FRIENDS OF EJ // 30-31 FINDING INSPIRATION

We’ve met a lot of fantastic people in 2022; those that we’ve featured and those that we’re hoping to feature one day in the future. So, as the year draws to a close, it only felt right to check in with some of them to see how they’re doing, how they’re feeling about 2022, and what's on the cards for them for 2023.

@louisbyrneiciaiw

HOW HAS 2022 BEEN FOR YOU? 2022 has been pretty transformative for me. It’s been a huge amount of hard work but I’ve received so much joy and freedom.

WHAT KEY LESSON HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS YEAR? I’ve learned to stick to my moral code and to ensure that I don’t compromise on that. Speaking our truth and standing by what’s right is the most important thing for us as people. For me, by doing this, I’ve been able to let go of a lot of trauma and finally start moving forward. WHAT, FROM 2022, DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE GIVEN MORE ATTENTION? We need to pay more attention to each other and spread more love; and to love ourselves too. Love and passion: 2023 is the year of it, I know it. WHAT CAN'T YOU GO INTO THE NEW YEAR WITHOUT? Community. I don’t know where I’d be without my community and if I’m going into the new year with anything, it’s respecting the value of community and connection.

laura scrivano

DIRECTOR & WRITER

HOW HAS 2022 BEEN FOR YOU? A bit of a rollercoaster, but ultimately pretty decent. I’m Australian and we could finally go home for a post-pandemic family visit this year which was wonderful and very emotional. Workwise, it was a year of two halves. The first half was quite intense, beginning in LA as I finished directing Wedding Season for Disney+. As we got stuck into the edit in London, war broke out in Ukraine which meant I had to go back into the edit on The Lazarus Project at the same time (as the storyline in my episodes was a bit too close to reality). The second half has all been about the development of my first feature. This means a lot of meetings, which thankfully are now less of a Zoom-fest as things slowly go back to being face to face.

@katieowen

WHAT KEY LESSON HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS YEAR? To always travel with a portable espresso machine, especially if filming in Las Vegas. WHAT, FROM 2022, DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE GIVEN MORE ATTENTION? My long-suffering tomato plant. WHAT CAN'T YOU GO INTO THE NEW YEAR WITHOUT? A massive dose of sunshine. Turns out Australians are absolutely rubbish at UK winters.

@laurascrivano

katie owen

DJ & PRESENTER

HOW HAS 2022 BEEN FOR YOU? It’s honestly been the best year of my life. Things have fully gone back to normal now with gigs, events and being able to socialise. There’s been a real hunger for it after lockdown so it’s been incredible. I feel very lucky! WHAT KEY LESSON HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS YEAR? I was diagnosed with ADHD this year so I’ve learned that my brain works differently, and that’s okay! Now that I’m aware of it, I’ve started to do things that allow me to be better in terms of work and learning new skills. I’ve learned to fully embrace it and be kind to myself! WHAT, FROM 2022, DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE GIVEN MORE ATTENTION? That’s a tough one, the list is endless. There’s loads in our country that needs to change and the world can be a scary place at times, with lots of sad things going on that need to be given more attention.

WHAT CAN'T YOU GO INTO THE NEW YEAR WITHOUT? Definitely music. It keeps me sane!