Hi everyone! I’m really enjoying writing for you and I’m so grateful for all the lovely feedback so far. Let’s get to know each other. Ask me anything here and I will answer as many questions as I can over the next few days. xx
I’ve watched Palace Confidential over the last 3 months and enjoy the program a lot for the most part. There is one caveat— the hair style & wardrobe choices of Jo Elvin immensely distract from her talent. The Nov 16th ensemble was much too distracting— especially the boots. Overall it’s a great program and I’ll continue to watch. I love her guests.
Hello, Jo! I really enjoy you on Palace Confidential and your banter with all of the correspondents. How did you get that gig? And if you were a member of the Royal family (a life turn I sense you would not prefer!), which cause would you want to be the patron for?
😂 How did I get that gig? I got told to do it! But I must say I really do have fun doing it and I’m delighted that the boss asked me to keep doing it. If I was a member of the royal family I would love to split my patronages between Children With Cancer UK, Women’s Aid and Refuge. Xx
Hi Jo, What is guaranteed to make you ‘belly laugh’? For me it’s Laurel & Hardy😀 LOVE your newsletters, they are inspiring me to grab opportunities and run with them
Thank you, Mandy! I’m afraid I am a massive child and toilet humour always makes me die laughing. As does my stupid dog when she tries to fight her snacks. Xx
One day I will talk about a couple of celebrity 'encounters' but I think I'll save it for the book! Sorry. My favourite place to eat in London is probably the Kensington restaurant Maggie Jones. It's really old school. They do amazing pies as well as other slightly old-fashioned stuff like the best chicken roasted in tarragon I've ever had. It's cosy, dimly-lit, they're incredibly friendly. I had my 50th birthday there I love it so much. The best press trip? I mean, I've been pretty fucking spoilt in my time I can't lie. Probably the maddest one was being flown first class to San Francisco to the launch of the Apple watch. Seriously I had my own butler in the hotel. But I was pretty lonely on that one. One of the most fun ones was being flown, private jet, to Montenegro with a crew that included David Gandy, where our 'work' involved driving around new Jaguars for a few days. Hell, I tell you. HELL. We did have a giggle. Favourite Peloton instructor? Hmmm, it really depends on my mood, but some people know I have already basically bullied the wonderful Leanne Hainsby into being my friend. She, Elizabeth Day and I have a very active whatsapp group which brings me joy. I'm also very into Cody Rigsby who makes me laugh a lot and the bootcamp crew, Jess Sims, Callie Gullickson and Tunde Oyenyin. xx
Fantastic! Get writing that book I'll buy it on pre-order. The press trips sound amazing. As for Peloton I love that Leanne is your buddy. I'll see you on the leaderboard. 🚲💦
Thanks for doing this Jo! Really loved your latest newsletter about saying yes to opportunities when doubt creeps in. Do you have any tips for when you’re lacking motivation? I do genuinely love my job and feel lucky and grateful to do it - I work as a editor of books for primary school children. But for some reason right now (and I’m getting over Covid, so maybe that’s a factor) I have a severe ‘meh’ feeling sitting at my desk. Not helpful when I have deadlines to meet! Xx
Thanks Georgie! Maybe you just need a holiday! No one should have to feel guilty if they're not approaching every single task, every single day, like it's a smash and grab at a Gucci outlet, come on. Also, Covid is definitely a factor, I've only recently had it for the first time ever and that shit sucks. The only thing I can suggest for short term motivation is resolve to plough head long into the task that's really making your heart sink. You'll feel so great when it's done. When I really need to discipline myself to write something when actually I'd rather just look at BTS dance practice videos all day, I make a deal with myself. 'Just put in a solid hour. Just write whatever you can manage in this next hour.' USUALLY, within that hour, I get in the flow and when it starts to work on the page, it motivates me to see it through to the end. And THEN I watch BTS videos. xx
I’m loving your newsletters so much! I love the honesty, and love every time a new one is posted. How do you feel about leaving the “media” and heading into the charity sector? It’s something I’ve half done/want to but for years my identity has been made up of me being a “journalist”, which can be a strange one to shake off!
Thank you so much, Amy! Well, the things that drew me to this charity sector job are that they want me to put my media skills to work for them - creative ideas for fundraising and profile-raising projects, connecting with a whole new area of contacts and banging the drum for an organisation that is helping to save more and more children's lives. They're also very supportive of me fulfilling my role in three days a week. The rest of the time I am writing, broadcasting, consulting and working on some other projects. I think the hybrid nature of my new career will hopefully be a huge benefit to the charity and help me keep my hand in media. It can be a damn brutal industry - particularly as consumer habits have changed so much - but those of us who do it really love it, don't we? But to be honest, in terms of identity, I think the things that make you a journalist will always be in you, and in my experience more and more industries are crying out for our ability to tell stories and connect people. So you would definitely still find yourself using everything you've learned as a journalist. xx
Professionally, has there ever been a trend/idea/movement that you wish you’d come up with or got on board with first? Similarly a book or piece of written work that you’d wish you had written yourself? As it is Earth day, favourite place on earth?
Hello Sarah! I wish I had thought of net a porter. How did I, the world's biggest shopaholic, not think of that? Props to Natalie Massenet who has done very very well out of forging ahead with an idea that, in 2000, tons of people told her was crazy. And I have basically been mainlining my salary into internet shopping ever since. Written work? That's too hard, I'll have to think about that one for days. The short answer is: all of it because I really admire people who have the discipline and the courage to write a book or a screenplay or anything like that. Favourite place on earth? Again, are you actually making me choose? If we're taking my love of my birth city Sydney as a given, I'd have to say that I feel so lucky to have been to The Maldives. I ended up on holiday there right when I thought work stress was going to destroy me and the recharge was like none I'd ever had on holiday before. There's really not much to do there except look at pretty coloured ocean and relax.
Hi Jo, you might not be able to answer this for various reasons but what were your thoughts on the direction Glamour took after you left? I was a long standing subscriber but after it went quarterly I found the tone of it changed dramatically. It felt like it became far more of a 'fashion' magazine, with articles on plastic surgery (and why you should have it) etc rather than celebrating individuals for who they are. Did you notice this or did you avoid reading the Mag after you left (as I do...!)
Ha ha! Do you know what, I'm not sure how to answer this. Here goes....First of all, thank you very much for your kind words about my version of Glamour. I think, by the time it was decided that I was going, the mood had shifted so much in the company to one in which anything to do with my stamp on the magazine came to be regarded as the wrong direction. It happens. I'd been there a long time. Of course I looked at the first new version of the print issue with great interest. And I was so scared of how I might feel about it. I was pretty bruised after the whole way things ended there for me. But I was torn because the new team featured a lot of people I still cared about personally and had huge respect for. So I didn't want it to fail at all but obviously I didn't love the idea of everyone thinking it was soooooo much better without me. Lol. I ended up being annoyed at how good I thought that first print mag looked - full of fun, indulgent photography and creative layouts. But it also left me with the impression that it was more of a picture book with not that much to read in it. And they clearly wanted to make it younger and more beauty -focused so I was never going to be the right person to deliver that vision. These days, I don't look at it. It's not speaking to me at all and it doesn't want to. My over-riding impression of the brand now is that it's a completely different product to what I was doing. And honestly, it's such a weird feeling to look at the mag, or come across the logo on Instagram or Twitter and not feel like it's got anything to do with me, but also that it never did have anything to do with me. It's just an entirely different business to the one I worked on. I doubt anyone who works there now has any great memory or knowledge of the 'old Glamour', nor anyone who worked on it. It's kind of sad, but that's business. xx
I’ve watched Palace Confidential over the last 3 months and enjoy the program a lot for the most part. There is one caveat— the hair style & wardrobe choices of Jo Elvin immensely distract from her talent. The Nov 16th ensemble was much too distracting— especially the boots. Overall it’s a great program and I’ll continue to watch. I love her guests.
Love to laugh for “real” as opposed to laugh trying to fend off other thoughts and or emotions.
Hello, Jo! I really enjoy you on Palace Confidential and your banter with all of the correspondents. How did you get that gig? And if you were a member of the Royal family (a life turn I sense you would not prefer!), which cause would you want to be the patron for?
😂 How did I get that gig? I got told to do it! But I must say I really do have fun doing it and I’m delighted that the boss asked me to keep doing it. If I was a member of the royal family I would love to split my patronages between Children With Cancer UK, Women’s Aid and Refuge. Xx
Hi Jo, What is guaranteed to make you ‘belly laugh’? For me it’s Laurel & Hardy😀 LOVE your newsletters, they are inspiring me to grab opportunities and run with them
Thank you, Mandy! I’m afraid I am a massive child and toilet humour always makes me die laughing. As does my stupid dog when she tries to fight her snacks. Xx
❤️this and feel the same way✅
I’m afraid I am a massive child and toilet humour always makes me die laughing.
Brilliant! As long as we laugh hard and freely that’s all that matters! 😀
Do you have any celebrity feuds? Spill the tea.
What's your favourite place to eat in London and why?
Tell me about the best press trip you've ever been on?
Whose your favourite Peloton Instructor?
One day I will talk about a couple of celebrity 'encounters' but I think I'll save it for the book! Sorry. My favourite place to eat in London is probably the Kensington restaurant Maggie Jones. It's really old school. They do amazing pies as well as other slightly old-fashioned stuff like the best chicken roasted in tarragon I've ever had. It's cosy, dimly-lit, they're incredibly friendly. I had my 50th birthday there I love it so much. The best press trip? I mean, I've been pretty fucking spoilt in my time I can't lie. Probably the maddest one was being flown first class to San Francisco to the launch of the Apple watch. Seriously I had my own butler in the hotel. But I was pretty lonely on that one. One of the most fun ones was being flown, private jet, to Montenegro with a crew that included David Gandy, where our 'work' involved driving around new Jaguars for a few days. Hell, I tell you. HELL. We did have a giggle. Favourite Peloton instructor? Hmmm, it really depends on my mood, but some people know I have already basically bullied the wonderful Leanne Hainsby into being my friend. She, Elizabeth Day and I have a very active whatsapp group which brings me joy. I'm also very into Cody Rigsby who makes me laugh a lot and the bootcamp crew, Jess Sims, Callie Gullickson and Tunde Oyenyin. xx
Is the boot camp members closed ?
Fantastic! Get writing that book I'll buy it on pre-order. The press trips sound amazing. As for Peloton I love that Leanne is your buddy. I'll see you on the leaderboard. 🚲💦
What’s your leaderboard name? I am SoreBumCheeks
Lol great name! I'm #PugOnAPeloton
Bum or bun cheeks?
Thanks for doing this Jo! Really loved your latest newsletter about saying yes to opportunities when doubt creeps in. Do you have any tips for when you’re lacking motivation? I do genuinely love my job and feel lucky and grateful to do it - I work as a editor of books for primary school children. But for some reason right now (and I’m getting over Covid, so maybe that’s a factor) I have a severe ‘meh’ feeling sitting at my desk. Not helpful when I have deadlines to meet! Xx
Don’t forget to be nice to you. As recovering from Covid or any illness, patience is everything. One day soon you’ll look back this and laugh 😂
Look back on is what I meant. Thanks
Thanks Georgie! Maybe you just need a holiday! No one should have to feel guilty if they're not approaching every single task, every single day, like it's a smash and grab at a Gucci outlet, come on. Also, Covid is definitely a factor, I've only recently had it for the first time ever and that shit sucks. The only thing I can suggest for short term motivation is resolve to plough head long into the task that's really making your heart sink. You'll feel so great when it's done. When I really need to discipline myself to write something when actually I'd rather just look at BTS dance practice videos all day, I make a deal with myself. 'Just put in a solid hour. Just write whatever you can manage in this next hour.' USUALLY, within that hour, I get in the flow and when it starts to work on the page, it motivates me to see it through to the end. And THEN I watch BTS videos. xx
I’m loving your newsletters so much! I love the honesty, and love every time a new one is posted. How do you feel about leaving the “media” and heading into the charity sector? It’s something I’ve half done/want to but for years my identity has been made up of me being a “journalist”, which can be a strange one to shake off!
Thank you so much, Amy! Well, the things that drew me to this charity sector job are that they want me to put my media skills to work for them - creative ideas for fundraising and profile-raising projects, connecting with a whole new area of contacts and banging the drum for an organisation that is helping to save more and more children's lives. They're also very supportive of me fulfilling my role in three days a week. The rest of the time I am writing, broadcasting, consulting and working on some other projects. I think the hybrid nature of my new career will hopefully be a huge benefit to the charity and help me keep my hand in media. It can be a damn brutal industry - particularly as consumer habits have changed so much - but those of us who do it really love it, don't we? But to be honest, in terms of identity, I think the things that make you a journalist will always be in you, and in my experience more and more industries are crying out for our ability to tell stories and connect people. So you would definitely still find yourself using everything you've learned as a journalist. xx
That’s so true about the skills a journalist has. That hybrid career combo sounds perfect. Excited to see what you do next! Thank you ☺️
Professionally, has there ever been a trend/idea/movement that you wish you’d come up with or got on board with first? Similarly a book or piece of written work that you’d wish you had written yourself? As it is Earth day, favourite place on earth?
The Maldivian sea is Shawol-coloured, Sarah. I mean.... I know that speaks to you.
Hello Sarah! I wish I had thought of net a porter. How did I, the world's biggest shopaholic, not think of that? Props to Natalie Massenet who has done very very well out of forging ahead with an idea that, in 2000, tons of people told her was crazy. And I have basically been mainlining my salary into internet shopping ever since. Written work? That's too hard, I'll have to think about that one for days. The short answer is: all of it because I really admire people who have the discipline and the courage to write a book or a screenplay or anything like that. Favourite place on earth? Again, are you actually making me choose? If we're taking my love of my birth city Sydney as a given, I'd have to say that I feel so lucky to have been to The Maldives. I ended up on holiday there right when I thought work stress was going to destroy me and the recharge was like none I'd ever had on holiday before. There's really not much to do there except look at pretty coloured ocean and relax.
Hi Jo, you might not be able to answer this for various reasons but what were your thoughts on the direction Glamour took after you left? I was a long standing subscriber but after it went quarterly I found the tone of it changed dramatically. It felt like it became far more of a 'fashion' magazine, with articles on plastic surgery (and why you should have it) etc rather than celebrating individuals for who they are. Did you notice this or did you avoid reading the Mag after you left (as I do...!)
Ha ha! Do you know what, I'm not sure how to answer this. Here goes....First of all, thank you very much for your kind words about my version of Glamour. I think, by the time it was decided that I was going, the mood had shifted so much in the company to one in which anything to do with my stamp on the magazine came to be regarded as the wrong direction. It happens. I'd been there a long time. Of course I looked at the first new version of the print issue with great interest. And I was so scared of how I might feel about it. I was pretty bruised after the whole way things ended there for me. But I was torn because the new team featured a lot of people I still cared about personally and had huge respect for. So I didn't want it to fail at all but obviously I didn't love the idea of everyone thinking it was soooooo much better without me. Lol. I ended up being annoyed at how good I thought that first print mag looked - full of fun, indulgent photography and creative layouts. But it also left me with the impression that it was more of a picture book with not that much to read in it. And they clearly wanted to make it younger and more beauty -focused so I was never going to be the right person to deliver that vision. These days, I don't look at it. It's not speaking to me at all and it doesn't want to. My over-riding impression of the brand now is that it's a completely different product to what I was doing. And honestly, it's such a weird feeling to look at the mag, or come across the logo on Instagram or Twitter and not feel like it's got anything to do with me, but also that it never did have anything to do with me. It's just an entirely different business to the one I worked on. I doubt anyone who works there now has any great memory or knowledge of the 'old Glamour', nor anyone who worked on it. It's kind of sad, but that's business. xx