A Dose of Hope

January 13, 2026

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A Dose of Hope

Last week someone said to me, “You’ve always got a smile on your face, Hannah.” That same day, I listened to The Diary of a CEO where Steven Bartlett interviewed Chris Williamson from Modern Wisdom, and they spoke about the decline in optimism.

It made me want to write send a dose of hope this week. So, let me tell you a story.

“I’m Just a Mum”

For 20 years, Emma Monk introduced herself at social gatherings with a familiar disclaimer: “I’m just a mum.” She dreaded the question, “So, what do you do?”

But underneath that, Emma had a gift. A passion for scientific writing and a drive to call out fake news and misinformation. She wanted to do something with it, but confidence stood in the way.

She could write; there was safety behind the keyboard. But anything verbal? In-person? Visibility? Too scary.

Fast forward to now, and you’ll find Emma doing things she couldn’t have imagined this time last year.

2025 Was Her Year

Here’s just some of what Emma did in 2025:

  • ✅ Launched her Substack, Monk Debunks. Now with over 4,000 subscribers.
  • ✅ Interviewed on three podcasts, including Women in STEM Career & Confidence. iTunes │Spotify
  • ✅ Delivered two in-person debunking workshops.
  • ✅ Featured on the James O’Brien LBC show multiple times.
  • ✅ Contributed to the Press Regulation Authority’s annual report on press harms.
  • ✅ Quoted in The Guardian.
  • ✅ Interviewed by New World newspaper as “One Woman Debunking Machine.”

2026 looks set to be a busy one in the misinformation space but luckily, we have Emma on the case.

Upcoming Workshop

And if you are prone to an overthinking shame spiral that has you locked in for days, there is a neuroscience backed way to support your brain to debunk its own elaborate stories.

The Psychology of Selves: Beyond Imposter Syndrome

In this 90-minute live session:

  • Understand the Confidence Myth Discover heightened awareness techniques to increase the opportunity for behaviour change.
  • Meet Your Inner Stress Team Uncover the subconscious ‘selves’ that hijack your confidence and learn how to separate from their outdated agendas and regain control over your responses.
  • Break the Shame Spiral Use a neuroscience-backed model to stop pre-empting, worrying, and ruminating.

☕ Reflective Journal Prompts

  • What’s something I secretly want to try, but feel I’m “not ready” for?
  • Where am I over-identifying with a role or story that no longer fits?
  • What would having your own inner cheerleader unlock for you?

Remember, hope is the most powerful emotion of all.

Keep opening up,

Hannah

P.S. Join my brand-new workshop, The Psychology of Selves, completely free: → Register here

Here’s 4 other ways I can support you:

P.P.S. Now booking 2026 keynotes, workshops, and events (online and in-person). Find out more

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