The Talks

Suitable for those over 18

Based on PI’s epic walk across America, female and unguarded, PI explains how when writing her book “Everything You Ever Taught Me” she discovered that she gets ‘extra kudos’ for doing exactly the same activity the men were doing (who got kudos too - just not the magical kind). Yet is in more significant ways women are vanquished from their own narratives, and this impacts our self-conscious thoughts.  

So why are women considered braver than men?

And why do twice as many women struggle with anxiety?

Practical, proven tactics for getting through the tough moments - not the usual self-help gubbins that supposedly ‘work for everyone’.

Funny, inspiring and infuriating!

For teenage girls

Why are girls better at getting the grades when doing the theory, yet less likely to thrive in the practicals? What exactly is conspiring to undermine the teenage girls’ self-esteem?

Inspired by the question "What do you wish you could have told you teenage self?" PI set off to remind herself of the innerworkings of the teenage brain when writing her forthcoming book "Everywhere I Never Wanted To Go."

Making obvious the devastating power of subliminal persuasion, PI offers common-sense, age-appropriate, non-embarrassing tactics to counter those invisible forces that can thwart teenagers' progress through the complex and confusing teenage years. 

Parents/carers go free!

Teenagers should bring their phones!

(up to 45 mins)

In 2020, whilst fat, forty-sob-sob-sob-something and female, Person Irresponsible hiked alone from Mexico to Canada - a distance of 2,653 miles if one excludes those spent getting lost or traipsing off trail to resupply. 

Filled with pictures of her epic journey, PI tells the tale of dealing with bears, rattlesnakes, avalanches and other people all with great humour and vivid descriptions!

This talk can be adapted to suit the audience's preferences.

Popular with conferences, the WI/U3A, Women's Aid.  

the long term impact

Strictly for ex-boarders and therapists

One of the saddest realisations I have had was understanding the impact that boarding school had on my psyche, my sense of self and my mental wellbeing. 

Those who went usually do not talk about the experiences and yet struggle to make sense of a world they were ill-prepared for until the wheels come off: divorce, job loss, a big birthday or just being a hands-on parent to a child who is now the age they were sent away. Often we go for therapy, only for us never to mention our boarding school backgrounds. 

This talk gives insight into some of the common traits and thoughts experienced by those brought up in boarding school in a gentle and supportive manner.  

Adult. Very Adult.

For teenage girls