Emily’s Group July 2025 Prescription

Hi everyone,

I hope you are not working too hard and are enjoying the summer and getting outside as much as possible. I’ve just returned from a festival and I don’t know what it is about camping but it’s the best prescription for happiness for me.

Although, on the first night of any camping trip I always wake up at about 4am claustrophobic and in a panic trying frantically to find the exit so I can pop my head out like a hot dog. On this trip, I had my first experience of an inflatable mattress  Wow, why did I leave it so long, I felt completely different when I woke up, it’s a game changer.

In terms of reducing screen time, lowering cortisol levels and boosting your serotonin, what beats a night under canvas?

 On the subject of screen time, I am taking a break from prescriptions in August to read lots of books. I’ll be back with the September prescription to  get your autumn off to a good start.

Happy summering!

Emily

Mind & Body

I’ve noticed that gyms and fitness centres are now offering 30 minute classes like the personal trainers on YouTube? It seems like a good idea if it encourages everyone to exercise more.

Like so many others, I enjoy the 30 minute classes that Caroline Idiens offers, find her on instagram Caroline’s Circuits. She also does shorter videos focusing on arms and legs. If you haven’t come across her already, it’s worth seeing if her style is for you. The only investment you need is to get a mat and weights.  I have 2 -6 kg weights and always aim to lift the 8 kg. But to be completely honest I haven’t yet as I have to lug them down from my son’s bedroom. That’s a September goal! 

You can decide what weights are good for you and build up slowly which is what I like about Caroline Idien’s approach. She doesn’t always opt for the heaviest weights herself.

Last summer, when I was on holiday, I spent the hottest hours inside the hotel gym. I took my own screen so I could follow two Carolines. Caroline Girvanand Caroline Circuits. 

Don’t be put off by the heavy weights Caroline Girvan uses.
Work with what you have. My physio says a couple of tins of beans is a good starting point. 

To Read

You Are Here
David Nicholls

If you are going on holiday and are looking for a ‘lighter’ read then how about You Are Here by David Nicholls. My brother gave it to me for my birthday. It’s a gentle, heartwarming love story and the perfect antidote to world news. Uma Thurman recently discussed her reading habits in The Times Saturday Interview with Gavanndra Hodge. ’Now non-fiction is just too brutal…the world has driven me to romantasy.’ She wouldn’t share any further detail on what books fall into the romantasy category. This book couldn’t be defined as romantasy but it is romantic in a David Nicholls way.

To Listen

Adam Grant is an organisational psychologist and has written some interesting books which I am working my way through. Check him out at adamgrant.net
I recommend this podcast series he hosts. Listen to this episode, it’s pertinent as it’s about office hours and generational differences. You may be surprised at the findings. (NB: There are annoying adverts but don’t let them put you off this podcast series.)

This is a really interesting ted talk about racial bias and psychologist Jennifer L. Eberhardt looks at how our biases unfairly target black people and how to disrupt unconscious bias. Very powerful.

I couldn’t resist adding Ash Atalla’s Desert Island Discs to this prescription. I worked on BBC’s Watchdog in the 1990s, as part of my role I was responsible for looking after the work experience placements. One of whom turned up on his first day in a pin striped suit, it was Ash. He was incredibly charming and (of course) funny. We became friends immediately and had some brilliant adventures together. His Desert Island Discs gives you a real insight into the man behind The Office, People Just Do Nothing, Stath Lets Flats and Big Boys.

To Investigate

My son knows my view on tanning and last week sent me a short instagram clip of Chris and Xand van Tulleken discussing sun tans with Consultant Dermatologist,  Dr Rachel Abbot. She treats patients at The University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
 I listened to the full interview and thought you might find it interesting. I have always dreamed of creating suncream booths on beaches around the UK which holidaymakers would stand in (like a fake tan booth) and be sprayed all over with suncream. I would also provide suncream dispensers which a SWAT team would carry round in branded back packs (You can tell I have thought about this at length!). My family thinks I am obsessed and unfortunately not all of them listen to my advice about wearing high-factor sunscreen and avoiding sunbathing.

I got sunstroke and burnt badly as a child and teen and at twenty six stopped sunbathing.  My husband says I am the only person who gets on a plane with a sun tan (spray on) and the only one to return on the plane without one. I say I am a dermatologist’s dream! 

On a winter holiday with my sister in 1993, on the island of Gran Canaria. A waiter at a beachside restaurant said to me  ‘You are so white, you could light up the whole of Gran Canaria ha ha!’ His comment really upset me as at that point I was very committed to the pursuit of a perfect tan.

Fast forward thirty years, I was in Ibiza in May with friends and we spent the day on Formentera. When we got back to our apartment that evening, Antonio (our friendly receptionist) saw me and said, ‘Oh my goodness, a day on Formentera and you are still just as white!’. My sister-in-law laughed and said, ‘You don’t understand how happy that will make Emily!’ She was right, it amazes me that I am seen as an outlier. The status given to a sun tan despite the well documented dangers of acquiring it, still exists in the same way it did when I was in my early twenties. The only way is the fake way! 

On that note, if you haven’t heard this before it’s wonderful.
And read the story of the original piece that inspired Baz’s song.

To Entertain

Female Led 
I love comedies with strong female characters. I have just started watching Lena Dunham’s new series Too Much on Netflix. It’s about a young American woman Jessica played by Megan Stalter arriving in London heartbroken after the end of a relationship. The brilliant Will Sharpe features as her love interest, you may recognise him from the second season of White Lotus as the angsty Ethan Spiller. There are some great cameos across the series too including one of my favourites (Andrew Scott) who also appears in my favourite female led comedy series Fleabag. Brilliantly funny but with touches of poignancy. I have included two other favourites Lady Bird and Little Miss Sunshine.

2. Mamma Mia!

EG Member: Susie Worster

Q&A

Could you tell me about your career? I have been working in the TV industry since 1990. I spent the first seventeen years in production, making programmes for the BBC and C4 before becoming an executive producer at the Discovery Channel. After the birth of my third child, I moved into headhunting and became Head of Creative Talent at Wall To Wall Media. I held the role for thirteen years and I sourced the best freelance talent to make our in-house shows. In 2019, I set up on my own as a freelance talent executive for independent TV companies, predominantly in the TV space, though not exclusively. I am also working as a consultant with a new start up who want to move into the TV Factual Entertainment space.   What do you enjoy most about your job? The thing I enjoy most is making connections with people. It could be connecting senior directing talent with their next premium documentary role, connecting Heads of Companies with their next key hires or introducing junior freelancers to indies that will help develop their career.  Ultimately, it’s always about finding a connection with whoever I’m speaking to.  When you are not working, what do you like doing?? I really enjoy pottering in my garden and walking the dog. The challenge of learning something new is so rewarding. Last year I decided to try an oil painting class and I loved the whole experience.   What does your dream day involve? It would either be spent on a beach somewhere, but if it’s at home it starts with some exercise, either walking the dog or a game of tennis, then it definitely involves connecting with people, whether that’s for work or pleasure. It also has to end with a delicious home cooked meal as I love my food.   What do you love about being an Emily’s Group member? What I love is the sense of community I get from it. I’ve been a member for ages, I remember getting a micro scooter for one of my kids about fifteen years ago through the group. I’ve found myself responding to someone after a child’s ADD diagnosis, as we have been there ourselves. There are loads of times I’ve dipped into different threads for useful connections.  It’s a community of brilliant, helpful women.

Get in touch with Susie Susie always loves meeting new people so if you are looking for talent for your company, or would like to be put forward for roles you can connect with Susie at: LinkedIn & susieworstertv@gmail.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