As the Women’s Prize for Fiction celebrates 25 years, we look back at some of the previous winners to see what happened next in their careers. We focus on the prize itself, what made it so important when it started in 1996, why it is still so important today and what the landscape is like in 2020 for new writers and for those shortlisted. In the final episode of this series – brought to you by NatWest, a proud partner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction – we speak to 2018 winner Kamila Shamsie; WPFF founder-director and bestselling novelist Kate Mosse; and one of 2020’s shortlisted authors, Natalie Haynes.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Championing Women's Voices

Episode 3: Women’s Prize for Fiction at 25

Everyone has the potential to write a novel – but few manage it. So how do you get started to tackle that blank page and find a writing routine? In the second of three podcasts – brought to you by NatWest, a proud partner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction – we speak to 2018 WPFF winner Kamila Shamsie; head of Curtis Brown Creative Anna Davis; and one of WPFF 2020’s shortlisted authors, Natalie Haynes, about how they got started.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 2: How to write your first novel

The simple act of reading a book rewards the reader with a sense of calm, patience, escapism and mindfulness. In the first of this podcast series, comedian, writer and Women’s Prize for Fiction judge Viv Groskop discusses the positive mental impact of reading with Debbie Hicks, creative director of literacy charity The Reading Agency, and author Natalie Haynes, whose novel, A Thousand Ships, is shortlisted for the prize this year.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 1: A quiet revolution: How reading supports mental well-being

AI is becoming more and more prevalent in our lives but who is accountable? As the level of technology increases, the expertise needed to understand the actions and processes involved in AI is outpacing general understanding. Wincie and Burcu interview Shinpei Kato, founder of Tier 4, a company bringing autonomous vehicles to Japan's roads.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You Need a Specialist.

Sometimes, the rigidity of tech and human beings are not a good fit. We look at how decisions made by triage and AI can end up with the wrong result for both businesses andfor the people trying to access their services. Faisel Rahman of Fair Finance tells us about how AI is getting it wrong and how the greatest tool in finance may soon be a human being once again.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is AI the Best Decision Maker?

As technology is depended upon more and more for our personal interactions, we ask where is it working for us and where is it working against us? Pete Trainor of Vala Health tells us where the lines are when using tech for the most intimate of discussions and also where it has been used to do the unprecedented.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Does Tech Isolate or Empower Us?

In this the final episode of the series Steph has both Ross Williams of Venntro Media Group and Clare Harris of Talking Tables on the show. They talk about the question that is still affecting every business since lockdown: “Is Working from home the future?” They discuss the pros and cons of working from home and whether it should be considered the ‘new normal’. Ross and Clare have differing perspectives on what working from home means for the future of business.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

WFH - Is This The Future?

In this episode, Steph McGovern speaks to Tamara Littleton, founder and CEO of The Social Element, a digital firm that helps brands deliver their message on social media. When lockdown occurred, The Social Element was in the fortunate position of being able to maintain a remote team, and Tamara quickly realised there was demand from pandemic-panicked firms for a crisis-management solution to their social media offering. Tamara discusses how The Social Element could study what consumers were saying about a particular brand across all the social channels, so that the brand could then respond, adjust its strategy and keep its customers happy during a time of great uncertainty.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Finding Gaps In The Market

As business owners tried to deal with a downturn in trade during lockdown, they were forced to have some difficult conversations with all their stakeholders, from suppliers and employees to customers new and old. In this episode, Steph McGovern talks to Sam Clark, co-founder and director of Experience Travel Group, and Hootan Ahmada, former plastic surgeon and football agent, who now runs an innovative footwear restoration company, Shoe Lab. Sam discusses the tough conversations with holidaymakers whose trips he had to postpone as travel restrictions came in, and how openness and frankness has ultimately worked for the firm, while Hootan describes having to furlough staff and come up with a recovery plan for a business that is now thriving as more people make do and mend.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tough Conversations

In the launch episode of the new series, Steph talks to businesses that changed strategy during the coronavirus lockdown, and adapted their offering to the new climate. Samantha Jameson, founder of luxury bath and body brand Soapsmith, and business partner Ella McKay reveal how they took the decision to pivot and launch a philanthropic initiative to gift soaps to the NHS that ultimately led to an increase in online sales. Meanwhile, Jenny Kitchen, CEO of design agency Yoyo, explains how furlough gave her staff the opportunity to learn new skills that are now helping clients bring their own products to market.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Pivot

In this episode of Adapting to the New Now, Steph McGovern is joined by Ally Maughan, founder of HR consultancy People Puzzles. Steph and Ally discuss ideas and strategies for getting your business confidence back post lockdown. Ally is a member of The Supper Club, a members club for Founders and CEOs with a difference.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Getting Your Confidence Back

In this third episode of Adapting to the New Now, Steph McGovern is joined by Ranzie Anthony, Chief Creative Officer of Athlon. Steph and Ranzie take a look at how to make your marketing more effective, in this difficult time, when marketing the right way is so important. Ranzie is a member of The Supper Club, a members club for Founders and CEOs with a difference.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Making Your Marketing More Effective

In this second episode host Steph McGovern is joined by Merilee Karr, CEO and founder of UnderTheDoormat, as they discuss how to plan to help your business recover successfully coming out of lockdown in 2020. Merilee is a member of The Supper Club, a members club for Founders and CEOs with a difference.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Planning For A Successful 2020 Recovery

With the pandemic affecting our relationship with cash and consumers anxious about returning to bricks-and-mortar shops, how do businesses fully embrace their online operations? In the first instalment of NatWest’s Adapting To The New Now series, Steph McGovern speaks to Tamara Roberts, CEO of Ridgeview Wines, about how the South Downs winery has made a success of its online business to get its award-winning products into the hands of customers.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Taking Your Business Online

This week June is joined by Lynne Parker, the chief executive of Funny Women, an organisation that inspires women to find their voice through humour and award winning comedian, Jenny Bolt. June explores how finding your funny can help in both life and business. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Finding Your Funny

Championing Women’s Voices is the new podcast from Natwest, presented by June Sarpong OBE. June speaks to guests from all walks of life - from business, sport, entertainment and activism to discuss strategies for success and to learn how we can inspire and support one another. We’ll be exploring issues such as imposter syndrome, mental health and overcoming adversity with some truly amazing women. Find out more about how NatWest supports female led businesses by searching: NatWest Women in Business online.Championing Women's Voices is a Pixiu Production for Natwest.

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Championing Women's Voices

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