Interview with Suzie Betts, founder of Boob Armour In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Suzie Betts, the visionary founder of Boob Armour, a revolutionary brand that is working to protect women’s breasts and to give athletes, sportspeople and those in physically demanding careers the confidence to play, work and live freely by alleviating breast impact and preventing injury. The inception of Boob Armour was inspired by the personal journey of Suzie finding lumps in her breast due to trauma she faced in her younger years that left her feeling vulnerable and unsupported. Determined to find a solution, she embarked on a mission to design innovative breast protection that would ensure both comfort and safety and create a positive change. In our conversation with Suzie, we delve into the journey that led her to create Boob Armour, discussing the challenges she faced and the inspiring stories that fueled her passion for women's empowerment. As a trailblazer in the field, Suzie shares invaluable insights into the importance of body positivity, self-care, and breaking down barriers in the world of sports and fitness. Whether you're an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or simply someone who believes in the power of empowerment, this episode is sure to resonate with you. Tune in to gain valuable insights, be inspired, and join us in celebrating the incredible work of Suzie Betts and Boob Armour!

Interview with Latanya Mapp Frett Latanya Mapp Frett is the former president and CEO of the Global Fund for Women, a public foundation that supports courageous activists who are fighting for justice and equality in their communities and the current CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.  During this joyful and inspirational conversation, we explored Latanya's incredible journey advocating for justice and equality worldwide, delving into her experiences as the Global Fund for Women CEO and her new role at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Latanya shares her strategies for forging impactful partnerships with organizations, governments, and stakeholders to maximize our collective impact in advancing women's rights, and the essential qualities that are crucial for driving positive change, alongside insights from her leadership journey and the mentors who have shaped her path. We'll explore the inspiration behind Latanya's book, "The Everyday Feminist," and its valuable contributions to the broader discourse on feminism and social justice. We will also gain insights into Latanya's writing process, challenges, and advice for aspiring authors seeking to contribute to discussions on feminism and social justice.

Interview with Annie Bartley, founder of I am female   Join us for an enlightening episode as we sit down with Annie Bartley, the visionary founder of I am Female, an award-winning design & branding agency challenging the norms of creativity. In this episode, Annie shares her insights on the lack of representation of women in design, and how she's actively working to reshape the narrative. From dismantling barriers to fostering inclusivity, Annie's bold approach is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse creative industry. Tune in to discover the strategies, stories, and passion driving Annie's mission to empower women in design and inspire the next generation of leaders. 🌟🚀

In this episode, Lisa takes us on an inspiring journey, sharing the pivotal moments that led her from being a certified SIA-licensed door supervisor in 2021 to becoming the CEO of 2nd Line of Defence. From breaking barriers to championing diversity, she delves into the crucial role women play in frontline security in the UK.   We talked about... - Lisa's inspiring journey from a certified SIA-licensed door supervisor to the dynamic CEO of 2nd Line of Defence. - Her commitment to championing diversity and empowering women in the private security sector. - Insights into the critical role of frontline security in the UK and the unique challenges faced by women in the field. - Reflections on success and fulfilment, intertwining community and sustainability in her roles. - Lisa's multifaceted expertise, across B2B media, property management, and her various roles in justice and community building.   This thought-provoking episode promises to be a captivating exploration of Lisa's commitment to justice and community building.

As we wrap up our special series of the Wempower Podcast, dedicated to shedding light on the invisible stories of the women behind the news, we couldn't have asked for a better finale. We had the privilege of hosting Camilla Byk, the dynamic co-founder of Podium.me.  Since its inception in 2012, Camilla's vision has been unwavering: championing young voices to be heard and respected within the media.   - About Podium.me: It's more than just an audio platform—it's a movement. Catering to young minds aged 16-25, Podium.me empowers them with the tools and opportunities to create impactful podcasts and dramas echoing their real-life experiences. With a grassroots ethos, they've garnered both accolades and admiration.   - About Camilla: From studying Italian and French at Siena and Oxford to associating with titans like the BBC, educational charities, and top-tier news organizations—Camilla's journey is inspiring. A Fellow and former Trustee of The Radio Academy, she was lauded with an MBE in 2022, recognizing her invaluable contributions to the youth and world of broadcast journalism.

Dive into the transformative journey of Dhruti Shah, who dared to venture out from the esteemed corridors of BBC to chart her own path as a freelance journalist, right in the midst of a global pandemic! A leap of faith into the freelance world, where Dhruti is redefining journalism and storytelling in her own unique way. Tune in to hear how she's embracing this new chapter of her life and career, exploring innovative ways to share stories that matter.

In this interview we will talk about language, and the barriers that non-native English speakers journalists might face when entering the journalism industry in the UK, or any other English-speaking country.  Barbara Serra is an award-winning journalist, TV presenter, documentary-maker and author. From 2006 to 2022 she presented Al Jazeera English’s flagship NewsHour programme from the channel’s European headquarters in London. She was previously a reporter and presenter at Sky News, BBC and Channel 5, where she became the first non-native English speaker to present a prime-time news programme on British television. In 2020 she produced and presented the documentary Fascism in the Family for Al Jazeera, looking at the story of her grandfather, fascist mayor of the town of Carbonia, and the influence that Fascism continues to exert in Italy.  In 2019 she was awarded the Knighthood of the Order of the Star of Italy by the President of the Italian Republic for her journalism. She is currently writing a book and has a Substack Newsletter called News with a Foreign Accent.

Hannah Ajala, international journalist and presenter, currently specialising in podcasts for organisations like the BBC and CBC and founder of We are Black Journos is the guest of this new episode of "Behind the Headlines, the missing narratives of women journalists". Hannah joined Wempower Podcast to discuss diversity, mentorship, and the importance of inclusion in the media industry. She shares her journey, from childhood aspirations of becoming an actress to discovering her passion for journalism. Hannah emphasizes the value of trying different things and going after what you want. She offers tips on writing, pitching, and creating compelling stories that challenge stereotypes and leave the audience hungry for more. Hannah highlights the need for representation and unity among women in journalism, stressing the impact of seeing someone who looks like you achieve success. She advocates for sponsorship as a powerful tool for career advancement and discusses the underrepresentation of black journalists in the industry. Hannah addresses the lack of diversity in the media industry and the importance of inclusive narratives. She calls for change at the top to foster new perspectives and ideas. In conclusion, Hannah expresses hope for the future of women in journalism, where talented journalists can thrive without facing unnecessary barriers.

Interview with Luba Kassova, co-founder and director of the international audience strategy consultancy AKAS and an award-winning evidence-based storyteller and TEDx speaker. In this interview we talk about gender equality, representation and diversity in the news and the newsrooms, analyzing Luba's latest report "FROM OUTRAGE TO OPPORTUNITY. How to Include the Missing Perspectives of Women of All Colors in News Leadership and Coverage".  Luba investigates the connection between statistics, journalism and how it relates to diversity in the news industry. Together we will also look at and highlight nine trailblazing organisations that are actively pushing for diversity in the media. This is "Behind the Headlines, the missing narratives of women journalists", a new series of Wempower Podcast. You can watch the episode here Don't forget to follow Wempower on all social media platforms @wempoweruk

The reason why I decided to create this new podcast series is because we don’t talk enough about the stories of women journalists. We often forget that behind a headline there are the lived experiences, the challenges, the achievements and the dreams of a person. In the world of journalism, where the power to shape narratives and influence public opinion resides, the underrepresentation of women journalists and their stories is a pressing concern.  Despite significant progress in gender equality over the years, the news agenda continues to overlook the diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise of women reporters.  This podcast series delves into the reasons behind this absence, its implications for society, and the importance of actively promoting and supporting women journalists to create a more inclusive media landscape.   This new series is composed of 5 episodes, and my guests are:   Barbara Serra Italian-born British-based broadcast journalist and TV newsreader, with experience at Al Jazeera, Sky News and BBC; Hannah Ajala journalist specialising in podcast for the BBC and CBC and founder of We Are Black Journos , Luba Kassova , co-founder and director of the international audience strategy consultancy AKAS and an award-winning evidence-based storyteller and TEDx speaker; Dhruti Shah , an award-winning journalist specializing in verification, user-generated content, investigative journalism and creative storytelling; Camilla Byk, a journalist and co-founder of podium.me an award-winning audio platform for the voices of the under 25s.

Emma Kay is the Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of WalkSafe.  WalkSafe is the #1 downloaded personal safety app in the UK, with the mission to put knowledge and information in the hands of its users so they can plan safer routes and feel empowered.  I had the pleasure of meeting Emma at Ideas Fest last year and I have been truly impressed by her story and the incredible work done with WalkSafe. Her passion about personal safety and about improving safety outcomes for men and women across the UK and worldwide is truly inspirational.  "Initially, we had 5,000 downloads, - said Emma. But, after the death of Sarah Everard, who went missing in Clapham in March 2021, we saw a spike in demand, and the number of users rocketed to half a million. It’s bittersweet as we wish this app didn’t have to exist. But as long as there’s a need, we’ll strive to make women feel as safe as possible".

An Interview with Genelle Aldred journalist, author and deputy chair for Women in Journalism UK.  Hello and welcome to a new series of Wempower Podcast.  If you have been following us from the beginning you know that Wempower aims at changing the narrative on women rights and gender issues, by sharing more inspiring, diverse, inclusive and powerful stories of ordinary, but extraordinary women that are changing the world.  With this new series of podcasts, released on the occasion of the International Women's Day, we want to celebrate and acknowledge the stories of women journalists that are an inspiration for us.  Let me share with you that missing narrative and perspective, let’s dive deep into their lives and experiences to discover what motivates them, why they became journalists in the first place, and what are they doing to help and support more journalists to progress, develop, learn and grow. In this episode we discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in the newsroom, and the role of sisterhood and allyship with Genelle Aldred. Genelle Aldred is a regular contributor to conversations about media, politics and justice. A former newsreader and journalist for BBC, ITN and ITV.  In 2021 she published her first book “Communicate for change” and today she runs a communications consultancy helping people, brands and organisations. She is the Deputy Chair for Women in Journalism UK.

An interview with Jo Healey, journalist and founder of trauma work.   Welcome to a new series of Wempower Podcast.  If you have been following us from the beginning you know that Wempower aims at changing the narrative on women rights and gender issues, by sharing more inspiring, diverse, inclusive and powerful stories of ordinary, but extraordinary women that are changing the world.  With this new series of podcasts, released on the occasion of the International Women's Day, we want to celebrate and acknowledge the stories of women journalists that are an inspiration for us.  Let me share with you that missing narrative and perspective, let’s dive deep into their lives and experiences to discover what motivates them, why they became journalists in the first place, and what are they doing to help and support more journalists to progress, develop, learn and grow.  Trauma-informed journalism is a relatively new term, even though covering trauma — ranging from storms and fires to sexual assaults and homicides to mass shootings and wars — has always been a part of journalists’ work. Trauma-informed journalism means understanding trauma, understanding what a trauma survivor is experiencing before you show up at their door, and understanding how your actions [as a journalist] will impact them after you pack up and leave. To investigate this further I have invited Jo Healey senior news journalist and founder of Trauma Reporting. Jo has worked for radio and TV covering hundred of people’s sensitive stories.  She devised Trauma Reporting training for BBC News and Current Affairs and factual programming. She is the author of "Trauma Reporting, A Journalist’s Guide to Covering Sensitive Stories". She authored UNESCO’s document "Safety of Journalists Covering Trauma and Distress: Do No Harm" which has been translated into seven languages. She delivers training, lectures and keynotes worldwide.

Interview with Kelly Newton Founder of NIXI BODY on everything about incontinence and menopause   Taboos are social customs restricting discussion on specific topics. They create a culture of silence, it limits access to knowledge and care, and taboos can harm an individual's health, an individual's mental health and their well-being. Taboos perpetuate discrimination, they perpetuate negative stereotypes, they can be isolating and they can contribute to inequities.  Menopause and incontinence are two of the biggest taboos. At work, at home, and even within your female friend circles. We are scared to ask for help, we are scared to be judged, and we find ourselves struggling with simple tasks (like exercise for example) and feeling really uncomfortable in our own bodies.  This is why I have invited Kelly Newton to share her personal experience with menopause and incontinence, how affected her daily life, and how she decided she wanted to do something so that other women could feel confident in their bodies...always!  Kelly is a mum of six who designed her first pair of leak-proof knickers after struggling with menopause and little bladder leaks when playing hockey. NIXI BODY was born in 2020 and it's a comfortable, breathable, and wearable period & incontinence underwear brand, designed for women by women.  I hope you will enjoy this new episode (the first of 2023) and if you want to connect with Kelly you can do it here.

Interview with Dani Wallace, founder of I Am The Queen Bee Movement and creator of the Fly Anyway Foundation Having overcome homelessness as a single parent, domestic violence and years of self-sabotage, Dani Wallace is now a motivational speaker and coach and fearless leader of the I Am The Queen Bee Movement helping women across the world Show Up, Wise Up and Rise Up. In this interview we will discover her journey, as a woman and entrepreneur, why Dani has chosen the bee as a symbol of resilience and women empowerment, and the importance of  a community.

Interview with Yana Spencer, journalist and women’s rights activist and founder of Tamu Bakery I have met with Yana Spencer, journalist and women’s right activist, running Tamu Bakery – a social enterprise which empowers women and girls, who have been affected by gender-based violence, through baking therapy. Yana has written a piece for Wempower on the war in Ukraine, and how rape has been used as weapon of war and genocidal tool, you can read it here.  The conversation with Yana, became a podcast interview. We talked about Yana's journey as journalist first, and activist after with Tamu Bakery and her work to empower women in war torn countries through baking.

In this episode of Wempower Podcast I interview Ariane Barnes,  performer and teacher of Advanced Performance and Yoga Psychology, and founder of the Different Women Project and runs the Diversity Warriors Embodied DEI Consultancy & Warrior Women Like ME Empowerment programs.   She is passionate about helping women stand tall and strong in their craft through the use of performance, psychology and diversity as a pedagogy for leadership.   In this episode we will discover more about her journey as an artist, founder and woman, the light bulb moment that led to Different Women Project, diversity and inclusion in the arts, and the importance of representation.

In this episode I interview Fanny Snaith a Certified Money Coach. Fanny is a business owner, a self made millionaire and is fiercely passionate about helping us understand our emotions and behaviors around how to earn, spend and save money. Her goal is to increase financial literacy, and on that journey help us build our wealth and often fix our relationship with money.   If you want to find out more about Fanny Snaith and how her Money Coaching can help you click here .    If you'd like to take the Money Type Quiz you can do so here.

Yael Nevo, founder of Gender Rise a London-based gender consultancy, is an award-winning Gender Consultant passionate about working with Companies, Venture Capital Firms and Angel Investors, at the grassroot of gender change. In this interview we talk about the importance of diversity, inclusion, gender equity and gender equality. We discuss Yael career and we look at ways that companies can increase or include gender equity in their businesses, so that the people, the planet and the profit margin can benefit from it. Definitely an episode that you don't want to miss!

This time I have invited Beth Stallwood founder of Create Work Joy to discuss Work Joy, and how to create a work life that makes us smile a little bit more everyday. Interview with Beth Stallwood,  Organisational culture consultant,  facilitator and coach   Beth is on a mission to help people cultivate joy in their working lives. She enables people to empower themselves to achieve their goals. With an energetic style, Beth shares relatable stories and anecdotes to connect with the audience and ensure they have tangible actions to take away. This episode is for all those employees that are struggling to find and create a more joyful work life and for all the employers that want to create a work environment that will make everyone smile 😊!