Claudia Hammond in conversation with Prof Banerjee Overwhelmed: Ways to Take the Pressure Off

About

Why does modern life feel so relentlessly demanding and how can we find calm amid the noise? In this reassuring and insightful session, award-winning broadcaster and psychologist Claudia Hammond shares the science and strategies behind her acclaimed new book.
Described by Daniel H. Pink as a book about modern overload that actually lowers your pulse as you read it and praised by Nir Eyal as a psychological toolkit for managing procrastination, regret, imposter syndrome, perfectionism and more, Hammond blends cutting-edge research with empathy and humour to offer practical ways to regain focus, balance and joy. Fearne Cotton calls her books a solace in troubled times, while Adam Rutherford hails her earlier work The Art of Rest as a soothing balm for a frazzled generation. Expect the same blend of clarity and calm here, as Hammond explores how rest, self-compassion and small mindset shifts can help us navigate modern pressures without burning out.
Claudia Hammond is an award-winning author, broadcaster and psychology lecturer whose work has transformed how we understand the mind. She presents BBC Radio 4s All in the Mind, the BBC World Service series The Evidence, and The Anatomy of..., exploring human behaviour and emotion across cultures. Her previous books The Keys to Kindness, The Art of Rest, Time Warped, and Mind Over Money combine rigorous science with warmth and humanity, earning her a global readership. Hammond is also a visiting professor at both the University of Sussex and the London School of Economics, where she lectures on the psychology of wellbeing, emotion, and time perception. A gifted communicator and advocate for mental health, she has been described as one of the UKs most trusted voices on the science of how to live well.

Professor Robin Banerjee is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement and Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Sussex. His research explores childrens social and emotional development, focusing on self-esteem, social anxiety and kindness. He founded the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness, leading major projects with partners such as the BBC. Formerly Head of the School of Psychology, he champions connecting academic insight with real-world impact locally and globally.

A Q&A Session will follow.