The wempower’s Podcast

Who Gets Heard? Power, Gender and the Future of Journalism

An interview with Luba Kassova and Camilla Byk

 

As the media landscape shifts beneath our feet, what does the future hold for the next generation of storytellers? In this episode of Behind The Headlines, we explore a world caught between the "doomscroll" of social media and the rising renaissance of independent platforms like Substack.

We are joined by:

• Luba Kassova: Researcher, author, and co-founder of the international audience strategy consultancy AKAS.  Luba shares her journey of choosing "expression over depression" during a midlife career pivot and discusses how her work on deepfake ethics is currently shaping legislation in the California Senate.

• Camilla Byk: Co-founder of Podium.me, a master of audio drama and a champion for young voices. Camilla discusses her transition from documentary production to creative fiction and her mission to give Gen Z a seat at the table.

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In this episode, we dive deep into:

• The "Substack" Revolution: Can long-form writing and literature save us from the "brainrot" of TikTok? Luba discusses how the platform is "rewiring her brain" for the better.

• AI vs. The Human Ear: Why the "follow the tangent" interview technique is something AI simply cannot replicate, and why human listening remains the heartbeat of journalism.

• Mental Health on the Frontlines: How to navigate a "cascading avalanche of atrocities" in the news cycle without collapsing.

• The Confidence Gap: Camilla addresses why Gen Z journalists—despite being the most skilled generation yet—often feel they haven't "earned" their place, and how to reclaim that space.

• The Vanishing Stat: A sobering look at gender inequality in the media and why we must "keep on counting" to ensure women aren't written out of history.

As Luba beautifully puts it, "Attention is the biggest gift we can give each other." Join us for a conversation that moves past the bleak statistics to find hope, joy, and inspiration in the future of reporting.

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Follow our guests:

• Luba Kassova: https://lubakassova.substack.com/

• Camilla Byk: https://podium.me/

Subscribe to Behind The Headlines on all major platforms to never miss an episode https://linktr.ee/WempowerUK

The stories we owe them: reporting on childhood in crisis

An Interview with Gabriella Jóźwiak

"If we don't listen to the children, we aren't telling the whole story."

In this powerful episode of Behind the Headlines Podcast, we dive into the world of international journalism with specialist reporter Gabriella Jozwiak. Specializing in reporting from conflict zones like Ukraine and Ethiopia, Gabriella shares her unique journey of centering the voices of young people in global narratives.

This conversation is a masterclass in empathy, ethics, and resilience.

 

 

 

Is Journalism Ever Neutral? Culton Scovia Nakamya on Power, Media, and journalism in Uganda

What does it mean to be an “objective” journalist in a context where telling the truth can put your life at risk?

In the first episode of Behind the Headlines Series 3, we speak with Culton Scovia Nakamya, a Ugandan TV journalist, press freedom advocate, and founder of Her Story Uganda. With over a decade of experience across broadcast and print media, Culton has reported from the frontlines of political tension — covering elections, state violence, and the realities faced by ordinary citizens.

In 2021, she was arrested while reporting on the general elections. Since then, she has continued her work in an environment marked by censorship, intimidation, and restrictions on both media and civil society.

In this episode, we explore:

• What “neutrality” really means in journalism

• The realities of reporting under political pressure

• The intersection of gender and media representation

• Why African perspectives are essential to the future of journalism

• The courage it takes to keep telling stories that matter

Culton also reflects on her journey into journalism, her recent studies in Gender, Media and Culture at the London School of Economics, and her mission to amplify women’s voices through Her Story Uganda.

Behind the Headlines is the podcast by Wempower that brings forward the missing narratives of women journalists shaping the world.

This episode was recorded live with an audience, and you’ll hear their voices too as they ask questions directly to Culton, bringing even more depth and perspective to the conversation.

Listen now and follow the podcast to stay updated on the series.
Subscribe to our newsletter for more stories, insights, and upcoming episodes https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/778891/168821133112510416/share 

Her Body. Her Performance. Her Power. Dr. Lamia Zafrani on Women’s health in Sports

Female athletes are achieving more than ever, yet too often the systems designed to support them were never built with their bodies in mind. Menstrual cycles are misunderstood. Pregnancy forces many to step back rather than be supported. Injuries linked to female physiology remain under-researched. Performance and wellbeing are treated like two separate stories. This needs to change.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lamia Zafrani, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, powerlifter, and Perinatal Practitioner of the Year 2025. She has spent more than 15 years driving forward a new approach to women’s sports health. One that recognises strength and science must go hand in hand. One that prioritises athletes not as “small men” but as women with unique physiology, hormones, and needs.

Dr. Zafrani shares her personal journey into medicine and sport, the reality of caring for female athletes across all stages of life, and why better healthcare policies and performance programs are essential if women are to reach their true potential on the field.

This conversation is a reminder that progress in women’s sport is not only about visibility or medals. It is about the right support, the right knowledge, and the right to be healthy while chasing ambition.

Tune in and be part of the shift toward a future where women can perform at their peak without compromising their bodies or their power.

 

* This podcast episode is part of the new series “Level the Playing Field: The Untold Stories of Women in Sport.” Each Monday, we publish a new story highlighting the women reshaping the world of sport — on and off the field. To read more inspiring stories of everyday women making a real difference in the world, be sure to check out the latest edition of Wempower magazine, or listen to our podcast. *

From Vision to Impact

Jasmine Sayyari on Shaping Gen Z’s Careers

In this episode of the Wempower Podcast, we sit down with Jasmine Sayyari, founder of New Generation Network (NGN) and the mind behind Chanci AI, to explore how technology, mentorship, and community are shaping the future of work for Gen Z.

Jasmine shares her journey as an entrepreneur, the challenges she faced in building a tech-driven platform for career development, and her vision for creating opportunities that are both inclusive and empowering. We dive into how AI tools like Chanci AI are transforming career planning by combining psychology, skills assessment, and CV analysis to help young professionals discover unexpected career paths.

We also discuss the importance of mentorship, peer support, and inclusivity in preparing the next generation for rapidly changing industries, as well as Jasmine’s advice for women entering male-dominated fields. Looking ahead, Jasmine offers insight into how NGN is evolving to meet the needs of a workforce increasingly shaped by AI.

This conversation is all about innovation, empowerment, and building a future of work where no one is left behind.

Fighting from Exile

Malalai's voice for Afghan Women 

 

In the final episode of our Women on the Move series, Malalai—a courageous Afghan humanitarian and mother—shares her powerful journey of forced displacement, resilience, and continued activism for Afghan women under Taliban rule. From the fall of Kabul to building a new life in exile, her voice is a call to action and remembrance.

To protect her identity and safety, certain important details have been intentionally omitted. This is an audio-only episode, inviting you to listen closely to her voice and testimony.

This episode concludes our special series exploring the intersection of gender and migration. Discover more at www.wempower.co or follow us @wempoweruk.

From Survivor to Advocate. Adama Nyama Bah's Powerful Journey for Women's Health

Trigger Warning: This podcast episode discusses sensitive topics, including sexual violence, FGM and abuse.

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

 

In this deeply moving and impactful episode, we sit down with Adama Nyama Bah, the founder and director of the Women's Health Advocacy Network (WHAN). Adama, a survivor of sexual violence from Sierra Leone's Civil War and a victim of FGM, shares her extraordinary journey and her unwavering commitment to supporting women and girls who have endured unimaginable trauma.

Adama's story is one of resilience and determination. From her own experiences of navigating the devastating aftermath of violence to her tireless advocacy for marginalized women, she illuminates the urgent need for systemic change and trauma-informed care. We delve into the critical work of WHAN, exploring how the organization provides life-changing support, including emergency assistance, mental health services, and empowerment programs.

Adama passionately discusses the barriers faced by survivors, particularly those from migrant and marginalized communities, highlighting the lack of culturally sensitive services and the urgent need for training in maternal health. She also addresses the importance of engaging men and broader communities in the fight against gender-based violence.

This episode is a powerful call to action, shedding light on the urgent need for funding and support for WHAN's vital work. Adama's voice is a beacon of hope, inspiring survivors to break the silence and seek help and challenging us all to create a world where every woman's voice is heard and her needs are met.

Health Inequalities for Black Women: Breaking Barriers in Healthcare with Simphiwe Sesane

Welcome to Fobbed Off & Female, Wempower’s special series on medical misogyny. In this episode, journalist Rebecca Crockett speaks with Simphiwe Sansani, medical educator, nurse consultant, and founder of Black Nurses and Midwives UK.

They discuss the pressing issue of health inequalities for Black women in the UK, the systemic barriers they face, and how we can work towards real health equity. From representation in the NHS to mentorship and career development, this conversation sheds light on the power of community and advocacy in healthcare.

🔗 Follow Wempower for more stories challenging gender bias in medicine https://wempower.co/

Endometriosis Beyond the Binary

An interview with Lois Shearing, Senior Sex and Relationships Writer at Cosmopolitan UK

We’re diving into a vital and long-overdue conversation with Lois Shearing, Senior Sex and Relationships Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, to explore the realities of endometriosis beyond the binary.

For too long, endometriosis has been framed as a “women’s disease,” leaving many sufferers overlooked and underdiagnosed. In this episode, Lois unpacks the gendered biases in healthcare and the urgent need for more inclusive, affirming care for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people with endometriosis.

🔹 Why is endometriosis still so misunderstood and misdiagnosed?
🔹 How does gender bias shape who gets access to treatment?
🔹 What needs to change for a truly inclusive approach to reproductive health?

This is essential listening for healthcare professionals, advocates, and anyone pushing for a more inclusive medical system.

🎧 Tune in now & join the conversation!

Remember to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth explorations of the realities of healthcare and gender.

Contraception, Menopause, and Everything In Between: What Do We Really Know?

Interview with Kate Muir, novelist and journalist

 

We’re kicking off our brand-new series, Fobbed Off and Female, with an unmissable conversation featuring Kate Muir—novelist, journalist, and fierce advocate for women's health.

Kate, author of Everything You Need to Know About The Menopause and The Pill, has been instrumental in breaking the silence around medical misogyny. In this episode, she shares eye-opening insights into the systemic biases in healthcare, from the hidden dangers of hormonal contraception to the neglect of menopause in medical research.

We also discuss her upcoming book, How to Have a Magnificent Midlife Crisis (out this summer!), which challenges outdated perceptions of aging and women’s health.

🔹 How much do we know about the pill’s impact on mental health?
🔹 Why is female contraception not held to the same safety standards as male contraception?
🔹 What’s the Pope Rule—and how has it shaped access to birth control?

This is essential listening for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and anyone ready to challenge the status quo.

🎧 Tune in now & join the conversation!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on the realities of women's healthcare. 

#MedicalMisogyny #KateMuir #Menopause #Contraception