“I just want to have a nice time. It’s really not as complex as I used to think it was. We live in a society that tells us everything is supposed to be hard – and don’t get me wrong, a lot of stuff is – we think we’re supposed to grind, the idea of the side hustle! But I think we should place as much onus on enjoyment. I’m trying to do things that make me happy and stimulate me and bring me peace.”

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But how many of us have just not had that nice a time recently? DJ, presenter and author Vick Hope knows where you’re coming from, but her motivation to seek out the good stuff is just the inspirational energy we could do with amid the inescapable doom of war, political wrangling and the cost of living crisis.

But the upbeat broadcaster admits that pledging to find the joy, and not just focusing on work, is something she has to apply herself to consciously. “I’ve worked myself into the ground so many times, I still do, I can’t lie! I don’t have a day off until September, and I’ve promised myself I’m going to change that.” And this summer is busier than ever for Hope, who was born in Newcastle (when she says ‘book’, you can really hear her Geordie twang) and started her career as a reporter for MTV.

She’s the presenter of the Women’s Prize for Fiction podcast interviewing guests from campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence to Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh about their favourite books, from a shortlist comprised of Maggie Shipstead, Meg Mason, Ruth Ozeki, Lisa Allen-Agostini, Elif Shafak and Louise Erdrich. (Ruth Ozeki was announced as the winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction on 15 June).

Vick Hope: “I’ve worked myself into the ground so many times… I’ve promised myself I’m going to change that”