Hi everyone,
Listening to Mel Robbin’s podcast ‘How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over’ makes me think about my communication style which is predominantly sending text messages, voice notes and a few animal reels! I’ve realised sending a long text or leaving a voice note is just not as affirming as a ‘live’ conversation. I have also become so conditioned to my phone not ringing, when it does I think it’s an emergency and can feel my heart racing. Is it just me who suffers from this condition?
Newsflash. I have started to call friends just to say hello or make a plan. I’m hoping that this habit continues so that when my phone does ring my reaction won’t be ‘What’s happened!’ but instead how lovely a friend is calling me. Let’s see if I can keep it up.
Emily
Mind & Body
Club Life
This month I have chosen to feature a podcast. It’s called ‘How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over’. The advice in this episode, I hope, will help both your mind and your body to unwind. It’s about the power our phones have over us, and at the very least, it highlights how glued we are to these devices. The question is: are you using the phone as a tool, or is the phone using you?
It’s not groundbreaking advice, we have heard it all before but it resonated with me as I seem incapable of watching a tv series or a film without having my phone next to me. I will either be random googling or checking out more details on an actor in a series I am watching. I’ve now started to leave my phone in another room when I watch TV. Host Mel Robbins’s presenting style may not appeal to everyone, but I would encourage you to give this episode a try. It includes an interesting interview with Dr Alok Kanojia, who is a psychiatrist also known as Healthy Gamer. You can find him on YT and all social media channels.
I will be really interested to know if you find it helpful so drop me a line if it has an impact. I am hoping you will find there will be one small change you’ll make after listening to this episode. Something that will help calm your mind, improve your concentration and help your body to relax.
To Read
Raising Hare
Chloe Dalton
My son recommended Raising Hare to me, and it seems appropriate to be reading it in Spring when the seasons change and our landscape goes from black and white to technicolour. The author, Chloe Dalton, works in London in a high pressured job as a political advisor. During the pandemic, she moves to a rural barn she owns and ends up rescuing a leveret (baby hare). She writes so beautifully about the relationship they form. It’s the most moving book I have read in a long time.
To Listen
What’s Up Docs ?
In this Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves. Chris and Xand’s presenting style is reassuring and I enjoy their brotherly bantering about science and health issues. Their podcast series covers subjects like ‘How important is willpower? to ‘Am I hangry?’
The two forthcoming episodes are ‘Can I improve my sleep?’ and ‘How can I freshen my breath?’ I have included a link to ‘How important is willpower?’ Given how much chocolate many of us may be surrounded by during the Easter egg season, this may come in useful!
To Investigate
Leading on from the subject of pensions, from the last prescription, it may be helpful to read this article regarding your investments and what Trump’s tariffs may mean for your money.
If you want to be more proactive in your long term financial planning then it may be worth looking at your pension to track its’ growth. I am determined to become more proactive about my pension investments. You might find this Saga article useful too.
To Entertain
Copyright © 2025 Flow
Here are my comfort films for this month.
Flow
When the news is hard to take we need an alternative world to escape into and what could be better than watching animated (dialogue free) cute animals. I can’t wait to watch this Oscar and Golden Globe winning film about a cat who survives a terrifying flood. A matinee performance with a box of popcorn is my idea of heaven.
Copyright © 2025 The Penguin Lessons Lionsgate
The Penguin Lessons
The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell. Set in 1976 and inspired by true events, The Penguin Lessons tells of an unexpected friendship between Buenos-Aires based boarding school teacher Tom Michell and a penguin he rescues during a holiday in Uruguay. I read this book to my boys when it was first published and we loved it. Now it’s been turned into a film and Tom is played by Steve Coogan. It’s always a bit of a gamble when a book is turned into a movie, but it is directed by Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty) so I have high hopes.
Theatre To See
Here are two plays I recommend.
Till The Stars Come Down
We went as a group to see our friend Marc Wootton star in this play at The National and it’s brilliant. It’s now on a West End Transfer, the writer Beth Steel is incredible. One of the best plays I have seen in a long time.
Wilko: Love and Death and Rock’N’Roll
Jonathan Maitland and I worked together at the BBC and he’s a very talented writer. I knew very little about Wilko Johnson (Founder of the legendary band Dr Feelgood and Game of Thrones star). Jonny has brought him to life with this very funny, moving play. There are brilliant musical performances from the ensemble cast, try and get tickets if you can. It transfers to the West End to the Leicester Square Theatre from 3rd July.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/23/i-hope-you-enjoy-the-show-i-hope-im-not-dead-how-feelgood-star-wilko-never-saw-the-play-about-his-life
EG Member: Jody Levitus
Co-Founder
T&T Markets
About Jody
Hi, my name is Jody Levitus and I am the co-founder alongside Amanda Byrnes of T&T Markets.
When I came back to London after living in Barcelona for 12 years, I arrived back with tons of ideas and time on my hands. Trash and Treasure markets started up in the beer garden of a local Ealing pub.
Over the years, the business has changed and adapted to the times especially as a result of the pandemic. We have gone from being a predominantly Vintage Market to a Farmer’s Market and now we run Street Food markets all over London.
My favourite is still our monthly night market that we do at the Brentham Club in Pitshanger Village, Ealing. It’s a place where all the locals come together to eat, chat and listen to good tunes. We have met such wonderful people and it’s great to give something back to the community.
| Q&A |
| What do you enjoy most about running your business? I love my job as I get to constantly try new food and discover the latest food trends but the best part is that we can give small businesses a space to grow and develop. We have had the pleasure of seeing quite a few businesses become successful and we were the first place to showcase their talent. Where are your favourite places to eat out? I’m from Glasgow and the food scene is extraordinary. Every time I go back to see my family and friends, I try out one of the many new restaurants that keep popping up. If you get the chance, go to Margo and grab a seat at the counter. Every dish is a taste sensation. We are very lucky to have so many good restaurants in London but my go-to’s are Koya for the fabulous Japanese breakfast, Master Wei for the biang biang noodles and Trattoria Brutto which is like walking into a little slice of Florence! What do you love about being an emilysgroup member? One of the great things about being part of Emily’s Group is that you’re always discovering new things, from the latest art exhibition, book to read, film to watch, music to listen to. Emily’s Prescriptions brighten up my inbox. Not to mention that she’s a huge champion of all the fabulous women around. Thank you Emily for bringing such a brilliant community of women together! |
| Get in touch with Amina You can contact Jody at jody.lev@mac.com |
Drop me a line with any comments or feedback on what you have read. I really appreciate hearing from you.
If you would like to invite a friend to receive the monthly prescription then please click the box below. To register to be an emily’s group member click on emilysgroup.com