The wempower’s Podcast

Women in the news: missing perspectives or opportunity for change?

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

Behind the Headlines, the missing narratives of women journalists - INTRO

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.

 

WalkSafe: the app that is making women’s commutes safer

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".

 

 

 

Diversify to make a change - Sisterhood, allyship and diversity in the newsroom

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. 

 

Trauma Reporting - Telling the stories that matter, better

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.

No topic is a taboo

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. 

Show Up and Rise Up with the Queen Bee

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. 

When baking becomes a tool for rehabilitation and solidarity

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.

 

Empowering women through performance and psychology. Interview with Ariana Barnes, founder of the Different Women Project

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. 

 

Your Money Adventure, Interview with Fanny Snaith, Certified Money Coach

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.