The Nowhere Office Rachel Johnson: My Working Life
Mar 31, 2025
Rachel Johnson, a journalist and broadcaster known for her work with the Financial Times and other major publications, shares her unconventional career journey. She reflects on being the FT's first female trainee and the lessons learned from early mistakes. Rachel discusses the struggles of balancing motherhood with her ambitions and her frustrations during her time at the UK Foreign Office. She also delves into her investigative podcast, Master, exploring the complexities of reporting allegations against Neil Gaiman, emphasizing the importance of persistence in her professional life.
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Redesigning Work For Family Life
- Rachel left staff BBC work after moving to Washington with small children and never returned to a staff role for 30 years.
- She built a freelance career to redesign work around family needs and values her choice deeply.
Freelance Energised Purpose
- Freelancing suited Rachel because it let her prioritise time and personal projects over corporate routine.
- She describes that detaching from institutions energized her and made work feel purposeful.
Don't Chase Other People's Opinions
- Don't waste effort trying to control what others write or think about you.
- Accept criticism and manage your response privately rather than attempting to rewrite the public record.