Speaking of her

At the edge of the World: A conversation with Ann Daniels

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2451796/open_sms] Welcome back to Speaking of Her. For this special episode, we sit down with the extraordinary Arctic explorer Ann Daniels — one of the world’s leading polar adventurers and a woman who has pushed the limits of human endurance in some of the harshest environments on Earth. As we close out our very first season, this conversation feels especially fitting. Ann’s story is one of resilience, courage, and relentless determination — a powerful reminder of what we are capable of. In this inspiring episode, we explore: * Ann Daniels’ journey from an ordinary life to becoming a world-renowned Arctic explorer * What it takes — mentally, physically, and emotionally — to survive and lead expeditions in extreme polar conditions * The realities of fear, risk, and resilience when operating in some of the most unforgiving landscapes on the planet As our Season 1 finale, we also want to take a moment to say thank you for listening — we hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and we wish every one of you a very happy and adventurous New Year. Keywords Ann Daniels, Arctic explorer, women explorers, polar exploration, female adventurers, women in extreme environments, leadership in exploration, resilience stories, feminist history podcast, Speaking of Her podcast, women who break barriers, modern women pioneers, exploration and survival, women in STEM and exploration, inspirational women stories, real history podcast, contemporary women leaders, courage and resilience, women in male-dominated fields, adventure podcast, polar expeditions, women redefining exploration, global women’s stories No Copyright infringement is intended.

Anne Bonney and Mary Read: History’s Most Notorious Women Pirates

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2451796/open_sms] Welcome back to Speaking of Her. For this week’s episode, Jess dives into the notorious and daring lives of Anne Bonney and Mary Read — two of the most famous female pirates to ever sail the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. In a brutal, lawless world ruled almost entirely by men, Anne and Mary carved out lives of rebellion and freedom on the open seas, fighting fiercely in battle, and refusing to submit to the roles society demanded of them. In this thrilling episode, we explore: * How Anne Bonney fled a life of rigid expectations and scandal to embrace piracy — and what drew her to the notorious pirate “Calico Jack” Rackham * Mary Read’s extraordinary early life, including being raised as a boy and how that deception shaped her survival and identity * How Anne and Mary met aboard Rackham’s ship and became fearsome fighters known for their ferocity in combat * The capture of their crew, the dramatic trial that shocked the colonial world, and the legal loophole that spared them from immediate execution * The myths, mysteries, and unanswered questions surrounding their final fates — and why their legacy still fascinates us today This episode peels back the legend to reveal two complex women who lived boldly, violently, and unapologetically on their own terms — and who continue to challenge how we think about gender, power, and rebellion in history. Sources: * Smithsonian Magazine * Pirates: Totalus Rankium podcast episode 19 * Wicked Women podcast: Anne Bonney and Mary Read * ChatGPT Keywords Anne Bonney, Mary Read, women pirates, female pirates history, Golden Age of Piracy, Caribbean piracy, pirate women warriors, women who defied gender norms, feminist history podcast, Speaking of Her podcast, notorious women in history, piracy myths and legends, women disguised as men history, eighteenth-century women pioneers, outlaw women history, rebellious women stories, maritime history through a feminist lens, forgotten women of history, women who broke the rules, real history podcast, untold women’s stories, women in combat history, pirate trials history, legendary women pirates, global women’s history, fearless women leaders No Copyright infringement is intended.

Choosing Sobriety: A Story of Strength and Hope

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2451796/open_sms] Welcome back to Speaking of Her. In this week’s episode, we sit down with Lyndsay, who opens up about her journey to sobriety. What begins as a reflection on life over decade ago unfolds into a deeply honest conversation about recognising unhealthy patterns, confronting difficult truths, and finding hope through support and community. With vulnerability and strength, she shares how choosing sobriety reshaped not only her daily life but her sense of self, her relationships, and her purpose. In this heartfelt episode, we explore: * The signs that alcohol had become a problem, and the turning point that led her to seek help * Her first experiences with support groups — the nerves, the surprises, and the principles that continue to guide her * The emotional landscape of early sobriety and how her relationship with herself has evolved * The unexpected joys of a sober life, the role of community, and her encouragement for anyone struggling — especially as Christmas approaches This episode is tender, honest, and full of hope. Whether sobriety is part of your own story or something affecting someone you love, her perspective offers insight, and the reminder that it’s never too late to choose a different path. If you, or a family member is seeking support, we have included a couple of links below: Al-Anon UK | For families & friends of alcoholics [https://al-anonuk.org.uk/] Home - Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain [https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/] Keywords Sobriety journey, recovery, personal stories, Speaking of Her podcast, women supporting women,  sobriety at Christmas,  empowering women’s stories, lived experience recovery, hope and healing, real women real stories, transforming your life, sobriety support, recovery community, women’s wellness  No Copyright infringement is intended.

Repatriation to North Korea and Jihyun's second escape: A conversation with Jihyun Park - Part 2

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2451796/open_sms] In this powerful and deeply moving episode, we continue our conversation with Jihyun Park, activist, survivor, and co-author of The Hard Road Out.  In Part 1, Jihyun shared her extraordinary story of growing up under the brutal regime of North Korea, she told us about her first daring escape, the heartbreaking challenges she faced, and she opened up about her years in China - years marked by both danger and resilience. Join us now for Part 2 where Jihyun continues her story with extraordinary courage.  * She talks to us about being captured, imprisoned in China, and ultimately repatriated back to North Korea.  * She shares what she witnessed and experienced inside a North Korean prison camp. * And how - against all odds - she managed a second escape.  This is a conversation about courage, endurance, and the unbreakable human spirit. Jihyun’s story is not only a testament to her strength, but also an urgent reminder of the realities faced by countless North Korean defectors today. We have linked to The Hard Road Out below: The Hard Road Out: One Woman’s Escape From North Korea : Park, Jihyun, Chai, Seh-lynn, Baldwin, Sarah: Amazon.co.uk: Books [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hard-Road-Out-Womans-Escape/dp/000854140X] No Copyright infringement is intended.

Surviving North Korea: A conversation with Jihyun Park. Part 1

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2451796/open_sms] In this powerful and deeply moving episode, we sit down with Jihyun Park, activist, survivor, and co-author of The Hard Road Out. Jihyun shares her extraordinary story of growing up under the brutal regime of North Korea, offering a rare and intimate look into daily life inside the world’s most secretive country. She takes us through her first daring escape, the heartbreaking challenges she faced, and the unimaginable risks she took in search of freedom. Jihyun also opens up about her years in China - years marked by both danger and resilience - as she fought to survive and ultimately reclaim control of her life. This is a conversation about courage, endurance, and the unbreakable human spirit. Jihyun’s story is not only a testament to her strength, but also an urgent reminder of the realities faced by countless North Korean defectors today. #survivor  No Copyright infringement is intended.