Roz Savage Project

Roz talks about the value of getting to know the real you, the person behind the persona, and the benefits it brings in terms of self-respect, clarity of purpose, and greater energy and charisma. And somehow Beirut hostage John McCarthy and Mrs Doubtfire find their way in there too.

Roz talks about a theme she explores in her new book, The Gifts of Solitude - using lockdown as an opportunity to consider how we usually spend our time. Do you have a strong sense of what is important to you, or do you allow other people’s “important" to become yours? When we go back to something like normal, do you want to adjust your priorities? This isn’t about being efficient - it’s about being effective, and making sure that you are intentional about where your time goes… which includes having the freedom to sometimes do absolutely nothing!

Roz introduces her new book, The Gifts of Solitude, and offers a few tips on how to survive - and thrive - in solitude.

Roz shares a story about some advice a friend gave her when she was rowing the Atlantic about how to keep things in perspective during trying times. No matter how long an ocean crossing - or lockdown - seems to drag on, this too shall pass. Also an exciting update about the publication of “Gifts of Solitude”.

Roz talks about the need to be kind to ourselves when we’re in difficult and/or solitary situations. When there aren’t other people around to be our best friend, we have to be best friend to ourselves - celebrate our successes, and be compassionate to our shortcomings.

Roz talks with fellow adventurer, Pen Hadow, about his experiences of solitude as he trekked solo to the North Pole in 2003, during which they discover that they both talk to themselves while on expedition, and it’s not a sign of insanity. Honestly.

Roz talks about the coronavirus as a collective rite of passage into a higher level of maturity - and such transitions are invariably hard, and humbling.

Roz talks with her longtime friend, psychotherapist and author Sue Brayne, about grief, death, solitude, and spirituality. This interview is part of a series for Roz’s upcoming book, The Gifts of Solitude, inspired by the coronavirus. For more, see https://www.thegiftsofsolitude.com/

Roz talks with Steve Cole, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences in the UCLA School of Medicine, about his fascinating work on the links between feelings of isolation, finding a sense of purpose, and our health. The way we feel about our lives - whether we feel engaged and purposeful, or isolated and lonely, has a very real impact right down at the epigenetic level of our cells. When it comes to our health, we really are creating our own physical reality. If you’re interested to find out more about Steve’s work, he has published an enormous number of papers, but you might prefer to start with less technical articles from the mainstream media listed below.

Roz interviews British Buddhist nun Tenzin Palmo, who spent 12 years alone in a cave in the Himalayas, so she knows a thing or two about solitude and its gifts, and has some practical and timely advice about how we can endure present hardships. An account of this interview will be included in Roz’s upcoming book, #thegiftsofsolitude.