Former First Lady of Iceland on How to Trust Yourself When There's No Rulebook - Eliza Reid

When Eliza Reid’s husband unexpectedly became president of Iceland, she found herself in a role with no instruction manual—forcing her to confront self-doubt, challenge outdated expectations, and learn how to trust her own voice. In this conversation, Eliza reflects on why being a lifelong rule follower made the job unexpectedly difficult, why she embraced secondhand clothing and spoke Icelandic despite her accent, and how leaning into discomfort ultimately helped her grow into the role. ABOUT GUEST Eliza Reid is a Canadian-born writer, gender equality advocate, and the former First Lady of Iceland, where she served from 2016–2024 alongside her husband, President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson. Her latest book is, “The First Lady Next Door: A Memoir of Iceland, Identity, and Unexpected Adventure” (https://elizareid.com/). CHAPTERS (0:00) Introduction (0:49) Meet Eliza Reid (1:40) The Handshake Snub (3:19) From Canada to Iceland (5:11) Iceland President Explained (7:44) No Rulebook (9:44) Style Spotlight Pressure (12:16) Immigrant Identity Voice (13:47) Speaking Out NYT Op-Ed (16:40) Taking Up Space (17:11) What She’s Proud Of (19:28) Conclusion