The Conversation

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two world-renowned drummers to find out what it takes to play professionally in the music industry.Canadian Sarah Thawer started playing drums and singing at the age of two and her first stage performance was at five. Known professionally as Sarah Drums, Sarah is known for her versatility, playing a wide range of genres from jazz and fusion to funk, R&B, and hip-hop. Sarah has performed on shows such as Late Night With Seth Meyers and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.Anika Nilles is a German drummer, composer, solo musician, and musical educator. She launched her career on YouTube during the early 2010s and has released two full-length albums to date, both with backing band Nevell: Pikalar in 2017 and For a Colorful Soul in 2020.Produced by Emily Naylor.(Image: (L) Sarah Drums, credit Eduardo Orelha. (R) Anika Nilles, credit Marius Mischke.)

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two professional e-sport gamers who earn their living playing online.Julia 'Bish' Robson is a prominent gamer and Twitch streamer who tailors her content for a South African audience. She also hosts LAN events - days of gaming in large conference centers - where people often sleep under the desks in order to play as much as possible. She has to contend with regular load-shedding (full on electricity outages) which impacts her ability to make a living as a full-time gamer.Eefje Depoortere from Belgium is an award-winning television presenter, reporter, and e-sports player who is best known for hosting the League of Legends European Championship. She is known professionally as Sjokz.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Eefje Depoortere, credit Colin Young-Wolff. (R) Julia Robson, courtesy of Julia Robson.)

Can a humble bicycle become a tool to empower women worldwide? Kim Chakanetsa meets two cyclists who want more women to get on their bikes.Lizzie Deignan is a world champion track and road racing cyclist. She got into cycling by chance, when the British Cycling Apprentice programme visited her school in Yorkshire. Throughout her career she has broken down barriers for women in the sport. Keen cyclist Alisha Myers is the Global Director of Strategic Information and Innovation at World Bicycle Relief, an organisation providing bicycles and supportive programming to women in rural areas across Africa. She believes that cycling can help women access education and better job opportunities.Produced by Alice Gioia.(Image: (L) Lizzie Deignan, courtesy of Lizzie Deignan. (R) Alisha Myers, credit Leah Missbach Day.)

Kim Chakanetsa meets two women who are breathing new life into the ancient practice of taxidermy, the process of preserving animal skin with fur and feather. Polly Morgan is an award-winning British sculptor who uses taxidermy to make works of art. Her work has been sold to art collectors worldwide and to celebrities like Cate Blanchette and Harry Styles. Divya Anantharaman is an award-winning taxidermist and educator based in NY city. She is the founder of Gotham Taxidermy and her clients range from museums, designers, gallerists, and collectors. She’s the co-author of Stuffed Animals: A Guide to Modern Taxidermy.Produced by Alice Gioia.(Image: (L) Polly Morgan, credit Mat Collishaw. (R) Divya Anantharaman, courtesy of Divya Anantharaman)

Dr. Lisa Dinella and Sunaina Somu Divakar discuss the impact of dolls on children's brains, sense of self, and representation. They explore how dolls teach cognitive and social skills, challenge stereotypes, and influence identity development.

Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two freedivers from Italy and Poland about what it takes to compete and set world-records in the extreme sport.Athlete Alessia Zecchini set world and Italian records in freediving. She has recently featured on the Netflix documentary The Deepest Breath.Julia Kozerska from Poland has broken multiple world records and specialises in dynamic no fins diving. Alongside training and competing, Julia also works as a lifeguard and physiotherapist.Producer: Emily Naylor(Image: Alessia Zecchini (L), Julia Kozerska (R) . Background: Alessia Zecchini diving, Credit Laura Babahekian.)

Dr Najat Aoun Saliba, prominent Lebanese scientist, and Nouhad Awwad, founder of the Lebanese national chapter of the Arab Youth Climate Change, discuss environmental challenges in Beirut, Lebanon. They explore the underrepresentation of women in environmental science and global climate negotiations, highlight community-driven solutions, and address the lack of women in parliament. The podcast reflects on the ongoing power vacuum in Lebanon but emphasizes hope for the future.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) research and diagnosis has historically been male-centric, often overlooking or misdiagnosing women and girls. This gender bias has led to a lack of understanding and support for women with ADHD, perpetuating misconceptions and underrepresentation. Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two women who have the condition to debunk some of the stereotypes associated with ADHD.Dr Kai Syng Tan is an award-winning artist and academic from Singapore who uses creativity to promote conversations for positive change around neurodiversity. They are currently Associate Professor in Arts and Cultural Leadership University of Southampton.Dr Jane Sedgwick is a senior lecturer and researcher in adult ADHD and an advanced mental health nurse practitioner. As well as being an ADHD therapist/coach she is an executive board member of the UK Adult ADHD Network. She is originally from Zimbabwe.Produced by Emily Naylor(Image: (L) Kai Syng Tan (R) Jane Sedgwick.)

Inheriting a family business can be a tall order. All the more so when it's a coffee business, where men have traditionally dominated the sector in many countries that produce one of the world's most popular beverages. While women have a crucial role to play in an industry that supports 25 million rural households across the globe, they're often under-represented at the highest level.Kim Chakanetsa hears from two women who've broken the mould. Heleanna Georgalis is the president of Moplaco Trading in Ethiopia, a company she took on when her father died in 2008. When she arrived, the system of trading coffee in the country was turned on its head, and she was forced to make changes to secure the future of the company.Ana María Donneys from Colombia inherited a coffee producing company from her grandfather when she was only in her mid-twenties. As the first woman to lead the company, and the first to export their specialty coffee, she's overcome numerous challenges to succeed in a highly volatile market.Both women discuss the future of coffee in the context of climate change, and how women can play a role.Produced by Fiona Clampin(Image: (L) Ana María Donneys, courtesy of Laura Victoria Usma Salazar. (R) Heleanna Georgalis, courtesy of Imran Mazar.)

Kim Chakanetsa talks to two female music managers who have made a significant impact in an often male-dominated field. Kei Henderson was the personal manager of rapper 21 Savage for several years. She is the CEO and founder of Third and Hayden, a management company that supports musical ad executive talent. She’s currently managing Rico Nasty and emerging talents such as Annahstasia, Ben Reilly, Jordan Hawkins and Kenneth Whalum.Amy Morgan worked across the whole spectrum of the music industry. She started out at Island Records, then moved to the independent label Beggars Music Group, where she became the creative director. Amy has managed the British indie rock band Glass Animals, whose recent hit Heat Waves led them to become the first British band to have a number one in the Global Spotify charts.Produced by Beatriz De La Pava.(Image: (L) Kei Henderson. (R) Amy Morgan.)