrible? So yeah, I know when i'm it's a 999 00:51:17,934 --> 00:51:19,654 Speaker 2: wake up in the morning feeling. Yeah, I cur ready 1000 00:51:19,774 --> 00:51:21,934 Speaker 2: know it's there. I tell myself, oh, you're being a bitch, 1001 00:51:22,054 --> 00:51:24,814 Speaker 2: like sort your shit, and it's twenty minutes. I just 1002 00:51:24,854 --> 00:51:27,854 Speaker 2: need twenty minutes to just go and meditate or something. Yeah, 1003 00:51:27,894 --> 00:51:30,414 Speaker 2: I'm such a better person and I'm really okay with 1004 00:51:30,534 --> 00:51:32,814 Speaker 2: asking for that now, Like even in big family function 1005 00:51:32,934 --> 00:51:36,134 Speaker 2: moments where by law you're not allowed to just excuse 1006 00:51:36,134 --> 00:51:38,974 Speaker 2: yourself to do anything, but I'm like, ah, I don't 1007 00:51:39,214 --> 00:51:41,294 Speaker 2: like any of you for a minute. I'm going to 1008 00:51:41,374 --> 00:51:43,334 Speaker 2: go just become a nicer person. Then we're gonna have 1009 00:51:43,334 --> 00:51:45,894 Speaker 2: a great day. I think maybe I need to do that. 1010 00:51:46,174 --> 00:51:47,894 Speaker 3: I need to do that in a lot of social 1011 00:51:47,934 --> 00:51:50,294 Speaker 3: situations because otherwise I push through. And I'm like, it's 1012 00:51:50,294 --> 00:51:54,174 Speaker 3: written all over my face. Yes, everybody knows how I'm feeling. Yes, 1013 00:51:54,254 --> 00:51:56,614 Speaker 3: I think I'm hiding it. Yeah, no, no, no, no, 1014 00:51:57,214 --> 00:51:59,854 Speaker 3: right now, you've got a new novel out. Things will 1015 00:51:59,854 --> 00:52:05,694 Speaker 3: calm down soon. You've got a wildly successful business. Are 1016 00:52:05,694 --> 00:52:06,454 Speaker 3: you happy? 1017 00:52:06,734 --> 00:52:10,254 Speaker 2: Yeah, to the point where when this book was pitched, 1018 00:52:10,254 --> 00:52:12,174 Speaker 2: I was like, no, I can't do that. I am happy. 1019 00:52:13,214 --> 00:52:17,054 Speaker 2: Won't be very interesting genius there and pretend like I'm 1020 00:52:17,054 --> 00:52:19,854 Speaker 2: not the most lucky woman on it. Now I feel 1021 00:52:20,934 --> 00:52:24,334 Speaker 2: not only happy, but thriving. I feel inspired. I feel 1022 00:52:25,574 --> 00:52:28,654 Speaker 2: very fortunate. I know we're not allowed to say lucky, 1023 00:52:28,694 --> 00:52:31,734 Speaker 2: but I do feel lucky. I feel grateful. I think 1024 00:52:31,774 --> 00:52:38,854 Speaker 2: gratitude is my massive antidote to sadness or anger, irritability 1025 00:52:38,974 --> 00:52:42,294 Speaker 2: is just to switch it to a mindset of gratitude, 1026 00:52:42,494 --> 00:52:45,014 Speaker 2: which is does sound like a privileged thing to say, 1027 00:52:45,014 --> 00:52:48,854 Speaker 2: but anyone, no matter a situation, can turn to gratitude. 1028 00:52:49,494 --> 00:52:52,614 Speaker 2: Just for the health of my children, my family, this 1029 00:52:52,734 --> 00:52:55,974 Speaker 2: incredibly fortunate life I'm living. So I'm very happy and 1030 00:52:56,014 --> 00:52:58,614 Speaker 2: I feel excited and compelled, and that is because I 1031 00:52:58,654 --> 00:53:01,854 Speaker 2: took care of myself this year when I wrote this 1032 00:53:01,894 --> 00:53:04,014 Speaker 2: book things will come down soon with something I would 1033 00:53:04,014 --> 00:53:05,894 Speaker 2: throw out all the time and we would laugh ha 1034 00:53:05,934 --> 00:53:07,934 Speaker 2: ha ha, No, I won't hamishould be like that is 1035 00:53:07,974 --> 00:53:11,814 Speaker 2: your life, you idiot. Come on. But then this June, 1036 00:53:12,014 --> 00:53:14,294 Speaker 2: I actually for the first time had a proper break 1037 00:53:14,334 --> 00:53:17,014 Speaker 2: from work because the book was in at the printers 1038 00:53:17,014 --> 00:53:20,574 Speaker 2: when you can't do anymore except start publicity and go 1039 00:53:20,694 --> 00:53:22,774 Speaker 2: to was in a bit of a production phase that 1040 00:53:22,774 --> 00:53:25,414 Speaker 2: there was a lull and I was able to just 1041 00:53:25,454 --> 00:53:28,774 Speaker 2: take a couple of weeks to not be the sort 1042 00:53:28,774 --> 00:53:31,214 Speaker 2: of level of stress Kit is in Living Dead Yay, 1043 00:53:31,734 --> 00:53:33,494 Speaker 2: which was very normal for me for about three years 1044 00:53:33,494 --> 00:53:35,534 Speaker 2: because I had two deals and a novel and day 1045 00:53:35,574 --> 00:53:38,854 Speaker 2: to day work and young family, and I felt like 1046 00:53:38,894 --> 00:53:41,054 Speaker 2: a different person because I was very burnt out at 1047 00:53:41,054 --> 00:53:43,854 Speaker 2: the start of the year, burnt out at Jason and 1048 00:53:43,894 --> 00:53:45,454 Speaker 2: I went to a health camp, which I hadn't done 1049 00:53:45,454 --> 00:53:49,774 Speaker 2: since for eight years, and I was a different person 1050 00:53:49,814 --> 00:53:51,414 Speaker 2: when I came back. And I remember at the start 1051 00:53:51,414 --> 00:53:53,574 Speaker 2: of the year, my mum, she always does my neurology. 1052 00:53:53,974 --> 00:53:56,934 Speaker 2: She's like, you're in a seven year Fuck it, I 1053 00:53:56,974 --> 00:53:59,134 Speaker 2: need to be in a four year four years of work. Yere, 1054 00:53:59,214 --> 00:54:01,774 Speaker 2: She goes, you've done your four years. Yeah, you're in 1055 00:54:01,814 --> 00:54:03,774 Speaker 2: a seven year. And I'm like, but that's like it's 1056 00:54:03,854 --> 00:54:06,414 Speaker 2: inner and it's meditative, and you learn your skills and 1057 00:54:06,414 --> 00:54:08,574 Speaker 2: you'll take care of yourself and you go in. And 1058 00:54:08,614 --> 00:54:10,134 Speaker 2: she said, but can't you see how important that is 1059 00:54:10,134 --> 00:54:11,374 Speaker 2: in this year. And I'm like, no, no, this is 1060 00:54:11,414 --> 00:54:13,574 Speaker 2: my big year. This is our go to s tenth birthday. 1061 00:54:13,654 --> 00:54:15,934 Speaker 2: My book's out and I've got two children's books out. 1062 00:54:16,214 --> 00:54:18,574 Speaker 2: I need to be the peacock this year. And she said, 1063 00:54:18,574 --> 00:54:20,014 Speaker 2: but you can't do any of that if you haven't 1064 00:54:20,014 --> 00:54:22,454 Speaker 2: looked after yourself. And so that's why I have boundaries 1065 00:54:22,494 --> 00:54:26,014 Speaker 2: around eventing or filming or anything that takes a lot 1066 00:54:26,014 --> 00:54:28,614 Speaker 2: of energy from me. And all family time weekend is 1067 00:54:28,614 --> 00:54:30,774 Speaker 2: family time. And all of those boundaries are in place 1068 00:54:31,294 --> 00:54:33,494 Speaker 2: to protect me so that I can do better work 1069 00:54:33,534 --> 00:54:37,174 Speaker 2: and have a better mindset and be happier and sleep. 1070 00:54:37,334 --> 00:54:40,734 Speaker 2: You know, sleep our whole family. I made them obsessed 1071 00:54:40,734 --> 00:54:43,254 Speaker 2: about sleep. The kids don't care aish and I are 1072 00:54:43,414 --> 00:54:46,534 Speaker 2: very devout sleep. Sleep is our religion. 1073 00:54:47,294 --> 00:54:51,454 Speaker 3: Do you feel like now that the book is out 1074 00:54:52,134 --> 00:54:56,254 Speaker 3: and the business, I mean, as somebody who doesn't understand 1075 00:54:56,334 --> 00:54:58,694 Speaker 3: business at all, the business isn't a really good place. 1076 00:54:59,054 --> 00:55:00,014 Speaker 3: Have things calm down? 1077 00:55:00,214 --> 00:55:01,854 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's what I mean. Like it's a weird time 1078 00:55:01,894 --> 00:55:04,054 Speaker 2: to be talking about the book because things did calm 1079 00:55:04,094 --> 00:55:09,694 Speaker 2: down for June and now I'm physy again. But I 1080 00:55:09,734 --> 00:55:12,534 Speaker 2: think I needed to know that it could calm down, 1081 00:55:13,374 --> 00:55:16,254 Speaker 2: but the soon was coming. Yeah, I just I needed 1082 00:55:16,294 --> 00:55:18,054 Speaker 2: to know it was a fact, not just this myth 1083 00:55:18,214 --> 00:55:21,494 Speaker 2: of this carrot dangling of like one day, so I 1084 00:55:21,534 --> 00:55:23,854 Speaker 2: know it can be calm And I know this. It's 1085 00:55:23,934 --> 00:55:27,174 Speaker 2: on me. It's how much I undertake. But I love 1086 00:55:27,494 --> 00:55:29,734 Speaker 2: new projects, you know. I love studying a new book. 1087 00:55:29,734 --> 00:55:31,774 Speaker 2: I'm already excited to write a new book. I like 1088 00:55:31,854 --> 00:55:33,614 Speaker 2: to be busy. I like to be working. I like 1089 00:55:33,654 --> 00:55:35,614 Speaker 2: to do good work, to the point where even if 1090 00:55:35,654 --> 00:55:37,294 Speaker 2: they weren't published and weren't read, and I would still 1091 00:55:37,294 --> 00:55:41,974 Speaker 2: want to do it. So yeah, it's me not starting 1092 00:55:42,014 --> 00:55:43,494 Speaker 2: a new project too quickly, and I've got to hold 1093 00:55:43,494 --> 00:55:46,414 Speaker 2: myself back. I'm like, get this baby out first. Please 1094 00:55:46,534 --> 00:55:49,014 Speaker 2: just focus on this book, don't stund new one yet. 1095 00:55:49,414 --> 00:55:51,574 Speaker 2: So I'm back. Feels good. 1096 00:55:52,254 --> 00:55:54,014 Speaker 3: Thank you so much for your time today. I really 1097 00:55:54,094 --> 00:55:59,294 Speaker 3: appreciate it. That's all we've got time for on today's 1098 00:55:59,334 --> 00:56:02,694 Speaker 3: episode of That Are You Happy. Zoe Foster Blake's latest 1099 00:56:02,694 --> 00:56:05,454 Speaker 3: novel about the chaos of business and being a founder 1100 00:56:05,494 --> 00:56:08,534 Speaker 3: and juggling a family between it all, is called Things 1101 00:56:08,534 --> 00:56:10,894 Speaker 3: Will Calm Down Soon, and it's out on the first 1102 00:56:10,894 --> 00:56:14,134 Speaker 3: of October. It's brilliant and I can promise you will 1103 00:56:14,174 --> 00:56:16,134 Speaker 3: not be able to put it down. But it's also 1104 00:56:16,214 --> 00:56:19,454 Speaker 3: incredibly insightful and challenges a lot of ideas we hold 1105 00:56:19,534 --> 00:56:23,254 Speaker 3: about women and money and success and power. Will pop 1106 00:56:23,374 --> 00:56:28,334 Speaker 3: a link into the show notes. This conversation went beyond 1107 00:56:28,374 --> 00:56:31,574 Speaker 3: the veneer of the glamorous, aspirational life of Zoe Foster 1108 00:56:31,654 --> 00:56:35,534 Speaker 3: Blake to the charismatic, clever and generous person who sat 1109 00:56:35,534 --> 00:56:38,294 Speaker 3: opposite me in the studio. I want to thank her 1110 00:56:38,334 --> 00:56:41,734 Speaker 3: for everything she shared in our conversation, and if there's 1111 00:56:41,774 --> 00:56:44,414 Speaker 3: anyone you know who you think might get something out 1112 00:56:44,414 --> 00:56:46,854 Speaker 3: of this episode, please share it with them. If you 1113 00:56:46,894 --> 00:56:49,254 Speaker 3: want to recommend anyone for the show, you can message 1114 00:56:49,254 --> 00:56:51,894 Speaker 3: me on Instagram, and if you like the show, leave 1115 00:56:51,974 --> 00:56:56,694 Speaker 3: us a review. We always love your feedback. Next week, 1116 00:56:56,934 --> 00:56:59,934 Speaker 3: I speak to Amy Shark about the tension of getting 1117 00:56:59,974 --> 00:57:04,694 Speaker 3: everything you ever wanted. The executive producer, but are you Happy, 1118 00:57:04,814 --> 00:57:08,174 Speaker 3: is Niama Brown and the producer is Charlie Blackman. Audio 1119 00:57:08,334 --> 00:57:11,694 Speaker 3: editing by Scott Stronnick. I'm your host, Class Stevens, and 1120 00:57:11,734 --> 00:57:12,654 Speaker 3: we'll see you next week. 1121 00:57:19,094 --> 00:57:22,054 Speaker 1: Hey QUICKI friends, Grace here again. We hope you enjoyed 1122 00:57:22,094 --> 00:57:24,934 Speaker 1: this episode of Mum and MEA's award winning podcast, But 1123 00:57:25,054 --> 00:57:28,374 Speaker 1: are you Happy? Featuring Zoe Foster Blake. If you did, 1124 00:57:28,414 --> 00:57:32,174 Speaker 1: there are three seasons of this podcast. They're full of advice, wisdom, 1125 00:57:32,214 --> 00:57:35,614 Speaker 1: and maybe more importantly, stories of failure from some of 1126 00:57:35,654 --> 00:57:39,174 Speaker 1: our most beloved celebrities. You can check out those episodes 1127 00:57:39,214 --> 00:57:41,334 Speaker 1: by the link in our show notes. We'll catch you 1128 00:57:41,374 --> 00:57:43,294 Speaker 1: again for the Quikie at six am Monday,