The Story of Woman

In this episode I speak with Tawakkol Karman, a human rights activist, journalist and politician who is known as the “mother of the revolution”, “the iron woman” and “the lady of the Arab Spring,” for her key role in the 2011 pro-democracy uprisings in Yemen, also known as the Arab Spring. She was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for this work, making her the first Yemeni, the first Arab woman, and the second Muslim woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, as well as the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate at the time, at the age of 32. Tawakkol is just one of the many women that have been at the forefront of this revolution, peacefully leading the path to freedom and democracy. Yemen is in the middle of one of the worst humanitarian crises of modern times which stems from the counter-revolution to the Arab Spring, waged by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran. Despite this, Tawakkol remains hopeful for the future of her country and the region, asserting that Yemeni people will continue their peaceful resistance until they “reach to the destiny of democracy.” Some topics we cover include: What Yemen was like in the years leading up to the Arab Spring, and the progress that has been made since Tawakkol’s pivotal role in the movement as a journalist who exposed human rights abuses and mobilized weekly demonstrations against the government Her arrest for this work, and how it had the opposite effect of what the government intended The counter revolution led by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran - and how it led to one of the worse humanitarian crises of modern times Women’s pivotal role in the Arab Spring uprisings, and the ongoing revolution What makes Tawakkol proud to be a woman, and to be Yemeni What keeps Tawakkol hopeful for the future of her country and the region Transcription is available here This episode was sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/storyofwoman for 10% off your first month of online therapy. Changemakers: How women make change happen This 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. — 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

In this episode I speak with Jess Phillips, UK Member of Parliament for Birmingham Yardley. Jess is also the Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding and a fierce defender of women and girls, especially when it comes to men’s violence against women, domestic abuse, sexual and reproductive health, childcare, and maternal and paternal rights. Every year, Jess she reads out the names of UK women killed by men in the year since the last International Women's Day⁠.⁠ She also advocates for a greater participation in politics from ordinary citizens, making the case that, “The greatest trick ever played by the powerful was to convince the population that we couldn’t change things, when the truth is that we can,” in her new book The Life of an MP: Everything You Really Need to Know About Politics. Some topics we cover include: Why Jess decided to run for office, and what it’s like to work for the government The challenges she faces as a woman advocating for women’s rights in a male-dominated space The huge role women having less power and control than men plays in men’s violence against them How important politics is in all of our personal lives Why we need more women in government - and in all places decisions are being made Power, and why women shouldn’t be afraid to try and get it Transcription is available here Changemakers: How women make change happen This 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. — 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

In this episode, I speak with former mayor - and Afghanistan’s youngest ever female mayor - Zarifa Ghafari. After the Taliban returned to power in August of 2021, the question on everyone’s mind was ‘What’s going to happen to all the women and girls now?’ Zarifa has answers. From 2018 until August 2021, Zarifa was mayor of the Maidan Wardak province, located in the heart of Taliban territory. During her tenure, an extremist mob barred her from her office, her male staff walked out in protest, assassins tried to kill her six times, and they even took the life of her father in 2020. Despite all of this, Zarifa ended corruption in the province, promoted peace, and worked to lift women and girls up. In this episode, we discuss what is the reality for women and girls in Afghanistan, her journey to becoming mayor and what keeps her hopeful for the future. Some topics we cover include: The typical life of a woman in Afghan society - from birth through death Zarifa’s journey from decision to stand for mayor to taking office, and the extremist mob that tried to stop her How Afghan women have been the ones driving changes all along What makes Zarifa most proud of the women and girls in Afghanistan, and her optimism of the future Zarifa speaks directly to all of those still in Afghanistan, including the men She also speaks directly to the foreign powers behind the Afghan wars, and to everyone outside of the country, sharing how we can help Transcription is available here Changemakers: How women make change happen This 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: The Know — 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

In 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 here Read more about the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Become a mentor for the Foundation Donate to the Foundation Changemakers: How women make change happen This 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) 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

We are thrilled to announce season two of the podcast, The Story of Woman: Changemakers - exploring how women make change happen.In this 14-episode series, I'll be talking to women at the top of their industries who are bringing about social and cultural change, despite the (many) obstacles they have faced. You'll hear from activists, politicians, athletes, environmentalists and more.⁠ We’ll discuss all things change - how it happens, what gets in the way and how we all play a part in driving it.The series is kicked off by an exclusive, first-ever double interview with Hillary Clinton and Cherie Blair.The rest of the lineup includes: Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and Cherie Blair, CBE KC Zarifa Ghafari - activist, author, former Afghanistan Mayor Jess Phillips - UK Member of Parliament, Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Tawakkol Karman - Nobel Laureate, activist, journalist and politician - the “mother of the revolution” Reshma Saujani - activist, founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms Jacqueline Novogratz - author, founder and CEO of Acumen Danielle Weisberg & Carly Zakin - co-founders and co-CEOs of The Skimm Lauren Fleshman - one of the most decorated American distance runners of all time Lindsey Vonn - Olympic and World Cup gold medal-winning ski racer Xiye Bastida - youth climate justice activist Dr Katharine Wilkinson - writer, climate change activist, and executive director and co-founder of The All We Can Save Project Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim - environmental activist, geographer, business leader Alicia Garza - writer, activist, NDWA director, co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter and Supermajority TBC Guest host: Asha DahyaTranscription is available here-Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffeeFollow along: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedInSubscribe to the newsletterFollow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts - and be sure to rate and review to help other people find us!Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

The Story of Woman podcast is nearly one year old! In this rare solo episode, I reflect on the close of the first chapter of the podcast, and I also talk about what’s to come in 2023. This year we’ve been highlighting the work of some incredible non-fiction writers whose work focuses on the subject of women. From medicine to myths, authority to advocacy, and weddings to the workplace, their books are brilliant, and we’ve loved sharing our conversations with you. In 2023, Season 2 will be a little different, and will focus on changemakers: the women making change happen in their workplaces and communities around the world. Follow us to make sure you don’t miss this series, as we’ve got some exciting episodes coming up - including a conversation with the one and only Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton!  Share your invaluable feedback through this survey to help make the podcast even better. All questions are optional and will result in my eternal gratitude 😊 Transcription is available here -- Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffee Follow along: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to the newsletter Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts - and be sure to rate and review to help other people find us! Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩 www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

In this episode of The Story of Woman, I chat to not one but TWO amazing authors, Karrie Fransman and Jonathon Plackett about their books, Gender Swapped Fairy Tales and Gender Swapped Greek Myths.  Fairytales and Greek Myths have been told and re-told for thousands of years, but never like this. Taking these well-known stories that form the archetypes we still see today, Karrie and Jonathon make one vital change - they swapped all the genders. This simple change created characters and stories never seen before, and shine a light on the gender binaries in language, the roles we adopt and the stories we've been telling our children for generations. Some topics of discussion include: Where the inspiration for this idea came from The binary-busting characters and worlds these books create How these stories illuminate existing power imbalances The books’ importance, especially for boys and men with the lack of empathetic and nurturing male figures in mainstream narratives An urgent call to action for creators to make more stories like this! And more! Transcription is available here Buy the books: Gender Swapped Fairy Tales: US | UK Gender Swapped Greek Myths: US | UK Mentioned in the episode: Cyberman - Veronika Muchitsch The Expanse - James S. A. Corey -- Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffee Follow along: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to the newsletter Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts - and be sure to rate and review to help other people find us! Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩 www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

In this episode, I talk with author, speaker, activist and mother Cynthia Changyit Levin about her book, From Changing Diapers to Changing the World: Why Moms Make Great Advocates and How to Get Started. If you’re looking for practical inspiration on how to make effective change in your local community, then this is the episode for you! Advocacy is a great way to get involved in driving change in our communities, yet very few of us ever actually learn how to become one. With over a decade of experience, Cynthia offers a step-by-step guide on how to be an effective advocate at the grassroots level - in the US and beyond. While her book centers around mom advocates, anyone can learn from and be inspired by it! Some topics of discussion include: Why moms make great advocates  How advocacy can provide you with a greater sense of self and purpose (and why it’s not about being a martyr!) How you as one person can make a difference The importance of non-partisan advocacy Practical steps to get started today! And more! Transcription is available here Mentioned in the episode: Results Bread for the Word One Campaign Moms Rising Mom’s Demand Action US Citizens Climate Lobby Friends Committee ONE Campaign Little Lobbyists The Murder Bot Diaries - Martha Wells How to Be an Antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi - Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffee Follow along: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to the newsletter Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts - and be sure to rate and review to help other people find us! Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩 www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

In this episode, I talk with Pragya Agarwal about her book, Hysterical: Exploding the myth of gendered emotions. The experience of emotions is universally human, but our ability to display and act on them is heavily gendered. Despite improvements in societal equality, women are still often labelled ‘hysterical’, ‘bossy’ or emotional’. Pragya examines the impact this has on women - and men - including the role it has played in the subjugation of women throughout history, and how a future where emotions are ungendered might look. Some topics of discussion include: Where the myth of gendered emotions comes from Witches… a prime example of emotional norm enforcement The psychological toll moderating emotions - and emotional labour - takes How these myths undermine women in politics, healthcare, jury trials and more Pragya’s vision of an emotional utopia, and how we can get there And more! Transcription is available here Become a Patreon for access to the bonus interview with Pragya - hear her talk about the importance of language and the future of emotional technologies. Vocal Fries: The podcast about linguistic discrimination Episodes mentioned in intro: Maintenance Baes - how not to be an asshole to fat people The Duct Tape of Language - bimbos, vocal fries, and the word “like” Bulls, apes, bats and chicken - the history of swearing Mentioned in the episode: Sorrow and Bliss - Mag Mason A Horse by Night - Amina Cain The Velveteen Rabbit - Margery Williams -- Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffee Follow along: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to the newsletter Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts - and be sure to rate and review to help other people find us! Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩 www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

In this episode, I talk with content creator, author, podcast host and public speaker Natalie Lee about her book, Feeling Myself: How I Shed My Shame To Find Sexual Freedom and You Can Too. Natalie is an honest, frank writer, who describes herself as ‘on a liberating road of disruption to challenge and help you shed your shame’.  Sex remains an enormous taboo, and is still a source of shame and embarrassment for many people. Somehow, even in the 21st century, we haven’t got it right in educating young people about healthy attitudes to sex, consent and our bodies, and this plays into the experiences of many women when it comes to sexual relationships. Exposing the stigma that many of us feel with sex, Natalie Lee takes us through her own journey from traumatic beginnings to sexual freedom. She tells the story of learning to be your true self in a society that doesn't prioritize women’s pleasure, and provides tools for every woman to feel empowered and experience their own emancipation. Some topics of discussion include: Why sex is so important Where the shame and stigma surrounding women’s pleasure comes from Virginity, porn, orgasms and masturbation The problem with calling some sexual acts “foreplay” How Natalie shed her shame to find sexual freedom Tools for shedding our own shame, and how to raise kids to do the same And more! Become a Patron for access to the bonus interview with Natalie! Transcription is available here Mentioned in the episode: How To Do The Work - Dr Nicole LePera Bi - Julie Shaw Finding Me - Viola Davis Existential Kink - Carolyn Elliott Come As You Are - Emily Nagoski Find Your True Voice - Emmy Brunner [“Discovering” the clitoris in 2005](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-clitoris-uncovered-an-intimate-history/#:~:text=In 2005 Australian urologist Helen,ever dared to point out.) -- Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffee Follow along: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to the newsletter Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts - and be sure to rate and review to help other people find us! Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩 www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com