Latest news with #KattyKay
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Gretchen Rubin: One sentence can change your life
Let's face it: it's hard to be an adult. Even in the past, when times may have seemed easier or simpler, it was still incredibly hard. But try being an adult now, amid a tech revolution, a climate crisis, global political upheaval, economic chaos – you get the picture. So, when someone writes a book that offers to reveal the "secrets of adulthood" – it's worth a listen, especially when that person is Gretchen Rubin. Many of you may know her for her best-selling book, The Happiness Project, but in her latest, Secrets of Adulthood, she unpacks why single-sentence bits of advice are often the most useful at cutting through the noise of life's craziness. The book is chock-full of dozens of profound, yet digestible, bits of wisdom that just seem to make going through life a bit more simple: "The world looks different from a footpath than from a car." "Recognise that, like sleeping with a big dog in a small bed, things that are uncomfortable can also be comforting." Gretchen is such an insightful writer and we had a really thoughtful conversation about advice, life and what it really means to be an adult. If you have a few minutes, you should definitely watch or read some of our discussion below: Below is an excerpt from our conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity. Katty Kay: Gretchen, you've spent a lot of your career looking at things like happiness and habits. Now, you are looking at the Secrets of Adulthood. Do we ever understand the secret of adulthood? I mean, I'm now 60 and I feel I'm a long way off understanding the actual secrets of adulthood. Gretchen Rubin: No, I don't think that we ever do figure it out. But we do learn some lessons throughout life, usually the hard way. And I think that it's very easy to forget those lessons as soon as we've learned them. So, part of it is just reminding ourselves of everything that we've learned and have to keep learning over and over. KK: What is it about the format of a sentence or two that appeals to our brains or that sticks in our brains in a way that a paragraph or a chapter doesn't? GR: There's something called the fluency heuristic, which is the idea that the easier something is to remember, the stickier it is in our brains. And this is why things like alliteration or rhyme often are very powerful. Like 'If it bleeds, it leads', right? I'm sure you've heard that as a journalist. That sticks in the mind better than 'negative news is more likely to attract people's attention than positive news'. Lytton Strachey said that the truest test of a man's intelligence is his ability to make a summary. There is such a discipline in trying to express yourself very, very briefly. A lot of times, my thinking got much clearer when I tried to say it in a very, very short way. KK: We are living in these rather extraordinary, overwhelming times, both technologically, politically, geopolitically, economically. Do you think that is a time when people want aphorisms more? GR: People are always searching for insight and wisdom. I think it's a question of the readiness of the person to hear it. One of my aphorisms is 'it always seems like times are hard.' There's a wonderful anecdote about Michelangelo, who, after he painted the Sistine Chapel, wrote to his father and was like, well, 'the pope is very pleased with my work, but, you know, times are really hard for an artist like me.' And he was living in the High Renaissance, which is considered to be like the high point of Western art. But even he was like, 'Man these are tough times!' That's not to say that we are not in tough times; I think we are. But I'm just saying it's not unusual to feel like you are in tough times. KK: Was this book the culmination of years of experience and failures and ups and downs? Could you have written it when you were 30? GR: I think I needed time and experience to see these things. With the Secrets of Adulthood, a lot of them are just one sentence or two, but for each of them, there is a story behind them. I could tell you, 'Oh, that's that story that's haunted me for years, or that's this paradox that's always puzzled me that I finally figured out.' There's a proverb that [goes], 'When the student is ready, the teacher appears.' I think we've all had that experience where you read a single line and suddenly you see the way forward, or your own thinking is illuminated or something that you kind of vaguely understood is crystallised. And I love it when I read something like that. So, I've been collecting these for years. I couldn't have sat down to write this. They had to come to me over time. KK: Let me give you my non-secrets of my adulthood, which is still a mess, so if you could do my therapy for me – GR: My sister calls me a happiness bully, because if I think there's a way I can make you happier, I can get very insistent. So, OK, bring it on! KK: Excellent. So, I get distracted a lot. This morning, I found myself listening to one of your interviews, flicking through Walter Isaacson's biography of Elon Musk, all whilst listening to a podcast. None of this is effective. I know this. I'm a reasonably sensible, intelligent adult. I know that's a crap way to spend my time. What's the way to fix that? GR: The one that comes to mind is the secret of adulthood, which is 'working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination.' So, if you find yourself multitasking as a way to avoid doing something that would be very difficult and is probably your real priority. As somebody who writes nonfiction, I'm always like, 'I need to research that.' And research is great, but if I find myself going down some deep rabbit hole of information just because I'm interested, I often stop and say, 'OK, this might be valuable, but is it a good use of my time right now? Am I actually working on what my project is right now?' And often the answer is no, it is not. KK: OK, I'm gonna repeat one of your own lines back to you, one of which I loved and helped me this morning. So, when I was stupidly multitasking, I thought of this one: 'If you don't know what to do with yourself, go outside or go to sleep.' And I went and walked around the block and you were right! GR: Yes, it works, right? KK: I was almost kind of annoyed at how well it worked! But there's another one: 'It's easier to notice the exceptional than the familiar. So, to observe the obvious requires intense attention.' Talk me through that one a little bit. What were you thinking of? GR: I'm always better off when I'm idiosyncratic. So, for instance, I'm one of these super all-or-nothing people. I can do something never or I can do it all the time, but I can't do it sometimes or just a little bit. I have a sweet tooth and people kept saying, 'Well, be moderate, follow the 80-20 rule. Just have half a brownie. Don't demonise certain foods.' And then I was like, 'You know what? I'm going to just try giving it up altogether.' And for me – and it turns out for a small number of people – it was easier to have none of something that is a strong temptation. Something that was working very well for other people did not work for me. And so instead of thinking, 'What's wrong with me?' I thought that maybe, there's a different way for me. --
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Food is a language everyone understands': Yotam Ottolenghi on how cuisine connects people
The famed chef and author tells the BBC's Katty Kay that it was finding academia too 'esoteric' that led him to seek out a simpler path: to help the world simplify its food. Yotam Ottolenghi's singular style of cooking has been embraced across the globe. Focusing on simple ingredients and treating food as a way to bring friends and family together, he's become a renowned chef, a best-selling author and a touchstone for home cooks looking to incorporate global flavours into their everyday rotations. The chef, father and former philosophy student explains to BBC special correspondent Katty Kay, in her interview series Influential, that having parents who cooked helped shape his path. However, he says that it was the sense of belonging that came with cooking – not family expectations – that truly drew him in. "There was a quiet expectation that I would probably become an academic," he says. "I don't remember having a conversation, which must have happened. 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' I don't remember that." His parents were both in education – his father, Michael, was a chemistry professor at Jerusalem's Hebrew University – but Ottolenghi notes that his folks both had experience in the kitchen. "Food was very important. We had good ingredients, good cooking. Both my parents were good cooks," he says. "My father used to cook a lot because he worked more flexible hours. My mother was a head teacher at school [...] She also cooked but he cooked even more." The 56-year-old chef – who has authored 11 cookbooks – tells Kay that rather than having an epiphany about his future path, he saw the kitchen as a space for curiosity and play, something that he's now passed onto his own children. "My kids – I've got a 9 year old [and an] 11 year old – they play, you know?" he says. "They go in the kitchen and they make an omelette and this and that. I call it cooking as play. So, I used to do a bit of that but I wasn't obsessive about cooking." Before making his name in the culinary world, Ottolenghi dabbled in philosophy but found the subject matter too isolating and "esoteric". "The conversation was being held amongst a group of, like, four people, you know like groundbreaking stuff but actually nobody was participating," he said of his time in university, where he tackled topics like the meaning of photography and what images mean to their viewers. Instead of that very specialised field, he turned his focus to something simpler, literally. In 2018, following the success of his eponymous Notting Hill café and shop, Ottolenghi published his fifth cookbook, Simple, distilling all the techniques and preparations that he'd become known for into something accessible and approachable. "Food is a language that everybody understands," he says. What surprised him about that, however, was that the books started to eclipse the food. "Rather than just being a book to sell and share, the publishing arm of Ottolenghi became the dog wagging the tail in this respect. The books became the main thing, almost." The books were a way for fans of the restaurant and of Ottolenghi's pared-down, flavour-forward recipes to access that world at home. He tells Kay that he hopes to be part of a movement to take cooking from being a chore into something healing and restorative. "Home-style cooking and family-style serving are way more popular now than they used to be. I really put that down to, first of all, cost of living, but also Covid. In that moment, we understood that actually food should be healing rather than just one of all other activities that we do all day long that push us." More like this:• Misty Copeland is 'not scared' to face a career beyond dance• Ina Garten on her internet appeal: 'Young people don't have mom in the kitchen'• Entrepreneur Jane Wurwand on why 'high-touch will overshadow high-tech' in business Fans soon saw the changes in his books, shifting from the exact recipes served at his restaurants to something less haute cuisine and more streamlined, boasting titles like Simple, Plenty and his latest, Comfort. "I think since Simple, I have been spending more of my time thinking, 'What does it actually mean to cook this recipe?' You know, 'When do I cook – when does one cook it? How much effort goes into it?'" he says. "Funnily, from a grand old age talking to younger chefs, I say to them, 'Is someone actually going to cook this?' I want people to cook my food." That pared-down approach has even turned "Ottolenghi" into an adjective – used to describe food that offers high impact with few ingredients and straightforward techniques. He remains humble, brushing off the distinction and putting the focus back on his desire to make cooking comforting. "Food really is one of those activities that shouldn't induce anxiety. It's as simple as that," he says. -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Envestnet Elevate 2025: Katty Kay, Allistair McCaw & Dennis Moseley Williams Announced as Keynote Speakers--Along with a Very Special Guest
Industry-Acclaimed WealthTech Conference Brings Together Thousands of Financial Advisors, RIAs, Enterprises & FinTech Leaders To Drive the Future of Wealth Management in Las Vegas on April 9-10, 2025 BERWYN, Pa., March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Envestnet has unveiled the accomplished keynote speakers who will be addressing thousands of attendees at Envestnet Elevate 2025, taking place on April 9-10, 2025 at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV. Register now to attend Envestnet Elevate 2025. 'Envestnet Elevate has set the industry standard, bringing together advisors, home offices and partners to unlock the full potential of their business through cutting edge technology, tools and professional advice. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to deliver advice that is more holistic, and ways to differentiate their practice to better serve the needs of high-net-worth clients,' said Envestnet CEO Chris Todd. 'This year's lineup of keynote speakers are experts in business growth, delivering exceptional client experiences, leadership and developing a champion mindset. Alongside executives from across Envestnet, they will provide invaluable insights to help attendees thrive in today's competitive landscape.' Envestnet Elevate 2025 Keynote Speakers Include: Katty Kay, noted journalist who serves as U.S. Special Correspondent for BBC News, Contributor to MSNBC, and Host of the podcast The Rest Is Politics U.S. She is also co-author of the New York Times Bestselling books The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know and Womenomics. Opening the conference on Wednesday, April 9 at 8:30 a.m. PDT, Ms. Kay will interview Envestnet CEO Chris Todd on stage about what the future holds, and how advisors can help their clients and their practices stay one step ahead. Allistair McCaw, one of the leading figures in leadership, team culture, and mindset, and a five-time duathlon world champion. He is an author of eight bestselling books on optimizing individual and group potential, including Habits That Make A Champion and Champion Minded: An Athlete's Guide to Achieving Excellence in Sports and Life. Mr. McCaw is also a sought-after consultant on leadership by many corporations, professional sports teams, college and university athletic programs, and more. He will be speaking on Thursday, April 10 at 4:15 p.m. PDT. Dennis Moseley Williams, a strategic consultant and coach dedicated to helping business owners build a sense of belonging, create a cult-like following, increase revenue, and save marketing dollars. He works with entrepreneurs to shift their thinking so they can see the world differently, and make a dent in it. Mr. Williams is scheduled to speak on Thursday, April 10 at 9:40 a.m. PDT. Additionally, a very distinguished guest will deliver a special keynote address to close out the first day of the event on Wednesday, April 9 at 4:45 p.m. PDT. Elevate 2025 Agenda Highlights Serving High Net Worth Clients – Elevate features a jam-packed agenda to educate advisors about one of the industry's highest growth areas – serving and attracting high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth clients. Sessions will focus on strategies for tax overlay, financial planning, direct indexing, and advanced portfolio customization, including alternatives and options. Attendees are invited to attend a pre-conference workshop focused on developing a HNW practice management strategy, and strengthening their practices to attract, engage, and retain HNW clients. RIA Spotlight – For RIAs, Elevate is more than a conference; it's an opportunity to learn actionable strategies, discover platform enhancements, and build relationships to propel business forward. Dedicated Tamarac sessions will provide a deep dive on the platform's trading, reporting, managed accounts and portfolio construction best practices and capabilities. RIAs can glean insights from Envestnet 'Super Users' who will provide tips and best practices for using the platform effectively. Pre-conference sessions include Tamarac University, a full-day training aimed at advisors who want to learn platform fundamentals along with deeper dives on trading, reporting, and managed accounts for advisors with existing experience on the platform. RIAs also won't want to miss an introduction to Envestnet's RIA Marketplace, a low-cost managed account program that can help evolve their business. To view the complete Envestnet Elevate 2025 schedule, please visit For members of the media (complimentary registration; lodging and transportation not included), please contact [email protected]. About Envestnet Envestnet is helping to lead the growth of wealth managers and transforming the way financial advice is delivered through its ecosystem of connected technology, advanced insights, and comprehensive solutions—backed by industry-leading service and support. Serving the wealth management industry for 25 years with approximately $6.5 trillion in platform assets, Envestnet technology and services are trusted by more than one-third of all financial advisors. Many of the largest U.S. banks, wealth management and brokerage firms, and RIAs depend on Envestnet to help drive business growth and productivity—and deliver better outcomes for their clients. For a deeper dive into how Envestnet is shaping the future of financial advice, visit Stay connected with us for the latest updates and insights on LinkedIn and X (@ENVintel). Amy Norcini Envestnet
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Envestnet Elevate 2025: Katty Kay, Allistair McCaw & Dennis Moseley Williams Announced as Keynote Speakers--Along with a Very Special Guest
Industry-Acclaimed WealthTech Conference Brings Together Thousands of Financial Advisors, RIAs, Enterprises & FinTech Leaders To Drive the Future of Wealth Management in Las Vegas on April 9-10, 2025 BERWYN, Pa., March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Envestnet has unveiled the accomplished keynote speakers who will be addressing thousands of attendees at Envestnet Elevate 2025, taking place on April 9-10, 2025 at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV. Register now to attend Envestnet Elevate 2025. "Envestnet Elevate has set the industry standard, bringing together advisors, home offices and partners to unlock the full potential of their business through cutting edge technology, tools and professional advice. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to deliver advice that is more holistic, and ways to differentiate their practice to better serve the needs of high-net-worth clients," said Envestnet CEO Chris Todd. "This year's lineup of keynote speakers are experts in business growth, delivering exceptional client experiences, leadership and developing a champion mindset. Alongside executives from across Envestnet, they will provide invaluable insights to help attendees thrive in today's competitive landscape." Envestnet Elevate 2025 Keynote Speakers Include: Katty Kay, noted journalist who serves as U.S. Special Correspondent for BBC News, Contributor to MSNBC, and Host of the podcast The Rest Is Politics U.S. She is also co-author of the New York Times Bestselling books The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know and Womenomics. Opening the conference on Wednesday, April 9 at 8:30 a.m. PDT, Ms. Kay will interview Envestnet CEO Chris Todd on stage about what the future holds, and how advisors can help their clients and their practices stay one step ahead. Allistair McCaw, one of the leading figures in leadership, team culture, and mindset, and a five-time duathlon world champion. He is an author of eight bestselling books on optimizing individual and group potential, including Habits That Make A Champion and Champion Minded: An Athlete's Guide to Achieving Excellence in Sports and Life. Mr. McCaw is also a sought-after consultant on leadership by many corporations, professional sports teams, college and university athletic programs, and more. He will be speaking on Thursday, April 10 at 4:15 p.m. PDT. Dennis Moseley Williams, a strategic consultant and coach dedicated to helping business owners build a sense of belonging, create a cult-like following, increase revenue, and save marketing dollars. He works with entrepreneurs to shift their thinking so they can see the world differently, and make a dent in it. Mr. Williams is scheduled to speak on Thursday, April 10 at 9:40 a.m. PDT. Additionally, a very distinguished guest will deliver a special keynote address to close out the first day of the event on Wednesday, April 9 at 4:45 p.m. PDT. Elevate 2025 Agenda Highlights Serving High Net Worth Clients – Elevate features a jam-packed agenda to educate advisors about one of the industry's highest growth areas – serving and attracting high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth clients. Sessions will focus on strategies for tax overlay, financial planning, direct indexing, and advanced portfolio customization, including alternatives and options. Attendees are invited to attend a pre-conference workshop focused on developing a HNW practice management strategy, and strengthening their practices to attract, engage, and retain HNW clients. RIA Spotlight – For RIAs, Elevate is more than a conference; it's an opportunity to learn actionable strategies, discover platform enhancements, and build relationships to propel business forward. Dedicated Tamarac sessions will provide a deep dive on the platform's trading, reporting, managed accounts and portfolio construction best practices and capabilities. RIAs can glean insights from Envestnet "Super Users" who will provide tips and best practices for using the platform effectively. Pre-conference sessions include Tamarac University, a full-day training aimed at advisors who want to learn platform fundamentals along with deeper dives on trading, reporting, and managed accounts for advisors with existing experience on the platform. RIAs also won't want to miss an introduction to Envestnet's RIA Marketplace, a low-cost managed account program that can help evolve their business. To view the complete Envestnet Elevate 2025 schedule, please visit Media Information For members of the media (complimentary registration; lodging and transportation not included), please contact media@ About Envestnet Envestnet is helping to lead the growth of wealth managers and transforming the way financial advice is delivered through its ecosystem of connected technology, advanced insights, and comprehensive solutions—backed by industry-leading service and support. Serving the wealth management industry for 25 years with approximately $6.5 trillion in platform assets, Envestnet technology and services are trusted by more than one-third of all financial advisors. Many of the largest U.S. banks, wealth management and brokerage firms, and RIAs depend on Envestnet to help drive business growth and productivity—and deliver better outcomes for their clients. For a deeper dive into how Envestnet is shaping the future of financial advice, visit Stay connected with us for the latest updates and insights on LinkedIn and X (@ENVintel). MEDIA CONTACTS: Amy Laura Simpson | JConnelly for Envestnetenvestnetpr@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Envestnet Sign in to access your portfolio
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'I was born to be an actor': Twice-knighted Derek Jacobi on nearly 70 years on the stage and screen
The legendary actor tells Katty Kay that his parents would have much rather he became an accountant or insurance broker, but finally came around when they saw him perform on stage. With a shelf filled with awards, including Screen Actors Guild trophies, Emmys, a Golden Globe, a Tony and a pair of Olivier Awards, 86-year-old Sir Derek Jacobi has proven to be much more than "the classical Shakespearean actor of our generation," as BBC special correspondent Katty Kay describes him during an interview at his home in London. Sir Derek credits a serendipitous combination of luck and talent for his decades-long career, which includes roles in blockbusters like Gladiator and its 2024 sequel, and stints on sitcom Frasier, for which he won the 2001 Emmy for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series. "Somehow, I was born to be an actor. That's what I feel. There was never any alternative," Sir Derek says about first appearing on the stage at the age of 17. He was born in north-east London to a father who ran a sweet shop and a mother who was a secretary. "That's what I wanted. That's what I thought I could do. That's what I enjoyed." Enjoying the spotlight was just a part of his success. Sir Derek notes that after he found himself at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (which he affectionately calls the Rep) in 1960, there wasn't anything else that matched the euphoria of basking in an audience's applause. It was a far cry from what his parents had hoped for. Like most, they'd expected their son to go into a field with stability, like accounting or insurance. "I always thought… I wanted to be an actor. I had no talent for anything else," he says. "Hamlet confirmed it." After reciting one of the doomed prince's monologues to Kay, Sir Derek admits that most of his roles have disappeared into the ether, but the work of the Bard has stayed with him since those early performances almost 70 years ago. "All the other parts have gone. Hamlet's still around. Shakespeare stays." Sir Derek is quick to name drop some of his esteemed colleagues: Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Laurence Olivier, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, Albert Finney and Sir Robert Stephens. But he's as quick to note that he didn't have the classical training many of them had. He tells Kay that it was a bit of luck that led to his successes, which include being knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II and earning the Danish Order of the Dannebrog. "I think there's talent and I think there's luck. Without that luck, the talent isn't enough on its own," he says. "You've got to have the opportunity to show you've got talent. Without that opportunity… nobody's seeing it." More like this: • It took nearly 60 years for Brooke Shields to overcome her imposter syndrome• Ina Garten on her internet appeal: 'Young people don't have mom in the kitchen' • Olympic legend Lindsey Vonn explains the mindset of a winner Another obstacle Jacobi notes was the fact that he was never seen as classically handsome. "They had a head start because they were nice to look at," he says of Stephens and Olivier, while he credits being able to hone his craft in front of an audience from the age of 17 as what set him apart. He tells Kay that luck landed him that first job and his time at the Rep stood in for drama school. "It was a huge learning experience." And although Sir Derek says he hasn't stopped learning, he works at a different pace now, and has learned to find new ways of working. "You slow down," the 86-year-old says. "It's more difficult to remember lines. I used to have a very sharp brain. I don't anymore. That, obviously, is age." These days, he has some help with those lines via an earpiece just in case, with Kay likening it to a skier using a knee brace. "I've really had a charmed life," Sir Derek says, reflecting on his career, his long-time husband, theatre director Richard Clifford, and the fact that he can still do what he loves. Sir Derek's upcoming projects include appearances in episodes of Doctor Who Unbound and Good Omens as well as films The Vampyre: Blood & Ink, with Malcolm McDowell and action-comedy Tinsel Town, alongside Rebel Wilson and Kiefer Sutherland. "I can't complain about anything in my life." Influential with Katty Kay airs on Fridays at 21:30 ET on the BBC News channel. -- For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
