The wempower’s Podcast

Behind the Data: Investigative Journalism and the Power of Women’s Voices

An interview with Patricia Clarke, Reporter and Producer at Tortoise

In the first episode of Season Two of Behind the Headlines, we sit down with Patricia Clarke, an investigative journalist at Tortoise Media. Patricia has worked on award-nominated investigations, shedding light on critical issues like domestic abuse homicides and the porn industry.

Join us as we explore Patricia’s journey into journalism, from her beginnings to becoming a leading voice in investigative reporting. We’ll dive into her experiences producing impactful podcasts, investigative journalism's challenges and rewards, and data's pivotal role in uncovering hidden stories. Patricia shares her thoughts on navigating cross-cultural storytelling, the importance of sensitivity in reporting, and the unique power of diverse perspectives in shaping the media landscape.

This episode is packed with insights, advice for aspiring journalists, and stories that challenge the status quo. Tune in to hear how Patricia and others use data and storytelling to bring underreported stories to light.

 

 

Can philanthropy be feminist? Interview with Rena Greifinger, Managing Director of Maverick Collective and Director for Philanthropy at Population Services International

In this episode I sit with the amazing Rena Greifinger, Managing Director of Maverick Collective and Director for Philanthropy at Population Services International (PSI). Rena is an award-winning social entrepreneur and a passionate advocate for women and girls.

With over a decade at PSI, Rena has pioneered design-thinking in adolescent sexual and reproductive health. She's received the Harvard School of Public Health’s Albert Schweitzer Award and Sara’s Wish Foundation’s Global Humanitarian Award. In 2021, she was named one of Apolitical’s Top 100 Influencers in Gender Policy. 

Join us as we delve into Rena’s journey, her innovative philanthropic strategies, and explore if philanthropy can truly be feminist. We'll also discuss how a new generation of wealthy women is transforming this traditionally male-dominated field.

This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

The Woman Redefining Breast Safety in Sports

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!

The Feminist Blueprint

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.

 

Redefining leadership with creativity

 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. 🌟🚀

Leading with purpose: Lisa Baskott's entrepreneurial evolution

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.

Redefining Narratives: the case of Podium.me. An interview with Camilla Byk

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.

Leap of Faith: From Full-Time to Freelance 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. 

English: A Privilege or a Barrier? Navigating the journalism industry as a second-language English journalist

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.

Unleashing Potential: Hannah Ajala’s Impactful Mission for Diversity and Empowerment in Journalism

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.