The Story of Woman

In this final episode of the Kenya series, host Anna Stoecklein explores what it will take to not just end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), but to shift the underlying social norms that drive it. The episode examines the complex journey toward cultural transformation, revealing how community dialogue, intergenerational conversations, and collective action are crucial for lasting change.  Through powerful examples—from a young Maasai man who composes songs advocating against FGM/C to a former cutter now spreading awareness within her community—the episode showcases how grassroots movements are creating meaningful progress.  While acknowledging the long road ahead, survivors and experts share signs of progress and compelling reasons to remain hopeful about creating a world where women not only live free from harmful practices, but where they possess full bodily autonomy, equal decision-making power, access to education, and the opportunity to fulfill their extraordinary potential—a transformation that benefits not just women, but entire communities and countries. Content Warning This series includes discussions of FGM/C, including personal accounts of physical and emotional trauma. These stories may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. Please take care while listening. Topics Covered Beyond the cut: Why real progress means tackling inequality, not just ending FGM/C Awareness vs action: Why knowledge alone doesn’t change behavior Community-led change: The power of intergenerational dialogue and local leadership Men’s role: Speaking up, stepping aside, and supporting women’s leadership Global setbacks: How COVID, conflict, and climate change threaten progress Signs of hope: Real-world progress and why communities remain optimistic Some names have been changed to protect the identities of individuals featured in this episode. Featured Voices Survivors & Community Members Fariha: Somali survivor who uses her salon as a place for advocacy Saitoti: Maasai community leader who composes songs against FGM/C Anne/"Mama Kijiji": Female Maasai elder who emphasizes the importance of community dialogue Leila: Somali survivor who advocates for grassroots awareness Christine: Maasai survivor who dreams of her daughter being able to "stand for herself" Pauline: Former cutter who now goes house-to-house advocating against the practice Experts Sean Callaghan (Orchid Project): Head of Research and Capacity Strengthening Kirigo Njenga (Orchid Project): Advocacy Officer  Evelyn Wambui: Field producer and translator for this series Partner Organizations ⁠⁠Orchid Project⁠⁠: International NGO working at the forefront of the global movement to create a world free from FGM/C. ⁠⁠COVAW⁠⁠ (Coalition on Violence Against Women): National non-profit women’s rights organization responding to the silence of the Kenyan society in addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). ⁠⁠Brighter Society Initiative⁠⁠: Local Kenya NGO that works to empower the society beyond violence. Transcription is available ⁠here⁠ Support the Movement: This series was created in partnership with Orchid Project, an international NGO working to end FGM/C globally. If you'd like to become part of the movement to end FGM/C and support the vital work that Orchid Project is doing, please consider making a donation. No matter how small, your contribution will help to create a future where women and girls live free from FGM/C. 👉 ⁠Donate here⁠ — Questions, comments, ideas?  We’d love to hear from you - ⁠hello@thestoryofwomanpodcast.com⁠ — Follow: ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Become a Patron⁠⁠ for access to bonus content & to support the podcast, or ⁠⁠buy a (metaphorical) coffee⁠ ⁠www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com — Music credit: “Ethereal Relaxation” Kevin MacLeod http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0⁠

In the second episode of this three-part series on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Kenya, host Anna Stoecklein and Kenyan journalist Evelyn Wambui explore the complex reasons why this practice persists despite its known harmful effects. The episode delves into the cultural, religious, and social forces that perpetuate FGM/C and the challenges faced by those who choose to break away from tradition. From conversations with survivors, religious leaders, and a former cutter, this episode sheds insight into the powerful current of tradition and the remarkable courage required to break free from it. It also reveals how even as laws change, cultural norms can remain deeply entrenched, presenting unique challenges for those working to end the practice. Content Warning This series includes discussions of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), including personal accounts of physical and emotional trauma. These stories may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. Please take care while listening. Topics Covered The safety paradox: Why families and communities view FGM/C as keeping their daughters "safe" Social consequences: The severe social repercussions faced by those who reject tradition When laws aren't enough: The evolution of FGM/C through medicalization, modified practices, and cross-border cutting when legislation outpaces cultural change Global backlash: Current attempts to repeal anti-FGM/C laws in countries like the Gambia and the broader implications for women's rights The patriarchal undercurrent: How FGM/C connects to other gender equality struggles through shared root causes in patriarchal systems Swimming against the current: The challenges of individual resistance to powerful cultural forces Some names have been changed to protect the identities of individuals featured in this episode. Featured Voices Survivors & Community Members Fariha: Somali survivor who advocates against FGM/C through conversations at her salon Leila: Somali survivor and mother who explains community beliefs about female sexuality Saitoti: Maasai community leader who faced backlash for marrying an uncut woman Pauline: Former cutter from the Maasai community who now advocates against the practice Osman: Religious leader who clarifies FGM/C has no basis in Islam Experts Sean Callaghan (Orchid Project): Head of Research and Capacity Strengthening Kirigo Njenga (Orchid Project): Advocacy Officer  Evelyn Wambui: Field producer and translator for this series Partner Organizations ⁠Orchid Project⁠: International NGO working at the forefront of the global movement to create a world free from FGM/C. ⁠COVAW⁠ (Coalition on Violence Against Women): National non-profit women’s rights organization responding to the silence of the Kenyan society in addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). ⁠Brighter Society Initiative⁠: Local Kenya NGO that works to empower the society beyond violence. Transcription is available here Support the Movement: This series was created in partnership with Orchid Project, an international NGO working to end FGM/C globally. If you'd like to become part of the movement to end FGM/C and support the vital work that Orchid Project is doing, please consider making a donation. No matter how small, your contribution will help to create a future where women and girls live free from FGM/C. 👉 Donate here — Questions, comments, ideas?  We’d love to hear from you - hello@thestoryofwomanpodcast.com — Follow us: Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Tik Tok⁠ | ⁠Youtube⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn Become a Patron⁠ for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or ⁠buy me a (metaphorical) coffee If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe, and rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com — Music credit: “Ethereal Relaxation” Kevin MacLeod http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This special three-part series brings The Story of Woman podcast on location in Kenya to explore female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Host Anna Stoecklein partners with Kenyan journalist Evelyn Wambui and international NGO Orchid Project, traveling to rural Maasai villages and urban Nairobi to delve into the hearts and minds of community leaders, activists, and survivors, bringing you the human stories behind the headlines and statistics. This powerful first episode explores how this millennia-old practice affects 230 million women and girls worldwide through intimate conversations with survivors from two distinct Kenyan communities with dramatically different experiences – the Maasai showing promising progress and the Somali community where challenges persist.  Through firsthand accounts of physical trauma, educational barriers, and remarkable resilience, the episode reveals both the devastating impacts of FGM/C and the extraordinary women leading the movement to bring it to an end. Content Warning This series includes discussions of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), including personal accounts of physical and emotional trauma. These stories may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. Please take care while listening. Topics Covered Beyond the headlines: Survivors share personal stories and lifelong impacts An ancient practice: FGM/C’s 2,000-year history across 94+ countries A tale of two communities: Why one Kenyan community is progressing while another resists change Breaking misconceptions: Why FGM/C isn't simply a "women's issue" but affects entire communities and economies The limits of law: Why Kenya’s anti-FGM/C legislation isn’t enough Women leading change: How survivors turn trauma into powerful advocacy The untapped potential: What’s lost when girls are cut, married young, and denied opportunity Some names have been changed to protect the identities of individuals featured in this episode. Featured Voices Survivors & Activists Fariha: survivor turned activist from the Somali community Christine: survivor turned activist from the Maasai community Anne/"Mama Kijiji": the only female elder in her Maasai community, working to end FGM/C for 20 years Saitoti: Maasai community leader using music to advocate against FGM/C Experts Sean Callaghan (Orchid Project): Head of Research and Capacity Strengthening Kirigo Njenga (Orchid Project): Advocacy Officer  Evelyn Wambui: Field producer and translator for this series Partner Organizations Orchid Project: International NGO working at the forefront of the global movement to create a world free from FGM/C. COVAW (Coalition on Violence Against Women): National non-profit women’s rights organization responding to the silence of the Kenyan society in addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Brighter Society Initiative: Local Kenya NGO that works to empower the society beyond violence. Transcription is available here Support the Movement: This series was created in partnership with Orchid Project, an international NGO working to end FGM/C globally. If you'd like to become part of the movement to end FGM/C and support the vital work that Orchid Project is doing, please consider making a donation. No matter how small, your contribution will help to create a future where women and girls live free from FGM/C. 👉 Donate here — Questions, comments, ideas?  We’d love to hear from you - hello@thestoryofwomanpodcast.com — Follow us: Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Tik Tok⁠ | ⁠Youtube⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn Become a Patron⁠ for bonus content and to support the podcast, or ⁠buy me a (metaphorical) coffee If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe, and rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts. www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com — Music credit: “Ethereal Relaxation” Kevin MacLeod http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This special three-part series brings The Story of Woman podcast on location in Kenya to explore the deeply rooted and urgent issue of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Host Anna Stoecklein teams up with Kenyan journalist Evelyn Wambui and the international NGO Orchid Project, traveling to rural Maasai villages and urban Nairobi. Through powerful, on-the-ground interviews with survivors, activists, and community leaders, the series reveals the human stories behind the headlines and statistics. Through firsthand accounts of physical trauma, educational barriers, and remarkable resilience, the series reveals both the devastating impacts of FGM/C and the extraordinary women leading the movement to bring it to an end. — Questions, comments, ideas?  We’d love to hear from you - hello@thestoryofwomanpodcast.com Interested in bringing a story to life? The Story of Woman specializes in creating immersive, in-person podcast series for NGOs, corporations, and humanitarian groups. — Follow us: Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Tik Tok⁠ | ⁠Youtube⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn Become a Patron⁠ for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or ⁠buy me a (metaphorical) coffee If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe, and rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Help us change the narrative—one story at a time. www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

REPLAY OF SEASON TWO EPISODE ONEIn the first episode of season two of the podcast, I speak with former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Cherie Blair, CBE KC in their first-time ever, exclusive joint podcast interview!Hillary Clinton and Cherie Blair have pioneered positive change for women for decades. They have worked as lawyers, politicians, activists, and business leaders - and also both had husbands in charge of governments, the US and the UK respectively. In this episode, they share what they have learned over the years: the current state of women’s equality, the ripple effect of change that happens when you put power back into the hands of women, and ways to overcome the deeply ingrained economic, social and legal barriers that hold women — and the world — back.They also discuss their long friendship and what it’s like being a female leader in a male-dominated world!Some topics we cover include :  Clinton and Blair’s friendship and what it was like to be married to government leaders - and how they refused to give up their own identities in the process The progress we have made, the pushback we face for it, and how the COVID-19 pandemic plays a part What putting power back into the hands of women does for women, their families, communities, and the world What holds women entrepreneurs and business leaders back How outdated, gendered stereotypes create barriers for women all over the world Ways to continue driving progress and overcoming the forces that hold women — and the world — back How the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women is supporting women entrepreneurs around the world What keeps Clinton and Blair hopeful for the future Transcription is available hereRead more about the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Become a mentor for the Foundation Donate to the Foundation Changemakers: How women make change happenThis is the first episode of the new Changemakers series which explores how women make change happen from those at the top helping to drive it. Each episode, we look at where we are on this long march to equality, what lies ahead, and how important you are in the fight. In this 14-episode series, we’ll hear from Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tawakkol Karman, Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani, Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn, and Afghanistan's youngest ever female mayor Zarifa Ghafari, among others. Guest host Asha Dahya speaks with co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Movement Alicia Garza. Episode sponsor: Values Leadership Consulting---Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffeeFollow us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of all things WOMANWe need more women’s stories in the world!. If you’ve enjoyed this episode,  please share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcastsExplore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

This is an episode of The Great British Foreign Affairs Podcast, featuring host Anna Stoecklein as a guest host alongside Anna-Joy Rickard.Together they talk about feminist foreign policy with Kristina Lunz, the author of ‘The Future of Foreign Policy is Feminist’ and Co-founder and Director of the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy in Berlin. The episode dives deep into feminist foreign policy, tracing its origins and exploring its profound implications for the world today and the future.The Great British Foreign Affairs PodcastOriginal episode--Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffeeFollow us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of all things WOMANWe need more women’s stories in the world!. If you’ve enjoyed this episode,  please share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcastsExplore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

Explore the root cause of societal issues and explore a movement beyond feminism in the Season 3 finale of "The Story of Woman." Join host Anna Stoecklein and Remi Olajoyegbe, co-founder of Medicine festival, in a profound discussion on inner healing for societal transformation. Dive into the importance of community, the longing for belonging, and the power of collective empowerment. From ancient indigenous practices to cutting-edge therapies, this episode unveils the transformative power of Medicine festival, providing a unique space for self-discovery, connection with others, and immersion in diverse healing modalities. Join us on this insightful journey toward a broader movement that encompasses all of humanity. Some topics we cover include: The power of personal inner work for collective outer healing The importance of finding a sense of belonging and community The human longing for connection and the challenges in a globalized world Emphasis on the interconnectedness of personal and communal well-being The role of spaces like Medicine festival in fostering inner healing, self-connection, and system transformation The significance of diversity and inclusion in creating a rich, transformative space The outsized role practices and wisdom shared by indigenous communities play in our collective healing and connection Transcription is available here Remi Olajoyegbe Medicine festival Isumataq Retreats -- Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffee Follow us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of all things WOMAN We need more women’s stories in the world!. If you’ve enjoyed this episode,  please share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩 www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique," published in 1963, is often recognized as a catalyst for the second wave of feminism. How far have we come since then in terms of women's role in society, and specifically women's maternal and domestic role?In this episode of The Story of Woman, host Anna Stoecklein dives deep into a conversation with writer and scholar, Monica Cardenas, about the parallels between the issues faced by women in the 1960s and the challenges that persist in the present. Reflecting on the enduring mystique, the conversation explores what the original “feminine mystique” was and how, despite societal evolution, the cultural expectations of women to be mothers persists.Acknowledging the limited perspective of "The Feminine Mystique," the conversation highlights its concentration on the experiences of mainly white, straight, middle-class women, and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive dialogue on women's diverse experiences. Join Anna and Monica as they explore the enduring impact of domestic and maternal expectations, and the evolving concept of the "motherhood mandate."Some topics we cover include: How "The Feminine Mystique" shed light on societal expectations for women in the 1960s Ways in which, despite societal progress, expectations around women and motherhood persist today The impact these societal exceptions have on reproductive freedoms The book's limitations in addressing the experiences of women from diverse backgrounds Literature's role in shaping culture Transcription is available hereBuy The Feminine Mystique--Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffeeFollow us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of all things WOMANWe need more women’s stories in the world!. If you’ve enjoyed this episode,  please share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcastsExplore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

The #MeToo movement empowered millions to speak out about sexual violence and changed the default response to women's accounts from universal doubt to selective belief. What changed?In this episode, guest host Sarey Ruden speaks with Leigh Gilmore to discuss her book, “The #MeToo Effect: What Happens When We Believe Women”. They delve into the transformative impact of the #MeToo movement, exploring the evolution of societal responses to women's accounts of sexual violence.A central theme revolves around the power of survivor testimony and the collective strength that arises when survivors speak together, challenging the status quo and paving the way for systemic change. The discussion underscores the importance of reframing the narrative, moving from a focus on individual stories to addressing institutional and cultural factors that perpetuate sexual violence.Some topics we cover include: The transformative influence of the #MeToo movement Evolution of societal responses to women's accounts of sexual violence Tracing historical roots of gender biases Shifting from universal doubt to selective belief The power of survivor testimony and collective strength Reframing the narrative to address institutional and cultural factors Urgency for institutional change Transcription is available hereBuy The #MeToo Effect: What Happens When We Believe WomenSareytales--Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffeeFollow us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of all things WOMANWe need more women’s stories in the world!. If you’ve enjoyed this episode,  please share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcastsExplore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

How does the rise of AI and surveillance intersect with motherhood? In this episode, Sophie Hamacher and Jessica Hankey, creators of the groundbreaking anthology, Supervision: On Motherhood and Surveillance, delve into the ways mothers' behaviors and bodies are observed, exposed, and policed in today's society.The conversation broadens to encompass the unique experiences of BIPOC mothers, who find themselves in a paradoxical state of both hyper-visibility and invisibility. Sophie and Jessica underscore the importance of community motherhood, sharing examples that challenge societal norms and resist government neglect in areas such as reproductive healthcare and childcare.Through it all, Sophie and Jessica underscore the urgency of studying surveillance in our daily lives and its implications for equality and justice.Some topics we cover include: Benevolent vs. oppressive surveillance The impact of state surveillance on reproductive rights, particularly in the context of abortion restrictions and the overturning of Roe v. Wade How advertisers exploit fears and insecurities to sell products Historical instances of the state using claims of benevolence to justify harmful surveillance policies Experiences of BIPOC mothers being hyper-visible yet invisible Importance of community motherhood and redefining traditional models Hope found in collaborative efforts, dialogues, and alternative models of living Transcription is available hereBuy Supervision: On Motherhood and Surveillance--Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffeeFollow us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of all things WOMANWe need more women’s stories in the world!. If you’ve enjoyed this episode,  please share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcastsExplore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com