Meera Syal: The Thing That Made Me Lonely IS My Superpower

Beverley Knight: I Always Bet On Myself

Singer, songwriter, and performer Beverley Knight is one of Britain's most celebrated artists and a woman who has spent her career breaking boundaries on her own terms. Beverley and Anita talk about the ambition and determination that have carried her through more than three decades in the music industry. From a life-changing trip to see Prince in concert that would eventually lead to an extraordinary friendship with her musical hero, to forging a path as a Black British soul artist in the 1990s, Beverley reflects on the experiences that taught her to trust her instincts and stay true to herself. She speaks candidly about navigating an industry that often struggled to make space for her, her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and HIV awareness, and the resilience it took to weather criticism without compromising her values. We also discuss her award-winning move into musical theatre, including her portrayal of Emmeline Pankhurst in Sylvia, and why she's more excited than ever to explore new creative challenges. This is a conversation about longevity, reinvention, and the importance of believing in yourself, even when other people don't. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance [https://www.instagram.com/sistersofdefiance/?hl=en]  Anita - @itsanitarani [https://www.instagram.com/itsanitarani/?hl=en]  Beverley - @beverleyknight [https://www.instagram.com/beverleyknight/?hl=en] Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores [http://www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet  Presented by Anita Rani Producer: Flossie Barratt Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Gisèle Pelicot: I Don’t Want To Be Destroyed By Hate

Gisèle Pelicot has emerged as one of the most influential feminist voices of current times. Her extraordinary courage has sparked conversations around the world about justice, dignity, and the treatment of survivors of sexual violence. After becoming the central figure in a landmark French rape trial, Gisèle made the remarkable decision to waive her anonymity, choosing instead to speak openly about the abuse she endured after being repeatedly drugged by her husband over many years. Her actions transformed a deeply personal trauma into a broader public discussion about consent, accountability, and societal attitudes toward violence against women. In this moving conversation, Gisèle reflects on resilience, the impact of public scrutiny, and the strength it takes to reclaim one's voice after trauma. She shares her perspective on the importance of truth, the impact of the women who supported her, and the lessons she hopes future generations will carry forward. We also discuss her memoir, A Hymn to Life, in which she reflects on her experience, the pursuit of justice, and the path toward rebuilding a life after unimaginable betrayal. Content warning: This episode contains discussions about rape, sexual assault and sexual violence. We know these experiences can be difficult to hear about, so please listen in the way that feels right for you. If you need support, or if this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, you'll find details of organisations that can help below. Rape Crisis England & Wales - 0808 500 2222 - rapecrisis.org.uk [http://rapecrisis.org.uk]  The Survivors Trust - 0808 801 0818 - thesurvivorstrust.org [http://thesurvivorstrust.org]  If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Gisèle - @gisele_pelicot You can get Gisèle’s book, A Hymn To Life here [https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/475698/a-hymn-to-life-by-pelicot-gisele/9781847928962] Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores [http://www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet  Presented by Anita Rani Producer: Flossie Barratt Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Emma Grede: Other People’s Opinions Are Not My Business

Emma Grede has built some of the most influential brands of the modern era, but behind the businesses and boardroom is a woman who has never been afraid to question who gets to lead, who’s allowed to speak openly about ambition, or to take up space. In this episode of Sisters of Defiance, Anita sits down with Emma to talk about power, money, motherhood, resilience, and the defining moments that shaped her extraordinary rise. From growing up in East London to building global brands and becoming one of the most respected entrepreneurs in business, Emma reflects on the risks she took and the mindset that helped her forge her own path on her own terms. This is a conversation about what happens when women stop apologising for wanting more and start owning their ambition without shame. This one is for anyone ready to think bigger. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Emma - @emmagrede Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores [http://www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet  Presented by Anita Rani Producer: Flossie Barratt Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Meera Syal: The Thing That Made Me Lonely IS My Superpower

Dame Meera Syal has graced our screens, bookshelves, and stages for decades - but behind the wit, brilliance, and groundbreaking work is a woman who has spent her life quietly and powerfully defying expectations. In the very first episode of Sisters of Defiance, Anita sits down with Meera to talk about identity, ambition, belonging, and what it meant to grow up feeling caught between cultures while trying to forge a path that didn’t yet exist for women like her. From the creation of Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 to navigating a divorce in a culture which views it as deeply shameful, Meera reflects on the highs, the challenges, the moments that shaped her voice, and all the work still to come. If you can’t be what you can’t see, thank god Anita saw Meera aged 14. This one is personal. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Meera - @meera.syal Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores [http://www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet  Presented by Anita Rani Producer: Flossie Barratt Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Introducing Sisters of Defiance, with Anita Rani

What happens when women stop playing safe? In Sisters of Defiance nourished by Ancient + Brave, Anita Rani sits down with extraordinary women who have challenged expectations, broken rules, taken risks and refused to live according to anybody else’s idea of who they should be. Through honest, joyful conversations, guests reflect on the moments that made them: the first acts of defiance, the failures, the turning points, and what it really took to keep going when life got complicated. Here we celebrate women who’ve gone their own way, who have taken the reins and pushed for change. This is about sharing wisdom passed down through generations, and hearing from women who have been bold enough to say ‘no’ and ‘yes’ when it matters most.  To all the former little girls who refused to sit quietly in the corner looking pretty: this is your invitation to live life on your own terms. All 10 episodes of Series 1 will drop weekly on Tuesdays.  And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet  Presented by Anita Rani Producer: Flossie Barratt Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.