logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2019
30m 20s

#178 Sarah Knight: How To Give Less Of A...

Emma Gannon
About this episode

My guest today is Sarah Knight, the New York Times Bestselling author of the "No Fucks Given Guides". Before writing and releasing her own books, she spent 15 years as a top editor, working with authors such as Gillian Flynn and Jessica Knoll. 


In her books, she gives tough love and honest advice on setting goals, boundaries, mental health, making big decisions, and getting organised. Her book was called The Life Changing Magic Of Not Giving A Fuck, then Get Your Shit Together, then You Do You. Her fourth book, all about dealing with anxiety called Calm The Fuck down.


We talk about her decision to quit her publishing job, why she moved to the Dominican Republic, how to say no, how to stop comparing and why you shouldn't care what about people think.


Some favourite quotes from the episode:


"Marie Kondo's books are about unburdening yourself from ~stuff~ - I thought, 'I could do this for your mind.'"


"I just don't care if people don't like me. I think I'm pretty awesome."


"I'm the pied piper of not giving a fck"


"I'm not out here advising anyone to be assholes or sociopaths, I'm just saying it's OK to live your life the way you want to live it."


"If you are choosing to punch yourself in the gut each morning by looking at stuff [online] that makes you feel bad about yourself, then stop doing it. I have very little patience for that kind of self-sabotage."


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Jun 2023
The Success Myth Diaries: #3 Jeff Hamaoui on Midlife
Welcome back to The Success Myth Diaries! Today’s guest is Jeff Hamaoui, a seasoned teacher, master facilitator and Chief Innovation and Education Officer for Modern Elder Academy. The Modern Elder Academy is a program for people going through midlife transitions - they are on a ... Show More
31m 12s
May 2023
The Success Myth Diaries #2: Sian Clifford on Fame
To accompany the launch of my new book, I have interviewed some of my favourite thinkers on the topic of success, failure and creativity — and the most common success myths. Today’s guest is British actor Sian Clifford, probably best known for playing Claire in Fleabag (the toile ... Show More
32m 7s
May 2023
The Success Myth Diaries #1: Chelsea Fagan on Money
Welcome to the Success Myth Diaries! A brand new mini-series to accompany my new book The Success Myth: Letting Go Of Having It All which is out TODAY. My book unpicks the 8 success myths, from happiness to money to productivity to celebrity to the idea of ‘arriving’, looking at ... Show More
33m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2021
Writing About Illness Without Platitudes
At 22 years old, Suleika Jaouad was a recent college graduate who had moved to Paris, looking forward to everything life might offer. Then she received a diagnosis of leukemia. In her new memoir, “Between Two Kingdoms,” Jaouad writes about the ensuing years. On this week’s podcas ... Show More
1h 7m
Mar 2018
44: Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
Knowing your purpose and finding meaning in life can save your life. This episode covers the challenging topic of World War II and escaping concentration camps alive. Headspace Brett Terpstra Macstock Homepod Mike’s Instagram IFTTT Day One Mac Power Users Flow by Mihaly Csikszent ... Show More
1h 39m
Mar 2023
Sarah Knight : On Not Giving a Fuck
Topics covered : Authenticity, people pleasing, boundaries, compromise, visualisation, freedom. In this episode I speak to New York Times best-selling author, Sarah Knight. With more than 3 million copies in print, Sarah Knight’s ‘No Fucks Given’ guides have been published in thi ... Show More
40m 25s
Jun 9
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin Book Summary and Review | Free Audiobook
📝 Show notes (free book summary) / PDF & Infographic / Free audiobook / Mentally strong people avoid habits like dwelling on the past, fearing change, and resenting others' success—they focus on growth and resilience; want to know the other ten things they steer clear of? Read o ... Show More
27m 43s
Feb 2022
Ruta Sepetys Talks About 'I Must Betray You'
Ruta Sepetys writes Y.A. historical fiction that draws plenty of adult readers as well. Her new novel, “I Must Betray You,” is about a Romanian teenager who is blackmailed to become an informer for a Communist regime. On this week’s podcast, Sepetys talks about why she turned her ... Show More
57m 26s
Feb 2020
Ep 224: Confronting the Bookshelf of Shame
Like many readers, today’s guest Lacey Yong is creative. But her writing hobby is beginning to clash with her book selections, so she came to WSIRN with the question “how do I pick books that inspire me to write, without being too influenced by authors who write in my genre?” It’ ... Show More
52m 19s
Jan 2024
This Episode Will Change the Way You Think With Brianna Wiest
Brianna Wiest is the bestselling author of groundbreaking self-help books such as 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think, The Mountain is You, The Pivot Year, and more. Her books have sold over 1 million copies worldwide, regularly appear on global bestseller lists, and ha ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 2017
Ep 93: Books to help you manage anxiety + a book brunch that will have you drooling
Today’s guest, Kristin Economos, has an incredible story to tell, one many people will resonate with. After experiencing a season of severe anxiety, Kristin says her return from a decade-long reading sabbatical brought her back to life. She got professional help, and she ALSO soo ... Show More
46m 55s
Feb 2016
Ep 5: Raising readers, books that find you, and making the library people hate you
Anne talks with author and speaker Deidra Riggs, whose book, Every Little Thing: Making a World of Difference Right Where You Are, was published last October. Anne and Deidra discuss Deidra's wonderful childhood memories of reading, why she chose one of the greatest writers of al ... Show More
31m 2s
Jun 2020
Gwyneth Paltrow x Chelsea Handler: You’re Never Fully Cooked
“You’re never fully cooked,” says Chelsea Handler. GP catches up with her friend about her approach to activism, comedy, and self-discovery—which she writes about her in latest New York Times–bestselling book, Life Will Be the Death of Me. They start by talking about White privil ... Show More
48m 45s