The View From London: Alyson Hoggart on Coping With COVID, Speeding Up Relationships, and the Importance of Communicating

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Debbie brings Alyson Hoggart, one of her oldest and most special friends, onto the show. She and Alyson have a transatlantic friendship of many decades. They are age mates, with almost identical birthdays in the same birth year. 

They chat about what it’s been like in Europe during COVID, with some interesting detours into Alyson’s life as a widow, with a new boyfriend. They talk about how the lockdown has speeded up this new relationship.

Alyson is a retired psychologist and one of the most insightful people Debbie knows. So she picks her brain for a few tips on how to cope, psychologically, during this period of social distancing. 

They chat briefly about Alyson's children. Amy Hoggart is a well-known actor, writer, and comedian who lives in New York. (Don't miss Amy's hilarious appearances on Full Frontal With Samantha Bee.) Her son Richard, a lawyer, lives in London.

They  also talk about Alyson's website, My Horrid Parent. It’s a site with resources for how to cope with a difficult parent, one who is especially critical or judgmental. It's aimed at the young but also the not-so-young. The topic is especially relevant right now for someone younger who may be unexpectedly stuck at home with a parent. Or for those dealing with an isolated elderly parent. 

It was great for Debbie to catch up with Alyson and she hopes you enjoy listening in to this conversation about life across the pond. Don't miss the bit about Richard's COVID cat.

Mentioned in this episode or useful:

• My Horrid Parent 

• Horrible parents: a survival guide (article in The Guardian)

• Alyson's daughter: actor, writer, and comedian Amy Hoggart

• It’s Personal with Amy Hoggart

• Amy's best episodes on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (this is hilarious)

• Obituary of Alyson's late husband, journalist Simon Hoggart

• United Kingdom COVID Map and Case Count (New York Times)

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Credits:

• Host: Debbie Weil

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