FEATURE:
Reasons to Be Hopeful
IN THIS PHOTO: The phenomenal author, journalist and broadcaster Caitlin Moran joined fellow queen, the journalist, author, broadcaster and podcaster Bryony Gordon onstage for The Trouble Club on Wednesday, 20th May, 2026. Her upcoming book, How to Be Hopeful, is released on 17th September, 2026/PHOTO CREDIT: Caitlin Moran
Why a Recent Event at The Trouble Club Put Things Into Focus for Me
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I am not hopeful…
PHOTO CREDIT: ClickerHappy/Pexels
at the moment. Not by a long shot! Though I think I will be…soon. On a personal level, I am living with a spike in a mental health downturn and, coupled with that, huge job dissatisfaction and depression, which has created a feeling that I have not had since I was a child and dreaded the Sunday night theme of Antiques Roadshow. A jaunty theme that played on Sunday evenings let me know – with brutal and tweed-blazered glee – that school was tomorrow. Not that I hated school, but it was a deep knot in the pit of my stomach. That is how I feel now. A cocktail of insomnia, depression and a real unhappiness in a current role. Whereas a decades-running antiques show on the BBC was the catalyst for a Sunday evening crisis and churn in the stomach, in 2026, it is un-soundtracked. A solemn silence that gives way to a near-tears numbness. That I almost need to brace myself for. Though I can do something about that. On a local level, the streets where I live and walked today (25th May) are festooned and engulfed with cans, broken glass and assorted litter. A result of Arsenal lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time in over two decades – and the only time they will for the next twenty-or-so, let’s be honest!-, the response to a moment of collective joy manifested itself in a disrespectful and drunken show of idiocy and inconsideration that means on the hottest day of this year, local refuge collectors have their work cut out! Or, as it is a bank holiday, it will probably be worked on tomorrow. Which means the streets where I live and beyond – Finsbury Park to Highbury – look absolutely awful! Football fans are bloody awful when it comes to littering, fighting, causing mayhem and generally being loud and obnoxious. Especially men. Not too tarnish them all, but why does competitive sport do this to people?! On a national level, as I type this on a day when temperatures in the capital have well exceeded thirty degrees centigrade, there is no urgency or alarm. Some may say it is a heatwave and it is normal. There is nothing normal about the temperature being this high in late-May! It is a sign of climate crisis that should alarm us and spur us into action. And yet, when I hear the news and the forecast being read, there is talk of this being a record day in terms of heat for May. Almost like it is an achievement, rather than something that should chill every one of us to the core (there is a little bit of information from the BBC about the climate crisis, though it is buried away).
IN THIS PHOTO: Cate Blanchett/PHOTO CREDIT: Pari Dukovic for The New Yorker
Beyond that, there have been news stories and things happening that has also provided a body-blow to any sense of hope. On a less serious and appealing way, actress Cate Blanchett said this regarding her experience on film sets: “I’m still on film sets and I do the headcount every day. There’s 10 women and there’s 75 men every morning,” said Cate Blanchett at the Cannes film festival, criticising the pervasive sexism of the film industry, almost a decade after the #MeToo movement. “It got killed very quickly, which I think is interesting” she said, referencing #MeToo, the campaign that aimed to raise awareness of sexual abuse against women after the bombshell allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein. “There are a lot of people with platforms who are able to speak up with relative safety and say this has happened to me,” Blanchett said. “And the so-called average woman on the street, person on the street, is saying ‘me too’. Why does that get shut down?” In 2018, when she was president of the jury in Cannes, Blanchett took part in a red-carpet protest. She and 81 other women appeared on the steps of the Palais des Festivals, representing the total number of female directors who had been selected for the Cannes competition lineup, compared with the 1,866 male directors who had been selected over the same period. “I love men, but what happens is the jokes become the same,” she said. “You just have to brace yourself slightly, and I’m used to that, but it just gets boring for everybody when you walk into a homogeneous workplace. I think it has an effect on the work,” she added”. In this article from The Guardian , the headline ran: “Films more likely to star an actor called Chris or a talking animal than a woman over 60, study finds”. They write how the brilliant “Emma Thompson (is) among voices supporting anti-ageism campaign, which has uncovered striking findings in top-grossing UK films over past three years”. From this, we can see that Hollywood is still massively ageist. Especially against women. Older men might not helm many films, especially bigger box office draws, though the reality for women is far bleaker. They are not deemed bankable, desirable, important, worthy. A sense that they will tank a film or put cinema-goers off if they are the stars. I have great admiration for the brilliant younger actresses who are among the most talented we have seen in generations. However, this idea that it is only young women who can star. If you are a woman over sixty then you are seen as past-it or somehow overage. These brilliant women over sixty have that experience and talent. Yet so much of the focus is on appearance, sexual desirability, a ‘cool factor’, or this ageist bias that is misogynistic and insulting. How there needs to be a new #MeToo movement in Hollywood – though Cate Blanchett also observed how the movement got killed very quickly.
IN THIS PHOTO: Emma Thompson/PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Marsland/WireImage
It is the same in music. Not as extreme as in Hollywood, but ageism still very much rife. One of music’s greatest voices and humans, Kylie Minogue, bravely revealed that she had a second cancer diagnosis in 2021, after receiving treatment for breast cancer in 2005. She is planning ahead to a new tour and there will be celebrations later in the year when Fever – one of her masterpiece – turns twenty-five. Can’t Get You Out of My Head turns twenty-five. The fifty-seven-year-old arguably at her peak. Or this new era that shows she is as vital and extraordinary as ever! And yet, her name has not popped up when it comes to major festivals and their headline acts. I often rant about massive gender equality on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage. Where as Minogue last year? Why no headline slot at Reading & Leeds this year? Only one (again: one) woman over the age of forty has headlined Glastonbury in its history. I don’t know how many have at Reading & Leeds, though ageism still hugely affects women in music. Also, briefly, go and watch the Kylie documentary on Netflix. as it has won a slew of hugely positive reviews because of Minogue’s openness and honesty. A portrait of one of the all-time greats in music. In terms of the stations they can be played on and how the media – and I am culpable to an extent – focuses on new, young female voices and there is far less time and effort spotlighting the brilliance of women over forty. Misogyny and sexism rife and blooming through the music industry. From a lack of women in professional studios to incidents of sexual abuse and assault, an industry I love so much is also in need of a revolution or reaction. And it is always women who have to shout and lead the initiative. Bar a very small percentage of men who will ally themselves, it is always, always women. The ones who are victimised, abused, rejected, overlooked and marginalised are the ones who have to fight for justice and change! And women are dominating music. It has been the case for years, yet, say, from 2019 to now, most of the best and most important albums and tours are created by women. That was the case last year; it will be the case this year. Most of the finest and most exciting new artists are women. However, what should be reflected in playlist dominance, festival glory and this affect where the whole industry changes – whether from a patriarchy to a matriarchy, or basically treating women with respect! – and women throughout are giving their flowers, rights and respect, it is not happening at all. Artists like Self Esteem (Rebecca Lucy Taylor) talking about it and her ongoing experiences. The misogyny through the industry. Award ceremonies like the Ivor Novellos male-heavy. Most major award ceremonies struggling to affect gender equality or, in some cases, taking a step back. Most big radio stations still have male-heavy playlists.
There might not be an easy answer or quick change. Though there needs to be greater urgency from men. So so few talking about these issues on stage or in interviews. A one-sided fight almost. Why should issues created by men be tackled by women?! This current situation leaves me feeling lost and without much hope. Though I am hopeful that, in years to come, things will drastically improve. We are seeing small steps at the moment, though far too major problems and barriers remain. Women over forty very much face an uphill struggle regarding playlisting, bookings and getting column inches. Not to mention the lack of options for women who have children and want to continue their career and tour! These are words that we should never have to read: “The attorney general is to review the sentencing of three teenage boys who raped two girls in separate attacks, after criticism their sentences were too lenient. The boys, two aged 15 and one 14, were not given custodial sentences for the attacks in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in 2024 and 2025. They "brazenly filmed" the rapes on their phones and later shared some of the footage online. The teenagers were given youth rehabilitation orders (YRO) and walked out of court with 10 rape convictions between them”. In the sense that boys who filmed a rape and bragged about it should not be let off with what is essential a mild slap on the wrist! The traumatised girl who was raped said the sentence and outcome was like a rock smashing into her face. It goes to show that the justice systems is set up and run by men. It is there to benefit men! Women and girls have fewer legal rights. This recent article is well worth a read. It is horrifying that we live in a world where we have to campaign for women and girls’ basic human rights. That they get justice. Rape cases should never ever be almost trivialised with such insanely lenient repercussions for the perpetrators. This makes me lose all hope too. Again, there will be change and improvement, though it mostly women again who will have to do the work and battle to make things better.
IN THIS PHOTO: The Trouble Club’s CEO and owner, Ellie Newton/PHOTO CREDIT: Ioana Marinca
From personal stress to global mess, what reason is there to be hopeful?! A recent highlight was attending The Trouble Club. Run by CEO and owner, Ellie Newton, she has just made the Forbes 30 Under 30 List for 2026, “The Trouble Club is a women's community dedicated to meaningful conversation, connection, and curiosity. Its current leader took over at 23 during the COVID-19 pandemic, inheriting $80,000 in debt, 70 members, and just $10,500 in annual revenue. Since then, the club has grown to more than 2,300 members and has brought in $1.7 million, including $670,000 in 2025. The Trouble Club has facilitated hundreds of thousands of conversations across politics, culture, and society as it seeks to grow its two locations to a larger global network”. You can follow The Trouble Club on Instagram. I have been a member over three years, and I cannot recommend it highly enough! They hold dinners, breakfasts, book clubs, social events and, above all, their brilliant talks and events. Where women across the media, politics, the arts and beyond speak (my current wish-list for speakers includes Michaela Coel, Kathy Burke, Miriam Margolyes, Dr. Myriam François, Angela Rayner, Lauren Laverne, Gillian Anderson, Tracey Emin, and Florence Welch). Last Wednesday - 20th May -, the most memorable event I have been to was a conversation with Bryony Gordon and Caitlin Moran. Hosted by Ellie Newton, she was her usual phenomenal best (not that she ever needs an executive assistant, but that would be a dream job as she is someone whose stock will continue to rise. Such an inspiration). And how this event made such an impact is that I (and everyone else) left with a real and true feeling of hope. I always love being at Trouble Club events and being surrounded by the amazing members. There are a few men at the events, but it is largely women who attend.
A couple of the questions at the Q&A (held at the end of the interview) were brilliant! I can’t remember their names, but one of the few men at St Marylebone Parish Church, London for the event, was very funny and asked a great question. A woman threw a question back as Caitlin Moran that she had asked Paul McCartney years ago. Stunning the former Beatle, Moran asked whose face he would replace his own with if he were ever in a car crash and that was an option. Or would he keep his own? To note: McCartney weas horrified and left the interview but later felt bad and invited Moran to his house to do sleeve notes for his then-new album. She felt bad, or that she would offend him/make things worse, and declined his kind offer. Cheekily posing that question to Moran was genius! It was a joyful evening, not least because of the friendship and love between Bryony Gordon and Caitlin Moran. How frank and open they were. Gordon’s new book, People Pleaser, is one you should buy. On 17th September, I will be racing down to Waterstones in Piccadilly Circus to buy a copy of Caitlin Moran’s How to Be Hopeful: “Not getting enough sleep, doomscrolling on your phone, and feeling acid anxiety every time you watch the news? You’re not alone. One morning, Caitlin Moran lay in bed and realised: she had finally reached Peak Despair. The point where, in books and movies, the heroine decides to move to a remote farmhouse, walk an ancient, 600-mile pathway, or adopt a baby hare. The moment where someone goes on a quest to find … hope. But this - this is not that kind of book. Caitlin tried - but it turns out remote Welsh farmhouses are really expensive. No-one with a job can walk 600 miles. And it’s incredibly hard to get access to baby hares in Crouch End. And so, Caitlin decides instead to go on a domestic quest. To see if you can stay in the same house, in the same neighbourhood, but feel better about the frantic modern world by trying to make better days. Leaving social media, eschewing 24/7 news for local newspapers, sitting on buses without headphones, and listening to what people are really saying. Picking litter, donating blood, rewilding a garden, and the hardest thing of all - learning to fall back in love with the world again. Over the course of a year, Caitlin finds that life can be radically transformed when you rebel against the news cycle and algorithms that want to keep us angry, adrenalied, and anxious. You can’t change the world - but you can change your days. And, once you’ve changed your days, maybe you could change the world. Just a little bit. Being hopeful is a decision. How To Be Hopeful is the diary of how one person made that change”. It is almost like a blur taking in everything that was discussed at the event but, in such a gorgeous venue and surrounded by incredible women – and a few men too -, I came away very much feeling truly hopeful. Bryony Gordon was absolutely brilliant, and something Caitlin Moran said put everything into perspective. About keeping your side of the street tidy and clean. How there are big issues and horrible things happening. And we shouldn’t ignore them. But just take care of you and those close to you. A year where you live hopefully and do little things that are productive and positive. The issues of the world will still be there, but by changing your own days, it will make you more hopeful about things in general.
Apologies if I am butchering that – luckily, Caitlin Moran will more than likely not see this! -, but I have booked a ticket to see her at St Mary's Church Marylebone. I would consider myself to be a pretty ardent (is that the right word?!) feminist, though not one that is vocal and as proactive as I should be. As Caitlin Moran said, introverts and those who might be neurodivergent for instance, want to sit at the laptop with a cup of tea and might not want to do a podcast or be extroverted. It is harder for me in that sense. One reason why I do not do regular Kate Bush podcasts (though I will in January 2028 for fiftieth anniversary celebrations and, as Caitlin Moran briefly sung a bit of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights – and rudely had her microphone cut! -, she is someone who would provide real depth into the song’s brilliance and legacy) is because I am quite introverted. So I write as much as I can and I try to make a difference that way. Though I am committed and compelled to do more. Whether signing a petition, writing to my M.P., joining a protest or doing whatever I can to make a difference, it is often hindered by a lack of hope. That lethargy. I was revitalised by that brilliant conversation between Caitlin Moran and Bryony Gordon (and Ellie Newton). Though I am still very much fearing turning up to work tomorrow and I am appalled by the news and ageism/misogyny blighting the film and music industries, I do need to find a way through. Or a way or living more hopefully! It is amazing how something as minor as attending a Trouble Club event can shift things so drastically. This is very much a feature to promote them and become a member, but it was also a way for me to exorcise something. Or try to get stuff off of my chest. Exciting events ahead. Emma-Louise Boynton on Thursday (28th May) at The Ministry. That will be spectacular, as I have seen her speak for The Trouble Club before, and she is so engaging, thought-provoking, articulate, compelling and phenomenal. I wanted to finish by saluting Caitlin Moran, Bryony Gordon, Ellie Newton and The Trouble Club, as they have impacted me at a time when I did need a reason to be hopeful. And I have! I am confident that things for me will (slowly, mind) improve, I also have my fingers crossed that, in the wider world, things turn…
A lot more hopeful.