Around the world, languages are disappearing. Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two women who are helping to keep their endangered languages alive – how has learning the words of their ancestors shaped their identities?Mshkogaabwid Kwe from Turtle Island, an indigenous name for Canada, learned her clan’s language, Anishinaabemowin, as an adult. She is now raising her children in an English-free home. She has a deep gratitude to those who walked before her and kept the words alive, knowing the persecution that they faced.Tsamaxa Toroxa spoke English and Afrikaans growing up in South Africa, and often faced prejudice from other Black South Africans who expected her to speak an indigenous language. Learning the language of her ancestors, Khoe, has shaped how she sees herself and she is now helping to keep the language alive by sharing it with others through the arts. Produced by Caitlin SneddonIMAGE DETAILS L: Mshkogaabwid Kwe (credit Mshkogaabwid Kwe) R: Tsamaxa Toroxa (credit Tsamaxa Toroxa)

Kim Chakanetsa in joined by two pioneering dermatologists to talk about the challenges and satisfaction that come with working with one of the body’s most fascinating organs. Dr Margaret Yaa Lartey is a Professor of Medicine and Dermatology at the University of Ghana, and the first woman to lead the Ghana Society of Dermatology. She had very personal reasons to become a skin specialist, and she is committed to fighting misinformation and myths around skin care and disease. Dr Rashmi Sarkar is a Senior Professor in Dermatology at Delhi University and president elect of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL). When she started out, there was stigma surrounding the profession. Now it’s a very popular choice, especially among women. Produced by Alice Gioia IMAGE DETAILS L: Dr Rashmi Sarkar (credit Rama Studio) R: Dr Margaret Yaa Lartey (credit courtesy of Margaret Yaa Lartey)

For many women having a newborn baby is one of the happiest times of their lives - but for a tiny proportion that new arrival begins a terrifying nightmare. Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women who experienced extreme psychosis after the birth of their child.When Catherine Cho’s first child was three months old she and her husband embarked on an extended trip to visit family and friends back home in the US. Their Korean relatives warned that they shouldn’t be travelling so far before the baby was 100 days old. Stressed and exhausted Catherine started seeing frightening things that weren’t there. That trip ended with her admission to an involuntary psychiatric ward, separated from her husband and child and not able to understand who she was or how she got there. She’s written a book about her journey back to reality called Inferno: A Memoir.Lobeh Osagie-Asiah was born in Gambia and grew up in London. After a psychotic episode when she was a student, she was diagnosed as bipolar and knew she might be at risk of a recurrence in pregnancy or birth. But it wasn't until after her fourth child was born that she experienced postpartum psychosis: she became convinced she was on a mission and that people were trying to kill her to take her baby. She says the getting through the experience has made relationships with her husband, family and friends, so much stronger.If you are feeling emotionally distressed, or worried about a friend or relative there are links to support organisations on the programme website. Produced by Jane ThurlowIMAGE DETAILS L: Lobeh Osagie-Asiah [courtesy Lobeh Osagie-Asiah] R: Catherine Cho [credit Alastair Levy]

Despite its long and rich history, the ukulele has often been snubbed or dismissed as a novelty instrument by the music world. But over the years, rock stars have embraced the guitar’s smaller cousin, from Elvis Presley to the Beatles to Taylor Swift. Kim Chakanetsa meets two women who turned their love for the ukulele into a successful musical career.When Taimane was gifted a ukulele at 5 years old, it was the start of a musical journey that would take her from busking on the streets to appearing on the world’s biggest stages. She is now considered one of the world’s leading ukulele players and is based in Honolulu, Hawaii.Zee Avi is a singer-songwriter, ukulele player and guitarist from Malaysia. Zee taught herself to play music when she was a teenager and she got her first record deal at 22, thanks to a video that she posted on the internet back in 2007. Her songs have appeared in numerous TV shows and films.Produced by Alice Gioia and mixed by Donald MacDonald.IMAGE DETAILS: (L) Taimane, credit NPR/Laura Beltrán Villamizar (R) Zee Avi, credit XENO EntertainmentMUSIC DETAILS: Taimane: AIR; Water; Beethoven, System of a Down, Led & ACDC Medley, Deh vieni alla finestra (Don Giovanni, Mozart) performed by Taimane and Quinn Kelsey at the Hawaii Opera Theatre. Zee Avi: Bitter Heart; I am me once more.

What does it take to run a country? Kim Chakanetsa is joined by two international leaders who have championed women’s health, equality and empowerment throughout their careers. They will discuss their personal journeys, the impact Covid-19 has had on the wellbeing of women around the world, and why more women should join the political arena. The guests will also be taking questions from two young female activists and leaders in women’s rights, health and climate change.Michelle Bachelet became Chile’s first female president in 2006 and served a second term in 2014. In 1973, her father was detained and tortured under General Pinochet’s dictatorial rule. Two years later she was also imprisoned with her mother and then exiled for four years. When she returned to Chile, she became a doctor and worked with victims of torture. She is currently the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.Helen Clark was the first woman to be elected as prime minister of New Zealand and the first woman to serve for three consecutive terms. After her premiership, Helen Clark became the first female head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and last year she co-chaired an Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response to explore the global response to Covid-19. She’s also chairing the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH).Produced by Alice GioiaIMAGE DETAILS (L) Michelle Bachelet, credit Getty Images (R) Helen Clark, credit Getty Images

Some people live the most amazing lives but aren't always the best at putting those experiences into words. Kim Chakanetsa talks to two ghostwriters about collaborative writing - what do they enjoy about telling someone else's story?Michelle Burford is a celebrity memoir collaborator who’s written for hugely successful women like Cicely Tyson, Alicia Keys and Simone Biles. Having carved out a niche writing with famous Black women she’s also collaborated on the traumatic memoir of Michelle Knight, kidnapped and held captive by Ariel Castro in Cleveland, Ohio for ten years – and TV carpenter, Clint Harp.Ellen Banda-Aaku is an author from Zambia. She's written award winning books for children and adults and took up ghostwriting to bring in a steady income. She writes for StoryTerrace - a paid-for service which helps people write their autobiographies. This has included a woman smuggled out of Iran, another who left an abusive marriage and a man jailed in Somalia who later dedicated his life to humanitarian aid.Produced by Jane ThurlowIMAGE DETAILS (L) Michelle Burford, credit Meg Rybicki (R) Ellen Banda-Aaku, courtesy Ellen Banda-Aaku

Two women restoring forest in Brazil and Nepal tell Kim Chakanetsa about working with local communities to plant thousands of trees and restore the natural environment. Francy Forero Sánchez is a Colombian primate researcher who volunteers with the environmental organisation Copaiba. It works with the community to restore parts of the Atlantic Forest in south eastern Brazil - one of the most endangered and biodiverse in the world. Run mainly by women the project produces native tree seedlings, plants trees and runs environmental education programmes.Rachhya Kayastha fell in love with the natural world around her as a child in Nepal and would gather school friends to plant flowers in her neighbourhood. She's now National Director in Nepal for the US charity, Eden Reforestation Projects. The organisation sets up seed collection stations, develops plant nurseries and reforestation schemes giving work to local people, mostly women. Produced by Jane ThurlowIMAGE DETAILS Francy Forero Sánchez (courtesy Francy Forero Sánchez) Rachhya Kayastha (courtesy Eden Reforestation Projects)

Women throughout the centuries have put their hiking boots on and set out into the great outdoors, but their stories are rarely told. Kim Chakanetsa is joined by two women who, through their own writing and journeys, are helping to change that. Cheryl Strayed is the author of Wild, a bestselling memoir of her 1100 mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. Cheryl impulsively embarked on the hike after her mother suddenly died of cancer and her marriage crumbled, without any experience of long-distance hiking. The Oscar-nominated movie adaptation of Wild stars Reese Witherspoon. Cheryl is also the author of Tiny Beautiful Things and Brave Enough. She was the host of the New York Times podcast Dear Sugars.Dr Kerri Andrews teaches Literature at Edge Hill University and lives in Scotland. Her book, Wanderers, tells the stories of ten female pioneering walkers and writers, from Virginia Woolf to Nan Shepherd. Kerri is also a keen hiker and the co-leader of Women In The Hills, a research network looking at what hinders and what enhances women's experiences of the outdoors.Produced by Alice GioiaIMAGE DETAILS: L: Dr Kerri Andrews (credit Adam Robinson) R: Cheryl Strayed (credit Holly Andres)

Kim Chakanetsa talks to two choreographers whose careers took off after they posted dance routines on social media. Sienna LaLau is an Hawaiian choreographer and dancer. Her routine with K-Pop sensations BTS, for the music video 'ON', where she also dances, was watched 7 million times within 3 days of its release. Just 20 years old she's gained an international reputation, working with artists like Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber.Rwandan Sherrie Silver, won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography in 2018 for her work on Childish Gambino’s ‘This Is America’. She’s since choreographed for some of the biggest names in music, including Rihanna, Celine Dion and Burna Boy. She brings traditional dance moves from African cultures to an international audience. Produced by Jane ThurlowIMAGE DETAILS L Sienna Lalau (courtesy The Lab Studios) R Sherrie Silver (courtesy Malaria No More UK)

For a long time there was a wall of silence around the menopause, but more women are choosing to speak candidly about their complicated and illuminating experiences. Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women on a mission to demystify the menopause. Dr Nighat Arif is a British Pakistani family doctor specialising in women’s health. She is passionate about making the menopause a less taboo subject for all, but particularly for women for whom English is not their first language, and she often uses her social media channels to raise awareness. Barbara Hannah Grufferman is an American writer whose work focuses on healthy aging. After struggling with her symptoms during menopause she decided to become a marathon runner. Her most recent book is Love Your Age and her newsletter is Menopause Cheat Sheet.Produced by Alice Gioia IMAGE: (L) Dr Nighat Arif (credit: courtesy of Dr Nighat Arif) (R) Barbara Hannah Grufferman (credit: Howard Grufferman)