‘At some point, I gave up trying to play it safe. I stopped trying to control the uncontrollable.’ 
– Jane Caro

In an era where public figures talk about themselves as brands, and manage every moment accordingly, what does it mean to ‘be yourself’? Jane Caro is an author, broadcaster, journalist and social commentator who spent 30 years as an advertising writer. Today, she is well known for saying what she thinks across the news and entertainment media. The School of Life is proud to present Jane Caro and Sian Prior in this unique event exploring identity, imperfection, anxiety and how we measure success and failure in our lives.

In her new memoir, Plain Speaking Jane, Jane Caro applies her characteristic, razor-sharp insight to her own life. Jane reveals that she was not a model child or a faultless parent, and she’s a better person for it; that asking for help is a skill worth mastering; and that in her long and successful career in advertising, she was bullied by some of the wittiest men in Australia.

Jane also talks frankly about her battle with anxiety, offering assurance and hope to the one-in-three Australian women affected by the condition. Jane shows that anxiety is not a life sentence, and that on the other side lies the ultimate reward: the freedom to do as we please.

This event is a unique opportunity to hear Jane Caro talk about her life and the many challenges she has faced. Jane will be joined by writer and broadcaster Sian Prior, who will talk with Jane about her “perfectly imperfect life”.