Trying to...be interviewed

Why we should all receive a taste of our own medicine

I have long been intrigued by the idea of being subjected to your own job. Doctors being operated on; firefighters being saved from the flames and dentists receiving a filling. Hairdressers receiving a bad hair cut must be the pits - as must be a bad tatt on a tattoo artist. Oof.

And despite it being a scenario that plays out every day around the world - it would make for a great TV format - as well as a sobering life experience.

A good friend of mine who delivers babies swears she is much better at her job since having children herself and receiving treatment by her colleagues in the NHS. She now knows first-hand the power of a smile, a warm word and also how important it is to keep talking in certain worrying scenarios. She was bloody good before, so her patients are even luckier now in my humble opinion.

If you pay attention - receiving your own service could be the ultimate experience of radical empathy.

I have just had my own version of this - and will continue to do so over the next few weeks. Interviewer turns interviewee. It started for The Sunday Times last week (don’t you just love those ducks) as I began talking about new book: Maternity Service: A Love Letter to Mothers from the Front Line of Maternity Leave. (out on March 13).

It’s so very odd - listening to the structure of the questions I usually write; thinking of what will be asked next and mapping out how the interview is going. And then remembering what you have said and crucially what you don’t necessarily want to share.

The few times I have had the tables turned, I believe it’s made me better at my job. Figuring out what’s fair and what’s not to ask. And how to go about it.

Of course there are key differences between a print and broadcast interview - not least the fact that one is live and one is not. But also that all of my questions and tone can be heard by the audience and all of my guests’ answers are heard too. In a live broadcast - there can be no edits.

And yet being in the business of free speech and, at times, robust dialogue, I think there is something important about subjecting myself to my own profession, come what may. Being at the sharp end of what you do and having that memory to draw upon, again and again, is invaluable. Even if it feels meta and hard.

But then I do tend to like anything that scares me a bit, is exhilarating and keeps me sharp.

What about you?

Speaking of exhilaration and keeping sharp - I also think it’s a total privilege if you can also have the best in the business serve you your own medicine. Hence I am thrilled to be able to say Kirsty Young is interviewing me at my first live book event, on International Women’s Day no less, at London’s Southbank Centre. What a woman; what a mind. Come join us if you can.

I am going to be doing events all over the country and I will share those too. But I am so happy today to be able to share the chance to come and be part of this special event - as the last few tickets are on sale here. Come with the person who got you through or gets you through your maternity service. Or come alone and be a part of what I know will be a special evening.